Bitesize: Trollheart's Daily Album Mini-Reviews

Trollheart · 01-01-2016, 09:01 AM

Artiste: Exes For Eyes
Nationality: American?
Album: Tongues Like Figure Eights
Year: 2015
Label: None; Digital release through their website (for a dollar!)
Genre: Thrash/Death Metal?
Chronological position: Second album
Familiarity: Zero
Interesting factoid: You wouldn't think there were two bands with this name, and in essence there aren't, but I thought this was the Irish band Little Xs for Eyes, and they had just changed their name. It's not and they haven't. There is however very little information, even from their website, on the band, with the result that I am just assuming they come from America.
Tracks:
1. Tongues like figure eights: Starts deceptively relaxed but then bursts into what is I guess a death metal or thrash vein, growly voice, hammering guitars, good melodies though. Certainly rocks.
2. Done for good: Meh, bit slower but I really didn't notice the transition from one to the other, and that's seldom good. Bit grindier than the opener, but essentially sounds pretty much the same to me. Aggressive, angry, loud and powerful. Batty would probably love this.
3. I will stand my ground: Another roared vocal, bit all over the place, but then it settles down for the midsection with a really nice softer guitar and a far gentler vocal. It won't of course stay that way, but it's nice while it does.
4. Collision: Nice sort of vocal chorus with some really biting guitar. Different, anyway.
5. Bleed the stone: Nice jangly guitar start, then it kicks into another headbanger. I'm getting more used to the vocal now. It's not too bad.
6. A strange man: Sort of a boogie feel to this, hops along nicely. An almost melodic/progressive metal guitar at times. Far too long though at six minutes plus. Nice staggered riff at the end.
7. Remember Savannah: This definitely sounds like it has some keyboards in it, and again there's a real progressive metal tone to it. Do they have keys? I don't know; as I say, information is sketchy at best. Okay, from what I can see, they don't, yet those definitely sound like keys. Maybe there's a guest performer? Best track yet, although really that's not saying a lot, is it? I'm actually gonna Green this one, first one on the album I've felt deserves it.
8. Parade of one: All right, that is definitely piano. No question about it. Kind of murder it a few seconds later though with a total thrashfest which could end up getting this a Red if it doesn't do anything else over its run. Ok, it actually has a good hook and the vocal is pretty expressive, those prog metal overtones in evidence again. I can give this a Green, though it annoys me what they did to that poor piano!
9. Shot in the dark: This is pretty good, with a sense of creeping menace in the guitar and in the at times kind of hissed vocal. Good bit of shredding there in the last minute or so.
10. My life vs your vacation: Actually sounds a lot like mid-eighties Maiden; hammers along with great energy and enthusiasm, though what the hell it's about I have no idea.
11. Closure...: I'm not going to suggest this is a ballad, but it does start on really nice reflective guitar that for the moment hasn't been blown away by a harder one. And it isn't. This is actually quite beautiful and totally unexpected. An instrumental that's low-key, soft and relaxing, and remains that way to the end.

Comments: Although this album started really badly for me but improved as it went on, and made a very presentable showing at the end, I still feel it's nothing special. It's probably categorised as thrash metal, and in that vein it's pretty ordinary: I don't see these guys standing out from the crowd as they need to do if they're to make it (which I assume they haven't as I had to search a lot to find them). It's not an album I'm sorry I listened to, but equally I could have lived without it, which is a pity, as they seem to be nice guys dedicated to their music, very honest and down to earth. But it takes more than that, unfortunately.

Trollheart · 01-16-2017, 09:39 AM

Bigger and better for 2017. Well, bigger anyway...

Some changes have occurred. When I started this journal it was as a sort of foil to my main journal, where reviews could be condensed and not run on for ten pages like my usual style. In the interim I've learned to be a little less wordy (no, I have) and so the idea of shorter reviews kind of doesn't make too much sense any more. Also, I now have my “Listening List” thread for that. So here I'm going to change the format.

There will be no reviews. Definitely not. No way. Well, maybe. Occasionally. Sometimes. Depends on how I'm feeling. But the point is there won't always be one. The idea is that I will listen to the album, rate the tracks using my patent pending “Love or Hate?” style, and will write most likely a few short lines, maybe a paragraph in some instances about the album. Just basic stuff. In some cases, this may expand out a little but it most it will just be a line or two. Maybe. Also, some categories are going or being merged. Things like “favourite track(s)” will now be redundant, as you'll be able to see from the track listing what I thought of each one. I'm getting rid of “Initial impression” too, and the ratings will be moved to the end instead of being the first thing you see. Also, although this was originally conceived to only deal with albums I had not heard before, I will now also feature some I know, on occasion, but may either not have heard for a while or may only have listened to once or twice. Actually, you know what? I'm removing all restrictions on albums reviewed here: if I've heard it before, reviewed it before even, if it's part of The Great Discography Project or has appeared in another journal or thread, or is due to, don't care. I may look at it here too. Anything is up for grabs. Taking the Hum Factor out too, as it's really unimportant to how good or bad an album is.

Artiste: Casting Crowns
Nationality: American
Album: Come to the Well
Year: 2011
Label: Beach Street/Reunion
Genre: Christian Rock
Tracks:
Courageous
City on the hill
Jesus, friend of sinners
Already there
The well
Spirit wind
Just another birthday
Wedding day
Angel
My own worst enemy
Face down
So far to find you
Chronological position: Fifth album
Familiarity: Zero
Comments: You know, I could go on smugly about how this is sub-country mixed with pop/rock and a large slice of Christian worship, but who the fuck cares? If you can put aside the overtly religious messages in the songs (which you should have expected anyway if you had done your research before beginning to listen to this) then you can enjoy this on its own merits. In places, nowhere near as preachy as I had expected, and the songwriting is good. Kind of reminds me of if Bon Jovi did Christian Rock. If that makes your blood run cold, move along; I like most of this. It is a little embarrassing when they try to “rock out” on “My own worst enemy” though.
Intention: I reckon I'll check out more of their material. Who cares if they're part of the God Squad? I listen to (some) Black Metal but don't venerate Satan. This is decent music.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 01-16-2017, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Kind of reminds me of if Bon Jovi did Christian Rock.

*projectile vomits onto computer monitor*

Trollheart · 01-16-2017, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwertyy

*projectile vomits onto computer monitor*

Quiet, you.
On we go...

Artiste: Val Tvoar
Nationality: Estonian
Album: In Light You Believe ... But In Darkness You Dwell
Year: 2016
Label: Independent
Genre: Stoner Metal/Stoner Rock
Tracks:
Metal of instru
The wizard named Goodbad
There's no tomorrow
Mind reader, the shadow
The last dance
I am you
Three shovels of dirt
The night when everything went wrong and you shot me down
Dark side of mine
REbornCYCLE
Chronological position: Debut album
Familiarity: Zero
Comments: Of all the Estonian artists I've ever heard, this guy is the first. With a title like that I was expecting Doom or even Depressive Black Metal, but no. I'd have to say, we're five tracks in now and I haven't really heard anything that blows me away. It's all very competent rock, and tracks like “The wizard called Goodbad” (which basically serves as the title track) and “The last dance” stand out, as well as “The night when everything went wrong and you shot me down”, one of the heaviest on the album. But most of it is, well, all I could call it is competent really. That's not fair: it's probably great, and the guy will probably be a big star this time next year, but I just don't see much to get overly excited about personally.
Intention: I'm not that sure I'd be interested in a follow-up, but I might listen to it.

Trollheart · 01-16-2017, 10:15 AM

Artiste: Captains of Sea and War
Nationality: Spanish
Album: Captains of Sea and War
Year: 2014
Label: None
Genre: Post rock/Prog rock
Tracks:
Call again
Kurtz
Aboard
You need to restart
Far
Zittersheim
Five times the sea
East
Chronological position: Debut album
Familiarity: Zero
Comments: It's an odd one this. Very good post-rock but there is some singing, which I find a little odd: I always thought post-rock was exclusively instrumental? We don't hear it again until the fifth track, “Far”, by which time it really takes me by surprise, Some good stuff in here though. It's good but as ever it's hard to pin down reasons why it's good, or if it really is that great. Definitely, the addition of occasional vocals is different, and makes the band at least stand out from the hundreds of other post-rock outfits out there.
Intention: I'm not really sure. Might check out their other release, but I don't feel particularly compelled to.

Trollheart · 01-21-2017, 11:55 AM

Artiste: Low
Nationality: American
Album: I Could Live In Hope
Year: 1994
Label: Vernon Yard
Genre: Slowcore
Tracks:
Words
Fear
Cut
Slide
Lazy
Lullaby
Sea
Down
Drag
Rope
Sunshine
Chronological position: Debut album
Familiarity: Ones and Sixes
Comments: Don't think I've seen an album before that had one-word titles for every song. Oddly, having downloaded all of Low's discography after listening to and enjoying Ones and Sixes, I chose this one at random, and it turns out to be their debut. Apparently this was one of the albums that helped create the genre of slowcore. Well I can see why it's called that. Very laidback, very relaxed, very downbeat, though at times a little dreary, like on “Rope” and “Cut” but at other times quite breathtakingly beautiful, as on “lullaby” and “Slide”. The cover of “You are my only sunshine” (shortened just to “sunshine”) as the closer is clever and unexpected.
Intention: I'll keep exploring this band. Reckon I'll like them.

Trollheart · 01-21-2017, 12:02 PM

Artiste: If These Trees Could Talk
Nationality: American
Album: Above the Earth, Below the Sky
Year: 2009
Label: Metal Blade
Genre: Post rock
Tracks:
From roots to needles
What's in the ground belongs to you
Terra incognita
Above the Earth
Below the sky
The sun is in the north
Thirty-six silos
The flames of Herostratus
Rebuilding the temple of Artemis
Deus ex machina
Chronological position: Debut album
Familiarity: Zero
Comments: What can you say about post-rock? I understand how Ki finds it hard to express why certain post-rock albums appeal to him. This is good, strong guitar-driven post rock, but then, isn't most of this genre? Is there anything different about it? Does it stand out from its fellows? No. Does that make it any less good an album? No, but it makes it hard to pin down exactly why I like this. But I do.
Intention: Meh, post-rock is as post-rock does, ya know? I'd probably not avoid their next album, but I wouldn't go actively seeking it out either.

Trollheart · 01-21-2017, 12:05 PM

Artiste: Pallbearer
Nationality: American
Album: Sorrow and Extinction
Year: 2012
Label: Profound Lore
Genre: Doom Metal
Tracks:
Foreigner
Devoid of redemption
The legend
An offering of grief
Given to the grave
Chronological position: Debut album
Familiarity: Foundations of Burden
Comments: Not really a lot to say. Another brilliant doom metal album, hard to pick out any favourites because they're all good, though the closer is something pretty special.
Intention: They have a new one out this year. Need to check that out.

Trollheart · 01-28-2017, 09:34 AM

Artiste: Vaults
Nationality: British
Album: Caught in Still Life
Year: 2016
Label: EMI
Genre: Electronica
Tracks:
Cry no more
Premonitions
Midnight river
One last night
Poison
Paradise
Bodies
Hurricane
Overcome
Lifespan
Orphan
Bloodflow
One day I'll fly away
Chronological position:Debut album
Rank: n/a
Comments: This is a pretty good synthpop/electronica debut, sort of reminds me of a slower, more downtempo version of Chvrches. Maybe. My attention was piqued with “Poison”; up to that it had been okay, but after that the album just got more and more solid and interesting. The cello accompaniment to “Orphan” is haunting and beautiful. Do a good version of Randy Crawford's “One day I'll fly away”, too. Great orchestral arrangement. Superb.
Intention: Watch them: they will be big in 2017. Seems their videos already gained twenty million views before the album was released! Sounds hard to believe. Or not.

Trollheart · 02-17-2017, 02:22 PM

Artiste: Annie Lennox
Nationality: British
Album: Bare
Year: 2003
Label: RCA
Genre: Pop
Tracks:
A thousand beautiful things
Pavement cracks
The hurting time
Honestly
Wonderful
Bitter pill
Loneliness
The saddest song I've got
Erased
Twisted
Oh God (Prayer)
Chronological position: Third album
Rank: Novice
Comments: “Pavement cracks” starts like a ballad but quickly acquires teeth and a beat, and surely that's Stevie Wonder on the smoking sultry harmonica on “The hurting time”? She certainly channels Karen Carpenter on “Wonderful”. The exuberant soul swagger of “Bitter pill” contrasts sharply with the fragile vulnerability of “The saddest song I've got”.
Intention: I think I'd like to hear more of this.

01-01-2016, 09:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Artiste: Exes For Eyes Nationality: American? Album: Tongues Like Figure Eights Year: 2015 Label: None; Digital release through their website (for a dollar!) Genre: Thrash/Death Metal? Chronological position: Second album Familiarity: Zero Interesting factoid: You wouldn't think there were two bands with this name, and in essence there aren't, but I thought this was the Irish band Little Xs for Eyes, and they had just changed their name. It's not and they haven't. There is however very little information, even from their website, on the band, with the result that I am just assuming they come from America. Tracks: 1. Tongues like figure eights: Starts deceptively relaxed but then bursts into what is I guess a death metal or thrash vein, growly voice, hammering guitars, good melodies though. Certainly rocks. 2. Done for good: Meh, bit slower but I really didn't notice the transition from one to the other, and that's seldom good. Bit grindier than the opener, but essentially sounds pretty much the same to me. Aggressive, angry, loud and powerful. Batty would probably love this. 3. I will stand my ground: Another roared vocal, bit all over the place, but then it settles down for the midsection with a really nice softer guitar and a far gentler vocal. It won't of course stay that way, but it's nice while it does. 4. Collision: Nice sort of vocal chorus with some really biting guitar. Different, anyway. 5. Bleed the stone: Nice jangly guitar start, then it kicks into another headbanger. I'm getting more used to the vocal now. It's not too bad. 6. A strange man: Sort of a boogie feel to this, hops along nicely. An almost melodic/progressive metal guitar at times. Far too long though at six minutes plus. Nice staggered riff at the end. 7. Remember Savannah: This definitely sounds like it has some keyboards in it, and again there's a real progressive metal tone to it. Do they have keys? I don't know; as I say, information is sketchy at best. Okay, from what I can see, they don't, yet those definitely sound like keys. Maybe there's a guest performer? Best track yet, although really that's not saying a lot, is it? I'm actually gonna Green this one, first one on the album I've felt deserves it. 8. Parade of one: All right, that is definitely piano. No question about it. Kind of murder it a few seconds later though with a total thrashfest which could end up getting this a Red if it doesn't do anything else over its run. Ok, it actually has a good hook and the vocal is pretty expressive, those prog metal overtones in evidence again. I can give this a Green, though it annoys me what they did to that poor piano! 9. Shot in the dark: This is pretty good, with a sense of creeping menace in the guitar and in the at times kind of hissed vocal. Good bit of shredding there in the last minute or so. 10. My life vs your vacation: Actually sounds a lot like mid-eighties Maiden; hammers along with great energy and enthusiasm, though what the hell it's about I have no idea. 11. Closure...: I'm not going to suggest this is a ballad, but it does start on really nice reflective guitar that for the moment hasn't been blown away by a harder one. And it isn't. This is actually quite beautiful and totally unexpected. An instrumental that's low-key, soft and relaxing, and remains that way to the end. Comments: Although this album started really badly for me but improved as it went on, and made a very presentable showing at the end, I still feel it's nothing special. It's probably categorised as thrash metal, and in that vein it's pretty ordinary: I don't see these guys standing out from the crowd as they need to do if they're to make it (which I assume they haven't as I had to search a lot to find them). It's not an album I'm sorry I listened to, but equally I could have lived without it, which is a pity, as they seem to be nice guys dedicated to their music, very honest and down to earth. But it takes more than that, unfortunately. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-16-2017, 09:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Bigger and better for 2017. Well, bigger anyway... Some changes have occurred. When I started this journal it was as a sort of foil to my main journal, where reviews could be condensed and not run on for ten pages like my usual style. In the interim I've learned to be a little less wordy (no, I have) and so the idea of shorter reviews kind of doesn't make too much sense any more. Also, I now have my “Listening List” thread for that. So here I'm going to change the format. There will be no reviews. Definitely not. No way. Well, maybe. Occasionally. Sometimes. Depends on how I'm feeling. But the point is there won't always be one. The idea is that I will listen to the album, rate the tracks using my patent pending “Love or Hate?” style, and will write most likely a few short lines, maybe a paragraph in some instances about the album. Just basic stuff. In some cases, this may expand out a little but it most it will just be a line or two. Maybe. Also, some categories are going or being merged. Things like “favourite track(s)” will now be redundant, as you'll be able to see from the track listing what I thought of each one. I'm getting rid of “Initial impression” too, and the ratings will be moved to the end instead of being the first thing you see. Also, although this was originally conceived to only deal with albums I had not heard before, I will now also feature some I know, on occasion, but may either not have heard for a while or may only have listened to once or twice. Actually, you know what? I'm removing all restrictions on albums reviewed here: if I've heard it before, reviewed it before even, if it's part of The Great Discography Project or has appeared in another journal or thread, or is due to, don't care. I may look at it here too. Anything is up for grabs. Taking the Hum Factor out too, as it's really unimportant to how good or bad an album is. Artiste: Casting Crowns Nationality: American Album: Come to the Well Year: 2011 Label: Beach Street/Reunion Genre: Christian Rock Tracks: Courageous City on the hill Jesus, friend of sinners Already there The well Spirit wind Just another birthday Wedding day Angel My own worst enemy Face down So far to find you Chronological position: Fifth album Familiarity: Zero Comments: You know, I could go on smugly about how this is sub-country mixed with pop/rock and a large slice of Christian worship, but who the fuck cares? If you can put aside the overtly religious messages in the songs (which you should have expected anyway if you had done your research before beginning to listen to this) then you can enjoy this on its own merits. In places, nowhere near as preachy as I had expected, and the songwriting is good. Kind of reminds me of if Bon Jovi did Christian Rock. If that makes your blood run cold, move along; I like most of this. It is a little embarrassing when they try to “rock out” on “My own worst enemy” though. Intention: I reckon I'll check out more of their material. Who cares if they're part of the God Squad? I listen to (some) Black Metal but don't venerate Satan. This is decent music. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018 Last edited by Trollheart; 01-16-2017 at 09:54 AM.

01-16-2017, 10:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Artiste: Captains of Sea and War Nationality: Spanish Album: Captains of Sea and War Year: 2014 Label: None Genre: Post rock/Prog rock Tracks: Call again Kurtz Aboard You need to restart Far Zittersheim Five times the sea East Chronological position: Debut album Familiarity: Zero Comments: It's an odd one this. Very good post-rock but there is some singing, which I find a little odd: I always thought post-rock was exclusively instrumental? We don't hear it again until the fifth track, “Far”, by which time it really takes me by surprise, Some good stuff in here though. It's good but as ever it's hard to pin down reasons why it's good, or if it really is that great. Definitely, the addition of occasional vocals is different, and makes the band at least stand out from the hundreds of other post-rock outfits out there. Intention: I'm not really sure. Might check out their other release, but I don't feel particularly compelled to. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-21-2017, 11:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Artiste: Low Nationality: American Album: I Could Live In Hope Year: 1994 Label: Vernon Yard Genre: Slowcore Tracks: Words Fear Cut Slide Lazy Lullaby Sea Down Drag Rope Sunshine Chronological position: Debut album Familiarity: Ones and Sixes Comments: Don't think I've seen an album before that had one-word titles for every song. Oddly, having downloaded all of Low's discography after listening to and enjoying Ones and Sixes, I chose this one at random, and it turns out to be their debut. Apparently this was one of the albums that helped create the genre of slowcore. Well I can see why it's called that. Very laidback, very relaxed, very downbeat, though at times a little dreary, like on “Rope” and “Cut” but at other times quite breathtakingly beautiful, as on “lullaby” and “Slide”. The cover of “You are my only sunshine” (shortened just to “sunshine”) as the closer is clever and unexpected. Intention: I'll keep exploring this band. Reckon I'll like them. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-21-2017, 12:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Artiste: If These Trees Could Talk Nationality: American Album: Above the Earth, Below the Sky Year: 2009 Label: Metal Blade Genre: Post rock Tracks: From roots to needles What's in the ground belongs to you Terra incognita Above the Earth Below the sky The sun is in the north Thirty-six silos The flames of Herostratus Rebuilding the temple of Artemis Deus ex machina Chronological position: Debut album Familiarity: Zero Comments: What can you say about post-rock? I understand how Ki finds it hard to express why certain post-rock albums appeal to him. This is good, strong guitar-driven post rock, but then, isn't most of this genre? Is there anything different about it? Does it stand out from its fellows? No. Does that make it any less good an album? No, but it makes it hard to pin down exactly why I like this. But I do. Intention: Meh, post-rock is as post-rock does, ya know? I'd probably not avoid their next album, but I wouldn't go actively seeking it out either. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-21-2017, 12:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Artiste: Pallbearer Nationality: American Album: Sorrow and Extinction Year: 2012 Label: Profound Lore Genre: Doom Metal Tracks: Foreigner Devoid of redemption The legend An offering of grief Given to the grave Chronological position: Debut album Familiarity: Foundations of Burden Comments: Not really a lot to say. Another brilliant doom metal album, hard to pick out any favourites because they're all good, though the closer is something pretty special. Intention: They have a new one out this year. Need to check that out. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-28-2017, 09:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Artiste: Vaults Nationality: British Album: Caught in Still Life Year: 2016 Label: EMI Genre: Electronica Tracks: Cry no more Premonitions Midnight river One last night Poison Paradise Bodies Hurricane Overcome Lifespan Orphan Bloodflow One day I'll fly away Chronological position:Debut album Rank: n/a Comments: This is a pretty good synthpop/electronica debut, sort of reminds me of a slower, more downtempo version of Chvrches. Maybe. My attention was piqued with “Poison”; up to that it had been okay, but after that the album just got more and more solid and interesting. The cello accompaniment to “Orphan” is haunting and beautiful. Do a good version of Randy Crawford's “One day I'll fly away”, too. Great orchestral arrangement. Superb. Intention: Watch them: they will be big in 2017. Seems their videos already gained twenty million views before the album was released! Sounds hard to believe. Or not. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

02-17-2017, 02:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Artiste: Annie Lennox Nationality: British Album: Bare Year: 2003 Label: RCA Genre: Pop Tracks: A thousand beautiful things Pavement cracks The hurting time Honestly Wonderful Bitter pill Loneliness The saddest song I've got Erased Twisted Oh God (Prayer) Chronological position: Third album Rank: Novice Comments: “Pavement cracks” starts like a ballad but quickly acquires teeth and a beat, and surely that's Stevie Wonder on the smoking sultry harmonica on “The hurting time”? She certainly channels Karen Carpenter on “Wonderful”. The exuberant soul swagger of “Bitter pill” contrasts sharply with the fragile vulnerability of “The saddest song I've got”. Intention: I think I'd like to hear more of this. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018