JGuy Grungeman

I'm also quite curious about Clap Clap.

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Frownland

Here's your answer: He's really awesome.

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Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

JGuy Grungeman

Blear by Blear



Release: May 20, 2016:
Style: Punk, Grunge
Length: 30 min.

This is the third album by Blear, an unknown grunge/punk band from Brazil. The thing about South America is that they generally tend to have really good grunge, especially in Argentina. I've made thios point several times. I think Blear's third album could be better, but it's still well worth a listen.

The band continues grunge/punk traditions of the 90's, but occasionally feels alright for the modern day. Their lyrics need some work (it's all in English), but their music is just fine, and seems to be all about what grunge stood for. The final track, “Snake Lice,” is the best, carrying a slight grungegaze feel but remaining quite badass. There's not much I can really say about this short little album except that I recommend it for a listen or two, just to discover them and possibly hear their other albums.

77/100

Now I shall recommend Argentine grunge for you.

1. Papa Inflable by Rip. This is one of the best grunge albums I have ever heard. Great songwriting, very true to grunge, and quite badass.
2. Vertice by Paramo – a grungegaze post-rock album that I reviewed recently. Great album with a very melancholic feel.
3. Nativo Radiactivo's Paraiso Espasmo – A psychedelic grunge metal work. 'Nuff said.
4. Poipe by Rip – A rare debut by Rip that's accessible on YT. Only 26 minutes.
5. Tierra Tribals' Adelanto 2015 – Alternative metal/grunge.
6. Traka Traka by El Otro Yo – A punk album.

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JGuy Grungeman

Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not by Dinosaur Jr.



Release: August 5, 2016
Style: Alternaitve Rock
Length: 46 min.

I'm actually quite the Dinosaur Jr. fan. As a long time aspiring critic and a music buff, I honestly think Dinosaur Jr. is right up there with bands like CCR, Metallica, and Beach Boys. I know it's a bit odd to be comparing an alternative band to swamp rock, vocal pop and metal bands, but I'm talking about overall quality of the albums in general. As a result, I expect other future releases to be quite good. “Give a Glimpse” might not be as good as their previous greats like Green Mind, Living, and (dare I say it) I Bet On Sky, but it's still worth a listen and worth any Dino Jr. fan's money.

This is going to be hard talking a lot about a great album with such a predictable alternative sound. In the first second, I was sure of my expectations: an enjoyable album that doesn't change Dinosaur Jr.'s gleefully generic sound at all. “Going Down” carries a fast and furious beat akin to a punk song, but with a voice like J Mascis', you know the song has a deeper sense of meaning than a stereotypical punk song, especially considering modern alternative is pretty much about meaning. “Tiny,” the lead single, is much more ecstatic, even though it's a little slower and more meaningful. A worthy Dinosaur Jr. track. “Be a Part” is much more beautiful. It has two wonderfully soothing guitars working together to create a nice intro. I guess what separates Dino Jr. from other generic alt. Rock bands is their ability to convey emotion while carrying a highly dance-worthy musical quality. “Be a Part” made me think about this while typing this. I then thought to myself, “This is the first time in a couple years I had to seriously think about a song.” Tiny might be the lead single, but this song is so much better. If t has any flaw, the guitar solo (which is still great) doesn't do anything to emphasize the emotion in the song. Next comes “I Told Everyone.” It seems that the production is intentionally, slightly more fuzzy, and the cymbals are what really drive the rhythm. I suppose that's unique for the album. Still, it's good Dinosaur Jr. fun that never gets tiring. It could be a bit better since it doesn't live up to the same lyrical, musical, and emotional levels that “Glimpse's” previous tunes had. It was time for Lou Barlow to take some songwriting (and I think lead singing. “Love Is” is quite pleasant. It's the most romantic song on the album, and a little bit of a turn around for the album. It retains the same sound, but goes in a completely different place. “Good to Know” starts with an almost power metal level riff that quickly turns into the most active track on the album.

“I Walk for Miles” seems to steer more towards hard rock and the heavier side of alternative. It is more drum based and carries raspier and deeper guitars. I think it would be more relatable to those that aren't into alternative rock, and it would probably make a good introduction song to Dinosaur Jr. “Lost All Day” goes back to Dino Jr.'s familiar sound, but goes for a cheerier sound slightly reminiscent of cheery bands like Beach Boys. And the rhythm is great. The guitars are more focused on the rhythm and construction of the song, even if J Mascis' part isn't really based on enough rhythm to keep up. “Knocked Around” is a much slower and softer tune, but it allows all of the band members to focus on rhythm in their own way to create a good lullaby somewhat unique for Dinosaur Jr. One of the best tracks on the album. However, as I thought, the second half of the song is based upon a serious riff that allows all of the band members to go crazier and still maintain a rhythm. “Mirror” starts out similarly to the previous track, but entirely different. Although both start with short drum solos, this one is much more rhythmatic and driven by the cymbals. The construction of the song uses a little bit of redundancy to build its complexity in comparison to the rest of the album. I don't think the band thought that far ahead when they wrote it, but that seems to be what they pulled off. But it's real focus is meaning, the same meaning I've been talking about during the beginning of my review. During the second half, another crazy (but surprisingly fitting) guitar solo takes up most of the second half, even during the singing. A clever move for the track. As soon as the Arby's commercial on YouTube got done, the final track, “Left/Right” came on. Lou Barlow takes the singer's position while a simple guitar riff backs him up. Both vocalists sing with an excellent aura. So serene, and yet, fitting for their energy. “Left/Right” is a simple, worthy ending to the work.

If it weren't for a couple of songs, this would be as good as their best works. Still, I can call it a great album because there's actually a lot to take from this. Dinosaur Jr. are like KISS. They have a very generic sound, but they make it so much fun. I never expect anything too different from a Dinosaur Jr. album, including “Glimpse.” And I'm glad, too.

87/100.

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JGuy Grungeman

The Skeleton Tree by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds



Release: Sept. 9, 2016
Style: Art Rock
Length: 37 min.

I recently got through a few Nick Cave albums on a post-punk buzz. What with this new one coming out, it was needless to listen to more since I was already well prepared and familiar with Nick Cave's form of darkness. Nick Caver;s done a lot ranging from goth rock to alternative rock to art rock. This one leans more towards the latter, but carries the same emotional discomfort as his gothic rock days.

Upon the first note, I felt that familiar Nick Cave sound I know from various other albums. “Jesus Alone's” chorus carried the line, “With my voice.” Every time he said that, I thought about how his voice hasn't changed very much since his early days. It was as if he was telling me he was the same Nick Cave no matter what decade he's in, unlike most artists who change over time or “modernize” themselves (although this album is very modernized). The difference between them and Nick Cave is that Cave, as usual, pulls it off. Then again, I can't see that voice changing very much. What really struck me about the song was the odd production and distorted background, giving off a similar experimental vibe to Blackstar. The next song, “Rings of Saturn,” steers more towards an ambient background, but Nick Cave still songs his singer/songwriter heart out with the perfect balance of emotion, exactly as much emotion as necessary. That seems to be a habit with him. But the lyrics, as usual, are just so meaningful. I don't think the guy can run out of poems. “Girl in Amber” is such a sad song, carrying very meaningful and depressing lyrics. This guy's songs can be so depressing that I'm surprised he's still alive. I wonder where he gets the influence for this such amazing, depressing songs? “Magneto” carries the ambient influence into a song that's more emotionally intriguing than depressing. I had already gone half-way through the album at this point, and I realized a little later on that these slow songs are making the album go by so quickly. I understand it's a 37 minute album, but it was still quick.

Next is “Anthrocene,” which takes a more artistic turn into the drone aspects of the album, belittered with electronic noises while Nick Cave just does his stuff. “I Need You” was driven by drone production, and carried the same meaningful tone as a post-rock album as it was less depressing and somehow more uplifting despite Nick Cave's common lyrical themes. The next song is “Distant Sky.” This one starts off a little boring in comparison to the rest, but then surprise vocals by Danish musician Else Torp (from Theater of Voices) drive the song to a new, comfortable kind of slow pace. Such a pretty voice. It makes up for the boring backing music. And to end the album, the title track comes along. Driven by an acoustic guitar, Nick Cave once again impresses me with his sense of lyrical meaning and balanced emotion.

Overall, the album is yet another continuation of Nick Cave's special brand of darkness, once again being parallel to his musical talent as if the two were brother and sister. One of his absolute best? I haven't heard enough Nick Cave to confirm that. One of the better albums of 2016? I'd definitely say so. For former dadrockers like me, it's a comfort to find that old 70's and 80's rock artists like Bowie and Nick Cave haven't lost their touch. It's at the release of this album that I get it in my head that it's impossible for Nick Cave to release a bad album. Well, I'll know if I ever listen to all of his albums. Nick Cave isn't like other classic rock musicians. He knows how to modernize. He knows how to stay great. The Skeleton Tree is proof.

85/100.

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Key

It is quite good. I listened to it this morning.