Kiiii's Music Hall

Key · 09-30-2016, 12:52 PM

Key · 10-02-2016, 04:43 PM

Opeth - Sorceress (2016)

A new album by Opeth is up there for being one of my most anticipated albums for this year. I know the general consensus of post-growl Mikael Opeth is not a popular choice among fans, but I don't give a **** about that at all. I used to care about that a bit because I felt the clean vocals didn't add much, but Sorceress takes that opinion and squashes it completely.

If you've listened to Opeth for years, you've come to expect the sound they put out, so anything new is just an extension of their other work, whcih Sorceress does as well. I don't say that to fault the album though, because consistency is vastly important for a band that you expect a lot out of.

Sorceress is a 13 track album with 3 additional live tracks, and from a first listen, I can say I'm not disappointed with any of the tracks on this album. Each hold their own and there are some instances where you hear Mikael attempt some post-metal'ish vocals while still maintaining his clean demeanor. I don't necessarily have any favorite tracks on the album yet since I've given it one listen. The album is filled with a few instrumentals here and there, which is a nice touch so that you don't get too overwhelmed with everything going on. You also have a badass guitar solo thrown in here and there as well.

As an album, I say this is up there with being one of their strongest releases in quite some time, but with Opeth that's not an insult to their previous releases, if anything, this just proves once again that Opeth are not willing to stop any time soon, and I don't expect them too. They're still holding on and pushing music out better than most bands these days.

Definitely worth a listen, and a nice addition to the large catalog of music that we've seen come out this year.

Not disappointed in the slightest.

Aloysius · 10-03-2016, 06:54 AM

Didn't realise this had dropped, and after one listen I have to agree with you this feels their best album for a long while. I'm one of those typical Opeth fans than always pine for another Deliverance, now that I've accepted it will never happen I'm pretty stoked with this release.

Key · 10-03-2016, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aloysius

Didn't realise this had dropped, and after one listen I have to agree with you this feels their best album for a long while. I'm one of those typical Opeth fans than always pine for another Deliverance, now that I've accepted it will never happen I'm pretty stoked with this release.

It's crawling up my list for being one of my favorite releases of theirs in quite some time.

Key · 10-10-2016, 08:37 PM

Animal Collective - Painting With (2016)

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I've never listened to Animal Collective. Not sure why I've never gone into their music, I suppose I just never had the motivation to do it. That, and I really didn't know what kind of music they were. Painting With was released this year so I figured it's better late than never to give them a shot, and I must say, I'm gonna slap myself in the face for not listening to them sooner.

The first impression I got right off the bat is they have a very Sparks sound, in the way the vocals work along with the instrumentals behind it. It's very synth-pop mixed with experimental effects thrown in here and there. Usually, I'm not a big fan of too much going on, but this has the right amount where it's not terribly overwhelming. While I'm unsure as to what kind of mood I'd have to be in to really enjoy this, I can certainly understand the reasoning behind people being obsessed with them. But, it's definitely something you need to pay attention to.

Each track on this album is pretty good, but again, I have no basis to fall back on in order to consider it their best or worst, so I'm going on a hunch and assuming this album is considered pretty good. The important question is will this prompt me to listen to some of their other work? I mean, it's possible. I don't know when or why I would want to listen to a full discography of these guys, but I can see the reason why someone would. This kind of genre isn't something I go out of my way to listen to, so while I do think the album is good, it's a bit discomforting listening to it not really knowing what to expect.

As far as where it falls on my album of the year list, I literally have no idea. I may have to listen to it again once I listen to it fully, but I don't really see much difference across each track. It's all merging together as one album, and not much else happens other than the synth pop/experimental/high vocals that I suppose this band is known for. Again, I don't mean that as an insult, but I'm just not sure what else there is to these guys.

Right now, I'd give this album a solid 6/10. Mostly for uncertainty and somewhat boredom.

Tristan_Geoff · 10-10-2016, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ki

Animal Collective - Painting With (2016)

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I've never listened to Animal Collective. Not sure why I've never gone into their music, I suppose I just never had the motivation to do it. That, and I really didn't know what kind of music they were. Painting With was released this year so I figured it's better late than never to give them a shot, and I must say, I'm gonna slap myself in the face for not listening to them sooner.

The first impression I got right off the bat is they have a very Sparks sound, in the way the vocals work along with the instrumentals behind it. It's very synth-pop mixed with experimental effects thrown in here and there. Usually, I'm not a big fan of too much going on, but this has the right amount where it's not terribly overwhelming. While I'm unsure as to what kind of mood I'd have to be in to really enjoy this, I can certainly understand the reasoning behind people being obsessed with them. But, it's definitely something you need to pay attention to.

Each track on this album is pretty good, but again, I have no basis to fall back on in order to consider it their best or worst, so I'm going on a hunch and assuming this album is considered pretty good. The important question is will this prompt me to listen to some of their other work? I mean, it's possible. I don't know when or why I would want to listen to a full discography of these guys, but I can see the reason why someone would. This kind of genre isn't something I go out of my way to listen to, so while I do think the album is good, it's a bit discomforting listening to it not really knowing what to expect.

As far as where it falls on my album of the year list, I literally have no idea. I may have to listen to it again once I listen to it fully, but I don't really see much difference across each track. It's all merging together as one album, and not much else happens other than the synth pop/experimental/high vocals that I suppose this band is known for. Again, I don't mean that as an insult, but I'm just not sure what else there is to these guys.

Right now, I'd give this album a solid 6/10. Mostly for uncertainty and somewhat boredom.

Why'd you pick their worst album first? Try Sung Tongs, Feels (my personal fav), or Merriweather Post Pavilion next.

The Batlord · 10-10-2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Geoff

Why'd you pick their worst album first? Try Sung Tongs, Feels (my personal fav), or Merriweather Post Pavilion next.

You do know you're talking to Ki, right?

Mondo Bungle · 10-10-2016, 09:03 PM

Maybe he just picked the newest

Key · 10-10-2016, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Geoff

Why'd you pick their worst album first? Try Sung Tongs, Feels (my personal fav), or Merriweather Post Pavilion next.

I have no knowledge of their work so I went with the newest one. I'll keep that in mind though.

The Batlord · 10-10-2016, 09:30 PM

So he pulled a Trollheart.

09-30-2016, 12:52 PM	#51 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153

10-02-2016, 04:43 PM	#52 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Opeth - Sorceress (2016) A new album by Opeth is up there for being one of my most anticipated albums for this year. I know the general consensus of post-growl Mikael Opeth is not a popular choice among fans, but I don't give a **** about that at all. I used to care about that a bit because I felt the clean vocals didn't add much, but Sorceress takes that opinion and squashes it completely. If you've listened to Opeth for years, you've come to expect the sound they put out, so anything new is just an extension of their other work, whcih Sorceress does as well. I don't say that to fault the album though, because consistency is vastly important for a band that you expect a lot out of. Sorceress is a 13 track album with 3 additional live tracks, and from a first listen, I can say I'm not disappointed with any of the tracks on this album. Each hold their own and there are some instances where you hear Mikael attempt some post-metal'ish vocals while still maintaining his clean demeanor. I don't necessarily have any favorite tracks on the album yet since I've given it one listen. The album is filled with a few instrumentals here and there, which is a nice touch so that you don't get too overwhelmed with everything going on. You also have a badass guitar solo thrown in here and there as well. As an album, I say this is up there with being one of their strongest releases in quite some time, but with Opeth that's not an insult to their previous releases, if anything, this just proves once again that Opeth are not willing to stop any time soon, and I don't expect them too. They're still holding on and pushing music out better than most bands these days. Definitely worth a listen, and a nice addition to the large catalog of music that we've seen come out this year. Not disappointed in the slightest.

10-03-2016, 06:54 AM	#53 (permalink)
Aloysius Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 353	Didn't realise this had dropped, and after one listen I have to agree with you this feels their best album for a long while. I'm one of those typical Opeth fans than always pine for another Deliverance, now that I've accepted it will never happen I'm pretty stoked with this release.

10-10-2016, 08:37 PM	#55 (permalink)
Key . Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 13,153	Animal Collective - Painting With (2016) As embarrassing as it is to admit, I've never listened to Animal Collective. Not sure why I've never gone into their music, I suppose I just never had the motivation to do it. That, and I really didn't know what kind of music they were. Painting With was released this year so I figured it's better late than never to give them a shot, and I must say, I'm gonna slap myself in the face for not listening to them sooner. The first impression I got right off the bat is they have a very Sparks sound, in the way the vocals work along with the instrumentals behind it. It's very synth-pop mixed with experimental effects thrown in here and there. Usually, I'm not a big fan of too much going on, but this has the right amount where it's not terribly overwhelming. While I'm unsure as to what kind of mood I'd have to be in to really enjoy this, I can certainly understand the reasoning behind people being obsessed with them. But, it's definitely something you need to pay attention to. Each track on this album is pretty good, but again, I have no basis to fall back on in order to consider it their best or worst, so I'm going on a hunch and assuming this album is considered pretty good. The important question is will this prompt me to listen to some of their other work? I mean, it's possible. I don't know when or why I would want to listen to a full discography of these guys, but I can see the reason why someone would. This kind of genre isn't something I go out of my way to listen to, so while I do think the album is good, it's a bit discomforting listening to it not really knowing what to expect. As far as where it falls on my album of the year list, I literally have no idea. I may have to listen to it again once I listen to it fully, but I don't really see much difference across each track. It's all merging together as one album, and not much else happens other than the synth pop/experimental/high vocals that I suppose this band is known for. Again, I don't mean that as an insult, but I'm just not sure what else there is to these guys. Right now, I'd give this album a solid 6/10. Mostly for uncertainty and somewhat boredom.