MB Metal Classics: "Dopesmoker" by Sleep

**Janszoon** · 05-16-2018, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicShazam

But those three genres all have a more harmonically developed quality to them that is more interesting and immersive. Dopesmoker is built in rhythmically driven, but very simple, riffs and vocal lines that don't do a lot to create an atmosphere or give me anything to get enveloped in. I just think it's flat.

I searched Youtube for a random Tuvan throat singing album and it destroys this Sleep album.

And Dopesmoker has more involved drumming than any of the genres I compared it to (with the possible except of ragas). So what? The point I'm making is about the mood of those genres and this album, not about what is or isn't complex about them.

~~MicShazam~~ · 05-16-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Kind of like how The Beatles utilize guitars but Sgt. Pepper's isn't a guitar record. Atmospheric music is driven almost entirely by its atmosphere or how it can consume yours.

Also I think you need better speakers/headphones. I could see not finding this engrossing if you listened to it on tinny earbuds.

Since the old one's broke, I've been using a less than amazing set of PC speakers (not supposed to be permanent, but I'm low on funds), but my headphones are good enough and have lots of bottom end.

It's just not interesting to me. I mean, the first three minutes or so go well, but then I get fidgety. Then it goes on for an hour.

**Frownland** · 05-16-2018, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicShazam

It's just not interesting to me

Not much to do with its atmospheric qualities, you just don't like the climate it seems.

~~MicShazam~~ · 05-16-2018, 12:46 PM

Yeah. The album doesn't make me feel anything but a desire to change the channel. That's all I'm saying. It's a big pile of not a lot.

Texas Boy · 05-16-2018, 01:49 PM

6/10 because of some really good moments.
But overall it's a pretty repetitive and boring-ass record. If the length would be twice as short, that album would be much better.
Holy Mountain is way better to me.

~~MicShazam~~ · 05-16-2018, 01:53 PM

Dopesmoker could be boiled down to a 12 minute opener, then there could be some other tracks and the album could be better. At least it's kinda unique. But that's a half hearted attempt at saying something nice about it. I legitemately can't think of a metal album I've ever heard that I wouldn't rather listen to. Not even from the vast pool of really ****ty ones. At least then, there could be a trainwreck to react to. Dopesmoker is a very expertly painted wall that I can watch as it dries.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 05-16-2018, 01:54 PM

this texas guy gets it.

i still gave it an 8 because it’s hella good, i just tend to gravitate towards holy mountain a lot more. i don’t see it as a 10 because there are too many moments that i could just do without.

i think the biggest struggle seems to be understanding that this is to be listened to as one piece, and not like a traditional album. if you ever go into this expecting “songs” you’re probably gonna end up disappointed because it just doesn’t really play that way.

~~MicShazam~~ · 05-16-2018, 01:56 PM

Since it's just one big track, I don't think there's any choice but to listen to it as one piece. I find it hard to believe many people would be confused about that once they realize what's going on.

**Frownland** · 05-16-2018, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicShazam

Dopesmoker could be boiled down to a 12 minute opener, then there could be some other tracks and the album could be better. At least it's kinda unique. But that's a half hearted attempt at saying something nice about it. I legitemately can't think of a metal album I've ever heard that I wouldn't rather listen to. Not even from the vast pool of really ****ty ones. At least then, there could be a trainwreck to react to. Dopesmoker is a very expertly painted wall that I can watch as it dries.

Do you have drone of any kind in your repertoire? I get that a taste thing, but I feel like this is a preference like being turned off by DM vocals: it's something you can "unlearn" pretty quickly.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 05-16-2018, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicShazam

Since it's just one big track, I don't think there's any choice but to listen to it as one piece. I find it hard to believe many people would be confused about that once they realize what's going on.

what if i told you that your reaction makes me think you’re confused by it

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05-16-2018, 12:46 PM	#24 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Yeah. The album doesn't make me feel anything but a desire to change the channel. That's all I'm saying. It's a big pile of not a lot.

05-16-2018, 01:49 PM	#25 (permalink)
Texas Boy Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 187	6/10 because of some really good moments. But overall it's a pretty repetitive and boring-ass record. If the length would be twice as short, that album would be much better. Holy Mountain is way better to me.

05-16-2018, 01:53 PM	#26 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Dopesmoker could be boiled down to a 12 minute opener, then there could be some other tracks and the album could be better. At least it's kinda unique. But that's a half hearted attempt at saying something nice about it. I legitemately can't think of a metal album I've ever heard that I wouldn't rather listen to. Not even from the vast pool of really ****ty ones. At least then, there could be a trainwreck to react to. Dopesmoker is a very expertly painted wall that I can watch as it dries.

05-16-2018, 01:56 PM	#28 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Since it's just one big track, I don't think there's any choice but to listen to it as one piece. I find it hard to believe many people would be confused about that once they realize what's going on.