Music: 8/10 Vocals: 3/5 Lyrics: 4/5 Production: 1/5
Total: 16/25: C+
J. Mascis and the band reunite to produce Beyond. It is a mostly enjoyable romp down memory lane of '90s rock music. It stays true to its roots and produces great music with bad singing. One thing that can't be disputed is J can play the guitar. Not only are the rhythm parts excellent, but he can wail on lead guitar. This album features several 2+ minute solos that are melodic and ripping at the same time. It makes me remember that great guitarists are so few and far between in the 2000s.
Unfortunately, J continues to sing his barely legible lyrics. He's never been good and continues the streak. Yeah, if your a fan you love his quirky voice, but he'll never win over a main stream audience. It's a shame because this band behind a great singer could be extremely successful.
The worst part of the album is the production. There is no excuse to the quality of sound. I feel there is gauze in my ears and haze over the band's sound. Almost any decent home studio can produce a better sounding album. As with the recent Meat Puppets album, I'm astonished that studios can even produce something of this low quality.
If you liked Dinosaur Jr. 15 years ago, you'll love this album. And if you love great guitar solos, pick this up immediately. Everyone else should probably stay away.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Red Fox Grey Fox - From the Land of Bears, Ice and Rock: C-
Music: 8/10 Vocals: 1/5 Lyrics: 1/5 Production: 4/5
Total: 14 of 25: C-
This band totally confuses me. They sound like a female Irish woman singing in a very lush rhythmic band. In reality, it's a man singing in falsetto and their from Minnesota. Definitely changes the perception of what this band is about.
First the good side. The music is great. The drummer easily carries the band producing excellent rhythms and in many ways the direction of the music. The guitarist adds another depth of dimension by mostly complementing or amplifying the drums. There are keyboards to fill in the holes. The weakest link is the bass player who mostly fills in the root. Musically it's great. Part shoegazer, part rock.
The singer is where it all falls apart. When he sings melodically it's not too bad. Especially the songs and moments that leave the listener awash in sounds and musical movement. Unfortunately even then his voice warbles too much especially at the end of phrases. Where it really goes bad is when he tries to sing forcefully. Instead it comes out blaring and harsh. It becomes grating very quickly.
The lyrics also terrible. A chorus of "you are so strange" sung 50 times in a row is very annoying. And no song should start , "Billions of years ago, volcanoes and dinosaurs, creatures of that sort, were creeping and crawling and dying on the planet's floor." Not only is it factually wrong (millions not billions, and volcanoes are definitely not creatures), it's is just dumb lyrics. Who wants to listen to that?
Get rid of the singer, add a vocally talented female singer, and you've got a great band. Otherwise run very far away from Red Fox Grey Fox.
Total: 14 of 25: C-
This band totally confuses me. They sound like a female Irish woman singing in a very lush rhythmic band. In reality, it's a man singing in falsetto and their from Minnesota. Definitely changes the perception of what this band is about.
First the good side. The music is great. The drummer easily carries the band producing excellent rhythms and in many ways the direction of the music. The guitarist adds another depth of dimension by mostly complementing or amplifying the drums. There are keyboards to fill in the holes. The weakest link is the bass player who mostly fills in the root. Musically it's great. Part shoegazer, part rock.
The singer is where it all falls apart. When he sings melodically it's not too bad. Especially the songs and moments that leave the listener awash in sounds and musical movement. Unfortunately even then his voice warbles too much especially at the end of phrases. Where it really goes bad is when he tries to sing forcefully. Instead it comes out blaring and harsh. It becomes grating very quickly.
The lyrics also terrible. A chorus of "you are so strange" sung 50 times in a row is very annoying. And no song should start , "Billions of years ago, volcanoes and dinosaurs, creatures of that sort, were creeping and crawling and dying on the planet's floor." Not only is it factually wrong (millions not billions, and volcanoes are definitely not creatures), it's is just dumb lyrics. Who wants to listen to that?
Get rid of the singer, add a vocally talented female singer, and you've got a great band. Otherwise run very far away from Red Fox Grey Fox.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Toadies - No Deliverance: B
Music: 7/10 Vocals: 4/5 Lyrics: 4/5 Production: 4/5
Total: 19/25 = B
Toadies reunite after many years to put one more album out. They've always been a macabre band singing songs about serial killers, murders, ghosts, and plane crashes. But it's masked behind good but somewhat vague lyrics. Their new album is no different. Perhaps the best track is "One More" which states "she turns the lock on her bedroom door/she finds the answer/she takes one more/and one more". One more what? Pill? Is she a cutter? Who cares, it's absolutely haunting.
The album has many highs but unfortunately as more than a few plodders that don't have the same punch. It takes the energy out of an otherwise good album. It's around a 50/50 mix of good to fair.
Vaden Todd Lewis' voice is as strong and angry as ever. One the good tracks the guitars are loud and bite often. The rhythm section booms and keeps it all driving.
Overall, it's well worth the price of admission. I just wish they culled a couple more off the album and replaced them with better tunes.
Total: 19/25 = B
Toadies reunite after many years to put one more album out. They've always been a macabre band singing songs about serial killers, murders, ghosts, and plane crashes. But it's masked behind good but somewhat vague lyrics. Their new album is no different. Perhaps the best track is "One More" which states "she turns the lock on her bedroom door/she finds the answer/she takes one more/and one more". One more what? Pill? Is she a cutter? Who cares, it's absolutely haunting.
The album has many highs but unfortunately as more than a few plodders that don't have the same punch. It takes the energy out of an otherwise good album. It's around a 50/50 mix of good to fair.
Vaden Todd Lewis' voice is as strong and angry as ever. One the good tracks the guitars are loud and bite often. The rhythm section booms and keeps it all driving.
Overall, it's well worth the price of admission. I just wish they culled a couple more off the album and replaced them with better tunes.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The Gutter Twins - Saturnalia: A
Music: 8/10 Vocals: 5/5 Lyrics: 5/5 Production: 4/5
Total: 22/25 = A
The Gutter Twins is a collaboration of the singers from Screaming Trees and The Afghan Whigs. I'm a huge Mark Lanegan fan so I was eager to get this. And it did not disappoint.
One thing is for certain. God is coming for these two. And from the sounds of it, God may not be pleased! This makes Saturnalia a very dark and heavy album. But redemption requires facing one's demons and perhaps that's what this is all about. Certainly not to be missed is the Eastern-influenced Idle Hands which is perhaps one of the best songs of the year. Get this and repent.
Total: 22/25 = A
The Gutter Twins is a collaboration of the singers from Screaming Trees and The Afghan Whigs. I'm a huge Mark Lanegan fan so I was eager to get this. And it did not disappoint.
One thing is for certain. God is coming for these two. And from the sounds of it, God may not be pleased! This makes Saturnalia a very dark and heavy album. But redemption requires facing one's demons and perhaps that's what this is all about. Certainly not to be missed is the Eastern-influenced Idle Hands which is perhaps one of the best songs of the year. Get this and repent.
The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America: C
Music: 7/10 Vocals: 3/5 Lyrics: 2/5 Production: 4/5
Total: 16/25 = C
The Hold Steady is a mix of Southern pop and Bruce Hornsby. The singer is a blend of Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe. It all kind of works well except for the lyrics. The singer is too busy talking about partying and getting high that it taints the other good songs on the album. Hopefully this band will mature since a lot of it is actually pretty catchy.
Total: 16/25 = C
The Hold Steady is a mix of Southern pop and Bruce Hornsby. The singer is a blend of Bruce Springsteen and Michael Stipe. It all kind of works well except for the lyrics. The singer is too busy talking about partying and getting high that it taints the other good songs on the album. Hopefully this band will mature since a lot of it is actually pretty catchy.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Adam Franklin - Bolts of Melody: D
The singer/guitarist from the under-appreciated Swervedriver delivers a solo album. Upon several listens, the seeds of that classic Swervedriver sound is there. Unfortunately, it just doesn't deliver. The songs are thin and meandering. They lack the hooks of his former band but also the depth. There are a few worthy songs such as "Seize the Day" and the great instrumental "Theme From LSD". But mostly Adam provides the seeds to what should be greater songs if only he had a more capable collaboration of musicians.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Coheed & Cambria - No World for Tomorrow: A+
Music: 9 Vocals: 5 Lyrics: 5 Production: 5
Total: 29 - A+
Let's put it this way. If you like C&C then this is a masterpiece. It has such an epic feel to it. The songs are grandiose and sweeping. And it's all recorded perfectly. Huge crunching guitars. Thunderous drums. And a full bottom end. The vocals fly over the music.
The songs range from a perfectly executed 90s pop song (Feathers) to 80s metal (Justice in Murder) to a great Iron Maiden-esque (Gravemakers & Gunslingers). Coupled with acoustic and classical guitars for songs that set the story.
If you don't get C&C, then you'll be lost and never understand. But for those who see C&C for what they truly are, this album will be cemented with you forever.
Total: 29 - A+
Let's put it this way. If you like C&C then this is a masterpiece. It has such an epic feel to it. The songs are grandiose and sweeping. And it's all recorded perfectly. Huge crunching guitars. Thunderous drums. And a full bottom end. The vocals fly over the music.
The songs range from a perfectly executed 90s pop song (Feathers) to 80s metal (Justice in Murder) to a great Iron Maiden-esque (Gravemakers & Gunslingers). Coupled with acoustic and classical guitars for songs that set the story.
If you don't get C&C, then you'll be lost and never understand. But for those who see C&C for what they truly are, this album will be cemented with you forever.
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