|
Written by Sameerah
|
|
Thursday, 04 June 2009 |
Elvenking
Two Tragedy Poets
AFM Records
4.0
I went into Two Tragedy Poets with a healthy amount of skepticism. I love Neo-Folk Metal, but this is Neo- Folk without the Blood Gods, anger and aggression. And whats the point if I don't want to swing a battle axe when all is said and done. Much to my surpriseElvenking's lighter approach to Neo -Folk is incredibly refreshing. Instead of being the harbingers of doom they are more the happy minstrels making their way through the village bringing a unique blend of happiness and sunshine. The jaunty fiddles and massive vocals are addicting. The track "Not My Final Song" feels a little out of place on the album. Not because its a bad song, but because its the kind of thing that you expect them to break out right at the end of a show. Maybe before and encore. And its out of place in the middle of a studio album. But I am pretty sure it worksbrilliantly live. That wee awkward moment is quickly surpassed by their amazing cover of Belinda Carlie's Heaven is a place on earth. They have taken this bit of 80's cheese and turned it into something magnificent. And considering the source material that is no small feet. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
|
|
|
Written by Sameerah
|
|
Thursday, 07 May 2009 |
|
The Birthday Massacre Show and Tell Metropolis Records 4.0 I've always thought of Birthday Massacre as a good staple band. They are consistently good but never do really anything Earth shattering or overly interesting. The kind of stuff that makes for good background music at parties or intermission. My only beef with them being their tendency to be a bit overly produced. Sometimes to the point where I wonder if there are any real humans involved with making their albums. However their live album Show and Tell has me rethinking my stance on The Birthday Massacre. Hearing them play live was much better than I could have ever anticipated. They were able to maintain the tight crisp sound that they always have on their albums and infuse with an energy that I wouldn't have thought they had in them. Without all of the production tricks you can hear what a great voice their singer has on her. Her voice is so good that I cant help but wonder why they always seem to want to produce the fuck out of her. Because the girl doesn't need it at all. Its nice to know that a good band can turn into a great band with their live show. Now if they can just translate the energy from their live shows to their albums.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
|
|
Kingdom of Welcome Addiction |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Sameerah
|
|
Thursday, 07 May 2009 |
IAMX
Kingdom of Welcome Addiction
Metroplis Records
4.0
IAMX is one of those bands whose skills never cease to amaze me. Just when you think he has pushed his skills as a programmer and artist to the limit he brings up something that's even better than the last album and thus is the case with Kingdom of Welcome Addiction. Compared to The Alternative Kingdom has a much darker edge to it. Its rhythms are slow and moody. Draped around lyrics that reflect naked desire and self reflection. I Am Terrified is a perfect example. It lays bare his trust issues and tendency towards emotional drinking. I just hope hes not a weepy drunk. They can be such a downer. Still its this kind of vulnerability mixed with a slow looping bass line makes for some amazing listening on more than a few different levels. Running is another amazing introspective song on the loneliness of the crowd. IAMX continues to blur the line between the organic and the electronic with his stunning array of programming skills.Keeping things in a delicious place between lighter than air dance music. That stays far away from the standard fare of electronic music. And deep heavy rhythms and bass lines. If your a fan of IAMX then Kingdom of Welcome Addiction will not disappoint.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
|
|
|
Written by Sameerah
|
|
Sunday, 03 May 2009 |
|
Unknown Instructors Funland Smog Veil Records 3.5
I'm not sure that Fun house is the right title for the latest effort from Unknown Instructors. As always with Unknown Instructors, this album is interesting to listen to. But unlike their last album this one has a definite edge of darkness. It plays what I imagine a Jackson Pollock painting should sound like. Dark and chaotic acid jazz melds with the surreal rantings of madness. That are often times as uplifting as they are disturbing. Its interesting to see a band that is normally associated with introspective lyrics and uptempo beats, take such a dark turn. The wailing sax pounds up against expansive low notes laid over ominous Rollins style spoken word. They comment on the chaos and beauty that is the sea on humanity that surrounds us all. Unknown Instructors are the pied pipers leading you into a world of debauched lunacy helping you cross over to the other side a bit more enlightened than when you started. Well at least one would hope so. Fun house may not be the best album to come from Unknown Instructors, but it is definitely their most interesting. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
|
|
Fifteen Years of Aggression |
|
|
|
|
Written by Sameerah
|
|
Thursday, 23 April 2009 |
|
Misery Fifteen Years of Aggression 4.0 Fifteen Years of Aggression is for people who like their Metal to be loud and violent. Misery doesn't waste your time with overly lofty ideals or flashy evil sentiment. Its just balls out down and dirty Metal with none of the bull shit. The melodies and riffs are tight as fuck. With some stellar bass lines and wicked drums. There are plenty of sweet riffs on this album, but like everything else on this album they are simple, chunky and heavy.The lyrics will bring an wicked smile to your face. A blend of Metal aggression and Punk Rock pride that make you want to jump in the pit. Not one of the wussy ass pits that you see at some shows. Where its only four dudes pushing and skipping like some sort of demented ho down. I mean a real knock down drag out pit where you make every one around you bleed and then buy them rounds of beers to dull the paid of your bleeding head. Yeah, that's the good shit. That the shit that Misery inspires from beginning to end. In particularly the track I Hate Your Face. A song brutal that it makes me want to go out and smash faces in just for shits and giggles. If you're looking for something that's down, dirty and raw look no further than Fifteen Years of Aggression.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 November -1 )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 8 of 42 |