Yeah I know I've been really slow with my blog as of late, but I've been really frackin' busy.
I'm going to try to improve the pace of it (I have my next 5 albums lined up) as well as let everyone know of a special little treat I'll be doing.
I'll be doing a bit of a countdown of my top 5 albums of 2010 on the 1st using the albums I bought that came out in 2010 (there are 9 that I have).
If anyone else has any other ideas for me, feel free to post them.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Review #7: Silverstein - A Shipwreck In the Sand
Artist: Silverstein
Album: A Shipwreck In the Sand (2009)
Genre: Post-hardcore
Length: 14 tracks / 47:09
I know I've been lazy with this, but work and Christmas shopping has been kicking my rear end. Anyway, here it is; my second Canadian review, and first of the band Silverstein: one of the five bands I own discographies for (at least ones consisting of multiple albums) and one of the few bands I've seen LIVE. Dear God, that was an amazing show. This is also the band's first attempt at a concept album and this was the first CD of their's I bought. On with the review.
This concept album is broken into 4 "chapters" over the course of it's 14 tracks (Ch. 1 = Tracks 1-3, Ch. 2 = 4-7, Ch. 3 = 8-10, Ch. 4 = 11-14), but they all tie in together to form one giant, skewed story of love, loss, anger, retribution, and everything in between. Note how I use skewed. The true storyline of the album is not linear. For example, the first song of the album is not the first event; in fact, I assume it is the climax to the story and chapters 2 and 3 are a flashback or backstory. The 4th chapter is the conclusion to the tale. Now not all the songs are related (some are metaphorical, some are just completely unrelated), but the basic gist of the story is a man who finds his significant other cheating on him with his best friend, and has his heart broken when he realizes she is going to leave him for his friend. After confronting his friend, he decides to take revenge on the cheating woman and their child by setting their house on fire. Realizing how much he loves them, he saves the two girls and is taken into custody after being accused of setting the house on fire. The girlfriend wins custody of the daughter but our "hero" is set free because of a lack of evidence. In a hotel room with the thought of never seeing his loved ones again and a possible prison sentence, he takes his life.
Now I'm just giving the backstory, but really giving no opinion on the album. Silverstein lives by the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage and it's seen in this album as there's not too much technical difference from it's previous releases, but the songs and their execution are a major step up from previous releases. The songs themselves are much catchier, and the skills gained from recording 3 previous albums is noticed through riffs rarely heard in their previous releases. The screaming is quite legible which is always a plus to those who always complain that they can't understand the screaming, but there's also lots more actual singing and the singer, Shane Told, is as solid as ever, if not even better than the other albums. To those who don't mind screaming, and songs that aren't happy, rainbow-turd, unicorn-cutesy pa-tootsy about going to a club and having a good time being who you are, then definitely give this album a shot.
Now this is easily my favourite Silverstein album and I got this first, AND after I saw them live in Vancouver during the Warped tour in 2009 right when this was out. It starts off amazingly with a one-two punch and continues to fire out awesome songs that are catchy, headbangable, and most importantly: GOOD! I don't think I need to elaborate on that. That, and the previous section was huge, so this is where I'll end the personal.
TREVOR'S FAVOURITE SONG: A Great Fire
A quiet, slow, intro with piano notes drifting in and out gets kicked into overdrive in the intro song to the album. In the storyline, this is after the protagonist has set fire to his house and has leapt back in to save his fiancée and daughter. Musically, it's a kicking track. Harsh vocals in the verses lead to a beautiful chorus with a basic but still awesome riff tickling one's ears. A haunting bridge leads us back into the kicking and ends off with another couple choruses before connecting to the second track. All together, this is a beautiful song that leads us into the climax of the story and gives of a great tone for the album.
RECOMMENDED SONGS:
A Great Fire [Track 1]
Vices [Track 2]
American Dream [Track 4]
A Shipwreck In the Sand [Track 8]
I Am the Arsonist [Track 9]
You're All I Have [Track 10]
A Hero Loses Everyday [Track 12]
Final Grade: 9.1/10 | A-
This is a great album and must buy. Not just buying individual tracks, but the whole record. If this album is not your thing, then why are you still reading this?
Also, just for those curious, the storyline:
Vices [Track 2]
American Dream [4]
I Knew I Couldn't Trust You [6]
I Am the Arsonist [9]
A Great Fire [1]
We Are Not the World [11]
A Hero Loses Everyday [12]
The End [14]
Album: A Shipwreck In the Sand (2009)
Genre: Post-hardcore
Length: 14 tracks / 47:09
This concept album is broken into 4 "chapters" over the course of it's 14 tracks (Ch. 1 = Tracks 1-3, Ch. 2 = 4-7, Ch. 3 = 8-10, Ch. 4 = 11-14), but they all tie in together to form one giant, skewed story of love, loss, anger, retribution, and everything in between. Note how I use skewed. The true storyline of the album is not linear. For example, the first song of the album is not the first event; in fact, I assume it is the climax to the story and chapters 2 and 3 are a flashback or backstory. The 4th chapter is the conclusion to the tale. Now not all the songs are related (some are metaphorical, some are just completely unrelated), but the basic gist of the story is a man who finds his significant other cheating on him with his best friend, and has his heart broken when he realizes she is going to leave him for his friend. After confronting his friend, he decides to take revenge on the cheating woman and their child by setting their house on fire. Realizing how much he loves them, he saves the two girls and is taken into custody after being accused of setting the house on fire. The girlfriend wins custody of the daughter but our "hero" is set free because of a lack of evidence. In a hotel room with the thought of never seeing his loved ones again and a possible prison sentence, he takes his life.
Now I'm just giving the backstory, but really giving no opinion on the album. Silverstein lives by the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage and it's seen in this album as there's not too much technical difference from it's previous releases, but the songs and their execution are a major step up from previous releases. The songs themselves are much catchier, and the skills gained from recording 3 previous albums is noticed through riffs rarely heard in their previous releases. The screaming is quite legible which is always a plus to those who always complain that they can't understand the screaming, but there's also lots more actual singing and the singer, Shane Told, is as solid as ever, if not even better than the other albums. To those who don't mind screaming, and songs that aren't happy, rainbow-turd, unicorn-cutesy pa-tootsy about going to a club and having a good time being who you are, then definitely give this album a shot.
Now this is easily my favourite Silverstein album and I got this first, AND after I saw them live in Vancouver during the Warped tour in 2009 right when this was out. It starts off amazingly with a one-two punch and continues to fire out awesome songs that are catchy, headbangable, and most importantly: GOOD! I don't think I need to elaborate on that. That, and the previous section was huge, so this is where I'll end the personal.
TREVOR'S FAVOURITE SONG: A Great Fire
A quiet, slow, intro with piano notes drifting in and out gets kicked into overdrive in the intro song to the album. In the storyline, this is after the protagonist has set fire to his house and has leapt back in to save his fiancée and daughter. Musically, it's a kicking track. Harsh vocals in the verses lead to a beautiful chorus with a basic but still awesome riff tickling one's ears. A haunting bridge leads us back into the kicking and ends off with another couple choruses before connecting to the second track. All together, this is a beautiful song that leads us into the climax of the story and gives of a great tone for the album.
RECOMMENDED SONGS:
A Great Fire [Track 1]
Vices [Track 2]
American Dream [Track 4]
A Shipwreck In the Sand [Track 8]
I Am the Arsonist [Track 9]
You're All I Have [Track 10]
A Hero Loses Everyday [Track 12]
Final Grade: 9.1/10 | A-
This is a great album and must buy. Not just buying individual tracks, but the whole record. If this album is not your thing, then why are you still reading this?
Also, just for those curious, the storyline:
Vices [Track 2]
American Dream [4]
I Knew I Couldn't Trust You [6]
I Am the Arsonist [9]
A Great Fire [1]
We Are Not the World [11]
A Hero Loses Everyday [12]
The End [14]
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Review #6: Coheed and Cambria - Year of the Black Rainbow
Artist: Coheed and Cambria
Album: Year of the Black Rainbow (2010)
Genre: Progressive Rock
Length: 12 tracks / 53:53
Okay, you got me. I did hear of Coheed and Cambria through Rock Band. I never said I was perfect. Anyway, Year of the Black Rainbow; the newest album and the prequel of the 5 album concept of the Amory Wars. Coheed's had this concept running through all their albums, but even if you're just a casual listener, they have songs that you can enjoy and not even need to know the backstory and that's what's cool about this particular concept. But I must end the blathering; on with the review.
Now this is a much heavier album than the 4 previous releases. Since they've also had a fair few years to hone their craft, it does sound very well done, but the transition from more prog-like to this is a somewhat tough pill to swallow, but I'll force it down any day. Coheed begins the story with this album, but even I haven't studied them enough to give an analysis, nor breakdown for you readers so I won't even attempt. One mainstay from other C&C albums is the symphonic intro that resides on track 1 of every C&C album I've heard, and from there, the rocking begins. And there are sour spots every so often, but this is an enjoyable album from start until finish and is a solid addition to any rock fan's collection.
In my opinion, there are sour notes to this album, and they last 3-5 minutes long each time they arrive. Although they are rare. And while some songs have abrupt shifts to others -anything surrounding, and including, Pearl of the Stars- it still works in C&C's favour and it produces a good album. I may not have had as many favourites as others, but concept albums are harder to find favourites as it's a story in musical form. And whole some may have chapters that they prefer to read, you still have to read the whole thing to truly appreciate the novel; some idea applies to this.
TREVOR'S FAVOURITE SONG: Here We Are Juggernaut
Song 4. Always a popular choice. The clean-up batter in the line-up. Juggernaut is just one of those songs that screams out once you listen to it. From the wacky intro with distorted screams/guitar riffs, to the ever-so-amazing chorus, this song captivates from the first second to it's unfortunate stop 3 minutes and 44 seconds later. To bring back the book analogy, this is like the chapter with my favourite part and it doesn't stop until it's over. Also, I'd recommend watching the music video: it's a great way to see the idea behind the band logo, and what I assume is the beginning action of the tale of Coheed and his wife, Cambria.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS:
The Broken [Track 2]
Here We Are Juggernaut [Track 4]
World of Lines [Track 6]
When Skeletons Live [Track 11]
*Borderline recommendation(s)*
Made Out of Nothing (All That I Am) [Track 8]
In the Flame of Error [Track 10]
Final Grade: 8.4/10 | B
This is a good album, and there's a fair amount of good songs, but getting the full thing depends on how into concept albums you are. If you like hearing the full story, go for it. If not, try it out.
Album: Year of the Black Rainbow (2010)
Genre: Progressive Rock
Length: 12 tracks / 53:53
Now this is a much heavier album than the 4 previous releases. Since they've also had a fair few years to hone their craft, it does sound very well done, but the transition from more prog-like to this is a somewhat tough pill to swallow, but I'll force it down any day. Coheed begins the story with this album, but even I haven't studied them enough to give an analysis, nor breakdown for you readers so I won't even attempt. One mainstay from other C&C albums is the symphonic intro that resides on track 1 of every C&C album I've heard, and from there, the rocking begins. And there are sour spots every so often, but this is an enjoyable album from start until finish and is a solid addition to any rock fan's collection.
In my opinion, there are sour notes to this album, and they last 3-5 minutes long each time they arrive. Although they are rare. And while some songs have abrupt shifts to others -anything surrounding, and including, Pearl of the Stars- it still works in C&C's favour and it produces a good album. I may not have had as many favourites as others, but concept albums are harder to find favourites as it's a story in musical form. And whole some may have chapters that they prefer to read, you still have to read the whole thing to truly appreciate the novel; some idea applies to this.
TREVOR'S FAVOURITE SONG: Here We Are Juggernaut
Song 4. Always a popular choice. The clean-up batter in the line-up. Juggernaut is just one of those songs that screams out once you listen to it. From the wacky intro with distorted screams/guitar riffs, to the ever-so-amazing chorus, this song captivates from the first second to it's unfortunate stop 3 minutes and 44 seconds later. To bring back the book analogy, this is like the chapter with my favourite part and it doesn't stop until it's over. Also, I'd recommend watching the music video: it's a great way to see the idea behind the band logo, and what I assume is the beginning action of the tale of Coheed and his wife, Cambria.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS:
The Broken [Track 2]
Here We Are Juggernaut [Track 4]
World of Lines [Track 6]
When Skeletons Live [Track 11]
*Borderline recommendation(s)*
Made Out of Nothing (All That I Am) [Track 8]
In the Flame of Error [Track 10]
Final Grade: 8.4/10 | B
This is a good album, and there's a fair amount of good songs, but getting the full thing depends on how into concept albums you are. If you like hearing the full story, go for it. If not, try it out.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Review #5: Foo Fighters - Greatest Hits
Artist: Foo Fighters
Album: Greatest Hits (2009)
Genre: Rock
Length: 16 tracks / 1:03:48
This may be my most challenging review. It's a "Greatest Hits" album. The best of the best. Or so they say. This is a collaboration of 12 of the Foo's biggest hits, 2 live performances, and 2 new tracks. Also, this is one of the few albums in my collection I didn't purchase: it was a Christmas gift in 2009. Needless to say, though, I was happy to get it. Anyway, I digress, let's start.
This is an album I've listened to many times at work, as well as heard many of the songs on the radio, so this one was done quickly as well. The Foo's have a solid catalogue, but sometimes the songs they release just aren't the best. case in point is this album. Some of the songs on this from their past days still hold the test of time like Everlong and Monkey Wrench and even the newer songs still hold the excitement as they did when they were released; namely, The Pretender. However, this compilation suffers from the same issue that Fantasies, by Metric, did: the second half does nothing to support the first half of the album. Layered with popular tracks from the Foos' 6 albums, the first half is a kicking listen. The second half, on the contrary, has maybe one good track from other albums, and the live stuff and the new tracks just don't live up to the potential the first half gave. Especially with a Greatest Hits, a band should layer their best songs along the whole album; sprinking a couple tracks near the beginning, adding some meat to the middle, and closing it with another neckbreaker. This compilation just sandwiches all the meat on one end, but leaves the rest bare. Not very tasty, is it?
I'm also going to be honest, I'm not the biggest Foo's fan. I love the songs of their's I like, but everything else of their's fails to captivate me as such. I love the aforementioned Everlong, Monkey Wrench, The Pretender and whatnot, but with the exception of these few tracks (all represented on here), there was nothing I hadn't heard that I liked. All the new stuff, or songs I hadn't heard of theirs fell short to my ears and does not make for the best album for me. I'm also not a fan of Greatest Hits albums as I'm picky about how my music is sorted and I will actually go as far as to find the correct album, track number, etc, to finish the sorting. I have yet to do so, but it has happened (case in point: Megadeth and The Offspring) so it's only a matter of time. But that's just a beef with the album concept itself. I'd play the first half to get into it, but I'd stop after track 8.
TREVOR'S FAVOURITE SONG: Best of You
Oh dear Lord, where to start. This was the part I was looking forward to the least as there's so many choices. It fluctuates all of the time, but I'd have to say Best of You is my favourite at the time of this review. It's a mixture of so many things: ballad, hard rock song, one where you want to be arm-in-arm with folks swaying, headbanger, this song is also an emotional hitter for me. Do you ever have those people that you had a bad experience with and had a falling out with, but you don't want anything bad to happen to them and hope they move on in the right direction? This song does this for me.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS:
All My Life [Track 1]
Best of You [Track 2]
Everlong [Track 3]
The Pretender [Track 4]
My Hero [Track 5]
Monkey Wrench [Track 8]
*Borderline recommendation(s)*
Long Road To Ruin [Track 11]
Final Grade: 7.7 | B-
The goods songs are fantastic. Everything else just doesn't cut it. Especially the live performances and the new tracks.
Album: Greatest Hits (2009)
Genre: Rock
Length: 16 tracks / 1:03:48
This is an album I've listened to many times at work, as well as heard many of the songs on the radio, so this one was done quickly as well. The Foo's have a solid catalogue, but sometimes the songs they release just aren't the best. case in point is this album. Some of the songs on this from their past days still hold the test of time like Everlong and Monkey Wrench and even the newer songs still hold the excitement as they did when they were released; namely, The Pretender. However, this compilation suffers from the same issue that Fantasies, by Metric, did: the second half does nothing to support the first half of the album. Layered with popular tracks from the Foos' 6 albums, the first half is a kicking listen. The second half, on the contrary, has maybe one good track from other albums, and the live stuff and the new tracks just don't live up to the potential the first half gave. Especially with a Greatest Hits, a band should layer their best songs along the whole album; sprinking a couple tracks near the beginning, adding some meat to the middle, and closing it with another neckbreaker. This compilation just sandwiches all the meat on one end, but leaves the rest bare. Not very tasty, is it?
I'm also going to be honest, I'm not the biggest Foo's fan. I love the songs of their's I like, but everything else of their's fails to captivate me as such. I love the aforementioned Everlong, Monkey Wrench, The Pretender and whatnot, but with the exception of these few tracks (all represented on here), there was nothing I hadn't heard that I liked. All the new stuff, or songs I hadn't heard of theirs fell short to my ears and does not make for the best album for me. I'm also not a fan of Greatest Hits albums as I'm picky about how my music is sorted and I will actually go as far as to find the correct album, track number, etc, to finish the sorting. I have yet to do so, but it has happened (case in point: Megadeth and The Offspring) so it's only a matter of time. But that's just a beef with the album concept itself. I'd play the first half to get into it, but I'd stop after track 8.
TREVOR'S FAVOURITE SONG: Best of You
Oh dear Lord, where to start. This was the part I was looking forward to the least as there's so many choices. It fluctuates all of the time, but I'd have to say Best of You is my favourite at the time of this review. It's a mixture of so many things: ballad, hard rock song, one where you want to be arm-in-arm with folks swaying, headbanger, this song is also an emotional hitter for me. Do you ever have those people that you had a bad experience with and had a falling out with, but you don't want anything bad to happen to them and hope they move on in the right direction? This song does this for me.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS:
All My Life [Track 1]
Best of You [Track 2]
Everlong [Track 3]
The Pretender [Track 4]
My Hero [Track 5]
Monkey Wrench [Track 8]
*Borderline recommendation(s)*
Long Road To Ruin [Track 11]
Final Grade: 7.7 | B-
The goods songs are fantastic. Everything else just doesn't cut it. Especially the live performances and the new tracks.
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