Love or Hate?

Trollheart · 05-08-2015, 01:25 PM

Title: Monstrosity
Artiste: PRD (Plankton)
Genre: Heavy Metal

Love
1. The shift from the somewhat laidback guitar in “Ready for the storm” into the fingerburning fretfest that follows. And the unexpected return. If, somehow, there's someone out there who thinks this guy can't play as well as the best of them, listen to this and hang your head in shame!
2. The boogie guitar on “Blow it all to Hell”
3. Drums on TRF (wassat stand for?)
4. Guitar solo on same (outro)
5. Beautiful guitar intro to “Hiding the pain”: this is more of what we expect!
6. The vocals on this track: they're really quite good if a little low in the mix
7. The melody on that track, and the vocal harmonies.

Hate
1. Um, the vocals? Sorry man: they're not terrible but they sound a little hilarious, like the guy is trying to be Tom Araya or something. They also divert valuable attention from your superior guitar work. Still, who am I to talk? ISIS fighters have crumbled and given up their secrets rather than hear me sing!

2. The roars and the laugh before “Death machine”.
3. The fact that the vocals on that take away from the superb guitar playing
4. The vocals get so buzzy on DM that they start to sound like he's chewing bubbles: is that intentional?
5. “Kicked and trampled”. Sorry, sorry but it's just too hilariously bad to take seriously.
6. Oh no! Raps? RAPS? Plank, how could you??

End result: On this album you and your mate seem to be determined to be some sort of a Metallica/Slayer clone, and it really does not work. Your music is miles better than this and you're meant for greater things. I know, because I've heard your recent work and it's light years away from this.

So, Love or Hate? I'm afraid I have to put it in the Hate pile, though I don't hate it but I certainly don't love it.

Chances of a full review: 3/10, sorry.

Note: Sorry if this seems like arselicking, but Plankton's my friend and I've been less than effusive about this album, so I'd like to add these comments. I understand this was your first album, so I would not consider it a failure; rather, a stumbling first step on the path that has led you onto the true road to guitar godhood, on which your feet are now firmly planted. I think you probably realised after this that you don't need a vocalist; your guitar literally does the talking. Even the track that has vocals on Whale I consider to be the weakest on the album. Mind you, maybe you just need the right singer. Have you thought of asking Steph? I know she's in a band already, but there are such things as solo efforts/collaborations. And I know she's in another state, but that's hardly a barrier to working together nowadays. Of course, she may not be interested, but I think you'd work well together. Of the few singers I've heard here on MB she is far and away the best.

Anyway, just wanted to make that distinction, especially in the light of the possibility of a review. Hope you're not too disappointed with my reaction.

Plainview · 05-08-2015, 01:39 PM

Can I put my album up? A bit of an excuse for a review, but seeing the range of music here I'm genuinely interested in hearing your take on it. It's pretty experimental in parts. My first proper project and album.

https://soundcloud.com/the-deaf-aids...ns-will-return

Trollheart · 05-08-2015, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plainview

Can I put my album up? A bit of an excuse for a review, but seeing the range of music here I'm genuinely interested in hearing your take on it. It's pretty experimental in parts. My first proper project and album.

https://soundcloud.com/the-deaf-aids...ns-will-return

Sure. I'll add it.

Plankton · 05-08-2015, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Hope you're not too disappointed with my reaction.

Aw, hell no. I was in stitches reading some of what you wrote. Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the whole thing too. Thanks amigo, you're the best.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 05-08-2015, 03:24 PM

I know you like some 80s synthpop so how about some 00's synthpop...

Trollheart · 05-08-2015, 05:07 PM

Title: Trilogy
Artiste: Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP)
Genre: Progressive Rock

Love
1. I have to admit, as I have always allowed, Emerson really knows how to play those keys. Particularly nice when it goes into piano.
2. The guitar on “From the beginning” is really nice too.
3. A relatively short album for ELP

Hate
1. “The Sheriff”. Very annoying, especially the pianola thing at the end.
2. “Hoedown”. Another annoyingly quirky ELP track.
3. “Abaddon's bolero”. Doesn't sound too much like a bolero to me and it's just another chance for Emerson to show off how great he is. If there's a band who got their dicks out, in a musical sense, more during the seventies I've yet to hear them. One of the things that really pisses me off about ELP is their arrogance and smugness: look how cool we are! Don't you wish you were us? Looks at them on the cover: like they think they're gods or something! How come Tony Banks, Rick Wakeman or even Mike Pinder didn't act like that?

End result: Not as bad as Tarkus, in fact I enjoyed quite a lot of it but it's hard to get past the massive egos to the music behind.

So, Love or Hate? Can't in fairness say Hate, so it has to be Love. Though I don't love it.

Chances of a full review: 4/10

Mondo Bungle · 05-08-2015, 05:23 PM

Lifetones - For A Reason

bob. · 05-08-2015, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hat€monger ?

I know you like some 80s synthpop so how about some 00's synthpop...

x33

this is a wonderfully fun read man (as usual)

Satisfact - The Unwanted Sounds Of

Trollheart · 05-08-2015, 07:34 PM

Title: Relationship of command
Artiste: At the Drive-in
Genre: Hardcore?

Love
Nice phased (?) guitar in “Sleepwalk capsules”
“Invalid litter dept” is quite nice too, even if the vocal is almost more a rap; actually it works quite well
Nice kind of creeping menace and atmosphere in “Enfilade”
The piano intro to “Non zero possibility”

Hate
The vocals. I don't enjoy being shouted at. Is this the shape of things to come on this album or does it settle down at any point? It does a little but mostly it's shout, shout and shout again.

End result: Although there are more “loves” than “hates”, this still nothing I would come back to listen to again. Definitely not my bag. As I said, I like singers not shouters.

So, Love or Hate? I'd put this as a Hate, sure.

Chances of a full review: 0/10

Trollheart · 05-08-2015, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.

x33

this is a wonderfully fun read man (as usual)

Satisfact - The Unwanted Sounds Of

Added. And glad you're enjoying it.

05-08-2015, 01:25 PM	#71 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: Monstrosity Artiste: PRD (Plankton) Genre: Heavy Metal Love 1. The shift from the somewhat laidback guitar in “Ready for the storm” into the fingerburning fretfest that follows. And the unexpected return. If, somehow, there's someone out there who thinks this guy can't play as well as the best of them, listen to this and hang your head in shame! 2. The boogie guitar on “Blow it all to Hell” 3. Drums on TRF (wassat stand for?) 4. Guitar solo on same (outro) 5. Beautiful guitar intro to “Hiding the pain”: this is more of what we expect! 6. The vocals on this track: they're really quite good if a little low in the mix 7. The melody on that track, and the vocal harmonies. Hate 1. Um, the vocals? Sorry man: they're not terrible but they sound a little hilarious, like the guy is trying to be Tom Araya or something. They also divert valuable attention from your superior guitar work. Still, who am I to talk? ISIS fighters have crumbled and given up their secrets rather than hear me sing! 2. The roars and the laugh before “Death machine”. 3. The fact that the vocals on that take away from the superb guitar playing 4. The vocals get so buzzy on DM that they start to sound like he's chewing bubbles: is that intentional? 5. “Kicked and trampled”. Sorry, sorry but it's just too hilariously bad to take seriously. 6. Oh no! Raps? RAPS? Plank, how could you?? End result: On this album you and your mate seem to be determined to be some sort of a Metallica/Slayer clone, and it really does not work. Your music is miles better than this and you're meant for greater things. I know, because I've heard your recent work and it's light years away from this. So, Love or Hate? I'm afraid I have to put it in the Hate pile, though I don't hate it but I certainly don't love it. Chances of a full review: 3/10, sorry. Note: Sorry if this seems like arselicking, but Plankton's my friend and I've been less than effusive about this album, so I'd like to add these comments. I understand this was your first album, so I would not consider it a failure; rather, a stumbling first step on the path that has led you onto the true road to guitar godhood, on which your feet are now firmly planted. I think you probably realised after this that you don't need a vocalist; your guitar literally does the talking. Even the track that has vocals on Whale I consider to be the weakest on the album. Mind you, maybe you just need the right singer. Have you thought of asking Steph? I know she's in a band already, but there are such things as solo efforts/collaborations. And I know she's in another state, but that's hardly a barrier to working together nowadays. Of course, she may not be interested, but I think you'd work well together. Of the few singers I've heard here on MB she is far and away the best. Anyway, just wanted to make that distinction, especially in the light of the possibility of a review. Hope you're not too disappointed with my reaction. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-08-2015, 03:24 PM	#75 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	I know you like some 80s synthpop so how about some 00's synthpop... __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

05-08-2015, 05:07 PM	#76 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: Trilogy Artiste: Emerson, Lake and Palmer (ELP) Genre: Progressive Rock Love 1. I have to admit, as I have always allowed, Emerson really knows how to play those keys. Particularly nice when it goes into piano. 2. The guitar on “From the beginning” is really nice too. 3. A relatively short album for ELP Hate 1. “The Sheriff”. Very annoying, especially the pianola thing at the end. 2. “Hoedown”. Another annoyingly quirky ELP track. 3. “Abaddon's bolero”. Doesn't sound too much like a bolero to me and it's just another chance for Emerson to show off how great he is. If there's a band who got their dicks out, in a musical sense, more during the seventies I've yet to hear them. One of the things that really pisses me off about ELP is their arrogance and smugness: look how cool we are! Don't you wish you were us? Looks at them on the cover: like they think they're gods or something! How come Tony Banks, Rick Wakeman or even Mike Pinder didn't act like that? End result: Not as bad as Tarkus, in fact I enjoyed quite a lot of it but it's hard to get past the massive egos to the music behind. So, Love or Hate? Can't in fairness say Hate, so it has to be Love. Though I don't love it. Chances of a full review: 4/10 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-08-2015, 07:34 PM	#79 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Title: Relationship of command Artiste: At the Drive-in Genre: Hardcore? Love Nice phased (?) guitar in “Sleepwalk capsules” “Invalid litter dept” is quite nice too, even if the vocal is almost more a rap; actually it works quite well Nice kind of creeping menace and atmosphere in “Enfilade” The piano intro to “Non zero possibility” Hate The vocals. I don't enjoy being shouted at. Is this the shape of things to come on this album or does it settle down at any point? It does a little but mostly it's shout, shout and shout again. End result: Although there are more “loves” than “hates”, this still nothing I would come back to listen to again. Definitely not my bag. As I said, I like singers not shouters. So, Love or Hate? I'd put this as a Hate, sure. Chances of a full review: 0/10 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018