Trollheart Listens to Every Album on Wiki's List for 2017

Trollheart · 10-03-2017, 12:03 PM

Album title: Godspeed
Artist: Morten Schantz
Genre: Jazz
Nationality: Danish
Release date: January 27
Position in Discography: Debut
Fear Factor: Moderate
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: N/A
Well holy good ****! Finally, a jazz album on the list that I can actually listen to and review! You guys probably think I've been avoiding the jazz albums on this list so far, but I promise I haven't. I've actually been wanting to hear all of them, but apart from that Vietnamese one, every time I've gone looking for one it has been nowhere to be found. I wonder is it a thing with jazz artists? This is the first one I've found on Spotify and it's apparently his debut. I of course know very little about jazz so it's hard to discuss the merits of this. All I can say is that it's cool, laidback, smooth with a capital smoo. Very nice. The sax is low and mournful rather than frenetic and annoying, the piano is lovely, the percussion nicely measured. Again, I know sod-all about jazz but at times this seems to sound anything like that, as on “Martial Arts”, where it very definitely veers off in quite a proggy direction, then quite spacey and sort of experimental for “Airglow”. This guy has a lot in his locker. This is pretty damn sweet.

Check out more from this artist? Yes
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Possibly, yes

Expectation Index: 5

Trollheart · 10-03-2017, 04:51 PM

Album title: Chill, Dummy
Artist: P.O.S
Genre: Hip-Hop
Nationality: American
Release date: January 27
Position in Discography: Fifth
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 3.00
I'm going to resist the obvious joke as to what his name stands for, and just dive on in. Hey this is pretty good. Very catchy, good melodies, like the raps. “Faded” is pretty sweet. So is “Roddy Piper”; they both have a great atmosphere about them. And I really love “Thieves/Kings”. This is a pretty damn fine album. “Infinite Scroll” continues the list of great songs, “Lanes” is an interesting if short track, and that leaves us with two. “Gravedigger” is another favourite and “Sleepdrone/Superstition” is a fantastic closer. Jesus! I love this album! How did that happen?

Check out more from this artist? I feel I will, yes
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 10

Trollheart · 10-03-2017, 05:14 PM

Album title: Nothing Feels Natural
Artist: Priests
Genre: Punk Rock
Nationality: American
Release date: January 27
Position in Discography: Debut
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 3.28
Come on: if I can get into a hardcore punk record like Frank and the Rattlesnakes, then maybe there's not too much to fear from these guys? Am I becoming overconfident, having a jazz and a hip-hop album I love under my belt in the same day? Probably. But it doesn't punch me in the face with killer guitar licks from the off, so maybe there is hope. Can't say I'm enamoured of the female singer's voice though: quite, what's the word? Shouty. Yeah. Quite shouty. This opening track is too long for what's in it. Not a good start. BUMP! What was that? Oh, just the sound of me being brought back to Earth with a bang. I think I may hate this. Normal service has been resumed.

Second song has a bit more of the rockabilly in it, not too bad, but her voice is always going to remain a sticking point with me. Can't stand it. Musically though, this is a quantum leap from the opener. Yeah, I'm prepared to give punk a chance, but this is ****ing awful. Let me out of here!

Check out more from this artist? No
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 0

Trollheart · 10-04-2017, 11:59 AM

Album title: Five
Artist: Shinee
Genre: Pop/Teen Pop
Nationality: Japanese
Release date: January 27
Position in Discography: Fifth
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 2.55
The last time I listened to one of these type of records it was, I believe, Korean, and I likened it to boyband music, which this kind of sounds like too, so it may be a bumpy ride, or I may even be reaching for that eject button. Yeah, we're five tracks in and so far this has made no impression on me, surprise surprise. There was some vaguely half-interesting thing about blood types in, I think, the third track, but other than that (and even including that) I don't really care. This is bland, faceless, corporate pop for the teen masses to wet themselves over. I haven't been a teen for thirty years now so it says nothing to me. Even when I was, I would have hated this. The presumably intentional ripping off of American boybands' technique is annoying; I bet they even do the same dances. Ack. Out I go. (Something of a record: two Bail Outs one after the other!)

Check out more from this artist? Under no circumstances
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Not if I can avoid it

Expectation Index: 0

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 10-04-2017, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Album title: Nothing Feels Natural
Artist: Priests

one of my favourites of the year. some straight up INTENSE and ANGRY punk. kinda figured you would hate it though, i get it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Album title: I Hope You Don't Mind Me Writing
Artist: Lucy Spraggan

have you listened to Regina Spektor? i only listened to a little bit of this project (although i do plan on coming back to it) but it instantly made me think of Regina's work. top notch stuff that i have a feeling you would love.

GD · 10-04-2017, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwertyy

one of my favourites of the year. some straight up INTENSE and ANGRY punk. kinda figured you would hate it though, i get it.

I'm checking this out, the youtube track TH linked sounds p damn cool.

Trollheart · 10-04-2017, 02:07 PM

Album title: Smash
Artist: Stephen Pearcy
Genre: Heavy Metal/Glam Metal
Nationality: American
Release date: January 27
Position in Discography: Seventh
Fear Factor: Low
Familiar with this artist? No, though I've heard Ratt
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? Quite a bit, yes
Average RYM Score: 3.15
A solo album from the founder of Ratt, eh? Well, at least this should hold some enjoyment after some of the dross I've had to put up with over the last two days. Meh, I have to admit I'm disappointed at the start. It's a little boring, no fire, no energy, no anger. Doesn't he care about all those brothers of his being caught in traps every day? Rodent poison? There's a lot to get worked up about but he, well, isn't. Opener “I Know I'm Crazy” sounds anything but, and “Shut Down Baby” is just one long borefest of cliches and metal tropes. Sigh. Well, there are still, what, ten tracks to go, so maybe it'll improve, but not a good beginning.

“Dead Roses” is dead boring, and shamelessly rips off the main guitar riff and chorus melody from “Enter Sandman”, while “Lollipop” is just flat-out embarrassing. I question the need for this album: if he was just going to write another Ratt album, what's the point, and that is exactly what this sounds like. Heard Out of the Cellar? Detonator? Reach For the Sky? You've heard this album. For dedicated Ratt fans only I fear, and even then... Time to put this rat out of his misery, and me out of mine. Lord! Three in a row! And this is the most disappointing, as I didn't anticipate bailing, but here I go!

Check out more from this artist? No
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 10

The Batlord · 10-04-2017, 02:10 PM

Man, I guess these are the only three metal albums from this month. Metal is clearly dead.

Trollheart · 10-04-2017, 02:16 PM

Note to any jazz fans (especially Frownland): If there is some "Jazz YouTube" I'm unaware of where I can hear these jazz albums would you please let me know, as it's really frustrating having to pass them all since they're not on Spotify and when I go to YT the best I get is maybe a song. Very annoying. I'm not about to buy the albums and I can't really use torrents (last one blew my machine with some virus) so my options are very limited. But if there's some secret place where you all gather and share these jazz albums, spare a thought and let me in on the secret, as otherwise I'm just going to keep having to pass up every jazz album I come across.

Wait: what?

**Frownland** · 10-04-2017, 02:17 PM

soulseek

10-03-2017, 12:03 PM	#321 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Album title: Godspeed Artist: Morten Schantz Genre: Jazz Nationality: Danish Release date: January 27 Position in Discography: Debut Fear Factor: Moderate Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: N/A Well holy good **! Finally, a jazz album on the list that I can actually listen to and review! You guys probably think I've been avoiding the jazz albums on this list so far, but I promise I haven't. I've actually been wanting to hear all of them, but apart from that Vietnamese one, every time I've gone looking for one it has been nowhere to be found. I wonder is it a thing with jazz artists? This is the first one I've found on Spotify and it's apparently his debut. I of course know very little about jazz so it's hard to discuss the merits of this. All I can say is that it's cool, laidback, smooth with a capital smoo. Very nice. The sax is low and mournful rather than frenetic and annoying, the piano is lovely, the percussion nicely measured. Again, I know sod-all about jazz but at times this seems to sound anything like that, as on “Martial Arts”, where it very definitely veers off in quite a proggy direction, then quite spacey and sort of experimental for “Airglow”. This guy has a lot in his locker. This is pretty damn sweet. Check out more from this artist? Yes Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Possibly, yes Expectation Index: 5** __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-03-2017, 04:51 PM	#322 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Album title: Chill, Dummy Artist: P.O.S Genre: Hip-Hop Nationality: American Release date: January 27 Position in Discography: Fifth Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 3.00 I'm going to resist the obvious joke as to what his name stands for, and just dive on in. Hey this is pretty good. Very catchy, good melodies, like the raps. “Faded” is pretty sweet. So is “Roddy Piper”; they both have a great atmosphere about them. And I really love “Thieves/Kings”. This is a pretty damn fine album. “Infinite Scroll” continues the list of great songs, “Lanes” is an interesting if short track, and that leaves us with two. “Gravedigger” is another favourite and “Sleepdrone/Superstition” is a fantastic closer. Jesus! I love this album! How did that happen? Check out more from this artist? I feel I will, yes Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 10 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-03-2017, 05:14 PM	#323 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Album title: Nothing Feels Natural Artist: Priests Genre: Punk Rock Nationality: American Release date: January 27 Position in Discography: Debut Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 3.28 Come on: if I can get into a hardcore punk record like Frank and the Rattlesnakes, then maybe there's not too much to fear from these guys? Am I becoming overconfident, having a jazz and a hip-hop album I love under my belt in the same day? Probably. But it doesn't punch me in the face with killer guitar licks from the off, so maybe there is hope. Can't say I'm enamoured of the female singer's voice though: quite, what's the word? Shouty. Yeah. Quite shouty. This opening track is too long for what's in it. Not a good start. BUMP! What was that? Oh, just the sound of me being brought back to Earth with a bang. I think I may hate this. Normal service has been resumed. Second song has a bit more of the rockabilly in it, not too bad, but her voice is always going to remain a sticking point with me. Can't stand it. Musically though, this is a quantum leap from the opener. Yeah, I'm prepared to give punk a chance, but this is **ing awful. Let me out of here! Check out more from this artist? No Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 0** __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-04-2017, 11:59 AM	#324 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Album title: Five Artist: Shinee Genre: Pop/Teen Pop Nationality: Japanese Release date: January 27 Position in Discography: Fifth Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 2.55 The last time I listened to one of these type of records it was, I believe, Korean, and I likened it to boyband music, which this kind of sounds like too, so it may be a bumpy ride, or I may even be reaching for that eject button. Yeah, we're five tracks in and so far this has made no impression on me, surprise surprise. There was some vaguely half-interesting thing about blood types in, I think, the third track, but other than that (and even including that) I don't really care. This is bland, faceless, corporate pop for the teen masses to wet themselves over. I haven't been a teen for thirty years now so it says nothing to me. Even when I was, I would have hated this. The presumably intentional ripping off of American boybands' technique is annoying; I bet they even do the same dances. Ack. Out I go. (Something of a record: two Bail Outs one after the other!) Check out more from this artist? Under no circumstances Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Not if I can avoid it Expectation Index: 0 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-04-2017, 02:07 PM	#327 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Album title: Smash Artist: Stephen Pearcy Genre: Heavy Metal/Glam Metal Nationality: American Release date: January 27 Position in Discography: Seventh Fear Factor: Low Familiar with this artist? No, though I've heard Ratt Familiar with the genre or subgenre? Quite a bit, yes Average RYM Score: 3.15 A solo album from the founder of Ratt, eh? Well, at least this should hold some enjoyment after some of the dross I've had to put up with over the last two days. Meh, I have to admit I'm disappointed at the start. It's a little boring, no fire, no energy, no anger. Doesn't he care about all those brothers of his being caught in traps every day? Rodent poison? There's a lot to get worked up about but he, well, isn't. Opener “I Know I'm Crazy” sounds anything but, and “Shut Down Baby” is just one long borefest of cliches and metal tropes. Sigh. Well, there are still, what, ten tracks to go, so maybe it'll improve, but not a good beginning. “Dead Roses” is dead boring, and shamelessly rips off the main guitar riff and chorus melody from “Enter Sandman”, while “Lollipop” is just flat-out embarrassing. I question the need for this album: if he was just going to write another Ratt album, what's the point, and that is exactly what this sounds like. Heard Out of the Cellar? Detonator? Reach For the Sky? You've heard this album. For dedicated Ratt fans only I fear, and even then... Time to put this rat out of his misery, and me out of mine. Lord! Three in a row! And this is the most disappointing, as I didn't anticipate bailing, but here I go! Check out more from this artist? No Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 10 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-04-2017, 02:16 PM	#329 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Note to any jazz fans (especially Frownland): If there is some "Jazz YouTube" I'm unaware of where I can hear these jazz albums would you please let me know, as it's really frustrating having to pass them all since they're not on Spotify and when I go to YT the best I get is maybe a song. Very annoying. I'm not about to buy the albums and I can't really use torrents (last one blew my machine with some virus) so my options are very limited. But if there's some secret place where you all gather and share these jazz albums, spare a thought and let me in on the secret, as otherwise I'm just going to keep having to pass up every jazz album I come across. Wait: what? __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

10-04-2017, 02:17 PM	#330 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	soulseek __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x