Feeling blue? Not after this record.
Purple by Baroness
Year: 2015
Genre: Sludge/Alternative Metal
Nationality: American
The Review: I will be adopting my new format for reviews on this journal from now on. This album came out of the blue, many more color puns to follow (JK), and ended up being one of the greatest metal records of this year. I had a blast playing this record for the first time, the third, and now the fifth time. It seems that it doesn't get old. Quick disclaimer, Chlorine and Wine was my first Baroness track whenever it was released so I felt obligated to listen to the previous three records and study up on the band. What I found was a treasure of a band that definitely needed to be in my collection. Unfortunately tragedy struck the band in a terrible bus crash that left nine injured. Recovery from such an event provides many opportunities though. One of those being the creation of this album. A culmination of understanding, emotion, and new horizons creates an atmosphere in which one can connect with almost instantly. Sonically this album creates a massive wall of sound and melody. The vocals of lead singer John Baizley combined with the instrumentation form a very melodic sound on the album while still containing traces of edginess. Tracks such as the opener Morningstar and follow up single Shock Me are perfect examples of this. These tracks especially bleed emotion mixed with melody to create excellent alternative rock/metal. I cannot stop listening to these tracks in particular. The Vocals carry each track with soaring choruses and melodic verses. Try to Disappear carries the formula on with another solid melodic rocker. Kerosene however brings so much energy creating a much rawer take on the sound built up thus far. The instrumentation carries the track with excellent guitar work and fast paced percussion. Its after the instrumental track Fugue that the album transforms into something almost perfect. Chlorine and Wine one of the best tracks off of the album sets up The Iron Bell, another catchy yet energetic, melodic yet raw, rocker similar to Kerosene. Desperation Burns gets real heavy right off the bat with chugging guitar riffs and pounding drums. Melodic vocals are par for the course on this track with variety in the guitar riffing later in the song. The album finishes up with the wonderful If I Have to Wake Up (Would you Stop the Rain?). Dare I say the vocals almost reach a James Hetfield ballad style making the song truly the best that Baroness has too offer. The lyrics on most of these songs feel a little simplistic for the subject matter but I feel that is just nit picking. These guys are just firing on all cylinders for this album. It shows a lot of maturity when a band is able to create a wonderful album out of such a terrible tragedy. I cannot believe that this album released so late in the year. It makes me question why I created a top 10 list before January 1st.
Purple receives a 9.7/10
Standout Tracks: All of these tracks are wonderful but if I had to pick a few, Shock Me, Morningstar, Kerosene, Chlorine and Wine, If I Have to Wake Up (Would you Stop the Rain?)
Weaker Tracks: 
Everyone should listen to this album. No matter what, it is an absolute must for any music fan I cannot even describe the emotion when I listen to this record.