Okay, I think I've about got the measure of this album now. I've listened to it four times and I don't care to listen to it a fifth, so let's do this thing.
1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Holy Good **** what is that racket??
2. What did you think of the opening track?
Messed up as Hell. No idea what was going on.
3. What did you think of the next track?
Not much better. Had hoped it might settle down a bit. It didn't.
4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)
Nah, not for me. Didn't like the vocals here (what I could make out of them)
5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)
When it settled down occasionally, yes, it could sound ok, but generally it was way too chaotic.
6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Slightly better but not much
7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
Could make out no lyrics
8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)
Pretty much no.
9. What did you think of the production?
Meh
10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
No, other than I looked him up and he is or was the drummer with Death Grips, who not only are hip-hop, but for me, the worst kind of hip-hop: experimental hip-hop. My heart sunk when I read he was a drummer. This things often do not end well.
11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Not unless you see Satan skating by on his way to work, no.
12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
Pretty much the same. Realised after the fourth try it would never “grow on” me and I would get nothing more out of it.
13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
Maybe “Burner in the video”. I'd agree that the closer was pretty good too but that's about it.
14. And the one you liked least?
All the others; they just blended into one mess for me.
15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)
N/a
16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
Not while there's breath in my perfectly-formed body, no.
17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Not surprised as such no.
18. Did the album end well?
Actually, it did.
19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Be a bit less choppy and all over the place. I feel there were good ideas in there but for me they got lost in the mix. I'm sure the guy is a good musician but I couldn't get what he was trying to do.
20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
Hit and miss. Mostly miss.
I shrug my shoulders and say Meh. I'd give it 2/10.
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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018
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