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Son of JayJamJah · 09-05-2007, 02:59 PM

74.

Tool - Lateralus (2001) Tool - Lateralus.zip
Lateralus is a dreamlike experience. Mood music at its most evolved it will hurl you into a melodic trance significantly departed from any grounded mental arena. The familiar complex song structures and haunting intensity are there but there is a also a marked increase in terms of focus and direction as compared to previous efforts. “The Grudge” an eight minute opening experience as much as a song sets the table to perfection for the carnage that waits. The wonder dichotomy of “Parabol” with it’s sweet serenity and it’s kick you in the face doppelganger “Parabola” shows the beyond mere mortal songwriting capabilities of the band and the attention to detail of that can only be described as musical OCD. Title track “Lateralus” is a thundering ode to metal’s past and a kick down the doors announcement of the arrival of its new face. It’s theme is centered around the Fibonacci sequence which shares a relationship with spirals, and is named for Leonardo of Pisa, another example of the thoughtful lengths the band will go to find creative inspiration for their music. “Schism” the initial single off the album is performed in a variety of times and speeds that even the most gifted musical mind could not pigeon-hole. Interlude tracks like "Eon Blue Apocalypse" and "Mantra" are the necessary gasps of air in between the drowning abrasive rhythms of the album’s nucleolus. “Disposition” a mellow daze of a song escorts you effortlessly into the longest track on an album filled with six plus minute endeavors. “Reflection” builds from a the familiar electronic tribal hymn into an instrumental masterpiece with a short shout of vocals in it’s finale. Not an album you can fully appreciate in one listen, it is an experience and one worth having again and again.
Musical Content: ***
Artistic Content: *****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Lateralus

73.

The Beatles - Revolver (1966)
Revolver is the Beatles seventh and most electric album to date at the time. Critically it is often one of their best reviewed albums and with good reason however I find it as I often do some of their middle work to have a few real lousy tracks mixed in with the brilliant ones. “I’m only sleeping” is one of the brilliant ones and in the right mood, my favorite Beatles song. It’s a wonderful effort written by John Lennon about his affinity for the reclusive lifestyle. On Paul’s end the simple but soothing “Good Day Sunshine” belongs on the keeper list but if you asked John, Paul’s best effort from the album is “Got to get you into my Life” and it’s hard to argue. The amazing horn section backing the building dynamism of the song as it explodes into its emphatic demanding chorus. Despite its seemingly clear suggestion of a tale of lover not shared it is actually about Paul’s love of marijuana. Go figure. The biggest commercial success from Revolver is about the lonely people. While I have grown weary of “Eleanor Rigby” the story of it’s origins is enjoyable. (From Paul

"I was sitting at the piano when I thought of it. The first few bars just came to me, and I got this name in my head... Daisy Hawkins picks up the rice in the church. I don't know why. I couldn't think of much more so I put it away for a day. Then the name Father McCartney came to me, and all the lonely people. But I thought that people would think it was supposed to be about my Dad sitting knitting his socks. Dad's a happy lad. So I went through the telephone book and I got the name McKenzie. I was in Bristol when I decided Daisy Hawkins wasn't a good name. I walked 'round looking at the shops, and I saw the name Rigby. Then I took the song down to John's house in Weybridge. We sat around, laughing, got stoned and finished it off." My guilty pleasure from this album and a karaoke main stay “Doctor Robert” is John’s lighter side with a playful autobiographical tale about his days as the unofficial “doctor” for the band. While not on the album “Paperback Writer” which was solely released as a single was written and recorded along with Revolver and the last song included on the Beatles live play list. Revolver marks the arrival of the Beatles as a studio band and is the final step in their evolution as the greatest band in Rock & Roll.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Got to get you into my life

72.

System of a Down - Toxicity (2001)
After their eponymous debut went relativley unnoticed another obstacle was thrown in front of the pride of Armenian Alternative Metal when they ended up the "post\9-11 inappropriate" lists of many radio stations. Still the persistence and individuality of the Los Angeles quartet brought them to stardom. From the societal statement of "Prison Song" to the explosive anthems "Toxicity" and "Aerials" in the final act, System of a Down's second album has made the most substantial impact on me. With a steady energetic pulse pushing them from song to song, thoughtful creative lyrics, catchy rhythms that do not sacrifice their metal roots are the M.O. for Toxicity. "Shimmy" features one of the shortest and best choruses of any System Song on this or any other album. "Chop Suey" propelled the then little known band to the front of mainstream consciousness. Even the excessive air play the single got has not ruined it for me, although the radio is not my first choice when considering a musical source. As you would expect their is a diverse song set with plenty of quirky moments only SOAD could provide, like the inexcusable but enjoyable "Bounce". The galloping instrumental intro to "Forest" leads you into one of the most underrated tracks on this or any of System's albums. The mellow harmony driven introduction to "ATWA" is one the most charming moments of the album as it's heavy bass line provides a wonderful partner to my favorite vocal compilation on the album. The title track found success commercially and musically is a real treat on every level. Aerials however became the real gem in that respect reaching #1 and taking System of a Down to a near Iconic level on the burgeoning nu-metal scene. Its melancholy conclusion leads the listener to believe there is still more to be heard from these guys.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: *****

Favorite Song: Toxicity

09-05-2007, 02:59 PM	#34 (permalink)
Son of JayJamJah Occams Razor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: End of the Earth Posts: 2,472	74. *Tool - Lateralus* (2001) Tool - Lateralus.zip Lateralus is a dreamlike experience. Mood music at its most evolved it will hurl you into a melodic trance significantly departed from any grounded mental arena. The familiar complex song structures and haunting intensity are there but there is a also a marked increase in terms of focus and direction as compared to previous efforts. “The Grudge” an eight minute opening experience as much as a song sets the table to perfection for the carnage that waits. The wonder dichotomy of “Parabol” with it’s sweet serenity and it’s kick you in the face doppelganger “Parabola” shows the beyond mere mortal songwriting capabilities of the band and the attention to detail of that can only be described as musical OCD. Title track “Lateralus” is a thundering ode to metal’s past and a kick down the doors announcement of the arrival of its new face. It’s theme is centered around the Fibonacci sequence which shares a relationship with spirals, and is named for Leonardo of Pisa, another example of the thoughtful lengths the band will go to find creative inspiration for their music. “Schism” the initial single off the album is performed in a variety of times and speeds that even the most gifted musical mind could not pigeon-hole. Interlude tracks like "Eon Blue Apocalypse" and "Mantra" are the necessary gasps of air in between the drowning abrasive rhythms of the album’s nucleolus. “Disposition” a mellow daze of a song escorts you effortlessly into the longest track on an album filled with six plus minute endeavors. “Reflection” builds from a the familiar electronic tribal hymn into an instrumental masterpiece with a short shout of vocals in it’s finale. Not an album you can fully appreciate in one listen, it is an experience and one worth having again and again. Musical Content: * Artistic Content: * Impact: Favorite Song: Lateralus 73. The Beatles - Revolver (1966) Revolver is the Beatles seventh and most electric album to date at the time. Critically it is often one of their best reviewed albums and with good reason however I find it as I often do some of their middle work to have a few real lousy tracks mixed in with the brilliant ones. “I’m only sleeping” is one of the brilliant ones and in the right mood, my favorite Beatles song. It’s a wonderful effort written by John Lennon about his affinity for the reclusive lifestyle. On Paul’s end the simple but soothing “Good Day Sunshine” belongs on the keeper list but if you asked John, Paul’s best effort from the album is “Got to get you into my Life” and it’s hard to argue. The amazing horn section backing the building dynamism of the song as it explodes into its emphatic demanding chorus. Despite its seemingly clear suggestion of a tale of lover not shared it is actually about Paul’s love of marijuana. Go figure. The biggest commercial success from Revolver is about the lonely people. While I have grown weary of “Eleanor Rigby” the story of it’s origins is enjoyable. (From Paul "I was sitting at the piano when I thought of it. The first few bars just came to me, and I got this name in my head... Daisy Hawkins picks up the rice in the church. I don't know why. I couldn't think of much more so I put it away for a day. Then the name Father McCartney came to me, and all the lonely people. But I thought that people would think it was supposed to be about my Dad sitting knitting his socks. Dad's a happy lad. So I went through the telephone book and I got the name McKenzie. I was in Bristol when I decided Daisy Hawkins wasn't a good name. I walked 'round looking at the shops, and I saw the name Rigby. Then I took the song down to John's house in Weybridge. We sat around, laughing, got stoned and finished it off." My guilty pleasure from this album and a karaoke main stay “Doctor Robert” is John’s lighter side with a playful autobiographical tale about his days as the unofficial “doctor” for the band. While not on the album “Paperback Writer” which was solely released as a single was written and recorded along with Revolver and the last song included on the Beatles live play list. Revolver marks the arrival of the Beatles as a studio band and is the final step in their evolution as the greatest band in Rock & Roll. Musical Content: Artistic Content: Impact: Favorite Song: Got to get you into my life 72. System of a Down - Toxicity (2001) After their eponymous debut went relativley unnoticed another obstacle was thrown in front of the pride of Armenian Alternative Metal when they ended up the "post\9-11 inappropriate" lists of many radio stations. Still the persistence and individuality of the Los Angeles quartet brought them to stardom. From the societal statement of "Prison Song" to the explosive anthems "Toxicity" and "Aerials" in the final act, System of a Down's second album has made the most substantial impact on me. With a steady energetic pulse pushing them from song to song, thoughtful creative lyrics, catchy rhythms that do not sacrifice their metal roots are the M.O. for Toxicity. "Shimmy" features one of the shortest and best choruses of any System Song on this or any other album. "Chop Suey" propelled the then little known band to the front of mainstream consciousness. Even the excessive air play the single got has not ruined it for me, although the radio is not my first choice when considering a musical source. As you would expect their is a diverse song set with plenty of quirky moments only SOAD could provide, like the inexcusable but enjoyable "Bounce". The galloping instrumental intro to "Forest" leads you into one of the most underrated tracks on this or any of System's albums. The mellow harmony driven introduction to "ATWA" is one the most charming moments of the album as it's heavy bass line provides a wonderful partner to my favorite vocal compilation on the album. The title track found success commercially and musically is a real treat on every level. Aerials however became the real gem in that respect reaching #1 and taking System of a Down to a near Iconic level on the burgeoning nu-metal scene. Its melancholy conclusion leads the listener to believe there is still more to be heard from these guys. Musical Content: Artistic Content: Impact: * Favorite Song:** Toxicity Last edited by Son of JayJamJah; 09-06-2007 at 04:23 PM.