Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfred
[CENTER] 17. He Is Legend "I Am Hollywood" (2004)
What it is: I'm just gonna say Hard Rock
Favorite Track: You Think I'm Pretty?
I love those bands that seem to combine elements of other bands you like, and that is the case with He Is Legend. They combine the heavy southern edge of Maylene with the pretty singing and post-hardcore atmosphere of Alexisonfire, and at the same time have their own idiosynchrasies. The end product is a very enjoyable hard rock album.
The reason I choose this album over 2006's "Suck Out The Poison" is partially because this is the last album with Schuylar Croom aforementioned pretty vocals, which are almost completely absent from that album (as HIL have stated is because of his excessive smoking). This
One weakness I have continually noticed with He Is Legend is their songwriting. It's not terrible, but it's quite simple. However, the excellent vocal delivery makes up for that. Schuylar Croom has fantastic screaming, singing, or whatever he decides to do with his voice. He certainly has a way around a vocal riff.
Most of the tracks on the album use the same formula. Fast rhythm, screaming/clean singing shifts, many guitar riffs, but you know the old saying, if it ain't broke...
I've posted this before... |
Ok let me start by first saying good choice. I really liked this album, it has some really unique stuff on it and really grabs your attention. As for your take on the lyrics, I think they are aweseome for the most part. I mean...
'Is there a place that we can go to teach the children not to grow?
Where lovers don't remember where they met
And heartbreak is easy to forget?'
I don't know about you but I think they have some interesting things to say and a unique way of saying it.
Also, about what you said about Schuyler not doing vocals on the second album... Where did you get this information? I had never heard of this before and when I saw them live shortly after 'Suck out the Poison' was released Schuyler did perform the songs live. So im intersted to know if that is accurate.
Side note: When I saw them live they were about 45 minutes late coming on stage because two guys from the band had been arrested in the parking lot for smoking weed in their tour van. Pretty funny, they told the story when they came on stage and MATSOD came back out and played the 45 minutes, so no complaints here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfred
...and here is Alexisonfire
[CENTER] 16. Alexisonfire (2002)
What it is: Post-hardcore
Favorite Track: .44 Caliber Love Letter
There had to be an Alexisonfire album on my list, but the problem is, which one? Every time I sat down and thought about which album was my favorite, I ended up more clueless than I was before. At first I was pretty certain that it would be 2006's crisis, due to the accessibility of it and the great songs. But finally I settled on their self-titled debut album, and here's why.
"Alexisonfire" is rawer, less structured, more intense/energetic, and far more passionate than anything they released after. "Crisis" and "Watch Out!" have more standout tracks sure, but Alexisonfire works better as an album, and that is the point of this thread, is it not? So I shoved aside the accessibility of the other two, and decided that the sound of a young hardcore band making their first record is a far more interesting listen.
The sound of Alexisonfire on this album is sharp and angry. They take a lot of influence from hardcore punk, but some odd structuring and complexity say otherwise. There is tons of screaming here, probably 90% of the vocals are screamed. The singing doesn't strike me as pretty, nor does it aim at producing a hook, like it does on the other two albums, but it's more just an instrument in the chaotic mix. It's a sound that is tight, together, and no part seems to stand out more than another. The production is quite low-end, but that doesn't take away from the album at all, but instead adds to it. As I said before, it's very sharp.
Alexisonfire have produced a hardcore masterpiece with this album, and their rawness, passion, and punk rock vibes set them apart from the whole hottopiccore thing, a trend which they are often wrongly associated with. |
Yet another great choice. I love this band and am priviledged to have seen them live. This album is very solid and I agree with '44 caliber love letter' thats an excellent song. If you haven't been to a show yet, get to one. They deliver.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfred
[CENTER] 12. Underoath "Define The Great Line" (2006)
What it is: Too debatable
Favorite Track: A Moment Suspended In Time
After thinking about it for about ten minutes, I can't do it. |
This is where I disagree with you. As much as I loved UnderOath in my high school days, the arrival of Spencer (2nd vocalist) was the worst thing that has ever happened to this band. Granted that 'They're only chasing safety' was a decent album with mild touches of old UnderOath, it couldn't dream to coming close to 'The Changing of Times' or the first two EP's. Dallas Taylor is probably one of the best post-harcore/ metalcore vocalists to ever walk the earth, therefore I believe choosing an album which featured him might have been a better choice. Not to mention 'The Changing of Times' is the album that established this band and launched them into the center of the scene which they have been owning ever scince. While I respect this choice to feature this band in your top 25, maybe try and go back to the roots, you won't be disapointed.