Colour Coded Album Reviews

jacklovezhimself · 06-08-2009, 08:07 PM

wow.
this review not only says so much about the album, but it also just attempts to shine a light on everything that a modern music fan goes through today. fighting against opinions and accusations, when it's all just music.

the album is good too...

Piss Me Off · 06-10-2009, 03:20 PM

9.6 for Stereolab: Maaaybe, it isn't touted as your average classic but as far as an easy going album that can still engage you when you want it to i can think of few better. Sexy as fuck too. I need to get on Chemical Chords.

10: No, though i can understand it. I can see how it is a very touching album but everyone has their special album and it's not mine. I like On Avery Island a teeny bit more anyway. Good review though!

music_phantom13 · 06-11-2009, 07:03 AM

I loved the review of Emperor Tomato Ketchup! I realized I hadn't checked in here recently and wanted to see what you'd done lately, and happened to find your second to last review is not only one of my favorite albums, but also what I happen to be listening to right now. One of the great things about Stereolab is what you mentioned in your review; their most accessible album is easily their best. I have managed to find Abductions and Reconstructions, Dots and Loops, Fab Four Suture, and Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements, and none of these can compare with ETK. The diversity of this for an electronic album simply amazes me. Dots and Loops comes in at a close second, but does not have the same feeling of genre hopping that I get when I listen to ETK. And PMO, my personal opinion is that it does not have the same popularity as something like In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, which is, of course, widely regarded as a classic indie rock album, because the genre is just not quite as popular. I feel that they still did something very unique here.

I also liked your review of NMH. While I wouldn't give it a 10 personally, I understand what you're saying about it (and it is certainly up there in my favorites, I'm just very very strict with my ratings). The range of opinions on this album is insane (although here on mb, the concensus seems to be that it's one of the best. Keep up the good reviews! I'm really enjoying this!

Roygbiv · 06-21-2009, 09:24 AM

BLUE
SILENT SHOUT THE KNIFE

It’s not immediately apparent, but The Knife are a real emotional band. It’s not apparent because they’re an electronica - excuse me! IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) group, a genre that has its share of beautiful tracks (Aphex Twin’s “Fingerbib”, Boards of Canada’s “Roygbiv”), but the emotional that I’m referring to here is lyrical, so it’s only coincidental that The Knife are emotional and IDM. The Knife’s vocal delivery and lyrics can be anxious, fleeting, hopeful, definitely catchy - you can count on them to connect. It’s no surprise then that Jose Gonzales covered, and made famous, their 2003 single Hearbeats. They follow suite with Silent Shout, an a dark, dark album that’s also incredibly danceable (throw it in the mix at a club, it won’t feel out of place). Inspired by Charles Burn’s black and white graphic novel Black Hole, Silent Shout immediately smothers the listener with pulsating beats.

Don’t let the electronica/IDM tag fool you, this is an album you sit down and listen to first before moving to it. There are only two instances I can think of that a reverse order is acceptable, and that’s when We Share Our Mother’s Health and Like A Pen come on. Due to its conceptual nature, the song progression is smooth and timed for momentum. The best example of this happens between 6 minute nightmare The Captain and club friendly We Share Our Mother’s health. It’s safe to say you won’t get bored or tired of the album. All the beats and songs are varied enough for a possible entire listen-through. If you couldn’t sit through all of Music Has The Right to Children or Selected Ambient Works 85 - 92, give Silent Shout a chance.

WE SHARE OUR MOTHER'S HEALTH

9.0

Roygbiv · 07-08-2009, 09:07 AM

Man, I really lost interest in this project : S

simplephysics · 07-08-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roygbiv

Man, I really lost interest in this project : S

It was a good run.

Roygbiv · 07-12-2009, 09:32 AM

I might as well finish the albums I already have on the list : P

Roygbiv · 07-12-2009, 09:34 AM

INDIGO
2ND AGIGATION FREE

German Krautrock, the way it should be. For decades the Germans have dominated the genre they pretty much invented, which is just right in my eyes. Sure, Tortoise have had their moments of pure krautrock bliss, but the truly great bands have always been German: Can, Kraftwerk, Neu! Those are the heavyweights, but there are tons more. Like Agitation Free, a relatively unknown band from the late 60s and mid 70s. With their sophomore album, properly titled 2ND, Agitation Free proved that they’re just as talented and inspired as their more popular peers.

If you like Can (Future Days Can, by the way), you’ll appreciate Agitation Free. Though 2ND is more abrasive than Future Days, you’ll notice the similarities: the jazzy sound and production, and the progressive foundation. Agitation Free keep a steady beat throughout the album, reaching its pinnacle in its centerpiece, Laila, Part 2, which often climaxes, settles, and climaxes again. Agitation Free never give up the beat, making 2ND a relatively easy to listen to album. That is, if you haven’t exhausted your music taste buds with the heavyweights. If you’ve been listening to post-rock/krautrock seriously, or at least very often, for some time, 2ND really doesn’t offer anything new. For a first time listener, I can imagine it’d be a completely different experience. The album is bright and breezy, and completely worth your while, even if you’re planning to keep it playing in the background while you worry about other things.

7.8

Roygbiv · 07-24-2009, 02:33 PM

Really? I thought people were writing about politics way before the 70s, especially the late 70s.

Rickenbacker · 07-24-2009, 08:22 PM

Not politics, but simple stuff. Simple, profound stuff.

06-08-2009, 08:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
jacklovezhimself five years Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,248	wow. this review not only says so much about the album, but it also just attempts to shine a light on everything that a modern music fan goes through today. fighting against opinions and accusations, when it's all just music. the album is good too... __________________

06-10-2009, 03:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Piss Me Off Moodswings n' Roundabouts Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: At the corner of Dude and Catastrophe Posts: 4,470	9.6 for Stereolab: Maaaybe, it isn't touted as your average classic but as far as an easy going album that can still engage you when you want it to i can think of few better. Sexy as fuck too. I need to get on Chemical Chords. 10: No, though i can understand it. I can see how it is a very touching album but everyone has their special album and it's not mine. I like On Avery Island a teeny bit more anyway. Good review though! __________________ Last FM Rate Yr Music Muxtape

06-21-2009, 09:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	BLUE SILENT SHOUT THE KNIFE It’s not immediately apparent, but The Knife are a real emotional band. It’s not apparent because they’re an electronica - excuse me! IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) group, a genre that has its share of beautiful tracks (Aphex Twin’s “Fingerbib”, Boards of Canada’s “Roygbiv”), but the emotional that I’m referring to here is lyrical, so it’s only coincidental that The Knife are emotional and IDM. The Knife’s vocal delivery and lyrics can be anxious, fleeting, hopeful, definitely catchy - you can count on them to connect. It’s no surprise then that Jose Gonzales covered, and made famous, their 2003 single Hearbeats. They follow suite with Silent Shout, an a dark, dark album that’s also incredibly danceable (throw it in the mix at a club, it won’t feel out of place). Inspired by Charles Burn’s black and white graphic novel Black Hole, Silent Shout immediately smothers the listener with pulsating beats. Don’t let the electronica/IDM tag fool you, this is an album you sit down and listen to first before moving to it. There are only two instances I can think of that a reverse order is acceptable, and that’s when We Share Our Mother’s Health and Like A Pen come on. Due to its conceptual nature, the song progression is smooth and timed for momentum. The best example of this happens between 6 minute nightmare The Captain and club friendly We Share Our Mother’s health. It’s safe to say you won’t get bored or tired of the album. All the beats and songs are varied enough for a possible entire listen-through. If you couldn’t sit through all of Music Has The Right to Children or Selected Ambient Works 85 - 92, give Silent Shout a chance. WE SHARE OUR MOTHER'S HEALTH 9.0 __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE

07-08-2009, 09:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	Man, I really lost interest in this project : S __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE

07-12-2009, 09:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	I might as well finish the albums I already have on the list : P __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE

06-11-2009, 07:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
music_phantom13 Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 942	I loved the review of Emperor Tomato Ketchup! I realized I hadn't checked in here recently and wanted to see what you'd done lately, and happened to find your second to last review is not only one of my favorite albums, but also what I happen to be listening to right now. One of the great things about Stereolab is what you mentioned in your review; their most accessible album is easily their best. I have managed to find Abductions and Reconstructions, Dots and Loops, Fab Four Suture, and Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements, and none of these can compare with ETK. The diversity of this for an electronic album simply amazes me. Dots and Loops comes in at a close second, but does not have the same feeling of genre hopping that I get when I listen to ETK. And PMO, my personal opinion is that it does not have the same popularity as something like In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, which is, of course, widely regarded as a classic indie rock album, because the genre is just not quite as popular. I feel that they still did something very unique here. I also liked your review of NMH. While I wouldn't give it a 10 personally, I understand what you're saying about it (and it is certainly up there in my favorites, I'm just very very strict with my ratings). The range of opinions on this album is insane (although here on mb, the concensus seems to be that it's one of the best. Keep up the good reviews! I'm really enjoying this!

07-12-2009, 09:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	INDIGO 2ND AGIGATION FREE German Krautrock, the way it should be. For decades the Germans have dominated the genre they pretty much invented, which is just right in my eyes. Sure, Tortoise have had their moments of pure krautrock bliss, but the truly great bands have always been German: Can, Kraftwerk, Neu! Those are the heavyweights, but there are tons more. Like Agitation Free, a relatively unknown band from the late 60s and mid 70s. With their sophomore album, properly titled 2ND, Agitation Free proved that they’re just as talented and inspired as their more popular peers. If you like Can (Future Days Can, by the way), you’ll appreciate Agitation Free. Though 2ND is more abrasive than Future Days, you’ll notice the similarities: the jazzy sound and production, and the progressive foundation. Agitation Free keep a steady beat throughout the album, reaching its pinnacle in its centerpiece, Laila, Part 2, which often climaxes, settles, and climaxes again. Agitation Free never give up the beat, making 2ND a relatively easy to listen to album. That is, if you haven’t exhausted your music taste buds with the heavyweights. If you’ve been listening to post-rock/krautrock seriously, or at least very often, for some time, 2ND really doesn’t offer anything new. For a first time listener, I can imagine it’d be a completely different experience. The album is bright and breezy, and completely worth your while, even if you’re planning to keep it playing in the background while you worry about other things. 7.8 __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE

07-24-2009, 02:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
Roygbiv marquee moon Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 759	Really? I thought people were writing about politics way before the 70s, especially the late 70s. __________________ Roygbiv's Review Revue LATEST REVIEW SILENT SHOUT BY THE KNIFE

07-24-2009, 08:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	Not politics, but simple stuff. Simple, profound stuff. __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed

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