The Identity Matrix Hall of Fame

Plainview · 01-08-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Identity Matrix

What a way to start 2016...

Blackstar by David Bowie

Year: 2016
Genre: Art Rock/Progressive Jazz
Nationality: English

The Review: I am a big Bowie fan. I just wanted to preface this review with that in case you want to take my review with a grain of salt or not. I try to be as unbiased as possible so bear with me on this one. From Aladdin Sane to Ziggy Stardust to the Next Day to now Blackstar I have hit up every before now and after work that Bowie has produced and released under his moniker. Each album has a little something new for me to enjoy. I am not going to say his discography is perfect, because it most certainly is not, but I will say I enjoy it immensely. Blackstar is something that I was not expecting. The sounds and lyricism and atmosphere on this record was something that blew me away. Obviously my first taste of the record was the title track's spacey jazz influenced experimental sound that I was hoping that it would represent the overall record. Well it did, but not in the way I was expecting it to. This album is driven by the progressive and free jazz instrumentation that dominates the tracks on this record. But the spacey atmosphere of Blackstar never leaves. From the haunting delivery of Girl Loves Me and the wondrous Lazarus I see a very cohesive style surrounding the album. Something that doesn't always happen with these kinds of records. There are some expletives on this record which can be sometimes a turn off for me. But only if they feel forced. On here it feels like these tracks are completed by them. I did get lost between the tracks Girl Loves Me and Dollar Days. On the first listen I couldn't actually differentiate between the two tracks. I do not like that when that happens as it makes the album at that point feel too cohesive. I need to be able to distinguish between each track. However that doesn't make either track weak in any way shape or form. I enjoy the single power of Sue (Or in the Season of Crime) and it might be my favorite song, at least for right now, off of the album. I cannot stop listening to this record, and I need to because of other reviews. Excellent instrumentation, thoughtful lyrics, beautiful atmosphere... You cannot go wrong with that combination.

Blackstar receives a 8.9/10

Standout Tracks: Blackstar, Lazarus, Sue (Or in the Season of Crime), I Can't Give Everything Away

Weaker Tracks: I guess Dollar Days would be the only track I don't see myself listening a ton too.

If this were too be the last Bowie record... what a send off... Thats all I can say...
__________________

Nice review. I think the album's really stellar. Love the Jazz meets Progressive Rock meets DnB. Has elements of Outside and Earthling in that respect, but I think it's the best realisation of that sound Bowie's created thus far. He should have done more 10 minute opening title tracks, as Station to Station and now Blackstar are absolutely killer.

The Identity Matrix · 01-08-2016, 02:29 PM

Completely agree. Glad you liked the review

Plainview · 01-09-2016, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Identity Matrix

Completely agree. Glad you liked the review

By the way, if you don't like Laughing Stock I will shoot myself/you/both of us.

Adding on. It's best in a relaxed atmosphere where you can really soak it up. It leaves an amazing impression on first listen but you've gotta give it your full attention. Not saying you won't, but yeah.

The Identity Matrix · 01-11-2016, 08:10 PM

Your Time by Massdistraction

Year: 2016
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
Nationality: Swedish

The Review: What a neat thing the internet and youtube can be. If anyone follows Coverkillernation on youtube, I do obviously, he is one of the bigger names out there for metal reviews. I try everything he recommends due to his wide range of knowledge for the genre. This album was not on my radar whatsoever until his review came out. He praised it quite a bit, and thus I thought I would give it a shot. Your Time is a solid album through and through. It never has any inherently bad tracks on it at all. The guitar work and vocals create a chilling and abrasive atmosphere that is very well done. The musicians on this record are very talented and that talent shows. The lyrics are negative yet never corny or anything weird, in fact I thought they were well thought out and fit the mood. The soloing on this record is top notch. Very melodic and very powerful riffs are used throughout the album combined with punishing drum patterns. However the album isn't varied enough in the sense that it really is just solid track after solid track. No standouts on here. Yet no track is really weak. So its a tough album to review in that case. Tracks such as Your Time and the Human Worth are probably the best on the album if I had to pick any specific tracks. The reason for this is that I like the vocal delivery on these tracks way more than the others. Its just the riffing and soloing isn't exactly standout. A good album yet not a fantastic one. Massdistraction are relatively new and thus I am excited to see what comes next after hearing such a strong effort.

Your Time receives a 7.8/10

Standout Tracks: Your Time, The Human Worth

Weaker Tracks: Raising the Dead

Lets see where this goes and maybe we will have a modern classic in the near future. Sorry for the shorter review. I really couldn't think of much else to say. Laughing Stock is next.

Tristan_Geoff · 01-11-2016, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plainview

By the way, if you don't like Laughing Stock I will shoot myself/you/both of us.

Adding on. It's best in a relaxed atmosphere where you can really soak it up. It leaves an amazing impression on first listen but you've gotta give it your full attention. Not saying you won't, but yeah.

I listened to that recently because of how fondly you speak of it, and it really was all you said it would be. One of my new favorites

The Identity Matrix · 01-11-2016, 08:35 PM

Then the hype is real for Laughing Stock.

Plainview · 01-11-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan Geoff

I listened to that recently because of how fondly you speak of it, and it really was all you said it would be. One of my new favorites

Glad you liked it. Spirit of Eden is very similar too, the album they released before Laughing Stock and just as good, and Mark Hollis' s/t album (he's the lead singer) is like a stripped back version of the two and it's absolutely beautiful.