Title: Frostbit Fingers
Artist: Planktons Odyssey
Genre: Rock/Guitar Virtuoso
Artist Reaction: Yeah! My man!
Genre Reaction: Two thumbs up here
Familiarity: Very familiar; I’ve heard most of Plankton’s music
Suggested by: Plankton
A Little Background: Our resident guitar god, it’s been a while since I’ve heard anything new from him, though his songs do regularly come up on my playlist here at home
Expectations: Should be an easy, and high Love, maybe a 4 or 5
Overview:

(4) Walking Outside (Meat Popsicle): Now it sounds like that’s synth droning low in the intro, though I know Plankton can make some very synthy sounds on his guitar, so maybe not. Speaking of which, the guitar soon comes in and establishes ascendancy, very Gary Moorelike with a touch of Gilmour circa 1973 (think “Shine On”) then the drums cut in, slow and measured, and it’s a lovely balladish tune, measured and stately with some nice wind effects. I’d imagine that has to be a keyboard there, then the guitar blasts out in a rock freakout showing just how good this guy is. I can also hear elements of Knopfler there, riff kind of reminds me a little of “Sultans of Swing”s leadout. Slowing down now in a more dramatic fashion before it bops along again in a nice mid-paced way. Great start.
(4) Ice Crystals: Picked guitar that almost reminds me of a lute, kind of medieval feel to it, or maybe it’s classical guitar, speeding up now a little then dropping back into the opening melody. A short interlude really, less than two minutes but worth every second.
(4) Snow Day: Kicks off with a big snarling growl and rocks along in true AOR form like the best of Schon or Satriani, really nice melody. Sort of harks back a little to “Son of Soothsayer” from Whale, if I’m remembering properly. Maybe it’s Krill, can’t quite recall. Fine flowing riffs and great rhythm work too. Enough to give the big lads in melodic rock a run for their money, certainly.
(5) Thaw Me Up Thaw Me Out: Sounds like this could be a dark bluesy number, start off slowly with a kind of yearning in the tune (shut up, that’s what I hear and I’ll write what I want) again very much in Moore territory I feel. I’m thinking “The Loner”, “The Master Will Come Again” sort of thing. Very emotional, possibly my favourite on the album so far. Might even go so far as to say this is my new favourite of all Plankton’s songs, just about edging out “Son of Soothsayer” and “Fields of Youth”.
(4) Frozen Lips Tell No Tales: Another picked intro, though it’s only seconds before it screams to life on a fretburning riff (shut up Batty) and rises off into the stratosphere. Lovely harmony work on the guitars there near the end. Too short.
(3) Passenger on a Ship to a Frozen Planet: This one isn’t though. Too short I mean. Almost eight minutes long, I think this is Plankton’s longest track, though I could be wrong there. Starts off slow and relaxed, with some strong and fluid melodies and again slow, measured percussion and, um, kind of stays that way. If I have any criticism of this track (and I didn’t want to but I think I must mention it) it’s that it doesn’t change much. For such a long piece I had thought it would go through some changes, but it doesn’t. Still a great track, just maybe a little disappointed at the variety, or lack of it. I think there’s some piano in there, which is nice.
(4) 22 Below Sunshine: Nice to hear some acoustic guitar, before the electric slides in, and it’s a kind of distant - very distant - cousin to “Fields of Youth” with a sort of swaying, waltzy rhythm whose melody slightly reminds of of a-ha’s song “Dragonfly”. Really lovely closer.

Conclusion: Before anyone accuses me of writing a "mate’s review" here, let me just say, those who don’t know me, that I’ve been known to criticise, even harshly, the music of members here whom I know, if it wasn’t to my taste. Frownland can vouch for that. But Plankton is such an expert on the guitar, with a real ear for a catchy melody and such versatility in his playing that it’s always a joy to listen to his music, and this is no exception. I don’t rate it highly because he’s my friend, I rate it highly because it deserves it. Here: have a listen and tell me you don’t agree.

So, Love or Hate? Never in doubt. I can’t give it the highest rating because there are one or two weaker tracks on it, but it’s still an excellent effort and deserves a Love (4) all day.

I feel "burn out" after reading your posts.

People of Music Banter feel sorry for me.:(

I believe there’s an ignore feature. Save yourself the headache my man, put it to good use

Thanks! I appreciate the listen and review, and I'm really happy you enjoyed it.

Show off. So he likes your album more than Trout Mask Replica, big deal.

@Trrrollheart when you get to review my next album pick may I request to have the original color code system applied for entertainment!?

I like the sound of a man dying from terminal flatulence more than Trout Mask Replica! :laughing:
Eh, sorry but obviously not. Now that I've changed it I have to stick with what I have, otherwise a) people will be getting confused and b) everyone will want to choose what system I employ for their album. To paraphrase a famous slogan, it's now "one man, one rating system". The OP's decision is final in these matters.
:shycouch:

Patience is a virtue.
Now **** off. :)

I don't like nuts.
:shycouch:

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a1493430197_16.jpg
Title: Live at Imurj
Artist: Black Bouquet
Genre: Rock
Artist Reaction: Don’t know; I’ve reviewed some of MTR’s music before. I think I liked it.
Genre Reaction: Wasn’t sure what the genre would be, so no reaction before I listened
Familiarity: This is the first I’ve heard of this band
Suggested by: Mrs Tristan Rosenstock
A Little Background: None really
Expectations: No idea. I hope for at least a mid-range Like
Overview: Really can’t tell you anything, other than this is MTR’s band.

(2) Bed of Roses: Good rocky rhythm getting us going; vocalist sounds a little strained, sort of cross between a softer punk and an emo singer maybe. Good melody in the song, the vocal is very passionate but I can’t say I like his style personally. Not a bad singer by any means, just not my thing.
(3) Out of Luck: The guitar comes a lot more to the fore here, and it’s nice and jangly. Is it Morrissey that the singer reminds me of? Quite possibly. Whether he will or would take that as a compliment or not is something I guess he’ll have to decide. I don’t intend it as one or the other, though it should be known I’m not a fan of the Smiths or Morrissey. Nothing should be read into that however; I’m just trying to place his vocal style and who he sounds like to me. I think the sound could be fuller, though of course this is an independent recording, and live at that. I just feel it sounds a little hollow. Really like the guitar though; the guy knows his stuff. Sort of a feeling of Lloyd Cole or the Style Council in his playing.
(2) Colder Weather: Slower and more grindy (hah!) this time, with some pretty thunderous drumming from our own MTR (sorry if I don’t wax lyrical about your playing, man: you know how I am with drummers, don’t know a good from a bad one) and now it picks up speed, getting boppier and more uptempo. Again though, sorry but that vocalist just ruins things. Not my cup of poison at all, his singing ain’t. Certainly a lot of energy in this.
Dead Flowers: I find it a little hard to maintain my interest in this track; doesn't seem to be going anywhere, not to me anyway. Guitar reminds me of Lifeson on this one, sounds kind of seventies.
Honey, Hang Me: That one passed by too and there really is nothing I can write about it.
(1) Feline: There’s an interesting growling guitar line in this at least, and even the vocalist isn’t too bad. Sort of an almost heavy metal feel to the riff. Terrible, abrupt ending though.
(2) Before I Wake: Again good percussion here, stands out well and the guitar takes decent charge of the tune.

Conclusion: Certainly not terrible, though from a personal standpoint I would consider the singer to be the weak link. I’m sure everyone who likes this music like him though, and I wish him and your band well. But if someone else were singing I think I might have been better able to get to grips with the music. The production doesn’t help. Not bad though. I’ve heard worse. There’s a ringing endorsement if ever you heard it, eh? ;)

So, Love or Hate? It’s not quite a Meh, but I can only manage a Love (2) which I think is actually pretty generous, but I don’t want to discourage you and want also to be fair to you. Best I can do, bud.
:shycouch:

Just a thought: as elphenor seldom gets involved in these things, and Neapolitan (who's next) and grindy both have had albums reviewed already, and as he seems to be waiting breathlessly for his one to come up, would either of you guys mind if I moved his selection up to be next? I just think it would a nice thing to ... oh wait, this is Music Banter isn't it? You don't do nice here, do you? You tell people to **** off. You're going to tell him to **** off, aren't you? **** off and wait your turn? Well, I tried.

Let me know if you're open to giving the guy a break. And no, I don't mean both his legs!