Qwertyy's Journal of Music Reviews and Other Assorted Ramblings

grindy · 02-09-2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwertyy

Not entirely sure what I thought about that, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Will definitely be checking that out soon.

I don't know how much you know about KC, but one of the many awesome things about them is that they changed a lot over the years, while still keeping their essence alive.
In the seventies they were somewhere between weird, but still recognizable prog rock and free, but groovy improvisations, playing around with modern classical and jazz, but also writing some great, more grounded rock songs and ballads.
In the eighties they became essentially a new wave band, while still making incredibly complex, but mostly quite catchy music.
From the nineties onward they cultivated a cold, mathematical, very modern and often electronic sound. They also "frakctured" into several smaller groups at some points, playing mostly improvised music with a heavy d'n'b influence.
I'm just being a rambling fanboy right now and trying to tell you that King Crimson are a huge and varied musical cosmos with many wonders to explore.

The Batlord · 02-09-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

I also was surprised with how familiar I already was with that album when I checked it out for the first time.

grindy has been ****ting Henry Cow links left and right all over this forum, and that's weirdest prog that you know of?

I'm hella lazy about checking out other people's recs and videos.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 02-16-2016, 03:16 PM

Garbage by Garbage
Released in 1995
Genre: Alt rock/Dance-rock/Power pop

I've heard a ton about this album as of late. It seems as if everywhere I look, this is being mentioned as one of the quintessential mid 90's alternative rock releases. With that being said, before this year I had never even heard of the band. Keep in mind I was born in 97', so in theory the album came out before my time. As far as I know, I have absolutely zero familiarity with the band or any songs they've wrote, but based on the King Diamond review, I could be wrong about that again. Regardless, let's dig into this thing.

Supervixen: The album opens up with a certain shoegaze inspired sound, in some ways reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine, or maybe it's just the pink album cover causing me to compare the two. Regardless, the only similarity between the two are the buzzing synths, as the vocals are much clearer than any shoegaze act. Definitely the right way to start the album off, a nice intro track, and now it has me intrigued to see where things go from here.

Queer: The organ on this one immediately grabs my attention, although I'm unsure if it's in a positive or negative way at the moment. This is a bit of a slower track, perhaps a little bit of grunge influence involved. Solid track, it does have me questioning the dance rock tag however, as these last two tracks are far from being dance rock in my opinion.

Only Happy When It Rains: This one is a little underwhelming, feels very much like a generic alternative 90's track. Perhaps they were innovators of the sound, but it still sounds like something I've heard from quite a few different bands so I'm not all that crazy about it.

As Heaven is Wide: The beginning of this track is much more upbeat and actually fits within the dance rock category. There's some loud distorted guitar and a drum beat that sounds like it must be coming from a drum machine rather than an actual drum set. It seems the band really likes lush, layered instrumentation and it's especially noticeable on this one. Chalk it up as another decent to good track.

Not My Idea: This one opens with a fairly heavy riff (for an alt rock song, no need to get too excited.) The track flips back and forth, the verses are much more pretty and poppy, but the chorus features dirtier, buzzing, distorted guitar play as well as Shirley Manson's chanting of "This is not my idea of a good time." Fairly catchy, and I like it when they incorporate the repetitive guitar on the chorus, it's hypnotizing, good track.

A Stroke of Luck: With this one we're officially at the half way point of the album. While there have been plenty of solid cuts, I've yet to be blown away from the band, and find the record to be good, but nothing spectacular. This song isn't going to change my opinion as it's nothing more than a slow-paced filler.

Vow: My trusty review companion Wikipedia tells me that this was Garbage's debut single. Interestingly enough it also tells me that Only Happy When it Rains is one of their biggest hits, and I wasn't impressed with that one at all honestly. I like this one a lot more already though, a little reverb on the vocals but they aren't drowned in it, and this one, much like the opener, incorporates a few elements of shoegaze. Another good track, but still nothing to write home about.

I'm trying to focus on the lyrics a little bit more, but they've failed to make much of an impression on me thus far honestly, it's more so the incorporation of such a vast range of influences with their instruments that's held my attention up to this point.

Stupid Girl: A nice, groovy bass line is pulling this track along. Noisy distortion lays in the background at some parts, an interesting inclusion. At times (mostly on this song) it seems like the band also pull a little bit from the mainstream side of industrial rock. Alright, this one was another solid track but definitely not the type of hit I was expecting considering it was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1997.

Spoiler for Try and guess who won the award that year.:

Dog New Tricks: This one's okay. I find that Shirley Manson's vocals often find themselves buried under the melody of the band's music, which isn't necessarily an issue, but it is odd considering how frequently I've heard how great her vocals are.

My Lover's Box So is the song title supposed to be a sexual innuendo? Because I can't stop thinking... never mind. This one is forgettable, at this point in the album it doesn't feel like anything new or exciting is being brought into the mix and instead I'm just finding generic popular 90's alt rock (how many times have I said that thus far?)

Fix Me Now: More trip-hop influence on the drum beat in this one. Then the guitar hits, and we get a second drum beat, this one coming from the actual drummer Butch Vig, and yet, the noise of the initial trip-hop inspired one can still be heard underneath all the layers. It's incredibly annoying to be honest, it could work if it wasn't buried so far down that you can just hear it enough to know it's there, just another filler track, maybe the worst one yet.

Milk We're wrapping up now, and the ending feels a bit overdue. I've also just realized that every genre I've compared the group to is found in their wikipedia description so, just know that I wasn't aware of that until right at this moment. The last track has a certain drugged out, laid back feeling surrounding it that I enjoy a bit, or maybe I just disliked the last few songs so much that I'm glad to see a change in pace. You know, all of the best moments on this album come from the band's use of keyboards, aside from that there isn't much to it.

Alright, so here we are, almost an hour later, and I feel as if I barely have an opinion on the album. Is it good? I guess it has it's moments, but there are so many throwaway tracks and lacklustre moments that I can't help but feel that it was boring, for the most part at least. There were a couple good tracks, and Supervixen and Not My Idea are two tracks I can see myself listening to again, but aside from that, I probably won't ever revisit this one.

Favorite Tracks: Supervixen, As Heaven is Wide, Not My Idea

Least Favorite Tracks A Stroke of Luck, Fix Me Now

Rating: 3/5

Also, if anyone has any recs I'd be interesting in hearing them. I'm looking more so for album's that you feel everyone needs to hear, you know, essential albums or whatever. Genre doesn't matter, although I am more familiar with some more than others obviously. If I've heard it, depending on how many times I've listened to it, I might still review it anyway.

Black Francis · 02-16-2016, 03:29 PM

I honestly can't recall any member here mentioning Garbage, it feels like they were too mainstream to talk about. i know that's the reason i never mentioned them but i always liked them and i used to have a crush on Shirley Manson.

Have you heard Bossanova by the pixies or Runners four by Deerhoof? those would be my recommendation if you haven't heard them.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 02-16-2016, 03:52 PM

I don't believe I've seen them mentioned on here either, it's mostly on either YouTube or RYM that I've read about the album.

Coincidentally enough I've only heard Doolittle and Surfer Rosa by the Pixies, so I'll definitely look into that album. I have heard The Runners Four though, any other albums by Deerhoof I should check out?

Black Francis · 02-16-2016, 10:55 PM

Deerhoof Vs evil is pretty good and so is Offend Maggie. Coincidentally, i was listening to Offend Maggie earlier today and developed a little obsession with the groove in this song.

I would say Deerhoof Vs Evil is more consistently good but this album has a few songs that make it worth it too.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 02-22-2016, 02:01 PM

Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica, and Megadeth, who are commonly referred to as the "Big Four" of thrash metal are not only recognized as the acts who helped bring the metal subgenre to tremendous heights in the mid 80's, but also as decorated heavy metal bands who have remained (mostly) true to their roots of creating a fast-paced, hellish blend of hardcore punk and speed metal for well over 30 years.

Ask nearly any metalhead for the bands who influenced and shaped their musical tastes, and it's all but guaranteed at least one of the big four acts will be mentioned. I've always wondered though, which of the band's are truly the best at what they do? There's no concrete answer of course, and everyone has their own opinion on the matter, but I've decided to take it into my own hands to decide who I feel is the superior.

I've listened to a fair amount of releases from each band, although I haven't heard every album from any of them. I don't plan on reviewing every album either, as that would make for unfair circumstances and either quantity over quality, as Megadeth have released 15 albums versus Metallica's 9. Instead, I'll break their respective discographies into four (might add a fifth later) categories and award points to each band as follows:

Best album: 3pts
Second best: 2pts
Third best: 1pt
Worst: -1pt

The categories will be as follows:

Debut Albums:

Metallica - Kill 'Em All (1983)
Slayer - Show No Mercy (1983)
Anthrax - Fistful of Metal (1984)
Megadeth - Killing is My Business.... and Business is Good! (1985)

Best Albums: (according to RYM)

Metallica - Ride the Lightning (1984)
Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986)
Anthrax - Among the Living (1987)
Megadeth - Rust in Peace (1990)

Worst Albums (again, according to RYM)

Metallica - St. Anger [2003(not counting collaborative albums, sorry Lou Reed)]
Slayer - Diabolus in Musica (1998)
Anthrax - Volume 8: The Threat is Real (1998)
Megadeth: Risk (1999)

Latest Releases:

Metallica - Death Magnetic [2008 (unless their next album is released before this concludes)]
Slayer - Repentless (2015)
Anthrax - For All Kings (2016)
Megadeth - Dystopia (2016)

We'll kick this thing off with Kill 'Em All shortly.

**Frownland** · 02-22-2016, 02:04 PM

If United Abominations had come out before Risk, Risk would be renowned as their comeback album.

**** UA, basically.

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 02-22-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

If United Abominations had come out before Risk, Risk would be renowned as their comeback album.

**** UA, basically.

If you want a good laugh read the review of the album on RYM, I couldn't fathom what I was reading when scrolling through.

**Frownland** · 02-22-2016, 02:09 PM

Risk or UA?

Nevermind, I know both will have some snarksterpieces.

02-16-2016, 03:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	I honestly can't recall any member here mentioning Garbage, it feels like they were too mainstream to talk about. i know that's the reason i never mentioned them but i always liked them and i used to have a crush on Shirley Manson. Have you heard Bossanova by the pixies or Runners four by Deerhoof? those would be my recommendation if you haven't heard them. __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

02-16-2016, 10:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	Deerhoof Vs evil is pretty good and so is Offend Maggie. Coincidentally, i was listening to Offend Maggie earlier today and developed a little obsession with the groove in this song. I would say Deerhoof Vs Evil is more consistently good but this album has a few songs that make it worth it too. __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

02-22-2016, 02:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	If United Abominations had come out before Risk, Risk would be renowned as their comeback album. **** UA, basically. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

02-22-2016, 02:09 PM	#20 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,548	Risk or UA? Nevermind, I know both will have some snarksterpieces. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x