I’m glad I waited so long before getting seriously stuck into this one again. There are some more experimental elements which I didn’t pick up on so much when I was younger. Don’t know how I could have missed them, I mean listen to the beginning of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHsiP1aLqhU. The musicianship is outstanding and has matured with age. Who knows, I mean get back into Tales From Topographic Oceans at this stage.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
John Lennon - Imagine
This isn’t just an album. This is one of the highest regarded pop albums of all time and is a frequent contender for ‘Best Beatles Solo Album’ if not among the greatest albums by anyone. And I don’t like it.
The material is fine mostly; the lyrics are good it’s performed superbly and the melodies are among the strongest John ever wrote. So what’s the problem? The production. Phil Spector ruined this album. Let it Be was still okay with Spector’s tinkering but this is horrible. The strings completely dilute any impact the music has. The best tracks are the ones that have barely been screwed with the least. Gimme Some Truth, Oh My Love and Crippled Inside are standouts but hearing How? and knowing that any number of demo versions of the song have substantially more impact.
Have some studio material, skip the album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK7CLXHSr1M
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Dark Side of the Moon was a turning point in the approach of the band. Out of nowhere there was an incredible focus which was pivotal in cementing their place in rock history. Personally I prefer some of the raw experimentation of earlier efforts but this is probably the quintessential Pink Floyd album, far more so than Dark Side even. Where Dark Side tends to almost throw away some of the scope that the earlier albums offered musically in favour of some of the most ‘grown up’ conceptual writing on a rock album at that point Wish You Were Here is a more even blend of those aspects.
The theme of the album is Syd Barrett, the founding member who tragically developed drug induced schizophrenia shortly after the release of the group’s debut album Piper at the Gates of Dawn, who to a certain extent also inspired Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. The album is marvellously constructed, every part feels like it belongs right where it is.
The centrepiece is the 26 minute Shine On You Crazy Diamond which bookends the album. It’s incredible that Dave Gilmour was playing at his absolute best when Roger Waters was basically writing “I wish we had our old guitarist back.”
Gojira – The Link
Review# 294The second album from French titans Gojira a pretty damn solid. At this stage you can still hear them developing towards the sound that is ultimately established on follow up From Mars To Sirius, that's not to say that The Link does not hold up though, as mentioned it is still a solid album. Gojira have managed to provide interesting songs to carry their message of looking after the planet. And they do it in such a way that it isn't annoying or preachy which adds lots to the enjoyment factor.
Indians: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-OESq1WDGc
Remembrance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWaJ0c_x7ck
Deicide – Insineratehymn
Review# 293Lyrically this album is pretty much what you would expect from a dude who has carved an inverted cross on his forehead and who is in a band called Deicide. Which means the killing of a god for those who don't know.
So as expected, the songs are all directed to god and religion and all that jazz. And not nice lyrics like you would expect from a band like DC Talk. The one exception to this rule is Forever Hate You which is about singer Glen Benton's ex-wife.
I really didn't mind the album overall though I did find it a bit samey with not a lot of variation, especially in the vocal style which is really the focal point if the album. I have read that only opening track Bible Basher is a live staple now so maybe there are better albums out there that for me to discover.
Bible Basher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOCjeAR4xfQ
Forever Hate You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVEtZ2aCKx8
Fear Factory – Obsolete
Review# 292Killer album. Obsolete makes up the third part of the "machines take over the world and make people obsolete" concept that started with Demanufacture and Remanufacture. The album stomps along delivering killer track after killer track. It is just an awesome record, I do prefer Demanufacture overall but Obsolete right up there too.
Edgecrusher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr7NOPk7eaI
Shock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J64hEp63_I
The Offspring - Americana
Review# 291To be honest, I didn't get it then and I don't get it now. And the singer shouldn't try for sustained notes.
Bleed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elNeQjTTnVo&ob=av2n
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