Some Music Reviews
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
These reviews are completely subjective and biased... but take my 2 cents for what they are.. I promise, I'll kinda try to be objective.
Green Day - American Idiot
- 4 Stars
This is by far Green Day's most reaching album. It contains thematic songs that suck you in. The arrangements are surprising in that a punk trio can come up with such complex melodies. This album is political. I hate political albums. But if you can get pass that, the music is awesome. A downside can be that it's too good. I've gotten sort of used to Albums that contain 2 or 3 good songs... and the rest are "fillers", or the artist's muse to "express themselves". But on this album, every song is detailed as a carefully executed presentation. That can make it over bearing though. It'll sonically punch you in the face and kick you while you're down too.... some people like that. I do too... sometimes.
Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
- 4 Stars
I love this album. Going back to the old stuff that Incubus came out with, it's easy to see how they've "strayed" to many fans. The songs "New Skin" and "Glass" make the whole album great. The guitar tone is so awesome. "Deep Inside" shows the band's complexity, as they mix elevator type R&B music with some hardcore spazz. I wouldn't care about this band on music alone, but the fact that each musician on this band is so good leads me to call this album great. This album is chalked full with talent coming together to make a good salad.
Jimmy Eat World - Futures
- 3 1/2 Stars
I was never a real big fan of Jimmy Eat World, but this album is good. By the first track, the album sucks you in. It's hard mid tempo songs. Guitars are lush and drums are raw. I definitely recomend this album. I'm still not that big of a fan, but I think this album far exceeds the Bleed American album. The only song I dislike so far is the single they released. Solid play on my iPod.
The Calling - Two
- 3 Stars
The Calling minus the band. They decided to call it "Two" to reaffirm that the band consists of only two members. The singer and guitarist. I never really cared for The Calling ever since Sean (the other electric guitarist) left the band... and to tell you the truth, I was a bit upset that they dumped the other members of the band too. There are some lawsuits and stuff over that... but aside from the lame drama... the album is ok. Some songs are catchy and well recorded. It gets play on my iPod, but when I actually think about them, I can't stand the singer. Alex Band. That's his name... ironic huh? His name is Band but he can't even treat his "hired hands" like a band. His voice is definitely one of a kind... I love it. But if you've ever read his rantings on his blog, you'll see how immature and idiotic he is. I probably give the album more play than 3 stars will afford though. The music is safe and catchy... well some of them are, the rest will leave you yawning. It's a pretty insincere album. Very superficial and surface... not very deep. You'll be skipping songs to the catchy ones, then ejecting it.
Third Eye Blind - Out of the Vein
- 4 1/2 Stars
This is a great album. Anyone who's seen Third Eye Blind live knows that they suck. In fact, they suck so bad... they are on my top ten of "sucking live". But they write damn good music. Their arrangements are refreshing, catchy, and interesting enough to keep playing it. If you can seperate the studio band from the live band (they are the same band... I hope), then you will love this album. I like almost every song on this album. I rarely skip songs. The guitar tones are great and the lyrical content is up to par with the previous album.
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
- 2 1/2 Stars
Vertigo is an annoying song. And I bought this album on faith of reviewers saying it heralds back to the day of "Joshua Tree". I love Joshua Tree... by far my favorite U2 album. But this album doesn't quite hit it. As a matter of fact, the only thing similar to Joshua Tree is the delay effects that Edge uses. Keep in mind that this album is not bad. It's really BIG... lots of sound. Thematic and Swirly. But it's a far cry from Joshua Tree's simple songs... simple arrangements. I want more of Edge's guitar tone from that albumn. I think U2 has strayed far enough... and now it's too late to come back. Nice try U2.
Green Day - American Idiot
- 4 Stars
This is by far Green Day's most reaching album. It contains thematic songs that suck you in. The arrangements are surprising in that a punk trio can come up with such complex melodies. This album is political. I hate political albums. But if you can get pass that, the music is awesome. A downside can be that it's too good. I've gotten sort of used to Albums that contain 2 or 3 good songs... and the rest are "fillers", or the artist's muse to "express themselves". But on this album, every song is detailed as a carefully executed presentation. That can make it over bearing though. It'll sonically punch you in the face and kick you while you're down too.... some people like that. I do too... sometimes.
Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
- 4 Stars
I love this album. Going back to the old stuff that Incubus came out with, it's easy to see how they've "strayed" to many fans. The songs "New Skin" and "Glass" make the whole album great. The guitar tone is so awesome. "Deep Inside" shows the band's complexity, as they mix elevator type R&B music with some hardcore spazz. I wouldn't care about this band on music alone, but the fact that each musician on this band is so good leads me to call this album great. This album is chalked full with talent coming together to make a good salad.
Jimmy Eat World - Futures
- 3 1/2 Stars
I was never a real big fan of Jimmy Eat World, but this album is good. By the first track, the album sucks you in. It's hard mid tempo songs. Guitars are lush and drums are raw. I definitely recomend this album. I'm still not that big of a fan, but I think this album far exceeds the Bleed American album. The only song I dislike so far is the single they released. Solid play on my iPod.
The Calling - Two
- 3 Stars
The Calling minus the band. They decided to call it "Two" to reaffirm that the band consists of only two members. The singer and guitarist. I never really cared for The Calling ever since Sean (the other electric guitarist) left the band... and to tell you the truth, I was a bit upset that they dumped the other members of the band too. There are some lawsuits and stuff over that... but aside from the lame drama... the album is ok. Some songs are catchy and well recorded. It gets play on my iPod, but when I actually think about them, I can't stand the singer. Alex Band. That's his name... ironic huh? His name is Band but he can't even treat his "hired hands" like a band. His voice is definitely one of a kind... I love it. But if you've ever read his rantings on his blog, you'll see how immature and idiotic he is. I probably give the album more play than 3 stars will afford though. The music is safe and catchy... well some of them are, the rest will leave you yawning. It's a pretty insincere album. Very superficial and surface... not very deep. You'll be skipping songs to the catchy ones, then ejecting it.
Third Eye Blind - Out of the Vein
- 4 1/2 Stars
This is a great album. Anyone who's seen Third Eye Blind live knows that they suck. In fact, they suck so bad... they are on my top ten of "sucking live". But they write damn good music. Their arrangements are refreshing, catchy, and interesting enough to keep playing it. If you can seperate the studio band from the live band (they are the same band... I hope), then you will love this album. I like almost every song on this album. I rarely skip songs. The guitar tones are great and the lyrical content is up to par with the previous album.
U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
- 2 1/2 Stars
Vertigo is an annoying song. And I bought this album on faith of reviewers saying it heralds back to the day of "Joshua Tree". I love Joshua Tree... by far my favorite U2 album. But this album doesn't quite hit it. As a matter of fact, the only thing similar to Joshua Tree is the delay effects that Edge uses. Keep in mind that this album is not bad. It's really BIG... lots of sound. Thematic and Swirly. But it's a far cry from Joshua Tree's simple songs... simple arrangements. I want more of Edge's guitar tone from that albumn. I think U2 has strayed far enough... and now it's too late to come back. Nice try U2.
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