I think it would work best if each review followed a format like they did in the book reviews. Try to make your reviews well-written, in the correct format, and full of your own interesting takes on what you are reviewing. Doing so would make this topic more likely to get “stickied“. I tried to make the format similar to the book reviews since it was so successful in that forum- good idea SomeoneLoveMe (topic creator of the book reviews)!

Format:

1. Album Cover- Provide an image of the album art.
2. Artist- Which band, composer, etc. made the work you are reviewing?
3. Album- What is the album or release called?
4. Genre- Which genre/ subgenre is this music?
5. Overall Review- Here you will cover what you liked in the album as a whole- how it made you feel, how it was unique, etc. Avoid referring to specific tracks- simply tell us how the album affected you.
6. Track Review- Here you will review each track and tell us more about the music itself- What instruments predominated? Did the singer do something interesting and different? Was the song quick-tempo or slow? Be technical if you want to!
7. Similar Albums- People may want a comparison other than genre for what your album sounds like. Give some artists and/ or albums in a similar vein to help people understrand what your album sounds like.
8. Rating x/10- Give a 1 to only the worst album you’ve ever heard, a 10 to only the best one you’ve heard. Assign a value between 1 and 10 appropriately.

In the Books forum, entries that were off topic were removed so stay on topic and post reviews and feedback/ constructive discussion of a particular work only.

Hopefully this will be something fun and different.


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Listen to Penderecki.

Book of Saturday- short, melodic piece. Features dramatic chord changes.

Exiles- extended piece that combines complex melodies with very emotional chord changes.

Easy Money- a "rock" song that uses some odd melodic elements and features a very weird guitar solo.

Talking Drum- a low-key rhythmic piece that sounds very jazz-inspired. It ends abruptly in a loud crescendo.

Lark's Tongue in Aspic Pt. 2- a pounding, rhythmic piece- very fast tempo and full of jarring dissonance, especially in Fripp's guitar and David Cross' violin.

7. Similar albums-
KC- Starless and Bible Black
Some Frank Zappa works
Some Genesis works

8. Rating: 8.5/10

NOTE: Obviously writing a track-by track review can take a long time so if you are pressed for time, omit that part but give a detailed "overview" review.

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Listen to Penderecki.

Genre: combines a lot including metal, rock, hip hop and punk. Mainly experimental rock.

Overall review
Definitely one of, if not the best Faith No More album. Their first album recored with Mike Patton (Mr Bungle etc) it seriously is probably one of the most diverse albums I've heard; it goes from rock sounding songs with From Out of Nowhere to songs encompassing "rap" with metal influences, as in Epic (probably the most famous song off the album). There is also a cover of War Pigs, an anti war song originally Black Sabbath.  
As I said, a very diverse album, with some interesting stories behind the songs.
4/5 stars with All Music Guide.
You probably will either hate or love the lead vocals.

9/10, definitely one of my favourite albums of all time, could listen to it over and over.

N.B. I didn't do track reviews or similar albums, firstly, because I can't be bothered, and secondly, I honestly can't think of any similar albums.

Post edited at 2:40 am on Sep. 12, 2007 by Seafercat

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shіt, fΰck, satan, death, sex, drugs, rape
these 7 words they're trying to take
right or wrong, it's our choice to make

http://www.golivewire.com/forums/peer-ntaeyb-support-a.html

Post edited at 4:21 am on Sep. 12, 2007 by Pale Moon

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Tits out, pants down, overnight to London
Touch down, look around, everyone's the same

Primus

Sailing The Seas Of Cheese

Rock Maybe Metal.

Well this is the album that got me into music as a whole.It is a mix of rock with funky bass riffs. The bass is truly outstanding on this album,as well as the guitar and drumming.

1.Seas of Cheese - This is a very slow (and quite pointless) intro to the album. All this is is Les Claypool (bassist) playing a double bass and singing about cheese. It is quite random but funny way to start the album.

2. Here Come The Bastards - Now this is more of a warm up song than anything else. It's slow tempo bass and drumming gives an opirtunity for Larry (guitar) to show off some of his soloing skills.

3.Sgt.Baker - Now this is more like it. This song starts very quiet for about a minute and builds up untill the chorus. On this track we start to see how well the band works with eachother. With yet another great performance from Les Claypool and Tim (drums) there was something missing... solo! and a good one too. As a whole the song's off beat but in beat with the band makes it one of the best on the album.

4.American Life- This song starts again with Les on bass playing what sounds like a very hard bass riff. He plays this riff almost through the entire first half of the song. The solid drumming fits well with the bass and guitar on this track. On the 3rd minute the whole song starts to liven up with the Larry uping the tempo with a solo. The song ends in a  fast tempo.

5.Jerry Was a Racecar Driver - This is undoubtedly the best song on the album. With Les on bass again double tapping and slapping his bass in a fast tempo, Larry playing a very high pitched riff and Tim playing a very hard but solid drumming the song is seemsto not need anything else. Then comes a very early solo from Larry. What more could we want? But finnaly the band shows their metal roots around halfway through which is a surprise to be onest.

6.American Life - This song is a little slower. It really shows off Tim's skill on this track and puts Les and Larry's skills to aside untill the solo of course.

7.Is it Luck? - This song comes in as a very fast tempo bass riff. The guitar plays along. Tim plays very well also on this track. This is one of my favorite tracks because of the vocals which are silly but good.

8.Grandad's Little Ditty - Ummm No Comment lol.

9. Tommy The Cat- One of the best songs on the album. Great bass and guitar and drumming. This performance is also great because of the very fast tempo which they keep up for 4 and a half minutes.

10. Sathington Waltz - Similar to grndad's Little ditty and seas of cheese. Just a filler really.

11. Those Damned Blue Collar Tweakers - Great song. Guitar playing two notes. Bass playing two notes. Then comes in drums and everything livens up. Then it goes back to two notes. Then comes the lively chorus once again but with lyrics repeating "fire!" and etc.

12. Fish On - Very long song (8 Mins) But good. This is based on three stories about the bands lives when fishing (they love it).

13.Los Bastardos - Filler. Here comes the bastards mixed a bit.

Sounds a little like The Residents and Dread Zeppelin.
9/10

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Click Here :D
"We have nothing to fear, but fear itself"

Jessica93 is my sexy LW wifey.

2. H.I.M.

3. Dark Light

4. They call themselves Love Metal, however many people think of them as Goth, which I highly disagree with.

5. I absolutely love this album. It made me feel totally like I was in tranquility while listening to almost every song. It is unique because as many fans may know, H.I.M. sings about mostly love. I consider their lyrics to be the most beautiful ones I have ever listened to yet. It makes you want to just fall in love if you haven't, fall back in love if you aren't, or celebrate love. This album affected me because it has taught me more aspects about love and the bright side of it than the dark side. A lot of H.I.M.'s songs have to do with dying, but if you see the story behind their signal it explains very well.

6. I can't really tell you. It's hard to explain because a lot of them sound almost the same, while some didn't.

7. I don't think they sound like any other artist out there. The only artist I could compare them to would them to themselves. I think anyone could like them, Hell, my dad likes them and he mostly listens to only Gospel and Oldies. I consider that a compliment in my opinion.

8. I would have to rate it a 8/10.

I really hope this counts even though it isn't a new album, but I love to share music and have others share their music along with me.

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Did you ever see that one person?
& the subtle way that they do these things and it hurts so much?
So much like choking down the embers of a great blaze
It's that moment when your eyes seem to spread aspersions

Foo Fighters
Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace (Sept. 25, 2007) (51:12)
RCA Records
Produced by Gil Norton

Dave Grohl: guitar, vocals
Chris Shiflett: guitar, background vocals
Nate Mendel: bass
Taylor Hawkins: drums, percussion, background vocals
Kaki King: guitar on "Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners"

1. "The Pretender" (4:29)
2. "Let It Die" (4:05)
3. "Erase Replace" (4:13)
4. "Long Road To Ruin" (3:44)
5. "Come Alive" (5:10)
6. "Stranger Things Have Happened" (5:21)
7. "Cheer Up Boys, Your Makeup Is Running" (3:41)
8. "Summer's End" (4:37)
9. "The Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners" (2:32)
10. "Statues" (3:47)
11. "But, Honestly" (4:35)
12. "Home" (4:52)
Bonus Track: "Once And For All" (Demo) (3:47)

Working with Gil Norton for the first time since 1997's The COlour and the Shape, the Foo Fighters redeem themselves after the mediocrity of 2005's In Your Honor with a deep set of 12 songs, along with many B-sides to come. The end result of the band's reunification with Norton is quite possibly their most powerful album - yes, even surpassing The Colour and the Shape, widely regarded as the band's masterpiece. In short, this album does what In Your Honor attempted to do musically, builds off of those beginnings, and finds a way to tie both the rock-band Foo Fighters and acoustic Foo Fighters together.

I'm sure most folks have heard "The Pretender" by now. Yes, it does start with the same chord as Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", played in a similar way on only one guitar. However, the similarities end there. This song is a balls-to-the-wall rocker, everything that a classic rock song is about. The string arrangement in the single-guitar parts is a nice touch as well.

"Let It Die" starts out acoustic, sounding like something that would have been on disc two of In Your Honor, but with better lyrics and a much better guitar riff. When the hi-hat led percussion comes in, it's obvious that the Foos have learned a lot from their acoustic tour on how to craft an acoustic song. But then, after two minutes of the nice, soft, acoustic song, a driving guitar comes in for about fifteen seconds, hinting at an album that mixes the rock and acoustic halves of the last album into the same songs. Finally, at around 2:45, the driving guitars come in. Unlike much of the last album, Nate Mendel's bass playing is less obvious than a song like, say, "Best of You".

"Erase Replace" starts out with an interesting guitar riff and drums that made the first half of the last album so unique, with lots of sixteenth notes and toms. Then, the band breaks into a catchy, more radio-friendly chorus. This song sounds like it would have fit on the Foos' debut album quite nicely. Compared to a song like "The Pretender", Taylor Hawkins' drums are much more complex, and are at times reminiscent of Stewart Copeland of The Police. The bridge is yet another beautiful mix of the Foos' rock-power and melodic sense, reminiscent of a song like "Walking After You". Dave Grohl's harmonic vocals lead to Chris Shiflett's interesting lead, and back into the chorus goes the song. For those who love musical complexity as well as heavy songs, "Erase Replace" is one of the best on the album.

"Long Road To Ruin" is, hands down, an arena-rock song, done as only the Foos can. By this point, it's obvious that without In Your Honor, this album would not have been as good as it is. Songs like this one build off of the rock disc, while adding the melodic sensibility that the Foos' acoustic songs call for. This song is reminiscent in some ways of "Cold Day In The Sun", especially the solo, the most complex one that the Foos have put on a studio album to date. The lyrics are some of the most powerful of the rock songs on the record as well. This song is like a more polished version of "Best of You" in terms of subject matter and chord progression.

The first real acoustic song on the record, "Come Alive" is, like all of the acoustic songs on this record, blessed with a much better riff than those on In Your Honor. The lyrical depth of this song trumps anything on the last album. Adding heavy drums and guitars about two-thirds of the way in, the same way "Let It Die", and later, "But Honestly", do show that the Foos have figured out how to bridge the gap between the rock and acoustic halves of the last album. Again, it's proven that the last album was necessary to do a song like this. The ending of the song is reminiscent of "World", a demo from In Your Honor.

With audible metronome in the background, "Stranger Things Have Happened" sounds like a huge departure for the Foos: a raw acoustic song. But by the time the second acoustic guitar comes in, the song becomes a true Foo song. The chords are just uniquely Foo Fighters. Grohl's voice anchors this song - without the lyrics, this song would just be a bore, as it is the longest on the album, clocking in at 5 minutes, 21 seconds. The solo sounds like something that would attract hordes of fans at a folk festival. Beautifully performed and arranged, this song is enough to put the Foos on any soft-rock fan's favorite band list.

And then, as fast as the softer side of Dave Grohl reveals itself, "Cheer Up Boys, Your Makeup Is Running" and punches the listener in the nuts with brass knuckles. Much better than any of the rock songs off the last album, while maintaining the same sound, this song is almost a shoo-in for second single after "The Pretender".

"Summer's End" isn't too dissimilar to "Resolve" off the last album, in that it's an acoustic song played under the guise of a rocker, and that it bores some people to death. Played in 3/4 time, the song has somewhat of a swing to it. The entire song sounds very 1960s. The solo yet again redeems the band from poor solos in the past, such as in "Normal" and "Best of You". Shiflett and Grohl have laid down some of their best guitar tracks by far on this album, easily surpassing songs like "End Over End".

"The Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners" was put on the album as a promise by Grohl to a miner trapped in the Beaconsfield, Australia mine collapse last year. Grohl and guest Kaki King finger-pick an instrumental, acoustic, country-western style song for about two and a half minutes. This song is the shortest on the album.

When listening to "Statues", one wonders if the Beatles wrote this song, when listening to the piano and the lyrics. As the song develops it sounds more and more like something that would have been a fan-favorite on the acoustic tour last year. The guitar lead is extremely 1970s-sounding. It's interesting that a guy who listens to Slayer once a week, brought Mastodon with him to the MTV VMAs, and performs with Queen on occasion sings this song so well. The harmonica in the middle of the song, like in "Another Round" on the last album, is a nice touch. This song is notable for being the first Foo Fighters song to use piano.

"But, Honestly" is the epitome of the half-acoustic, half-rock Foo Fighters song. The lyrics and guitar gel so well with one another. As the song goes into its bridge, it really begins to open up. The words "give it to you" help build up the song for an epic outro, the same way "I felt like this on my way home" does in "New Way Home", the closer of The Colour and the Shape. Again, the guitar leads on this song are some of the band's best.

"Home" marks the second time the band uses the piano on a song. Starting out with only Grohl on piano, and well-developed and powerful lyrically, the song is a perfect closer for the album, even if it sounds like nothing else on the disc. The lyric "echoes, silence, patience, and grace, all of these moments I'll never replace" spawned the title of the album, and the phrase is a perfect, one-phrase summing up of the album: graceful, even when raw. Instead of building into a rocker like three other songs on the album, when the rest of the band comes in, the song remains mellow, very reminiscent of a song like "Another Round". It's a beautiful closer to a beautiful album.

Bonus track "Once And For All", like "World" and the last album, somehow missed the cut, despite being well-written and possessing a nice guitar riff.

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Recommended songs:
"The Pretender"
"Long Road To Ruin"
"Cheer Up Boys, Your Makeup Is Running"
"But, Honestly"
"Home"

Rating: 10/10. Had damn well better be a classic. Linkin Park's Minutes To Midnight sold 600,000 copies in its first week, and despite being a generally good album, doesn't even touch what the Foos have done. Expect Norton to produce again for the band in the future.

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Kathleen = 3 x ∞ - she's MY wife, jealous people. And you should be.
http://www.fictionplane.net

Post edited at 12:30 pm on Oct. 9, 2007 by storm

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In our dreams we are connected-
Siamese twins at the wrist.

I Fell In Love Without You: Motion City Soundtrack loves there mooq, and it's ever apparent on this track. the lyrics are interesting enough to be catchy, "only time will tell/ if violins will swell/in memory of what we used to call love" Guitar is great, Justin's vocals are always perfect. there's something I just don't like about this song. 8/10.

This Is For Real: The first single of the album, It's a very easy rock song. they didn't do anything amazing on this song, but thats not what this song is supposed to be. this is radio friendly, and it's ready to ride the airwaves. I didn't think this should have been the single, simply because there are better songs on the album. 7/10.

It Had to Be You: A GEM. The first on the album were Justin really busts it out. "Do you feel a certain sense of synergy between yourself and me? a kind of macabre somber wonder twin kind of harmony?" and his comical ideas of what they'll do together, such as "let's fight crime with mangos and limes and join the PGA". Justin's heart is in the song, and that makes this song very good. A perfect song about realizing how amazing someone is. 9.5/10.

Last Night:This is the reason track 3 did not get a 10/10. I don't believe two songs on an album should get a 10/10. No song describes a break up as vividly as Last Night does, with this emotion inspiring break down."She whispers something in my ear/ the message is unclear/She motions outside./I trail her closely from behind/She tries hard not to cry/She shakes underneath the pouring rain/I can't compete with all your damn ideas/This isn't working out for you and me/The truth is I'm too tired to play pretend/This is goodbye, this is the end" I dare you to listen to this song. and not be impressed. Great Lyrics, AMAZING VOCALS, a strong bass line, well placed piano. this song has it all. 10/10.

Calling All Cops: This song is great if not for the lulz. "Calling all Cops and Autobots(which is a Transformer reference, ) We hope you're still there to clean the messes of our wild affairs". The Guitar is key on this track, and he plays it well. MCS has always been a vocal and mooq heavy band, so when I say the vocals on this song are just ok, it really hurts the song. Its a great song, but it's got no lasting value. I dont go back to this song ever, I listen to Last Night. 7/10.

Can't Finish What You Started: A decent track. possesses no really good lyrics, no really good anything. it's all ok, but not really that good. every song cant be great. 6/10.

The Conversation: At first, I cursed Justin Pierre for making this song. MCS is not the lonely piano type of band. But I've had a change of heart. he does the piano game well. he's an amazing lyricist in this, I love this line "you were drunk, and trying to take a mental picture with your hands", and through the piano, he admits his concern of their relationship. the piano track is perfect. I was concerned about his vox meshing with the piano, and it ends up working well. in the end, it not the best piano solo song, but it's a good attempt for the MCS kids. 8/10.

Broken Heart: AMAZING song. I think this should have been the single, but the f-bomb in it killed that. "The loneliness building with the passing of every day, but I'm getting used to it. you have to get used to it." is a great chorus. the mooq on this track is out in full force, nice guitar solo, and the drums kick. the best ending to the song I could Imagine. "With so much to say, but no words to convey, The loneliness building with the passing of every day, you never get used to it. you just have to get live with it." Epic. 9.5/10.

Hello Helicopter: This one is an odd one. I love the mooq. on this, the back beat works well. its a well put together song with very interesting lyrics. on first listen its nothing special, but you build up a love for it. 8/10.

Where I Belong: It's a good song. "fighting off this mellow weather, but this shit storm is never ending, and the atmospheric pressure is calling for rain." makes me go Wait, what? Oh. Eww! hah. I love the effects used on this song, but the drums has the center seat on this song. He goes at it here, which is well deserved, since this is the only really song I feel the drums are prominent. 7/10.

Point Of Extinction: Ehh. 7/10.

Antonia: The sleeper hit of the album. the lyrics are perfect. the mooq excellent, the guitar glorious. back beat flows well. "She shaves her legs with gengi knives, she quotes alot of Annie Hall, she misplaced her virginity in 1995." If you hate songs about how much he loves this girl for the silliest reasons, stay away. but I thought this song was something special. and the Mooq is the best on this song. 9/10.

Even if it Kills Me: The end of the album, and a perfect one at that. This was the first album Justin Pierre recorded completely sober, and he's been fighting his addictions since he started as some kid from the windy city. This song describes his battle. and how he's "so sick of making lists/of things I'll never finish" and "too tired to go to sleep tonight" and most importantly "I wonder if I'll ever lose my mind/ I tried hard for a while", and my favorite, "I'm not as stubborn as I seem/ said the knuckle to the concrete." the majority of the song is slow but methodic, during the chorus it picks up, then drops back down. its very well done. It ends the album perfectly. "I'll do what ever it takes/Even if it kills me." end of album. amazing. 9.5/10.

Similar Artists: Farewell, Good With Grenades

Overall Album Review: Well done, got some great songs and some not so great. its best beats its worst though. 9/10.

Post edited at 10:09 pm on Aug. 9, 2008 by HXC

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Deep Thought.
Random Musing.

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RESERVED FOR Motion City Soundtrack's EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.

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haha do it already! its out and its awesome

Dancing with the Moonlit Knight- the song changes from a laid back mature folky sound to a cerebral instumental section and back. It is a good example of the band members' musical skills.

I Know What I Like- a great popish song. Unlike later Genesis, this popish song is not cheesy but is very catchy and fun to listen to.

Firth of Fifth- probably Genesis' best song. Combines great emotional harmonies/melodies with cerebral instrumental parts and laid back good songwriting. It also has the best guitar solo of any song IMO.

More Fool Me- a pop song that isn't that good. It's still alright though, for a pop song.

Battle of Epping Forest- a very up-tempo song about English neighborhood rivalry. Peter Gabriel's lyrics are great and there are some funny parts to it as well as some complicated instrumental parts.

After the Ordeal- relaxing and quiet song. Typical Genesis.

The Cinema Show- another amazing song. Almost as good as Firth of Fifth. It opens in a Victorian English folk sound with good lyrics then switches to a really modern sounding instrumental section to winds up in one of the best musical climaxes I've heard. It's awesome basically.

Ailse of Plenty- a fun album ender.

7. Similar Albums-
Genesis- Foxtrot, Wind and Wuthering, Nursery Cryme, Trespass, Trick of the Tail, Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Yes- Close to the Edge, Fragile, Going for the One
Gentle Giant- Free Hand

8. Rating x/10- 9/10 (Amazing album!)

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Listen to Penderecki.