New(ish) Heavy(ish) Rock purchases
Posted by: greeny on 09 April 2003
My music purchases tend to go in cycles a bit from one genre to another, no particular plan here just that's what happens. Anyway recently I seem to have bought a lot of heavyish rock albums and some very good ones so thought I'd do a quick review of a few.
Ok some of them aren't that new but I've only just got them so there!
VERY GOOD/Excellent
AUdioslave - Audioslave,
This is a great album, and for those who have Soundgarden's Superunknown and like it this should be an essential purchase. OK it doesn't quite scale those heights but it's good heavy rock/metal with variety and tunes, not all just thrash. And Chris Cornel's vocals are very good.
Incubus - Morning View
Very much in the same category as Audioslave and equally as good. What I like about these albums is that they are quite heavy but still produced such that you can hear individual instruments, vocals etc, and there is variety of tempo, volume etc. And importantly (to me) some melodies.
Soundtrack of our Lives - Behind the Mask
I seem to recall a thread discussing this a while ago (though I can't find it). Anyway it's more psychedelic post rock than the two above, some Beatlesy sounds, some straight forward rock, but again great tunes, good variety, well worth checking out.
Sum 41 - Does this look infected
Punk Pop Rock, that seems to be caught between trying to appeal to the charts/teenage market and the older/wiser? market and seem to have alienated much of the music press for some reason (considered uncool!). Anyway I like it, Short, up tempo songs, not much variety but good tunes and good fun.
The Sights - Got what we want
More retro rock aka White Stripes, but this time with vocal harmonies thrown in. The first track could be Jellyfish at their best, other tracks could be Deep Purple, Status Quo !, White Stripes etc. Again well worth checking out.
NOT AS GOOD
Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea.
I like Smashing Pumpkins to a point, and this has had very good reviews but I don't seem to be able to get into it, there doesn't seem to be much to grab me. And Billy Corgan's voice sound seven more whiney than normal.
Cave In - Antenna
Described by 'Q' as "emo prog", "high concept guitar grandeur", I thought it would appeal being an old prog fan at heart, anyway it doesn't. Not much variety, nothing much gripped me.
Having just read back the above before I posted I realised I used the words variety and tunes in most review. Hum, says something about my taste I guess.
Anyway let me know what you think of any of the above. Agree/Disagree?
Posted on: 09 April 2003 by BLT
I was a bit disappointed by the Audioslave album. I really liked Soundgarden (esp. Badmotorfinger) and R.A.T.M. but I don't feel that this disc captures the best of either.
Shouldn't they have called the band Rage Against The Garden?
I agree with you about the Zwan album, though, it's pretty dull.
Posted on: 09 April 2003 by Matt Gear
I'm with BLT as far as the Audioslave album goes. Being a huge fan of Soundgarden, I've always been interested in what Chris Cornell was going to do next. I loved the first RATM album too, but rather lost interest after that.
Hearing the Audioslave album wasn't much of a surprise. BIG riffs, but taken in a more rocky rather than hip-hop-y direction, and great vocals. It all seemed pretty unsatisfying though, and the drumming is some of the most boring I've heard.
That's not to say it's a bad album, but Superunknown is far superior, or the original RATM album of you want something a bit more spikey.
If you liked the Incubus album, check out one of their earlier releases "S.C.I.E.N.C.E". It's a bit heavier than their more recent stuff but still very "up" and melodic.
Has anyone heard "songs for the deaf" by Queens of the Stone Age? Been in my amazon basket for a while but not sure what to expect...
cheers
matt
Posted on: 09 April 2003 by Rasher
I have to say that the Zwan album is brilliant and I love it - but it is a grower, so when you get to three or four plays you will be there. It's worth it - believe me.
Audioslave to me was almost immediate, but after playing it solidly for a few weeks, its dropped out of my playlist until I rediscover it again in a few months.
Anyone got the new Linkin Park album - Meteora? I bought it and think its very short and so similar to the previous outing its not worth the expense. And I HATE the Chillis By The Way - so disappointed.
Posted on: 09 April 2003 by BLT
I really like "Songs for the Deaf", but I didn't like it at first, I played it a bit, left off and then came back to it. I still prefer "Rated R" though.
I would also recommend "One by One" by The Foo Fighters - Grohl's time with Queens of the Stoneage seems to have improved the Foo Fighter's sound.
Posted on: 09 April 2003 by greeny
I'm not a big Soundgarden fan, I only have 'Superunknown' but that is one of the best Heavy Rock albums ever, similarly RATM, I have the first album only which is good. I think Chris Cornell's vocals are very good though, and Audioslave was pretty Immediate for me also.
The Datsuns I agree is an excellent album.
As for QotSA Rated R is superb but much of the rest of their stuff is too thrashy for me. Saw them in Nottingham a month or so ago and thought them average.
Posted on: 09 April 2003 by matthewr
In this vein I can highly recommend Aereogramme's "Sleep & Release" which rocks hard albeit in a relatively derivative away (Pixies, Nirvana, etc.). See
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/a/aereogramme/sleep-and-release.shtml"The Datsuns I agree is an excellent album"
*Cough*, *splutter*. As I read somewhere, only in New Zealand could people be so isolated from civilisation that they can produce a bad that appears to be non-ironic tribute to Deep Purple with added Ted Nugent and Lynard Skynard. Its quite abysmal IMHO (although surely I'm not alone?).
Matthew
Posted on: 11 April 2003 by Jay
quote:
only in New Zealand could people be so isolated from civilisation
Matthew
Here's a link to some "civilised" *snigger* music which may be more to your taste.
Click and see!Jay
Posted on: 15 April 2003 by BLT
The new Jools Holland Later/Louder DVD looks to be worth a look. Amongst others it features the Queens of the Stome Age and Foo Fighters.
Posted on: 17 April 2003 by Pete
If you want something in a heavyish rock vein you could do far worse than getting the recent King Crimson release, The Power to Believe. It's really rather good and characteristically has a dynamic range extending from moments of sublime peace up to (and beyond) heavier than my uncle Jock McHeavy ("Level 5", for example). Also features a mucho fun lyric on formulaic heavy rock lyric writing on "Happy with what you have to be happy with".
Pete.
Posted on: 17 April 2003 by ejl
quote:
f you want something in a heavyish rock vein you could do far worse than getting the recent King Crimson release, The Power to Believe.
I happened to catch them late last month in San Francisco while I was on a business trip, and they
did rock hard and heavy. A pleasant surprise.
Posted on: 29 April 2003 by greeny
A couple more to add to the Heavy(ish) list
GOOD
Vines - Highly Evolved.
Yes I know this isn't new, but I only bought it last week and it is superb. I saw these inn Leeds about a year ago, (not knowing their stuff) and although good they were a bit thrashy. However the album has many mellower moments and has barely a poor track - great stuff.
NOT SO GOOD.
Warlocks - Pheonix
I bought this one without any recomendations after listening to it on a listenning post for 5 minutes. However the initially appealing intros aren't backed up by good songs, and most tracks tend to drag after a few minutes.
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Frizzlefry
Just In Case Anyone Still Cares...
A little known rock band from northern San Francisco / bay area have released their new album today, four days early.
METALLICA - ST. ANGER out today !!!!!!
It's not meant to be an advert, but a lot of people expect a Monday release.
' Groovy '
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by matthewr
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Ade Archer
quote:
METALLICA - ST. ANGER out today !!!!!!
Got it this morning!
It's certainly a change of pace, and sounds like it was recorded in someones garage. The vinyl's out at the end of the month according to the bloke at Virgin.
Ade
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by miles
Hey!
What do u guys think of St. Anger??
I thought there was something wrong with my hifi at first!!
Still in 2 minds... want to like it but...
no solos!!!
Miles.
Posted on: 05 June 2003 by Ade Archer
Know what you mean!
I bought Tool's 'Lateralus' on recommendation, and I was initially undecided , but I now think it's one of the best albums I've ever heard and I'm hoping this will be the same. The ones that take a few listens often end up being the ones with the long term appeal.
It would be interesting to know whether this is a natural progression of Metallica, or whether they felt they needed to answer the critics who said they'd gone soft. This appears to be quite a departure from the direction they'd headed with Load/Reload.
Ade
Posted on: 06 June 2003 by miles
quote:
I bought Tool's 'Lateralus' on recommendation, and I was initially undecided , but I now think it's one of the best albums I've ever heard
... Tool Lateralus now on order!
Think St Anger is growing on me but still think it sound too "rough" - I know it was intentional but it sounds like my speakers are blown!
Miles
Posted on: 06 June 2003 by Bas V
Tool is one of the best bands ever, Incubus rocks, especially s.c.i.e.n.c.e, QOTSA have made a terrific album and Zwan I haven't figured out. I am a really big Pumpkins fan, but I think Zwan takes some time and the right mood.
The new Metallica is shocking. They rock at their age ;-)
Posted on: 07 June 2003 by Mat Bon 0013
quote:
Originally posted by Frizzlefry:
_METALLICA - ST. ANGER_ out today !!!!!!
Would be interesting to hear reviews of this from Naim forum members.
Regards
Mat
Posted on: 09 June 2003 by Rasher
Forget the rest..I have just discovered The Mad Capsule Markets. Now theyrock.
Posted on: 11 June 2003 by davidm
quote:
... Tool Lateralus now on order!
- Best album of the last couple of years. Fantastic.
Audioslave is excellent
Live - V. Just released and hasn't left my CD player.
Train - My Private Nation is also good
For something a bit heavier - Chimaira - The Impossibility of Reason. Very good (think debut Machine Head album)
Posted on: 11 June 2003 by david needham
Not new, but certainly heavy (at times)...
Just replaced my Led Zep with the entire catologue in the replica LP sleeves.
Wow! I'd forgotten how good some of this stuff is! Especially the first album.
The replica sleeves are fun as well - I've never really enjoyed CD cases in the same way as vinyl sleeves.
Oh, and I agree - Audioslave - get it if you've not already
David
Posted on: 28 June 2003 by Goose
Guys
The Audioslave is excellent, but I do agree that it gets a little boring in places, but it's still a great album, tracks like Shadow of the Sun, show me how to live, will be classics... Missed them at Brixton though, bugger.....
Also Tool Lateralus is amazing, one of the best heavuy rock albums of all time IMHO.. also Aenima is now on my purchase list..Like the new Opeth!
Cheers
Goose
Posted on: 29 June 2003 by Peter C
Metallica's St Anger is disappointing
Posted on: 29 June 2003 by alex95
Looking forward to the forthcoming debut by The Darkness, a welcome return to good old fashioned "cock rock" !
