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?
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?