I tend to stay away from a lot of the music that is popular nowadays, but I decided to All Time Low a listen when a friend told me to check them out. They are a fairly new band that is making their name in the music business. I guess you can consider them as a pop/alternative/emo group, but they can write a pretty damn catchy CD.
I was really hesitant when I first listened to this CD because I was expecting a Fall Out Boy type band, but I was proved wrong. “So Wrong, It’s Right” shows that All time Low knows how to write a catchy, yet simple song. Most the songs on the CD follow the simple verse-chorus form, but it really works for this band. They have catchy verses and choruses, and it very easy to predict where a song is going to end up. The band uses harmonies very often in the vocal parts, but without them the songs would sound very empty. The harmonies in the vocal parts definitely add strength to each song. I used to think that simple music was mostly the same and boring, but I have since changed my mind. These guys can write a song. I’m really surprised that a band like this hasn’t become a hit on the radio yet.
This CD, although simple, is a very well put together CD. There isn’t anything complicated about the musical performances really, but it makes for an easy listen. It is something that can be enjoyed and definitely brightens the mood. If you are into bands like June and Cute is What We Aim For, I think you should give this band a listen. They have the talent to write catchy simple songs, and I think that it could take them somewhere.
Key Tracks: “Six Feet Under the Stars,” “Shameless,” “Remembering Sunday,” “Stay Awake,” and “Dear Maria, Count Me In.”
Thursday, March 12, 2009
CD Review: Born of Osiris “The New Reign”
Although I’m not really a big fan of the hardcore/metal music scene, this is a band that definitely stands out to me. Born of Osiris’ CD, “The New Reign,” is more than just heavy guitar riffs and screaming vocals. The band clearly has some music theory knowledge.
“The New Reign” is only 22 minutes long, but it really shows the talents of the musicians in this band. Some of the rhythms of the parts are so complicated that it makes you wonder how they remember what they have to play. The music of this band is based off of complicated rhythm patterns, time signature changes, and intricate guitar parts. Nothing that this band does on this CD is easy. The CD has multiple guitar parts that are in harmony with each other and are complicated in rhythm. The guitarists play perfectly with each other no matter how fast or the slow the tempo of the song is. The band also has a keyboardist, which adds a very cool aspect to the music.
Although I’m not a big fan of the vocals since they are just screaming, I am able to look past them because of how much talent is need for the instrumental music. It isn’t easy to have a full band playing intricate rhythms that are not very pattern based, but they have accomplished this. They are in synch with one another at every moment. It takes a great amount of concentration and knowledge of your instrument to be able to perform the mind blowing rhythm patterns that this band creates. People may say that the music sounds very chaotic, but it does for a certain reason. The reason it sounds this way is because of the off beat and syncopated rhythms that are also accompanied by time changes. I enjoy music like this because I know the theory behind it, however I may not if I didn’t know what was actually going on.
Born of Osiris is definitely a very talented group of young musicians and know something about music. If you like music that makes you think while you are listening to it so you can comprehend what is actually going on, I would definitely check this CD out. The guitar solos, if you want to call them that, also make the CD enjoyable to listen to because of the harmonies that go on with them.
Key Tracks: “Empires Erased,” “Open Arms to Damnation,” “The New Reign,” and “The Takeover.”
“The New Reign” is only 22 minutes long, but it really shows the talents of the musicians in this band. Some of the rhythms of the parts are so complicated that it makes you wonder how they remember what they have to play. The music of this band is based off of complicated rhythm patterns, time signature changes, and intricate guitar parts. Nothing that this band does on this CD is easy. The CD has multiple guitar parts that are in harmony with each other and are complicated in rhythm. The guitarists play perfectly with each other no matter how fast or the slow the tempo of the song is. The band also has a keyboardist, which adds a very cool aspect to the music.
Although I’m not a big fan of the vocals since they are just screaming, I am able to look past them because of how much talent is need for the instrumental music. It isn’t easy to have a full band playing intricate rhythms that are not very pattern based, but they have accomplished this. They are in synch with one another at every moment. It takes a great amount of concentration and knowledge of your instrument to be able to perform the mind blowing rhythm patterns that this band creates. People may say that the music sounds very chaotic, but it does for a certain reason. The reason it sounds this way is because of the off beat and syncopated rhythms that are also accompanied by time changes. I enjoy music like this because I know the theory behind it, however I may not if I didn’t know what was actually going on.
Born of Osiris is definitely a very talented group of young musicians and know something about music. If you like music that makes you think while you are listening to it so you can comprehend what is actually going on, I would definitely check this CD out. The guitar solos, if you want to call them that, also make the CD enjoyable to listen to because of the harmonies that go on with them.
Key Tracks: “Empires Erased,” “Open Arms to Damnation,” “The New Reign,” and “The Takeover.”
CD Review: Sevendust “Seasons”
Here is a CD that is in your face, but melodic at the same time. Sevendust is a very talented band, and has really changed the way I look at heavy metal music. This band made me realize that a heavy band can do more than just have chugging guitar parts and a screaming vocalist. Although this CD is very heavy and is in your face, it is full of powerful vocals, amazing harmonies, very melodic guitar parts, and amazing production. A lot of people would think that a band that plays heavy music wouldn’t be able to accomplish this, but Sevendust definitely does.
This CD was the last CD wrote with guitarist, Clint Lowery, before he left the band, but recently returned to the group in the summer of 2008. Lowery is one of the main songwriters of the band, and he really knows how to put a song together. Every song on “Seasons” is very melodic, but is rockin. The chord progressions and notes that are chosen for the songs give each one its own melodic style. These are accompanied by the warm, deep, and powerful vocals of Lajon Witherspoon. This guys voice is very clean and gospel in nature, and really adds to the music. It takes the edge of some of the songs off and makes them very melodic. Lowery and Witherspoon’s harmonies are very strong, and are awesome to listen to. Both of them have such strong voices and the harmonies that they can create sound beautiful. These really add to the music.
The songs never really seem as heavy as they actually are because of how melodic the vocals are. If the music isn’t very heavy then it is very melodic too, but even when it is heavy it is very tonal and not dissonant like many heavy bands. Sevendust really grew with CD from their earlier releases. It showed what they were capable of, and how much they had to offer. The vocals on this CD are amazing. The harmonies are so strong. The layering of different vocal parts going on at the same time is very cool to hear, and is very hard to describe. In the song, “Honesty,” the band takes the vocal part from the breakdown in the middle of the song and then has Lowery singing this part while it is layered under the Witherspoon’s vocal line in the last chorus. It gives a very cool effect off, and very good production idea.
“Seasons” is a CD that is worth checking out. It might give you a different outlook on heavy rock music. It shows that heavy bands are able to create songs that are full of emotion, but are very melodic and understandable. If you are into hard rock music pays attention to process of songwriting, check Sevendust out.
Key Tracks: “Disease,” “Honesty,” “Skeleton Song,” “Burned Out,” “Suffocate,” and “Gone.”
This CD was the last CD wrote with guitarist, Clint Lowery, before he left the band, but recently returned to the group in the summer of 2008. Lowery is one of the main songwriters of the band, and he really knows how to put a song together. Every song on “Seasons” is very melodic, but is rockin. The chord progressions and notes that are chosen for the songs give each one its own melodic style. These are accompanied by the warm, deep, and powerful vocals of Lajon Witherspoon. This guys voice is very clean and gospel in nature, and really adds to the music. It takes the edge of some of the songs off and makes them very melodic. Lowery and Witherspoon’s harmonies are very strong, and are awesome to listen to. Both of them have such strong voices and the harmonies that they can create sound beautiful. These really add to the music.
The songs never really seem as heavy as they actually are because of how melodic the vocals are. If the music isn’t very heavy then it is very melodic too, but even when it is heavy it is very tonal and not dissonant like many heavy bands. Sevendust really grew with CD from their earlier releases. It showed what they were capable of, and how much they had to offer. The vocals on this CD are amazing. The harmonies are so strong. The layering of different vocal parts going on at the same time is very cool to hear, and is very hard to describe. In the song, “Honesty,” the band takes the vocal part from the breakdown in the middle of the song and then has Lowery singing this part while it is layered under the Witherspoon’s vocal line in the last chorus. It gives a very cool effect off, and very good production idea.
“Seasons” is a CD that is worth checking out. It might give you a different outlook on heavy rock music. It shows that heavy bands are able to create songs that are full of emotion, but are very melodic and understandable. If you are into hard rock music pays attention to process of songwriting, check Sevendust out.
Key Tracks: “Disease,” “Honesty,” “Skeleton Song,” “Burned Out,” “Suffocate,” and “Gone.”
CD Review: Incubus “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.”
Many people know Incubus for there radio singles, but this was the second CD that they released. This dates back before Incubus became a popular band in the mainstream world of music. I was in disbelief that Incubus created a CD like this when I first heard it. I had always thought of Incubus as being a band that was talented and that they released catchy songs, but I didn’t know that they were capable of producing something like this.
This CD was released in 1997, and the ideas behind the music are very complicated. This CD showcases the talent behind Incubus. The CD has a futuristic type sound with some of the sample and effects that they use in it, but the musical performances on it are outstanding. It is like Incubus tried to create a CD that was very progressive in style, but wanted to write 3-4 minute songs that contained this. This contrasts how progressive music usually is, since progressive music usually has very long songs with multiple parts.
Incubus uses styles of funk, rock, and jazz in this CD. This is something that I would have not expected them to do, but they did. This shows the talent and musical knowledge that these guys have. Some of the bass and drum grooves that are put together are just mind blowing. In the first track, “Redefine,” there is a slap bass and drum groove that is totally in synch with each other. It is fast and very funk like in nature. It is something that you would expect from an artist like Victor Wooten. I couldn’t believe that this was Incubus the first time I listened to the CD.
You have to have a very open mind to music when you listen to this CD because it is definitely odd. The songs are very far from the mainstream style that Incubus is known for from their radio singles. It is like a whole different band wrote this CD. I’m not trying to say that Incubus hasn’t done something very original with the music they have created after this CD, but it is definitely geared more for radio. This CD is just very musical, and embraces many styles. It shows how music has endless possibilities. The CD can be light at certain points, then heavy, but then they throw in jazz like solos and funk grooves. It is definitely a groundbreaking piece of work they put together.
Key Tracks: “Redefine,” “Glass,” “Vitamin,” “Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song),” and “Deep Inside.”
This CD was released in 1997, and the ideas behind the music are very complicated. This CD showcases the talent behind Incubus. The CD has a futuristic type sound with some of the sample and effects that they use in it, but the musical performances on it are outstanding. It is like Incubus tried to create a CD that was very progressive in style, but wanted to write 3-4 minute songs that contained this. This contrasts how progressive music usually is, since progressive music usually has very long songs with multiple parts.
Incubus uses styles of funk, rock, and jazz in this CD. This is something that I would have not expected them to do, but they did. This shows the talent and musical knowledge that these guys have. Some of the bass and drum grooves that are put together are just mind blowing. In the first track, “Redefine,” there is a slap bass and drum groove that is totally in synch with each other. It is fast and very funk like in nature. It is something that you would expect from an artist like Victor Wooten. I couldn’t believe that this was Incubus the first time I listened to the CD.
You have to have a very open mind to music when you listen to this CD because it is definitely odd. The songs are very far from the mainstream style that Incubus is known for from their radio singles. It is like a whole different band wrote this CD. I’m not trying to say that Incubus hasn’t done something very original with the music they have created after this CD, but it is definitely geared more for radio. This CD is just very musical, and embraces many styles. It shows how music has endless possibilities. The CD can be light at certain points, then heavy, but then they throw in jazz like solos and funk grooves. It is definitely a groundbreaking piece of work they put together.
Key Tracks: “Redefine,” “Glass,” “Vitamin,” “Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song),” and “Deep Inside.”
CD Review: Dream Theater: “Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” (Disc 2)
Dream Theater is a band full of musical geniuses, but this CD really just stands out from the rest to me. Disc 2 of “Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” is a concept album. The first track of the CD is composition that gives an outline of the rest of CD. The composition has a variety of different instruments: timpani, strings, piano, and percussion accessories. This composition is only five minutes in length, but gives brief outlines of the songs for the rest of the CD. This track is called “Overture.” This is significant because it treats the songs of the CD as movements in a composed piece. “Overture” is an introduction, and overtures are used as an introduction for a dramatic, choral, or instrumental composition. It was used to give the audience an idea of what the work they would be hearing was going to be like.
This CD is very interesting that is works in the sense of being a composition. It isn’t surprising that a band like Dream Theater would do this, especially since all of them are experts at their instruments and have gone to school to study music. The CD seems to be nonstop, and every song flows into each other. This CD is very progressive in nature, and the musical performances are amazing. It is very interesting how each track on the CD represents a certain section from the opening, “Overture.” This CD has so much thought behind it, which makes it a magnificent work.
Like all other Dream Theater CDs this one has the intricate guitar solos, seamless time changes, technical drum fills, and unique keyboard effects. This CD was released in 2001, and I think that it is very inventive for the time of its release. Although Dream Theater is known for being a very progressive band that creates complicated music that strays from the usual, it is surprising that a band would put together a concept album at the time of its release. This CD just shows how much musical knowledge each member of the band actually has, and that they are really capable of doing anything. It is hard to process how a band could accomplish what they did with this CD. They were able to create songs that were four minutes or longer based off of ideas of a compositional work, which ended in a product of a concept album.
Maybe because I am a musician and have taken four years of music theory is why I find this CD so remarkable, but I think that people shouldn’t look over music like this. A CD like this is very hard to create and takes a great deal of thought. If you are interested in classical pieces, symphonies, or works from the romantic period of music, then you might find this CD to a very interesting listen. It take rock music to a whole other level, and really shows that music is an endless process that will continue to change for years to come.
Side Note: I am not going to mention any key tracks because I feel that the CD has to be listened to as a whole. The CD has been created as a concept album, therefore everything in the CD serves a certain purpose. The CD doesn’t make sense listening to certain tracks and not others.
This CD is very interesting that is works in the sense of being a composition. It isn’t surprising that a band like Dream Theater would do this, especially since all of them are experts at their instruments and have gone to school to study music. The CD seems to be nonstop, and every song flows into each other. This CD is very progressive in nature, and the musical performances are amazing. It is very interesting how each track on the CD represents a certain section from the opening, “Overture.” This CD has so much thought behind it, which makes it a magnificent work.
Like all other Dream Theater CDs this one has the intricate guitar solos, seamless time changes, technical drum fills, and unique keyboard effects. This CD was released in 2001, and I think that it is very inventive for the time of its release. Although Dream Theater is known for being a very progressive band that creates complicated music that strays from the usual, it is surprising that a band would put together a concept album at the time of its release. This CD just shows how much musical knowledge each member of the band actually has, and that they are really capable of doing anything. It is hard to process how a band could accomplish what they did with this CD. They were able to create songs that were four minutes or longer based off of ideas of a compositional work, which ended in a product of a concept album.
Maybe because I am a musician and have taken four years of music theory is why I find this CD so remarkable, but I think that people shouldn’t look over music like this. A CD like this is very hard to create and takes a great deal of thought. If you are interested in classical pieces, symphonies, or works from the romantic period of music, then you might find this CD to a very interesting listen. It take rock music to a whole other level, and really shows that music is an endless process that will continue to change for years to come.
Side Note: I am not going to mention any key tracks because I feel that the CD has to be listened to as a whole. The CD has been created as a concept album, therefore everything in the CD serves a certain purpose. The CD doesn’t make sense listening to certain tracks and not others.
CD Review: Third Eye Blind “Third Eye Blind”
When this CD came out in 1997, I was still a pretty young kid, however I knew who Third Eye Blind was. I was really familiar with the catchy tune from the CD called “Semi-Charmed Life,” but that was pretty much it. I had heard the track “Jumper” a few times, but besides that I hadn’t gave any more attention to the CD. Although I had this CD since I was seven or eight, I never gave the whole CD a listen until a few years ago. I ran across it in a pile of CDs, and the first thing I remembered was “Semi-Charmed Life.”
Since I was now older, I decided I better give this CD a listen instead of just listening to the same song multiple times. I gave it a listen, and it rocked. The CD had that awesome sound of the mid 90s bands had. The CD had that California rock sound, and made it seem like that the band was trying to give the listener the feeling of being on the beach. It you want to listen to a CD to brighten your mood, I think this is a good one. It lifts your spirits, and at least for me it kind of brings back the memories of being a kid because I familiarize it with its hit single from the 90s.
Every song on the CD is good, and they are really calm. The CD is a light rock CD, but is very mellow. What I mean by mellow, is that it is very relaxed. Although it is mostly calm, the CD actually conveys emotion. The CD portrays emotions of anger, sadness, and joy. It contains emotions from all spectra. The CD is very enjoyable to listen to and is an easy listen. It isn’t like CDs nowadays that are very busy and sometimes tend to distract the listener. You can just throw this CD on and not have a care in the world. If you are looking for a CD that is a very easy listen and you want to put to your mind at ease, I think this is the CD for you. The CD has catchy melodies and lyrics, and has that good 90s sound to it. It is kind of hard to not like this CD since it has all of these things in one.
Key Tracks: “Good For You,” “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper,” “Motorcycle Drive By,” and “The Backround.”
Since I was now older, I decided I better give this CD a listen instead of just listening to the same song multiple times. I gave it a listen, and it rocked. The CD had that awesome sound of the mid 90s bands had. The CD had that California rock sound, and made it seem like that the band was trying to give the listener the feeling of being on the beach. It you want to listen to a CD to brighten your mood, I think this is a good one. It lifts your spirits, and at least for me it kind of brings back the memories of being a kid because I familiarize it with its hit single from the 90s.
Every song on the CD is good, and they are really calm. The CD is a light rock CD, but is very mellow. What I mean by mellow, is that it is very relaxed. Although it is mostly calm, the CD actually conveys emotion. The CD portrays emotions of anger, sadness, and joy. It contains emotions from all spectra. The CD is very enjoyable to listen to and is an easy listen. It isn’t like CDs nowadays that are very busy and sometimes tend to distract the listener. You can just throw this CD on and not have a care in the world. If you are looking for a CD that is a very easy listen and you want to put to your mind at ease, I think this is the CD for you. The CD has catchy melodies and lyrics, and has that good 90s sound to it. It is kind of hard to not like this CD since it has all of these things in one.
Key Tracks: “Good For You,” “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper,” “Motorcycle Drive By,” and “The Backround.”
CD Review: Sublime “Sublime”
Many people know Sublime because of their songs such as “What I Got,” “Santeria,” and “Wrong Way,” but the band should really be recognized for more than these three songs. The band was very original, and no one has yet to copy the unique style they had in their music. Although singer and guitarist, Bradley Nowell, died of a heroin overdose two months prior to the release of this album, this is the CD that most people familiarize with Sublime.
The CD has 17 songs, and is filled with a variety of different styles of music. Sublime is mostly known because of their laidback reggae/ska like sound. Although this CD does contain this sound of the band, there are songs that a very fast paced and resemble punk rock. Sublime was the only band that had this different style of music, and no one was like them. There were no bands like them at the time of this CD’s release. The CD does really deserve credit because of its originality.
It is amazing how Sublime was able to create the sound that they did with this CD, and their previous CDs. The style and sound of the music is so unique and original that it is hard to replicate it. The CD is definitely a very laidback listen. It is very relaxing and kind puts your mind at peace. If you actually listen to whole CD, which I’m sure many people that claim they know who Sublime is, have not, it is a great CD. There really isn’t one bad track on the CD. Listening to this CD is very interesting for me, especially being a musician. It is kind of reassuring because it shows that there are bands out there that can actually be original. Sublime really created their own style of music, and it is only unique to them.
Although this was the band’s first and only major label debut, I think that it was very groundbreaking. It brought a new style of music to the world, and was something that would never be copied. The originality of this CD really makes it hard for bands to create music similar to this, especially because people would just compare it to Sublime. If you are looking for a really chill and laidback listen, actually give this whole CD a listen.
Key Tracks: “Garden Grove,” “Get Ready,” “Doin’ Time,” “Jailhouse,” and “Pawn Shop.”
The CD has 17 songs, and is filled with a variety of different styles of music. Sublime is mostly known because of their laidback reggae/ska like sound. Although this CD does contain this sound of the band, there are songs that a very fast paced and resemble punk rock. Sublime was the only band that had this different style of music, and no one was like them. There were no bands like them at the time of this CD’s release. The CD does really deserve credit because of its originality.
It is amazing how Sublime was able to create the sound that they did with this CD, and their previous CDs. The style and sound of the music is so unique and original that it is hard to replicate it. The CD is definitely a very laidback listen. It is very relaxing and kind puts your mind at peace. If you actually listen to whole CD, which I’m sure many people that claim they know who Sublime is, have not, it is a great CD. There really isn’t one bad track on the CD. Listening to this CD is very interesting for me, especially being a musician. It is kind of reassuring because it shows that there are bands out there that can actually be original. Sublime really created their own style of music, and it is only unique to them.
Although this was the band’s first and only major label debut, I think that it was very groundbreaking. It brought a new style of music to the world, and was something that would never be copied. The originality of this CD really makes it hard for bands to create music similar to this, especially because people would just compare it to Sublime. If you are looking for a really chill and laidback listen, actually give this whole CD a listen.
Key Tracks: “Garden Grove,” “Get Ready,” “Doin’ Time,” “Jailhouse,” and “Pawn Shop.”
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Papa Roach “Getting Away With Murder”
When I first listened to this CD back in 2004, I was really unsure what to expect. I hadn’t been too pleased with Papa Roach’s prior release, “Lovehatetragedy,” however this CD really knocked me off my feet. Although “Getting Away With Murder” breaks away from Papa Roach’s traditional style of being a kind of rap/rock band, they accomplished something with this CD.
From the first to last song, the CD is great. I have listened to it over and over again countless times. One thing to point out about this CD is how frontman, Jacoby Shaddix, really improved as a vocalist. Shaddix’s voice much stronger on this CD compared to any of the previous releases. This can be seen in songs such as “Scars,” “Be Free,” and “Sometimes.” In all of these songs you can hear how Shaddix has control over his voice. He is able to change the notes seamlessly, and everything sounds very smooth. Shaddix’s performance really helps to make the CD what it is. With the catchy melodies of the lyrics and power behind them, it is hard to not give this CD credit.
I think that this CD caused a change in how Papa Roach would be viewed by critics and musicians. This CD totally stepped the band up to another level, and proved that they were more than just a young rap/rock band with little talent. Don’t’ get me wrong, I think that Papa Roach’s first CD, “Infest,” is a great CD. However, “Getting Away With Murder,” really shows that the band has talent behind it. This CD has definitely had an affect on how the band writes music now, and the band continues to grow and experiment with their sound. I think that “Getting Away With Murder” was very beneficial for the band, and has allowed them to continue their career in the music world.
Key Tracks: “Blood (Empty Promises),” “Take Me,” “Be Free,” and “Do or Die.”
From the first to last song, the CD is great. I have listened to it over and over again countless times. One thing to point out about this CD is how frontman, Jacoby Shaddix, really improved as a vocalist. Shaddix’s voice much stronger on this CD compared to any of the previous releases. This can be seen in songs such as “Scars,” “Be Free,” and “Sometimes.” In all of these songs you can hear how Shaddix has control over his voice. He is able to change the notes seamlessly, and everything sounds very smooth. Shaddix’s performance really helps to make the CD what it is. With the catchy melodies of the lyrics and power behind them, it is hard to not give this CD credit.
I think that this CD caused a change in how Papa Roach would be viewed by critics and musicians. This CD totally stepped the band up to another level, and proved that they were more than just a young rap/rock band with little talent. Don’t’ get me wrong, I think that Papa Roach’s first CD, “Infest,” is a great CD. However, “Getting Away With Murder,” really shows that the band has talent behind it. This CD has definitely had an affect on how the band writes music now, and the band continues to grow and experiment with their sound. I think that “Getting Away With Murder” was very beneficial for the band, and has allowed them to continue their career in the music world.
Key Tracks: “Blood (Empty Promises),” “Take Me,” “Be Free,” and “Do or Die.”
Linkin Park “Hybrid Theory”
Linkin Park really made their mark in music with this CD. It was definitely very original, and changed the nu metal genre of music. I can definitely say that this CD is one that led me to start listening to heavier bands and music with an edge. I remember when my brother and I bought the CD when it came out and we put it into the CD player; it was indescribable. We had never heard anything like it as soon as the first song started playing. I think it can be said that this CD definitely changed the direction of rock music.
This CD is different from any other. It is a mix of many different styles: rap, heavy rock, and electronic. All the instruments on this CD really work as a whole very well. This CD had three hit singles: “One Step Closer,” “Crawling,” and “In the End.” These three tracks were always on the radio, and the three songs were very different from each other. “One Step Closer” was the song that was heavy and in your face. “Crawling” was a song that was very light, but the chorus was very strong because of the powerful vocal performance. “In the End” was the single that was meant to be a soft song with rap styled verses, with very strong and melodic choruses.
“Hybrid Theory” was how Linkin Park made their name. They became something noticeable because of this CD. This CD shows how a variety of styles of music can be organized to create an outstanding end product. The CD is one that you can listen to straight through. Every song is good, and is unique its own way. Every song has some type of edge to it, which is remarkable how they are able to accompany the rhythm of the rhymes of lyrics. Linkin Park definitely created their own style with this CD, and is one that will always be remembered. It was the first CD of its kind, and not many mainstream bands have put out product so gratifying in the years since.
Key Tracks: “Forgotten,” “Papercut,” “Pushing Me Away,” “Be Myself,” and “Points of Authority.” (Really, the whole CD should be listed here)
This CD is different from any other. It is a mix of many different styles: rap, heavy rock, and electronic. All the instruments on this CD really work as a whole very well. This CD had three hit singles: “One Step Closer,” “Crawling,” and “In the End.” These three tracks were always on the radio, and the three songs were very different from each other. “One Step Closer” was the song that was heavy and in your face. “Crawling” was a song that was very light, but the chorus was very strong because of the powerful vocal performance. “In the End” was the single that was meant to be a soft song with rap styled verses, with very strong and melodic choruses.
“Hybrid Theory” was how Linkin Park made their name. They became something noticeable because of this CD. This CD shows how a variety of styles of music can be organized to create an outstanding end product. The CD is one that you can listen to straight through. Every song is good, and is unique its own way. Every song has some type of edge to it, which is remarkable how they are able to accompany the rhythm of the rhymes of lyrics. Linkin Park definitely created their own style with this CD, and is one that will always be remembered. It was the first CD of its kind, and not many mainstream bands have put out product so gratifying in the years since.
Key Tracks: “Forgotten,” “Papercut,” “Pushing Me Away,” “Be Myself,” and “Points of Authority.” (Really, the whole CD should be listed here)
Alice in Chains “MTV Unplugged”
This CD is amazing. I find that Alice in Chains is one band that often gets overlooked. They were a very talented band, and I think they deserve credit for what they contributed to the music industry. Their style was very unique. The band often is labeled by the genre of grunge, but I think that they were a lot more than that. The band’s CD, “MTV Unplugged,” seems to show that they were more than just a grunge band.
This CD truly portrays the talent of the band. It shows that the band had members that were true musicians, and were able to change thirteen of their rock songs to become fit for an acoustic style. There are guitars, bass, drums, percussion, and vocals, but everything is very clean. I can’t say for sure, but the way the performance of the recording sounds seems like the band really thought about this performance.
“MTV Unplugged” is a live acoustic performance of Alice in Chains from 1996. The CD is a very relaxed and laidback sounding, and it is truly remarkable the talent that is embraced by it. This CD showcases guitarist’s, Jerry Cantrell, songwriting ability. Cantrell was songwriter for most of Alice in Chains’ music, and he is probably the one who helped make each song evolve into an acoustic version for this performance. The CD also showcases the talent of lead vocalist, Layne Staley. Staley is a remarkable vocalist, and has extraordinary control of his voice. He has a very wide range of notes that he can hit, and Alice in Chains would not be the same band without him.
The CD gives me chills every time I listen to the opening track, “Nutshell.” It seems like I can picture the whole performance going on, and I feel like I am at the show. All the harmonies between Cantrell and Staley also send shivers down my spine. The two of them created a very unique style of harmonies for this band, and it is amazing to here them being performed almost perfect in a live setting. This truly shows the talent that this band has. This is a CD that should be given a listen, especially if you are a fan of Alice in Chains.
Key Tracks: “Nutshell,” “Heaven Beside You,” “No Excuses,” “Down in a Hole,” and “Over Now.”
This CD truly portrays the talent of the band. It shows that the band had members that were true musicians, and were able to change thirteen of their rock songs to become fit for an acoustic style. There are guitars, bass, drums, percussion, and vocals, but everything is very clean. I can’t say for sure, but the way the performance of the recording sounds seems like the band really thought about this performance.
“MTV Unplugged” is a live acoustic performance of Alice in Chains from 1996. The CD is a very relaxed and laidback sounding, and it is truly remarkable the talent that is embraced by it. This CD showcases guitarist’s, Jerry Cantrell, songwriting ability. Cantrell was songwriter for most of Alice in Chains’ music, and he is probably the one who helped make each song evolve into an acoustic version for this performance. The CD also showcases the talent of lead vocalist, Layne Staley. Staley is a remarkable vocalist, and has extraordinary control of his voice. He has a very wide range of notes that he can hit, and Alice in Chains would not be the same band without him.
The CD gives me chills every time I listen to the opening track, “Nutshell.” It seems like I can picture the whole performance going on, and I feel like I am at the show. All the harmonies between Cantrell and Staley also send shivers down my spine. The two of them created a very unique style of harmonies for this band, and it is amazing to here them being performed almost perfect in a live setting. This truly shows the talent that this band has. This is a CD that should be given a listen, especially if you are a fan of Alice in Chains.
Key Tracks: “Nutshell,” “Heaven Beside You,” “No Excuses,” “Down in a Hole,” and “Over Now.”
Thursday, March 5, 2009
CD Review: Metallica "Master of Puppets"
This was released in 1986, and it has withstood the test of time. I think that it can be agreed that this CD was released in a time that has been very influential on the metal music of today. At the time that "Master of Puppets" was released it was groundbreaking. People had never heard anything like it before, and it was brand new. The guitar riffs, solos, and fast paced tempos of the songs were inventive. The metal music of today has taken these attributions and applied them to them to the music today, but have developed them more.
"Master of Puppets" was a CD that was very original. This was when Metallica started to gain a lot of popularity, and began to be recognized as an important band. Metallica really defied the norms of the time with this CD. They were able to show that a metal band was able to write melodic songs, but still allow them to have a heavy edge to them.
The CD starts out with a track called "Battery." It starts off with a clean guitar part, but slowly builds. Other clean guitars are layered on top of the original, and then eventually distorted guitars and drums kick in. The opening continues to build and sets up for a very epic beginning of a song. It goes from this into a fast thrash metal style, but the change flows. Every track on the CD is 5-8 minutes long, but every one is unique and develops into something interesting.
Metallica really accomplished something with this album. They were able to put shredding leads, intricate melodies, and fast thrashing parts together in one package. If you listen to this CD, you would be able to see how bands have developed the ideas of Metallica in their music. This CD is one that will eventually be recognized for the creation of modern metal music.
Key Tracks: "Battery," "Master of Puppets," "Leper Messiah," and "Orion."
"Master of Puppets" was a CD that was very original. This was when Metallica started to gain a lot of popularity, and began to be recognized as an important band. Metallica really defied the norms of the time with this CD. They were able to show that a metal band was able to write melodic songs, but still allow them to have a heavy edge to them.
The CD starts out with a track called "Battery." It starts off with a clean guitar part, but slowly builds. Other clean guitars are layered on top of the original, and then eventually distorted guitars and drums kick in. The opening continues to build and sets up for a very epic beginning of a song. It goes from this into a fast thrash metal style, but the change flows. Every track on the CD is 5-8 minutes long, but every one is unique and develops into something interesting.
Metallica really accomplished something with this album. They were able to put shredding leads, intricate melodies, and fast thrashing parts together in one package. If you listen to this CD, you would be able to see how bands have developed the ideas of Metallica in their music. This CD is one that will eventually be recognized for the creation of modern metal music.
Key Tracks: "Battery," "Master of Puppets," "Leper Messiah," and "Orion."
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