Music Album Review Thread

[Merzbau]

This is my first review, of an album that doesn't get as much recognition as its former, and more accessible predecessor. Unfortunately, the creative output of this band was cut short around a year after this album was made.


Nirvana - In Utero

Artist: Nirvana
Album: In Utero
Released: September 21, 1993

The creative force behind this masterpiece of music was the main composer of all of the band's music, Kurt Cobain. While we never got to see another piece of work like this album, and there was likely never to be another one if Kurt had lived, it is amazing to think of the possibilities.

Coming from a punk rock background, Nevermind broke through with a thick, mainstream sound, heavily produced and engineered to success by the production of Butch Vig.

After the success and the newfound tediousness of it, the band wanted an album to return them to their roots, and to get out of their generic down-tuned grunge output.

That's where this album comes in.

Now for the review.

The opening track on the disc is Serve the Servants; while you can never be sure exactly what Kurt was singing about, this track seems to be littered with references, including one to his childhood, and his dislike for his father. The opening line of the song states how stale their output had become and how dissatisfied Kurt had become with the unwanted success of Nevermind: "Teenage angst has paid off well, now I'm bored and old. . ."

The next track, Scentless Apprentice, was written about a German novel named "Perfume", by Patrick Süskind. The main character was a boy born without body odor, but with a heightened sense of smell. He grows up to be a perfume apprentice. Later in life, he becomes a murderer, killing off and stealing the smells of female victims, in a quest to gain an odor for himself. Kurt related to his alienation, and therefore this song was written. It's a loud song with a strong touch of the noise rock band that the band grew up listening to. It is also one of the only songs that all three members contributed to writing.

The third track, Heart-Shaped Box, is one that is difficult to interpret, and many different meanings have been come up with for this song. Though Kurt always maintained that most of his writings came from assorted lyrics that were snatched from old poetry books of his, since he was too lazy to come up with new ones. It's the first single off the album, and one of my least personal favorites, but it's still a great song, with a creative music video.

Track number four is the one that caused the most controversy: Rape Me. Feminist groups rallied in protest of this song, but Kurt maintained that the song was an anti-rape song. In compromise, the title of the track on the edited version was changed to Waif Me, an intentionally comical title by Kurt; though the lyrics of the song even on the edit were never changed.

Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle is track number five. The title of the song refers to the Seattle-born actress Frances Farmer who, among other things, was accused of being a Communist and an atheist, struggled with alcoholism, was declared "legally insane" due to paranoid schizophrenia and manic depression in 1944, and was kept in a psychiatric ward, where according to her sensationalized autobiography, she was raped, and according to the fictionalized biography Shadowland, had an illegal lobotomy performed on her (a claim its author admitted was fictionalized in a court proceeding). Cobain's nature as an atheist radical led to himself being compared and comparing himself to Frances Farmer and therefore her revenge on Seattle could be interpreted as his own. Kurt had distaste for much of anything related to the title of "Seattle icon" and as a celebrity rather than a "starving artist".

Track number six is Dumb. The song refers to the vast amount of dumb people that Kurt met and witnessed. They had vapid lives, had boring jobs, yet seemed to be completely and perfectly happy. He was envious of them, being able to move through life without ever feeling sad or depressed.

Possibly the weakest track on the album is number seven, Very Ape. It is about the stereotypical machismo that is perpetuated by the media as what the perfect male should be like; virile, strong, well-built, and powerful; the machismo that Kurt despised.

As the one track that synthesized what was to be the new Nirvana according to Kurt, Milk It takes the cake as one of the most powerful songs on the record. Its experimental rock edge broke Nirvana out of the mold that they had been stuck in since the release of Nevermind; it was the song that was to set Kurt free from the grunge world, if he had lived long enough. This song benefits a lot from the production of Steve Albini, the vocals are lower in the mix than normal and the guitars take a higher level, which leads to a clashing effect. The screams produced by Kurt are gut-wrenching and loud. The guitar sound on this mimics Steve Albini's earlier band Big Black.

Possibly the most morbid and personal song on the record is Pennyroyal Tea. Ever since Kurt was a child, he suffered from a chronic stomach condition that always made him suffer intense pain. He was in such intense pain he sometimes thought of ending it all; pennyroyal is an herb sometimes used to induce abortion. It could also be a metaphor for Kurt's drug use, used as a metaphor for killing the problems that he was dealing with at the time.

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter is ironically titled; a "radio friendly unit shifter" would be used to describe a mainstream-friendly album that would sell in vast amounts. This song is perhaps the most sonically abrasive on the record. It is started out by a bunch of guitar feedback, and continues on in its freewheeling noise parade. Lyrically, it's difficult to understand. It's really worth the listen. But if you're not much for noise, then it might not be to your liking. Though if you weren't much for noise you likely would've pressed stop by now.

tourette's is the song that shouldn't have been written. Kurt considered it a throwaway. It is about tourette's syndrome, which sometimes results in a person unvoluntarily having motor and vocal tics. These tics rarely include the spontaneous saying of inappropriate or socially taboo phrases. This song was rarely played live, and when it was, it was sang differently every single time.

The last track is the personification of depression; it is titled All Apologies. Practically, it sounds like Kurt is apologizing for ever being alive. It was actually written four years before it was released, but by the time it was released, it had adopted a drastically darker tone. It ends in a guitar-laden feedback with a mantra of "All in all is all we are..." similar to the "Jai Guru Deva" mantra which closes the Beatles' "Across the Universe."

This album is a landmark of the 90's, and one of the best of the decade.

Many bands were influenced by this album. If only this one hadn't been the last.

I honestly and sincerely recommend this album as a listen.

10/10 for the review score, honestly.

This is one of the best albums I own.

[Starfish Prime]

 

[Ben Kenobi]

Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt.1

Genre: Power metal

Helloween are known to be one of the main pioneers of the power metal genre.

It is their second full-length studio album and arguably their best. This album featured Michael Kiske on vocals, Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath on guitars, Markus Grosskopf on bass and Ingo Scwichtenberg on drums. Some influences from bands like Iron Maiden can be heard in this album, with twin-guitar harmonies present in a couple of songs. Helloween are most famous though for their fantasy-themed lyrics which are present throughout the album and include other themes as well, such as doomsday. The album works quite well together and leaves the listener with an epic feel at the end.

Initiation
This is the opener track. An instrumental piece just to get you into the main feel of the album and to introduce the listener into the first song.
Score: 8/10

I'm Alive
Carries on from the end of the previous track. After a quick guitar intro, it kicks off with Ingo's fast drum beats and Michael Kiske's high-pitch vocals. The lyrics are generally optimistic and aim to uplift the spirit of the listener, telling you you're not useless and you have the potential to do great things. Features a twin-guitar harmony during the solo by Kai, followed by a melody before going through the chorus one more time and ending as Kiske's voice suddenly goes out. One of my favourite tracks on this album.
Score: 9/10

A Little Time
Written by Michael Kiske as opposed to Kai who writes most of the songs. Slower than the previous track, it is about how life holds you back and how you strive to rally against it by setting your own goals. Sounds like a weaker version of the previous track as well. Does have a catchy chorus, though.
Score: 7/10

Twilight of the Gods
Opens up with fast drum beats and a solo by Kai. The song is about how mankind rejected faith in favour of technology. We've thrown away our former Gods / Controlling our day / We have created better ones / So we control the way. The next verse then goes on to explain human's desire to have more of something to benefit us. In the next part the robots have rebelled. The pretty gods we've built ourselves / Now Terminate our lives / Silicon brain powered voices / Are crying "attack" tonight / In anger, burning our world / Doomsday has come. This song is possibly this albums masterpiece, with a speedy style and fantastic lyrics which helped Helloween define themselves.
Score: 10/10

A Tale That Wasn't Right
This song is a ballad. It has an acoustic intro and bridges. Michaels Kiske demonstrates good vocal technique in the chorus.
Score: 9/10

Future World
This song shows Helloween in their raw form: speedy style and lyrics of a fantasy concept. Once again, Kiske shows good vocal performance with his high-pitched wailing.
Score: 8/10

Halloween
The longest song on the album, clocking in at over 13 minutes. It is perhaps the most gothically-themed song on this album, about evil spirits on Halloween. Song succeeds on creating a spooky feel and to give the album an epic feel (and make it into an album by allowing it past the half hour mark). Is also interspersed with solos which quickly switch between Weikath and Hansen.
Score: 10/10

Follow the Sign
Just a follow-up track to the previous and to complete the album. Uses a quiet, whispering voice. It concludes this part of the Keeper of the Seven Keys saga with a sort of "to be continued..."
Score: 8/10

One of the most important albums in the power metal genre, demonstrating Helloween's style and introduces a new style of metal which I would recommend to anyone into almost any type of metal. Would soon be followed up by the next part of the saga, which didn't seem to go down as well.
Final score: 9/10

 

[Tailow_r.a]

Artist: Rise Against
Album: Revolutions Per Minute
Released: August. 8th/ 2003
Recorded: November-December 2002; @ The Blasting Room: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Genre: punk rock
Length: 37:42
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Producers: Bill Stevenson & Jason Livermore


Revolutions Per Minute is a hardcore punk album by the band Rise Against, released on April 8, 2003 on the Fat Wreck Chords record label.

The album features the single, "Heaven Knows" and a cover version of Journey's single, "Any Way You Want It".

The album had a limited release on vinyl (217 of which on red vinyl) which is now out of print. It was the band's last release under Fat Wreck Chords prior to their move to Geffen Records where they released Siren Song of the Counter Culture in 2004.

Revolutions Per Minute's major themes follow the band's focus on socio-political commentary (note "Blood-Red, White, and Blue"), but also investigates the personal turmoil and human relationships ("Like the Angel" and "Heaven Knows").

The song "Last Chance Blueprint" features clips of dialogue from the film American Beauty.

"Like the Angel" is featured on the soundtrack to the skateboarding video game Tony Hawk's Underground.

All tracks written by Rise Against, unless stated
1)"Black Masks & Gasoline" – 3:00
2)"Heaven Knows" – 3:23
3)"Dead Ringer" – 1:31
4)"Halfway There" – 3:41
5)"Like The Angel" – 2:46
6)"Voices Off Camera:" – 2:17
7)"Blood-Red, White, & Blue" – 3:38
8)"Broken English" – 3:25
9)"Last Chance Blueprint" – 2:14
10)"To the core" – 1:33
11)"Torches" – 3:41
12)"Amber Changing" – 3:38
13)"Any Way You Want It" (Journey) – 2:57
Track 13 is a hidden track listed as "Data"

 

[hoperidesalone]

'k, i'm going to do something entirely completely different.


the protomen: the megaman rock opera


introduction: you're probably all going to right this off as a cheesey tribute album with lots of 8bit sound effects and crappy writing 'cuz that's exactly what i did at first. but i urge you to not do so! for here we hold what i personally believe to be the greatest game to music interpretations of many years. or all time. whatever comes first, yknow. anywhoo, i digress.

the megaman rock opera tells the tale of what might've been if dr. wily had got his way and ruled over the earth and it's people in a regime of slavery and oppression, where everything is watched and monitored and scrutinized. think 1984, of course. in brief, the story of the album -- as it is a concept album -- starts with the birth of protoman, the death at the hands of the robots, dr light's mourning and creation of megaman and his coming of age and discovering the fate of his brother. this encompasses the first three tracks. on the forth track, megaman decides to take on the fight his brother started, and eventually comes to face the leader of the robots; his last obstacle before fighting dr wily; and discovers that it's protoman who has decided that if mankind will not fight for themselves, why should they be saved? the finale is wonderfully grandoise and epic and great. so anyway, track by track..go!

track #1: hope rides alone
...no-one was left who could remember how it had happened..
this track opens with the narrators monolog, explaining the state of the world as it is, set first to a sombre accoustic guitar with the crackling of a grammaphone playing the music, before blasting suddenly into bombastic guitars, omminous sounds of music crashing down, leading into the narrater then following the life of doctor light. the galloping undertrack is very european power metal, manowar and hammerfall, perhaps, only less cheesy. the guitars crescendo and raise to the introduction names of wily's generals, leading into a heavy industrial sound that fits somewhere between nine inch nails and 80's metallica. The industrial grinding continues as protoman is cut down, and then gives way to a soft mourneful voice and combre keyboards layered over the grind, leading into a choral cry of 'we are the dead, what have we done?'. the track ends here with the people that had rallied behind protoman to cheer for him -- but not to fight with him, nono -- being cut down by wilys generals for daring the support an uprising. finally, the sound of griding metal and people falling.


track #2: funeral for a son

this mourneful piece covers the time period between when dr light shuffled dejectedly back to his residence, feeling humiliated by both dr wily and by mankind who would not stand by the side of his champion, and when he makes the decision to create another son. not to fight this time. just to ease his own feelings of failure for having sent his first to death. musically, it's a horn driven dirge, purely instrumental and completely and utterly sombre. the musical side of things sounds almost regal, but the instruments are all battered sounding, signifying dr lights slavery to the world and to the robots.

track #3: unrest in the house of light
there was another who came before you -- he was a hero and your brother and my son
the fact that the band is from the country music capitol of the world comes into play here with this very um progressive country sounding track. yup. it takes place once megaman has come of age, and dr light tells him the story of his brother. the galloping country western sounding guitar drives the track, with a burst of emotion at the end of each course, dr light proclaiming "you know to know, you are not him". lyrically this track shows the broken man that light has become, and how much he fears losing his son a second time. but he also knows that the truth has gotta be told and so it shall be.

track #4: the will of one
somebody has written on the stone, in some angry hand, hope rides alone
okay, now this is totally awesome. lyrically this track covers the decision of megaman tgo disobey his father and to carry on the fight his brother started. musically, however? oholycow. the band utilises an actual NES sound chip on a synth as an instrument, so the power metal driving force of this song is accompanied by guitar solos that segue into and out of NES sound chip solos. the vocals really come into their own in this track too, with the screaming climax of megaman reading his brothers grave stone being completely and awesomely epic. the guitar solo that follows is awesome, extremely european power, with the aforementioned NES soundchip driving the synth side of things and the synthetic robotic voices underlying chanting "we are your hope" "we keep you safe" "we have control" over and over in an attempt to quell the uprising crowd.

track #5: vegeance
all you wounded, those of you who can? hurry back! tell your leader you'll need more men!
now, with the crowd cheering for his victory, megaman blasts into action in this bombastic thrash metal track. fitting in most with one of the early 80's maiden opening tracks, combined with vocal stylines that may be more at home with scandenavian power metal, this high energy track carries on it's frenzied pace start to finish. storywise, megaman tears through each and every one of wilys generals, finally coming to confront the leader of his army. he knows that he's more than the others, that he's not just another machine, and he comes to confront him, only to make the shocking realisation..

track #6: the stand (man or machine)
i've been here before, i've stood where you stand. they called me their hero, the hero of man.."
the piano opening in this track sets the mood to decidedly dream theater and the track continues this theme throughout, being easily the most prog metal track of the album. the stirring intro gives way to more NES synth, over dr lights voice explaining to megaman how it is that his brother, protoman, is now standing here before him, against him. The vocals are perfrmed from this angel, with more piano, entirely by protoman, questioning all the people who have followed megaman in support, but not willing to fight themselves. He tries to explain to his brother that mankind won't change, that they don't want a hero, they just want a martyr. No matter what happens, no matter who wins, mankind doesn't want change. they've found happiness in their slavery. the progressive elements of this track continue into the guitar solo that wails behind the broken protoman, and into the epic jeff wayne esque solo that follows that would remind ANYONE of war of the worlds, then finally segues into a closer that is extroidinarily reminincent of dream theater's "finally free" climax.

track #7: the sons of fate
maybe someday they'll see a hero is just a man who knows he's free
and finally, the finale. the fight between the two heros of mankind, and what a way to start. the argument back and forth between the two sons of light opens the track in an big way. nine inch nails meets blind guardian meets rush, with vocals right out of avantasia. the back and forth banter is wonderful and grand which ends with protoman proclaiming "don't you get it? there are no heroes mankind is doomed", and then the music shifting to a galloping pace and the scream of "you will never have another hero! you will never have another chance!", in a desperate plea to get the crowd to take down dr wily while megaman and his brother fight. The crowd refuse, and chant that megaman must kill protoman. Hoping against hope that if he does, they will see that they must stand for themselves, he cuts down his brother. in the final exchange between the two brothers, megaman embracing his dying brother, protoman confesses that he hopes one day mankind will be free, but only by their own hands. the choir comes back in, the crowd asking that if protoman couldn't save himself, how could he have saved them? Megamans tortured voice rings above the crowd, mourning for his brother, swearing that he will finish what was started, before turning to the crowd. With the realisation that they'll never fight, he turns his back on them and declares that they are the dead, and leaves them to their fate. So close to salvation, but due to their refusal to stand for themselves, megaman leaves them to be destroyed by dr wilys robots.

and that's that! high recommend the album if you're a metal fan, i give it easily a 9.2/10

 

[Illusion~]

Album Name-Riot!

Artist Name-Paramore

Genre-Alternative/Punk Rock

Album Image-

Tracks-

1. For A Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic
2. That's What You Get
3. Hallelujah
4. Misery Business
5. When It Rains
6. Let The Flames Begin
7. Miracle
8. crushcrushcrush
9. We Are Broken
10. Fences
11. Born For This

Review-

Riot! is one of my favorite (if not THE favorite) CD I own. I love Paramore's edgy sound. Hayley (the lead singer) sings in a variety of ways throughout the songs, and the band supports her vocals with equally amazing sound. Hayley shows her versatility by slightly changing up her voice while keeping still singing in her unique style. The band comes together to create many different beats and sounds, all of which are combined with Hayley's singing to create great songs. I'll review some of my favorite songs from the CD:

Misery Business- This was the first single that Paramore released from Riot! In my opinion, they couldn't have picked a better song. The song begins with a soft beat, and suddenly bursts into a loud and energetic version of the soft beat that immediately grabs your attention. Throughout the song, Hayley sings each verse in a somewhat fast pace, and then goes into the chorus with a burst of energy. The video of the song takes place within a high school and occaisionally flashes back and forth to a room where the band is performing. Within the room, Riot! is painted all around the walls in the same pattern as the album cover.

Let The Flames Begin- This song is one of the more louder songs on Riot!, but it is also one of the best in my opinion. For most of the song, Hayley sings loudly and forcefully, while the band plays to match the intensity of her vocals. The song is about a couple's relationship in which everyone is trying to bring them down, but they remain strong and dont let anyone affect their relationship. This is one of the more intense songs on Paramore's album.

Overall, I consider the album to be perfection. Paramore uses a combination of Hayley's unique vocals and Josh/Zac Farro and Jeremy Davis' instrumentals flawlessly to create a great album. I listen to it just about every day, especially when I'm riding in the car. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Rating- 10 out of 10

 

[Warheart]

You all totally saw this coming at some point:

Artist: Dethklok
Album Name: The Dethalbum

Genre: Straight-up Metal
Release Date: September 2007
Tracklist: "Murmaider" – 3:24
"Go into the Water" – 4:20
"Awaken" – 3:37
"Bloodrocuted" – 2:19
"Go Forth and Die" – 4:22
"Fansong" – 2:53
"Better Metal Snake" – 3:27
"The Lost Vikings" – 4:26
"Thunderhorse" – 2:46
"Briefcase Full of Guts" – 2:44
"Birthday Dethday" – 2:48
"Hatredcopter" – 3:00
"Castratikron" – 2:57
"Face Fisted" – 4:17
"Dethharmonic"[3] – 4:31
"Deththeme" – 0:37

Summery:
By far..the most Metal think you will ever hear in your entire life. This album is so Metal, it was not intended for human ears, but rather the beasts of the sea. Anyways, yeah, i totally bought this the first day it came out. If you're not farmiliar with the band Dethklok, they are the fictional band from the show "Metalocalypse," and just absolutely kick ass. The lyrics are crap..but whatever, this had initially all been pulled from a late night adult cartoon, so they're supposed to be funny. The guitars are, surprisingly, amazing in most of the songs, and while the lyrics might just be..stereotypical death Metal rubbish, the entire beauty of Dethklok isn't the lyrical content, but rather than how the song is preformed. Squisgar and Toki, the 2 fastest scandinavian guitarists in (non) exsistance pull off some kick-ass riffs throught the entire CD, as well as Murderface's Bass...which usually gets cut out from most songs anyways, seeing as people don't appreciate him enough. Fans of this show should definetly pick up this album if they like the music of Dethklok, or just want a laugh.

Overall Rating:..I can't simply give a number to something this Metal.

 

[fy@x5]

High School Musical 2 - Non-stop Dance Party

Title: High School Musical 2 - Non-Stop Dance Party
Genre: Dance/Techno/Pop
Rating: 4/5


When I first heard this cd, I was like "W...T...F?" I really hated it (except for a few songs), however, on closer inspection, it actually is a really good cd. Most of the songs sound better than their originals and some that were terrible now sound amazing.

1. What Time Is It (Remix) - Not the best way to open up a remix album, starts off with just a basic beat and no instruments or vocals, but quickly changes into just that. It's an okay remix, not great, but decent. It uses a lot of the original instrumentals. Some of the vocals seem to be a bit off the music, though. Like they're out of place. 7/10

2. I Don't Dance (Remix) – Good, a bit childish, but really good. The beginning comes off with some backstreet boys-type sounding vocals, which really works for this song. It has a jumpy, slightly hip-hoppy feel, which also works. I hope they release singles off this album, because this one could definitely work for radio. 9.6/10

3. I Gotta Go My Own Way (Remix) – A regular beat with an unnatural sound in the beginning, but it quickly sounds normal. It sounds a bit like 80's music, with lots of synthesizers and other things like that. What I love most about this one is that it sounds different but also stays true to the original sound. 9.2/10

4. You Are the Music In Me (Remix) – Kind of sounds like "Gotta Go My Own Way", but different. Has that same 80's feel, with a similar beat, but it's still good. Really good actually. It's quite hard to explain this song… 8.8/10

5. Work This Out (Remix) – Has a very dancey feel, with a bit of a swing-techno beat during the chorus. Stays true to the original sound too, just like "I Gotta Go My Own Way". Is a bit childish at some points, but, well, this is a kid's song, so what should I expect? 9/10

6. Everyday (Remix) – Eh. I never really liked this song. And this remix is a great improvement. But somehow it's still not good enough. The beginning sounds just like the original song with an added backbeat, which isn't really a dance one, more of a pop type. However the beat soon changes into a more club-type one. This song would be a lot better if it had more piano instrumentals and a better arrangement. The most unappealing part about this song is that sometimes it drops the beat completely for long periods of time, which is quite annoying and unprofessional. It does that during the entire second verse. 5.5/10

7. Fabulous (Remix) – Definitely the most commercial-sounding one here, and probably the best choice if there was a single. This remixer managed to convert a drab-sounding song to a slightly fast-paced clubby-hip-hop song. The instrumentals go perfect with the lyrics. This one could definitely make a great radio single. 11/10

8. Bet On It (Remix) – If you've watched the Disney channel, you've probably seen this music video. And it's terrible. But the remix is just fantastic. It sounds very club-friendly with its dark, moody, sound. Definitely brings a new light into this song, or should I say, no light at all, since it sounds so dark. The remix completely changes the personality of the original song, which I thought couldn't be better. I guess I was wrong. 11/10

9. All For One (Remix) – When you think after the last two songs that everything is going to get better, it just falls. Not nearly as much as everyday, but it's still not great. The beat is okay, the instrumentals are okay, everything is just okay. It's a bit drab. 6.5/10

10. You Are The Music In Me (Sharpay Version) (Remix) – When I heard this song, I couldn't believe how good it sounded. The regular version is terrible, but this is just amazing. Sounds extremely club-friendly, and has a happy, almost music-box instrumental at some points. This really works. The vocals aren't that great, but that's nothing the remixer could have fixed. Yet another that could become a single. 11/10

11. Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Remix) – Okay, this was never a good song. No wonder it was cut from the movie. Still, it sounds better here, with it's new reggae-sounding beat. Extremely childish, however. I commend the remixer for making this song semi-tolerable to listen to and danceable. 6/10

12. The Megamix – Okay, this is cool… but just not professional. It sounds as if it was created by a fan. Some of the beats are off, and in some parts the same beat is the same, over and over and over. The last song in the megamix, "You Are The Music In Me", sounds like it was just thrown in without a care. Here are the songs (in order), in the megamix: You Are The Music In Me (Extremely small portion at the beginning), What Time Is It, Work This Out, Bet On It, All For One, You Are The Music In Me…(that's it) 4/10

BONUS FEATURES:
Video Remix: This is really cool because it has music video clips from different versions of the songs from different parts of the world, in different languages. It's really cool and interesting to listen to and watch. 11/10
Party Invitations: Haven't seen these yet. ??/10
Slideshow: Decent. A normal slideshow featuring promo pictures and clips from the movie. Played with an instrumental of "You Are The Music In Me". 8/10

OTHER:

Pictures: No. No No No No NO! Why? Why does it have the exact same picture that's on the cover of the High School Musical 2 Soundtrack? I was hoping for new pictures, or at the least, a different picture. But this is not new at all. I'm very disappointed that there are no new pictures at all to be found anywhere in this cd. 0/10
Layout: Cool, but the back is misleading. The way it shows the tracklisting, it makes it look like it's in the same order as on this page. I must say, I was confused too. 5/10

-------------------------
Make sure you listen to: I Don't Dance, I Gotta Go My Own Way, Fabulous, Bet On It
Be sure to skip: Everyday, All For One, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, The Megamix

 

[AnimeDDR110]

Album: The Black Parade

Band: My Chemical Romance

Genre: Emo, Alternative, Punk Rock

Release Date: September 20, 2006

The Album Cover: Okay, before even reivewing the album and songs, i'm going to dedicate a whole section to just the covers of the album. THEY ARE AMAZING. I especially love the black album cover. It nicely defines of what a shadow should look like. 10/10 Rating just for the cover.

The Songs: Even more amazing than the cover. Teenagers is the most popular song on the album, but my favorite is actually Disenchanted. I'm surprised that the haven't run out ideas for lyrics of the songs. I'm happy to say i would enjoy to listen 11/14 songs on the album. The other three are still just as popular as the rest, but they really don't catch me. The way how to write the rythme for all of the songs is just insanely overwhelimg enjoyable that you are definitely going to go back to listen to the album at least 3 times. I would say that the song Blood has the best rythme out of all the songs. It is written as a classic 30's and 40's song, and keeps it that was throughout the whole song. 10/10 on the songs.

Other: Well, other than that there isn't much left to say about this album. A nice 4 songs of of this album (Teenagers, Welcome To The Black Parade, I Don't Love You), and To Be Announced, Mama, have been released as singles. Listen to the other albums as they are just as good. 10/10 on the other section.

Overall Rating: DEFINITELY 10/10 =]

 

[Cloud_85]

I was about to create my own threath called ur favorite album, but I found this XD. Well, the first post of this threath was about one of the best albums ever: "Led Zeppeli IV". The master piece of this group. But I'm going to talk about my favorite album.

Artist: Dream Theater
Genre: Progressive Metal (In fact DT are Progressive Gods)
Album: Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory

All Start with a Joke, no better phrase to start my review to one of the Master pieces of all music History. Well this is true, This one wasn't the first good album of DT the real album that makes them a famous band was Images and Words. When I hear this album for first time I couldn't belive that a group could have that level of composition and art for their songs, I think in each one of them as the best on their instruments. I couldn't think on a better Album of DT. Cause if u have tracks like: Pull Me Under, Take the Time, Another Day and METROPOLIS PART 1: THE MIRACLE AND THE SLEEPER u can forget an album easily.​

Did anybody saw the last name song, it wasn't a little similar like the other album?? Yes, they put them as a Joke Part 1, but the fans were so surprised that they ask for a second part. The group accepted, and they make a 23 minutes song, But for commencial reasons they couldn't put it on their next album:Falling Into Infinity.​

So they decided to make a conceptual album, an album that tells an history and with that comes the second epic part of Metropolis part 1: The Miracle and The Sleeper, Metropolis part 2: Scenes from a Memory.​

For take a better explanation of the history you can read somewhat on wikipedia, I will conclude my review rating any song:​

Regression (2:06)
Intro that produce a nostalgia efect, thats is weird cause it the beggining of the history.
(7/10)​

Overture 1928 (3:37)
This is an instrumental song, really cool song that means the entering of Nicholas(one of characters) to his dream.
(8.5/10)​

Strange Deja Vu (5:12)
This is a real amazing song, good guitar and Drums skills.
(9/10)​

Throught My Words (1:02)
This song means the intro to the first really AMAZING song, but it's too short for make it a REAL good song, when this song end's really u think that its only the intro of the nest one so...
(5/10)​

Fatal Tragedy (6:49)
This is one of the slow better songs, the piano here is amazing, and then the guitar rifts are realy to enjoy, incredible really
(10/10)​

Beyond This Life (11:22)
the heavist song in the album, the sound is heavy and fast, Drums and Guitars, really coming fron another world a great song anyways
(10/10)​

Throught Her Eyes (5:29)
The soft song of the album, I really don't like TOO much, for me is the bad song of the album, but that's for my likements to anothers it can be a Master Piece.
(4/10)​

Home (12:53)
Another good song, the Keybords make some crasy sounds as a background that are amazing, and the Guitar and the Bass are truly goods.
(10/10)​

The Dance of Eternity (6:13)
2nd Instrumental of the disc, and my favorite, Dream Theater make a song where their skills are proofs.
(8.5/10)​

One Last Time (3:46)
Come on!!!, this Album have so good songs. This one is slow but it's cool not like the another one that looks like a pop song :/ The Keyboards are Awesome and the people inthe chorus also.
(10/10)​

The Spirits Carries On (6:38)
The best of this song is the Ending, truly amazing, but not my favorite one...
(7.5/10)​

Finaly Free (11:59)
The Mystery song, and my favorite. Also the BIG ending. I like this sing cause it's the big ending of all the mystery that were not solved in the anothers songs (when u hear the album u will know) The Keyboard(intro) and Guitar(midlde reef)in this song is the best, so far.
(10/10)​

Well, I want to say that i don't took the history really on, u have to investigate and buy this Album...
Oops, I was forgeting one song....​

Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle and The Sleeper (9:32)
A song that have the power to create an Album, Is a great song didn't it?. What could I say, This is not only the song who created my favorite album, and for my the best of DT. It's really my favorite songs. After I heard groups with a talent indescriptlible like Pink Floid or Led Zeppelin. I choose one of the DT.
(
to much/10) What can I say of song that changed my Life,words or numbers aren't enought.​

I really want to recomend this album, If u want an hour and a little more of pure music.​

If anyone listen this album before please PM me , so we can have a good talk about it...​

 

[The Infinite Devil Machine]

Album: Metallica(Also know as the Black Album)

Artist: Metallica

Genre: Metal

Tracks:

Enter Sandman
Sad but True
Holier than thou
The Unforgiven
Wherever I may roam
Don't tread on me
Through the never
Nothing else matters
Of wolf and man
The God that failed
My Friend of Misery
The Struggle within.

Summary: This is Metallica's most recognized release, and rightly so. This collection of classic Metal defines Metallica's signature sound and contains some of their best songs. An essential piece in any Metal enthusiasts collection.

Overall rating: 10/10. This album contains some of my favorite songs, and let's admit it, even if you don't necessarily like metal, you'll love it.

 

[Careful With That Axe Pichu!]

This topic is so badly edited and filled with equivocal assumptions --beside the OBVIOUS partial attitude from 90% of the contributors-- that as the former designated mod and the thread author, I'm afraid I'll have to close it.

locked

by the way, "metal" is not an adjective in that context.

I really appreciate the effort and contribution of those who did submit well-structured and critical reviews-- you very well know who you are.