Ya know for all of the horribly produced and gutless prog bands on the scene today, I think its a damn shame that Night Verses doesn't have more popularity to their name. This is their second release as an instrumental band and at its best it is one of the most invigorating prog records that you're going to listen to all year. If there was ever something that helped these guys stand out besides how crazy talented they are. Then it would be their penchant for emphasizing atmosphere in so many of ... read more
Alright well I just found a top 3 record of the year. It’s kind of a lot to take in and it will recover multiple relistens and a lyrical deep dive to fully unpack. But “Sprain” have got quite a unique album on their hands & it’s only their first ever record. In some ways this thing feels like it was made for me, it shares influences with bands who have a very specific sound that I adore and can't be easily replicated (Swans, Daughters, Xiu Xiu) yet it still feels so ... read more
There's something here, part of it might just not be my personal cup of tea & the chord progression didn't fulfill me throughout the verses however that cutesy chorus was a big win!
For some reason the noisy production sounded a lot like squishing lemons and reminded me of lemonade. Not a bad thing!!
With an already robust discography, you don't make something like this without being one of the greatest of all time.
Okay the fact that I’ve listened to this twice in a row should speak to how much better this is than her debut if you know my thoughts on that record. Between her singing, lyrics and especially the production this time around Rodrigo serves up a much more dynamic and cohesive experience.
With ambitions that reach higher, Olivia Rodrigo takes a step up from her previous effort with something more personal, better produced & offers some neat writing to boot. Even if the final product ... read more
Astounding release!! Packs the biggest punch in the smallest package! Very introspective lyrics that always seem to be blending different periods of his life all in one song, showing the universal relevancy of these lessons he is either learning or wish he had learned earlier. Probably the most involved I've felt with a track featuring spoken word in the opener as well.
Each track seeks to bring out very different sonic palettes and keeps things interesting at all points. The highs of Sun, I ... read more
It's only been a handful of times where I've felt the connection that so many others do to his music. This has got some interesting ideas and really good singing, but so many of the tracks felt to incomplete to totally win me over.
Just an other worldly life affirming experience.
This is everything I needed and wanted.
i am circling back into the depths of loneliness
its existence is dulled by relationships, but that's when I seek myself more than ever
above all else
death and its journey towards it is an ambivalent journey that can only be aided along by the presence of others
life is lonely, even among those with the tightest of support networks like myself
Our issues are our own
relief from support can only comfort for so long before it numbs
we must maintain hope and a vision for our own ... read more
All jazzy dream's float into space
i just need a new BBNG album :(
No one understands the depth you can find out of sound play specifically in regards to mixing like Bye Storm, just fucking astounding work!
Somehow this was the perfect morning album
Writing notes for a different review in the deep vastness of Cosmogramma.
My first Susanne Sundfør record was a lovely trip down the road of an artist finding hope & love in a world coming out of trying times. Some of the years best ballads are sprinkled all over this thing, impassioned vocals, great mix of instruments that make each of these stripped back piano filled songs sound different from one another. Barring a couple unnecessary entries & one song that is unlike anything else on the project yet provided a groovy & fun change of pace for ... read more
TRACK THOUGHTS
Until I have the ability to process everything here and writing something more extensive, here are my current thoughts on every song.
1. The Parasite: Michael at his most nihilistic, fewer times have his words felt so powerful with the grandiose strokes that punctuate his musings of the parasite's which infect & take everything they can from us until there's nothing left. Audibly gasped when that choir came in.
2. Paradise is Mine: One of my favorite singles of the year, ... read more
The Gray in Between is a pretty one note project that happens to hit what it's going for on the head with a cold snap, like cracking ice the snare drum strikes with a bite that leaves little vibration or resonance with it. Just a thin yet direct break which combined with the old school metalcore approach of lead guitar and the more modern searing distortion & heavy feedback do a great job at making the sound of this record feel like one mean punch to the head. The guitar also plays hot ... read more
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Recent Review Comments
On literallyMoss's review of Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief
"A lot of people are not into experimental experiences, hence a lot of complaints about this not having "the other aspects of Xiu Xiu that makes their music memorable" without further elaboration, a comment like this says more about their taste's than it is a critique of the music"
On 🪓lexa ☮️💖☯️🤝🇵🇸's review of Xiu Xiu - Knife Play
"Homunculus should be genuinely painful physically and emotionally to listen too. It’s its best quality"
On Archerycraft18's review of John Coltrane - Live in Japan
"Thank you for providing an in-depth review, lovely stuff"
On Invent Animate - The Sun Sleeps, As If It Never Was
"@steffyy thank you for the lovely feedback, glad it helped your experience!"
On CheerAxConisuer's review of King Crimson - Islands
"He was Fripped out of his mind on "Sailors Tale""
On Spamman's review of The Necks - Disquiet
""it's a track that is a journey, a story."
In a sense The Neck's don't make stories within their music. They create static, explorative sonic environments built on repetitions & time manipulation, extensive run times help create the hypnotic effect, creating a mode of stasis where they can add new elements or change the specific details of these repetitions in order to alter the texture of the piece.
What may seem like the exact same thing really isn't at all due to how they play around with microtones, pacing & then adding and subtracting pieces from the overall construct. I agree with your assessment on "Causeway" but it's strange to me that you don't see how elements are weaving in and out of the first two tracks."
On landminemower's review of The Necks - Disquiet
"It wouldn't be a 10/10 if it was shorter. The length is integral to the experience of lulling you beyond considering time."
On HomeSession3's review of Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
"I can only wish you & your family the best, an honest beautiful tribute that means a lot to me as I read it. Thank you for having the strength to post this as you go through this incredibly difficult time"
On s3sh's review of Xiu Xiu - Ignore Grief
"Come on man, I can understand where this perspective comes from, but it's sad to see people that wouldn't try to understand the art for what it is than for what their preconceptions of art would dictate for them to believe. Abstract art is art for a reason and its worth exploring why this album is the way it is or at least being able to formulate substantial criticisms for others to contend with instead of offering a statement so broad and dismissive that it begs to be replied too. Just sort of expressing some views the review conjured and not trying to make you feel worthless or express any kind of personal hatred :)"
On Echoesanywhere's review of Andrew Hill - Compulsion
"This review is a great example of reviewing abstract/difficult works of art. Following the music through its patterns (emotional, structural, musical) it reveals the core of what the art is and it doesn't have to be so impossible to define or require knowledge on music theory. The real key I've found is to just really tune yourself into the sound and what it's doing between all the musicians. It will speak to you."
On HomeSession3's review of The Mountain Goats - Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan
"Sounds really interesting! What mountain goats records would you recommend?"
On DAVECHER's review of Stan Getz & João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto
"I wish the bland recommended jazz had the same degree of warmth in the production & sensory depth in each instrument. Getz sax work is especially stupendous, take O’Grande Amour where he spends most of his time in hushed breath yet the whole thing is so playfully emotional. Making that first and final push at the end so impactful."
On HomeSession3's review of Geese - Getting Killed
"A lyrically great review that distills what makes this album unique! Loved reading it :)"
On cappyk's review of La Dispute - No One Was Driving the Car
"Try understanding what they're going for instead of going expecting a good rock album lol"
On Miles Davis - E. S. P.
"@HomeSession3 Sure you can recommend them to me or comment them on my page, I'd love some as I've really gotten into the genre this year :)"
On HomeSession3's review of Imperial Triumphant - Goldstar
"I love this review and it's a style that I try to grasp when constricting certain reviews of mine, but rarely capture it as well as you do here. Less a checklist of good and bad qualities and instead you paint a picture of the records character and quality from within. Lovely stuff and my favorite review I've read this year."
On Doofy's review of toe - the book about my idle plot on a vague anxiety
"You should check out their next release For Long Tomorrow, I feel like that one may resonate a bit more."
On H1DD3N_1N_TH3_ST4T1C's review of Hail the Sun - Divine Inner Tension
"Haven't listened to this one yet, but you would really enjoy their output if this one works for you. I'd listen in this order: Secret Wars, Wake, New Age Filth & Mental Knife after that is pretty open to what you're interested in."
On jaredpeelstich's review of Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine
"not on my watch
no rating submitted, review gives a 10/10"
On chaz's review of Don Caballero - American Don
"they're a "multiple relisten's" kind of band for sure"
On tyler's review of Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
"I’ve only listened to the tracks A & B, but I agree with what you’ve said so far. I started getting into jazz and i think you should check out “Let My Children Hear Music” which is also by Mingus. It’s my favorite of his that’s I’ve heard so far, it blends classical music & avant- grade jazz, love to know your thoughts."
On CLJesse's review of Glassjaw - Worship and Tribute
"Any update on that post hardcore flow chart??"
On CLJesse's review of foxtails - fawn
"Great find to start off the year, very much agree with everything you've said here"
On mj04's review of Code Orange - Underneath
"Idk man, I really love the vocals. Sound very intense and very much something of their own. "
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