This album feels confused and somewhat immature in the sense that it lacks a coherent vision. It attempts to blend several genres, but because of its lack of an overarching goal, these combinations feel awkward and forced. This is true both within each song and in the flow of the album as a whole. There are a couple of good songs, several mediocre songs, and a few bad songs on this album, making it not super enjoyable, but not awful.
Jimmy (intro) - 5.9/10
Tomatoes - 4.9/10
Real Good Swimmer - ... read more
This is likely the best metal album of the 2000s and one of the best metal albums of all time. Every song is a dynamic adventure, and yet extremely cohesive. The performances (especially the vocal performance) are impeccable. The production is somehow simultaneously lush, heavy, and clear. This is a masterpiece.
The Leper Affinity: 9.8/10
Bleak: 10/10
Harvest: 9.8/10
The Drapery Falls: 10/10
Dirge for November: 9.8/10
The Funeral Portrait: 9.7/10
Patterns in the Ivy: 9.8/10
Blackwater Park: ... read more