Props to @Cody for giving me two albums way out of regular wheelhouse. The Breeders - Last Splash This album was dope, don’t know how I missed this band considering I love The Pixies. I’m always a fan of bands with dual vocalists, so loved that. The fuzz on the guitars were gnarly, only complaint was I had a little hard time discerning the lyrics for some songs. Cannonball, I Just Wanna Get Along, and Divine Saints were the standouts for me but overall the album kept me entertained and finger tapping. Album was a riot. Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Caravan Jazz isn’t really my thing, and I kind of walked out of this album thinking it was alright but not something I returned to. My girlfriend is a Jazz musician however and she told me I’m lame for not liking this. So sorry Cody. I did find the drums pretty interesting but just not my preference. Out of the two records, Last Splash was the favorite. Definitely open to checking out more of their discography.
I had an incredibly busy week, so I didn’t get to listen to the albums as much as I wanted to, unfortunately. That said, I think I listened enough to give some basic thoughts. Billy Talent– Afraid of Heights This was the one I decided to listen to first, for no particular reason. Prior to this, my only exposure to the band was the song “Try Honesty,” which I actually really love but tend to forget about. The album opens with Big Red Gun, which sets the tone pretty well for what’s to come; this is an album full of catchy, relatively straightforward rock songs. I really enjoyed a lot of melodies, and thought the record was chock full of interesting guitar-work — lots of solos here. That said, I do think the album peaks early with the first three songs and then kind of just coasts from there, never quite reaching the heights of the opening trio (I’m trying so hard not to make a pun here). I also didn’t find the lyrics very engaging, and tended to tune them out on some songs in all honesty. The vocals also at times, veer in directions that don’t really click as much with my tastes but the singer by all means is good at what he does. Not entirely sure if I’ll revisit this much as a whole, but I could def see myself coming back to the first three songs. The Almost– Monster, Monster I’d only ever heard a couple songs by this band, I believe all off the first record, but I’m a fan of Underoath, so I was excited to dive into this one. I think, overall, this album is more to my tastes in rock music, although it didn’t quite have peaks as high as the first three songs on the Billy Talent album did. Once again, this album is a pretty straightforward pop-rock record and has no shortage of ear worms. I already knew I liked Aaron Gillespie’s vocals, so that’s never really much of an issue here (although I do think I prefer him in Underoath, at times in these songs it can lean a bit on the saccharine side for my tastes), he’s got a great knack for melody for sure. Time will tell, but I feel like I could see myself returning to this album in the future, though I’m not sure to what capacity; I already listened to a majority of it twice and felt myself liking it more the second time. I feel like this might click more for me in the summer. I wish I could’ve listened more to my picks, since I’m pretty much only able to give surface level impressions at this time, but I’d like to thank @Micool1 for the recommendations! :)
I’m seeing the phrases ‘will check out more’ ‘will come back to this’ in all of these posts. That is what this is about.
Yay! I'm happy that you enjoyed it! I listened to the album you gave me. I'll be sharing my thoughts later today.
Oh @bradsonemanband that reminds me. I really fucking dig Existence. Will be buying when I get paid next. Skeletons is fucking awesome
I'm glad you found something you like in these albums! I will post my thoughts on the two albums you gave me later in the day!
I’ll post my thoughts on the albums @Contender assigned me tomorrow at work! I took a few notes and have them at my desk. Going to give the Depeche Mode another listen today too :)
@JoshShulkin sessions 2 picks are finalized: I'll be checking out: Pat Metheny - Bright Sized Life Speedy Ortiz - Foil Deer He will check out: Half Moon Run- Dark Eyes Hawthorne Heights- HURT
@nohandstoholdonto @Micool1 I thought that Billy Talent album was pretty solid overall but "Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats" is a fucking JAM.
Afraid of Heights is such a good Billy Talent album. I was surprised when I first heard it. Its my 3rd favorite by them. Nothing will top Billy Talent II for me though. I recommend that album if you want to check out another Billy Talent album.
I haven't given a listen to Dead Silence in a very long time, but yeah III is definitely their worst.
III had some solid tracks but overall it didn't feel as cohesive as the rest of there albums. Felt more like a collection of songs than an album.