Rate an Album

[Agent Proto]

Please follow the format for this thread if you're going to post. And rate one album at a time.

<b>Artist:
Album:
Year Released:
Review or Summary:</b>
Rate: 1-5</b>

Also, if you plan on commenting on a review, please post saying so, and mention who's post you're commenting on. Like so in this example.

Proto: I disagree about your MM review. Float On sucks.

Anyway, onto the first review and rate on an album.

<b>Artist:</b> Modest Mouse
<b>Album:</b> Good News For People Who Love Bad News
<b>Year Released:</b> 2004

This is the band's fourth album, following their supposedly superb last album, The Moon & Antarctica, which is also their first with Epic. It features the return of guitarist Dann Gallucci, who last worked with Sad Sappy Sucker, a new drummer in Benjamin Weikel, and a special appearance with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

This album is one of Modest Mouse's greatest yet. It's a sign of maturity for the band, but a lackluster when compared to The Moon & Antarctica. It's melancholy mood throughout the majority of the songs, as it focused with mortality and spirituality aspects on life. It starts off with a blast of horns by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, which sets off the unexpectedness of the album. The album's best song, Float On, is the only exception to the album's meloncholy feeling which urges the listeners to let loose and 'float on alright' with its upbeat rhythm. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band makes another guest appearance in The Devil's Workday, which starts off similarly to the album's intro. There are other songs which sets the mood and slight randomness of the album, such as the opening song (besides the horn intro), The World At Large, to the closer, The Good Times Are Killing Me.

Overall, the album as a whole is good, but it will never match the greatness that is The Moon & Antarctica, but it will live up as a turning point for Modest Mouse, into evolving into a more mature band. This album is worth listening to, because majority of the songs fit into a theme that there is always 'Good News For People Who Love Bad News.'

Rate: 4 out of 5

[Kirobaito]

<img src="http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c413/c41338mxih3.jpg">

Artist: John Denver
Album: Poems, Prayers, and Promises
Year Released: 1971
Review or Summary:

After three relatively unsuccessful albums, John Denver released Poems, Prayers, and Promises in 1971, and it was an immediate success, highlighted by classic folk and country tunes that are some of his most well-known and best-loved songs.

The tone established by the album is set up with its first three songs, to be later discussed. A very pleasant, yet in a way sad, mood is set, with no instruments other than a guitar, which is the prevailing concept of this album.

The album opens up with the title track, a simple ballad of John and his guitar, singing as a man looking back on his life, yet at the same time looking forward to growing old. This song was later released on two different greatest hits albums.

By far the most successful of the songs on this album is perhaps Denver's most legendary and successful hit, <i>Take Me Home, Country Roads</i>. The unofficial state song of West Virginia continues to be loved by all JD fans. This song breaks from most of the other songs on the album with its upbeat and happy sound, which is understandable - it was the final song added to the album, after John performed it at a club and received encore after encore.

Also included in this album is <i>Sunshine on my Shoulders</i>, a song that went to #1 on both the pop and country charts not in 1971, but in 1974, when for some random and ridiculous reason it was re-released on the <i>Greatest Hits</i> album, even though the song got no attention its first release. It has the same conflicting emotions of a sad, yet content person.

Poems, Prayers, and Promises also includes a decent cover of the Beatles' <i>Let it Be</i>, which brings a more folky sound to the McCartney classic. The legendary piano is replaced with - you guessed it, a guitar. Even Beatles fans acknowledge that he did a good job establishing a different kind of mood, and in a way making the song his own. <i>My Sweet Lady</i> continues with the John-and-guitar theme, as a classic love hymn making a commitment to a partner. Other less known, yet decent songs, include <i>I Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado</i>, <i>Gospel Changes</i>, and <i>The Box</i>.

This album launched Denver into stardom, and though probably not as well respected as his two most popular albums - Back Home Again and Windsong - this is a fine addition to any folk music fan's collection. The album begins to fade in quality toward the end, with <i>Around and Around</i> and <i>Fire and Rain</i>, which could be its knack. Though it contains several undeniable classics, it doesn't quite have the all-around depth that Windsong achieved in 1975. Probably John's 3rd best album, which may not mean much to some, but with the career that he put together over 16 years, 3rd best is pretty darn good.

Rate: 4.2

[Jack]

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins
Album: Adore
Year Released: 1998
Review or Summary:

After the behemoth double album Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness which sold millions world wide (and is one of the top-ranking Rock Sellers in history) which was IMO the closing note on what Grunge could (and would do), Billy Corgan sat down and started work on their new record.

Considering the fact the Pumpkins had promised that their new album would be different, and taking in account the tradegies that had struck the band since the release of MCIS (Drummer in Sacked and in Rehab, Touring Keyboardist overdoesed and the death of Billy's Mother) People should have expected the mood of Adore.
No amount of preperation worked on the mainstream press. They loathed it. Gone (Apparantly) were the "Smash and grab" riffs of previous albums, gone were the rock athems of depression. In their place were softer tones, electric synthsised undercurrents and certainly to obvious "RAWK" moments.

However, all the the typical Pumpkins was here, just slowed down and made deeper. Those who though the emotional honesty of Siamese Dream was deep, Adore plunged the knife deeper. With songs about Love, the loss of Love and general loss, Adore could be considered depressing. This is a shame really because underneath it all, Is Corgans most personal, poetic lyrics with true meaning behind them. The Synths are nothing new, but instead of helping the songs, they ARE the songs which means the songs will never have the same spirit live. This doesn't matter, as without them, the album wouldn't have the same resonance.

Songs like "To Sheila" are delicate, like Porcelain, contrasted immediatly with the brash looping bass of "Ava Adore" which are hars "You're the one I adore, you'll always be my whore, We must never be apart"
"Daphne Descends" and "For Martha" are also poetic. A wonderful album.


Rate: 4.5

[jrgen]

Artist: Orphaned Land
Album: Mabool
Year Released: 2004

Review or Summary:
Mabool is the lastest release of the israeli band Orphaned Land, which they released eight years after their previous release El Norra Alila. Orphaned Land have without a doubt changed a lot in sound during the eight years of silence. Their previous albums The Beloved's Cry, Sahara and El Norra Alila are not entirely similar, but they share some attributes, which make Orphaned Land so unique. They are mainly Extreme Metal mixed with Middle Eastern folk music.

With Mabool however, they have developed their music even further. It tells the story of Noah's Arc, but with a little tweak. Even though it is historically impossible it's about a Jew, a Christian and a Muslim
struggling to survive the Flood (Mabool) together. I believe this is some kind of statement towards the current situation in Israel. On this album they focus a lot more on the Folk aspect of their music. You can also find beautiful piano and violin parts in some of the songs. When it comes to the metal aspect of this album, you will find all different kinds of metal. There are influences from Thrash, Death, Doom Metal and a lot more. The lyrics are English and Hebrew in all songs except one, which is sung in Latin. Every song is unique, but they always keep a high quality.

The whole album is very professionally made and the musical diversity is tremendous. It took a long very time to develop, but it was well worth it. It is one of those albums that just feel complete and should be listened to as one piece rather than individual tracks. Definately one of the strongest releases of 2004. If you buy the limited edition you will also receive an acoustic live CD. I recommend this album to everyone who likes interesting and original music.

Rate: 4.7 of 5

You can download their latest video here: Orphaned Land - Norra el Norra

[Chris]

Artist: Grace Jones
Album: Island Life
Year Release: 1985
Rate:

Grace Jones is a lady whose consistently managed to stun and shock people; even up to this day. Many might only know her by her image and a couple of movies she did in the mid eighties, but surprise! Surprise! She's also a singer. In fact; Grace Jones got signed in 1977 and stormed the charts with her lead single "I Need a Man" and the album Portfolio was a huge success, in spite of the albums success Grace didn't really achieve the amount of success she'd hoped for. Her second lp followed in 1978; titled Fame. After a fair amount of success (#1 hit single with "I Need a Man and a gold selling rendition of "La Vie En Rose") she finally received her due. The single "Do or Die" hit #8 on the dance charts and the album was named one of the `most important disco albums' of the seventies.

Her third (and last) disco lp followed in 1979 called Muse, you can't really blame the album for its lack of success and exposure, especially when you consider the disco riot that occurred in the late seventies. Despite of the incident, the album did have one somewhat successful song with "On Your Knees" which ought to be her last successful disco single. As disco slowly (or rather quickly) faded, Grace decided to change her image, and received help from her now ex-husband Jean Paul Goude. Together they created this mythological androgynous warrior, with the image followed her new music style, main stream rock fused with punk/ reggae. The bearing of the new image came in 1980; in titled Warm Leatherette and whatever success she did not receive in her disco years; she certainly did with this one.

The album was a hit; earning rave reviews for its sauciness and uniqueness, take her handle of the classic "Love Is the Drug" and her ferocious growl and squirm of "Private Life" if perfect had a definition "Private Life" would certainly be it. In 1981 followed the release of what ought to be her most successful record; Nightclubbing. The album includes the #5 hit single "Pull Up to the Bumper" and the album peaked at #32 on the Billboard Chart, it was also crowned "album of the year" in 1981. Songs included on this compilation, the eerie "Walking in the Rain" the hit song "Pull Up to the Bumper" and the truly terrific "I've Seen That Face Before." In 1982 she received a Grammy nomination for her One Man Show and the album "Living My Life" soon followed, producing two hit singles "My Jamaican Guy" and "Nipple to the Bottle." In 1985 followed her most successful single yet; Slave to the Rhythm, which is a lush tune perfectly complimented by a gorgeous music video. "Inside Story" and "Bulletproof Heart" followed in 1986 and 1989.

[Rainecloud]

Artist: Lene Marlin
Album: Another Day
Year Released: 2003

Summary: After waiting for more than three long years since her first groundbreaking album, fans of Lene Marlin have finally got their hands on her latest project - 'Another Day'. Although first impressions of the album are somewhat disappointing, the old Lene shines brightly through the veil of clouds after the first few tracks. Her soft, fragile-sounding voice is that of an enchanting angel, and the lyrics contained within her works of art are simply magnificent. This album is not to be compared with her previous efforts. Lene has 'grown up' (so to speak) since her first album, and her maturity can be both seen and heard throughout 'Another Day'. All in all, this album is an excellent piece of work from a very talented young lady.

Rating: 4/5.

[Brian The Pink Shark]

Artist: Judas Priest
Album: Angel Of Retribution
Year Released: 2005
Review: Angel of Retribution is Judas Priest's first Album since singer Rob Halford rejoined. It opens up with the brilliant "Judas Rising" which starts off witha quiet guitar riff which builds up and becomes really heavy, this is a brilliant song for Halford to make his prescence known again. The second song "Deal with The Devil" brings back some classic Priest, and sets the tone of the album. "Revolution" is a brilliant song to sing along with,it is powerful and when heard live(which i have) it really sets the crowd moving and shouting. "Angel" the 6th song on the Album shows a side of Priest that is hardly ever shown, a much gentler side from the metal gods, the song is very moving and brilliant and shows just ranged Judas Priest are. The next song "Hellrider" is a brilliant classic-priest style song with great guitaring coming from K.K Downing and Glen Tipton. The second last song "Eulogy" is a bit of a let down as it has no great music and Halford's vocals are a bit bad here, but this leads into the brilliant "Lochness" a 14 minute masterpiece of a song with great lyrics and music.

Angel of Retribution also comes with a bonus DVD with a documentary on Priest and 6 live videos of some of their greater songs. Angle of Retribution is definetly one of Priest's greatest albums, probably the best since Brittish Steel, which is saying a lot.

Rate: 4.5

[Shoeberto]

<b>Artist:</b> UNKLE
<b>Album:</b> Psyence Fiction
<b>Year Released:</b> 1998
<b>Review:</b> UNKLE is a collaborative group compiling together James Levelle and DJ Shadow, and their first full release (and the only one featuring Shadow) is a brilliant album full of scifi sounds and sprawling song concepts. Shadow's recognizable heavy beats and dark low-key samples are prevalant here, but seem a little more fleshed out than in his other efforts. Probably the most stand-out point of the album is all of the outside collaborations with other artists, such as Thom Yorke of Radiohead on "Rabbit In Your Headlights" and Richard Ashcroft of The Verve on "Lonely Soul," which is easily the standout song of the album. It is a melting pot of genres, starting out with pretty heavy gangster-style rap (made all the more easier to listen to due to Shadow's masterful manipulation of sound) and continues on to pop-sounds, rock, and even a full string section in the middle of the album with "Lonely Soul." The only thing that feels very out of place is Mike D from Beasty Boys, whose rapping on "The Knock (Drums of Death pt. 2)" sounds like it was ripped straight out of their single from the time, "Intergalactic." If you like things that deviate from the norm, blending multiple styles to achieve a single effect, check this out. It blews me away when I first listened to it.
<b>Rating:</b> 5 out of 5

[BlackRibon]

Album: Dark side of the moon
Artist: Pink Floyd
Year: 1973
Rate: 5 out of 5

[Brian The Pink Shark]

Album: Dark side of the moon
Artist: Pink Floyd
Year: 1973
Rate: 5 out of 5

your right blackribbon finding words for that album are impossible

[BlackRibon]

your right blackribbon finding words for that album are impossible [/QUOTE]

Dark side is the best album ever realised!!!

[Jack]

Artist: Nirvana
Album: Nevermind
Year Released: 1991
Review or Summary:

There need be no back-drop to Nirvana's "Nevermind" since it's story has been told the world over. Which is quite funny because there really wasn't one considering Nirvana's apprant "Rock God". Remember, this is the album that brought Grunge effectivly into the mainstream, one of the most hallowed works in music history, the alnbum that (apparantly) defined a genneration of dis-sastified teens, the infamous Genneration X. Nirvana (after this album) became the poster child of Teenagers of America and even with their follow up In Utero that was so deliberatly un-mainstream (and also probably more of a polished album) couldn't stunt their rise to the "Biggest Band In The World".
Then Kurt killed himself and Nevermind became more famous by being the work of "Saint" Kurt.

However it's no longer 1991. It's 2005 and I decided to look again at Kurt's "Masterpeiece." I first bourght this album in 2004 simply cause I'd had enough of people saying it was really great and I shouldn't like other Grunge bands better and I definetly shouldn't like the Pixies. However, it rarely got put on and onoly when others were around to shut them up. Hence, I've never really listened to it, but I'm ready to re-evaluate my ignorance of Kurt, Dave and Chris's album since I really liked In Utero.I only listened to the popular songs on Nevermind (which I'd already copied off my friends PC) Hence my Review OF THE WHOLE ALLBUM...

Nevermind opens with the un-doubted Alt-Rock classic "Smells Like Teen Spirit" At first, the song comes off as a Pixies Rip-Off, heavilly borrowing from the style of Doolitle. However, the lyrics punch more emotional depth (Not hard considering the Pixies lack of self-study songs, prefering to sing about situations and experiences, no emotions). It's clear why this song relates to the kids of 1991, and I agree it's a classic song. Indeed, no matter how many times I've heard this song in my friends houses or on the Radio it doesn't lose it's rating of "quite good". Cobain's voice on all the ongs captures the dis-effected breathing that would reflect upon many a listener and with a open mind, it's fair to see why the album is so popular.
The songs "In Bloom" "Come As You Are" "Breed" "Lithuim" follow the same template really, with the first and the latter prefering a slower strum of the acoustics and Cobains's non-direct lyrics sit in the brain. Because of the lack of specifics, the immagination fills in the gaps. "Breed" hints at In Utero's style and any album containing a song as good as "Come As You Are" is unbdoubtably good.However the next song "Polly", a song about a rape victim is deeply dark, and it's here where Nirvana strddle the fine line between genius and deeply worrying. Hearing Kurt song "Cut yourself" strikes a chord in the listener and this song IMO is brilliant.
However, it starts to go downhill (and I expect some flak for this)
"Territorial Pissings" sounds like a faster "Scentless Apprentice" but it's noise is weak and it sounds like a deliberate attempt to follow the trail set by "Breed". This IMO weak song is followed by "Drain You" which contains Cobains' good lyrics but the music is weak and doesn't quite hold together. It's certainly not as good as the earlier attempts on this album, and since it's fair to compare this song to others on the album, I get the song. It just doesn't grab this listener until it goes into it's instrumental bit half-way through. This is where the song impresses and it certainly impresses a un-educated listener.
However, I know it sounds too much like early Sonic Youth to meerly be a ccident. It sounds like a rip-off of "Freezer Burn" (Of their Confusion Is Sex/Kill Yr. Idols) and it disapoints because I go back to the earliers songs and they are good, but then going back the closing songs and it's clear Mr Cobain has ran out of ideas. "Lounge Act" is a good example, being BY FAR utter rubbish. Even Butch Vig's production values (Which Nirvana borrowed after listening to The Smashing Pumpkins's Gish) can't save this song.
"Stay Away" is also utter tripe, with lyrics obviously inspired by the Pixies but replaced with Cobain's dis-interested howl, and it certainly is no match for Black Francis's wolf call.
"On A Plain" on first listen is like a faster "Lithium" (listen close). On second listen, it doesn't shake that claim but it's far more refined than the loose babblings on the songs before it.
"Something In The Way" is where I can see why people like this album. It's a affecting song, with a disponent musing that is beautiful and I really like. As good (if not better) as the earlier songs.
However, the hidden track is a nightmare and is scarily rubbish. It's funny really that the hidden track is one that should be well and trully hidden away.
In conclusion, this album has about 7 out of 13 good songs and the rest vary from obvious filler to nightmarish noise. On this listen, I can't see why this album is hallowed the world over for just the opening songs. Many albums open fantastically but close badly. Why all the whoo-rar about this one. In Utero is a better album, more polished, with it being obvious that Kurt knows better how to make a finer album. Its obvious to see why this album sold so much considering the genius of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and the other singles, with the mainstream audience buying just for them. But it does beg the question... did they actually listen to the album or where they really listening to the press telling them they needed this album or did they get to track 6 and then start all again? Or were they too busy thinking Mr Cobain was singing things relating to them and being all depressive along with his detactched musings to the obvious dis-sasitfaction of someone from Seattle?

Rate: 3.8 out of 5