Right, as I said, I'm going to be updating this thread as I check out full albums by the various bands and artists. So here's the first part of that:
Bands and artists from round 1, part a:Mumford & Sons (antigoon)
I’m really glad you submitted a song by them, as it got me listening to the album on Spotify, and I liked it so much I just couldn’t stop listening! So in the end I got my brother to buy me the CD for Christmas, and it’s still getting regular listens. The blend of folk and Radiohead-esque rock is just brilliant and it keeps the album varied and interesting, but still very coherent and consistent. My favourite songs I think would have to be White Blank Page, I Gave You All, and Thistle & Weeds. All the big sounding songs basically; they’re really good at those! Obviously they just have the one album at the moment so it’s early days, but I’m looking forward to whatever they do next.
Sigh No More [2009] – 9/10 –
(Owned on CD)Oceansize (zxlkho)
I’m really liking Oceansize so far. I’ve given Frames a good few listens and it’s such a solid album, very interesting all the way through. Quite a lot of it was like the song you submitted, in that ‘new-prog’ kind of style, but there’s a good amount of diversity on the album as well, particularly in some of the heavier parts. I’ve also given the new album a couple of listens as well, and it’s also extremely good, although it slightly lacks the consistent quality of Frames in my opinion. Still, both are excellent albums. Is it worth me checking out the earlier albums as well?
Frames [2007] – 8/10
Self-Preserved While the Bodies Float Up [2010] – 7/10
Agalloch (Portrucci)
Agalloch do a really amazing job of creating a bleak, wintery atmosphere. It’s not something I can listen to all the time, but when I’m in the right mood, especially on cold days, it’s just ideal. The Mantle in particular I really like, very well written and a great listen. I like Ashes… as well, although a little less so, but I’m not sure what it is. I think it’s just a few sections in a couple of songs where I lose interest, whereas there’s nothing like that on The Mantle. I need to check out their latest album at some point, but it’s not on Spotify yet.
The Mantle [2002] – 8/10
Ashes Against the Grain [2006] – 7/10
Seventh Wonder (UMH)
Some really nice prog metal! I’ve given Mercy Falls a fair few listens now, and it’s a very good album, although my one issue is that it’s a little unnecessarily long. Aside from that, I like it a lot; I said when you submitted the title track that it reminded me of a more tasteful SX, and I think that vibe is there for the whole album, and the good songs are
really good. I’ve also listened to their new album a couple of times, and it’s still good but to be honest I’m less keen on it because it really is quite cheesy. I thought they had a great balance on MF, but the new one just goes too far for me.
I’d be interested in hearing what the older stuff is like though.
Mercy Falls [2008] – 7/10
The Great Escape [2010] – 6/10
Topic: ariich's Song Roulette - all done (Read 50366 times)
