I had a lot of fun with this round and I was genuinely surprised at how much I enjoyed a few of these. Have fun with the last round, everyone, and thanks for playing. Found dozens and dozens of awesome artists to give my money to. I want to see what you've got for the last round. Go crazy, fight for your spot, see if you can bump it up, or be like Parama and cut your losses.
* * *
1. Shadow Gallery - Tyranny
1998; progressive metal
sent by Puppies_On_AcidThis. Album. Rules. I get a huge Mindcrime/RFO-era Queensryche vibe from this album, and since I just got into that band, this is hitting all the right marks. The production on the vocals is perfect (nevermind his singing - what a great voice!), I love the gang vocals and the harmonies. First time I heard "War For Sale" I knew this was going to be an awesome album. What a great singer. The drums are speedy and powerful, the guitars have a lot of ballz n chunk to them, and the keyboards - the keyboards! Prog metal keyboard madness. I don't even really care about the concept here, this is just a super entertaining album, and a rare exception to my disdain for super long metal albums: 73 minutes and it doesn't drag. I can't get enough of that amazing keyboard playing, and there's a tendency to hang on to a final chord in a progression and really let the final guitar/keyboard notes sing until the transition comes in, which I love. It's intelligent composition. And it just doesn't slow down. "Chased" is super fast, love those tight rhythmic parts like at 3:10, it's also present in "Stiletto In The Sand" at the start. This album gets better each time I play it. This album makes me realize I'm not bored at all with metal... I'm just super picky, but there's still plenty out there that tickles my fancy, and I simply need to find people to show me where it is. A wide range of tempos, instrumentation, and moods makes me fall in love with Tyranny. This deserves every point it gets. In a word: spectacular. Going to look for a copy of this immediately.
10/10Favorite tracks: War For Sale; Chased; Ghost of a Chance
* * *
2. Wetton/Downes - Icon 3
2009; rock
sent by StadlerThis is almost cheating. You know how much I love the original Asia, particularly Alpha, and how John Wetton's voice and Downes' keyboard playing appeals to me. "Twice The Man I Was" is a solid rocker, the perfect opening track. Hell, it sounds like it could go on an Asia album. I can't lie, I'm not picking up on the homage you pointed out on "Destiny" but that's still a lovely song with great instrumentation: bells, woodwinds, strings, horns, and a rock band! "Green Lights and Blue Skies" - other than those affected vocals, it's perfect, what a killer vibe it puts out. "Follow, follow your dreams" - chills. Stadler, I think you know how some singers just resonate with an individual. It could be the quality of their voice, their delivery, the lyrics - John Wetton's got all three in spades and it just hits me in the heart on songs like "My Life Is In Your Hands" and "Never Thought I'd See You Again." Geoff Downes doing some very cool things in the background of the latter, by the way. "Sex, Power, and Money" is the black sheep of the album, but you know what? I like it, just like some of the cheesier tracks on Asia's albums. It just works for them, I can't explain it. "Under the Sky" is beautiful, not my favorite, but it's close. I like that you said Wetton is not the best lyricist. That's true, but sometimes, I don't need Bill Shakespeare in my music. I need honest, heartfelt lyrics that match the music. And I love me some John Wetton. It's a shame it's so hard to find any of this album's music online. I can't stop listening to this. I love it.
9.5/10Favorite tracks: Twice The Man I Was; Green Lights and Blue Skies; Peace In Our Time
* * *
3. Mark Knopfler - Kill to Get Crimson
2007; blues rock/folk rock
sent by EvermindThis is really, really good. Between this and buying Dire Straits' self titled earlier this year, I regret not listening to them many years ago. This is about where I was going with music before the roulette began, so this is resonating with me big time. I love how every song has plenty of room for everything to breathe. He has a lovely voice. I don't think there are any duds here, but a few don't do much for me, like "The Fish And The Bird" and "Madame Geneva's" but perhaps they could over time. Poetry in lyrics and beautiful melodies with nice folky instrumentation - the accordion is great to hear in "Let It All Go" and "Secondary Waltz." This is really nice to put on when I just want to chill, but still want some musical activity. Oh, and the sax in "In The Sky" takes that to another level. Heck yeah. Excellent album.
9.5/10Favorite songs: True Love Will Never Fade; Heart Full of Holes; In The Sky
* * *
4. Fishmans - Long Season
1996; dub/dream pop
sent by SaculI think this is the weirdest album I've received in the whole roulette. One song split into 5 seamless parts. I really didn't get it the first time through. But the second time, it clicked. I turned it on at home, pumped up the bass on my monitors and just soaked in it. Parts 1 and 2 are awesome, they build on their ideas organically and the transitions are seamless and unjarring (reminds me of Ommadawn, which tooks its time and never had an abrupt or awkward transition). Love the sound of the drums on this album, and the beats used under the pretty piano and other instruments. The vocals are beautiful, I'm not sure if there are actual lyrics or not but I enjoy the melodies and how they add to the intensity as the parts build. What I don't like is the end of part 2 and most of part 3. The sounds of something splashing into water are way too loud for me. Honestly, it sounds like someone's dropping bombs in a deserted restroom. But it's okay, after some experimental stuff they get back to the real good stuff in part 4, and then part 5 is a reprise of previous ideas. Love the addition of the accordion. This album is so weird, so experimental, so... out there. I really do love this album apart from my quibbles with part 3. It's probably the most artsy album of the roulette, but it's got a vibe I dig the hell out of.
9.0/10Favorite tracks: Part 1; Part 2; Part 5
* * *
5. Secret Sphere - A Time Never Come
2001; progressive power metal
sent by LetheanSo, Lethean, we discussed the two versions of this album. It has to be talked about first. I listened to the rerecording first, but I'm going with the original for the final score. The original, 2001 version of this album rocks. Hard. It is produced just the way I like my power metal, but I'm also biased to the 90s and early 2000s period of power metal, so that helps. The keyboards sound good in the 2001 version, but somehow the 2015 rerecording not only removes all the crunch and power of the original songs in general, but the keyboards especially sound worse. Truly terrible, as if it was recorded on a cheap Casio, not worth paying money for - the original has a far better sound (These problems have plagued other bands rerecording old albums, and I don't get why it keeps happening). Luppi's voice is great but the way it is mixed removes all the power that is present in the original. The lyrics are so-so, not bad, not amazing, but they get the job done. In this case I'll take Messina over Luppi. I don't think Luppi sounds bad when he goes higher, per se, but on songs like "The Brave" Messina just delivers the higher vocals better. This is a fun album that I've loved playing at the gym. Lots of double bass drumming, speedy solos and riffing, but sprinkles of piano and softer moments throughout. Really cool stuff here Lethean, thanks for making me pay attention to Secret Sphere again. Solid, early 2000s progpower, speedy and keyboard-heavy, just the way I like it...
8.5/10Favorite tracks: Legend; The Brave; Hamelin
* * *
6. Dec Burke - Destroy All Monsters
2010; prog rock
sent by jingle.boyLet's get right to it: "Signs of Life" reminds me of the soundtracks to the Snowboard Kids video games - games whose music has heavily influenced what I like in keyboard-heavy metal and rock more than anything else. So, that song is just fucking incredible, full stop. That said, I'm still not sure about the whole thing. It's grown on me a bit but there are some songs that don't do much for me. His voice didn't appeal to me at first, and still doesn't (it might be how it's mixed?), but I won't stop a song because of it, either. I do like how the piano comes out to play on the back half of the album, but I love the electronic elements throughout. There's one noticeable flaw, however: "Promised" is for some reason quieter than the rest of the album, which is strange, but hopefully that is just the Spotify version. So, this album is a bit inconsistent to me, but I'm interested in Dec Burke now. (And really, nobody has submitted anything that sounds like Signs of Life, so you get props for that alone. I really love that it invokes memories of those old games' music for me, even if this wasn't inspired by games at all.)
8.5/10Favorite tracks: Winter to Summer; Signs of Life; Small Hours
* * *
7. Caspian - Dust and Disquiet
2015; post-rock
sent by homeThis album continues your streak of sending beautiful music. At first I thought they sometimes leaned too heavily on the God Is An Astronaut vibe, but more listens made me realize they're so different. Melodies are playful but timid in the softer moments, and aggressive and commanding when they go heavy. "Sad Heart of Mine" is one of those songs that sounds like Explosions In The Sky; "Darkfield" brings up those God Is An Astronaut vibes. The title track is an awesome closer. I only have two quibbles. The ending of Arcs of Command gets a bit old after the first time and has me ending the song before it properly finishes. I'm also not a fan of "Run Dry" - it has lyrics yet I think the instrumental tracks still manage to say more than this. They're not big complaints, though. I suppose I could've used more variety in mood, though, as it sounds kind of one note. Really good stuff though, man.
8.5/10Favorite tracks: Sad Heart of Mine; Darkfield; Dust and Disquiet
* * *
8. Petter Carlsen - Clocks Don't Count
2011; indie rock
sent by ariichThis is a curious album... Straightforward indie rock, but with artistic flair. The upbeat tracks are speedy and energetic. He has a great voice and knows how to use it. Love how the keyboards complement the guitars in moments like the end of "Spirits In Need," but the guitar also stands out on its own. Really good playing with some tasty licks through the whole album. Don't think I didn't notice the sax in here, too - always happy to hear that thing in any amount, so "Even Dead Things Feel Your Love" immediately became one of my favorites. His voice reminds me of a lot of prog rock, actually. Nothing in particular, just a general vibe - is he in any prog rock groups? I do find myself a little bored by the end, although the last track is emotional and very pretty, but overall I found myself enjoying this, particularly on the road to and from Chicago this week.
8.0/10Favorite tracks: Spirits In Need; Even Dead Things Feel Your Love; Waiting In The Wings
* * *
9. Oceansize - Frames
2007; progressive rock
sent by ParamaThis comes in 9th, but just look at the scores for everyone else: this is not a bad album, in fact, this is a great album. It's prog rock, but it's got elements of post-rock, too. They take fairly simple and easy to digest musical ideas, then expand upon them. Lots of cool rhythmic ideas, nothing too crazy but just enough to give the music some spice. But man, are the songs long! Could've trimmed a little fat here and there. I love how the drums keep driving the song forward in "Unfamiliar" as the guitars twinkle above it all. But then it picks up big time without losing the mood. This album is really cool that way - it does lots of things but they never lose sight of what the song is about. I kind of wish they didn't even have a singer, because the rest of the band is so on point, but he does such a good job with "Savant" that it's not a problem, that's definitely one of my favorites. "An Old Friend of the Christy's" is another favorite of mine; a lengthy, dark track that paints a picture without words. Not too crazy about "Sleeping Dogs and Dead Lions" but the title track at the end makes up for it and ends on a strong note. Did I mention I really enjoy the drummer's style? This is a cool album, though it needs a lot of trimming.
8.0/10Favorite tracks: Unfamiliar; Savant; An Old Friend of the Christy's
* * *
10. The Cure - Disintegration
1989; goth rock
sent by Tomislav95I don't really know anything about The Cure. This isn't a bad album, but I don't think it's doing much for me. I am impressed this is an 80s record; it sounds too sophisticated and lacking corny synth patches to belong to that decade, yet there it is. I really like songs like "Closedown." "Lullaby" has some really cool keyboard stuff going on - pizzicato strings, good stuff. As the album gets to the end though, I find myself disinterested. I think it's a combination of the singer, subdued vocal melodies, and some kind of hazy atmosphere that clouds the songs. It's hard to describe, I don't know much music in this style, but it's this heavy weight of... sadness, disappointment? that hangs over the album like a dark cloud. "Homesick" sounds like what I'm getting at. There are a ton of things I like scattered throughout the album, but I think it gets a little boring towards the end especially as the songs get longer. There's nothing I actually dislike here, but a lot that isn't grabbing me. I know The Cure is big, though, and I wouldn't mind checking out something else at some point. This one might require a rainy day to really appreciate, though I really wish the whole album was more like "Pictures of You" - very cool vibe, I love that song.
7.5/10Favorite tracks: Pictures of You; Closedown; Lullaby
* * *
Scores1. Stadler - 63.0
2. Sacul - 63.0
3. Evermind 62.5
4. home - 61.5
5. jingle.boy - 61.0
6. Tomislav - 58.5
7. Puppies_On_Acid - 57.0
8. ariich - 57.0
9. Lethean - 53.5
10. Parama - 53.5
Topic: Kattelox's Album Roulette - Party Time! Excellent! v. FIN (Read 105942 times)