Post-roulette updates, part 9/?
Category 1: Prelim elimination (complete)
Category 2: Compilation artists (complete)
Category 3: Concept album artists
Category 4: Cyril's extravaganza
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Cyril
Eluvium – Static Nocturne (2010)
Category 4: Cyril's post-roulette extravaganza
Ok I have pretty mixed feelings towards this. On the more positive end of things, it’s clearly been crafted with a lot of thought and care. It’s very… pretty, for want of a better word, and atmospheric and richly produced. I think I’d love it if it were, say, incidental music to a video game. Something very much in the background that enhances the foreground. It’s a standalone piece of music though, and so as pleasant as it is, there’s just not enough happening to interest me at all really. The whole thing feels like an intro that never reaches the main event.
Rating: 6.5/10
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Cyril
Even the Trees – If Only Every Day Could Be Like This (2018)
Category 4: Cyril's post-roulette extravaganza
I agree with you that half of this is a lot stronger than the rest, mostly the second half although This Ends Now is one of my favourites. I'm not as keen on it as you overall though. For the good stuff, it's still not really 9/10 territory for me as it is for you - it's really good post-hardcore and in particular there's some of the more atmospheric stuff in the second half is really nice, but there aren't any wow moments for me. And the weaker stuff, I just honestly find quite bland. Never bad or unpleasant at all, it's all fine, it's just a bit boring and the better stuff doesn't manage to make up for it.
Rating: 7.5/10
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Clortho
Cowboy Junkies – Black Eyed Man (1992)
Category 3: Concept album artists
Looks like some more country that I can add to my collection (I know it’s not pure country, and also they’re Canadian, but close enough). I’ve actually found the song you included in your roulette (which I liked) one of the more middling ones on the album - it’s nice stuff for sure but there are a few songs that I find more engaging, particularly a couple of more soulful ones. Not every song is killer, but it’s all solid, there are some real standouts, and the whole thing has a really nice consistent warmth to it.
Rating: 8/10
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Luoto
Diablo – Silvër Horizon (2015)
Category 3: Concept album artists
I've just realised that three of the songs on your concept album were recent singles not from an album (including the Wilderun). So for Diablo I've checked out their latest full length. It's good stuff. I wasn't actually sure at first - none of the choruses felt as memorable as Grace Under Pressure, and some of the riffing on the album seems a little… scruffy I guess? But it's grown on me quite a bit. Their heavier stuff doesn't seem especially exciting for the most part (though there are good moments) but it's all solid enough, and actually there are some great hooks all over the album once you get used to them. And yeah you're right about their style, there are elements of various metal genres present (MDM, thrash, metalcore) which is quite an enjoyable mix.
Rating: 8/10
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Puppies
Equilibrium – Rekreatur (2010)
Category 3: Concept album artists
Didn’t entirely know what to expect from these guys as it was an instrumental you included on your concept album, and it was really enjoyable and pretty over the top folk-metal. Turns out, the whole album is basically like that, just with harsh vocals. It’s the sort of thing I might sometimes find a bit cheesy, but they pull it off really well and it ends up being a lot of fun. There’s an early-Children-of-Bodom vibe at times, which I definitely wasn’t expecting. Standout tracks so far are the opener and the amusingly-named Fahrtwind (which I’m sure means something perfectly sensible in German).
Rating: 8/10
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