Round 3 results!!
lonestar - Ghost Bath - Seraphic
Dude, my impression says it all, seriously, what the fuck is this? I can't take it seriously with these umm....'vocals' going on here. The music I guess is okay, but again, I can't take these upbeat melodies seriously with the wailing going on behind it. I'm sorry, I feel bad to keep kicking you when you're down, but I'm not feeling your style and this for me, was flat out awful.
Score - 3.5
Sacul - Boris - Korosu
So, at first I didn't mind this. I kinda dig the vibe. I'm quite partial to a bit of stoner and sludge even though this seemed a bit more modern and even punky but overall this was fine. I'm generally not a fan of songs in different languages though and it kind of hurt this one for me. Definitely my issue but I like what I like. The novelty of it wore out quick quickly too. I mean, it was fine, just not something I'd reach for at all.
Score - 5.0
Shadow Ninja - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Papa Won't Leave You, Henry
So, I know Nick Cave, he's a pretty big name in the alternate music world over here. He's very well respected, and I know a couple of his songs, but he's one of those artists, that I never really could understand the appeal of. I guess, I just never 'got' what he was about and why people thought so highly of him. This was a really interesting song though. I was right though after my impression that the novelty wore off after the first listen. Again, this is just not really something for me. The chorus is a bit of an earworm I will admit but while I respect Nick for his status over here, he can do his thing, we are just not really a match.
Score - 5.25
romdrums - sleepmakeswaves - Worlds Away
It's funny I've received a few of these longer instrumental type pieces so far in this roulette. Unfortunately though, this one again didn't really stick with me. Honestly, the sounds and atmosphere of it are quite nice but I just felt myself drifting and not paying attention throughout the whole thing. I had to pull myself back in to focus back on the song. Like some of the others, fine background or study music or whatever but not for me. A shame cause I see they are from Australia.
Score - 5.25
Stadler - R.E.M. - Feeling Gravity's Pull
This is another band I obviously know but only from their radio hits. I've always enjoyed their hits though. Not really a band that would come on the radio and I've wanted to flick it off. This was an interesting song but had a nice dark, brooding atmosphere and definitely a bit different to what I had heard before from them. I've always quite enjoyed Stipe's voice too. Overall, this is a nice song and I liked it each time it came on. Again, not something really I'd go looking for but cements they are a quality respectable band with good songwriting skills. The score I guess is a little low but I have to stand by it. Was a solid song without really blowing me away.
Score - 6.75
twosuitluke - Moonlight Sorcery - The Moonlit Dance of the Twisted Jester's Blood-soaked Rituals
So, I get the sense here you've sent this with some trepidation. What I mean is I feel you sent me something short, instrumental with elements I would like that sits inside a small box. Small enough that it wouldn't be overflowing with things I can critique it on. Well, I guess it worked and it was a tasty 3 minute instrumental so you're right, there's nothing here that really gives me reason to knock it. However, there's not a lot here either for me to really excel the scoring on it. I did like the couple of slick key changes in the back half, nice touch. It's a solid 7, nothing more, nothing less.
Score - 7.0
Reaper - Fair to Midland - Dance of the Manatee
Now, this is totally not what I thought it was going to be. I thought they were a harsh vocals band but I just realised who I had mixed them up with so this was totally unexpected. That verse was pretty awful though for me but when the chorus hit, that's pretty damn fucking good. The contrast between the verses and chorus annoyed me a little cause that chorus is tasty with nice vocals. I really liked the Faith No More inspired middle section too. Some Incubus vibes here and there too. Overall though, what I liked about it outweighed the verses quite a bit. Would be interested to heard what else these guys do because it's certainly something unique to me. Maybe there's more to them in other songs?
Score - 7.25
Dr. DTVT. - Orphaned Land - Birth of the Three
Interesting song this one. It definitely got more interesting as it went on. I wasn't the biggest fan of the first half, middle eastern flavoured metal normally doesn't really sit all that well with me, but all in all it was fine. This really didn't get going until the 3 minute mark for me though. That extra kick up in tempo was most welcomed and pulled me back in with the melodies in that guitar solo really interesting and hooked me in. I quite liked the harsh vocals in this part too and those key changes worked really nicely too. I guess the contrast between the first half and second half annoyed me a little, but that second half definitely saved the score and made me take notice of them. I remember checking them out in the past but not being too impressed so this song definitely changed that and sparked my interest again.
Score - 7.25
ariich - Whispered - Tsukiakari
Now as my impression said, pretty impressive melodic death metal, black metal whatever you want to call it. You were surprised these guys weren't on the banned list and yes, I've tried them before but I can't fully say why I didn't get into them more. I think I figured it out, I've heard this before. The Japanese novelty is cool but all in all, this is pretty good but it didn't fully grab me in. So I think it's one of those bands you can say, 'yeah, this is cool,' but that's as far as it goes. I'll go back to this album afterwards but I think the more I listened the more I just thought that, 'yeah, cool,' I'm fine with a band not producing anything new and again while it's quality stuff, it doesn't beat the bands of this style I already know. However, everything about it was really well done and all super quality.
Score - 7.5
Lonk - Rivers of Nihil - Subtle Change
Something about this round where there is contrasting qualities in the same song. I've heard these guys before. I can't recall if I've checked any albums or whatnot, the cover on this one looks familiar, but I knew what I was getting, however, didn't expect so many twists and turns. The first half once again really didn't do anything for me. I found it a little disjointed and incoherent and had to keep making myself to pay attention. The vocals, are okay, not the greatest harsh vocals but get the job done. The song is made though in that second half. That section is just wonderful and the saxaphone, just amazing. This section almost makes me want to check out more of them as they potentially could grow, especially if they were to use sections like this more often. Again, like others, it was hurt by not grabbing my attention for the full song, but kudos on that second half. It even made me like the vocals more after this section so we'll see.
Score - 7.75
Jingle - Edge of Forever - Ritual III: Taunting Souls
I really should be deducting points for even offering up Del Vicchio, I really should. Nevertheless, I went into this one without any judgement and came out feeling positive. I was so big into melodic rock so many years ago, couldn't get enough but guys like Del Vicchio ruined it, so quite ironic you're trying to get me back into it by sending this plonker to me to listen to. It was easily the better out of the two with the wildcard submission though. I listened to the full song and it felt pretty all over the place so you were right to single out this section. This is quite cool and the midgit has a decent voice on him, he always has. At first I was kinda meh on it, but it did grow and the melodies and overall pace and groove were very rocking. The instrumental stuff was cool too. Again, nothing new here and didn't blow me away so I can't stretch it to an 8, but it's a definite........solid. Maybe I need to actually listen to some of this though..........
Score - 7.75
King - Miles Marker Zero - Towns To Grow Up In
Now, I should hate this. The poppy, upbeat style, the nostalgia style lyrics, 'kisses under stars,' 'nights with friends,' fucking give me a break, this sort of shit makes me sick. Yes, I'm a miserable fuck. But surprisingly, this really grew on me, I was shocked. The production and performances are very good, very clean, clear, quite refreshing. And I do think the pop/neo prog kinda style is refreshing without being too over the top. Tasty little solo in there too. I can look past the lyrics as the subject matter is portrayed with the music very cleverly, and really we all can relate to these kinds of lyrics in one way or another I'm just not in the mood for them currently, but it doesn't hurt the score. Nice songwriting too. Now, I'm not sure how much replay value this would have, but definitely different to what I'd normally like and who knows if a whole album is something that would do it for me, but this is a good start. Good stuff. The band only having a couple of albums will make it easy to dig into and see what they are about too.
Score - 8.0
Litho - The Absence - Deepest Wound
At first this just flew by. I wrote it off as generic melodeath, and really, that's what it is, but each listen I liked it more and more. The guitar underneath the chorus was very hooky, and you seem to be having a good knack with that style so far and it's working. Nothing to write home about but very good and probably something I'd happily listen to a full album of. The solo section was very cool and close to getting an award. Reminds me of Trivium but some really cool shit going on in there and a nice groove. Certainly nothing I haven't heard before, but enough good stuff going on here to interest me. Can't give it anymore than a flat 8.0 though.
Score - 8.0
Puppies - Scanner - Upright Liar
Off the bat, I was surprised at this. Didn't expect an old school Metallica inspired tune here but it rips. Cool riffing and a really catchy chorus. The vocals are adequate and fit very nicely without being spectacular. I enjoy the shifts within the song and again the contrast to the chorus is pretty epic. I see this was released in 1995 and while it shows, I have no issues. Actually sounds late 80's listening to it. Being released in 95 definitely wouldn't have helped these guys. Nevertheless, the length is fine too and I enjoyed it each time I listened to it. Another one where there's nothing new here to me at all, but one of those instances where that didn't matter. Will be interested in the rest of the album.
Score - 8.25
Indi - Vandenberg - Fighting Against the World
Bonus - 17 second bonus = 1 point
I honestly really liked this one right off the bat. I've never heard anything from Adrian Vandenberg and quite frankly have never rated him as a guitarist from the little I have heard. This song ripped though. Reminded me of 80's Malmsteen mixed with John Farnham era Little River Band. Catchy as shit and just good fun. The solo also was pretty decent too. It's a bit random and there's actually parts of the solo where it sounds like he fluked something and said, 'holy shit, that kind of worked, how did I do that?' But nevertheless, great cheesy 80's hard rock, cool shit. Not to mention the 17 second bonus!! The only one of the round so you get the full point!
Score - 8.5 + 1.0 = 9.5
Crow - Ancestors - The Warm Glow
At first I was a bit WTF is this, but after repeated listens this hit pretty hard. Another that's not normally my thing but I think it's pretty well done. But even though it's not normally my thing, it fits that mold of something unique and different that hits on a certain level that I resonate with. The intro reminds me of Jon Oliva at certain points truthfully too with the tone of the vocals and mixed with the piano. Reminds me of the song Back to A Reason. Once it gets going I really liked it. Not sure what the go is with the lyrics, are they metaphors or is this like a murder suicide kind of story? Anyway, it has that unsettling vibe which I don't mind from time to time and definitely is unique as mentioned. The solo goes full Misunderstood style also which I thought was cool as fuck. The second half though did take a turn I wasn't sure on, but it's growing and I think fits well. Turning into more of a major key by the sounds of it at times is really interesting. Really cool submission and interested in more.
Score - 8.75
Evermind - Need - Mother Madness
Yeah, this definitely again fits the bill of something slightly different and unique. The riffing at the start was cool as fuck and interesting with the structure how it doesn't really come back until the end to finish it off. The vocals surprised me. I get strong 90's alternate vibes going on here, but for me that's fine, the vocals are good and mix nicely with the riffing. The chorus kept growing too the more I listened. Liked the half time change going into it too, it makes it distinctive. Going straight into that quieter solo section again really interests me with the structuring. Get Pain of Salvation vibes now at times during this part. it's funny this song is 7 and a half minutes long, feels nowhere near that. Overall, I liked this more and more and kept wanting to come back to it more than most songs this round. Interesting, creative, great songwriting, lovely feel and atmosphere.
Score - 9.0
TAC - Words of Farewell - This Shadow My Likeness
Now, after initial listens, I didn't expect to keep wanting to come back to this the most. It was close with the two below it, but I feel it's the most dependable of the round. Saying that, I did really like it from the get go. The song length certainly wasn't an issue so no problem there and the slow intro leading into that lead guitar was really nice. Really clean buildup and just easy listening. Once the groove hit it all came together. Once the main melody hit at 2:30, that was nice going into the verses. The vocals were as expected I guess and they are really clean harsh vocals. Articulate and easy to understand and really quite smooth as weird as that sounds. Lots of changes throughout but the chorus melody is very hooky and really going back to the length, I liked it. I could play it and just knew I could relax into it for a whole 10 minutes. Quality melodic death metal. Funny one, certainly nothing new or different or unique, but just hit the spot perfectly.
Score - 9.25
Round 3 standings
lonestar - 3.5
Sacul - 5.0
Shadow Ninja - 5.25
romdrums - 5.25
Stadler - 6.75
twosuitluke - 7.0
Reaper - 7.25
Dr. DTVT - 7.25
ariich - 7.5
Lonk - 7.75
Jingle - 7.75
King - 8.0
litho - 8.0
Puppies - 8.25
Crow - 8.75
Evermind - 9.0
TAC - 9.25
Indi - 9.50
After 3 rounds;
lonestar - 6.0+5.75+3.5 = 15.25
Reaper - 5.0+4.0+7.25 = 16.25
Shadow Ninja - 4.0+7.0+5.25 = 16.25
romdrums - 5.5+6.25+5.25 = 17.0
twosuitluke - 4.0+6.5+7.0 = 17.5
Lonk - 7.75+4.5+7.75 = 20.0
King - 7.5+5.0+8.0 = 20.5
Stadler - 9.25+5.5+6.75 = 21.5
Sacul - 9.5+8.0+5.0 = 22.5
ariich - 8.5+7.75+7.5 = 23.75
Dr. DTVT - 8.0+8.5+7.25 = 23.75
Jingle - 8.75+8.75+7.75 = 25.25
Litho - 9.0+9.0+8.0 = 26.0
Puppies - 9.0+9.25+8.25 = 26.50
Indiscipline - 9.0+8.25+9.5 = 26.75
TAC - 8.25+9.25+9.25 = 26.75
Crow - 9.5+8.5+8.75 = 26.75
Evermind - 9.0+9.25+9.0 = 27.25
Feel free to check my maths too.
Send your songs for round 4 please.
I'll look to do a regular style hangman to get it done before Friday. I'm doing fuck all over the weekend, but with Easter, I won't have too much on the go here as I expected a lot won't be around as much.
Topic: Wolfking's Wonderful Winger roulette v.3 - Round 2 album listening commenced (Read 41378 times)