I don't think we have the diversity like we had the last few weeks but the lingering question is still "what do I play first?" Besides the fact I have been streaming most of the new album from For The Fallen Dreams, I am pretty stoked to listen to Anette Olzon's debut record "Shine", as well as John Frusciante's "Enclosure". While the review I went through noted some of the flaws in the album I am still eager to see what they both have to bring to the table. I was a big fan of both artists when they were playing for their respective bands (Anette is the former vocalist of Nightwish, and John Frusciante is the former lead guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers).
(Anette Olzon - Shine)
If you only take one thing away from 'Shine', let it be that Anette Olzon is a very good songwriter. It's a flawed debut, but one that really will take quite a few people by surprise -the record appeals to Anette's target market (namely the pop-metal crowd) but also begins carving it's own niche. Whilst the album calls for a little more divergence from the predictable, and a few more standout hooks - 'Shine' is warm, often powerful and easy to listen to. Even better, it gives high hopes for what Anette might go on to achieve on album number two. -The Sonic Reverie
(John Frusciante - Enclosure)
Despite Frusciante’s best attempts at balancing and juxtaposing the chaos with soothing vocals, the album as a whole feels daunting and almost pedantic. Frusciante’s lyrics are next to invisible throughout, his voice seemingly scripted for its sound rather than for adding any substantial sustenance. As a result, it’s not entirely clear whether there’s any coherent theme, message, or plot to the whole proceeding.
In the end, “Enclosure” is exactly the kind of album Frusciante set out to make when he left RHCP in 2009. -Daily UW
Now the other notable release here is Squarepusher x Z Machines. This is the (potential) future of music as someone by the name of Tom ‘Squarepusher’ Jenkinson has created machines to perform his music rather than hiring musicians. Try and imagine something like the Terminator in a chrome skeleton doing a guitar solo, only with an entire band as the same! If you get the chance to do so, you can see a preview of some material here. I have been following these guys since their debut to the online world and am looking forward to it as they are commercially the first of their kind.
(Squarepusher x Z-Machines - Music For Robots)
Music for Robots is more than capable of standing totally on its own as simply a great collection of music. Short and metallic-sweet, Music for Robots blows by in just over 23 minutes and is gone before you know it, leaving you lunging for the repeat button. At the end of the day, I don’t much care if these are robots, or human musicians playing real instruments, or just Jenkinson cutting and pasting on his computer. This is just wonderful music. -Pop Matters
That's not to say I won't be enjoying the other releases as well. Black Label Society tends to produce quality albums and the reviews seem to mimic my thoughts. And then of course we have Keith Morris and the guys in OFF! With the longest song on the album being a little over 2 minutes, this should have you blasting through the 23 minute album in no time!
Their latest effort is ‘Catacombs of the Black Vatican.’ Frontman Zakk Wylde sometimes jokes about all the band’s songs sounding the same, and when asked about the new album said, “It’s all going to be all completely the same as the last nine records, except just different song titles.”
And while ‘Catacombs of the Black Vatican’ has that distinctive BLS sound, it’s not a carbon copy of their past work. Wylde and company combine good time arena rockers with bluesy mid-tempo tracks and a few ballads. -Loudwire
(OFF! - Wasted Years)
To be fair, Morris is angry here- maybe the angriest that's he's ever been. On "Void you out," he doesn't just want to beat up or kill someone, he wants to erase that person from existence. On "Mr. Useless," he's probably attacking former bandmates with "The fever has broken! I want my money back!"
This underlines what seems to the album's main theme. This music is from the gut. But, while it may be instinctual, it betrays fundamental thoughts everyone has. Anger and happiness aren't always separate, and sometimes, when they mix, both are more potent. This music might be short and there might not be a whole lot of advanced chord changes, but, from a conceptual standpoint, it's about as complex as the recorded sound gets. -Punk News
So the usual rant here folks. Show some love if you think the albums are worthy of some form of pay. Buy a physical copy at your local record store or online retailer. If digital is more you thing, then be sure to purchase it from a legal source. Cheers and have a good Tuesday release day!
(For The Fallen Dreams - Heavy Hearts)
For the Fallen Dreams made a hefty promise and didn't disappoint when this album is compared to some previous efforts. Heavy Hearts has its fair share of generic moments, but never once does it stop being entertaining. The tracks to check out are "Lights," "Mimic" and "Amnesia." If you were a fan of For the Fallen Dreams in the past, or even if you're a recent fan, be sure to check out Heavy Hearts when it drops. -Megusta Reviews
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