Album reviews
These past few months have been great for me in terms of music. 3 of some of my favorite bands released albums and a few other bands who I also enjoy listening to released a few cds. Why not do a little review session? Here we go kids.
"Lost and Found" by Mudvayne: One of my favorite bands for a few years now come out with their 3rd disc. And while it isn't as musically complex as "L.D. 50" nor brutal as "The End of All Things to Come", the band has taken a step back with the theatrics by completely losing the make-up and stepped forward with an album that takes them down another road as a band. This time out they focus on melody with songs like "Happy?" and "Fall into Sleep", yet still maintain the classic pulsating scheme that they are known for with songs like "Fucking Determined" and "Forget to Remember". Each album is taken another step musically for the band, and while "Lost and Found" isn't their best effort to date, it does show more promise for the group in terms of trying different approaches to song writing. On a major plus side, with this albums sound, and their previous releases, the set list can be more flexible, which is good in terms of flow. 7.5/10
"Mezmerize" by System of a Down: The first of two albums by the band (the second, entitled "Hypnotize" coming out later this year) brings the politically-charged 4-piece back to the fold kicking everything down in it's way. The first single "BYOB" instantly displays what the band is famous for: obscure singing, strange melody, brutal guitars, and an anti-war message all wrapped up in a nice package. Other songs, such as "Old School Hollywood" and "Cigaro" are catchy, but rightfully so due to guitarist/songwriter Daron Malakians odd sense of heavy riffs along with his own singing, which has a higher pitch for someone who reportedly is a very moody person. This is only a taste of what is to come, and what a good taste it is. 8/10
"With Teeth" by Nine Inch Nails: Trent Reznor returns after a few years with "With Teeth". I'll admit it, I never really go into NIN, but I've liked a few of their "staple" songs like "Closer" and "Head Like a Hole", and I've found Reznor's compositions very unique, yet for some reason I was compelled to buy this cd. The first single "Hand that Feeds" shows their take on music with a really catchy riff, odd synthsizers, and visceral lyrics and crafts a song you can really bob your head to while riding in your car. The rest of the album, again, brings the band into it's own class and runs with it. If you're a fan of NIN, you'll enjoy it. 7/10
"Make Believe" by Weezer: The kings of "geek rock" with a very mature sounding record. To be honest, the only song I found myself really singing along to was, in fact, "Beverly Hills", which is odd because I find myself singing along to just about every Weezer song that comes on. Weezer was one of the first bands I grew up on, so it's to the point where they could do a disco record and I'd still like it. This is the least "sing-along" Weezer cd to date, yet it is still fresh. A definate must for any fan of the band. 8/10