The obvious flaw of any Black Mages album is that unless you're a Final Fantasy fanatic, you are not going to be familiar with all of the songs. Yet, those that you are familiar with are going to be mind-blowingly awesome. This rule holds for the third album, but unfortunately for me, I am familiar with fewer songs than ever. This album continues the band's oddly disproportionate fixation on Final Fantasy VIII and IX, and even includes a song from XI. That said, the title track is impressive, though less viscerally appealing than other formerly progged-out opuses, such as J-E-N-O-V-A, Zeromus, One-Winged Angel, and, of course, Dancing Mad. From a musical standpoint, they have only marginally advanced, but how much can you really ask for from a band like this? For objective purposes, the best tracks are Grand Cross and KURAYAMINOKUMO.
M83; Saturdays = Youth
The consensus appraisal of this album, simply put, is completely wrong. M83 is not the new Thompson Twins. M83 is the same M83, except with aspirations to make nice, concise pop songs. Even taken out of context, the album hearkens much more to a more ethereal version of the Killers. Definitely much closer to of Quick Step & Side Kicks. Those meta-criticisms aside, this album is simply okay. There are a couple of good tracks, but the ostentatiously airy layers of synth that constituted old M83 return on this album in the less focused songs. The tragic consequence is that any momentum built up by good songs is immediately diluted by multiple, repetitive 8+ minute long instrumental interludes. Yea, guys, we know you really only wanted to make an EP, but please try harder next time.
Cut Copy; In Ghost Colours
I didn't like the first time I heard these guys on my local rock radio station. I still don't like them after downloading their album. It might just be me, but there's nothing unusual or interesting about these songs. Worse than that, they aren't even catchy. This could be the sort of thing that would take me three or four listens to completely comprehend, but I'm not willing to invest that sort of time in a band that gives me no reason to care about. Please don't use the word 'horny' so prominently in any of your songs ever again. That they're from Australia is the only conceivable explanation of their popularity. I'd rather see these guys, personally.
LCD Soundsystem; LCD Soundsystem
Sound of Silver was great, but the three or four listens I gave to the original album led me to believe that it was a sprawling, focusless mess that doesn't really compare to James Murphy's newest album. Turns out, my first impression was true, but that it is a focusless mess with five or six incredibly catchy and amusing tracks. Even your mom has heard Daft Punk Is Playing at My House, and it is good, but Losing My Edge is the song you wish you could play to every tyrannical hipster who was a PiL fan before you were, Yeah is good enough to warrant including two separate versions of it on one (double) album and to clock in at 20+ minutes total, and Disco Infiltrator is worthwhile if only for one superb sample. The concept of a dance album that spans two CDs is undeniably ridiculous, but, at times, it possesses the unique energy and creativity that a limitless palette can offer an artist. Utterly unfocused and at times openly derivative, but then again, Sound of Silver was also derivative to its merit.
Bonus Songs:
No comments:
Post a Comment