 | Tracklist:
1.) Antisaint
2.) Brainiac
3.) Saferwaters
4.) Well Enough Alone
5.) Straight Jacket Fashion
6.) The Fad
7.) Humanoid
8.) Paint The Seconds
9.) Midnight To Midnight
10.) I Get It
11.) Saturdays
| Ranking: #126 for 2007 | |
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On 50 Lists
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| Summary: An enjoyable, well-rounded rock album. |
There's certain expectations that come with rock albums, in my opinion. When the word 'rock' is announced, sonic memories of dichotomous styles ring in my mind. The first to enter my thoughts is straight forward, distorted guitars power chording alongside a noticeable drum and bass presence that, while great when done right, more often than not falls into samey, repetitive structure that really offers nothing more than an avid rock collector couldn't rediscover by venturing back to the heavy stockpile they already possessed.
The other side of the spectrum calls the slower "rock ballads" into play. Another tested formula that sees the normally strained, scratchy voice of the vocalist dial it down into mellowed, subdued territory while the rest of the band accommodates for the relaxed feel (I can't help but think of Nickelback's god awful cliches as I wrote this).
Most rock bands worth their salt keep these two staples obviously segregated, where tracks will flow from grinding guitar riffing and semi-automatic drum sequences to almost losing all intensity and plunging into the softer melodies. Chevelle, in Vena Sera, decide it's a bit superfluous to divide the two styles and forge an album far more likable than token radio rock.
To clarify, Vena Sera isn't so much about combining the slower paced songs into the fast ones as it is extracting aspects from the former to enhance the latter. It doesn't permeate the album either, but in songs like "Paint the Seconds", "I Get It" and most predominantly "Saferwaters", it breeds a tasteful variance from the surrounding heavier tracks.
Thankfully, the hard rock portion of Vena Sera keeps up with similar results. In case you've been soothingly lulled by "Saferwaters", Pete seeks to stir you back into the action as a quick breath precedes an impassioned "Sick!" at the top of his lungs. Other energetic outings standing above the crowd are the fast paced "Brainiac", "The Fad" and "Straight Jacket Fashion."
Much to my delight, Vena Sera is brimming with catchy, lively rock tracks that stay diverse enough to avoid running together and falling into the trap that too many mainstream bands do. There's nothing ground breaking, but there's no dire need to be here. It's simply an enjoyable, well-rounded album.
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ok review, but it definitely is overblown. You probably tried a little too hard as sentences like this: Brutal and catchy string plucking is evident right from the get go. ‘Anti-saint’s intro starts with a steady build up, rising to the top of the aural rollercoaster before rocketing down the other side in ‘Brainiac’, pumping copious amounts of irresistibly engrossing guitar work amidst the fast paced thumping of the bass. are just a bit hilarious to read as we are talking about a stellar, yet casual rock band here.
I actually still haven't heard this record in full so into my list it goes. Not into the top though - too much 09 stuff to check out first.
Digging: Rosetta - The Galilean Satellites Digging: Rosetta - The Galilean Satellites
| | | Album Rating: 4
Hmm. That does seem a little overzealous for what I was trying to say. Shows that you shouldn't rush a review.
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A fantastically entertaining, energetic composition that any lover of rock should enjoy; otherwise, you probably don’t like rock.
rofl
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Roach is right. Also...
"geriatric ‘gladiators’ flex their emaciated muscles "
What the...
| | | Album Rating: 4
It’s in this track that Joe first showcases the softer side of his voice on the album, where his melodic crooning juxtaposes well against the heavy persona of the album thus far.
Joe was the brother that got kicked out, I think you mean Pete. And as for "geriatric gladiators flex their emaciated muscles", I understood what you meant, as filled with hyperbole as it is.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
It's Antisaint. (sorry i'm an obsessive fanboy).
also, some paragraphs only have one sentence. soo...?
Digging: The Weeknd - House of Balloons Digging: The Weeknd - House of Balloons | | | Album Rating: 4
Yeah, I wrote this while extremely stressed in the hope that some album reviewing would calm me down. I was still stressed afterwards and this is the result of that stress. I'll rewrite it when I have a chance.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Completely rewritten. I find this album hard to review; it's really great fun to listen to but I struggle to work out what to say about it. In any case, it's light years ahead of my last effort.
PLEASE SPUTNIK I NEED YOUR APPROVAL
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