Album Rating: 4.0

I suppose I'll be Opeths marketing manager then, since I feel they're yet to really break into the mainstream metal head community. I don't think I could bring myself to say good things about their last 2 albums with a straight face though

need to listen to this ahrd

Album Rating: 5.0

yes you do. highly recommended!

Album Rating: 5.0

Album is very good indeed.



I think A Bit on the Side has grown to be my fav now, there's something about the echo-ing guitars and pounding drums that gets me.

Album Rating: 5.0

Jeez the violins just sneak right into Iodine, very fitting. Genius songwriting.

Album Rating: 4.0

Doof ranking/ratings/notes are in:



1. Do Your Bones (most natural use of effects/vocal filter on the album, also most natural sounding song) [5/5]

2. In the Nightfall (second most natural sounding song, great soundtrack atmosphere) [5/5]

3. Axolotl (perfect opener, very Portishead) [4.5/5]

4. Total Depravity (similarly, excellent closer, very impressive vocals) [4.5/5]

5. King of Chrome (almost cheesy...until those drums show up) [4.5/5]

6. Here Come the Dead (the grower, some of the best instrumental tones here, nice additions like the guitar at 2:21) [4.5/5]

7. Iodine & Iron (the big slow motion number, works well) [4/5]

8. House of Spirits (the effects don't lift the song and they needed to a bit, decent) [3.5/5]

9. Crocodiles (chorus is a bit of an energy sap and it also sounds a bit over familiar, still good) [3.5/5]

10. A Bit on the Side (twang twang, sounds very cool but the song itself is just ok) [3.5/5]

11. Low Lays the Devil (most straight ahead song, not really the strength of the project) [3/5]

12. In the Blood (very Nick Cave, a bit too low key) [2.5/5]

Album Rating: 4.0

Overall this is a 4.5, it's obvious to say but this feels like an experiment in creating a soundtrack to an imaginary film. This is a meticulously crafted album not a naturally forming 'just letting it hang out' type of affair, and as such some of the experiments work better than others. It's like taking classic road songs, torch songs, slow motion ballads, etc and then spooking them up. It's no surprise some work better than others but it hits way more than it doesn't.

Good analysis - I agree with the way you see it as a mix, but my ranking is v different haha.

I had a fabulous time playing Bloodborne to this and Ulver's Blood Inside (both of which just happened to be recent finds).

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks johnny, I'm sure this is the sort of album where everyone will have quite different rankings

Album Rating: 5.0

Pretty happy with your summation Doof. Glad you like In The Nightfall, I love that tune.

Album Rating: 4.0

My feelings about certain songs will likely change a bit over time but after 10+ full listens that's the way I currently feel about the album



In a good year for music it's right up there

As a year it's right up there. 2nd best behind '97.

Album Rating: 3.5

Wow, you really think so zak? Personally I've found 2016 a bit more lacking than it seems most do.

Album Rating: 5.0

zak what you rating this?

Yeah boney there's just great albums coming week in week out. I honestly can't remember a time in the last 15yrs where it's been at the same level.

anat. 4.8.

Album Rating: 5.0

Great analysis Doof. Nice Portishead comparison too, I was especially thinking of trip hop with Axolotl

Album Rating: 3.5

I guess great for you that you're finally truly loving a year post 1999 zak! ;-] I must just be listening to the wrong stuff this year :-/

Album Rating: 5.0

Boney a lot of the great stuff is metal, and I know you're not big on that

Album Rating: 4.0

Big statement Zak, this is the best year in a while that's for sure



Maybe when I've finished my year-vs-year comp I'll put the winner against 2016 in January - top 50 albums for each and get some more recs of stuff I've missed



Might be a close vote

Album Rating: 4.0

FoS - I could imagine Portishead giving it the Third treatment



Thinking about it they're another band it would have been great to see release an album out of nowhere this year