Album Rating: 3.0

I thought it was hilarious tbh, but I haven't listened to the band or this so can't really judge the legitimacy of his views.

Album Rating: 4.5

I laughed a couple of times, but the review felt more like an elitist rant than a objective review.

fuck reposted oops

Hm I can see how you'd think that, however I thought he made it quite clear that the problem wasn't just the direction but the execution.

I certainly don't think the concept of poppier Mastodon is in and of itself flawed and I don't think Fantano does either. He explained clearly that the biggest two problems were that the record played it safe(it sounds VERY Mastodon despite it's poppy direction), and that it's too poppy to sink into your skin.

Think of it this way, if this record is just watered down Mastodon with pop elements, and the best parts of the album are Mastodon playing it safe, than what exactly is the point of returning to it as an album? I think that was the point of his review and, for the most part I think he explained it very well. I think a lot of people going around summarizing it as "well he's just saying it isn't metal enough" are generalizing a lot, probably projecting the view of elitists that have plagued the metal community for a long time now. Also yeah the 90's comparisons were sloppy but ... eh ... idk mastodon taking inspiration from 90's alt rock and power metal ... not so good imo

I mean really unless you like the closer on this and maybe one or two other songs what here stands as unique and good at the same time? Personally for me Clandestiny is the only thing I can think of.

Album Rating: 3.0

Yeah for sure, though I respect overtly subjective reviewers to be honest, even though this particular review was somewhat of a rant

I guess as I just proved, I like rants a lot haha.

Album Rating: 3.0

Rants are fun to watch tbh, especial music fantano esque rants, but for sure they can rub people the wrong way if poorly executed or just flat out steamroll their opinion

Album Rating: 4.5

Because I see the album putting more focus on combining the two worlds they've spent so long creating -- and doing a very good job in executing it, I might add. I don't see why they have to constantly spearhead sludge, and don't see the criticism in what they've created here being derivative.



I just see this record as a great representation of everything they've correlated in their near two decade career. The melodic side to this album is top-notch; it has a lot of really dirty riffs for old fans, can't really see a lot wrong with it. Obviously just my opinion, mind.

It's cool you feel that way and I'm happy you love the record but I just think it was a neat review and I don't, at least to me, see much real criticism for it(besides again the sloppy 90's comparison). A bit ranty sure, but a bit of rant never hurt anyone.

I actually like a lot of the songs he hated though haha. Like tbh Show Yourself and Clandestiny are the best tracks to me. Clandestiny's mid section is so interesting to me.

Album Rating: 3.0

You (gonzo) and fantano have me curious to see what this is about, I'll give it a go

Album Rating: 4.5

It's worth checking for sure, man.

Album Rating: 4.0

I don't necessarily disagree with him. Even if I agreed or didn't it shouldn't matter, imo he just didn't do a very good job explaining his real points until the last third of the review.



I usually really like his reviews because they're usually argued well, whether he's he's ripping apart something I love or praising something I can't stand I can go "well yeah I can see why he thinks that". But yeah this time I was waiting for him to catch himself with something like "not that being poppier is necessarily a bad thing, but..." - he just never did. 8 minutes of it is him giving a back story to the band's career and then complaining that the new one is not breaking new ground in metal like they used to, and that it has them making their sound more accessible. While basically true, they're not negative by themselves and not worth dedicating so much time to.

Album Rating: 4.5

Do you like this Scuro?

Album Rating: 3.5

Honestly, I felt his main criticism wasn't so much that it was too "poppy", more that it was just too familiar/derivative/trope-ish and lacking in the "genuine" quality from their first four records. I don't think he has a problem with the actual poppiness, just the way its expressed. Don't quote me on that though, I might be mistaken.



Also, having watched a lot of his reviews over the years, he's definitely finicky with vocals and if they come across at all as gawdy he tends not to like the record, can tend to go a bit overboard and view the rest of the record through cynical lenses.

agreeed with Piglet completely

Scurro i get what you mean by him "catching himself" but he never said the concept was bad just that the execution was wtered down . anyways this topic is gettig old so w/e

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah fair enough guys, maybe I'm just not used to Fantano being so defensive of metal, but idk he did end up delivering lots of worthwhile points regardless. I felt like I knew what he was trying to say, I just think he did it clumsily and came off unusually obsessed with genre over content. Super unlike him though.



"Do you like this Scuro?"



Yeah man I enjoy this, sitting around a 3.5 or so personally, but like all Mastodon albums it'll take some time before it clicks, and I've only had it for a three days so far. As is though not feeling it quite as much as I hoped, OMRTS > at the moment but it's better than the Hunter.



Unpopular opinion but Sultan's Curse and Show Yourself have grown on me a lot and outpaced the rest.

Album Rating: 4.0

this album is catchy as hell and definitely their most interesting release in a while

Album Rating: 3.0

Listened to the first half, not really my thing but quite enjoyable nevertheless. Will jam the rest asap

Album Rating: 4.0

"objective review."



just dropping in to say that that's not a thing

Haven't listened to anything post-Hunter. Worth checking out or naw? How bow da?