Tonight the Stars Revolt! (Dreamworks 1999)
One million plus in sales and counting!! This disc spawned the hits 'When Worlds Collide', 'Nobody's Real' and 'Super Nova Goes Pop'. Powerman 5000 (pm5k) took a hold of my brain for weeks following the purchase of this album. With heavy distortion and a mix of various synthesizers, pm5k didn't disapoint.
1. An Eye Is Upon You- This is a slow introduction to the album. Overall, this song isn't really a song. Its sorta just random noise and talking in a satinic voice. It serves a purpose though. 2.5/5
2. Supernova Goes Pop- The first full blown song of the album, Super Nova Goes Pop, contrasts sharply to the introduction to the album. Opening with a simple yet catchy guitar part, this song quickly begins to exolve into a catchy tune with a mix of singing, whispering, and screaming. 4.5/5
3. When Worlds Collide- Even if you don't normally listen to pm5k, if you have even heard of the band, you should know this song. This song was actually used in the movie 'Little Nicky' and was actually the first song I heard by pm5k. Without this song, I would have never heard pm5k. Openning with a some effect laden guitar riffs and wispering, the song breaks into a powerful guitar riff with heavy bass and a simple drum beat. Perfect overall. 5/5
4. Nobody's Real- This song is a little different from the previous two. This song opens with a robot sounding effect on guitar which is the reoccuring theme of the song. Vocals are a little plain but they fit well with the song format. 3.5/5
5. System 11:11- This song is just plain creepy. This is my least favorite song off the album. All the guitar, and drums are simple and bass is non-existent. Vocals and just fast whispering. At least there is only 0:47 seconds to endure. 2/5
6. Tonight the Stars Revolt!- This album was named after this song and I deffinitly feal that this song is the most appropriate song to put on the centerstage. This song starts with a synthesized wind sounding effect which opens for a driving guitar riff that carries the rest of the song. Although a simple song overall, The blend of everything complements pm5k's style. 5/5
7. Automatic- This song ties for my favorite song on the album. 'Automatic' opens with a heavy guitar part for a change. Instead of easing into the main riff, pm5k jumps right into this song. The drums are phenomenal and sound a bit like a submachine gun in the whispering parts. I would recomend this song to anyone who wants to give pm5k a listen. 5/5
8. The Son of X-51- This song opens with a robot talking and then is overtaken by a whisling sond that opens for one of the most challenging guitar riffs of the album.Yet another simple track with a good blend with pm5k's style and attitude. 4.5/5
9. Operate, Annihilate- This sound features the first exposed bass part which grows in intensity from the drums. This song starts out well but by the time the guitar ad vocals come in, the song is just a bit freaky. The vocals follow a very out of key sounding rhythem. I would not reccomend this song to many. 2/5
10. Blast Off To Nowhere- Sometimes I wonder if this song is as good as it seems. I wonder if the only reason I like this song is because it follows such a poor song. This song begins with space like noise and vocals that follow a space transmition. Then with the drums building up, the guitar cuts in and vocals return to normality. My only objection to this song is that sometimes, the singer trys to sing a bit out of his range. 4/5
11. They Know Who You Are- This song is not ery good. I will admit that. The song doesn't even totally evolve until about 1:30 minutes into the song. Even then, the vocals are a poor preformance. Yuck. 1.5/5
12. Good Times Roll- After a wierd introduction of space noise, the guitar begins to play a factor and begins to drive the song in the right direction. Just listen to it. Don't change song because the introduction is so bad. Once again, my only objection is that the singer trys to sing to high a few times. Overall a good song though. 4/5
13. Watch the Sky For Me- Just like too many bands, pm5k trys to slow down their last song in an attempt to close out the album clean. This song ends up being another song of noise. The song isn't at all interesting until 4:35 minitues into the song. This one is skipable. 1.5/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
*Pros*
-Guitar is heavy
-Vocals are good overall
-Great to scare people with while driving
*Cons*
-Album isn't consistent
-Singer trys to sing to high occasionally
-Parents might not let you buy the CD from the cover and what the music sounds like. ;)
