|
| |
|
|
|
Review Summary: This album is about as predictable as this summary. To say that A Flair For The Dramaticwas underwhelming is an understatement: it was an average-at-best, mundane-at-worst attempt at ripping off All’s Well That Ends Well(seriously, I was waiting for Vic to metamorphosis into the more talented Craig Owens). When PTV wasn’t ripping off Chiodos, they were trying to cram way too much into the music, giving the listener a serious case of boredom and ADD. My experience with the record left me ultimately unsatisfied and unfulfilled, and honestly not too excited for Selfish Machines. Is it much better? No, it might even be worse.
Yes, Vic Fuentes deserves some credit, as there’s obvious vocal maturity between AFFTD and SM. He seems to have adopted his own style a little more, but he’s still overshadowed by Mr. Owens. As for the screams and spoken word sections, they again sound ripped straight from Chiodos or The Used, so not much to note there. Guitarist Tony Perry seems also to have upped his game for this record, leading tracks like “Besitos” and “The Boy Who Could Fly”. Yes, most of his sections sound generic, but there’s no denying that he has talent in playing them. Vic also covers rhythm guitar, but not much can be said for his more-than-expected power chord and octave bashing. Sadly, the rest of the band really doesn’t show up. There’s some nice moments from the drum and bass section, but not enough to truly carry the album. In comparison to its predecessor, SM does seem matured, though it’s overall much worse than its predecessor. Gone are some of the random sonic interruptions found in tracks like “Currents Convulsive”, though there are still some awkward sections (“Caraphanalia” is glaringly schizophrenic, and not in a good way). Though Vic isn’t quite piercing eardrums this time around, his whiny, pitchy voice will surely grate on the listener at least once or twice. Lyrics are still a problem, but we can get to that later.
“Caraphanalia” is honestly saved by the howling throat of Jeremy McKinnon, who frankly woke me up halfway through this droning, boring, and ultimately useless song. In addition, “Fast Times At Clairemont High” is a horrible enough attempt at swing-style music, without Vic practically whining and crying all over it. In addition, the amount of pop gloss and dramatic lyrics that pervade the song make it a miserable experience that you should desperately avoid. “The New National Anthem” is a horrible ballad that pales in comparison to “Falling Asleep”, which was one of the only songs worth purchasing off A Flair. Honestly, “Besitos”, “The Boy Who Could Fly”, and “I Don’t Care If You’re Contagious” are the only tracks truly worth your attention, mainly because of the satisfying guitar sections.
Nobody really declined in quality, but the improvements made by the lead guitarist and the vocalist just cannot make up for this overly-average album, an album that repeats almost every trick that AFFTD thought it had. Lyrically, the band mainly sings about sex (though you won’t really be able to understand them over the pitchy noise that the microphone admits), and their immaturity more than shows in their constant complaining about just how terrible their lives (adored by girls, whom they seem to seek attention from) are.
Honestly, if it weren’t for Dramatic, this wouldn’t have been as bad. But the fact that PTV ultimately regressed rather than improved between the two records drags SM down heavily. Truly, I wanted to be blown away by this, but I was once again left disgusted and unimpressed. Skip out Selfish Machines.
| other reviews of this album |
xxKillWithASmile (4)
Pierce the Veil refine their catchy style of post-hardcore into a more precise sophomore effort....
|
|
This album is about as predictable as this summary.
what makes the summary predicatable? doesnt make sense
To say that A Flair For The Dramaticwas underwhelming is an understatement: it was an average-at-best, mundane-at-worst attempt at ripping off All’s Well That Ends Well(seriously, I was waiting for Vic to metamorphosis into the more talented Craig Owens). When PTV wasn’t ripping off Chiodos, they were trying to cram way too much into the music, giving the listener a serious case of boredom and ADD.
boredom and ADD seems like opposing ideas, could do with a bit more fleshing out
My experience with the record left me ultimately unsatisfied and unfulfilled,redundant and honestly not too excited for Selfish Machines. Is it much better? No, it might even be worse.
Lyrics are still a problem, but we can get to that later.
then just get to it later, dont say youll get to it later whats the point? you have like six sentences left in the review this doesnt add anything. as well, you say you get to it later but hardly give any space dedicated to the lyrics so its kinda misleading in a way
“Caraphanalia” is honestly saved by the howling throat of Jeremy McKinnon, who frankly woke me up halfway through this droning, boring, and ultimately useless song. In addition, “Fast Times At Clairemont High” is a horrible enough attempt at swing-style music, without Vic practically whining and crying all over it. In addition, the amount of pop gloss and dramatic lyrics that pervade the song make it a miserable experience that you should desperately avoid. “The New National Anthem” is a horrible ballad that pales in comparison to “Falling Asleep”, which was one of the only songs worth purchasing off A Flair. Honestly, “Besitos”, “The Boy Who Could Fly”, and “I Don’t Care If You’re Contagious” are the only tracks truly worth your attention, mainly because of the satisfying guitar sections.
you call it boring and miserable and terrible like 700 times in the review with little supporting evidence other than "Its bad". yes the evidence is there but its far overshadowed by " you should avoid this it sucks".
this paragraph is the main problem with your review and might get you negged, you just list a bunch of songs and say "oh this is a ballad it sucks" "the guitar in these are ok" its a very cursory way to tackle the album and i feel like you could say more
[2]
| | |
Nobody really declined in quality,
ultimately regressed rather than improved between the two records drags SM down heavily
In comparison to its predecessor, SM does seem matured, though it’s overall much worse than its predecessor.
so which is it? also in general you repeat a lot of words, case in point you say predeccssor twice in one sentence right above
[2]
Also the first sentence made me upset when you said to call it "UNDERwhelming is an UNDERstatement". Review needs a lot of work. try not talking so informally and in first person, flesh out ideas instead of just using the word "boring" all the time and try to not use corny lines like "this song finally woke me up half way through" or "I was waiting for Vic to metamorphosis into Owens" or even just referring to Craig Owens as "Mr. Owens"
Still this isn't the worst review I have ever read.
| | |
this is the single worst review I've ever seen
I am reporting you
I cannot stand you
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
Well, this wasn't too good apparently. But thanks everyone for the constructive criticism
| | |
go away
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Don't worry about mel over here. He's just butt-hurt that you 2.0'ed his favourite album.
Review needs work for sure, but is not nearly as bad as some are making it out to be, man. People kind of tore your head off on this one; probably wasn't necessary.
| | |
Not your best but not terrible, pos'd because you need something to counteract the negs
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
nobody tore his head off, these are all legit criticisms. better to have them pointed out so he can fix/know for next time rather than not.
| | |
I was going to give more constructive criticism because I assumed that you were new to reviewing, but then I saw you have like 80 reviews! I was also a little surprised at your high percentage for approval. I guess when you write that many reviews though you are bound to have a flop once in awhile. I wish I could review that often.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
"this is the single worst review I've ever seen
I am reporting you
I cannot stand you"
This is a legit criticism, spirit? Sorry, my bad. I didn't realize.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
that's one person, and it's not even criticism, it's just a straight insult
everyone else who criticized parts of the review were constructive about it
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
"that's one person, and it's not even criticism, it's just a straight insult"
Couldn't agree more. thats why I said 'people kind of tore your head off'
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
If Collide With the Sky isn't at least a 3.5 I'll cut you.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Way to incite fanyboy rage, it's quite amusing. This album is very solid imo, but the highlights are far better than the bulk of tracks here.
| | |
If Collide With the Sky isn't at least a 3.5 I'll cut you.
[2]
btw this isn't my favorite album collide with the sky >
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
I don't think you're as clever as you think you are.
Not a huge fan of this album either but review is shit-tier.
What SillyCaringRabbitPal said [3]
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
"Caraphanalia"
Caraphernelia.
| | |
| |
