Review Summary: Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 is HIM's third compilation album that includes acoustic, live, remixed, and other previously unreleased versions of old HIM tracks. To the average listener this new compilation would be a long, sad, and uninteresting album, however
HIM (His Infernal Majesty) is:
Ville Valo - Vocals
Daniel Lioneye (Linde) - Guitars
Mikko Henrick Julius Paananen (Mige) - Bass
Emerson Burton - Keyboards
Miikka Karppinen (Gas) - Drums
Release Dates:
November 14, 2006 (US)
October 30, 2006 (UK)
October 27, 2006 (Germany)
Album Genre:
Goth/Rock/Alternative
Tracklist With Ratings:
1. The Sacrament (Disrhythm Remix) - 3/5
2. The Funeral of Hearts (Acoustic Version) - 3.5/5
3. Join Me In Death (Strongroom Mix) - 4/5
4. Close To The Flame (The Rappula Tapes) - 3/5
5. In Joy and Sorrow (String Version) - 4/5
6. It's All Tears (Unplugged Radio Live) - 2.5/5
7. When Love and Death Embrace (AOR Radio Mix) - 4/5
8. Buried Alive By Love (Deliverance Version) - 1/5
9. Gone With The Sin (O.D. Version) - 3.5/5
10. Salt In Our Wounds (Thulsa Doom Version) - 5/5
11. Please Don't Let It Go (Acoustic Version) 3/5
12. One Last Time (Rockfield Madness Version) 5/5
13. For You (Unplugged Radio Live) 4/5
14. The Path (P.S. Version) 5/5
15. Lose You Tonight (Thulsa Doom Extended Dub) - 4.5/5
Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 is HIM's third compilation album that includes acoustic, live, remixed, and other previously unreleased versions of old HIM tracks. To the average listener this new compilation would be a long, sad, and uninteresting album, however for a die hard HIM fan this would be a totally different story.
The introduction starts with "The Sacrament" which I believe is a pretty mediocre mix of a wonderful track that was originally taken from their album "Love Metal" (2003). The first nine tracks off this album are not nearly as up to par as the second half of the album. They unfortunately lack electric guitar and drumming. Songs such as "Buried Alive By Love" and "Its All Tears" are two major disappointing mixes that should have been left the way they were. This goes especially for "Buried...". This song was originally fast-paced, hard hitting, an anthem that would mark the title "Love Metal". It has been clearly downgraded to what sounds like a person banging on a trash can and singing along with poor vocals.
Tracks such as "Join Me In Death", "Close To The Flame", and "When Love and Death Embrace" are all great remixes that weren't drastically changed, but of course are noticeably different. You can note Ville imitating the voice of RappulaTapes. (A Finnish singer.) In my opinion I think he does a great job.
The acoustic numbers are surely highlights from this album. These include "The Funeral of Hearts", "Please don't Let It Go", and "For You(live)". Each song is sung with passion and excellent vocals.
The absolute definitive mixes from this collection I believe are "Salt In Our Wounds", "One Last Time", "The Path", and "Lose You Tonight". Each track drags on a bit for quite some time, although this really helps to set a fantastic atmosphere. These songs include wonderful keys, sound affects, dual vocals, as well as guitar solos. They also give a real sentimental value for the album.
Overall, it is hard to determine whether this will be worth your $15 or your time spent downloading. If you are already a HIM fan, especially a die hard HIM fan this is a must buy, however if you are an average listener or a new listener of HIM you will be quickly turned off by the 6-9 minute ballads that seem to go on and on. 75 minutes of pure ballads should not be put on one disc.
Pros:
- Fantastic soothing atmosphere
- Interesting and creative sound affects and instrumentals
Cons:
- Seems to drag on and on
- Many songs were actually downgraded
- "Buried Alive By Love (Deliverence Version)"
Recommended Tracks:
- "One Last Time (Rockfield Madness Version)"
- "Salt In Our Wounds (Thulsa Doom Version)"
- "The Path (P.S. Version)"
- "Lose You Tonight (Thulsa Doom Extended Dub)"
- "For You (Unplugged Radio Live)"
Feel free to leave me any comments on my review, the album, or if I need any improvement on my review. Thank You! - Nightside~
you could use more detail on the feel of the album as whole though
