Average Rating: 3.78 Rating Variance: 0.52 Objectivity Score: 66% (Fairly Balanced)
Sort by: Rating | Release Date | Rating Date | Name5.0 classicDream Theater Six Degrees of Inner TurbulenceThis was an amazing find for me, the rhythmic technicalities, the concentration on solo/vamping instead of simple repetition, and vocals that add rather than detract. I was surprised to find music from 2002 has aged so well, but this is a great album.Radiohead OK ComputerA measure of excellence in an album. There's a lot of variety, and experimentation that still keeps a conventional feel as rock songs. This one's got a lot of emotion in it for me.Radiohead Kid AKind of experimental, but somehow the songs work really well. Don't listen to this one in pieces, it fits together as an album much more than its parts.4.5 superbDemetori Manenjushaka ~ Nada Upasana PundarikaDemetori Sendaisoushi ~ Offering to The SukhavatiDemetori Le Grimoire De ReveDream Theater Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a MemoryThe opening few tracks are comparatively weaker, but the album hits its stride with fatal tragedy. Interesting scales open the second act. A good mix of styles here.Intervals The Shape of ColourA technical, but very upbeat album. The hooks are fantastic. It could use a bit more variety maybe, but what's here is enjoyable and worthwhile.Muse AbsolutionPlini Other ThingsThe first two tracks are decent tracks, but the 6-minute "Selenium Forest" is what makes this EP. An outstanding track.Polyphia RenaissanceAn excellent album. Light and Crush are great in particular.Radiohead The BendsRadiohead Hail to the ThiefRadiohead AmnesiacSaosin SaosinMy rating here is certainly biased- I've got a lot of nostalgia attached to this album. But the vocal work on this album is uniquely good in a way I have found hardly anywhere else.Secret And Whisper Great White WhaleThe Books The Lemon Of Pink4.0 excellentDemetori Lebenstrieb & TodestriebDemetori 愧人贖悪 ~Evil People as the True Object of Salvation~Demetori Begierde Des ZaubererMetric FantasiesMuse Black Holes & RevelationsMuse Origin of SymmetryThis album is bombastic and melodramatic. But it's loads of fun. A few of the songs overstay their welcome on repetition, but I've listened to this so many times that may be my fault.Plini Handmade CitiesRoyksopp The Inevitable EndHa, this album's got loads of character to it. I actually found monument to be one of the weaker tracks despite it clearly being picked out as a single. The majority of it is interesting sonically, though.Virtual Boy Symphony No. NoneA mix of electronic music with elements like strings that are more symphony-like. It's definitely not nearly as structurally intricate as a true classical symphony, but the convincing combination of synthetic sounds front and center with the classical elements is compelling. The buildup and interplay between the different instruments in Mass is a high point of the EP.3.5 greatAnberlin New SurrenderAnimals As Leaders Animals as LeadersTechnically impressive, but lacks a kind of lyric quality necessary to be really outstanding.Between the Buried and Me Coma EclipticCHVRCHES The Bones of What You BelieveCHVRCHES Every Open EyeIndie pop polished to a blinding level of gloss. Clearest Blue and Empty Threat are the standouts. I get the feeling there's not much musical talent here, but the production is so clear I still find this album pretty enjoyable.Dream Theater The AstonishingThis album has some obvious problems, but after giving it a chance, it's better than my initial impression. Sure the album ridiculously long, technically unimpressive, and is built around a melodramatic story with characters that look they were lifted directly from Final Fantasy. But the ambition of the story is kind of charming, and it remains pretty comprehensible and cohesive both musically and in story. Just pulling off a 2+ hour album-opera hybrid is kinda impressive.God Is an Astronaut All Is Violent, All Is BrightAmbient Post-rock is usually not my favorite, but the way this album flows from track to track is really seamless. Worth a listen for the experience anyway.Metric Old World Underground, Where Are You NowMetric Grow Up and Blow AwayMuse DronesMuse The ResistanceRelient K Five Score and Seven Years AgoI'm kind of conflicted on this album- some good songwriting, a few monotonous bits. Incredibly cheesy lyrics, but clearly toungue-in-cheek. I certainly have some strong feelings about this one, which is a positive thing I guess.Relient K MmhmmA lot of nostalgia on this one. I used to love it more than I do nowadays. But it's still a pretty good album in retrospect.Royksopp JuniorThis album tastes like candy. That's probably selling it a bit short, as it's got a bit more depth than that, but with tracks like tricky-tricky sometimes I can see too much of the formula. Well executed though.Secret And Whisper Teenage FantasyShe (SWE) Digital Ambient DesignsTravis The Man WhoA laid back, thoroughly pleasant album to listen to. Turn is really great. Some weaker material too, but mostly worthwhile.3.0 goodBrand New DaisyMost of the tracks here are not particularly interesting, but that abrupt turn in "vices" is hilarious to me. I must have listened to that song 8 times before I stopped making an startled jump when the guitar comes in. "you sink" is kind of fun in a certain way. Most of the album is pretty predictable oscillation between loud outbursts and whiny soft parts.Metric SyntheticaMetric Pagans In VegasMuse The 2nd LawMuse ShowbizThe Books Music for a French ElevatorAn album of voice samples and melodic type music mixed together in various proportions. The more voice-sample tracks like the Joy of Nature or Meditation are interesting, but not particularly music-like. At its best, the EP is mixing voice clips together with pleasant melodies in a seamless way, like in Foreign Country and Western. At its weakest, the album meanders through atmospheric-type sounds with not much to say, like in Flythrough.Them Crooked Vultures Them Crooked VulturesSome good hooks but boring composition. The opening minute of Elephants is one of my favorite bits. Unfortunately, there's a lot of slow, meandering writing in between the good stuff. (e.g. Warsaw is a great track as it builds up to 3:15-5:00, but it then spends a full two and half minutes of blah before it gets to the strong closer)2.5 averageShirobon InfinityAn album that sets out to mix a chiptune sound with Drum and Bass type arrangement. An interesting idea, but the main synth that outlines the melody is a bit too chirpy, and with the welcome exception of some vocals on This Love, the album has a tiring lack of variety with tracks that consistently loop their melodies just a few too many times.2.0 poorBetween the Buried and Me ColorsThe opening's decent but I can't stand the preponderance of groaning non-melodic vocals. This is a slog to listen to.1.5 very poorRadiohead The King of LimbsI'm a big fan of Radiohead in general, but this album is bad. There's a directionless electronic blase that never coalesces into anything memorable. Mr Magpie is the closest the album comes to a respectable song, but even that is disconnected and floaty.
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