| 4.5 superb |
| Al Di Meola Elegant Gypsy |
| My father got me into this record, and while he and I no longer get along, it reminds me of good times in years past. As a guitar player, it both inspires and keeps me grounded, simultaneously reminding me of how much there is to learn, and how far I have to go! |
| Cave In Antenna |
| Incubus (USA-CA) A Crow Left of the Murder... |
| Incubus (USA-CA) Morning View |
| Lamb of God Wrath |
Honestly, this album is really fucking good. I never particularly cared about Lamb of God before this record, but I went out and purchased the Vinyl copy (which was inexplicably available at the local Cheapo days before the album was released) within hours of hearing it for the first time on their myspace. I don't do that. But I did it with this record.
It's not a masterpiece, but it's a refreshingly awesome album from a generally simple american metal band. |
| Mastodon Crack the Skye |
| Meshuggah Catch Thirtythree |
| Metallica S&M |
| Muse Black Holes & Revelations |
| Opeth Watershed |
It must be difficult as an artist to have such a history of great album after great album, and for the majority of your most well-received albums to have a relatively similar sound. On the one hand, you want to do something you haven't done yet (as most artists will tell you: they don't want to make the same record over and over again) and evolve/grow as an artist. On the other hand, you've got millions of die-hard fans that will likely be quite angry if they go to purchase your new record and find nothing familiar about it whatsoever.
Watershed, for me, is a perfect example of how to balance these two forces. It has taken Opeth out of their "Blackwater Park sequel" rut that they've suffered from with their previous two releases, while retaining much of the familiar Opeth sound that so many have come to know and love. Sure, some dislike the unfamiliar, but I for one welcome their rekindled excitement for innovation and musical growth.
4.5/5 |
