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Post by ShadesofGray on May 16, 2007 20:16:01 GMT -5
Hey Jay,
Been reading through your reviews and was wondering if you'd like to review the new Persephone's Dream. If so, please PM your contact info and I'll have a cd sent out to you.
Keep up the great work!
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tageryche
Simple Human  ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62 
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Post by tageryche on Jun 5, 2007 16:48:34 GMT -5
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BenMech
At Fates Hands  ![]() http://www.fat
The One You Warned Me Of
Posts: 1,470
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Post by BenMech on Jun 6, 2007 7:36:24 GMT -5
love that Zevon live album
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Jun 6, 2007 19:47:28 GMT -5
Same here, it's a great one.
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Jun 7, 2007 19:10:21 GMT -5
ROBERT PLANT
Pictures at Eleven [Remastered & Expanded]
Rhino Records 2007
"The debut solo album from Robert Plant gets the reissue treatment here. The CD features an introductory essay and two bonus cuts. Robert Plant is one of the few true legends of the music industry. It’s just an amazing thing to see him fronting the biggest band of all time and then when that eminently successful run ends, he reinvents himself as a solo artist unafraid to try any musical idea that he comes across. Pictures At Eleven is definitely a musical portrait of an artist in transition from one stage of his career to another, but even that doesn’t hold Plant back. The lead track “Burning Down One Side” still stands today as one of the best sounding tracks he’s produced in his solo career. What puts this track even higher in my estimation is the fact that Phil Collins performs the drums. In fact he performs on all but two of the original track listing’s songs, the now deceased Cozy Powell handles the other two tracks.
The guitar work and general overall wild vibe on “Mystery Title” makes it a standout for me. The song just bounces all over the musical landscape and it’s quite the enjoyable ride. “Slow Dancer” gives you the first glimpses of Plant’s use of Arabic sounds in his music. That is an influence that has continued throughout his solo material. “Moonlight In Samosa” has that moody atmospheric sound conjured up by the song title. I liked “Pledge Pin” as a whole, but I really dug the included saxophone sound. It really sold the song to me. I didn’t really care for “Like I’ve Never Been Gone”, so the inclusion of a live recording of the song alongside the original studio version did nothing for me.
The album has lots of musical ideas and notions to reel in the listener with nifty guitar work, pound rhythm section work, and of course the magic of Plant’s vocals. The best thing is that this was only the beginning. He gets not only better as the albums progress, but also more important as a musical artist. As a longtime fan of his solo material I have to say the beginning is always the best place to start your appreciation of one of the rarest gems in the musical world."
-- Jay Roberts
3 1/2 out of 5
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BenMech
At Fates Hands ![]() http://www.fat
The One You Warned Me Of
Posts: 1,470
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Post by BenMech on Jun 8, 2007 5:57:34 GMT -5
I've never liked Burning Down One Side. But the rest of the review is fine
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Jul 31, 2007 17:38:28 GMT -5
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Aug 17, 2007 19:02:21 GMT -5
Steve Perry - For The Love Of Strange Medicine (Reissue)CROSSFADE Falling Away Columbia Records 2006 "The follow up to the band’s self-titled 2004 debut release continues the band’s trail of gritty vocals and aggressive guitar work. Vocalist/guitarist Ed Sloan has some really down and dirty guitar riffs on display throughout the disc. The opener “Washing The World Away” features some gruff guitar lines. Bassist/vocalist Mitch James and drummer James Branham combine with Sloan to form a heck of a rock trio. The album features 10 edgy rockers that move from a midtempo groove to all out driving rhythms. “Already Gone”, “Drown You Out” and “Breathing Slowly” are superb examples of the latter while “Invincible” and “Someday” typify the former. The 11th track and album closer is the only real misstep in song selection. “Never Coming Home” is the lamb coming after the lion (the other 10 tracks). While the band’s lyrics can be a bit depressing at times, I really think the band has something going for it and look forward to seeing them continue their winning ways on their next album."
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Sept 10, 2007 18:21:22 GMT -5
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Oct 1, 2007 17:41:59 GMT -5
I've got a couple of brief reviews up online now. Here's what I said about Enemy Remains: ENEMY REMAINS S/T SELF-RELEASED –2007 www.enemyremains.comTHE VERDICT The band founded by ex-Fates Warning drummer Steve Zimmerman in 2005 combine a mix of their progressive metal roots and the traditional power metal sound of yesterday and today to form one amazing sound on their self-titled and self-released 3 song EP. I loved the alternating gritty and soaring style of vocalist Brian Betterton. On “Live For Today” the main verses had the grit, while the chorus had the soaring style. The tempo variations within “Holdin’ On” are noteworthy and ear catching. The riffs and overall musicianship on “Fallen” were superb. This was a great introduction to the band. The 3 songs are superb and I can only hope that it will be sooner rather than later before I hear a full-length album with some heavy label support. Yes, the disc was THAT great! RATING 4 ½ of out 5 Here's what I said about Richie Kotzen: RICHIE KOTZEN Into The Black FRONTIERS RECORDS – 2006 www.richiekotzen.comTHE VERDICT The ex-Poison guitarist continues to explore the musical landscape far and away from that glam metal period with the deeply blues influenced rock and roll found on Into The Black. Kotzen’s got a nice gritty edge to his singing voice and his musical ability should be without question as he wrote, arranged, produced and performed the album by himself. “Misunderstood” has a hot burning groove to it, while the last track “My Angel” closes the CD in a much slower fashion. The song still manages to have a sweet riff towards the end of the track though. The harder rock edged tracks “You Can’t Save Me” and “Sacred Ground” both have a flaming hot delivery. I consider the Poison album Native Tongue the best release the band ever did. I think it comes as no surprise that it’s the only CD on which Kotzen played with the band. He’s got a great musical vision and he continues to unveil and refine it with every successive release. Into The Black is one beautifully wonderful step on that continuing musical evolution. RATING 4 ½ out of 5 --- Jay Roberts |
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Oct 3, 2007 17:41:10 GMT -5
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Nov 5, 2007 19:07:14 GMT -5
SONATA ARCTICA
Unia
Nuclear Blast Records 2007
"The musical pace is definitely on the high energy fast paced side, but “The Harvest” and “Fly With The Black Swan” are the only songs that resonate with any signs of life. Otherwise the album comes off as some very bloodless, cold and antiseptic prog metal."
-- Jay Roberts
2 out of 5
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kerrick
Monument  ![]() http://www.fateswa
Posts: 430
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Post by kerrick on Nov 7, 2007 1:10:36 GMT -5
Mmm, I liked it better than "Reckoning Night." It's still not that great by any means, thoug I probably would've given it 3 instead of 2 stars. I really like "Caleb" and "Paid in Full" from that album.
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tageryche
Simple Human ![]() http://www.fat
Posts: 62
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Post by tageryche on Nov 7, 2007 6:51:39 GMT -5
Mmm, I liked it better than "Reckoning Night." It's still not that great by any means, thoug I probably would've given it 3 instead of 2 stars. I really like "Caleb" and "Paid in Full" from that album. I was really hoping to like the album but I didn't care for the live CD or this one all that much. I think the band is just not to my liking overall. |
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kerrick
Monument ![]() http://www.fateswa
Posts: 430
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Post by kerrick on Nov 7, 2007 10:06:13 GMT -5
Mmm, I liked it better than "Reckoning Night." It's still not that great by any means, thoug I probably would've given it 3 instead of 2 stars. I really like "Caleb" and "Paid in Full" from that album. I was really hoping to like the album but I didn't care for the live CD or this one all that much. I think the band is just not to my liking overall. Have you listened to their older stuff? "Silence" and "Winterheart's Guild" are pretty good I think. I'm not much for power metal these days, but I like those two quite a bit. "Ecliptica" is a good debut as well, though I prefer the other two I mentioned. I'd check those out if you haven't already. |
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