Hey guys,
So I've been a fan of Marilyn Manson for a few years, and I've been putting this review off for a while. This is long overdue, so here it is, my review of Marilyn Manson's Born Villain.
Track one, Hey Cruel World, starts out with some slow guitar and electric stuff. Then Marilyn starts singing, and you can tell this'll be great. Then it starts rocking. And you realize this was the song that I Am Among No One was from. The heavy guitar, and dark vocals make this a great start to the album.
Track two, and the lead single, is called No Reflection; However the album version is a lot longer than the single version (like Storytime for Nightwish). The first verse was very low, but then got more upbeat, and then the chorus, which rocked. The guitar and drums are great, however this isn't one of my favorites.
Track three is called Pistol Whipped and it starts out with some quiet gears cranking, and then guitar, with electric stuff. And then you hear breathing. The vocals come in, and this is probably one of the ones I like less, due to the slow tempo, and gears at the beginning. However, the chorus was great, so I won't say it was completely bad.
Track four is called Overneath The Path Of Misery, and this one was leaked early, but the album begins with a long Shakespeare quote. Then the guitar comes in at it rocks. Due to hearing the song on YouTube, I recognize a lot of the lyrics. A lot of Shakespeare references, yet still able to rock. And then the chorus comes in and rocks.
Track five is called Slo-Mo-Tion, and originally, I wasn't into this song, but I've gotten around to liking it, since I saw the video. It kind of reminds me of Putting Holes In Happiness, but the lyrics are completely different. I honestly don't know what this song is supposed to be about, but that's what I love about Manson, his songs are so complex, that sometimes I can't understand what they mean. He truly is an artist.
Track 6 is called The Gardener, and I'm not into this song, mainly because it's almost all spoken word, almost like a musical poem, which further proves Manson is an artist, and not just a musician, but I hate spoken word. I just don't like it for some reason. So this song is a good song overall, but I personally don't like it.
Track 7 is called The Flowers Of Evil, and while that name sounds awful, this is a very good song. It takes a while to get going, but once it does, it becomes an awesome work of industrial metal. This is a prime example of the darkness that Manson is known for.
Track 8 is called Children Of Cain, and while it is a slower song, it is incredibly catchy. It is very dark and gloomy, which is good, because you don't want a bubbly song from Marilyn Manson. The lyrics are complex, but not too complex (Too complex = Not catchy), and the music is dark, but rocks.
Track 9 is called Disengaged, and it starts with breathing on the mic, and then it gets good. This is actually the shortest song on the album, but is still really good, which makes me wish it was longer. The chorus rocks, and really brings this song to life.
Track 10 is called Lay Down Your Goddamn Arms, and with a title like that, I'm not surprised that there's a lot of unnecessary profanity in this song, but I still enjoyed it, the lyrics are good, besides the unnecessary cursing, the music kicks ass, and the chorus rocks.
Track 11 is called Murderers Are Getting Prettier Every Day and this song kicks ass. It's fast, it rocks, the guitar is badass, and the lyrics rock. This is a less artistic song on the album, but I love it.
Track 12 is the title track Born Villain, and while this is a slower song, it's very dark, and the lyrics are awesome. It's almost 5 and a half minutes, so you have a lot to work with. This is a work of art as well as a rock song. The end verse kicks ass, and I almost wish this were the last song on the album, but if it were, we wouldn't have this next one.
Track 13 is called Breaking The Same Old Ground, and you'd think from the beginning this would be a slow, but dark rock song, but it's actually more emotional and slow. I like it, but I almost wish a rock song were the last one, well, an original one.
Track 14 is a cover of You're So Vain by Carly Simon with Johnny Depp (Yes, the actor) on guitar. I honestly never know Johnny Depp was such a good guitarist, and Manson did great on the vocals, not trying to copy Carly Simon (but, let's be honest, how could he?).
Overall Thoughts: 8/10. While there were songs on here I didn't enjoy, I love the majority. Marilyn Manson is one of the few true artists in the music business today, and this album proves it to those who deny it. Manson is a creative genius and I love this album, I just wish it came with a lyric booklet. Damn independent labels.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Dot Dot Curve Deaf, Dumb and Blind review
I've put this off long enough, here is my review of Deaf Dumb and Blind by Dot Dot Curve.
Track 1 is called Doctor, and is another generic electronic intro which we see so much of today.
Track 2 is called Snapbacks & Tatts, and it gets straight to the good stuff. Spanky's rapping, but he also screams, which I love. I liked the lyrics a bit less than other stuff recently, but it's mostly brand new, so I'm not complaining.
Track 3 is called Hotelly YPSM remix ft. J Bigga, and I've never heard the original song, so I don't have that to compare it to, which is actually a good thing. It's pretty catchy, especially the chorus, but anything by J Bigga is catchy... well, except the verse in this song.
Track 4 is called Cockroach, which is a freestyle by Spanky, which I'd been hoping for since I'm Still Here. Spanky was great, and I loved the Shining reference. However, due to the roaches in Florida (where I live), I can't say I liked the name at first. I hope to see more freestyles from Spanky in the future.
Track 5 is called Tongue Dance, and is reminds me a lot of Spoonfull Of Sugar off Till The Wheels Fall Off, well, besides the subject matter. This is simply put, a song about making out, but you picked that up from the lyrics.
Track 6 is called BottleAfterBottle Ft. BayBay, and I wasn't into this song the first time, and I'm still not. I like DDC, and I don't mind BayBay, but I just don't like this song. I didn't mind the chorus though.
Track 7 is called PartyOnTheMoon ft. Envy (You know, from Scene Kidz), and while I like the verses, I don't like the chorus. Spanky is growling at a point between screaming and rapping, and Envy is doing that annoying thing where she raps like a little girl with a swearing problem (I never liked rappers that did that). I don't mind Envy, I love obSCENE, but I just didn't like the chorus or Envy's verse... at all.
Track 8 is called Area 51 ft. N!tro, and at first I thought it would be one of those songs that belongs on a N!tro album, but this was a great ending. This isn't brand new, but it feels new to me because I didn't bother to download it when it was free. N!tro has a great verse, and he's a pretty good singer for a rapper. Spanky has a great verse, and chorus, and the song ends, bringing the EP with it.
Overall thoughts: 7/10. While this EP had it's moments, at times I just didn't enjoy it. Nasty was so much better, but I still did enjoy tracks like Snapbacks and Tatts, Cockroach, and Area 51. I was just glad to see 6 out of 8 songs being brand new after Dead Beat.
Track 1 is called Doctor, and is another generic electronic intro which we see so much of today.
Track 2 is called Snapbacks & Tatts, and it gets straight to the good stuff. Spanky's rapping, but he also screams, which I love. I liked the lyrics a bit less than other stuff recently, but it's mostly brand new, so I'm not complaining.
Track 3 is called Hotelly YPSM remix ft. J Bigga, and I've never heard the original song, so I don't have that to compare it to, which is actually a good thing. It's pretty catchy, especially the chorus, but anything by J Bigga is catchy... well, except the verse in this song.
Track 4 is called Cockroach, which is a freestyle by Spanky, which I'd been hoping for since I'm Still Here. Spanky was great, and I loved the Shining reference. However, due to the roaches in Florida (where I live), I can't say I liked the name at first. I hope to see more freestyles from Spanky in the future.
Track 5 is called Tongue Dance, and is reminds me a lot of Spoonfull Of Sugar off Till The Wheels Fall Off, well, besides the subject matter. This is simply put, a song about making out, but you picked that up from the lyrics.
Track 6 is called BottleAfterBottle Ft. BayBay, and I wasn't into this song the first time, and I'm still not. I like DDC, and I don't mind BayBay, but I just don't like this song. I didn't mind the chorus though.
Track 7 is called PartyOnTheMoon ft. Envy (You know, from Scene Kidz), and while I like the verses, I don't like the chorus. Spanky is growling at a point between screaming and rapping, and Envy is doing that annoying thing where she raps like a little girl with a swearing problem (I never liked rappers that did that). I don't mind Envy, I love obSCENE, but I just didn't like the chorus or Envy's verse... at all.
Track 8 is called Area 51 ft. N!tro, and at first I thought it would be one of those songs that belongs on a N!tro album, but this was a great ending. This isn't brand new, but it feels new to me because I didn't bother to download it when it was free. N!tro has a great verse, and he's a pretty good singer for a rapper. Spanky has a great verse, and chorus, and the song ends, bringing the EP with it.
Overall thoughts: 7/10. While this EP had it's moments, at times I just didn't enjoy it. Nasty was so much better, but I still did enjoy tracks like Snapbacks and Tatts, Cockroach, and Area 51. I was just glad to see 6 out of 8 songs being brand new after Dead Beat.
Review of Vengeance by R.Jones
Yea, I know, I put off Deaf, Dumb and Blind, again, but I got a request from the artist on this one, so here is my review, of R.Jones.
Track 1 is called Jesus Juice Ft. Chao, and while the lyrics and sound were reminiscent of Aesop Rock, the distorted voice was not a good first impression. Then it's just instrumental for the rest. I dunno, I hope there's more to it than this.
Track 2 is called Fantasy Life ft. Brandon Turk, and this is infinitely better than the first track. The music is catchy as hell, and the voice isn't distorted to the point of annoyance. I actually enjoyed this whereas the first had good lyrics, and that's it. Brandon Turk was pretty good, but I have to wonder, was the 4 minute length really necessary?
Track 3 is called Atari Team Gang, and honestly, I don't see the reason for this song's existence, let alone it being 6 minutes. I made it to about the 1 minute mark and wanted it to be over.
Track 4 is called Pop Off ft. puffpuffpass(what?), and thank goodness for this track because were it not for this, I would be reluctant to listen to anything by R.Jones again. While it repeats lyrics, from ATG, there's actually real verses in this track. I personally think this track could do without a chorus though.
Overall thoughts 5/10, simply because it's literally half good. I see potential, but I can't stand half the record. I love long songs, but if they're bad, making it long is worse. R.Jones himself told me he made this a while back, so I'm hoping he's improved, and stuff like this is a lesson in what not to do. Now, I am not going to post anything, until my review for Deaf Dumb and Blind, thank you.
Track 1 is called Jesus Juice Ft. Chao, and while the lyrics and sound were reminiscent of Aesop Rock, the distorted voice was not a good first impression. Then it's just instrumental for the rest. I dunno, I hope there's more to it than this.
Track 2 is called Fantasy Life ft. Brandon Turk, and this is infinitely better than the first track. The music is catchy as hell, and the voice isn't distorted to the point of annoyance. I actually enjoyed this whereas the first had good lyrics, and that's it. Brandon Turk was pretty good, but I have to wonder, was the 4 minute length really necessary?
Track 3 is called Atari Team Gang, and honestly, I don't see the reason for this song's existence, let alone it being 6 minutes. I made it to about the 1 minute mark and wanted it to be over.
Track 4 is called Pop Off ft. puffpuffpass(what?), and thank goodness for this track because were it not for this, I would be reluctant to listen to anything by R.Jones again. While it repeats lyrics, from ATG, there's actually real verses in this track. I personally think this track could do without a chorus though.
Overall thoughts 5/10, simply because it's literally half good. I see potential, but I can't stand half the record. I love long songs, but if they're bad, making it long is worse. R.Jones himself told me he made this a while back, so I'm hoping he's improved, and stuff like this is a lesson in what not to do. Now, I am not going to post anything, until my review for Deaf Dumb and Blind, thank you.
Dot Dot Curve - Nasty review
I'm a big fan of Dot Dot Curve, but I wasn't a big fan of Dead Beat. Right after that they released Deaf, Dumb and Blind, which I was going to review, before I heard about their new mixtape, Nasty. I downloaded it and now, I am going to review it. So here is my review of DDC's Nasty.
Track 1 is the title track, and while it gets a bit repetitive, I really liked it. Why? Because it is reminiscent of all DDC's work, from Till The Wheels Fall Off to Dead Beat. Spanky is as good as ever, and the beat is awesome, just putting that out there. While not my favorite on the record, it is a great start.
Track 2 is called iRock ft. BayBay, and if Spanky proved anything with this, it's that, you don't need to tell us that. This song could be called Untitled and we'd get the message. You get a great verse from BayBay, and Spanky takes care of the rest.
Track 3 is called This Is Anarchy ft. Jayreck, and this sounds like it could be on Your Ears Will Bleeping Bleed 2. You get Jayreck in the beginning, which is always a good thing. Spanky's verse is awesome, and I would really like to see more songs like this in the future.
Track 4 is called Go Stupid, and this one sounds like it could've been on Dead Beat considering the other songs on there. This is a song that makes you want to move (Like Red Hot Chili Peppers, but not in any other way). I do like it, but were the 10 seconds of silence at the end really necessary?
Track 5 is called Trick Treat Ft BayBay, and so much of this song is screaming, I was almost surprised when BayBay had this awesome verse in the middle of all the screaming. And while I love this song musically, I can't understand most of the lyrics, so I haven't the slightest clue what it's about, besides BayBay's verse, which doesn't provide much insight besides "Slasher Movie Soundtrack". At first BayBay's verse seems almost unnecessary in this kind of song, but then I realized it brought something different to an almost all screaming song. I was able to really enjoy this song, and still do when I listen to it again.
Track 6 was originally called Earthquake, which I believe would've been a better title, but they chose Hard Rock Sweater ft Young Chi. I think it was appropriate to have Young Chi on this song because it sounds like I'm Still Here Revamped, although it could've just as easily have been on Dead Beat (Although I'm glad it wasn't). While Young Chi didn't get his own verse, he did get a pretty kick ass part in the chorus. And Spanky was good throughout.
Track 7 is called 8OH8!, and at first I thought the entire song was going to have 9 different lyrics (oddly enough) which would've been awful, but then Spanky starts rapping, and relief. Great rap verse, although I think the electro music in the background gets a bit annoying. After that verse though, it just repeats itself. I think he should've ended it differently.
Overall thoughts: 9/10, maybe I am giving this album a little too much credit, but I just hated the lack of brand new material on Dead Beat, so I guess I was really excited to see new material that was so good, even if I do overrate it. I liked Deaf Dumb and Blind (Which I will get to), but I love this. I just hope DDC's next album isn't something like this combined with Deaf Dumb and Blind, or something dumb like that.
Oh, and in the tradition of every DDC album I have being a different genre in iTunes for some reason, I have labeled this, Goth Rock, don't ask why, I do not know.
Tune in next time, when I will review Dot Dot Curve's Deaf Dumb and Blind.
Oh, and here's a link to the download of Nasty ----> http://mediafire.com/?hocb31tbwj7nhhy
Oh, and here's a link to the download of Nasty ----> http://mediafire.com/?hocb31tbwj7nhhy
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Green Day - ¡Uno! review
Okay, so, I'm a Green Day fan. Not everyone is. Some are just a fan of Green Day to a certain point. Recently they released the first in a trilogy of albums. So here is my review of ¡Uno! by Green Day.
Track 1 is called Nuclear Family, and they immediately let you know, this is a Green Day album, with the kick-ass, in your face punk rock we've come to love and expect from Green Day. The music is great, the lyrics are great, an awesome way to start the album. What? You didn't think I was gonna say great again did you?
Track 2 is called Stay The Night and while the lyrics are nothing like Nuclear Family, the music is the same in your face punk rock we see throughout the album. However, as I said, this is a more personal song, whereas I have no idea what Nuclear Family was supposed to be about. This song is good, however if it weren't a Green Day song I'd say the rock sound doesn't fit with the lyrics.
Track 3 is called Carpe Diem, and if you don't know what that means, the other lyrics in the chorus may not make sense. It is popularly translated as seize the day. With that in mind, the rest of the chorus makes perfect sense. This song reminds me of something on Joey Ramone's new solo album, which is good, because that album is great. I wish I knew what the name meant from the beginning though.
Track 4 is called Let Yourself Go, and if you want in your face, kick ass punk rock, and the other songs didn't satisfy you, this song is for you. The lyrics would be stupid were this not a punk song, and the music fits so well with the tone of this album, being the kind of song that would give your grandmother a heart attack. I love this song, but only found out it was new weeks before the release, so I wish I had gotten more time to listen to it before the album released.
Track 5 is called Kill The DJ. Now, when Green Day first announced this song, they described it as a dance song. "Holy crap," said the pissed of little Green Day fan in my head, "this song is going to suck, big time!". However I was shocked when I actually enjoyed it. I learned two things upon listening to it for the first time. One, Green Day is incapable of making a "dance song" and two, Green Day rocks, even when they're trying not to rock. One thing I liked about it though was it was a break from songs like Let Yourself Go, or Nuclear Family.
Track 6 is called Fell For You, and Tre Cool and Billie Joe start us off with a drum beat, and rocking guitar. This however is a very personal song, and whereas with Stay The Night, I said if it weren't Green Day the personal lyrics wouldn't fit the music, these lyrics do not fit the music, period. Judging by these lyrics, this song would make more sense with music like we heard on Wake Me Up When September Ends, or The Last Night On Earth. However I'm not complaining and I'll tell you why at the end of the review. I just hope we'll get some slower songs on the follow ups.
Track 7 is called Loss Of Control, and while that name sounds like No Self Control, this is different. However for a song called Loss Of Control, this song is pretty tame. The music rocks, but judging by the lyrics, this song should be a lot faster and crazier. There's even a few seconds where there's no music at all. What the hell? This is called Loss Of Control, couldn't they at least speed it up at the end? I liked it, but I think it should've been a lot faster.
Track 8 is called Troublemaker, and this almost sounds like a song the Sex Pistols would make, until the chorus, where it sounds like something I've heard before but can't picture. I do think the verses are a lot more wild than the chorus, which is weird because all the chorus is, is Billie Joe saying "Wanna be a troublemaker". This was a great song though, and I think it would be really cool if the Sex Pistols covered this.
Track 9 is called Angel Blue, and while I don't really get the lyrics, I love the song, music, and lyrics, because it sounds like a mix of Green Day that everyone likes. I really don't have much to say about this song, but I like it. That sounds lazy, but this is a hard song to evaluate.
Track 10 (and my personal favorite) is called Sweet 16. I love this song, because it's personal, emotional, and a break from the 10 other tracks of in your face punk rock. This song is also very catchy. It sticks in your head like a Beatles song. I love this song, because it sticks out in a crowd.
Track 11 is called Rusty James, and while I don't get the lyrics, the song rocks, and I like it. I will have to try to find what this song is about though, maybe I'll have more of an opinion about it.
Track 12, the final track and the first single on the album, is called Oh Love, and while this is a great personal song, and rocks, it does not feel like 5 minutes. I almost wish they had made it like Jesus of Suburbia, or 21st Century Breakdown, where it was multiple short songs in one huge song. You do get a kick ass guitar solo from Billie Joe in the middle, which is awesome. However, again, this does not feel like five minutes. It barely feels like four minutes. Some would say that's a good thing, but I love long songs, and this did not feel like one. It's very good though.
Final evaluation: 8/10; While this is a very good album, so much of it was in your face punk rock, that sometimes it would've felt unnecessary coming from anyone else, but that in your face punk is what I love about Green Day, they make it work, even when they're not trying to, like on Kill The DJ. However it is nice to have a break once in a while, and we didn't really get that on this album, so I'm still hoping for that on ¡Dos! or in the very least ¡Tre!; That is why I'm not complaining about the lack of slow songs on this album. One, because in your face punk is what Green Day is known for and two, because we still have two albums and 25 songs on the way. So I'm very pleased with ¡Uno! to say the least.
Next time : Dot Dot Curve - Deaf, Dumb and Blind EP review
Track 1 is called Nuclear Family, and they immediately let you know, this is a Green Day album, with the kick-ass, in your face punk rock we've come to love and expect from Green Day. The music is great, the lyrics are great, an awesome way to start the album. What? You didn't think I was gonna say great again did you?
Track 2 is called Stay The Night and while the lyrics are nothing like Nuclear Family, the music is the same in your face punk rock we see throughout the album. However, as I said, this is a more personal song, whereas I have no idea what Nuclear Family was supposed to be about. This song is good, however if it weren't a Green Day song I'd say the rock sound doesn't fit with the lyrics.
Track 3 is called Carpe Diem, and if you don't know what that means, the other lyrics in the chorus may not make sense. It is popularly translated as seize the day. With that in mind, the rest of the chorus makes perfect sense. This song reminds me of something on Joey Ramone's new solo album, which is good, because that album is great. I wish I knew what the name meant from the beginning though.
Track 4 is called Let Yourself Go, and if you want in your face, kick ass punk rock, and the other songs didn't satisfy you, this song is for you. The lyrics would be stupid were this not a punk song, and the music fits so well with the tone of this album, being the kind of song that would give your grandmother a heart attack. I love this song, but only found out it was new weeks before the release, so I wish I had gotten more time to listen to it before the album released.
Track 5 is called Kill The DJ. Now, when Green Day first announced this song, they described it as a dance song. "Holy crap," said the pissed of little Green Day fan in my head, "this song is going to suck, big time!". However I was shocked when I actually enjoyed it. I learned two things upon listening to it for the first time. One, Green Day is incapable of making a "dance song" and two, Green Day rocks, even when they're trying not to rock. One thing I liked about it though was it was a break from songs like Let Yourself Go, or Nuclear Family.
Track 6 is called Fell For You, and Tre Cool and Billie Joe start us off with a drum beat, and rocking guitar. This however is a very personal song, and whereas with Stay The Night, I said if it weren't Green Day the personal lyrics wouldn't fit the music, these lyrics do not fit the music, period. Judging by these lyrics, this song would make more sense with music like we heard on Wake Me Up When September Ends, or The Last Night On Earth. However I'm not complaining and I'll tell you why at the end of the review. I just hope we'll get some slower songs on the follow ups.
Track 7 is called Loss Of Control, and while that name sounds like No Self Control, this is different. However for a song called Loss Of Control, this song is pretty tame. The music rocks, but judging by the lyrics, this song should be a lot faster and crazier. There's even a few seconds where there's no music at all. What the hell? This is called Loss Of Control, couldn't they at least speed it up at the end? I liked it, but I think it should've been a lot faster.
Track 8 is called Troublemaker, and this almost sounds like a song the Sex Pistols would make, until the chorus, where it sounds like something I've heard before but can't picture. I do think the verses are a lot more wild than the chorus, which is weird because all the chorus is, is Billie Joe saying "Wanna be a troublemaker". This was a great song though, and I think it would be really cool if the Sex Pistols covered this.
Track 9 is called Angel Blue, and while I don't really get the lyrics, I love the song, music, and lyrics, because it sounds like a mix of Green Day that everyone likes. I really don't have much to say about this song, but I like it. That sounds lazy, but this is a hard song to evaluate.
Track 10 (and my personal favorite) is called Sweet 16. I love this song, because it's personal, emotional, and a break from the 10 other tracks of in your face punk rock. This song is also very catchy. It sticks in your head like a Beatles song. I love this song, because it sticks out in a crowd.
Track 11 is called Rusty James, and while I don't get the lyrics, the song rocks, and I like it. I will have to try to find what this song is about though, maybe I'll have more of an opinion about it.
Track 12, the final track and the first single on the album, is called Oh Love, and while this is a great personal song, and rocks, it does not feel like 5 minutes. I almost wish they had made it like Jesus of Suburbia, or 21st Century Breakdown, where it was multiple short songs in one huge song. You do get a kick ass guitar solo from Billie Joe in the middle, which is awesome. However, again, this does not feel like five minutes. It barely feels like four minutes. Some would say that's a good thing, but I love long songs, and this did not feel like one. It's very good though.
Final evaluation: 8/10; While this is a very good album, so much of it was in your face punk rock, that sometimes it would've felt unnecessary coming from anyone else, but that in your face punk is what I love about Green Day, they make it work, even when they're not trying to, like on Kill The DJ. However it is nice to have a break once in a while, and we didn't really get that on this album, so I'm still hoping for that on ¡Dos! or in the very least ¡Tre!; That is why I'm not complaining about the lack of slow songs on this album. One, because in your face punk is what Green Day is known for and two, because we still have two albums and 25 songs on the way. So I'm very pleased with ¡Uno! to say the least.
Next time : Dot Dot Curve - Deaf, Dumb and Blind EP review
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