Protest the Hero - Scurrilous

RATING: 8/10
Scurrilous is Protest the Hero's third full length studio album. Following the success of the other two records, "Kezia" & "Fortress," Scurrilous definitely has something to prove to it's two older brothers. Overall Scurrilous heads to a more "prog-rock" region of PTH's repertoire, and does it well. Each track is more manic than the last, leaving you asking what you were just listening to. However, like all Protest the Hero records, there's plenty of room for awfully catchy hooks... This has been the reason people either love or hate PTH. Scurrilous isn't really a serious Prog-rock album, It's not a serious metal album. It's not a pop album... What is it? It's terrific. The lyrics and overall songwriting have been seriously improved - though the song structure is sometimes hard to identify. Instrumentals are as technical as ever, though it's not as flaunted as it was in "Fortress." My only bone to pick with the album is the switch from one track to another. One of the reasons "Kezia" was praised was for it's cohesiveness as an album. Everything fit so well together. Scurrilous maintains short tracks, and not as much cohesion as I would appreciate... Though each track is excellent.

Notable Tracks:
"Termites" Contains some of the best vocal work on the album, and slows some stuff down.

"C'est la Vie" is the opening track on the record and sets the tone for the whole album.

:Links to Artist:
http://www.protestthehero.com/

Explosions in the Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Rating: 6.5/10
Being a fan of Explosions in the Sky, and having owned two of their previous records, I was excited about the release of this. "Take Care, Take Care, Take Care" is their sixth studio LP, and for a band who has so much under their belt, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of change or variation in this record compared to previous LPs. Take Care just doesn't seem to have the explosions that previous albums had - That tense build-up and dramatic release, intended to wash you away in a wall of pure sound. That's not to say that the album is bad. On the contrary, Take Care gives you beautiful and warm melodies the whole way through. Pieced together by Guitar, Piano, string sounds, and possibly some horn, Take Care delivers a mellow sound in a full way.

Notable Tracks:
"Last Known Surroundings" is memorable and is a great way to start of the album. The track really lets you know that simple, but clear, drums are going to be an essential part of the record.

"Be Comfortable, Creature" is absolutely fantastic. With clear groovy drums and soothing melodies, the track never gets to be "explosive," but it doesn't need to.


Links to Artist:

http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/

An introduction.

Hey folks,

I've created this blog as a means to help myself stay on top of music. I enjoy reading reviews and blogs about music - ALL music - but too often I find there is a "niche" market attached to every reviewer. Be it Metal, Hip-hop, Indie, Pop etc... Most blogs/reviewers are attached to a genre, and will seldom stray from reviewing other music.

I created this blog with the intention of reviewing any and all kinds of music as well as posting entries about my thoughts on music (I consider myself the average listener). I will try to review anything from Avant-Garde Jazz, to top 40 chart music. Having said that, I do have a musical preference... Much of which discriminates against Top-40 music, but this does not mean I can't enjoy it.

I will do my best to keep up with new-release albums... But I plan on throwing in my thoughts on older records on a regular basis.

Suggestions for music to review is more than appreciated...  
REQUEST ALBUMS I WOULD OTHERWISE NEVER HEAR ... I'm here to expand my own musical taste.

-A.