Wow, totally forgot about this club, but just found it again by a fluke search. Figured I may as well post some of my recent reviews:
Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
This was, for a while, my favourite Megadeth album. This has since changed (with 'Rust In Peace' overtaking it in my books,) but that doesn't make this CD any less great. This record boasts some amazing tracks, from thrash anthem "Peace Sells," to the superb "Good Mourning/Black Friday," to closer "My Last Words." The guitar playing on this album is incredible- in 1986, very few bands shredded as much as Megadeth does on here. Every song on here features at least one wickedly fast guitar solo (most contain two, three or even more). However, there are three main complaints with this album: Mustaine's vocals, the production, and the length. Firstly, I throughly enjoy Mustaine's vocals. He may not have the sleekest voice ever, but his trademark 'snarl' fits the music perfectly. He really has his own style of vocals. Second of all, the production. I own the 2006 re-release of this record, so I can't really comment on it (as the production has been improved for this version). I will say, however, that the rough production probably increased its raw sound, which in turn makes it feel more 'real,' almost. Finally, the length. Here is where the main problem lies. At only thirty-six minutes, this record flies by. Every song on here is quality, however, and I would take an awesome thirty-six minute album over a terrible 78-minute one anyway. However, a song or two more would have been welcome here. The bottom line: should you buy this? Yes. It is a classic thrash album that should be heard by anyone who considers themselves a metalhead (or anyone else for that matter).
4.5/5
Authority Zero - A Passage In Time
Authority Zero is one of the most underrated punk bands ever, and this album is proof of that. A fantastic fusion of punk rock, ska, and Spanish-music, this record is just a great listen. The band have a very energetic sound to them, which contributes a lot to the album. Highlights include the title track, punk rocker "Everyday," the short but nonetheless awesome "La Surf," and the longest track on the album "One More Minute;" how this song wasn't a huge hit is beyond me. Highly recommended.
4/5
Stratovarius - Elysium
A fairly cool but not particularly remarkable power metal album. The instrumentation is great throughout, particularly the guitar and keyboard, but some of the tracks just feel derivative and unnoteworthy. The ambitious 18-minute title track which closes the album is excellent, however, as is opener "Darkest Hours."
3.5/5
Buckethead - Spinal Clock
One of Buckethead's most minimalistic releases yet, "Spinal Clock" is the type of album that prefers to make its point not by hitting you with sound, but by lacking it. This is a very experimental release, with a majority of the nine tracks on here having almost no melody or flow. The highlights for me are the last two songs: "Skeleton Dance" is the closest thing to a traditional song on here, consisting of a breathtaking Medieval-style riff played behind a banjo solo, and "Bayou By You," which sounds like something from "The Cuckoo Clocks Of Hell" transposed and played on a banjo. One of Buckethead's most polarizing efforts yet, "Spinal Clock" is not for those without an open mind, but if you can keep one throughout, appreciation for the inventiveness of the compositions will bloom and you may end up enjoying it. For me though, the first seven tracks are just too sparse and minimalistic to merit much playtime.
3.5/5
Nickelback - Dark Horse
The only reason this gets a 1.5 and not a 1 is because of the song "Just To Get High." I have to admit that this song is great, especially by Nickelback's standards- the good ambient guitar intro combined with a semi-shred guitar solo (!) make this by far one of the best songs done by the band. The rest of the album, unfortunately, is the same made-for-radio garbage that Nickelback seems to fill every one of their albums with. "I'd Come For You" is about as bland as a power ballad can be, and "If Today Was Your Last Day" is a song guaranteed to be played on radio stations non stop for the next year or two, and it, surprisingly, sounds like nearly every other Nickelback song ever written. Add in some truly abhorrent lyrics about sex (see S.E.X) and you get this album. Download "Just To Get High", just to hear a good Nickelback song for a change, and leave the rest of the album- unless for some perverse reason you want to hear Chad Kroeger sing "Sex is always the answer." I know I don't.
1.5/5
