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On A Good Day (Metropolis) - Oceanlab





Mod Edit - Hey there. Since this is a post-count section, please could you expand upon your post? Perhaps state what you think about the song.
 
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Dream Theater - Surrounded [Images and Words, 1992] (Progressive Metal)

Before Dream Theater would become the stalwart leaders of 90s Progressive Metal, they were just a group of really talented guys who had a common love of bands like Metallica and Rush. Embracing both styles into an amalgam that apathetically pushed against the grain of contemporary music, they turned more than a few heads.

However, this rejection of mainstream tradition wasn't on purpose, many songs on this album kept a primary focus on the song as a whole instead of sprawling tangents of complex playing connected by a few recurring ideas. Surrounded supports this idea beautifully, showcasing then keyboardist Kevin Moore's ability to write captivating piano pieces, complete with lyrics that flow with the song perfectly (complimented by none other than a young, incredibly-ranged James LaBrie.). The song eventually erupts into a glorious mid-section that lets the rest of the band shine, with one of John Petrucci's crowning solos to top it off. After cooling off with a return to the slower approach of the beginning, the song closes out at a modest five minutes and thirty seconds.

Below is a rare performance of the song live before the unfortunate food poisoning incident with James that left his vocal ability a mere shadow of its former self.


Rating: 9.5/10
 
Haunted - Evanescence

It is very, VERY rare that I listen to this group anymore...I used to listen to Evanescence, Within Temptation and Nightwish almost exclusively about five years ago...and Evanescence gradually drifted out of my music library. I still have a few songs, my favourites, but they don't crop up very often and, if they do, I usually skip them.

The latest single was ear-shatteringly awful, so I've been feeling the need recently to remind myself that they weren't always terrible...

 
The Calling - For You


It's somewhat old by now, but it's still a good listen for the time it was set in. The Calling has always been one of those bands that I think has a great frontman and little recognition. The song most definitely suits Daredevil, which isn't the best Marvel film made, but not the worst ever made at the same time. It's very much a great post-film song and has become one of those songs I listen to quite regularly out of nowhere.

9/10
 

Boards of Canada - Roygbiv

Ah the Boards of Canada, how much do I love thee? For those that don't know, the Boards of Canada are a Scottish electronica band whom are rather elusive and secretive. They're also godly.

Roygbiv is a fun little tune that sort of sounds like the musical bumpers that played before and after kid's shows on PBS back in the day. Okay, that is a broad generalization I admit, but the music of Boards of Canada is very difficult to classify. It's electronic, yet dreamy. Complex, yet simple and groovy. Roygbiv is also a very accessible song, and a good starting point for people unfamiliar with the band.

The song is beautiful and has a weird, dreamy timeless quality to it. Some of the BoC's songs can be rather creepy, but Roygbiv isn't. There is, however, a slight unsettling undercurrent to it behind it's cheery electronic melody. It's an instrumental song, save for a repetitive child's voice saying something through it. Honestly, I can't tell if he's saying wait or late. Oh well, guess that's one of those little mysteries of life. I rate this song well, since Roygbiv makes me smile and is a song that bounces along like the happy days of childhood. Which makes sense since it came off of the album 'Music Has the Right to Children'.
 
Knives And Pens - Black Veil Brides

Okay, say what you want about Andy Six's voice, I think he shines in this song. His screams could use major retuning, but as far as this song, it's great. Not as good as Carolyn or Never Give In, but this song is a close tie. I especially the guitar solo near the end of the song. Might not be the most outrageous solo ever done in a Post-Hardcore song, but its up there.

Anywhoo, I love this song. End of story. :grin:

9.3/10
 
Warpaint - Baby

My dearest pal Hallybbz introduced me to this tune earlier this very evening. The lead singer has a beautifully fragile voice that seems to be missing from a lot of acoustic songs these days, as well as the ability to lace every word with genuine feeling. A very bittersweet song I think

 
Need You Now - Eyeshine

Off of their debut EP "How About That?", and the thing I love most about this song isn't the touching lyrics. I just love how raw the sound is. It just sounds so cool. The very rough base guitar mixed with the chopped up sound really mixes well with Johnny's voice. Yes, I will say that the lyrics compliment the sound, but it's really the raw essence of eyeshine's early sound that makes this song great.
 
Trigger Finger - Chimaira

I just found out that The Age of Hell, Chimaira's latest album, is released in the US today...I don't listen to Chimaira very often, but I'm very fond of them nonetheless, since they're the group who are largely responsible for getting me into music, which I never used to listen to at all. I quite like this song - it's quite catchy, and the lyrics are typically appealing of the band - and Born in Blood isn't too bad, so I think I'll have to get the whole album later...

 

I didn't originally think much of the song when it came out, but the video got even more interested when it was released. You could say it's the kind that's meant to be controversial and the in-your-face sort. Her vocals aren't as strong as in other songs, but it's still got a good production and a catchy beat.

8/10
 
Cynic - Celestial Voyage [Focus, 1993] (Death Metal/Progressive Metal)

To celebrate my new found knowledge that this amazing band will be touring very close to me, enabling me to attend; I've decided to spin a track off of their quintessential Death Metal masterpiece, Focus.

Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert have always been a few steps ahead of their contemporaries (save for Chuck Schuldiner and a few others) and Celestial Voyage does nothing to dissuade this idea. Combining furious death metal riffs with a tasteful dose of jazz fusion, the song is constantly busy; and rewards the attentive listener with an aural experience quite unlike anything else. Though Paul Masvidal's unique vocoder-style singing and the song's death metal origins may deter listeners, approach this with an open mind and you might just realize what all the fuss was about. There's a reason why no one was able to come close to the sound they perfected back in '93 before they released Traced In Air in '08 to solidify their place as true innovative musicians.

Here's a recent live recording after the band reformed stronger than ever.

 
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Whereever I may Roam - Metallica

Yes, for those who listen to metal are probably laughing at what was once one of the "big four" of thrash metal. And yes, it's true that Metallica is somewhat of a joke in the modern day, but that doesn't make me not love their older stuff. Some may debate on the true nature of the Black ALbum, but for me it's what brought metallica into the start of their legacy, and ...well from there, they kinda went downward, but yeah.

I love the intro this song has. Great drumming mixed with more-than-avarage guitar makes for a good listen, and James voice always sounds great...well in some songs anyways. For the lyrics, I have no complaints. Their vague, but not too vague, so that's good.

Overall, I rate the song 7.9/10. I docked the 2.1 points for the lack of a guitar solo, at least to my tastes. :<
 
Valley of Rainbows - Altaria

I've become quite fond of this band, which is unsurprisingly from Finland. I swear, all the best metal bands are Finnish, or from around that area. They're nothing exceptional really, but there are a few nice songs in their discography that I've found. This one is fairly catchy; I love the vocals and the general flow of the song, or whatever the musical term for it is :lew:

 

This is one of those few sad piano ballads that I've found wandering around YouTube. She's got such a beautiful voice and I'm so glad that the production isn't huge, just focusing on her voice and piano alone. There's so much emotion coming from this song. Definitely one of my new favourite songs.

9/10
 
Lucky You - The National

This song has really grown on me. At first I thought it was unspectacular but then I realised all its beauty, a lovely acoustic ballad. About how some unspecified girl owns the singer because she broke his heart, if you break it, you buy it etc etc. The last verse is magnificient, him still in love with her, and she who has already forgotten him. He manages to make him sound vulnerable and slightly pathetic, but in a very endearing way.
 
A Familiar Taste - The Social Network OST


The piece feels like a monologue of a genius and its an amazing hear when driving. The riffs are decent and it ascends perfectly with a gentle descent. Fitting for a simple and short piece.
 
Me listen to TECHNO?!?!?!?!??!!?!? ok then......


1st listened to this song a while ago trying to "broaden my music listening horizons" and I got freaking hooked on this song.

6 minutes of awesomeness(is that even a word? I gotta look that up).
 

Fastball - The Way

Okay, it's an overplayed alt. pop-rock single from the late 90's. I admit that. I also admit that I love alt pop-rock music from the late 90's, so I'm in my element with this one. I also know all the lyrics to this song and have been known to sing it from time to time... much to the horrified dismay of my friends. The Way is easily Fastball's most well known tune, and if you want to hear it, just listen to your local alternative radio station for long enough, it'll pop up eventually.

You know, for being a song about an elderly couple disappearing, The Way is awfully jaunty in tone. I don't use the word jaunty often, but when I do, I mean it. The Way is jaunty.
 
Judas at the Opera (Feat. Michael Kiske) - Edguy

I love this song, it's just so utterly random, and I have to wonder just what the hell was going through Sammet's mind when he came out with this. Edguy do fantastic "joke" songs, as well as some epic 6+ minute songs, and this is a perfect blend of the two.

 
Damage - Fit For Rivals

It took a while for this song to grow on me, mainly for the female's vocals. When i started to like it, I started to appreciate it. And I must say, I'm now loving her voice. She kinda looks like a female version of Andy Sixx(singer of Black Veil Brides). Also, she's pretty hot, too. :3

 
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