I never thought I'd be so disappointed with an Evergrey album

i'm 75% close to banned by Glenn and Deron if I even slightly hint my discomfort with the album. (Those two have itchy trigger fingers when it comes to me)
However, I could be satisfied if songs from MMA are scattered through a live set, where the impact and design is more immediate.
 
I just got the CD and I am playing it for the first time. I think its pretty good so far. The sound is very different, but its still Evergrey.
 
Ok, tempered by reviews from metal gurus of higher knowledge, I focused HARD on this cd once again Through the 8th or more spin and I was struck with one thought: Bloody Brillance! While I hear the elements of accessiblitly, I can't help but think the band has scored a major coup!

The opening tracks do have, for the serious metal listener, a disturbing element of commercialism, yet further immersion into this suprisingly complex cd seems to unveil a demonically clever scheme. While there is definitely a call to a broader audience in the opening tracks, there is an increasing infusion of darker "Evergrey elements" through out the cd that draws the listener deeper into the more complex world of the band's earlier compositions.

Sell out or sell all is the question. Seems to me Evergrey has quite cleverly crafted a compilation of tunes that will draw in the less educated ear and smartly twist them into adjusting into their darker, more complicated sound. Bitch all you like about pandering to the masses, this cd seems a terribly smart mix of grab your ass tunes then make you pay as you adjust to the original sound.

I think this cd is a key to the gate, drawing in newbies with the "easy" sound and teaching them to like the old sound. If Evergrey can draw in the masses with the lighter stuff, while introducing them to the darker, deeper elements, they'll get 'em to buy the old stuff and will be free to explore more complicated stuff with the assurance of marketability in the future. Damn good job guys! Hope it works!
 
General Zod said:
Except when it's Rock. I don't want to get into a genre debate, but to my ear, this CD sounds more Rock than Metal. I'm sure most will disagree. That's cool.

Zod

Dude the most I listen to this album the better it gets and I have to laugh about the it being Rock, diude crank it up, its friggen metal up your ass!! C'mon!!!

Bear
 
I would have to admit that the first few spins really had me wondering. The more I listen, the better it gets. No, not quite what they are capable of and yeah, maybe changing to get a few more listeners but shit, it is a pretty solid disc.

HA, a whole lot better than OMII!

Just had to.
 
Bear said:
Dude the most I listen to this album the better it gets and I have to laugh about the it being Rock, diude crank it up, its friggen metal up your ass!! C'mon!!!
I think everyone's definition, of where that line is (between Metal and Rock) is a bit different. From what I've gathered, there's probably a lot of common ground within our CD collections. However, I get the sense that my tastes are a bit heavier. That's neither good nor bad... it is what it is. This just isn't kicking my ass. I imagine I'll revisit it at some point. Maybe when I do (with renewed expectations), it'll grab me and rattle my cage. But for now... nada. Glad you're digging it.

Zod
 
I don't know why so many people are bitching about this album, it's a pure Evergrey record. I think it's a very solid one, despite not the best they've put.

Can't wait to see some of these songs played live at Progpower!
 
AngraRULES said:
I don't know why so many people are bitching about this album, it's a pure Evergrey record. I think it's a very solid one, despite not the best they've put.

Can't wait to see some of these songs played live at Progpower!

Fuck I am ready to see some these songs in May!!!
 
:)

First of all, this is starting to sound like the Metallica debate that started with the black album. If a band changes direction from their "assigned genre", and sell more CDs, then they are "commercial" or they "sell out". Bullshit. Bands like Metallica at the time and Evergrey now have been around long enough that I truly BELIEVE they can and are doing exactly what they want to do. If they don't sound precisely like they did on the early CDs, GET OVER IT.

Second, putting a label on anything, IMO, is a symbol of our fucked up species' insecurity. Once a label is assigned to someone or something (whether THAT's even accurate or not), it allows people in one group to declare war on the people of the newly designated "inferior" group. Fuggit - If you like it, crank it the fuck up. If not, use it for a frisbee. :heh:

Third (lecture almost over!!), is it just me, or do several songs on MMA (especially the opening one) sound a lot like Collective Soul, from the guitars to the vocals?? And I promise, I didn't pick up the crack pipe until after the first few listenings!!

Peace,
Chris :headbang:
 
I really like this album. Albeit, its the only Everygrey album I've listened to in its entirety. I have listened to various songs off the other albums. I think that it has very solid production, with excellent sound quality. I do not believe its more 'rock' than 'metal.' Sure, some of the lyrics have a rock notion, with often repeated statements for a 'catchy' tune. But their tunes are different than 'rock,' and their instrumental work is solid metal. I can't wait to see them at ProgPower. It will be my first time. Hopefully they'll play a couple songs off this album that I really enjoyed, such as Monday Morning Apocalypse, Obedience, In Rememberance, and The Dark I Walk You Through.