Well, here we are...a good looking month. As noted in another active, and mildly controversial thread, I've got an advance copy of the new Maiden. I just picked up the new Motorhead, and I downloaded the new Blind Guardian - I'll buy it when it comes out, I'm keen on giving bands my money...no sarcasm.
So....some thoughts:
Maiden - Again, discussed thoroughly (somewhat) in other thread. But to sum up, I love it! A great album. Have heard it about 5 times, and it get's stronger everytime for me. Pretty much a mix between Bruce's best solo stuff (the last three) and Brave New World.
Motorhead - Just got it, spinning now. The usual Motorhead street-level brilliance. Lemmy is not a icon anymore, he's a monolith. Anyway, only a few songs in, and it's the usual Motorhead thing, which is to say great writing, a weird mix between punk and metal, and just plain really, really (really) loud rock and roll, with, of course, the usual acid head musings by Lemmy. He's more of a poet than people give credit. I love Motorhead. They never dissapoint (well, very rarely). More of a refined opinion after I've digested it more.
Blind Guardian - Haven't been the biggest fan in the past. I like 'em alright, but they've never really had an album that could "change my life." Anyhoo, lo and behold, this one is pretty damned good. Really damned good. Hansi has toned down the vocals just enough to place them in my palatable range. Some new textures, some VERY catchy songs. Fly and Another Stranger me, though advance single releases, are GREAT....freakin' great. Many more highlights. For the first time Blind Guaridan looks to be making my top ten at the end of the year.
Love or dislike 'em, there are a crowd of records coming out this month! Good stuff, the kind of records you wait for, or at least records by bands you watch the shelves for. Whether or not they are good records remains to be seen to the individual ear of course.
This is not to mention the new Bob Dylan which came out today (who I'm a bit of an afficianado on). PLUS, the new Mars Volta, and I think the new ISIS is imminent. Good month!
So....some thoughts:
Maiden - Again, discussed thoroughly (somewhat) in other thread. But to sum up, I love it! A great album. Have heard it about 5 times, and it get's stronger everytime for me. Pretty much a mix between Bruce's best solo stuff (the last three) and Brave New World.
Motorhead - Just got it, spinning now. The usual Motorhead street-level brilliance. Lemmy is not a icon anymore, he's a monolith. Anyway, only a few songs in, and it's the usual Motorhead thing, which is to say great writing, a weird mix between punk and metal, and just plain really, really (really) loud rock and roll, with, of course, the usual acid head musings by Lemmy. He's more of a poet than people give credit. I love Motorhead. They never dissapoint (well, very rarely). More of a refined opinion after I've digested it more.
Blind Guardian - Haven't been the biggest fan in the past. I like 'em alright, but they've never really had an album that could "change my life." Anyhoo, lo and behold, this one is pretty damned good. Really damned good. Hansi has toned down the vocals just enough to place them in my palatable range. Some new textures, some VERY catchy songs. Fly and Another Stranger me, though advance single releases, are GREAT....freakin' great. Many more highlights. For the first time Blind Guaridan looks to be making my top ten at the end of the year.
Love or dislike 'em, there are a crowd of records coming out this month! Good stuff, the kind of records you wait for, or at least records by bands you watch the shelves for. Whether or not they are good records remains to be seen to the individual ear of course.
This is not to mention the new Bob Dylan which came out today (who I'm a bit of an afficianado on). PLUS, the new Mars Volta, and I think the new ISIS is imminent. Good month!
