Mastodon - Crack the Skye

[Nasty-Fire]

how did a disussion about an album turn into an argument about downloading?
This is a great album btw

Like this ¬¬.

 

[batmura]

Most of the peopke that defend d/l'ing probably buy 1 album for every 500 downloads. The day for them to actually 'buy' the CD never comes, surprisingly.

"Yeah it's a good album. I downloaded it like 6 months before it came out. Now they're working on their new one. I'll buy the album after I download the new one just to be sure I won't be wasting my money..."

Blah blah blah.

 

[Nasty-Fire]

Well, yeah, it happens, but like always, it's not everyone. And this is why it's illegal. I still agree with free-music.

 

[Slunk]

Listening to the cd now. First impression are....That it kicks ass. Refreshing new sound.

 

[NicholasDWolfwood]

as said on welpfolks, last baron is probably my favorite track (other than the godawful "prog riff" @ ~5:55). got my tickets last week, hopefully they bring scott kelly on the road to do the title track.

 

[Chinese Whispers]

hopefully they bring scott kelly on the road to do the title track.

You mean get the guy in to do the vocals that they try to replicate to do it properly?

 

[NicholasDWolfwood]

basically even though he actually does sing the title track on the album

 

[Chinese Whispers]

basically even though he actually does sing the title track on the album

I know he was on the last one as well (along with Josh Homme and Cedric Bixler-Zavala). Any other guest vocalists on the new one?

 

[Morfeind]

Crack The Skye is fantastic, I can't wait to see these guys again in a small club next month.

 

[biggsy]

how was/is it?

yeh pretty weak as the other guy said. i would probably only give harmony kroine any kind of positive blessing, the rest is just... not good and not terrible, the exact kind of cd you buy, listen to twice then never spin again.

Most of the peopke that defend d/l'ing probably buy 1 album for every 500 downloads. The day for them to actually 'buy' the CD never comes, surprisingly.

"Yeah it's a good album. I downloaded it like 6 months before it came out. Now they're working on their new one. I'll buy the album after I download the new one just to be sure I won't be wasting my money..."

Blah blah blah.

most. not all. and the most part would probly not be those who take the time out of their day to go to various music forums to discuss what they like/what theyre looking fwd to/what they didnt like etc.

 

[Chinese Whispers]

With those who by '1 in every 500 downloads', the truth is, if downloading wasn't around, they probably wouldn't buy it anyway. Obviously they are not too concerned, because music mainly for them is just another accessorary - and if it is for free of course they are gonna take it. If it isn't available for free, they probably wouldn't bother to fork out the dosh for it.

People also seem to forget that you could dub stuff onto cassette tapes before downloading (and later on burn CDs - which coincidently is not illegal in most cases) which faced the same kind of concerns from those back then.

 

[Liquid Tension]

Got it yesterday and really like this direction...

 

[NicholasDWolfwood]

I know he was on the last one as well (along with Josh Homme and Cedric Bixler-Zavala). Any other guest vocalists on the new one?

nope, other than brann doing vocals during oblivion

 

[di ablopeth]

i dont like your tone laddy boy boy

nothing wrong with downloading it before it comes out, so you know what youre paying for. id have cracked the shits if i bought steve wilsons solo album before id heard it.

but as for the cd, sounds ok, but nothing spectacular which was what i expected.

I agree with you on Insurgentes, I was disappointed as well.

 

[aftermethestorm]

how did a disussion about an album turn into an argument about downloading?
This is a great album btw

good point. i love it, my favorite so far id say

 

[Chinese Whispers]

how did a disussion about an album turn into an argument about downloading?

Someone mentioned they were going to download the album and someone voiced their objection to downloading. Not like we are talking quantum physics here.

Now this would be completely out of left field-

Spot the similarities -

 

[landmine]

meh. i dont care i downloaded the album and im gonna buy it later but u dont have to be a sarcastic doushe

 

[batmura]

Just picked this up. Great album.

Here's a little review from me for anyone who's interested.

Without getting into the debate as to whether Crack the Skye is Mastodon's best album to date, one would be wise to just point out its differences, both strengths and shortcomings, and leave it to the fans to do the ranking.

On first listen, Crack the Skye will immediately stand out for its easily noticeable absence of screamed vocals. Troy Sanders uses his clean voice on almost all the tunes, with very few exceptions. Without doubt, it will take some time to get used to his style, but repeat listens only serve to solidify one's opinion that the songs on this disc have been composed in such a style to sound much better with this approach. Pain-ridden vocals pop up only to provide contrast to the more melodious direction taken in spots. The chorus on "Ghost of Karelia", for instance, proves all the more powerful as the vocals shift from the mostly clean style to somewhat aggressive outbursts.

The guitar tandem of Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher lend the songs a solid, unbreakable facade, which elevates them to a whole new level. From the apocalyptic opening chords of "Oblivion", chock full of despondent riffs and rock-based guitar solos; to the calculated riffery of "Divinations", they implant dynamics to the compositions through and through. Rather than entirely focusing on heavy, punishing jackhammer riffery, this time around they also utilise progressive metal-like jam sessions and blues-inflected passages. As a result, the constant shifting of dynamics on "Quintessence" renders the tune more creative and interesting.

The ten-minute epic "The Czar" is built upon flawless songwriting and mood construction. Broken down into four parts, it launches into an unadulterated groove from the mellow "Usurper" to "Escape", though the vocal melody on this one is not among Mastodon's best. With "Martyr," things retreat back to clean acoustic lines before picking up the trademark Mastodon riffs and seguing into a wonderful blues-inflected solo.

Scott Kelly from the amazing Neurosis continues the tradition to guest on Mastodon discs (he also sang on Leviathan and Blood Mountain) and appears on the title track, among the album's most progressive pieces as it strangely recalls 90's King Crimson in the way the guitars have been arranged. The guitar solo on this track is among the best ever!

As stated above, how Crack the Skye will rank in Mastodon's catalog remains to be seen. However, from a production standpoint, it is by far the band's best-sounding album. It was produced by the great Brendan O'Brien whose resume includes all kinds of different artists, from Pearl Jam to Stone Temple Pilots to Bruce Springsteen to AC/DC to Aerosmith to name but a few. O'Brien has managed to create a dense album with many layers, thick guitar tapestries, and heavy, solid drum and bass battery. He was also unafraid to render sound effects on Sanders' voice with great results.

The album title is a homage to drummer Brann Dailor's sister Skye Dailor who committed suicide at the age of 14, so this is obviously among the more personal musical statements of the band.

Highly recommended.

Cheers!

 

[Don Corleone]

excellent review, batmura!

 

[batmura]

Hey Don! Long time no see! Glad you're back from the army.