New offerings from 3 generations of Rock this month – Old School, 80’s and some new kids on the block.
Death Magnetic - Metallica
Steven Tyler once commented that it was becoming increasingly difficult to write new material because so much good stuff had to be discarded for being too similar to earlier works. Metallica suffer no such qualms and Death Magnetic is instantly accessible because much of it sounds familiar. Put simply this is Metallica’s best offering since the Black Album and a storming return to form following the disappoint of St. Anger. Pounding-riff follows pounding-riff as the band throw caution to the wind and just go for it. Yes, the lyrics are often nonsensical and Lars’ metronomically precise drumming remains as unimaginative as ever but these are minor failings when put against the sheer quality of what’s on offer. Only the plodding instrumental Suicide & Redemption is sub-standard - an unnecessary addition to an otherwise outstanding album.
Defying trends rather than setting them, this is the sound of a band who have realised where their strengths lie and decided to play to them. The outcome is an album that ranks alongside the best they have produced in their 27 year career.
A quick word on the sound quality of the album. I noticed considerable distortion on the louder passages but put it down to a dodgy download. It would seem that I am not alone in this though and that the distortion is present on every format (with the possible exception of the Guitar Hero versions). Hopefully this does not signal a return to the ‘loudness wars’ that spoiled several albums a few years ago – Rush’s Vapor Trails among them.
Rating: Essential
Folklore & Superstition – Black Stone Cherry
I’ve been looking forward to this one since catching them on the Whitesnake/Def Leppard Tour and I’m delighted to report that there is no sign of difficult second syndrome here. A couple of tedious ballads aside this is a mature collection of songs that goes a long way towards re-defining Southern Rock for the modern age. The youthful enthusiasm and sheer joy in playing that was so evident on stage is fully captured here, as is the band’s willingness to adopt an eclectic mix of styles and influences. The doom-laden intensity of Creed is referenced on Sunset and Long Sleeves with the latter also reminiscent of Zak Wylde’s work with Black Label Society. There are wonderful soaring choruses to keep the stadium-rock fraternity happy (Please Come In, Soul Creek and anthem-in-the-making Peace Is Free) as well as balls-to-the-wall rockers (The Bitter End). Of course there’s also a healthy dose of good old fashioned southern rock. Devil’s Queen sees the boys down at the bayou "sippin' whiskey and a-tellin' stories" and ends with a mammoth guitar work-out reminiscent (dare I say it?) of Freebird. There’s even a southern ghost-story in Ghost of Floyd Collins. This is a very special group of young musicians who will have the world at their feet in just a few years if they keep up the development shown here.
Rating: Superior
Motorizer - Motorhead
The secret of Motorhead’s longevity is that they consistently deliver the goods and do it their way without fear or favour. So there’s nothing new and no surprises here but then, would we really want it any other way? Admittedly this is not the greatest album Motorhead have ever produced but given Lemmy’s lifestyle it’s nothing short of a miracle that we have a new album at all – especially one that still remains relevant and fresh in the 21st century. Form is temporary but class is permanent, and Motorhead ooze class from every sweaty pore.
Rating: Good
Death Magnetic - Metallica
Steven Tyler once commented that it was becoming increasingly difficult to write new material because so much good stuff had to be discarded for being too similar to earlier works. Metallica suffer no such qualms and Death Magnetic is instantly accessible because much of it sounds familiar. Put simply this is Metallica’s best offering since the Black Album and a storming return to form following the disappoint of St. Anger. Pounding-riff follows pounding-riff as the band throw caution to the wind and just go for it. Yes, the lyrics are often nonsensical and Lars’ metronomically precise drumming remains as unimaginative as ever but these are minor failings when put against the sheer quality of what’s on offer. Only the plodding instrumental Suicide & Redemption is sub-standard - an unnecessary addition to an otherwise outstanding album.Defying trends rather than setting them, this is the sound of a band who have realised where their strengths lie and decided to play to them. The outcome is an album that ranks alongside the best they have produced in their 27 year career.
A quick word on the sound quality of the album. I noticed considerable distortion on the louder passages but put it down to a dodgy download. It would seem that I am not alone in this though and that the distortion is present on every format (with the possible exception of the Guitar Hero versions). Hopefully this does not signal a return to the ‘loudness wars’ that spoiled several albums a few years ago – Rush’s Vapor Trails among them.
Rating: Essential
Folklore & Superstition – Black Stone Cherry
I’ve been looking forward to this one since catching them on the Whitesnake/Def Leppard Tour and I’m delighted to report that there is no sign of difficult second syndrome here. A couple of tedious ballads aside this is a mature collection of songs that goes a long way towards re-defining Southern Rock for the modern age. The youthful enthusiasm and sheer joy in playing that was so evident on stage is fully captured here, as is the band’s willingness to adopt an eclectic mix of styles and influences. The doom-laden intensity of Creed is referenced on Sunset and Long Sleeves with the latter also reminiscent of Zak Wylde’s work with Black Label Society. There are wonderful soaring choruses to keep the stadium-rock fraternity happy (Please Come In, Soul Creek and anthem-in-the-making Peace Is Free) as well as balls-to-the-wall rockers (The Bitter End). Of course there’s also a healthy dose of good old fashioned southern rock. Devil’s Queen sees the boys down at the bayou "sippin' whiskey and a-tellin' stories" and ends with a mammoth guitar work-out reminiscent (dare I say it?) of Freebird. There’s even a southern ghost-story in Ghost of Floyd Collins. This is a very special group of young musicians who will have the world at their feet in just a few years if they keep up the development shown here.Rating: Superior
Motorizer - Motorhead
The secret of Motorhead’s longevity is that they consistently deliver the goods and do it their way without fear or favour. So there’s nothing new and no surprises here but then, would we really want it any other way? Admittedly this is not the greatest album Motorhead have ever produced but given Lemmy’s lifestyle it’s nothing short of a miracle that we have a new album at all – especially one that still remains relevant and fresh in the 21st century. Form is temporary but class is permanent, and Motorhead ooze class from every sweaty pore.Rating: Good
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