Month: November 2024

Week 47: Linkin Park- From Zero

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

When I was in college, back in the early-2000s, people listened to Linkin Park a lot: them and Papa Roach. I didn’t get into the band until the 2010s and could appreciate the late Chester Bennington’s vocal range. I was young and naïve, so I saw him as “The singer who screams down the microphone”. When I listened to the band properly, I grew to appreciate their lyrics and, as mentioned, Chester’s singing. As we all know, Chester passed on over seven years ago. Whether you believe in the narrative or conspiracy theories is another thing. I have more than shared my opinion on Chester’s passing among friends and social media. I will leave my opinions aside for the review. The band has had various guest vocalists since his passing while they have performed and finally settled on former Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong, who has proved a hit with the fans during the live shows. She joins with co-vocalist/rapper Mike Shinoda and new drummer Colin Brittain. Although Emily proved to be a hit when the band performed live, the reaction to her taking Chester’s place was mixed. I believe his estate was none too pleased with this decision. I wasn’t sure at first because this is like Metallica without James Hetfield or Lars Ulrich. It usually ends in a disaster because it isn’t the same without the heartbeat. I can understand people’s reservations about Emily becoming a full member, but to me, she reminds me of a female version of Chester.

I hope she is given time to grow. She is a fantastic vocalist, but it is hard to see past Chester’s legacy. Should the band have packed up and started a new project? Hmmm…I don’t know. It probably would have been a better idea, but the band’s decision to carry on is one that we, as fans and critics, should understand and respect. It’s not an easy path, but it’s one they’ve chosen to take.

What I’ve noticed about “From Zero’ is, well, nothing. This sounds like the Linkin Park we all know and love. The only difference is a female taking over vocal duties. It hasn’t tread any new ground, but is now really the time to be experimental? I’d say no. They need to stick to a tried and tested formula while they make this transition. And it’s crucial for us, the fans, to be a part of this journey. It also needs to be this way to see how people react to hearing the first album without Chester. Unfortunately, this record will always be based on what it was then and what it is now.

My highlights were ‘IGYEIH’, ‘Over Each Other’, and ‘Good Things Go’. Emily especially stands out with her angst-ridden vocals. As for the rest, my concentration wavered, and I felt they lacked that energy I usually see from the band. The majority of the tracks are too short. They don’t get a chance to get going before they are over. This album might be ideal for those with a short attention span, but I personally prefer a record that keeps my interest with longer, more elaborate songs, with at least 4-5 verses.

I wanted to like this album, and I have listened to it a few times, but I can’t get into it. Yes, it treads familiar ground, but the tracks are far too short, as mentioned. I don’t want to hear songs that are ideal for TikTok. I prefer longer songs that have more substance.

I’m afraid I will have to give “From Zero’ a low mark. It just doesn’t do it for me and has nothing to do with Emily. I thought she was excellent. Despite that, those who review it will all be guilty of measuring it against the former guise of the band, and I am no different. It isn’t fair, but you can’t help doing it. As mentioned earlier, when a band loses such a key member, it seldom feels the same or works out. Queen probably being the only exception. I hope the band continue as Linkin Park regardless and gives everyone time to transition. Their live shows have been amazing with Emily, so I am sure this will work out. You can’t really measure them on this record. Let them be more experimental on what follows. Then, we will know if the legacy remains intact, and I believe they have the potential to do so. And on a final note, why was the album so short? It lasted almost 32 minutes. They might as well have released this over 4 EPs.

Song recommendations: ‘IGYEIH’, ‘Over Each Other’, ‘Good Things Go’

5/10

Week 46: Michael Ball & Alfie Boe- Together at Home

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

It’s Christmasss! Hahaha, as Noddy Holder from Slade once bellowed. I find it wholly appropriate to say that because, once again, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe sit atop the album chart, and it always makes for a great Christmas present. The duo first teamed up in 2014, and six records on have been quite a success. This album is also a poignant milestone—it marks a decade of their beautiful collaboration.

I am also surprised to discover that I might just well be the FIRST individual to review this new record. No pressure, then, eh? One of the first tracks I would like to highlight is their cover of Heather Small’s ‘Proud’. The song represents the duo’s pride in their roots, welcoming people from all backgrounds into their world and feeling proud of their families.

‘Homeward Bound’ was chosen because it is about being on the road and longing for home. The great American sonwriter Paul Simon also wrote it in Widnes train station.

‘Welcome Home’ is by a small American band called The Welcome Home, which is from the same place as R.E.M. The song combines a modern hymn with a Southern American style of Coldplay. Boe discovered it while trawling through Spotify.

Seeing ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ by Gerry and the Pacemakers on the album was a personal highlight for me. As a fan of Liverpool, and knowing that Boe is also a red, it’s a special connection. Another standout is the timeless ‘Baker Street’ by Gerry Rafferty. The album is a treasure trove of classics like ‘Dirty Old Town’, Take That’s ‘Rule the World’, The Hollies ‘He Ain’t, He’s My Brother’. But my heart belongs to the closing track ‘What’s the Craic? (An Irish Medley)’. This track, a medley of traditional songs from Mother Ireland, including ‘The Irish Rover’, is a perfect ending to a brilliant album. It’s a medley that’s perfect for any celebration or festivity.

Song recommendations: ‘What’s the Craic? (An Irish Medley)’, ‘Dirty Old Town’, ‘Welcome Home’

8/10

Week 45: The Cure- Songs of a Lost World

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

I first heard The Cure when they released the relatively upbeat ‘Friday I’m in Love’. I then saw frontman Robert Smith on the television on the Chart Show on ITV, and he scared the shit out of me. I was terrified of how he looked for several years, and my phobia of him and goths did not subside until I met them in high school. It was then that I started to understand that they were nothing to be afraid of, and my perception of goth culture changed. Anyway, I have been listening to the band for a few decades and was thrilled to see Noel Gallagher ask Robert Smith to remix ‘Pretty Boy’. Who saw that coming? Noel, a fan of The Cure, and requesting Robert to remix a High Flying Birds track? Back to the band, this is their first album in 16 years. Their last being “4:13 Dream” in 2008. They played a year earlier at Teenage Cancer Trust, where I saw the band in a new light. I only knew them for their pop classics, but this showed more of their gothic persona. Long intros and guitars tuned into D. The latter represents a more gothic and metal sound.

It’s quite strange that the band has toured consistently since 2008 but hasn’t released a new album. The fans feared that the band were becoming a greatest hits act, so it was nice to hear new material being teased since their 2022 tour.

The fans were relieved to hear new material and accepted it, which can be a gamble because the majority turn up to the gigs to listen to the classics and other familiar songs. I disagree with this, but most do. I would prefer to hear a balance. Funny how things change, eh? In 1995 at Glastonbury, Robert joked that their forthcoming “Wild Mood Swings”(released the following year)would probably be purchased at Camden market before its release. These days, records can be streamed, downloaded, and leaked on YouTube before they are even available for purchase.

‘Alone’ opens the album and is a sign of things to come. Long, drawn-out intros before Robert utters a single verse, usually beginning around the 3-minute mark as most of the eight songs last over 7 minutes, with the final track lasting almost 11. The themes are also pretty heavy. Discussing the deaths of his parents and his brother among them.

This record, unlike the commercial pop-friendly uptempo songs such as ‘Friday I’m in Love’, ‘In Between Days’ and ‘Just Like Heaven’, delves into deeper subject matters. Despite its weightiness, it’s still relatively easy to listen to because you get lost in what Robert says. My favourite on the album is a song I first heard during the previous tour, which only recently ended, called ‘I Can Never Say Goodbye’. This song, a heartfelt reflection on the loss of his brother, is a testament to the album’s emotional depth. Robert’s struggle to perform it live without succumbing to his emotions was evident, as he often moved away from the microphone, tears silently streaming down. I recommend listening to the lyrical content. It is wonderful yet heartbreaking.

The final track, ‘Endsong’, is the lengthiest track on the record, just under 11 minutes. It’s a journey back to Robert’s childhood, where he was playing in the garden, gazing up at the moon in awe thinking about how man went there. Now, as an adult, he’s attempting to piece together the significance of these memories. It’s this deeply personal connection that resonates with fans like Noel Gallagher , who, as a songwriter himself, can truly appreciate the genius of Robert’s songwriting.

There are some new additions to the band. Roger O’Donnell rejoins to play keyboards to be reacquainted with Robert, Jason Cooper on drums and Simon Gallup on bass. Before I talk about the next member, I would like to say that, as usual, Simon never disappoints. I often compare him to Peter Hook, and it is easy to understand why. They sound similar and are both sublime bassists. Now, back to the final addition, and making his debut on guitar, Reeves Gabrels, who did a fine job considering the nerves must have been jangling during the recording sessions. I am unsure whether the other returning member, Perry Bamonte, is featured on the album, but he has most certainly been performing live. The new album, ‘Songs of a Lost World ‘, is a return to their former glory creatively and musically, and the title reflects the themes and inspirations behind the music.

Can they improve on the next? Hopefully, there is another album in the offing, but they will have to do something extraordinary to beat this one. The Cure could have settled for playing albums in full during anniversary years or playing their greatest hits, as it is more than enough to satisfy the masses. However, they chose to dedicate themselves to creating fresh material, a decision that paid off. Hopefully, it isn’t the end of their recording days, and they are given time to work on it as they please, but if it is the final record, then the 16 years of waiting were worthwhile.

Song recommendations: ‘I Can Never Say Goodbye’, ‘Endsong’, ‘And Nothing is Forever’

9/10

Week 44: Tyler the Creator- Chromakopia

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

I first heard Tyler the Creator in 2011, when he did ‘Trouble on My Mind’ with Pusha T. I liked what I heard from both. Since then, I have been following Tyler’s career closely. I especially like his live shows and his on-the-bone lyrics. I enjoyed his last album, “Call Me if You Get Lost”, for his flow over great instrumentals. “Chromakopia” sounds like the previous record, but Tyler is showing more of a human side rather than the usual “I don’t give a fuck” we associate with him. The sleeve, where he wears a mask, represents this new phase in his life. He tackles various subjects, including multiple people in a relationship and how material items are more important than spiritual ones.

The opener ‘St. Chroma’ should set the tone for most of the album, but it sadly drops off badly as we reach the halfway point. He tries his best with originality on ‘Darling I’ and ‘Jude Judy’, trying to recapture the essence of 2019’s “Igor” but falls short. However, he finds that on songs like ‘Noid’ and ‘I Killed You’.Unfortunately, I found most collaborations to be lacking, with the exception of Daniel Caesar on ‘St. Chroma’, and Lola Young on ‘Like Him’. These are the only tracks with features that don’t rely on autotune. While Tyler the Creator attempts to explore more diverse themes, he seems to struggle at times. However, there’s no denying his delivery and passion. The bonus track ‘Mother’ stands out as my personal favourite. It’s a deeply personal ode to his mother, a heartfelt narrative of the trials and tribulations she’s faced. This track, more than any other, showcases Tyler’s caring nature.

Tyler is excellent, as always, with his flow and delivery. Where it falls is on the production. “Chromakopia” isn’t a bad album because Tyler makes the most of it. Although, as I have mentioned, the production isn’t all that great, the listen still flies by.

Song recommendations: ‘Mother’, ‘St. Chroma’, ‘Like Him’

7/10

Week 43: Kylie- TENSION II

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

I cannot, for my life, figure out how people are saying this; it sounds totally different from its predecessor. What I am hearing is more of the same. However, “Tension II” is more enhanced with lyrical content. As you know, Kylie has a knack for writing catchy choruses, executed perfectly in ‘Taboo’. ‘Lights Camera Action’ has a touch of Madonna about it. ‘Diamonds’ features the co-leader of the Scissor Sisters, Jake Shears, and it has that kind of pop music you would associate with Jake.

Returning to an earlier comment, if you disagree with me that the record is not a continuation of the previous album, I will say that there are more songs on this that will hit the charts and become crowd favourites. It also sums up Kylie’s ability to make great pop. You will hear that over the first 11 tracks and then encounter two tracks that appear for god knows what reason. They do not fit with the flow of it. One track with Orville Peck is country/disco/pop but at a plodding tempo, and the other track features fellow Australian Sia, which, to be honest, isn’t that good.

‘Hello’ is also another track that doesn’t have much going on. ‘Good as Gone’ is a good song, but unfortunately, it has quite surprisingly a weak chorus. Despite what some critics have said, the production overall doesn’t alter that much from its predecessor. I am not knocking it, far from it. I enjoyed “Tension” for its disco vibe, and therefore, I enjoyed its successor. ‘Kiss Bang Bang’ sounds exactly like ‘Padam Padam’, but I seemed to enjoy ‘Kiss Bang Bang’ much more.

Song recommendations: ‘Kiss Bang Bang’, ‘Lights Camera Action’, ‘Diamonds’

7/10

Week 42: Charli XCX- Brat

~ honestopinions19 ~ Leave a comment

Words cannot express my disappointment. “Brat” had immense potential with its blend of genres, but it ultimately fell flat due to the overwhelming use of autotune. The sole exception was ‘Club Classics’, the only track I genuinely liked. Sadly, the rest of the album is overshadowed by this stylistic choice.

Song recommendations: ‘Club Classics’

No rating