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Ravenlord
09-11-2004, 08:03 AM
including albums from Septmeber or later of 2003

1. "The Glorious Burden" by Iced Earth (Power/Epic Metal)

After spending much of their career focusing on dark fantasy and similar themes, The Glorious Burden marks a turn towards reality for Iced Earth. The album specifically covers events in world history, and because history is often defined by conflict and tragedy, the tone remains just as dark, epic, and powerful as previous works from the band. The album goes as far back as the fifth century A.D. with Atilla the Hun's ravages across Europe, and as far forward as the terrorist attacks in America in 2001. In between, there is the American Revolution ("Declaration Day", "Valley Forge"), the Napoleonic Wars ("Waterloo"), and World War I ("Red Baron/Blue Max"). The album's centerpiece, however, is "Gettysburg (1863)", a three-part, 32-minute epic that tells the tale of the defining battle of the American Civil War. Backed up with a full orchestra and led by the vocals of new singer Tim Owens (ex-Judas Priest), the music portrays the tremendous power and emotion that must have been present when those two great armies clashed, with the fate of a nation hanging in the balance. Taken as a whole, The Glorious Burden proves that some of our most amazing and resonant stories come not from the imagination of mankind, but rather, from our real-life deeds, for good and ill, throughout all of human history.

Track Listing:
Disc 1
1. The Star Spangled Banner
2. Declaration Day
3. When the Eagle Cries
4. The Reckoning (Don't Tread on Me)
5. Greenface
6. Attila
7. Red Baron/Blue Max
8. Hollow Man
9. Valley Forge
10. Waterloo
11. When The Eagle Cries (Unplugged)

Disc 2-Gettysburg
1. The Devil to Pay
2. Hold At All Costs
3. High Water Mark

2. "The Eyes of Alice Cooper" by Alice Cooper (Rock N Roll)

A throwback to mid 80s/early 90s hard rock. Alice looks back at some points in life in songs like "Detroit City" and "Spirits Rebellious." But it also goes back to that silliness that makes Alice who is with songs like "Backyard Brawl," and "The Song That Didn't Rhyme." And of course the shock is still there in "Novocaine," "This House is Haunted," and "I'm So Angry." Songs like "Love Should Never Feel This Way" and "Between High School and Old School" show that Alice stills remember the emotion of being an American teenager. one of my favorite albums ever.

Track Listing:
1. What Do You Want For Me
2. Between High School and Old School
3. Man of the Year
4. Novocaine
5. Bye Bye Baby
6. Be With You Awhile
7. Detroit City
8. Spirits Rebellious
9. This House Is Haunted
10. Love Should Never Feel This Way
11. The Song That Didn't Rhyme
12. I'm So Angry
13. Backyard Brawl

3. "Contraband" by Velvet Revolver (Hard Rock)

Straight forward hard rock. Plain and simple. Oh yeah, some of the best guitar solos ever are there...but then again, what would you expect from Slash?

Track Listing
1. Sucker Train Blues
2. Do It for the Kids
3. Big Machine
4. Illegal i Song
5. Spectacle
6. Fall to Pieces
7. Headspace
8. Superhuman
9. Set Me Free
10. You Got No Right
11. Slither
12. Dirty Little Thing
13. Loving the Alien

4. "Live" by Blind Guardian (Progressive/Power Metal)

Simply put, Blind Guardian is the best prog/power band in the world. Unlike many bands, none of Blind Guardian's sound, or Hansi Kursch's voice is lost live. Almost every song is better musically, except ironically enough, the songs from Nightfall in Middle-Earth, which i would have thought would have transitoned extremely well to the live format. To think of Blind Guardian, think of Iron Maiden meets Slayer meets Queen.

Track Listing
CD 1
1. War of Wrath
2. Into the Storm
3. Welcome to Dying
4. Nightfall
5. The Script for my Requiem
6. Harvest of Sorrow
7. The Soulforged
8. Valhalla
9. Majesty
10. Mordred's Song
11. Born in a Mourning Hall

CD 2
1. Under the Ice
2. Bright Eyes
3. Punishment Divine
4. The Bard's Song (In the Forest)
5. Imaginations from the Other Side
6. Lost in the Twilight hall
7. A Past and Future Secret
8.Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)
9. Journey Through the Dark
10. Lord of the Rings
11. Mirror Mirror

5. "Death Cult Armageddon" by Dimmu Borgir (Black/Death/Atmospheric Thrash Metal)

Considering that I don't like Black or Death Metal, for it to make this list, you know it has to be good. Mainly I think I like do to the driving guitar riffs of rythm guitarist Galder and keyboardist Mustis. Man, if Shagrath wasn't a black/death metal vocalist, I'd call Dimmu Borgir the best metal band in the world. The lyrics to their songs don't always make sense, as I think they literally translate it to English from their native tongue (Norwegian). Amazingly enough, none of the lyrics qualify as black metal (Satanic Metal), and are mainly neutral. The American version doesn't contain the Bathony cover of "Satan My Master," so that's always a good thing.

Track Listing
1. Allegience
2. Progenies of the Great Apocalypse
3. Lepers Among Us
4. Vredsbyrd
5. For the World to Dictate Our Death
6. Blood Hunger Doctrine
7. Allehelgens Død I Helveds Rike
8. Cataclysm Children
9. Eradication Instincts Defined
10. Unorthodox Manifesto
11. Heavenly Preverse
12. Satan My Master (European release only)

GAC
09-11-2004, 08:10 AM
I bet your parents are scared to death to enter your bedroom without hazmat training! :MandJ:

LvJ
01-08-2005, 11:14 PM
Figured I'd bump this ...

01. Elliott Smith - "From A Basement On A Hill"

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drg400/g486/g48678q2htv.jpg

02. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - "Shake the Sheets"

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drg500/g510/g51070uetqz.jpg

03. Tilly and the Wall - "Wild Like Children"

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drg300/g374/g37498xo5ff.jpg

04. Wilco - "A Ghost is Born"

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drg300/g320/g32037lpkji.jpg

05. Modest Mouse - "Good News For People Who Like Bad News"

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drg200/g283/g28347e9yd5.jpg

Honorable: Devendra Banhart - "Rejoicing in the Hands", Annie - "Anniemal", Keane - "Hopes and Fears", Butch Walker - "Letters", Interpol - "Lantics"

Cedric
01-08-2005, 11:44 PM
1. Frusciante- The Will To Death or IOE
2. Wilco- A Ghost Is Born
3. Tom Waits- Real Gone
4. Smile- Brian Wilson
5. Bubblegum- Mark Lanegen.

HOM- Elliot Smith, Seven Swans by Sufjan Stevens, You're a woman, i'm a Machine by Death from above 1979.

missionhockey21
01-08-2005, 11:53 PM
Good taste LvJ.

Anyway, my list is in no order. I review CD's for a friends site, mostly punk/hardcore/emo and while I have heard maybe better CD's than some on the list, these are the ones that received the largest amounts of play in comparison.

The Pink Spiders- Hot Pink
http://interpunk.com/itemimages2/105222.gif
The Killers- Hot Fuss
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002858YS.01._PE21_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Hives -Tyrannosaurus Hives
http://interpunk.com/itemimages2/14495.jpg
Blood Brothers- Crimes
http://interpunk.com/itemimages2/101365.jpg
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets
http://interpunk.com/itemimages2/102077.jpg

HOM:
Rise Against- Silent Songs of the Counter Culture
Q and Not U- Power
Hot Water Music- The New What Next
Circle Takes The Square- As The Roots Undo
Against Me!- As The Eternal Cowboy

Brutus_the_Red
01-09-2005, 12:21 AM
Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be

The Killers - Hot Fuss

My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

Chevelle - This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)

*Green Day - American Idiot

* = Album of the Year, imho

Redsfaithful
01-09-2005, 12:34 AM
*Green Day - American Idiot

* = Album of the Year, imho

I'd agree with that. I don't even know if I can come up with five, but my three favorite were U2's new album, the Modest Mouse album, and American Idiot. I'd have to think really hard back to the beginning of last year but I think those are the only three I even bought in 2004.

LvJ
01-09-2005, 12:36 AM
Good taste LvJ.

Anyway, my list is in no order. I review CD's for a friends site, mostly punk/hardcore/emo and while I have heard maybe better CD's than some on the list, these are the ones that received the largest amounts of play in comparison.

:thumbup: Cool. Care to share the link?

Anyways, about Ted Leo. I love the new album, but it's really the only stuff I've heard from them (well, until just very recently). I was diggin in some of their old stuff, and I've got to say, "Parallel or Together?" is my favorite song at the moment along with Elliott Smith's "King's Crossing". Check it out if you haven't already. It's on the "The Tyranny of Distance" album, which is great as well.

paintmered
01-09-2005, 12:39 AM
Chevelle - This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)




Listening to that right now actually

CbusRed
01-09-2005, 01:19 AM
Awesome, I love this topic....



The year in music, (As I see it ;) )


Top five albums:
#1 Muse - Absolution (Simply amazing. I cant believe these guys have gone unnoticed in the states as long as they have. This is their 4th album, and each one is worth your money. The Perfect blend of Heavy guitar and keys, with unbelievable chord progressions, amazing songwriting, and talented emotional vocals. If you enjoy Radiohead, but think they get a little weird at times, Try Muse, You will not be dissapointed.)

#2 Green Day - American Idiot ( A True Rock Opera, from the pioneers who brought Hi-Fi into Punk. Jesus of Suburbia and Homecoming are my favorites. Who would have ever expected two 9 minute songs on one green day album?)

#3 The Killers - Hot Fuss ( I havent heard synthesizers used this well since The Cars. Great song writing also.)

#4 The Music - Welcome To The North (Not many people have heard of these guys, Remind me alot of heavy Jane's Addiction)

#5 The Cure - The Cure (Something about Robert Smith's voice has just always done it for me.)

Honorable Mention:
Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Jimmy Eat World - Futures
Keane - Hopes and Fears
John Frusciante - The will to Death
Breaking Benjamin - We are not Alone Here
Pearl Jam - Live at Benroya Hall
Sparta - Porcelain
Incubus - A crow left of the Murder
The Used - In Love and Death
The Eagles of Death Metal - Peace, Love, and Death Metal
Cake - Pressure Chief
Killswitch Engage - The End of Heartache
Velvet Revolver - Contraband


Dissapointments:
U2 - How to dismantle an Atomic Bomb - Just an overall weak album IMO, Seems like U2 is developing a pattern of releasing an awesome album followed up with a weaker album.

REM - Around the Sun - I think this is their worst album ever. Maybe I was too wrapped up listening to the greatest hits when this album came out, and it kind of skewed my opinion.

Chevelle - This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) - I like this album, but it just doesnt stack up to "Wonder What's Next". His Vocal melodies were a step down with this album.

TeamMorris
01-09-2005, 02:07 AM
Hummm....a few I need to check out. I have been out of the loop since I had TG. Hardly ever really get a chance to listen to CD's or the radio these days.

I really like REM, Green Day and God Smack (those who know me would probably never guess). :p:

Cedric
01-09-2005, 02:10 AM
I haven't listened to the radio in years, saved my musical life.

missionhockey21
01-09-2005, 03:36 AM
:thumbup: Cool. Care to share the link?

Anyways, about Ted Leo. I love the new album, but it's really the only stuff I've heard from them (well, until just very recently). I was diggin in some of their old stuff, and I've got to say, "Parallel or Together?" is my favorite song at the moment along with Elliott Smith's "King's Crossing". Check it out if you haven't already. It's on the "The Tyranny of Distance" album, which is great as well.
I've got all the Ted Leo albums. Such great song writing I had to pick them up. :) But that's a great song. As for Elliott Smith, I have yet to check out his latest. I do have "Either-Or" and enjoy it very much though.

I've done some reviews for both of these sites. Very amateur stuff but I was able to snag some free cds so that's always cool.
http://www.punknews.org/index.php
http://www.intoliquidsky.net/

LvJ
01-09-2005, 10:14 AM
I've got all the Ted Leo albums. Such great song writing I had to pick them up. :) But that's a great song. As for Elliott Smith, I have yet to check out his latest. I do have "Either-Or" and enjoy it very much though.

I've done some reviews for both of these sites. Very amateur stuff but I was able to snag some free cds so that's always cool.
http://www.punknews.org/index.php
http://www.intoliquidsky.net/

Ah, nice. Very cool.
So Either/Or eh? Nice. Check you XO, Figure 8, Self-Titled, and From A Basement On A Hill. All superb albums. The man, atleast in my opinion, never put out something that was less than phenomenal. He's truly missed by myself. His last writings on From A Basement on a Hill, really are haunting.

westofyou
01-09-2005, 10:58 AM
1. Wilco- A Ghost Is Born
2. Green Day - American Idiot
3. Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Like Bad News
4. Loretta Lynnn - VAN LEAR ROSE
5. Morrissey - YOU ARE THE QUARRY

Phoenix
01-09-2005, 11:06 AM
U2- How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

Reds Fanatic
01-09-2005, 11:36 AM
1. Green Day - American Idiot
2. U2 - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
3. Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Like Bad News
4. Velvet Revolver - Contraband
5. The Hives - Tyrannosaurus Hives

zombie-a-go-go
01-10-2005, 09:20 AM
Talib Kweli - The Beautiful Struggle
Interpol - Antics
Kanye West - College Dropout
Cee-Lo - Cee-Lo Green is the Soul Machine
Keane - Hopes and Fears

Stewie
01-10-2005, 09:54 AM
I guess I'm the only one that was somewhat disappointed in the new Ted Leo album. I was really looking forward to it, and was expecting something better than Hearts of Oak, but it just didn't happen. Don't get me wrong, it's a good album, and I like it, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. Could have been my own fault for expecting too much, but whatever. I think my top 5 of last year would be:

1. Karate - Pockets
2. Futureheads - Futureheads
3. Interpol - Antics
4. Keane - Hopes and Fears
5. Kanye West - College Dropout

bomarl1969
01-10-2005, 03:54 PM
These were my favorites

1. Brides of Destruction-Here Comes the Bride
2. Velvet Revolver-Contraband
3. Saliva-Survival of the Sickest
4. Crossfade
5. Alter Bridge-One Day Remains

An honorable mention (only because it contains rap music did I not list it in the top 5) is Jay-Z/Linkin Park MTV Mash Up

TC81190
01-10-2005, 09:21 PM
Not enough mainstream music here. :MandJ:

Collision Course - Linkin Park/Jay-Z

bomarl1969
01-11-2005, 12:59 PM
mainstream music :barf:

TC81190
01-11-2005, 05:54 PM
:barf:

Right. I hate indie-rock. I also, however, hate the majority of the R&B/Rap that is overplayed on the radio. That's not what I'm calling mainstream.

paintmered
01-11-2005, 06:00 PM
Right. I hate indie-rock. I also, however, hate the majority of the R&B/Rap that is overplayed on the radio. That's not what I'm calling mainstream.


Because Jay-Z is obviously not R&B/Rap......

TC81190
01-11-2005, 06:29 PM
Ahem.


Right. I hate indie-rock. I also, however, hate the majority of the R&B/Rap that is overplayed on the radio. That's not what I'm calling mainstream.


Make it extra clear for ya. ;)

Crumbley
01-13-2005, 06:30 AM
Handsome Boy Modeling School - White People
Thread. Over.