Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream [1999]

This feels significantly more active than previous albums. A little less in the way of creativity and variation. However, the songwriting has taken a leap forward. The album is extremely catchy and the songwriting feels infinitely more mature and proficient. I still can't shake the feeling of loss because of the reduced creativity when comparing it to Signify and The Sky Moves Sideways... maybe I just need to warm up to this new direction a bit more and come to terms with the fact that PT has changed their style a bit.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.porcupinetree.com/

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Porcupine Tree - Signify [1996]

There are times where this is a great chill album, but then there's also a fairly large amount of variation that is reminiscent of TSMS. There's some very good creativity as well. The rare vocals are a treat to listen to and the production is clear and soothing. This album makes great use of effects. Spacey, progressive, and psychedelic rock all in one album. I do believe that this is every bit as good as TSMS for all the same reasons.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.porcupinetree.com/

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Porcupine Tree - Staircase Infinities [1995]

A good chill album. Some of the spacey feeling is still there. It's not quite as catchy as TSMS, but it definitely is a mellow album that creates good atmosphere. Very little vocals on this EP. There isn't as much creativity as TSMS, though.

Rating: 6

http://www.porcupinetree.com/

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Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways [1995]

Holy crap, the first track on the first CD is quite an experience. It starts off with a space-atmosphere feeling eventually giving way to a calm prog-rock section. The middle of the song is dominated by a really cool electronic beat with synth rhythm and flutes. What's truly awesome is that each style of the songs is extremely well-done and it all fits together very nicely thanks to the main melodies being carried over from one section to the next. "Dislocated Day" is a more up-tempo, straightforward, and catchy song with extremely well-written keyboards. "The Moon Touches Your Shoulder" is good, but it lacks the intensity of the first two tracks. I do love how it blends seamlessly into "Prepare Yourself", which helps to bring the intensity back. I have to say that CD1 as a whole is quite fucking awesome. Unfortunately, the extra CD is not all that great despite being aptly suited for atmospheric moods. If I had just listened to the first CD, this would've gotten a 9 for sure, but the second CD lacks the intensity in the mood that the first had.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.porcupinetree.com/

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Porcupine Tree - Up the Downstair [1993]

The songwriting hasn't changed much at all. It's still psychedelic and progressive. The production is a little better. Still not all that catchy, either. There's also less variation between songs. Overall, I prefer OtSoL, but this is still a good, inspired, and relaxing album.

Rating: 7

http://www.porcupinetree.com/

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Porcupine Tree - On the Sunday of Life [1991]

I can definitely hear the Psychedelic influence, but it isn't the most prevalent style. This is a very interesting and soothing Progressive Rock album. Some songs are whimsical, some are beautiful, some are catchy (i.e. "Radioactive Toy"), and some are downright creepy (i.e. "Message From A Self-Destructing Turnip"). There's not an abundance of catchiness, though, and the production is not all that great. However, it's a great "chill" album and, unlike many other albums, holds my interest until the end.

Rating: 7

http://www.porcupinetree.com/

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Kenji Kawai - Innocence O.S.T. [2004]

Similar, yet different. There's still plenty of atmosphere and percussion, but there is also much more variation between the tracks and some tracks (like "Attack the Wakabayashi") are just downright explosive. Maybe I'm just a little crazy, but the insane vibrato choir is a bit more grating this time around. However, I can't take any points off from the album because everything else is just so much more proficient and well-written. Plus, there is more variation in the choir.

Rating: 9

http://www.kenjikawai.com/

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Yoko Kanno - Escaflowne Original Soundtrack 3 [1996]

Crappy first track, but then things take a leap into an amazing world of perfection. If things keep going like "Arcadia" and "Epistle", this OST will easily outshine the first two. Well, the unfortunate reality is that, in the middle of this OST, the tone and style changes drastically. There are more songs that are based on more modern band-style music with some instruments added. I can almost see the animé go by as I listen. This OST is at a point in the animé when things are getting ever-more epic and the series is beginning to wrap itself up. The problem is that there is a section towards the second third of the animé when there is a last push for the status quo before all hell breaks loose, and that is reflected in the use of more pop singers and a slightly more upbeat tone in the middle of this album. Songs like "Perfect World" and "I Recommend Instincts", while not BAD, are mostly throwaways. The end of the album feels a little better, but the absolute darkness and epic feel that I loved about the beginning is predictably replaced by songs that mark the end of the animé. Overall, it's still a damn good album, but it really got my hopes up for something even more amazing in the beginning.

Rating: 8

http://www.kannoyoko.net/

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Yoko Kanno - Escaflowne Original Soundtrack 2 [1996]

I have pretty high expectations after the first soundtrack... hope this wont disappoint. I'm halfway through and this is shaping up to be equally as good as the first soundtrack. Plenty of variation between the songs; Gregorian, fantasy, orchestra, and whimsical cuteness. I had forgotten how many great songs were in the animé that weren't included in the first OST. This one is certainly as good as the previous OST.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.kannoyoko.net/

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Yoko Kanno - Escaflowne: Over the Sky [1996]

First impression is GREAT. I've gone from a wonderful fantasy song ("Flying Dragon") to the epic chorus-filled god-sized masterpiece of "Dance of Curse". Now, let's hope she keeps it up... it's a long way to the end of this album. God damn, she really did it; the album is fucking great all the way through. When there is a drop-off in excitement, melancholy and beauty take over. When the excitement comes back, it slams you in the face with grand writing. There are probably only two tracks that were iffy, but that's hardly a distraction. Also, the chorus in multiple songs sings the same phrase over and over again, making it feel a bit contrived by the end.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.kannoyoko.net/

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Yoko Kanno - Sharon Apple: The Cream P-U-F [1995]

Only two new songs, with the two others being from MPOS I and II.

Rating: 6

http://www.kannoyoko.net/

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Yoko Kanno - Macross Plus Original Soundtrack II [1995]

A bit of an abrupt change from the first one. There's a much different sound to this album. More non-classical songs and Pop. There's much more variation in this album as well. It's not quite as powerful as the first one, but still good in its own right.

Rating: 7.5

http://www.kannoyoko.net/

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Yoko Kanno - Macross Plus Original Soundtrack [1990]

There's no point to this review. Flawless soundtrack from start to finish. So much emotion is conveyed in the arrangements that the Animé doesn't even need to exist for this to be amazing. Beautiful, energetic, tense, and extremely organic. While it may not be the most ground-breaking songwriting in the world, there are more than enough blends to satisfy me.

Rating: 9

http://www.kannoyoko.net/

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Elliot Goldenthal - Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within [2001]

The first three tracks are pretty stock movie music. Things finally get interesting with "Code Red". Some of the songs have a distinct video game feel to them (like "The Kiss" and "A Child Recalled"). However, while this soundtrack works very well in the setting of the movie, it doesn't do much to hold it's own when taken out of context. I do like that the soundtrack has a heavy dose of fantasy elements to it. "The Dream Within" is definitely a standout track.

Rating: 6.5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy:_The_Spirits_Within_(soundtrack)

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Myrkskog - Superior Massacre [2002]

Vocals are way cooler. It's definitely more Death Metal than DM. The production is definitely more clear, but it seems to have lost a bit of that chaotic feel. So far, I'm inclined to completely pardon that small lacking part of the production because it's so fucking brutal.

Rating: 8.5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrkskog

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Myrkskog - Deathmachine [2000]

Very nice. I'm loving it so far. It's like slamming into a wall of death and black. Cool use of industrial effects and some (rare, but) creative use of guitar effects. Death Metal sensibility in a Black Metal context and they pull it off way better than Behemoth ever did. Last song was completely unexpected but damn fucking cool. Production is great. It's not the clearest in the world, but it's fucking heavy as hell and is not lacking in brutality at all. Brutally pleasant surprise.

Rating: 8.5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrkskog

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Eminenz - Exorial [1994]

Definitely a promising intro… but it goes into a pretty weak first song. Production quality is weak overall. The guitars are low in the mix, so it doesn't feel like a heavy albums. It's a damn flat and boring album with bouts of cool keyboard parts.

Rating: 5

http://www.eminenz-germany.de/

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Akercocke - Antichrist [2007]

Interesting production quality… I'll have to get used to it. Not a fan of the fact that the drums are much lower in the mix, but now it's a bit heavier. Definitely a stronger start to the album than WTGUDTGU had. All the elements I love are still there with slightly more refined songwriting. This is a great album from start to finish. The production could have definitely been better, though. I'm not a fan of the guitar's distortion; it sounds very weak when palm muting. Also, the drums should have really been turned up a bit.

Rating: 9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akercocke

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Akercocke - Words That Go Unspoken, Deeds That Go Undone [2005]

Very weak start for Akercocke, but it eventually gets going. The first track seems to have much more pop-metal influences added in, but towards the end it complete redeems itself. The pop-metal influences are minimized and not necessarily a bad thing. Seems like they've changed their style a bit from Choronzon. It still feels like an Akercocke album, but it also feels fresh because of some more Death Metal styled riffs and structures. "Shelter from the Sand" is extremely unique for Akercocke and even ventures into the Post-Metal genre. Overall, better production and a fresh take on their own style while not compromising what makes them great leaves me with a fucking stiffy for this album (despite the fact that it started off very weak).

Rating: 9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akercocke

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Akercocke - Choronzon [2003]

Creativity and complexity is definitely still there. Increased production quality with the guitars. Album is louder than TGoM. Nicely varied throughout. The great songwriting and attention to detail are expanded on from TGoM.

Rating: 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akercocke

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Akercocke - The Goat of Mendes [2001]

Kind of weird production quality. It's definitely missing quite a bit of bass and heaviness. Way more Death Metal than I thought it would be. Damn cool riffs, though. Definitely has an evil vibe to it. There's certainly a lot of creativity. Each song jumps back and forth between many different styles and it all flows surprisingly well. The creative and well-put-together riffs of this album make me almost entirely forgive the weak production. Because of the huge aura of evil, the great/creative songwriting, and the smooth blending of many different styles/genres, I'll give this high marks (perhaps this will be reversed after I've listened a couple more times). If only the production were better.

Rating: 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akercocke

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Akercocke - Rape of the Bastard Nazarene [1999]

Definitely a weaker production quality than TGoM. Damn cool effects in the middle of the first track… if this carries through, it will definitely earn a favorable score. Nicely done. It's got some sparks of creativity throughout, but the production quality holds it back significantly.

Rating: 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akercocke

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Absu - Absu [2009]

Great production. Follows with the more schizo song style, but with a much more experimental feel than previous albums. At the same time, it never looses its thrashiness or brutality. This is their best… hands down.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.myspace.com/absu

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Absu - Tara [2001]

Since this is the end of the "trilogy" that they have with a few of their albums, I can imagine that this will take on a style more in the vein of TTSoC and TSoT. We'll see. The second song really kicked in, I'm now beginning to doubt my earlier analysis. Okay, it's definitely their best album yet. Just misses an "8" rating by a hair.

Rating: 7.5

http://www.myspace.com/absu

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Absu - In the Eyes Of Ioldánach [1998]

Wow, starts of blazing with creative percussion thrown in the mix. It's definitely got a heavier mix than any of the previous albums; much to my liking. Plus the more schizo section changes are back, yay! It's a step back in the right direction in my opinion. It never lets up until the end.

Rating: 7.5

http://www.myspace.com/absu

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Absu - The Third Storm Of Cythraul [1997]

Much better production quality than TSoT. Hmm, it's a bit more of the same really and is beginning to feel a little stale. However, it still has good song structure. It's mostly something that I can see myself turning on in the background.

Rating: 7

http://www.myspace.com/absu

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Absu - The Sun of Tiphareth [1995]

Definitely not what I was expecting for the beginning. The more creative drumming is back. Songwriting is a bit more experimental than before. However, the production has suffered even more with the guitars being way low in the mix. So, it's lost some heaviness. Also, the songwriting isn't as schizo as before... I can't tell if that's a good thing or not. I kind of liked their more abrupt song structures from the first album. Even so, this is certainly more refined songwriting.

Rating: 7

http://www.myspace.com/absu

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Absu - ...And Shineth Unto The Cold Cometh [1995]

Damn cool and promising beginning. The production quality of the guitars has gone down a bit. The fusion drumming has been lost, probably due to the short length of the album.

Rating: 7

http://www.myspace.com/absu

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Absu - Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L. [1993]

Definitely ahead of its time. It's got a bit of Death Metal influence in the song structure and the way that it jumps violently from riff to riff. However, there are elements of jazz and operatic vocals as well. The production quality is far superior to what you'd expect from a Black Metal band in 1993; especially one from the U.S. The drumming is incredible. The keys and effects are used sparingly, but very well. Serious props for a damn-good debut album and being ahead of their time.

Rating: 7.5

http://www.myspace.com/absu

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Skinlab - Nerve Damage [2004]

More of a droning album than RR. It started off feeling very weak, but halfway through I'm beginning to understand what they're going for. It's more of a really gothic doom metal album. Meh, I'm really not feeling it with this one, but then, I've never really been a fan of remixes and extra demo versions and shit like that.

Rating: 5

http://www.myspace.com/skinlab

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Jealkb - Metronome [2006]

Yup, pretty stock J-Rock beginning to it. Although, "Love Balance" has a bit of an American Blues-Rock feel to the main verse riff. It's even got some punk influence with the vox. Quite catchy stuff even if it's derivative.

Rating: 7

http://jealkb.jp/

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Jun - Atomic Smile [2007]

Interesting. Pretty catchy J-Rock. Kinda surprising that there aren't any vox on the first track. There's a significant amount of techno / industrial effects, and I'm almost certain that most of the instruments are actually programmed (certainly the drums and maybe even the guitars). Very catchy solos, but bit stock. Actually, it's a bit stock overall. However, it's pretty well done, catchy, and good production.

Rating: 7



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Kenji Kawai - Ghost in the Shell Original Soundtrack [1995]

Ambient. Percussive. Erie. Perfectly crafted. Even the nutty vibrato that the chorus performs has grown on me and adds to the creepy effect of the music. "M04 Virtual Crime" throws some cool guitars into the mix towards the end. "M05 Chant II - Ghost City" throws more of the normal tonal effects and keys behind the same chant that was in "M01". Normally, this sort of ambient music bores me, but this is so precisely crafted that everything feels like it has its purpose instead of just being a bunch of effects that are thrown together. I am, however, not a fan of the recycled chants in some of the songs. Even though the music behind them is different, I would have preferred to hear new chant rhythms and notes. The mixture of mostly ambient tracks with more beautiful tonal tracks really suits the soundtrack and the mood well; it also creates some small sense of variety throughout the album. Finally, as far as I'm concerned, this soundtrack only has 10 tracks. "See You Everyday" is an abomination that has nothing to do with anything about the OVA or the music contained therein.

Rating: 9

http://www.kenjikawai.com/

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Spiral Architect - A Sceptic's Universe [1999]

Very interesting song writing. It definitely blends Jazz and Metal in a progressive sandwich much better than most bands that make the attempt. The vocals are odd enough for this genre to be enjoyable. Normally, this vocal style would be better suited for Progressive Rock/Metal in a similar vein as Dream Theater. The music skips back and forth between Progressive Metal and Jazz. The music is extremely technical most of the time. The vocals are very accurate and bursting with talent. The production reminds me of 90s underground metal like Atheist. The creativity is quite excellent at times (i.e. "Moving Spirit" and "Occam's Razor") and plenty of riffs have a dark spin to them much to my liking.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.spiralarchitect.com/

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ジュリィー - イノチノ衝動 [2007.04]

After a very odd intro track, track 2 starts off with a riff that could easily be used in Atmospheric Black Metal, which is enjoyable in this context. The riffs are catchy and much more somber than previously, but the vocals are less fitting and catchy than the music. It creates an interesting contrast, but I wish the vocals fit better. The third track is a bit more punky and up-lifting. Track 4 has much more catchy vocals that fit with the music better. Track 5 is definitely on one of their previous singles... which is a bit depressing. This album, overall, is a bit average. There are some standouts like track 9, but most of it is somewhat lacking and average-feeling. I do like the production, especially of the drums.

Rating: 7

http://www.jully-web.com/

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Dimmu Borgir - Abrahadabra [2010]

AWESOME intro track, if the rest of the album doesn't live up to this, I'll be pissed. And we're off to a really shitty start in "Born Treacherous". The production isn't very heavy at all, pretty disappointing; the guitars are much more buried than previously and they also fell a bit unbalanced. "Gateways" starts out much more promising, but then takes the opposite route of "Born Treacherous" and gets a bit crappy and the melodic harmonized guitars can go right into a closet and fuck themselves. It gets really catchy and beautiful towards the end, though; shame it wasn't that good all the way through. Finally, a decent song can be found in "Ritualist". I suppose I should be a little more forgiving since this is a very different style for Dimmu. The reduced guitars are the price they pay for trying to make the orchestra stand out more. I like the addition of the choir, though, and the orchestra is much more heavily integrated into the songs than previously. Dimmu was never a band that would put out a grind-fest album, but this is even less so than normal. Much of the excitement in this album comes in short spurts and it feels like there are way too many filler riffs thrown in the mix. This is definitely a step away from the Black Metal that I would expect Dimmu to put out. All the songs have the same problem of having very unexciting riffs that drag the listener down in between really good and catchy sections. "Dimmu Borgir" sounds identical to Nightwish's style of writing. So, the bite of Black Metal is completely gone, it's not brutal in the slightest, the guitars are too wussy, and there are way too many crappy riffs. Even so, props for trying to change things up, the orchestra and choir are extremely effective, and the riffs that are good are great. If I can approach this album as if it didn't come from Dimmu and as a Gothic Metal album with no pretentions to Black Metal, this would be a decent album (probably get a score of 7). However, I just can't ignore the fact that this is a large disappointment coming from Dimmu.

Rating: 6

http://www.dimmu-borgir.com/

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