RockWatch:CD Reviews

Track Listing:

1. rich

2. date with a night

3. man

4. tick

5. black tongue

6. pin

7. cold light

8. no no no

9. maps

10. y control

11. modern romance

Review: This three piece band from New York has been compared to such artist as the White Stripes to P.J Harvey. I personally thing they sound a bit like Patty Smith or Nina Hagen, but that could just be me. They have been hyped up by a lot of national magazines lately as well as MTV playing there video “maps” of there first full length album. I also heard that the YYY’s are going to be on next months cover of spin, so be exited…yeah yeah.

After three years of putting out three ep’s they finally decided to put out a full length album. I know quit a lot of people who have said that they have gotten this cd because of the song “maps” that they have been hearing all over. What is funny about this though is that the song “maps” is one of there most watered down songs of the cd. So a lot of people who have perched it have been a little thrown off I think. Being some of my favorite lyrics from this girl is when she is whaling “I got a man that makes me wanna kill, ohh yeah we are all gonna burn in hell.”

Karen O's voice is made for purrs, growls, screeches, moans, and a wide spread world wide attack of killer rabbits. The drummer, Brian Chase, creates thumps and a deep beat while Nick Zinner top’s it off with his guitar playing. I do agree with some people that the lyrics do lack substance but most songs are decently written in a catchy rocking rash type of manner. So over all for the type of music that it is, it’s not bad, defiantly a band that would be worth checking out at a live show.

Artist: Opeth

Album: damnation

Date Released: 2003

Type Of Music: dark folk and hypnotic soft-rock progressions

Track Listing:

1. windowpane

2. in my time of need

3. death whispered a lullaby

4. closure

5. hope leaves

6. to ride the disease

7. ending credits

8. weakness

Review: I was quiet surprised when I first heard this album, being it was created from a bunch of metal heads. If no one told me it was Opeth , I would not have appreciated it as much I don’t think. Anyhow, this album was recorded the same time as “Deliverance” however was released at separate times thankfully. Reason being is “Deliverance” can be compared more to there earlier cd’s, with growling, screaming and hitting stuff. Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree from helm of production helped out mixing it and did an amazing job as he always does, and the tunes are still penned by Mikael himself.

After listing to this the first time I felt depression as the roots of all the songs and some kind of restraint…like they where holding back, but then after listing to it more and more I find it easy to relax to. The second track in tiled “in my time of need” opens mainly just with the tone of the singers voice . “I can’t see the meaning of this life, I’m bleeding, I tried to forget you as you forgot me this time …”. Then threw out the song there is a feeling of relief after the unsettling restless neurotic antics that he lays down about what he is thinking about. Even though the “release” as I call it is fairly evil in itself, it is some how up lifting.

Damnation shows Opeth experimenting a bit further with vocal harmonies and arrangements. There is a unique sound for every single track, and yet they managed to maintain the unity all throughout the entire disc. The lyrics range from loneliness, despair, regret and depression caused by the end of a relationship. However it still comes across as heartfelt and emotional. Overall this is just a perfect example of how open and progressive this band is, and I look forward to hearing there future projects.

Rating: *** ½

By: Zinthra

Web Site: www.opeth.com