Saturday, September 8, 2012

In Mourning-The Weight of Oceans


Hello, readers!  Today I wanted to take a brief look at a new album that came out earlier this year from Sweden's In Mourning. 

Progressive metal rarely suffers from a lack of originality.  Many interesting bands offer a diverse array of progressive-themed metal.  The Weight of Oceans is In Mourning's third album and is an effective followup to Monolith, released in 2010. 

In Mourning's mix consists of heavy, stomping guitar riffs played over a background of progressive-sounding keyboards.  Vocals are mostly in the harsh, roaring category, and fill the foreground of the music with energetic metal vocals.  At a few moments sparsly littered accross the album, the band breaks down into a slow section reminiscent of Opeth's vintage songs, when they introduce warming clean vocals. 

If you are into progressive metal music, you should enjoy In Mourning.  If you don't like metal music at all, you won't like this.  I thoroughly enjoyed Monolith and was excited when The Weight of Oceans came out.  I'm happy to announce that I remain a fan of In Mourning.  The Weight of Oceans floats ashore with 4.6/5 stars.  Take a look at the album's opener, Colossus below.  Enjoy and thank you for reading.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Namesake-The Movement


Today's post was going to be about a new song from As I Lay Dying, but then I stumbled across this interesting track from Atlanta's Namesake while looking for the AILD song over at The NewReview

I'm much more impressed with Namesake than I am with AILD.  Don't get me wrong, I like AILD, though their later albums have gotten bland and sounded like same old-same old metalcore. 

Namesake have released the single The Movement, which will be on their new album, Borders & Fences.  The new track is an anthemic modern rock tune that does not fall into the same trap as most newer modern rock bands do.  The repetition isn't overbearing on this song.  Layered vocals form the chorus while keyboards play through the song's underpinnings, creating a spacey atmospheric vibe.  I also am digging the album cover quite a bit. 

Check out their new track below.  It is impressive. 


Thursday, September 6, 2012

In My Room Cover


So today the song that I want to discuss is In My Room by The Beach Boys.  This song is a classic released in 1963.  This song is great.  Although this is totally corny I think that the lyrics to the song are very powerful.  Sometimes it is nice to just lock yourself away in the one place that you feel totally comfortable.  It truly is one of the only places where you can be yourself.  I think that is why I connected to this song.  That and my mother heard this song the first time it was released and so I grew up listening to it.  I think the music is soothing.  This is a great group of guys who sing and harmonize really well with each other.  Their sound is just something timeless that you don't hear anymore.

Grant Lee Buffalo covered this song on the Friends TV show soundtrack.  This song was used in a scene with Rachel sitting and looking out the window thinking about Ross because they had just broken up.  This song really hit me again just like the first time I ever heard it.  I think that this cover is tastefully done.  It sounds almost as good as the original.  The artist doesn't make any unnecessary changes.  He adds more guitar and his voice is a little harsher but this cover is great.  I love this song.  Check out this cover especially if you are a fan of the original.-Kristy

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Randomness: Hans Zimmer


For today's randomness post, we take a look at Hans Zimmer's score from the movie "Inception."  For those of you new to Think Muzik, let me take a moment to state the simple rules for randomness posts.  I go through my iTunes library with my eyes closed and randomly select something, and then blog about it.  Last week, we looked at Daft Punk's soundtrack for "Tron: Legacy."

As I stated last week, I love film music.  There is (arguably) no one on Earth better at it than Hans Zimmer.  This man composes stunningly beautiful music, and his credit list is indeed extensive.

I need to take a moment to talk about the movie itself.  This was a remarkable movie, and not just because Leonardo DiCaprio has suddenly transformed from Hunkzilla into good--if not great actor.  Many memorable and emotional moments arise from the movie and the film manages an impressive level of suspense throughout.  DiCaprio's character is desperate to see his children again after years of absence, and the only way that will be possible is if he can successfully plant an idea in a businessman's mind.  The plot is very complex, yet still easy to follow. 

Now, back to the music.  The music combines peaceful, droning ambiance with melodious electronic elements interwoven with beautiful symphony, and even some subtle choral elements.  Check out a couple of tracks from the score below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!!


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Cover of Under Pressure



I'm so excited to blog about this song.  I am a huge Queen fan and Under Pressure is by far one of his best songs.  I love the beat of this track.  It makes me happy every time I hear it.  The music starts and I fall into the groove right away.   I think that this is a really good example of how scatting can be done in a good way.  I hate when musicians try to put it in their music and it's just noise.  I really like that Freddy Mercury has David Bowie joining him on this track.  David Bowie has such a unique voice and a sound that is all his own and when you put the two together its pure genius. 

Kill Hannah has covered this hit by Queen.  It's featured on the Invisible Soundtrack.  Although this version is a little more popish I like the cover.  Nothing is ever gonna be as good as the original but they make a great effort.  I think that the lead singer does a better job portraying Freddy Mercury than this partner who is singing David Bowie's part but I totally dig this song.  I think its so much fun and it's very interesting to see this modern spin on such a classic song.  I encourage you to listen to both of them and let me know what you think. -Kristy

Monday, September 3, 2012

Alcest-Les Voyages de L'ame


Who knew French music could be so fun?  Last week I reviewed Gojira's recent album.  Today I'm looking at the latest album from Alcest.

Alcest is one of those bands whose style has evolved and morphed over the years into a style of music that hardly reflects their roots.  Some bands pull this off to great effect, while for others, the attempt falls flat on its face.  Having begun as an atmospheric black metal band in 2000, the band now plays a thick, reverby shoegazing style where notes stretch as smooly as molen glass and linger in the listener's ear.

Vocalist Neige sings almost exclusively in a pensive clean voice as if remembering moments of his childhood.  Although some vicious shrieks find their way in to the mix occasionally, these moments are sparse and serve only to alter the mood.  These screams never last more than a couple of lines, so they never overpower any of Neige's singing in any one song. 

While my explanation of the music so far sounds simple (yay for unintentional alliteration), the tunes are anything but.  Having thier roots planted firmly in metal, Alcest employ vast, sweeping melodies that are layered and complex, seeming to hinge on emotional memories from times long ago, or looking back on journeys to distant lands.  It is a sound that is evocative and at times eerie. 

You don't have to be a metal afficionado to enjoy Alcest's music.  Instead, you must be ready to embark on a journy for which your destination is unknown.  Indeed, as the saying goes, it is not the destination, but the journey.  Les Voyages de L'ame reflects a 4.4/5 rating.  Listen to the opener Autre Temps and the title track below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!