Rate The Song Above You

I am so far but a mere dilettante in the vast world of Charly Garcia and his many, many projects, but what I've heard gives me a good idea why the Spanish-speaking world holds him up as one of the all time rock 'n' roll gods. Not being a speaker of his language, I obviously can't comment on his reputation as a top-tier lyricist, but this song being purely instrumental means I can hone in on the aspects of Garcia I do wholly understand - his knack for compositions that are at once technical and demanding, yet also flowing, fun, even funky. There's some of the coolest rhythm section stuff I've ever heard in prog rock going on here, and considering I'm someone who holds Discipline up as a peak for the genre, that's a LOT of points in its favour. 9/10

Tool - Fear Inoculum

35/100 - To their credit this sounds considerably less like the sort of music I expect of someone with too many Alex Grey tattoos and youtube video tabs open about sacred geometry and ending the fed to make. On the other hand it sounds like someone tried to make King Crimson for the 90's nu/alt/soulpatchdudeguy/etc. crowd; so it feels like a very okay alt rocky number stretched out to ten minutes with psychedelic patches there to provide tension-padding for the chorus. Yet the chorus doesn't really provide much relief; it stretches itself out for the sake of being a lengthy prog song but devoid of a lot of the joy and vigor of prog at its finest for what feels like a sterilized rendition of the genre meant for people who wouldn't care for it unless they could make it seem respectable to arthouse types. Individual parts aren't even bad but the totality of it ends up sending itself stumbling down the stairs.

We Pyrrhic Conquerors - Progression Illusion

7/10. A nicely experimental post-rock tune. It’s full of euphoria and built-up excitement that echos throughout. The organ adds a lot to the song, bringing out gothic style in the instruments. I also really like the breakdown towards the end, which adds relief and a sense of longing. There are parts where it drones on, but with the layered atmosphere it’s smothered with, which climaxes at the end. While I’m not much into this genre of music, the combo of electronic and old-fashioned bring out good times.

Sharhabil Ahmed - "Argos Farfish"

8/10 Very funky and energetic, with the vocalist putting on a great performance.

Hælos - "Hold On"

5/10

I'm not into this type of music. It's got a pleasant vibe and rhythm, but overall there's just not a lot happening.

Billie Holiday - Easy Living

60/100 - I almost throught youtube had skipped to another song when the singing came on given it does so around halfway into the song. That's when it really takes off; the little warbling from whatever that brass instrument in is charming, almost call-and-response against Billie's singing even if it comes off as slightly annoying in its tone. Could've ended with a bit more pomp and grandeur otherwise it comes off as near jarringly sharp.

The Worm Ouroboros - Pirates in Pingaree

Edited by StillbornMachine on Mar 20th 2024 at 7:33:46 AM

7/10 A pretty cool symphonic prog track, the buildup in the beginning was really sweet, but the transitions could have been smoother and the ideas kinda clash at points. Also a bit long for its own good.

Half Moon Run - "Turn Your Love"

clean, kinda minimalistic indie rock; the development's kinda static, and the simplicity of the whole thing kinda exemplifies that (i like when the piano comes in, i wish the song had more of that), but it's short enough for that to not be an issue, and the weird angularity of the whole thing just about wins me over. 7/10

th' faith healers - don't jones me

7/10

The interplay between the instruments is very engaging and funky. It reminds of the R&B inspired psychedelia of the late 60's, in a good way, and while the guitar gets heavy with distortion, it doesn't overdo it to the point that it's grating to the ears. The lyrics don't add much, it might as well have been a completely instrumental track, but it's still solid in spite of that.

Juan D'Arienzo - El Huracán

Edited by Angry_Clown on Mar 25th 2024 at 12:11:33 PM

80/100 - I didn't know you could play an accordion like that. There's a lot of these amusingly short and snippy, staccato lines that at first were annoying but are charming in a mischievous sort of way. Reminding me more of a piano if anything; I have underestimated the versatility of this instrument. It sounds... flatulent kinda, when played so sharply but I kinda like that. It has this naturally kinda silly vibe to it but when taken in the context of this piece where it has moments it stretch its limbs and the rest of the band crafts some very stately, dancey harmonies it works a sort of nostalgic magic.

Ulk - Of Rest And Closure

The opening is very majestic, gives almost Tolkien-esque vibes. I like the orchestration, though I wish I was better at identifying individual instruments. It did start feeling a tad repetitive a few minutes in. That being said, this is way outside my wheelhouse, so I might be missing a lot of nuance.

7/10; I could imagine this playing at a spa; it feels like a brain massage.

Too Sweet - Hozier

8/10 Really digging the emphasis on that sweet bassline. And the Hozier-patented bells. Hits at just the right tempo too, just a good mood of a song.

Rocket from the Crypt - "On a Rope"

9/10 I really like this one. The guitar riff is spectacular, as is the associated refrain. This one got me moving. Love the rhythmic feel, love the riff, love everything.

Next up: Skin and Bone - This Way to the Egress

Edited by EggFredd on Mar 26th 2024 at 8:00:40 AM

So here's the rub - like a lot of music in the whole macabre neo-cabaret vein, this song is not as dark and Gothic as it clearly thinks it is. The video is a perfect metaphor, really; much like how a cute cartoon cat and dog aren't really made any less cute by wandering around a stylised graveyard full of stylised skeletons, there's only so dark you can make a fluffy, jaunty accordion-led tune with a central message of "we're all the same at heart!" It's decent, it's catchy, I will admit I tapped my foot. It just has obvious pretensions it's failing to live up to. Still, it's a 7/10 for what it ends up being.

Run the Jewels - Jeopardy

5/10

While it has a really cool beat, the lyrics are pretty shallow and juvenile. Saying "fuck" a lot really doesn't make it sound more badass.

Tadd Dameron - "Mating Call"

9/10 Good track. John Coltrane's saxophone was absolutely amazing.

The Easybeats - St. Louis

70/100 - I don't even like saxophones much as an instrument but for some reason when it fades back and the piano takes the lead, it's hard not to feel some of the momentum leaves as well. Not enough to ruin the song but it feels like it does start to amble and meander around 3/4 of the way in.

67/100 - A meaty bassline and a bunch of everything else juggling on top of it. A simple formula but one that works even if it begins to feel very, very static in its mood and insistently nagging chorus.

Pick one (or both, w/e).

Isenordal - A Moment Approaches Eternity

Thy Worshiper - Na Ziemi Przodków

Edited by StillbornMachine on Apr 4th 2024 at 3:40:54 AM

Screw it. I’ll do both.

Isenordal - 7/10. This is good music for a demonic wedding. Shifting easily between styles (even if it also could’ve been separate songs) that is a rollercoaster of metal. It reaches its goal as a rock opera, but the song wasn't for me. A singer that hits all the right musical spots and flowing music are lovely to listen to, especially in its calmer moments.

Thy Worshipper - 8/10. I’m not really into that guttural, death metal-type singing, but it works great here, especially in contrasting the eerie choir. A song that can sound uplifting while weighing down on your spirit. The guitar solos are a highlight when they break through the wide range of instruments. Everyone is putting in great effort to a triumphant song.

Kate Bush - Experiment IV

7/10 Great mysterious atmosphere and Kate's vocals are on point, but I wish it was a bit more exciting.

Woods - "Sun City Creeps"

bump

Wasn't really sold on the cod-reggae opening groove, but the second half of the song with the twitchy Youngian guitar solos was strong enough to compensate a bit. Solid, even if it does take a little bit to find its footing. 7/10

MF DOOM - Beef Rap

MF DOOM is the biggest underground rapper who's often said to be the best in the business. This song defenetly reflects his killer flow and unorthodox instrumental pretty greatly. In general i think MM... FOOD? is a great entry point to the guy, and working as the first track of the album, it's a good-ass intro to the album and the food leitmotif. One of the greatest to ever do it. 96/100

100 gecs - stupid horse

10/100 - It's like Hatsune Miku but for the most aggressively, terminally online kind of twitter addict possible and the ironic humour is about as forced. Everything is happening but all of it is empty.

Pilot Waves - Out on the Plane

A very serene, beautifully produced track that wouldn't be that bad even without the drum breaks, but they add a great dynamic feel to it without taking over the entire composition. Perfect middle ground between meditative and motion-inducing. (9/10)

Melvins - The Fool, The Meddling Idiot