Some clarification: This whole "leak now goddamnit" culture bothers me. It seems that people need to hear things right away and immediately form opinions on them. I honestly don't care if you like the self-titled more, but the new album (I haven't heard it) leaked what, three days ago? Just seems like you're jumping to conclusions with albums that were just released or not even out yet.
It should bother you because it's fucking bullshit and people are so goddamn annoying and bitchy about albums they aren't even paying for AND are illegally acquiring a month early. God that shit annoys the hell out of me. People should shut the fuck up. Granted, I acquired the leaked album, but I also pre-ordered it, and am not going to complain about bit-rates and be a queer ass bitch fuck about the whole thing. And I will also post my opinion soon because I just started listening to it.
Well, I listened fully to this: I have to say, I really can't decide which of their two albums I prefer. The best way for me to describe the difference is that the s/t is a bit less heavy, more jazzy, more melodic, and has way more memorable/catchy melodies. "Weightless" seems to be more about being really technical, heavy, very driving, aggressive, riffy, and based more around being rhythmic. So each album favors one side of music, IMO. I didn't really like the album much after the first few tracks, but the more I got used to what they were doing, I really enjoyed it by the end, however I can't begin to differentiate each track from another and it kind of ran together pretty badly, but it was still impressive. My favorite things about this album are strictly the guitar tone. The production is pretty good, the drums are a bit processed and sample-esque (but I can't really rant on that coming from their last album), but the rhythm guitar tone is literally one of the best guitar tones I've ever heard in metal, in the djent scene, even better than Periphery's (which was a top contender for me until now). I'm not sure if Bulb producing it last time allowed the songs to be more memorable, but this album seems just like a ton of out-of-this-world insane musicians getting together who can't really convey good song-writing, but that's perfectly cool with me because the over-the-top techniques (down up pluck pluck Wooten thing that Tosin is doing like on every song) and rhythmic insanity matched with great production is enough for a great album for me. Kind of how I feel about Meshuggah. Tosin claims them to be a huge influence, so I could see what they might have been going for. Lastly, I have to say this is one of the most unique bands on the scene today by FAR. I think the electronic glitchy stuff was incorporated into their music so smoothly, way better than Periphery (who seemed to just throw it in there to throw it in there). This band sounds so futuristic.
I would also generally lol when people call stuff jazzy, but there definitely is a certain jazzy sound to some of Tosin's playing on the s/t (just language/colour-wise, not improv obviously), which, for me, made the album seem so fresh for metal.
Btw, On Impulse is still far, far and away Abasi's best work to date. Absolute PERFECT mix of incredible virtuosity and melody.
It also amuses me that people like you and the guy who posted below you always think "metal" and "jazz" are mutually exclusive and can't ever co-exist. Tosin Abasi has a lot of jazz background, and it will naturally be reflected in his material. Deal with it.
They pretty much can't. Playing an extended chord doesn't make something Jazzy, if that were the case we'd call Impressionism "Jazz", or rather, we'd call Jazz "Impressionism". Jazz follows a totally different tradition than metal, and what makes Jazz what it is (extremely developed harmonic/melodic vocabulary with a variety of traditions that are eve rpresent in all forms of Jazz) isn't something you can really find in any metal. I have a lot of Jazz background too, but that doesn't mean what I play in my shitty pop rock band is "jazzy" or has the potential to be because of that fact. EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES I PLAY JAZZY CHORDS. I guess I'll deal with it when I hear a metal band (RIYL: JAZZ) that actually has any actual jazz elements in it.
Listened to this for the first time today, the vinyl arrived early. Pretty sweet, initial standouts were Somnarium, To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question, and Weightless (was cool to hear some old demo ideas in there). I also liked Isolated Incidents a bit more than when they played it live.
Odd - when I followed them on Twitter a few months back, Roadrunner was tweeting Spotify recommendations all over the place. Maybe it was just their rep tweeting stuff and not their releases.
so i've listened to this a couple times over the last few days. definitely dig it. will post more thoughts after i've listened a bit more.
This is a great album. Not as good as the self-titled, but not many albums are. New Eden is awesome, especially the second half, I wish there were more parts like it. The solo break in To Lead You... is another one of my favorite parts. Looking forward to seeing them live again next weekend.
Anyone know when T.R.A.M. is releasing Lingua Franca? I've only heard "Endeavors" and a few live snippets from SxSW. I am really looking forward to hearing more from that group. I do need to give Weightless another listen though.
