The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 127

We’re partners :)

 

I see that. Shoot me a DM.

 

@BTDandFeelingThis .... Better late than never, right?



Story of the Year – Wolves (2017 – Self Released)

This was less a "comeback" record and more of a "nostalgia" record for me, but that is not a bad thing. Story of the Year have been teasing the release of new music for upwards of a couple years, and I think this is the best they possibly could have done. Wolves is the perfect blend of their old sound with some new elements that to me is similar to Silverstein – such as the tracks "How Can We Go On" and "Bang Bang" - with also tracks that feel like they were inspired by major label executives such as "Can Anybody Hear Me" and "Give Up My Heart". It is very apparent that the band was trying to have a bit of commercial appeal with the new album, though I am unsure how successful they could be without label support. I guess they were giving what the fans want as this was a crowd-funded record.

The main fault of this album, in my opinion, is that the album probably didn't need to be 14 tracks as I had trouble listening to it straight through. A 10 track album with a 4 song EP would have probably made more sense, but again, I see that they were giving the fans what they wanted. Additionally, they did not seem to venture too much out of their creative comfortability. This was Story of the Year making a Story of the Year album.

Overall, I think this album is classic SOTY and with proper management and label support could have easily propelled them back into mainstream success considering how many "radio friendly" tracks and songs that could fit into a big-budget blockbuster action film. The musicianship is superb as always from the intricate guitar parts complimented by drum parts and between Dan and Phil's vocal harmonies.

Favorite tracks: "How Can We Go On", "A Part of Me", "Goodnight, My Love" -- Would give it a 7/10.



Linkin Park – One More Light (2017 – Warner Bros. Records)

** Disclaimer - I feel bad for having such a negative review, it was just hard not to. Please don't hate me! **

This was a very difficult review to write as I have tried to be as objective as possible, so after a few listens straight through, I think it's safe to say that this record is absolutely dreadful. I don't care what name is on it, it could have been a Chester solo album, it could have been an entirely different group altogether, but fact of the matter is, this album is just plain terrible, only got worse with each additional listen. I have never had a problem with bands wanting to break genre barriers (I.e. The Ataris Welcome The Night broke far away from their pop-punk sound and alienated most of their fans, but I fucking love that album), but this album took Linkin Park to the polar opposite place they started – from Nu Metal gods to a generic boy band. It has nothing to do with the fact they transitioned from a rock band to a pop band, such as Paramore's transition from rock to mainstream pop, but it has everything to do with watered down, cookie cutter, soulless corporate garbage that appealed to no one other than the suits at Warner Bros and the Clear Channel/iHeartRadio bottom feeders.

For starters, every song tends to follow a very similar formula – electronic intro, Chester emulating Justin Timberlake, a slight build up with heavier electronics, some guitar in the background (tasteful – this was a positive in production), and then some hip-hop verses thrown in there all behind similar tempos. If you want to make a more electro-pop centered record, that's fine, it can be pulled off, but because of the lack of variation in synth sounds, beats, and vocal styles, it made the listen quite boring. With this genre, you are given an extremely blank canvas where it's easy to incorporate sounds and instruments across the board, but they instead decided to stick with the primary colors without any mixing and matching.

Now that I have shit on it as much as I feel comfortable in this forum, I do want to point out the one saving grace of this album which is unfortunately hidden under the production. I think Chester has some extremely strong lyrics that dive deep into where his soul was at the time.

"I’m dancing with my demons
I’m hanging off the edge
Storm clouds gather beneath me
Waves break above my head
At first hallucination
I wanna fall wide awake now
You tell me it’s alright
Tell me I’m forgiven
Tonight
But nobody can save me now
I’m holding up a light
Chasing up the darkness inside
'Cause nobody can save me"

Just... wow. This unfortunately and tragically was a foreshadow on what would come in Chester's life. Additionally the lines in "Heavy" which read:

"I'm holding on
Why is everything so heavy?
Holding on
So much more than I can carry
I keep dragging around what's bringing me down
If I just let go, I'd be set free
Holding on
Why is everything so heavy?

You say that I'm paranoid
But I'm pretty sure the world is out to get me
It's not like I make the choice
To let my mind stay so fucking messy
I know I'm not the center of the universe"

Again, phenomenal lyrics that perfectly illustrate the struggle of depression and mental illness in general that I found extremely touching and relatable (as someone with bipolar disorder). My favorite lines on the whole album come from the track "Halfway Right" - "I scream at myself when there’s nobody else to fight//I don’t lose, I don’t win, if I’m wrong, then I’m halfway right//I know what I want, but It feels like I’m paralyzed." It breaks my heart knowing that Chester was open about how he was feeling yet it still lead to his tragic conclusion. It sucks that these beautiful lyrics had to be associated with such dreadful songs.

All in all - 4/10.

 

Ok I have two partners this week and we are all set.

@iCarly Rae Jepsen

He will be listening to:

Less Than Jake-Anthem
My Chemical Romance-The Black Parade

I will be listening to:

Alanis Morissette- Jagged Little Pill
Rancid- And Out Come The Wolves
—-

@Michael Schmidt

He will be listening to:

Starset-Transmissions
Hawthorne Heights- HURT

I will be listening to:

Banner Pilot- Collapser
Cartel-Chroma

 

Glad you liked wolves!

Your reaction to OML is to be expected; Even I had that reaction until after Chester’s death and I gave it another couple tries

 

@skurt do my Recs To Ian surprise you?

 

I'm ready to come off the bench next week coach.

 

They aren't the usual 3 or 4 you rec everyone for sure.

 

YEA! So You Want In for the session for the 22nd?

 

Does that mean this week? Or next week?

 

I can take him if you want.

 

Next week Monday is when it starts

 

Deal

 

Poor Colin getting stuck with me ;)

 

Hey I branch out when someone I am partnered with hasn’t heard legitimately all my favorites

 

Ok sounds good

 

Whoa @iCarly Rae Jepsen hasnt heard the Black Parade?? I didn’t think it was possible anyone on this site hadn’t heard it and also you’re in for such a ride, it is so so good

 

Yeah I've only heard their singles somehow haha

 

Agreeing with @skogsraet Tbp is amazing. It’s cinematic, it’s catchy. Great front to back. Also holds the honor of being my first rock album I loved and saw live.

Also super happy I finally got to recommend Anthem to someone too!

 

the enjoyment of this record is really dependant on how much you've been following trends in contemporary pop music.
ultimately, Linkin Parks desperate attempt at remaining relevant by aping them is thwarted by the fact that when it comes to songwriting, they're total hacks

 

I disagree with that last part so much. But to each their own

 

I was literally about to comment the same thing, I was shocked @iCarly Rae Jepsen

 

but that's just what this album is. a badly produced and aged sounding contemporary pop record.

 

Don’t worry, I am correcting this error!

 

Contemporary pop? Sure. The rest of it? Again I disagree. But thats your view. I won’t change it.