The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 216

I have two partners.

 

@JediMasterKevo182 want me to take @Spenny ?

 

Si senor

 

Thanks!

 

David Maxim Micic: Who Bit the Moon

I went into this album not knowing what to expect (yet again), and I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that it was a gorgeous guitar-heavy instrumental album. Different parts of the album reminded me of some of my favorite bands/artists in the instrumental realm - Vasudeva, Tides of Man, and Circadian Eyes.

The instrumentation was fantastic. It is very guitar-heavy, with an excellent use of drums, as well some lovely and delicate piano work, some strings, and some synths, too. There are many complex layers, which is what I always look for in this kind of music - it's very dramatic and powerful in places, but it also has some quiet moments. I love both aspects of the songs, and I find that this album has a really good balance of each.

(With this being an instrumental album, I have no actual vocals to describe or lyrics to wish I could pick up more quickly. (There was a bit of vocoder-esque humming, talking, and things of the sort, but that doesn't count as vocals to me. It was cool, though!) As much as I love lyrics and good vocals, I do find myself often in the mood for instrumental music, which made this album a very good fit for me. In fact, I often do my best work with instrumental music playing in the background, so this was a wonderful experience.)

I can't find anything to say as a critique about this album - the whole thing is lovely!

"Milk Tooth" starts the album off with a lovely flourish of strings and then some light guitar work that blends with the strings and a bit of piano. It's a short "introduction" of sorts, akin to the short "interludes" throughout the album. (Some of the sounds from the last track are heard at the end of this track.) "Someone Else's Hat" (I love some of these song titles) starts out very calm (it really reminds me of Circadian Eyes), and then it picks up in a big way with huge guitars and drums. The dynamic range is really impressive, as is the percussion in general. The loud and soft parts alternate here and there, but the louder flourishes do tend to steal the show. I loved the back-and-forth. "Living Room" starts out with some strong guitars and then the drums join in. It sounds like there's a bit of distortion on the drums somehow, but I enjoy the effect. This is yet another really catchy track with some stunning musical moments. When the song reaches some of the bigger parts, there are a lot of layers going on, with some very impressive guitar playing. "Beaver Moon" is a short interlude that has the "vocoder humming," which is pretty cool. It's a rather subdued track overall. "687 Days" starts out with some calm, dreamy guitar work and synths in the background. This is yet another cool track with some catchy melodies. It grows (dynamically) throughout the progression of the track, (with some quieter breaks here and there) and the louder moments are really impressive. "Damar" begins with some nice piano and background guitars. Soon, it grows for bursts and extended periods of loudness while becoming a bit more distorted in places, which is really cool. Then it breaks into a nifty piano-heavy part, which is really catchy. The guitars later come back in full force, before revisiting an earlier melody as the track ends. "Nobody's Perfect" is an interlude that has a similar melody to the previous track (but much calmer and quieter). "When She Crafts" is the last interlude, and it's relatively calm as well. Once again, I am reminded of Circadian Eyes. "Who Bit the Moon" starts out really loud and then backs off a bit with some really cool rhythmic, layered parts. Soon, the guitar parts are joined by some lovely string parts, which might be my favorite part of the album. There's a more subdued break in the middle of the track, with a solo guitar. It's later joined by more instruments (including the strings) as more layers come in, and it builds back up to its former glory. It's just so good! The strings come back in as the track gets much calmer and the "voice" heard at the end of the opening track returns. There's some really cool percussion during this part, too. The return of the guitars leads into the full outro of the track and album - what a fitting closer for this work of art!

Verdict: 10/10

Favorite tracks: Someone Else's Hat, Living Room, 687 Days, Damar, Who Bit the Moon (yes, essentially the whole album)

Reminds me of: Circadian Eyes, Vasudeva, Tides of Man (currently), "Shy, Low," Lights & Motion



(Thank you for sharing yet another great album, Nate! This one was also right up my alley.)

 

I’m really glad you liked it. When I reviewed it, I gave it a 10/10 as well! Pay it forward!

 

@anonimito I can’t message you due to your settings. Message me if you want or we can figure it out in the thread

 

The Wonder Years: Suburbia I've Given You Nothing And Now I'm Nothing

So, this week @Spenny gave me a Wonder Years album. Let's be honest, this band doesn't need a introduction as they are a staple in the pop punk community. I think it's safe to say everyone has at least heard a Wonder Years song or two at some point and I always thought it was pretty cool these dudes were from Philly. Now, I've never listened to a full Wonder Years album, I've only skipped through songs and skimmed through the bands albums. To be honest I felt they were a bit overrated, but now that I have a chance to listen to a album fully it should give me a clearer view of this band. We open up with a track called " Came Out Swinging " and it's your typical pop punk song but it's super catchy and fun ! and right off the bat I must give Soupy some credit here, lyrically it's not super cheesy and he's singing with purpose and pure emotion. " Wake Up Older " is the next track and it's another pop punk banger. Through the first two songs I do like nothing has slowed down yet and again the lyrics aren't super cheesy ! Please forgive me if I'm going to be a debbie downer but after the first two songs this album just doesn't do anything for me. I'm not sure what it is, I think it's maybe because all the songs sound the same and that's what bugs me a bit. Don't get me wrong, these guys are actually really talented but I just feel like they could do so much more than try to be the next New Found Glory. Production wise it's solid, most pop punk albums don't sound slick and this does. Well, it's a bit raw too and Soupy sounds very Raw and I can dig that ! I have mad respect for these guys but this album just didn't hit me like I thought it would.

Standout tracks: Came Out Swinging, Wake Up Older

 

@broken22 and I have come to a gentlemen's agreement for next week.

I shall be partaking of:
Alkaline Trio - Agony & Irony
Senses Fail - Still Searching

And he shall savor:
Letter Kills - The Bridge
Paris Texas - Like You Like an Arsonist

 

I have a hard time being interested enough to revisit instrumental albums, but I come back to this a lot. Can’t remember who first posted about it in the chat thread, I think Nate, but I’ve been coming back to it ever since. Excellent recc/review. Album art is gorgeous too.

Also, Damar is my favorite track.

 

I might have. I did a review for it and gave it a 10/10 and it was given to me by @nfdv2. It’s an amazing album.

 

Thanks! I have yet to find a top favorite, but Damar is up there!

 

Sucks it didn't resonate with you as much as it did me, but I totally get where you're coming from. Nice review!

PS. I know I still owe you the Thursday review @JediMasterKevo182 - coming this weekend, along with my Senses Fail review for @broken22. Fiscal year-end at work is brutal.

 

It's all good man, take your time !

 

@Spenny and I will be trading:
They will be listening to:
Speak Low if You Speak Love: Nearsighted
The XCERTS: Hold On To Your Heart

I will be listening to:
Nathaniel Ratecliff & The Night Sweats: Tearing at the Seams
AllieX: CollXtion II

 

I approve of your recommendations!

 

This week I was paired with @highfidelity203 and one of the albums he recommended was Glitterbug by The Wombats. As @Nate_Johnson knows, I am way into The Wombats' 2018 release Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, but I had never heard any of their other albums, so this was a great excuse to dive into their back catalog a bit.



Track one, "Emoticons," kicks off with this woozy guitar lick that immediately lets me know I'm in for the same quirky pop that I've enjoyed on The Wombats' new album. This song has a strong backbeat and is really danceable all around. I could see a group of people getting down to this at a wedding or house party. I don't do a lot of partying, but that is the kind of party I'd like to attend if I did. The hook in this song is reminiscent of Wild Party's Phantom Pop, one of my favorite pop rock albums in recent memory.

The next track "Give Me a Try" features stronger synths and leans a bit more into the pop hooks. No complaints here. "Greek Tragedy" has a great arpeggiated synth line and in-your-face drums and guitars that grab your attention from the outset. One thing that strikes me about this band is how catchy their verses are. Sometimes I find myself getting their verses stuck in my head more than the choruses. This makes for strong and memorable songs from start to finish.

"Be Your Shadow" features my favorite vocal hook on the album so far, with sufficiently stalker-friendly lyrics:

Kiss me with your fist, it's alright
Wrap your hands around my throat, I won't mind
I'm permanent now, I won't go
I just want to be your shadow

A bit later in the album, the band slows down the tempo with "Isabel," a ballad built around some synths, light drums, and layered vocals. There are some really nice backing vocals on this track. More hooks abound on "Your Body Is a Weapon," which I was not at all surprised to learn was one of the singles from this album. It sounds radio-ready for sure. "The English Summer" is a high-energy romp with more catchy vocals and more great background vocals to enhance the track. The Wombats use these background vocals very effectively throughout the album to add texture and energy to certain moments.

"Curveballs" closes the album with another great pop hook, which is clearly The Wombats' forte. These songs are earworms and toe-tappers, and I love this kind of music. I don't know why it took me until 2018 to discover The Wombats when they could have been one of my favorite bands for the past several years. Overall, I think I prefer some of the hooks on Beautiful People over those on this album, but thankfully I have room in my heart for all the hooks. It was a good time taking a deeper dive into another album by these guys, and I have two more of them to check out before I'm fully acquainted with The Wombats' discography.

 

I might have to step out for a week or so. I've got a few things to catch up to :(

 

Love this album. Fantastic front to back. Shame the new one was a little disappointing for me.

 

That’s a shame but it happens. @Micool1 dm me and we’ll work it out

 

Everyone welcome newcomer @SamLevi11 . We have decided on our trades!

He gave me

Neck Deep - Life's Not Out To Get You
Seaway - Color Blind


And as no surprise to anyone I gave him

Story Of The Year- Wolves
Jacks Mannequin- Everything In Transit

 

Wow! This is an awesome batch of albums!

 

I need to check this out. It’s sounds great!

 

Honestly I don't mind taking this week off either, I still have 4 albums to review. I'll be back next week.

 

Great review! I'm curious what you will think of their record prior to Glitterbug which is where I started with the band.