Saturday 23 June 2012

Trial 05 - verdicts

Here we are, the verdicts for Trial 05! A short trial, but a good one.

12 Stones - Beneath The Scars
I'm quite a fan of 12 Stones, and this album didn't disappoint. If I was to describe the music, I would say it is rock, not overly heavy and quite upbeat, and perhaps reminds me of some 3 Doors Down songs or something like that. Definately worth including on the iPod!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Mystery Jets - Radlands
When I decided to add Mystery Jets to the trial, I really wasn't bothered about them at all. My friend had been on at me to try them out, so I said I'd put them on trial just for him. After listening to the album I must admit I was extremely pleasantly suprised! I actually really like them. They're quite upbeat, a little chilled out but really nice music and perfect for the summer as well.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Adrenaline Mob - Omerta
Adrenaline Mob. Oh yes! This album seemed to be a mix of new music and previously released tracks such as "Believe Me" and "Hit The Wall" but is definately worth it. The usual heavy bass, excellent guitar and incredible vocals. I'm going to see them play in London in July, supported by Voodoo Six and I cannot wait!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Soundgarden - Superunknown

As I was going to see Chris Cornell play at the London Palladium, I thought I better brush up on my Soundgarden. Superunknown is one of their best albums so I thought' this would be a good choice. I recall trying out Soundgarden many years ago, and wasn't particularly sure about them. Since then, I have listened to and loved Audioslave, so I thought I might be "more into" Soundgarden on second attempt. I do like them more, but I can see why I wasn't that keen before. I'll add them to the playlist on probation and see how we go!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

The Used - Vulnerable

I can't remember where I found The Used. I think it might have been a recommendation on iTunes. Anyway, they seem alright! The singer has quite a young voice. In fact I'm not sure if the singer is male or female! I'm going to put them on probation as I got a bit bored by the end of the album.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Van Halen - A Different Kind Of Truth
Van Halen's new album disappointed me a little. I got bored quite quickly and I think if I didn't include it on my iPod I wouldn't miss it. I think I was hoping for it to be a bit more Chickenfoot-esque!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Zodiac N Black - The Aftermyth
A certain social networking website promoted this band to me so I thought I'd try them out. The message was "If you like Black Spiders then you'll love Zodiac N Black". I'm not sure if that statement is completely true - I didn't think they sounded much like Black Spiders although it was bluesy-rock and pretty decent at that - but I do love this band!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

The Parlor Mob - Dogs
Something has happened to The Parlor Mob and I'm not really sure what it is. I'm pretty sure the songs on their first album were quicker, a bit heavier, and generally had a different sound about them. But, don't get me wrong - Dogs is a good album. I got the impression that it was more of a "radio-friendly" album (although I would gladly argue that their first album could easily make the cut on mainstream radio) but I guess that's not a bad thing. I think this deserves another listen again very soon, so I'm going to add it but not on probation!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Slash - Apocalyptic Love
Well, well, well...finally this album is out and it did not disappoint. Some of the songs are just brilliant, and there are a couple of Alter Bridge/Myles Kennedy-esque ones in the mix as well which is great for AB fans. It makes a nice change from the other stuff that Myles Kennedy has done with Mayfield Four and Alter Bridge, but I will say that as of now I think AB is better than the Slash/Myles combination. Perhaps the Slash/Myles combo will go a bit more down the Velvet Revolver route - in which case I may change my mind! Whatever happens, this album is most definately in the playlist, and it has already been listened to 5 times!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

And that concludes the verdicts for Music On Trial 05! Comments and suggestions welcome!

MusicJudge

Sunday 27 May 2012

Trial 05 - starts Monday 28th May 2012

I am so excited about this. A relatively short trial this time round, but looking like it will be very hard to beat...

12 Stones - Beneath The Scars
Mystery Jets - Radlands
Adrenaline Mob - Omerta
Soundgarden - Superunknown
The Used - Vulnerable
Van Halen - A Different Kind Of Truth
Zodiac N Black - The Aftermyth
The Parlor Mob - Dogs
Slash - Apocalyptic Love

Trial begins on 28th May 2012.

MusicJudge

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Trial 04 - verdicts

Well, this was an interesting trial. Certainly some suprises in the mix. Let's get straight to it....

Shinedown: Amarylis
Opinion: This is a good album. The first few songs sounded the best on first listen, but I think the whole album could be a grower and it's nice to hear some new material from Shinedown.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Volbeat: Beyond Hell/Above Heaven
Opinion: I quite liked this band. Not particularly heavy rock, although I don't really know if I can compare them to anyone. I got a bit bored towards the end of the album, but I'm happy to put them on the main playlist and see how it goes!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.
 
Tribes: Baby
Opinion: This was a pleasant suprise. I think by the end of the album I got bored but I liked it overall. And considering when I put it on the playlist I didn't really have any interest whatsoever in listening to The Tribes, this is pretty good going! They reminded me a little bit of Airbourne Toxic Event, who I also really like.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.


Godsmack: Awake
Opinion: I honestly thought Godsmack would not be my cup of tea, but they are far from that. This band is brilliant! Pretty heavy, but not so much that it put me off listening to them because I couldn't understand any of the words of the songs...definately a welcome addition to my playlists!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Queens Of The Stone Age: Queens Of The Stone Age
Opinion: If I don't add QOTSA to my main playlist, I wouldn't really be bothered. Sorry, that's just how I feel about them! Yes, they're a good band, and yes, they have some brilliant songs - but as a whole album it sounds very same-y and I got pretty bored to be honest. And considering this is a trial of albums as a whole, unfortunately this one didn't pass the test!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Deftones: White Pony
Opinion: Gonna keep this one short and sweet. Two words: "errr...no!!!!"
This is basically the kind of music I was expecting to hear from Godsmack, for some reason. A bit too heavy, and it all just sounds like shouting and noise. Not for me I'm afraid!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Bruce Springsteen: Wrecking Ball
Opinion: "Bruce Springsteen?!" I hear you shout? Yes! At times it all sounded a bit country-and-western but I thought this was quite a good album. Gonna put it on probation because it did all sound a bit same-y after a while, but it certainly makes the step up.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Jack White: Blunderbuss
Opinion: This album and artist epitomises what these trials are all about. With quite a bluesy feel, I thought this was an absolutely brilliant album and I loved every song. Most definately promoted to my main playlist, and I absolutely recommend you give this one a try!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.
 
Halestorm: The Strange Case Of...
Opinion: This was a really good album! The first few songs really stuck in my memory, and there are a few dotted about with some very tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Good work from Halestorm, as I thought it might sound a bit too similar to their previous album.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Iron Maiden: Rock In Rio
Opinion: I wanted a live Iron Maiden album for my collection and this one was recommended - I now understand why! Loved it.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.
 
New Order: The Best of New Order
Opinion: I'm going to see Blur supported by New Order in August, so I thought I better see what all the fuss is about by trying their "Best Of" album. I guess at the time they were pretty big, but it isn't really music that I'm interested in. Apart from the last song with John Barnes - "World In Motion" - that's a good one! I think I might just put that on my main playlist!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Rage Against The Machine: The Battles Of Los Angeles
Opinion: Oh yes, another RATM album that I didn't know about! You can never have too much RATM in your collection. Promotion for sure!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.
 
Rise Against: Endgame
Opinion: I'm not sure about Rise Against. Nothing wrong with them, but there was nothing that made me think "wow, I'm missing out here by not having them on my iPod!". So I'm in two minds about whether to put them on probation or whether to just relegate them to my computer...
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".
 
SuperHeavy: SuperHeavy
Opinion: SuperHeavy are awesome! They reminded me a bit of a rocky (ish), funky Bob Marley mixed with Black Eyed Peas, or Black Keys possibly. It's hard to describe them to be honest! Just give them a try!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.
 
Velvet Revolver: Lethal Injection
Opinion: I found this album just by chance...it's a pretty strange one to be honest. It is mostly made up of mini songs (skits?) which are quite bizarre, with a couple of acoustic songs thrown in ("Slither" and "Used To Love Her", plus a cover of Pink Floyd's "Money"! Really quite bizarre so I think I'm going to just add those songs and ditch the rest!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Alter Bridge: Live At Wembley
Opinion: Well, this is a no-brainer. In all honesty I had listened to this album 3 or 4 times before the trial! But I added it more as a safe bet in case it all went wrong and the rest were rubbish! Absolutely definately promoted to the playlist.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

And that concludes the verdicts for Music On Trial 04! Trial 05 is around the corner so get your suggestions in quick!

MusicJudge

Monday 23 April 2012

Trial 04 - starts 24th April 2012

Check out this cracker of a playlist:

Shinedown: Amarylis
Volbeat: Beyond Hell/Above Heaven
Tribes: Baby
Godsmack: Awake
Queens Of The Stone Age: Queens Of The Stone Age
Deftones: White Pony
Bruce Springsteen: Wrecking Ball
Jack White: Blunderbuss
Halestorm: The Strange Case Of...
Iron Maiden: Rock In Rio
New Order: The Best of New Order
Rage Against The Machine: The Battles Of Los Angeles
Rise Against: Endgame
SuperHeavy: SuperHeavy
Velvet Revolver: Lethal Injection
Alter Bridge: Live At Wembley

Trial begins on 24th April 2012.

MusicJudge

Sunday 19 February 2012

Trial 03 - verdicts

It's been a long time coming but here are the verdicts for Trial 03:

Adelitas Way: Home School Valedictorian
Opinion: Considering Adelitas Way are a band on the same label as Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry and Theory of a Deadman, this should have been a done-deal. On first listen, however, I wasn't completely blown away in the same way that I was with those other bands. But, I'm willing to give this band a go - I think they'll grow on me with time.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Tracer: Spaces In Between
Opinion: Tracer sound amazing. Good vocals, and great guitar make this a must-have for the iPod. I'm not sure if I'd go to see them headline a gig just yet, but if they were supporting another band that would certainly help me make a decision to go.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.


Saint Jude: Diary Of A Soul Fiend
Opinion: A friend told me that the lead singer of Saint Jude is the same girl who sang a duet with The Answer on their latest album, "Revival". Basically Saint Jude are a similar kind of band to The Answer but with a female singer - and they are brilliant. I'm usually not that fussed about female vocals in rock bands (excluding the likes of Halestorm, Evanescence)...and Saint Jude are certainly an exception.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Royal Republic: We Are The Royal
Opinion: If I'm not mistaken, I think Royal Republic have something to do with Danko Jones. A fun-sounding band, with some funky songs although I'm not sure how long it will be before I get bored of them and demote them. So for now, they're on probation!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

The Union: Siren's Song
Opinion: There is no question that The Union are one of my new favourite bands. The singer has an amazing voice, the songs are really good - and their second album did not disappoint. I'm really looking forward to seeing them support The Answer in March this year.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Gentlemans Pistols: At Her Majesty's Pleasure
Opinion: Short and sweet opinion here - I really enjoyed listening to this album, and it most definately gets my vote for promotion to the main playlist. Hopefully any future albums will be just as good or better!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

The Black Keys: El Camino
Opinion: The Black Keys are one of those "FIFA bands", where their song is on the soundtrack for one of the FIFA games. They sounded quite good on the game and I'd heard alot of good reviews so I decided to give their album a go. I would say that as an album overall, I wasn't sure about it. But if one of their songs started playing on shuffle I wouldn't complain. I think they might grow on me, but it's probation for now!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Voodoo Six: Falling Knives - EP
Opinion: There is no way to describe Voodoo Six other than "bloody fantastic". They definately get the award for "best new band", ahead of The Union (see above) and The Glitterati (reviewed in Trial 01 in September 2011). To be honest, I knew this album would be promoted before I even listened to it!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

The Stone Roses: The Very Best Of The Stone Roses
Opinion: Maybe I'm being stupid saying this, but I didn't like The Stone Roses. I got bored half-way through the album, and I just didn't really enjoy listening to it or didn't think "wow I like this band, I'll get into them much more now". Relegation, I'm afraid!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Sick Puppies: Tri-PolarOpinion: The jury's out on this one. Sick Puppies sound like a good band, but I'm not sure if I like them enough to want to get their next album, or see them play live, for example. I'd say probation for now, but they're on thin ice!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Adelitas Way: Adelitas Way
Opinion: This was the debut album from Adelitas Way, and I wanted to put it in this trial to compare to their second album (Home School Valedictorian). As with that album, I'm still not sure, and I think I'll have to put this on probation as well.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Band Of Skulls: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
Opinion: I think this band are worth a go, but more along the lines of listening to the occasional song on shuffle rather than the full album. The ultimate combination would be to want to listen to a bands' album over and over, and also want to see them play live. Band Of Skulls aren't quite at that level yet but I'll promote them and see how it goes.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

And that's it for the Trial 03 verdicts! Registration to post your comments and suggestions for the next trial is free so don't be shy!

MusicJudge

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Trial 03 - starts 11th January 2012

Happy new year! It's been a while since the last trial but this one is a corker, with mostly new bands mixed with a few known bands releasing new albums.

Trial 03 playlist listing:

Adelitas Way: Home School Valedictorian
Tracer: Spaces In Between
Saint Jude: Diary Of A Soul Fiend
Royal Republic: We Are The Royal
The Union: Siren's Song
Gentlemans Pistols: At Her Majesty's Pleasure
The Black Keys: El Camino
Voodoo Six: Falling Knives - EP
The Stone Roses: The Very Best Of The Stone Roses
Sick Puppies: Tri-Polar
Adelitas Way: Adelitas Way
Band Of Skulls: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey

MusicJudge

Sunday 23 October 2011

Trial 02 - Verdicts

Here are the verdicts for Trial 02:
The Subways: Money & Celebrity
Opinion: I had mixed feelings about this album whilst listening to it, but shortly after I listened to it I went to a Subways gig and this helped change my opinion about some of the songs. Now that I have seen them live I appreciate the album a bit more, although I think it's a toss-up between Young For Eternity and All Or Nothing as to which is the best. Some good songs in here though, so I'm happy to promote this to my main playlist.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Voodoo Six: First Hit For Free
Opinion: Simply put, this band is cool. Good, heavy guitar, great vocals - you just have to listen to understand! Definately promoting this one!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Adrenaline Mob: Adrenaline Mob EP
Opinion: When I previewed the Adrenaline Mob on iTunes, I thought "I think I'll like this...". But even though their EP is only 5 songs, I found it a bit too much! Not sure what it was that made me think this. I'll promote to my main playlist, but this one is under probation - I'll have to see what I think when the songs play on random.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Triggerfinger: What Grabs Ya
Opinion: A good start for Triggerfinger in my opinion with this album. Quite upbeat overall, pretty rocky, I wasn't sure what their other album would be like but this one was pretty decent. Happy to promote this one.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

The Answer: Revival
Opinion: I am a massive fan of The Answer, but after a first listen of this album I felt quite disappointed. I must admit I listened to it straight away again after the trial to convince myself that it is actually a good album! At first I thought it started off slowly, with a few songs that were very "Answer-esque" but the rest were quite slow whereas most of their songs are usually quite rocky and upbeat. Then, towards the end of the album the songs picked up and I started to think that it's not so bad after all. Once I listened to it again though, I felt I was probably a bit harsh - it's actually a really decent album and shows that the band can write songs with different styles. There's no way I could do anything other than promote this album to my main playlists, but at least now I'm doing it because I want to rather than because I feel I have to!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

White Denim: D
Opinion: Sorry, this just didn't click for me. I got bored about halfway through the album! So it's relegation for White Denim I'm afraid!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Kasabian: Velociraptor!
Opinion: I must admit, I'm not the biggest Kasabian fan, but I did like their previous album so I thought I'd give this a go. I have mixed feelings - I think probably the songs could grow on me but I didn't feel the same as when I listened the previous album, i.e. pleasantly suprised and happy to promote it to my playlist! I'll put this one on probation.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod, "on probation".

Miles Kane: Colour of the Trap
Opinion: Quite liked this! In all honesty, Miles Kane's album sounded more like what I expected Kasabian's new album to sound like! A bit "samey" by the end of it but a decent album and I like forward to having his songs on my iPod.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Voodoo Six: Fluke
Opinion: Again, excellent album. I think Voodoo Six are probably the star band of this trial, and that's what it's all about! They seem like they would be excellent when playing live.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.
Leslie West: Unusual Suspects
Opinion: Leslie West collaborated with artists such as Steve Lukather, Slash and Zakk Wylde on this album so it promised to be a beauty. I did enjoy it for sure, but I thought perhaps it was a bit too long and after a while it started to sound the same. I'm really not sure about whether to promote this or not. I think I'll put it on probation for now and see how it goes.
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

Triggerfinger: All This Dancin' Around
Opinion: I was a bit disappointed with this Triggerfinger album - it didn't have the same sound "What Gets Ya" - much slower and more mellow, so a bit of a suprise. As I don't know the band I'm not sure whether this is their actual style or if it is a change in their style. Relegation for this album, I'm afraid!
Verdict: Relegate to computer.

Chickenfoot: III
Opinion: Chickenfoot are a brilliant band and their second album did not disappoint. Same great sound with Van Halen-esque vocals and brill guitar. A certain promotion to the main playlists!
Verdict: Promote to main playlists on iPod.

And so that wraps up the verdicts for Trial 02! Feel free to post your comments and suggestions for the next trial - but you need to register first!

MusicJudge