I would just like to start by saying that I like Yakuza. As a band and as people. I've enjoyed their albums, seen them live and hung out with them for over an hour after the show. (I think I was the only person there who knew who they were. They opened for The Holly Springs Disaster a couple years ago.)
But I'm not really diggin' this one. For what they are trying to do, they do an excellent job. It's just a little too artsy for me. Maybe if I listened to their old albums I might find them too artsy now too. The title, Of Seismic Consequence, alludes to a heaviness that is going to affect things. I didn't so much get a feel of heavy as much as I did deep. I suspect that had I been paying attention to the lyrics (instead of reading album reviews) my "deep" theory would be validated. I'm sure it would be counter-productive to what Yakuza was trying to accomplish, but as a listener I am tempted to mess with the track listing. I'd split up the slower, softer tunes and the faster, heavier ones. Like 2 EPs rather than an LP. So one could listen to the softer tunes in the presence of those around them not so metallically inclined and not have it interrupted by a spazzed-out jazz-metal ball-buster.
Of Seismic Consequence is a nice deep, moody album interspersed with more metal moments. It's very much Yakuza and seems a logical step in that band's evolution. I just don't seem to be evolving at the same rate. I'll be sure to keep this on hand for those times when I feel like getting a little deeper.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A few words on, for the most part, crap.
I've gone through first runs of a lot of new stuff the last few days. I am been greatly disappointed. I don't have high hopes for much but I don't like being tortured.
The Acacia Strain - Wormwood: Sometimes I wish I was deaf. I think I got 2 songs into this before I realized I had a whole alphabet's worth of other stuff I could be listening to.
The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - Danza III: chug-chug-weedily-chug-weedily-weedily-chug-chug-chug-weedily-chug-etc. MELODY FUCKERS!
Danzig - Deth Red Saboath: Not bad. It feels like a grower but there is some pretty weak shit on it.
Soilwork - The Panic Broadcast: Brilliant musicianship. Above average songcraft. Not grabbin' me by the balls. Felt like it went on forever.Way too long.
Norma Jean - Meridonal: By rights, I should hate this band. But I don't. Have to listen to it more for sure. Heard most of it under less than ideal conditions.
Mendozza - (cant' recall right now): Pretty cool stoner/fuzz metal. I like it. Super bonus points for Sleep and Black Sabbath covers.
HELLYEAH - Stampede: They called it Stampede after everyone stampeded out of the listening party. Just plain painful to listen to at times. OH and a live version of "Alcohaulin' Ass"! What a treat. Why did that douche have to kill Dimebag?
On the bright side, I heard Sodom's cover of "Surfin' Bird". Awesome.