Drop, Dead Gorgeous - The Hot n' Heavy (2009)

Artist: Drop Dead, Gorgeous

Album: The Hot N' Heavy

Date Released: June 2, 2009

Genre: post-hardcore/Metalcore

Album Review:

Hailing from Colorado, Drop Dead, Gorgeous have come a long way. I remember listening to In Vogue and cringing. But this album is pretty solid, and after having given it a few run throughs, I can say that it's grown on me. From the starting riffs to the ending notes, it hits you and hits you hard. Be it the abrasive cries, the wailing guitar, or the interesting lyrics, this album grips you. I'd say that this album is for fans of Blessthefall or Greeley Estates, who I might review at a later date...

I will say this: the album gets a little old after a while. If it weren't for the interlude near the end of the album, i'd think I had a song on replay. I mean, his angsty style of screaming sounds nice, but after a while i'm just waiting for the 6 feet of rope...sheesh. This, I will admit, is the most common turn-off of an album to me. So expect me to point this out a lot. However, this is a great album nonetheless.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Song-by-song:

Killing a Classic: A powerful intro track, just how intro tracks should be. The line "are you having trouble sleeping?" is still stuck in my head. So that's a good sign.

Southern Lovin' (Belle of the Ball): Sounds just like the intro track. I honestly can't say much more about this song.

Beat the Devil Out of it: Danny Stills sings in this one, and if it were mixed better i'd say I like it. There's also some keys in this one, which adds to the less abrasive side of this song.

Two Birds, One Stone: Even softer, this song starts with what is described inherently as a "terrible love song". Sleep in hell? Teenage angst. You're out of high school, peeps. Put the razors down. But that's emo for you I guess.

Sue Simmons! Watch Your Mouth: Starts out large and in charge, with some tasty dissonant chords. Me likey.

Fame: Some kind of electronica intro makes this song kinda unique, perhaps my favorite off the album. It's got an eerie tone to it.

(The) Internet Killed the Video Star: I don't bode well with this one. A tag line of "you f*cked with the wrong son of a b*tch" is somewhat shallow. SKIP.

Can't Fight Biology: Again, this stuff makes the album sound repetitive. Some explosive intro, and then the vocals take the lead for a few clever lines of lyrics.

There's No Business Like Snow Business: Again, this stuff makes the album sound repetitive. Some explosive intro, and then the vocals take the lead for a few clever lines of lyrics.

Interlude 1: Just KIDDING...there IS only one interlude. Reminiscent of a broken scene from some 19th century gala, this interlude fittingly reflects the album: repetitive...

Dirtier Than You Want to Know: ALMOST there...jeez. The vocals are a little fuller here, some deep growling stuff that I kinda dig. But same old same old.

We're Planning, God's Laughing: Deep lyrics, not sure if the song is referring to death of a friend, or of his own...I wish more of it was sung personally. But this is the slow song of the album, and I get what I get.

Arsonists Get All the Girls - Portals (2009)

Artist: Arsonists Get All the Girls

Album: Portals

Date Released: July 14, 2009

Genre: Deathcore/experimental/mathcore

Album Review:

I'm a sucker for mathcore, so naturally this would be my next album review. Anyway, here I go...

Portals is Arsonists Get All the Girls' third album, and since their last release, The Game of Life, they have undergone a change in vocalists. Needless to say, anytime a band replaces the vocalist in their lineup, the band just won't be the same (Haste the Day, Escape the Fate, Styx, Van Halen, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath...you get the picture). Anyway, this album keeps you on your toes, with no two songs the same. The vocals vary, from death metal screeches to pig squeal-esque sounds, and some low growling as well. The synthesizer, however, adds little to the band in my opinion. If it's going to be there, it had better BE there. Aside from some quirky interludes and backup chord progressions, it does not add much to Portals. Overall, it's not a bad album,but i'm definitely expecting more from them in the future, as I feel that their style is one of a kind, and has potential. Portals is an original piece of work, but it will leave you unsatisfied, and might make you guilty of arson by the end. If you won't take my word for it, stream it on Grooveshark before you buy it (or torrent it, because let's face it you probably will).

Rating: 7 out of 10.

Song-by-song:

Interdimensionary: Intro track, primarily synth, and primarily boring. NEXT.

The 42nd Ego: I have probably listened to this song like 42 times. Personally my favorite track on the album. With the drum pattern and chord progressions constantly changing, you are not left bored, but bewildered. A blistering last chorus finishes the track: "only in the bloodline is this terror exposed, a knife to the eye of modern times". DEEP.

My Cup's Half Empty: Fast paced song from the start, with progressive riffs in between measures. Around the 1:15 mark, there are a series of interesting "dive bombs" as it were. Another good song.

Skiff For the Suits: A very edgy song, whose lyrics I am still trying to decipher. Prime example of a vestigial synthesizer. I wouldn't have missed the keys.

In the Empyreans: This song is not as chaotic, with a very nice 'power ballad' as it were. Again, i'm not seeing the keys as a majestic wonder (and I feel they could be).

Saturnine: a good song to drive to, but some very angsty lyrics indeed. I won't post them, they might make those of weak constitutions and several piercings cut themselves.

Violence in Fluid: Triceratops: Nice key intro, then WHERE DID IT GO??? Seriously. Meh, good song nonetheless. I like dinosaurs.

Portals: an unusually long title track if you ask me. But, I will say that I like the synth in this song, from the 25 second ambience intro to the interlude around the 3:30 mark. One of the slow songs on the album, and by slow I mean that it doesn't sound like constipation in audio form. A good song, but too long!

I Lost My Loss of Ruin: I like the vocals in this one. It starts off with a darker, angry tone, and then WHAT THE HECK IS THIS? - some ska-like interlude that definitely put a smile to my face. And as soon as it picks up the deathcore jacket, here comes a keyboard interlude....I like this song :)

To Playact in Static: This song has a very nice beat to it at times, one you can actually nod your head to.

Tea Time Tibbons: This song is 15 minutes long....so I skipped it. Just kidding haha. The actual song is about 3:30 long, and silence hides a hidden track at the end, if you can call it a track. It's some humorous mess with a vocoder, a short play regarding...well, portals. Look at that. I think the clip should be the introduction, not a hidden track. But I like it.

Before Their Eyes - Untouchable (2010)

Artist: Before Their Eyes

Album: Untouchable

Date Released: March 9, 2010

Genre: Pop Punk, Post-hardcore

Album Review:

I must say, when I heard one of the songs off this album (Sing to Me), I was going to lose it. Where are the breakdowns and intense growls? This sounded more like Boys Like Girls than Before Their Eyes....but I was in for a surprise. These guys have managed to add some really tasty pop punk while keeping their more brutal roots. This band has come a long way, and unlike other bands that quite simply have not done progress right, I feel that this album demonstrates a band's ability to mature and still remain unique. Way to go guys!

Rating: 8 out of 10

Song-by-song:

Hey Dude!: Hey Before Their Eyes! You got my attention with this one! I like the sound of this track as an intro track. Well done.

Sing to Me: I made a mistake by listening to this song before getting the album. No screaming, no breakdowns, but definitely something that Before Their Eyes has dared to venture to do. Very poppy, and I must say that Landon Tewers has a tasty (I like that word, don't I?) voice. Me likey.

Not Alone: Some phased guitar starts this song, which again sounds like another song i'd find Miley Cyrus's brother writing while jacking off. BUT, i'd say that it was well-written. Perhaps placing this song later along the album would favor better in my stomach.

Love is Misery: By this point, I am suffering from metal withdrawal. Don't get me wrong, I love pop rock and what not, but it's definitely atypical of this band to do that. Anyhow, another solid song.

My Match, Your Fire: A match lights inside your brain, and Landon sirens again. I feel that at this point, the album was purposefully meant to be half poppy, half hardcore-ey (wow that was horrible). Good song though!

Start With Today: Featuring Kristen Williams (some nobody who, may I say, has a hot bod AND voice...I was curious enough to check her music and it is WONDERFUL), this song makes me happy inside. Slow song of the album? Anyway, still not satisfied....

Bulletproof: ....UNTIL THIS SONG! YEAH! There's that unmistakeable BFE scream. This song is probably my favorite off the album.

Finding a Way: Another heavy song. The theme of the album is poured out in the lyrics of this strong: "nothing can stop me, no I will not break"...

Rick vs. Nick: At this point, i'm sure the album was meant to be half and half (except the intro track). I don't know who Rick or Nick are, but I give them thumbs up!

Hell or High Water: "Burning alive, because i'm dying without you"...emotional and scream-packed. Interesting breakdown too around the 30 second mark. And an interesting clicky-clacky thing near the end hahaha

Start With Today (acoustic): the steel guitar is an instant turn-off. SKIPPP. I'm sorry fellas, can't deal with it. If the original was the slow song, this is the Retarded song. We the Kings much, I dunno...But it's all good. Acoustic tracks are now standard, I suppose. I guess it's artist credentials.

ATTENCION!

Okay, as most of you know (I have no idea who "you" is even referring to; i'm basically writing this blog for personal purposes), I have been posting on this blog regarding my personal life.

BUT NO LONGER.

A Lemur's Perspective is from this day forth a blog reviewing music. The purpose is mostly for myself, to have my thoughts on "paper" as it were, regarding what I think about various music artists. It allows me to keep track of what I like, and what I don't like so much. It will allow me to have a reference for future music selections.

For any of my followers, feel free to email suggestions regarding music, or requests for reviews of artists, etc. I am always looking for new music, because apparently 200GB of music isn't enough for one person.


WARNING: I do NOT review pop music. It's already popular. People have already established opinions on it. I will mostly be reviewing metal, punk, and indie groups, because that's what i'm into. (I also like jazz, classical, celtic, folk, blues, electronica, and other stuff, but mainly my focus will be what i'm in the mood for reviewing).

The format will be as follows:

Artist:
Album:
Date Released:
Genre:

Album Review:

Rating: (out of 10, or as I dictate)

And, time permitting, I will do a review of an album song-by-song.


That's it!!! Stay tuned for some reviews!!!