Agua de AnniqueTop albums 2009
This year is coming to an end and I thought it might be a good idea to look back and see which releases have been the most meaningful to me :)
So here we go! top 12 and a small review!
12.
If These Trees Could Talk –Above the Earth, Below the Sky
I had not heard the band before this release, I only knew them by name. Nice pure post-rock with small metallish influences here and there.It got hit on right time since in the other hand I was listening to new Kreator and other metal stuffs :) Luckily friend of mine "forced" me to order this cd somewhere from USA. Well deserved 12. place! ;)
11.
Long Distance Calling – Avoid The Light
Another newcomer on this list. German instrumental post-rock as they say. I became interested in this band since I heard that Jonas Renkse is singing on track Nearing grave. This album has six well arranged tracks, enjoyable to listen but in the end this doesn't give me much as the year is coming to an end :) good nevertheless!
10.
Sólstafir– Köld
I heard that Sólstafir is releasing their second release for Spinefarm, I thought it might be a good idea to give this band another chance since their previous efforts were nothing special :) So without hesitation I Pre-ordered - listened – and in the end liked this album. Music itself reminds me at some points Fields of the Nephilim and maybe ”not so evil” Primordial. Refreshing and different album. 10th place.
9.
Ghost Brigade – Isolation Songs
Very very catchy songs! Nice rock sounding production. If compared to their first album this stands out for 100-0 winner. But something is still missing of this band, hard to say what it is but final ”it” is still to be found. Maybe third record will convince me...
8.
The Black League – Ghost Brothel
It is always a pulsating moment when my long time favorite the Black League releases a new album! And always the same expectation; ”will it be like old days”.. NO, no it will be not :) At this third ”rock” album tBL represents the strongest rock what you can get of this concept. Easy to listen and Jarva seemed to put some effort on vocal melodies also, points taken home! Misfortune stands out as strange bird and competes well on song of a year contest ;)
7.
Insomnium – Across the Dark
This was a bit disappointment after hearing few selected clips on the songs. Across the dark follows exactly same path as the Above the weeping world which was something ”new and promising”. You cannot get the same feelings about this. Too familiar. Maybe these guys just know that you cannot make money out of making metal music like this. Just a hobby for a holidays :)
But why this album is so high on this list? This is simply: Great metal music with good selection of enjoyable songs. Rock on!
6.
Kreator – Hordes of Chaos
Aaargh! Kreator has always a place on my metal heart ;). This time production shows middle finger to Andy Sneap's super clean sounding records. Hopefully this trend continues with other bands and Kreator. This is how metal record should sound on year 2009. Lots of roughness and suprising moments on songs going on, you can really hear that there is no click-track when the basis of the songs have been recorded. Album has ten thrashing melody songs and this is very enjoyable to listen from beginning to an end. Nothing more nothing less. Best Kreator record by far.
5.
Porcupine Tree – The Incident
First of all I have to admit that it has a negative effect that Steven Wilson is So on the table all the time. Mixing, producing, album release after another with different projects. Is it gonna never end? Well in the end it is he's job and not his fault that I follow what he does. :) But it still gives me a thought how can I objectively listen to this record, - just another album from band that I like-. Well I prepared myself for this experience by making a pre-order of the box edition of the CD and not to listen it before I really got it on my hands. It is still a great feeling to put CD first time on player and look at the booklet (a really big one this time) and read the lyrics while the music is roaring :) that is what this album actually is, you really need to ”be on it” and it opens very fast. Now when I have given this lots of listening can I tell at what point this settles on bands discography? Well, sadly not very high at least at this point. Where is this band going? Could it be that there is nothing much this band can give anymore? At least I know that they are on their top of their success.. Good for them!
4.
Katatonia – Night Is the New Day
After a great disappointment what their previous record gave to me this is somewhat surprisingly good! Not the best Katatonia but pretty much best of this ”new era” stuff with some good new elements included. Best pieces have always been those simple mellow and atmospheric parts.. Luckily those elements are here again on majority of the material. Not really keen on those Meshuggahis whatever rhythm wankings ;) (in this band). Katatonia is here again and I'm pleased with it.
3.
Agua de Annique – In Your Room
Anneke Van Giersbergen is the best female vocalist ever! This should sum it all but lets say at least something more. A few years ago Anneke decided to leave the Gathering and look what he can do with solo career. Right decision when you look at things now. I think She noticed that the Gathering was a sinking ship and in my opinion Souvenirs and Home are not that good records at all. Lots of bad songs with good vocal melodies (which Anneke mostly write herself). And as I see it now capability of Hans Rutten to write good rock songs has gone completely (the West pole).
So, first Agua de annique album was Air. Really good effort but it kept me a bit worried, I still saw Anneke as a the Gathering singer, that album, band and this direction really needed time to realize how good this thing really is! If there was something wrong with Air it is not anymore on In your room. This is very relaxed music with very good production. Anneke's vocal performance is best ever on her career. Varied collection of funny/good spirit songs and some melancholic songs/melodies. This band/singer should deserve more popularity if they keep doing this from their hearts!
2.
Devin Townsend Project – Ki and Addicted
Second place is well deserved with these two DTP albums.
It was sometime on spring when Ki was released. On some of the songs there is a really weird hypnotic feeling and also a songs with a lots of emotion on them. Terminal for a instance has a personal meaning for me, great lyrics and gives me a goose bumps.Very good record but it always gives me a feeling how Devin ”needs to hold back” all the time ;)
And then came Addicted, a long waited pop metal record. the first two songs which were released on internet didn't gave me much. But I knew that there will be AT LEAST one godly chorus and that really is. Supercrush! Gets the song of the year title! ;) How about the rest of the album? Simply really catchy good spirit metallish songs with featured Anneke on vocals almost every track. <3
Only thing that needs a little whine is that this sounds at the times a bit too mixed, especially the vocals could be more natural and drums sounds at the times like a machine..but what the hell it is just entertainment! Go and buy these sucker! :)
1.
Mastodon– Crack The Skye
If someone would have come a year ago and told me that you are going to be a big fan of a Mastodon and they are going to release a record you are going to fall in love, I would have said "blah, you're an Idiot!" Before this Mastodon haven't really meant anything for me; just shitty songs flavored with weirdo drumming :)
But here we are living December 2009 and Mastodon's Crack the Skye is the album and also a band of the year!
The first song that I heard was Oblivion. Instantly I got hooked on it and could not stop listening to it. And honestly it isn't a song that "I should" like. But what the hell: music taste can and should evolve and this what has happened!
Album itself is/was a slow grower (which is a good thing), first I listened to it mostly on car but eventually noticed that I listen to it also on my computer. Catchy and proggy songs all the way. Nothing more to tell! Just listen to it, cause surely I will :) Funny thing is that I have bought all other Mastodon albums within a year BUT not this! YET. I think I have to make a order right away :)
See you next year my dear albums!
Ps. While writing this list it crossed my mind few times "how this and this record should be on the list" Well, this is nothing serious really and at least top 5 was very clear to me :) feel free to leave a comment :)
This year is coming to an end and I thought it might be a good idea to look back and see which releases have been the most meaningful to me :)
So here we go! top 12 and a small review!
12.
If These Trees Could Talk –Above the Earth, Below the Sky
I had not heard the band before this release, I only knew them by name. Nice pure post-rock with small metallish influences here and there.It got hit on right time since in the other hand I was listening to new Kreator and other metal stuffs :) Luckily friend of mine "forced" me to order this cd somewhere from USA. Well deserved 12. place! ;)
11.
Long Distance Calling – Avoid The Light
Another newcomer on this list. German instrumental post-rock as they say. I became interested in this band since I heard that Jonas Renkse is singing on track Nearing grave. This album has six well arranged tracks, enjoyable to listen but in the end this doesn't give me much as the year is coming to an end :) good nevertheless!
10.
Sólstafir– Köld
I heard that Sólstafir is releasing their second release for Spinefarm, I thought it might be a good idea to give this band another chance since their previous efforts were nothing special :) So without hesitation I Pre-ordered - listened – and in the end liked this album. Music itself reminds me at some points Fields of the Nephilim and maybe ”not so evil” Primordial. Refreshing and different album. 10th place.
9.
Ghost Brigade – Isolation Songs
Very very catchy songs! Nice rock sounding production. If compared to their first album this stands out for 100-0 winner. But something is still missing of this band, hard to say what it is but final ”it” is still to be found. Maybe third record will convince me...
8.
The Black League – Ghost Brothel
It is always a pulsating moment when my long time favorite the Black League releases a new album! And always the same expectation; ”will it be like old days”.. NO, no it will be not :) At this third ”rock” album tBL represents the strongest rock what you can get of this concept. Easy to listen and Jarva seemed to put some effort on vocal melodies also, points taken home! Misfortune stands out as strange bird and competes well on song of a year contest ;)
7.
Insomnium – Across the Dark
This was a bit disappointment after hearing few selected clips on the songs. Across the dark follows exactly same path as the Above the weeping world which was something ”new and promising”. You cannot get the same feelings about this. Too familiar. Maybe these guys just know that you cannot make money out of making metal music like this. Just a hobby for a holidays :)
But why this album is so high on this list? This is simply: Great metal music with good selection of enjoyable songs. Rock on!
6.
Kreator – Hordes of Chaos
Aaargh! Kreator has always a place on my metal heart ;). This time production shows middle finger to Andy Sneap's super clean sounding records. Hopefully this trend continues with other bands and Kreator. This is how metal record should sound on year 2009. Lots of roughness and suprising moments on songs going on, you can really hear that there is no click-track when the basis of the songs have been recorded. Album has ten thrashing melody songs and this is very enjoyable to listen from beginning to an end. Nothing more nothing less. Best Kreator record by far.
5.
Porcupine Tree – The Incident
First of all I have to admit that it has a negative effect that Steven Wilson is So on the table all the time. Mixing, producing, album release after another with different projects. Is it gonna never end? Well in the end it is he's job and not his fault that I follow what he does. :) But it still gives me a thought how can I objectively listen to this record, - just another album from band that I like-. Well I prepared myself for this experience by making a pre-order of the box edition of the CD and not to listen it before I really got it on my hands. It is still a great feeling to put CD first time on player and look at the booklet (a really big one this time) and read the lyrics while the music is roaring :) that is what this album actually is, you really need to ”be on it” and it opens very fast. Now when I have given this lots of listening can I tell at what point this settles on bands discography? Well, sadly not very high at least at this point. Where is this band going? Could it be that there is nothing much this band can give anymore? At least I know that they are on their top of their success.. Good for them!
4.
Katatonia – Night Is the New Day
After a great disappointment what their previous record gave to me this is somewhat surprisingly good! Not the best Katatonia but pretty much best of this ”new era” stuff with some good new elements included. Best pieces have always been those simple mellow and atmospheric parts.. Luckily those elements are here again on majority of the material. Not really keen on those Meshuggahis whatever rhythm wankings ;) (in this band). Katatonia is here again and I'm pleased with it.
3.
Agua de Annique – In Your Room
Anneke Van Giersbergen is the best female vocalist ever! This should sum it all but lets say at least something more. A few years ago Anneke decided to leave the Gathering and look what he can do with solo career. Right decision when you look at things now. I think She noticed that the Gathering was a sinking ship and in my opinion Souvenirs and Home are not that good records at all. Lots of bad songs with good vocal melodies (which Anneke mostly write herself). And as I see it now capability of Hans Rutten to write good rock songs has gone completely (the West pole).
So, first Agua de annique album was Air. Really good effort but it kept me a bit worried, I still saw Anneke as a the Gathering singer, that album, band and this direction really needed time to realize how good this thing really is! If there was something wrong with Air it is not anymore on In your room. This is very relaxed music with very good production. Anneke's vocal performance is best ever on her career. Varied collection of funny/good spirit songs and some melancholic songs/melodies. This band/singer should deserve more popularity if they keep doing this from their hearts!
2.
Devin Townsend Project – Ki and Addicted
Second place is well deserved with these two DTP albums.
It was sometime on spring when Ki was released. On some of the songs there is a really weird hypnotic feeling and also a songs with a lots of emotion on them. Terminal for a instance has a personal meaning for me, great lyrics and gives me a goose bumps.Very good record but it always gives me a feeling how Devin ”needs to hold back” all the time ;)
And then came Addicted, a long waited pop metal record. the first two songs which were released on internet didn't gave me much. But I knew that there will be AT LEAST one godly chorus and that really is. Supercrush! Gets the song of the year title! ;) How about the rest of the album? Simply really catchy good spirit metallish songs with featured Anneke on vocals almost every track. <3
Only thing that needs a little whine is that this sounds at the times a bit too mixed, especially the vocals could be more natural and drums sounds at the times like a machine..but what the hell it is just entertainment! Go and buy these sucker! :)
1.
Mastodon– Crack The Skye
If someone would have come a year ago and told me that you are going to be a big fan of a Mastodon and they are going to release a record you are going to fall in love, I would have said "blah, you're an Idiot!" Before this Mastodon haven't really meant anything for me; just shitty songs flavored with weirdo drumming :)
But here we are living December 2009 and Mastodon's Crack the Skye is the album and also a band of the year!
The first song that I heard was Oblivion. Instantly I got hooked on it and could not stop listening to it. And honestly it isn't a song that "I should" like. But what the hell: music taste can and should evolve and this what has happened!
Album itself is/was a slow grower (which is a good thing), first I listened to it mostly on car but eventually noticed that I listen to it also on my computer. Catchy and proggy songs all the way. Nothing more to tell! Just listen to it, cause surely I will :) Funny thing is that I have bought all other Mastodon albums within a year BUT not this! YET. I think I have to make a order right away :)
See you next year my dear albums!
Ps. While writing this list it crossed my mind few times "how this and this record should be on the list" Well, this is nothing serious really and at least top 5 was very clear to me :) feel free to leave a comment :)
