OK, so it’s been quite a while since I’ve done a mixed bag review and this particular one I would say is pretty much all requests. There are certain albums that people you know keep bugging you to check out, and this is one of those instances as I have gotten several requests to do these albums from more than one person. So this one is definitely out of left field however, if you are hesitant about these albums that are reviewed go into them with an open mind. Now the thing to note about this mixed bag is that the albums are part of a bigger discography and I’m only reviewing certain albums so do not expect a review of the other albums. With that, let’s take a look………..
The Cure: Disintegration- the thing with this album is that I have gotten many requests to do this and I guess I finally caved and decided to put this on the chopping block now with that said, I really really want to dislike this album. I am not a fan of The Cure however this album it’s not bad. I know this is supposed to be like one of their best albums and just based on this album alone I would say that it isn’t that bad. Do I think it’s a great album? Yes, kind of for this band it is. Will I revisit this album? No. Now to me, this is a very kind of dark and moody and I feel like some of these songs would be in a movie like Black Rain (great movie and if you haven’t watched it, go watch it). I’m gonna give this a score of 0/10
Standouts: Lullaby, Disintegration, Prayers For Rain
Just kidding the real score is 9/10.
Depeche Mode: Songs Of Faith And Devotion- again this is a band that I really only heard their hits and this album was another request. I gotta say I didn’t hate this album. In fact, I actually thought it was pretty good. It’s one of those electronic synth albums that has kind of a dark tone. I’m not really sure how to describe it. All I can say is that this is a pretty cool record and it’s one of those albums. I feel like I can put on in the background while I’m doing stuff. It is a little slow and it’s almost relaxing in a weird sort of way. I’m gonna give this a score of 9/10.
Standouts: Mercy In You, Rush, Higher Love
My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade- OK now we’re really getting into faraway territory because for years I have always written this band off as just a crappy kinda pop band. But after several requests to listen to this album and review it, I decided to do so. Now again, this does not mean that I will be reviewing the rest of these albums. But this album in particular, I can see why it is there or one of their more popular albums. I really really wanted to hate this album but I can’t. I mean, if someone like Gary Holt can say that this is one of their top 10 albums then honestly, it might be something worth checking out and I actually enjoyed this album. It almost feels like a concept record and I’m sure it is, but the songs are catchy and this album does not get boring. The musicianship on this album is actually quite good and the vocals sound good too. Like I said, I really wanted to hate this album, but I can’t so with that I’m gonna go ahead and give this 9/10
Standouts: Mama, Teenagers, Dead!
The Black Queen: Fever Daydream and Infinite Games- OK so this is another side project with Greg Puciato (Better Lovers, Dillinger Escape Plan) and if you’re looking for songs that sound like his other bands, you will not find anything like that on either of these albums. This music is electronic synth, and it is so far removed from what his other bands are that it catches you off guard. I gotta say I think I kind of enjoyed Fever Daydream slightly more than Infinite Games because I just felt the songs were a bit more cohesive. I’m not really a fan of this music so it was kinda hard to get into at first but listening to it a second time, I did like it a little bit more. I just feel like the songs on the second album, they just kind of tend to run together. One thing I did notice when I was listening to these albums is that Greg kind of sounds a little bit like Trent Reznor From Nine Inch Nails. This is definitely the kind of music that one would listen to on the way home from a death metal show or something like that. Both of these albums also fit the theme of this mixed bag review which is why I chose to add them to this. Perhaps even before one goes to bed, either of these albums would be a good choice. I probably won’t revisit either of these albums anytime soon, but when I will say is that this just goes to show the range that Greg has and that’s pretty incredible for someone to go from the aggressive stuff in a band like Dillinger to this I mean, it’s easy to see why he’s hands-down one of the best vocalists. So with that said, I’m going to give Fever Daydream 9/10 and Infinite Games 8.5/10.
Standouts For Fever Day Dream: Maybe We Should/Non Consent, Taman Shud, Distanced
Standouts For Infinite Games: Thrown Into The Dark, Lies About You, No Accusations
Box Car Racer: Box Car Racer- so this is a side project with members from Blink-182 and Hazen Street and while it does sound similar to Blink, it’s a bit darker and a good precursor to their self titled album. I really enjoyed this album and if you liked the self titled album, then you’ll really like this album. What would be cool is if this band reunited because I’m willing about that they were a lot of fun to see live. I say that because Blink-182 is fun to see live. Again if you are a Blink fan, and you want to hear something a little different, then you should definitely check this out. I’m going to give this album 9.5/10.
Standouts: There Is, Watch The World, My First Punk Song
As much as I want to dislike a lot of these albums, I simply cannot. All of these albums are great in their own right and are considered classics for a reason. Definitely check them out!!
Sinister Reviews 