This post represents the conclusion of Tier 5! We will have a “bye” week next week in which we indulge in a few more introductory “Album of the Day” posts and then we’ll tear into Tier 6.
Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia VS. Melt-Banana - 3+5
Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
Even in Arcadia has gotten a bit of a bad rap from critics, but I personally like it. In all transparency, I am definitely not a long-term fan of Sleep Token, so when people compare it unfavorably to the band’s older work, it doesn’t hold too much water in my opinion of the album. I do think that the way in which they combine elements of prog-metal with contemporary R&B is pretty interesting. Melt–Banana’s genre-defining noise rock takes more obvious chances, but 3+5 makes for an overall exhausting listening experience when taken as a whole.
Saga - Worlds Apart VS. Nick Millevoi - Digital Reaction
Nick Nillevoi - Digital Reaction
This was a pretty tricky one. My initial impression of Worlds Apart was a bit unfavorable. While it certainly had some high points worth recognizing, not the least of which is the killer 80s anthem On the Loose, it has some sagging moments as well that don’t do enough to lift it out of the sonic standards of its time. My opinion of the album started to shift this week, however, and I am looking forward to coming back to it at a later date. Although Digital Reaction may not be as immediate, it's adventurous in all the right ways, balancing virtuosity with playful risk-taking.
Queen - Queen VS. Prince - Controversy
Queen - Queen
Tough one here, no doubt about it. As great as Controversy is, I think that Prince’s dedication to the concept is a bit distracting on this release. He certainly found more nuanced ways to be controversial as his career progressed. Queen, on the other hand, may not quite have the musical finesse on their debut that that they would later acquire, but they seemed to leap from the head of Zeus with a fully formed sonic concept that they would wield to great effect on later albums.
David Longstreth, the Dirty Projectors, and s t a r g a z e - Song for the Earth VS. Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn - Pigments
Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn - Pigments
Both of these albums are fantastic crossovers between intellectual composition and accessible songwriting, and as is often the case, an argument could be made for either one of them. I get the sense, however, that the intellectual side of Song for the Earth is more dominant, which makes it a relatively opaque listen in comparison to Pigments. Brains and emotion are more balanced on this album, which results in an overall more inviting listening experience.
Viewer’s Choice
Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia VS. Melt-Banana - 3+5
Sleep Token - Even in Arcadia
Saga - Worlds Apart VS. Nick Millevoi - Digital Reaction
Saga - Worlds Apart
Queen - Queen VS. David Gilmour - Luck and Strange
Queen - Queen
David Longstreth, the Dirty Projectors, and s t a r g a z e - Song for the Earth VS. Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn - Pigments
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