Whatcha been lis'nen Tuesday

[3-LockBox]

I've been listening the usual...

ToolLateralus - Very proggy, yet heavy. Made me want to check out their previous release...AENIMA - not as proggy; angrier; I only like like about half of this album, maybe it'll grow on me.

A Perfect CircleMer de Noms - this one one is becoming better with each listen, though it is very different from Tool.

Porky TreeInsignificance I wonder if the other 'extras' albums are this good.

OpethGhost Reveries - This woulda been an incredible album (it might be my favorite of the year) if it weren't for those Cookie Monster vox. I must stress however that this album has some incredible moments. The performances are top-notch all around. This is their first album with a full time keyboard player; that is not to say they've gone DT. The keyboard playing is limited to a supporting role here, but it is still inspired in places, giving the album a true 'prog' feel. This band is all over the place as far as the influences portrayed in this CD, but it never feels contrived (except for the growling), and they seem so adept at any genre they delve into, whether it prog metal, thrash metal, folk, AOR, you name it. Just listen to lead singer Akerfeldt channel Robin Trower on the song, 'Hours Of Wealth'. The dude can sing, when he wants to; as much as I wish for the death growls to go away, it is amazing that the same guy who can sound so hellish one second can have such an angelic normal singing voice the next. And no, I don't mean he sounds good compared to other prog singers...he may be the best new rock vocalist to come along in a while. Still, there are those damn cookie monster vox...at least its a bout a 70/30 split in favor of 'clean' vox. Hard to recommend this one...but its a keeper for me. I think I'll have to check out Blackwater Park. Demonic vox aside, this is the best prog album I've heard this year (musically speaking); better than Deadwing or RPWL or DT.