Post by Blue Raja on Jan 12, 2009 20:19:44 GMT -5
Really, I just had one FAVORITE album this year (I don't consider "Stone of Sisyphus" from Chicago to be a 2008 album, since it was originally recorded in the early 90's):
"13th Star" by Fish
Though his voice has changed drastically over the years (far more gravel and far less range), Fish still knows how to convey raw emotion in a song like no one else I know given the right combination of lyric and music. This is a mostly dark album, both lyrically and musically, but with a bittersweet twinge of hope for better things, particularly in the absolutely gorgeous closing title track. This album just has a great flow to it, with solid writing all around that creates a dramatic atmosphere unique to itself. The album "lowlights" (a term used loosely, since they're easily listenable and still have solid moments) are "Miles de Besos" and "Dark Star" (the former with a lackluster chorus, the latter a bit too repetitious for my taste). But besides the title track I mentioned earlier, my favorites included the dual ballad in the middle of the album, "Zoe 25" and "Arc of the Curve," as well as the great rockers "Manchmal" and "Openwater."
Throw in some of the most amazing album artwork I've seen in quite some time, and you have a classic in my book. ;D 9/10 for me, which is really an exceptional rating, considering how picky I am about my music. My favorite album by Fish so far (solo work, anyway), and I really liked his first solo album a lot.
Defining moment: In the closing title track, where the lyrics really get to Fish as he delivers it: you hear that unmistakable quiver in his voice. The quiver of a guy going deeper into his emotions than he intended to, and it almost getting the better of him. Not something I've heard on an album before, but the brutal honesty of it all hit me right in the gut in a way few songs have. But like I said: it's bittersweet, hopeful tone keeps it from dragging you too far down, and it makes a perfect balance because of it. Like a masterful drama, it sets the right tone in the end. Great great stuff.
"13th Star" by Fish
Though his voice has changed drastically over the years (far more gravel and far less range), Fish still knows how to convey raw emotion in a song like no one else I know given the right combination of lyric and music. This is a mostly dark album, both lyrically and musically, but with a bittersweet twinge of hope for better things, particularly in the absolutely gorgeous closing title track. This album just has a great flow to it, with solid writing all around that creates a dramatic atmosphere unique to itself. The album "lowlights" (a term used loosely, since they're easily listenable and still have solid moments) are "Miles de Besos" and "Dark Star" (the former with a lackluster chorus, the latter a bit too repetitious for my taste). But besides the title track I mentioned earlier, my favorites included the dual ballad in the middle of the album, "Zoe 25" and "Arc of the Curve," as well as the great rockers "Manchmal" and "Openwater."
Throw in some of the most amazing album artwork I've seen in quite some time, and you have a classic in my book. ;D 9/10 for me, which is really an exceptional rating, considering how picky I am about my music. My favorite album by Fish so far (solo work, anyway), and I really liked his first solo album a lot.
Defining moment: In the closing title track, where the lyrics really get to Fish as he delivers it: you hear that unmistakable quiver in his voice. The quiver of a guy going deeper into his emotions than he intended to, and it almost getting the better of him. Not something I've heard on an album before, but the brutal honesty of it all hit me right in the gut in a way few songs have. But like I said: it's bittersweet, hopeful tone keeps it from dragging you too far down, and it makes a perfect balance because of it. Like a masterful drama, it sets the right tone in the end. Great great stuff.