NEW MUSIC CORNER # 71 SHINEDOWN/MEATLOAF

[RJhog (Admin)]

Shinedown (Amaryllis)

Shinedown is back with their follow-up to The Sound Of Madness.  And it pretty much picks up right where Madness left off.  Let's face it, if you have not liked Shinedown to this point, I really don't think this offering will change your mind.  Shinedown are not trying to fool anybody. Brent Smith writes anthems and rock songs that still have a chance to be played on the radio.  Shinedown is the vocals and melody of one Brent Smith.  The only other person in the band that comes close to making a statement is the drummer.  He's pretty good.  There are more guitar solos on this album than Madness, but they seem to sit just a bit low in the mix to me.  I struggle to hear them clearly.

But like I said earlier, this is obviously Brent Smith's baby.  He is a fair lyricist, but he is a superb vocalist and he writes great melodies.  These songs are exceptionally singable.  Take it for what it is, but this album will most likely find a place on my year end top 10 list and it will be played loud in my vehicle and will allow me to exercise my vocal muscles.

I'll also warn you that there are a couple of F-Bombs in the final track here, but I think it's a really cool song and I like the drums on it, so I included it.  Just make sure you wear head-phones at work or around the kiddies.

1. Amaryllis

2. Unity

3. I'm Not Alright

4. Miracle

5. My Name (Wearing Me Out)

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Meatloaf (Hell In A Handbasket)

I'm gonna make this simple.  This album completely blows.  It was released outside of the U.S. late last year, but was just released a month or so ago over here.  It still sucks.  This is my leading candidate for Worst Album Of The Year.  And I actually liked his last album.  It's time to retire the meat.  I can find absolutely no redeeming value.

1. All Of Me

2. The Giving Tree

3. Live Or Die

4. Blue Sky/Mad Mad World/The Good God Is A Woman And She Don't Like Funny

5. California Dreamin'

***Click either album cover to listen***

[Niels (Mod)]

SHINEDOWN - THUMBS slightly on the way DOWN

I have heard most of this album, and it's noy my cup of tea. I don't know, if this style is populare in the US, but I can tell you it's not around this area of the world. These bands sounds exactly the same to me, and they make the same albums over and over: A couple of rockers, a couple of ballads, a couple of "single-hits", and some filler. This is the kind of rock-music, that makes me want to listen to alternative rock-music, or something completely different, Dire Straits, perhaps.

It's not totally crap, and I CAN listen to it, but I don't need to hear this album more than once.

 

MEAT LOAF - ?

Maybe I'll hear this later, but you haven't exactly made me "eager for it", if you can understand my meaning. (I never use Google Translate, Jon)  

[Jon]

Shinedown--Thumbs down

Really surprised I didn't like this considering I really love all their other stuff. Oh wait, I don't and this ain't changing my mind either. Yuck.

Meatloaf--Thumbs more than halfway up, maybe closer to 3/4 than half

C'mon, this isn't THAT bad. The rap stuff could go and the auto-tune on the last song (or whatever causes that warbly crap) but that's just little stuff. Plus he's not completely overboard here which is a bit of a change of pace.

[Scott]

SHINEDOWN ... 2 thumbs almost all the way down

So after expecitng more of the same Shinedown as last time and to my surprise I like the first song actually quite a bit and then it went back to the old Shinedown and I lost interest around track 4.  But I perservered because you love this band and I'm trying very hard to hear it also...  Well, I tried anyway...

 

MEAT LOAF ... Two Thumbs 90% up

Niels is right you didnt sell this very well, so lowered expectations result in a better listening experience.  Like Jonster I couldve done without the Rap thingy...  and weirdly enough I liked the cover of Califoirnia Dreamin (one of my all time faves) - Im going with thumbs almost up on this- not sure about purchase though...

[RJhog (Admin)]

I just can't figure you mothers out...but I knew nobody but me would like Shinedown.  I have decided my musical tastes are exactly the opposite of Jon's, Scott's and Niels...

[Scott]

We are an odd bunch...