There is some serious rating inflation going on on this website right now......4.5 out of 5? One album or two a year should get that high of a rating, and I think you can agree that this isn't that kind of album...Either expand your range of ratings or make a 3.5 a good album ranking..My thoughts anyway...
Blake Samic
· 1 year ago
Lowes, did you even listen to it?
Kris Lowes
· 1 year ago
Yea I did....any other questions...? The album is good, agreed. The Foals have a unique sound and the way they climb scales in their songs are enjoyable to hear on a song by song basis. But this is an album review, and one of my critques in judging an album is that, takes as a whole, it makes sense why all these songs are on the same CD. Great albums show progression and cohesion throughout them. Their sound is good, but if it was truly original, you wouldn't be album to compare it to much of anything. Having a sound is fine, most good bands have a sound, but I think what seperates great from good is the ability to explore the sound they have. Interpol has one of the most characteristic sounds in the industry, but all their sounds somehow don't sound the same. Also, if you make the decision to stick to a very tight knit type of music, then I expect some emotion or momentum coming from the lyrics and lead singer Yannis Philippakis doesn't offer much in singing ablilty or song writing. I could listen to a Band of Horses song that I have never heard before and tell you that it is a Band of Horses song before Ben Bridwell moves his lips...Why are they a great band? Their sound combines with songwriting to give the listener something...When I listen to Antidotes, I don't feel like I come away with anything. Albums that get a 5/5 should either change the industry (aka OK Computer) or are the best of their genre (aka Funeral). This album is neither. My opinion is 3/5. I respect your guys opinions, but if your going to rate things, consistency is important...
Blake Samic
· 1 year ago
Nice comment, you make great points. Why don't you just participate in the review next time?
By the way... anyone have suggestions for the next album to review?
Dan
· 1 year ago
I love it! We need more passion in music... and here we go. First off, my review was more of a recommendation rather than a definite assertion of the albums intrinsic value within the industry. Next review, I'll weigh my ratings on the conceptual 'OK Computer' scale.
Secondly, great comments thus far. My only point to add to Mr. Lowes' comment, concerning the quality of lyrics or lack thereof: Foals, like Sigur Ros, Crystal Castles and many other avant garde musicians, have architected a style of music where the lyrics/vocals act as a physical instrument. The goal is to provide the listener with an encapsulated sound that functions as a whole. I give Antidotes high marks for its successful exploitation of new ideas within the genre (see also, Minus the Bear, Battles, and the Mars Volta) and would highly recommend everyone check it out.
Oh yeah and I give this comments thread an overall rating of 4.4 / 5.
Tad
· 1 year ago
It wouldn't be the indie rock scene without passionate rebuttals of every review. . . though in this case, Kris makes a great point.
I like the Foals album, but I would classify it as good, not great. This is the sort of sound that I'll listen to a few times but it's not going on my permanent rotation.
Running a review site is not easy. You've got to mind your 4's and 5's or you'll devalue your currency. Just ask Robert Mugabe. (too soon?)
Kris Lowes
· 1 year ago
Freaking Mugabe..give it up already...
Blake Samic
· 1 year ago
Lowes, this Foals album is more exciting than the NBA.
ryan
· 1 year ago
I think that getting excited about an album is fine...
Sometimes when you first hear a sound/band/album you wanna rate it 10/10 just because of the way you first react to it. Music forces a response and thats one of the best parts of music. A persons judgment of an album may change from day to day...in my opinion thats ok.
All Comments
By the way... anyone have suggestions for the next album to review?
Secondly, great comments thus far. My only point to add to Mr. Lowes' comment, concerning the quality of lyrics or lack thereof: Foals, like Sigur Ros, Crystal Castles and many other avant garde musicians, have architected a style of music where the lyrics/vocals act as a physical instrument. The goal is to provide the listener with an encapsulated sound that functions as a whole. I give Antidotes high marks for its successful exploitation of new ideas within the genre (see also, Minus the Bear, Battles, and the Mars Volta) and would highly recommend everyone check it out.
Oh yeah and I give this comments thread an overall rating of 4.4 / 5.
I like the Foals album, but I would classify it as good, not great. This is the sort of sound that I'll listen to a few times but it's not going on my permanent rotation.
Running a review site is not easy. You've got to mind your 4's and 5's or you'll devalue your currency. Just ask Robert Mugabe. (too soon?)
Sometimes when you first hear a sound/band/album you wanna rate it 10/10 just because of the way you first react to it. Music forces a response and thats one of the best parts of music. A persons judgment of an album may change from day to day...in my opinion thats ok.