Short Bus Reviews

[bubblegumpop]

Just gonna lay down a few reviews for some albums I've been listening to lately.

Authority Zero-Stories of Survival (2010)
Their 4th full length album, brings out the best in everybody. An improvement on last album where they seemed to focus on that awkward hard punk. Still hard edged but has some amazing vocals and dips into some slight pop punk. Reggae/ska tunes on this album are later on in the cd, wish it was a little more spread out. Overall a major improvement from 12:34 but then again that wasn't a horrible album either.

Verdict: 8/10It's got some memorable songs but where they always fall short is the guitar department, I could hear a few licks reused from past albums. As usual, amazing vocals and nice embellished bass lines.



Mindflayer-Die and Mold Services(2004)
After finally getting my needle replaced, this was one of the first lps I wanted to try out. It is 220 gram weight and let me tell you, even on my crappy set up, the sound quality on this lp is fantastic! This lp is only 2 songs, 1 on each side. They are pretty long but very intense. Some may not like the repetitive nature of these songs but others will be encircled in the dense oscillator work, almost reminding me of gibson's bass playing. It isn't apparent in other albums such as "It's always 1999" but it's there and a good background to chip's wild and insane drumming skills.

10/10 They totally trapped me in with this album, I used to be a so so fan of mindflayer but upon hearing this gem, I am a full out fanatic!


Melt-Banana-Teeny Shiny(2000)
I've been itching to try these guys out ever since they popped up on my last fm radio. Finally picked up a cd at my local shop and was pleasantly surprised. The music is fast and furious with the lead of a screachin' female vocalist. This does get a tad bit old after a while of just hearing furious instruments but luckily this 11 track release does not go on for long so it doesn't spoil itself. The drums on this album are so fun to listen to, blast beats here, odd time signatures there, and just plain wacky stuff I would of never thought a drummer to do. It may be too harsh for some to listen to but it isn't too bad.

Final Verdict: 7/10 This album is fast and furious with some catchy female vocals going on but it just seems like it's a little one sided in terms of diversity.


Pelican-What We all Come to Need(2009)
I went on a limb picking this album up, I've heard a lot about this bands on some other forums so why not. For a nearly all instrumental album it seems lacking. Laid back is a great way to describe this album, it's got it's metal moments but it's got ton of repetition, even for someone who loves stuff like that. This album could of been great but fell a little short.

Final Verdict: 6/10Overly Repetitive riffage and sometimes dull drumming can be a downer, but there is still some good music in this release.

[TheRollingBones]

Heh. Short bus reviews.

But they are decent reviews, even if they are only a few sentences long.

[bubblegumpop]

I figured I would do short ones because I always have a hard time with long ones.

[bubblegumpop]

Mastodon-Remission(2002)
Their first full length, and most heavy. There's really only 1 weak link in this album and not by much, the song "Trampled Under Hoof" is iffy at times but still enjoyable. The drums on this album showcase Brann Dailor at his prime, he just totally rips it. The slower songs are just amazing to chill out to, not to mention adds tons of extra feel to the album. Trainwreck is easily the best song they've ever done.

Overall: 9.5/10
This is a wonderful album, it's got tricks and turns, and real head banging stuff on there, I wouldn't have it any other way.


Passafire-Submersible(2008)
Easily one of the best albums of all time, for an unknown band's second album it really came out of nowhere. I was a casual fan with their debut, just your standard reggae/rock fusion, but this...omg. Experimental reggae? I don't know how to describe it, it's just that unique. Most of all this excitement comes from the bass player, Will Kubley. He pretty much serves as a lead and rhythm adding and embellishing a ton of stuff with just his 5 string to really bring the group to new heights. Not to say the other band members aren't hot stuff either. This album even has a blue grass song, it's got everything, even a little bit of metal!

Overall: 10/10This album can't be described well enough in words, you really need to just listen to it a ton of times and just digest it!


High on Fire-Snakes for the Divine(2010)My favorite HoF release, it's heavy and well mixed this time around. Matt Pike's voice is still nastier than a rotten milk cut with rusted nails, and I mean that in the most metal way respectively. I like longer tracks, and this album delivers, with a lot of them being almost 8 minutes long, it gives them time to go around you and bash your head in while they lay out some heavy and at times, slow and disturbing jams. Probably the first great album I've heard come out of this year.

Overall 9/10
High on Fire continue to do and I like it. The newish sound they did was merely updating what they have been already doing, kicking ass.

[afterstasis]

i actually thought "die and mold services" was the weakest mindflayer album, "take your skin off" being my favorite.

[bubblegumpop]

i actually thought "die and mold services" was the weakest mindflayer album, "take your skin off" being my favorite.

I've only heard 1999 and die and mold so far...working on the other two, then eventually working on the splits. I would of gotten take your skin off, but the dude who sold it to me sold me die and mold instead. So I got two copies :P

[bubblegumpop]

Antigama-Resonance(2006)
This album was a total shot in the dark for me, I picked it up at random at the local shop not really expecting much. These Polish grincorers(lol?) can definitely hammer out a nice onslaught of harsh sound and face paced panic. I think on the end of side one they've thrown a weirdo track to trip you up, which I think is a nice touch, very odd and quirky.


Overall: 6.5/10I wasn't a huge fan of grindcore before this album but I was still able to enjoy the mayhem, it did get a little old, and seemed to rely on the same old tricks in most of the songs.


Black Pus- Black Pus 4; All Aboard the Magic Pus(2008)
Mr. Chippendale's most "accessible" album to date, but take that with a grain of salt, it's still got all the noise and massive drums we all know and love. He plays a lot of keyboard in this album, being very prominent in most songs, it almost gives it a noise pop vibe. The keys can range from Willy Wonka super chocolate bunny cherry sun-burst to a low ballin' vibe sure to remind anyone of a certain someones distorted bass.

Overall: 8.5/10This cd can be called *cute* as the infectious keys dazzle up your sensory noggins boggins, but it's still got your o'l chip noise.

[_weeheehoo_]

Oh wow. I was expecting this to be a topic about Filter - Short Bus which I enjoy, but most of the songs sound very similar.

Anyway, some pretty good reviews. I like how they're short but still say a lot at the same time.

[bubblegumpop]

I don't think i've ever heard a full filter album before, any good ones?

gonna do a few more this morning while I still have the music fresh in my pasta.

I guess there was a live album before this one? I gotta get some cash to listen to this.


Passafire-Live from the Road vol 1(2010)
My favorite band's first(apparently not...) live album. I had really super high expectations for this, band is great live, even better than the albums. Youtube videos of moboogie sessions proved this in a greater sense. These don't fall short of my expectations too much, but in certain parts the sound mix can get pretty sketchy(ex: behind closed doors has an outrageously loud kick drum.). Other than that the updated versions and extended jams are a savory pallet for your mouth to enjoy and enjoy. There is plenty of bass noddlin', Will kubley never ceases to amaze me. Too bad it's only 10 songs long, usually a headlining tour they would play anywhere from 16 to 19 songs. Also does not have any of their new album.

Overall: 8/10
It's got the creativity and energy on-stage that only Passafire can deliver, but it's sound mixing can be a little choppy at certain parts, and 10 songs is a little bit short side, but forgivable.



Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer-Schematics(2007)
Crazy=cute? Cute=Crazy! Zolof is one of those bands you just can't help but fall in love with. It's like any female-fronted keyboard smashing band, skittles fly and pretty kitty catchy lyrics rip out. This release is a little rough around the edges, but no jacket required. Not your usual Zolof mood, in previous album it was all about rainbows and scarecrows, now it got a little serious for a little bit, but the music is still fun for the whole family, just turn down the radio when that pretty girl throws out a curse or two, don't want billy or sheena to hear one of dem words.

Overall: Sorry for the weirdo review, but this album is worth checking out if you like female fronted power-pop.(also is there any other female fronted power pop? I just can't get into whiny guys in that genre)
9/10

[_weeheehoo_]

Well, I've only heard Short Bus which I liked, but it is considered bland because almost all of the songs sound alike. I've also got Title of Record but I haven't gotten around to listening to it. I'll get back to you on that.