If you already like Baroness then I'm preaching to the choir, I know. But this is one of those albums you put on, and on the very first listen you know it's a classic. I mean, straight up classic, a no doubter. Baroness straddle a cauldron of sludge metal, southern and progressive rock. Throw in some scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Witches' mummy and a bit of the ravin'd salt-sea shark. Make the gruel thick and slab, and you've got Blue Record.
Red Album ruled, but Blue Record is sublime. New guitarist/vocalist Pete Adams must have some freakish synergy with main-man John Baizley. The album is wall to wall riffage, with acoustic passages and fuzzy leads that channel Blue Öyster Cult. The scariest thing is that some guitar lines here make me think of Hendrix. No shitting.
I guess the most righteous aspect of Blue Record is that all the melodies ring true. The vocals are original and infectious. If you don't walk around singing these songs you are an android. All the parts of this stew are scrumptious. The drumming and bass are fantastic. The production is perfectly innocuous.
You won't have to take my word for it - I can assure you this will be the album of the year for many people. I'd recommend this to all but the most brutal of my metal friends.
94/100
Baroness Myspace
Preaching to the choir.
ReplyDeleteI hear something new to love every time I spin this album, which is saying something, since I listen to it ALOT.
The new guy has brought something great to this band. The guitar and vocal harmonies on this record are fucking incredible. It's basically everything you liked about "Red Album" but more of it.
The decibel cover story on Baroness is very enlightening. Turns out the new guy is really an old guy, and his story is fascinating. I think it explains quite a bit why this album is so damned awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou've already got the new Decibel?? That was fast! Hope I get mine on Monday!
ReplyDeleteWho's the Hall of Fame? Any notable reviews?
Wayne, I'm sure you've gotten the new decibel by now - caught me just as I was leaving for vacation. I'm pretty happy they gave the Blue Record a 10/10.
ReplyDeleteYep, got it yesterday, and the review of Blue Record is spot-on. Was glad to see the new Slayer get a 9, as well as the Shrinebuilder. The 4/5 of that one that I've heard is pretty damn good.
ReplyDeleteI can't get my ears on that new Converge fast enough.
i can't believe how good this album is, and like wayne said, it grows on you with every play. and if it wasn't mentioned yet... the solo in a horse called golgotha? damn. i think this gives "crack the skye" a run for its money for 2009 album of the year, and that says something.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that solo!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that so far either this or Kylesa's "Static Tensions" is the best of the year.
BUT...
I haven't heard the new Converge yet.