Month December 2019

Listmania 2019 – The Honorable Mentions

Peter Jones Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again. A time of reflection, contemplation, deep thought. A time for serious introspection, for critical analysis. This is serious business, and sharing this work is vital to the survival of any self-respecting blog.

Yes, I mean year end lists.

But really, it seems to almost be a tradition at this point. People will reflect on the year gone by and make lists about their favorites. In this case, that would be favorite albums. And since I have been so remiss in writing lately, I felt it would be well for me to appropriate the list-making agenda and do so here. So there you have it, Listmania 2019.

Today, I’ll be starting with the honorable mentions. These are 5 albums that, when making a list for my favorites of the year, appeared on the list, but just didn’t quite make the top 10. No order here, just some really, really good albums that were (narrowly in some cases) beaten out by the competition. Each one of these albums is a staggeringly good work of art, and well worth contemplation and repeat listens.

Second to Sun – Legacy

Having previously written about this album, it should come as no surprise this was a top album of the year. Legacy is just so good. Synthesizing black metal aesthetics with death metal sensibilities, and layering on top of that Russian history and folklore makes for a haunting, captivating listen. The music is heavy, progressive at times, and thoroughly engaging. Second to Sun continue to impress with each new release.

Wilderun – Veil of Imagination

I really, really like what Wilderun are doing. This band from Massachusetts been progressive death metal with folk metal/music in a brilliant manner. After all the superlatives thrown at their previous release from 2015, there was a lot riding on where they would go from there. Well, Veil of Imagination proves they had more to give, as it is better in every way. Honestly, the only reason this album is an honorable mention is I just haven’t been able to give it the time it deserves. Every time I listen I think “I really need to listen to this album more/again”, and every time I don’t. I can tell this is a brilliant album, one that would rank much higher had I given it the time it deserves and requires.

Arch/Matheos – Winter Ethereal

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. John Arch is one of, if not the, very best metal vocalists ever. His vocal lines are brilliant, unusual, lovely, haunting and so unique. And Jim Matheos is one of metal’s greatest songwriters. Having these two together will always make me smile. I love Winter Ethereal, and it was probably one of my most anticipated albums of the year, as previous release Sympathetic Resonance is a masterwork of progressive metal. Winter Ethereal doesn’t quite hit the same highs as predecessor, though, and that is the only reason it ends up here in the honorables, rather than up in the top 10.

Sermon – Birth of the Marvellous

This one came out of nowhere. First release from a one person band (with some help), Birth of the Marvellous is a marvelous album of progressive music. Think somewhere between Soen (who also had a brilliant album this year), Porcupine Tree, with hints of Katatonia. If those comparisons don’t pique your interest, check your pulse, you might be dead. But really, this is a progressive masterpiece and another album that, had I spent more time with it, very likely would rank higher on my list. A concept album, an existential journey, a true work of art.

Slow – VI – Dantalion

Look, this album rules. Okay? It just does. I love everything about it. I even love that it is dense, off-putting, super slow. It takes real effort to get into VI – Dantalion, and that is the only reason it didn’t rank higher. There are plenty of times I have thought “Let’s listen to Slow!” Only to say to myself, “Maybe not today, not sure I’m up to it.” Such is the music of Slow. It is unrelenting in its inexorable march to the murkiest depths of despair. But it is also wonderful, brilliant, and the best funeral doom I have heard all year.

Witherfall – A Prelude to Sorrow

Peter Jones Leave a comment

In 2017, a little album came out of nowhere and knocked my socks off with its technical approach to power metal. WItherfall dropped Nocturnes and Requiems, a compelling mix of progressive, power and even neoclassical metal, all with a dark, haunting undertone pinning it all together.

Having lost their original drummer to tragedy in 2016, the band released that album posthumously. It was replete with powerful vocals, stunning guitar work, and a melancholic attitude that impressed me. However, for some reason, it didn’t really click with me, and while I found it impressive in many ways, I didn’t find myself coming back to it that often.

However, just one year later, Witherfall dropped A Prelude to Sorrow, follow up to their debut. It would be easy to be worried about a second album coming so quickly after the debut, however, given that Nocturnes and Requiems had actually been finished some time before release, and my fears were assuaged. Some.

And then I listened to A Prelude to Sorrow.

Not much had changed, but for some reason, this album instantly clicked with me. I found myself listening over and over again. The same elements were present, yet something about them this time around spoke to me. Subsequently returning to Nocturnes and Requiems has revealed it to be an album I really love as well.

The dark atmosphere that permeates A Prelude to Sorrow is the key in making it enjoyable for me. It harkens back to the gone, but never forgotten, Nevermore. Sure, there are elements of power metal here, but the standard cheese is exchanged for melancholy and darkness. That instantly improves the album in my estimation.

Lyrically, this isn’t happy go lucky fair. Take these lines from first proper track, “We Are Nothing”:

We are nothing

Our souls are just flickering lights

To be extinguished,

Snuffed out by the cold hands of time.

Or how about these words from “Ode to Despair”?

Sometimes mirrors only show

What we want to see

And we’ll fall into despair

And we’ll get no reprieve

As we descend further down

You see what you want to see

In our ode to despair

And we’ll get no reprieve

In our ode to despair

Time just slips away

Still, these are all things we have felt, and I find the expression of said sentiments to be cathartic. There is something to be said in expressing these thoughts and feelings. Perhaps that is why I find this album somewhat therapeutic to listen to.

And musically, this is an impressive album. The guitars are technical, driving, powerful, while still emoting. The vocals are equally powerful. There are high falsettos, lower register vocals with some grit to them, but always tastefully done, executed with the utmost skill. Really, every member is excellent, with the rhythm section being more than up to the task of carrying the weight of these songs.

The best part for me, I gained an entire new appreciation for Nocturnes and Requiems after really falling in love with A Prelude to Sorrow. Witherfall has proven themselves to be one of the most promising and talented prog/power bands, and I look forward to more from them.

The Internet, Music, and You

Peter Jones Leave a comment

Or, the joys of being a music fan in the modern era.

Truth be told, there just isn’t a better time in the history of the world to be a music fan. Really, we live in a golden age of music.

At least in my opinion.

I know that there are those who would claim that the advent of digital downloads, file sharing (Napster anyone?), and even music streaming services have been a huge detriment to music. And I can see where those people are coming from. Sort of. Yes, I understand that the value of music has significantly diminished in the eyes of the masses. People simply aren’t going to the store to by CDs anymore. Especially not for the prices we used to pay. $18.99 for a disc at Sam Goody, anyone?

And terrestrial radio is becoming less and less important for artists. It certainly still has its place, but nothing like it used to. No one is tuning into ABC, CBS, or NBC at 8:00 pm to catch the newest Madonna or Michael Jackson video (that used to be a thing, I swear!). Fewer and fewer people are buying true stereo systems anymore. Gone are the days of the big speakers with a turntable, dual cassette decks, tuner and 10 band equalizer (but I can still see the one we had growing up).

The music superstar is becoming a thing of the past. There are still huge hits, and artists that can sell out and pack stadiums.

But gone are the days when everyone knew the biggest artists, regardless of your musical preferences. I mean, I tend to be pretty broad in my musical knowledge, but just take a gander at who are winning “awards” these days and you’ll see what I mean. Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Lil Nas X are all winning Apple Music Awards (for whatever that may be worth), and while I recognize the names of all of them, I couldn’t recognize a single song from any one of them if my life depended on it.

So, yes, music has changed. The majority of people get their music through some streaming service, that perhaps they pay for, and in many cases they don’t (whether it is ad supported or they are sharing logins). I get it. It’s different and that box has been opened and can never be closed.

So, for those pining for the old days of music when you either had to listen to the radio, buy it on vinyl, cassette or CD (or go through the hassle of recording it off the radio or from someone else, because piracy has always been a thing), I will say just this:

“Ok boomer.”

Seriously, times have changed, technology is amazing, and find a way to embrace this new era of music.

The internet has allowed for an amazing disintermediation of music. It allows direct connections between artists and fans in a way never before seen. In some cases, it has actually allowed us to go back, in essence, to the patronage model of music. Yes, there are bands I support on Patreon, paying them a certain fee monthly to help support them. In exchange, they share videos, do Q&As, share insights into their touring, songwriting, and other practices. We get a direct look behind the curtain and get to be part of the creative endeavor.

Some do it better than others, but those who realize that this direct connection is really going to be what matters, seem to really be more successful. It doesn’t take much. I purchase a fair bit of physical media directly from bands. Maybe merch, maybe the occasional CD, and most often some vinyl. And frequently there is a little slip of paper in the package. A handwritten “Thank You” for supporting the band. And you know what? I keep those. I appreciate them, and I am now that much more invested in the band, and will be right there next time there is something I can do to support them.

Of course, I’m in a weird minority here. Few people are quite as hardcore when it comes to music as I am. But there are enough of us crazies out there to make it worth it. And the artists who embrace this direct connection are cultivating long lasting relationships with their fans in a way never before possible. I mean, look at that postcard I received today. A simple gesture from someone in the band Witherfall, to send me a Christmas/Holiday postcard because I have supported them buy purchasing some of their merchandise in the past.

Because of that simple, human gesture, I’m now that much more of a fan.

And that is how it can be. It enhances the listening experience, because we have that personal connection with the artist. It makes a difference, and makes me that much more excited to be a music fan in this day and age.

The Wireless (R)evolution – A Headphone Primer

Peter Jones Leave a comment

That picture up there doesn’t even begin to cover it. Really, it doesn’t. If you had any idea just how many pairs of wireless headphones I have given away, you’d be disturbed. You would.

Those headphones up there are just the ones that, for some (probably) stupid reason or another, I decided I should hang on to.

That doesn’t include the original AirPods, the Jabra 65t, the Soundcore Liberty Pro, or even probably a host of others that I’m not remembering. And here we are only talking about in ear, truly wireless earbuds. That ignores the ones I have had and used that had a wire connecting them, and completely ignores over the ear, on ear, or wired headphones.

So, the question would then be, why?

Why have I had so many headphones? What purpose does it serve? Well, to be honest, none really.

But I care about sound, the listening experience, the quality of the build, etc. Certainly, I am always on the lookout for the best sounding pair of headphones or earbuds. Sound is key.

But convenience is a huge issue as well. I mean, look at AirPods. They sound like garbage compared to almost every other pair of true wireless earbuds out there. But they are so convenient. They pair instantly, the battery readout on an iPhone is super handy, and they are a very solid connection, again to Apple products. That’s why you see them everywhere.

Then we have features, price, etc. Over the next little while, I’m going to be dropping my “reviews” of the many different headphones I have tried, looking at those four main aspects: Sound, convenience, features, and price.

I mean, someone really ought to benefit from my stupidity when it comes to buying headphones. Really.

Christmas = Good. Christmas music = Not so much

Peter Jones Leave a comment

I find this time of year sort of fascinating, at least when it comes to music. Let me just start off by saying that people have very, very strong feelings about Christmas music. Very strong.

And really, it goes both ways. Strong positive feelings, and strong negative feelings.

It is interesting, working in the OR, to see the differences in opinions. See, we pretty much always listen to music while operating. It is just part of the background sound of the OR. There are lots of sounds, anesthesia machines with their myriad noises, suction devices, lasers, warming blankets, etc.

And music. It is one of those things that, unless someone is very new to the OR, if music isn’t playing (with some circumstances being exceptions), we all just sort of feel like something is off.

So, there are those who love Christmas music and can hardly wait until it is deemed appropriate timing to start playing it. Much to the chagrin of many. You see, generally speaking, the surgeon gets to pick the music. So if the OR staff aren’t on board, it can be a difficult day full of listening to music you may not like. Just ask those who have to work with me and put up with my music. I get it.

But Christmas music is a different beast all together. Any genre of music can have Christmas songs. Sure, there are more than a few metal Christmas albums. And country, and pop, and classical, and maybe even rap and hip hop? I’m guessing, because I don’t really know there. Yet Christmas music has that ability to transcend genres. That is one of the things that can make it so good. Or so, so bad.

I love classic Christmas music. I mean, we are talking the classic carols here. I love choral versions of those classics. Or instrumental. Doesn’t matter the genre either. If it is a tastefully done version of one of the classic Christmas songs, I actually really will enjoy it.

Sadly, those songs get butchered time and time again by artists trying to do something new with it. I have heard versions of “Silent Night” that never fail to bring tears to my eyes. And I have heard versions that have me wanting to stab my eardrums to never have to hear them again.

And don’t get me started on poppy Christmas tunes. All of these more “modern” Christmas songs can just go jump in a lake, thank you very much. No, I don’t care that you saw mommy kissing Santa Clause. Or that it’s cold outside (that song creeps me out big time). Take your chestnuts and shove them where the sun don’t shine! And your two front teeth and hippopotamus were cute. When you were 4. Now? Grow up.

So there it is, the grinch in me. I don’t play Christmas music in the OR. There needs to be an oasis from the terrible, terrible festive tunes out there. I’d like to think that is part of my calling in life. To provide that shelter from the crap storm that is the vast majority of “popular” Christmas music.

After all, someone needs to fight the madness. Might as well be me.

The way forward – Or where do I go from here

Peter Jones 1 Comment

November has come and gone. And with it, I met my goal for this blog. I successfully wrote an article daily about a different album. I’m glad I did. There are lots of reasons, but the primary reason is, I set the goal to do so and met it.

While I wrote reactions to different albums, I found it becoming easier to get the words to flow. Mostly. Some days were more difficult than others. Some albums just forced me to struggle a bit to come up with the words. And struggle is a good thing. It is how we improve, how we become stronger.

At the same time, while struggling at times, I found that there were times I didn’t want to write about a particular album. I wanted to write about other aspects of music. Maybe it was an announcement of some sort. Perhaps I had been thinking about other aspects of music (I did write an article about how black metal is quickly becoming the most fascinating sub-genre of metal).

And so, with the 30 albums in 30 days goal being met, I plan to continue writing, just perhaps in a slightly different way. I will still be doing album reactions. However, I will also be writing articles that are more topical in nature. Heck, I will even include some articles about how I listen to music. After all, I have purchased more pairs of headphones over the years in search of the perfect pair than any sane person. The least I can do is see if others can benefit from my stupidity.

So, I hugely appreciate those who have been reading, and hope you will continue to do so, even as the content broadens in scope.