I haven't heard the full album, just Bully, Unity, Adrenaline, and Enemies, so I can't really give a complete opinion on the album or your review. But I do have a few comments.
1) The harder to softer ratio of songs seems to be about right to me, 6 to 6. Harder songs - Adrenaline, Bully, Enemies, Nowhere Kids, For My Sake, and My Name (Wearing Me Out). Softer songs - Amaryllis, Unity, I'm Not Alright, Miracle, I'll Follow You, and Through The Ghost. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the ratio for 'Amaryllis' was even, as opposed to TSOM, which had 5 harder songs and 6 softer ones. Judging from the full songs and clips I've heard, this seems to be a heavier record than both UAT and TSOM. UAT was a fantastic album, but overall it wasn't very heavy.
2) You said that My Name should have been the final song on the album, which is fine, but Shinedown albums typically start with a rocker and end with a ballad. The only possible exception is LAW, which ended with 45, which is more in-between a harder song and a softer song in my opinion. UAT - Some Day, TSOM - Call Me, and Amaryllis - Through The Ghost.
3) Some of your comments lead me to believe that you wanted Amaryllis to sound similar to LAW or UAT. If I'm wrong, let me know, but that's the impression that I get. In my opinion, one of the great things about Shinedown is that each album sounds different than the others. I want something fresh when I hear a new album. I think Amaryllis will continue that tradition.
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A few more things. I read online that Unity was written about SD fans, which lyrically makes more sense than the "uniting the world" subject. Here's the article that says that. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artist/Shinedown Click on the biography and it's in there.
Amaryllis isn't a love song. Brent said it's about destiny and finding yourself.
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I came to terms with with Shinedown no longer being a full fledged "metal" band long ago. The range of this record is what impresses me the most. They took some radical turns -- some I like, some not so much. But its that risk/reward that has me appreciating this record as a whole. And without the "softer" tracks, I feel these hard rocking jams would just be lost in the shuffle. Again, my biggest fear after the success of their more mainstream tunes was an album full of "Second Chances".
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[quote="jdx_123"]I came to terms with with Shinedown no longer being a full fledged "metal" band long ago. The range of this record is what impresses me the most. They took some radical turns -- some I like, some not so much. But its that risk/reward that has me appreciating this record as a whole. And without the "softer" tracks, I feel these hard rocking jams would just be lost in the shuffle. Again, my biggest fear after the success of their more mainstream tunes was an album full of "Second Chances".[/quote]
I was never worried about an album full of "Second Chances" cause I had a lot of faith that it wouldn't happen, but I agree with your point. The bottom line is that they are still making honest, emotional ROCK songs, which is what Shinedown is all about. They could have easily taken the mainstream success of Second Chance and If You Only Knew and made a whole record of poppy songs. Some people don't realize that Brent is sober now and has a kid, so he won't be writing the darker, grungier LAW-type songs anymore that related to his drug addiction. To me, the new songs are still SHINEDOWN. I can't blame them for writing a few mainstream ballads for the purpose of selling albums. It is a business and those types of songs help make that happen. Adrenaline and especially Enemies rock as hard as any previous SD songs and from what I've been hearing, My Name is pretty badass as well.
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[quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"]I haven't heard the full album, just Bully, Unity, Adrenaline, and Enemies, so I can't really give a complete opinion on the album or your review. But I do have a few comments.
1) The harder to softer ratio of songs seems to be about right to me, 6 to 6. Harder songs - Adrenaline, Bully, Enemies, Nowhere Kids, For My Sake, and My Name (Wearing Me Out). Softer songs - Amaryllis, Unity, I'm Not Alright, Miracle, I'll Follow You, and Through The Ghost. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the ratio for 'Amaryllis' was even, as opposed to TSOM, which had 5 harder songs and 6 softer ones. Judging from the full songs and clips I've heard, this seems to be a heavier record than both UAT and TSOM. UAT was a fantastic album, but overall it wasn't very heavy.
2) You said that My Name should have been the final song on the album, which is fine, but Shinedown albums typically start with a rocker and end with a ballad. The only possible exception is LAW, which ended with 45, which is more in-between a harder song and a softer song in my opinion. UAT - Some Day, TSOM - Call Me, and Amaryllis - Through The Ghost.
3) Some of your comments lead me to believe that you wanted Amaryllis to sound similar to LAW or UAT. If I'm wrong, let me know, but that's the impression that I get. In my opinion, one of the great things about Shinedown is that each album sounds different than the others. I want something fresh when I hear a new album. I think Amaryllis will continue that tradition.
A few more things. I read online that Unity was written about SD fans, which lyrically makes more sense than the "uniting the world" subject. Here's the article that says that. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artist/Shinedown Click on the biography and it's in there.
Amaryllis isn't a love song. Brent said it's about destiny and finding yourself.[/quote]
Well if you got the Fan Club edition you were treated to an 8/6 heavy/ballad ratio. The main difference was the ballads on TSOM were amazing. Really not a bad one in the bunch. To me it seems they're trying too hard to make another Second Chance, which they called a "deviation" at one point.
Also, I know most of Shinedown's albums have closed with ballads. But My Name is too perfect as a closer. That, to me, falls on Rob Cavallo. I also had issue with the way ballads would get doubled up on you during this album. It's hard for me to like Amaryllis and I'll Follow You when Unity starts up and when I just heard Miracle. I had the same issue on TSOM when If You Only Knew followed TCATB. Again, Cavallo's mistake.
I wasn't expecting another LAW or U&T, in fact until Enemies came on I thought I was going to hate this album because none of the first 4 songs really impressed me or led me to believe this wasn't The Sound of Madness 2, which was my biggest fear for the album. Essentially, My Name and Enemies saved this album for me and I'm Not Alright was a good shot at being different just wished they went with some other instrument other than horns/synth (I REALLY think its a synthesizer).
Unity, I have read, was about world peace and people coming together. If Brent is changing the meanings of the songs again this early that may explain a lot. Amaryllis, whether it is or is not a love song, carries itself like a love song and that's how most listeners are going to hear it.
On a last note, my heavy to ballad to ratio for U&T was 7-4 (Lady So Divine was neither, it was SD's only long, or "epic" song). That's still good, SD will never do an album like LAW where they had a 10-2/9-3 rocker to ballad ratio (9-3 for those who want to consider 45 a ballad).
[quote="jdx_123"]I came to terms with with Shinedown no longer being a full fledged "metal" band long ago. The range of this record is what impresses me the most. They took some radical turns -- some I like, some not so much. But its that risk/reward that has me appreciating this record as a whole. And without the "softer" tracks, I feel these hard rocking jams would just be lost in the shuffle. Again, my biggest fear after the success of their more mainstream tunes was an album full of "Second Chances".[/quote]
I don't want anyone to think I was expecting a metal album from these guys. I have said that the best songs on TSOM were the ballads, particularly Crow and Call Me. I just didn't like these ballads as much as TSOM's. And like I said at the end, not all the rockers on this album were good either. Bully is not good, Nowhere Kids has an identity crisis, and Adrenaline is mindless. So making this album heavier or softer wouldn't have done anything really.
One last thing that bugged me about this album is that every song clocks under 4:12. I had the same problem with TSOM, they don't have to go all Free Bird on us, but a little variety in the times would be nice. Would it kill them to write another 6+ minute song?
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Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
[quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.
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Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
[quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.[/quote]
1. I never said it sounded like Bon Jovi. I said it sounded like an 80's song. I also said Nowhere Kids sounds like an 80's song. Calling them Shinedovi was a gag, I could have went with ShineHalen or Shinedoison or whatever, I said Shinedovi. It was a joke.
2. The song reminded of I Dare You lyrically, like it was a continuation of I Dare You.
3. I'm hearing what I hear, you hear what you hear. Either way its nothing to be perturbed about.
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Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
[quote="allamericandan1"][quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.[/quote]
1. I never said it sounded like Bon Jovi. I said it sounded like an 80's song. I also said Nowhere Kids sounds like an 80's song. Calling them Shinedovi was a gag, I could have went with ShineHalen or Shinedoison or whatever, I said Shinedovi. It was a joke.
2. The song reminded of I Dare You lyrically, like it was a continuation of I Dare You.
3. I'm hearing what I hear, you hear what you hear. Either way its nothing to be perturbed about.[/quote]
I don't hear the 80's influences at all, but if that's what you hear, ok.
You said For My Sake sounds like I Dare You 2, so that led me to believe that you think it sounds like I Dare You. You never said anything about a continuation of the lyrics.
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Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
[quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"][quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.[/quote]
1. I never said it sounded like Bon Jovi. I said it sounded like an 80's song. I also said Nowhere Kids sounds like an 80's song. Calling them Shinedovi was a gag, I could have went with ShineHalen or Shinedoison or whatever, I said Shinedovi. It was a joke.
2. The song reminded of I Dare You lyrically, like it was a continuation of I Dare You.
3. I'm hearing what I hear, you hear what you hear. Either way its nothing to be perturbed about.[/quote]
I don't hear the 80's influences at all, but if that's what you hear, ok.
You said For My Sake sounds like I Dare You 2, so that led me to believe that you think it sounds like I Dare You. You never said anything about a continuation of the lyrics.[/quote]
Its all right, my 80's thing comes mostly from the horns sounding like they are a synth line. I listen to stuff like Springsteen and DMB and the horns on their songs don't sound anything like the horns on "I'm Not Alright," but the song's horns do remind me a lot of Van Halen's "Jump." Which was essentially an 80's pop song. Nevertheless, its a catchy song.
I edited my review to reflect what I said about For My Sake, and other songs. I've been listening to the album a lot and I'm finding what songs are sticking, which are just background noise, and the ones that just plain suck.
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I know Dan that there was going to be a huge variety of opinions on this album as it really is different from any other album, but I don't know if you got to hear any of these songs live. They really kicked ass with them live, so that may help with some of the lesser liked ones.
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[quote="aromaine"]I know Dan that there was going to be a huge variety of opinions on this album as it really is different from any other album, but I don't know if you got to hear any of these songs live. They really kicked ass with them live, so that may help with some of the lesser liked ones.[/quote]
Not really, Bully is just bad, playing it live won't help the awful lyrics. Nowhere Kids live was better than Nowhere Kids autotuned but still not enough to make me think differently. I don't enjoy Unity, Amaryllis, or Adrenaline enough to believe they should be played over Burning Bright, I Dare You, Heroes, Shed Some Light, Left Out, Call Me, Junkies, or pretty much any SD song on the previous three albums. Heck, if they had played My Name, Through the Ghost, and For My Sake instead of 3/5 Amaryllis songs I doubt I have any complaints outside of too many SOM songs, not enough LAW/U&T songs.
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[quote="clairguitar9"]maybe it would help if you didn't overanalyse music so much. if you enjoy it then listen to it and if you don't enjoy it then don't. the album is out now and not liking Bully isn't going to make it change.[/quote]
I skip Bully and Nowhere Kids every time I listen to the album, but when they play it live what do you want me to do? I actually hid in the bathroom for all of Bully. But could still hear it. Also, its not over analyzing music by not liking the lyrics. It's not like I'm criticizing them for no time signatures or anything. The lyrics are bad, its not over analyzing if you hate the words you are supposed to sing along to.
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[quote="clairguitar9"]but nobody's saying you have to sing along to the words that you don't like? You seriously went and hid while they played Bully?[/quote]
Maybe hid is too cowardly of a word, but I did have to use the bathroom and just didn't leave until I heard that Bully was over.
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I'm actually surprised with Amaryllis. Its the first Shinedown album I've listened to fully, so maybe I'm a little biased to it. But I love all of the songs, I can relate to almost each one of them.
I'm getting a lot of tension of Amaryllis (the song). Some say its a love song, some say its about destiny. I was a little iffy on the song the first two times I heard it, but the other day I was listening to it while I was getting ready for work, and I was looking in the mirror singing along, and I felt like I was singing a love song to myself, and I started liking the song a lot more, and it really gave me a self-esteem boost.
As for the other songs, its pretty much take it as you will. I havnt heard/found Brent say anything about Miracle, but the first time I heard it, I pictured it as a song for his son. I'm probably wrong, but to me it sounds like something a devoted parent would sing to their child.
I think the songs I relate to most on the album are Bully (which I will admit, is getting really old really fast because EVERYONE is playing way too much) because I was bullied as a kid, and my kid sister is going through the same thing. (I actually played the song for her after it came out and she went and plaster the chorus all over her bullies locker. I was VERY proud of her.) I give mega props to SD for having a song that empowers people to stand up to people who are trying to take away personal power. Bulling is becoming a major issue, and the more its addressed, the more help comes. PROPS!.
The other song, which seems to be getting a lot of positive feed back is "My Name (Wearing me out). As an adult survivor of child abuse, I couldnt find a better song to apply to myself. To me, I've always held Breaking Inside to be my favorite song, because it helped me step away from my problems and disconnect. (See my Post in Breaking Inside titled "Breaking Inside, How it saved me") My Name is like a part 2 of that. I've stepped away and disconnected from the problems, I've started going my own way, rising above, now I'm ready to declare that I'm sick of the bullshit and give a big FU. I'm standing up for myself now and I'm over the pain and abuse.
Those are the songs that stood out to me most and my thoughts on them. Take it as you will.
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First off, let me say two things: one - if you have been waiting for the physical release of the album you may want to stop here. Two, this is a review based on multiple listens and not the "first listen." Well let's kick this off:
1) Adrenaline - The album starts off with this track. Adrenaline is a mindless rocker you'd think you'd hear from Van Halen or AC/DC. It's a good song, but when it comes to Shinedown a little substance to the lyrics is to be expected. Sounds like a Devour 2 but without any meaning. 3/5
2) Bully - Blegh, everyone has heard this song and I honestly do not think its very good. I feel Shinedown has other songs that deal with the repercussions of bullying and/or social isolation in better ways (see the entire LAW album). To me Bully is on the bottom wrung of SD songs. EDIT: I cannot even listen to this song anymore. The lyrics bother me too much, knocking the score down half a point. 1.5/5
3) Amaryllis - First time I heard this song I did not enjoy it at all. A few more listens and it sounds all right. What bothers me is there was a time when Brent said he would never write a love song, and now Shinedown writes a lot of them. EDIT: Ok, so this song is pretty much blending in with all the other ballads so up bumping the score up to reflect that. 3/5
4) Unity - Second ballad in a row this album seems to be in the same order as SOM. It's definitely better than Amaryllis however something about the song never quite grabbed me and sucked me in. Also, Brent said this song was about trying to unite people, I really didn't get that from the lyrics but to each their own. If this song is to Shinedown what One was to U2, it's a disappointment. Somehow "put your hands in the air if you hear me out there" doesn't hit me like "we're one but we're not the same we hurt each other and we're doing it again." Maybe if Brent wrote this like a big boy song it would've have been more gripping. 3/5
5) Enemies - Now this is more like it! Enemies starts out kinda like a Breaking Benjamin song and quickly jumps into high gear and never lets up. It feels like it could be on any Shinedown album except LAW. Imagine hearing this song after Heroes...oh man! Barry's drumming is more noticeable here and this song definitely shows Shinedown can still kick ass. 5/5
6) I'm Not Alright - And now we're back to square one...this song is definitely the weirdest SD songs I've ever heard. Some have said there are horns in this song, but I'm hearing a synth line. Maybe I'm wrong but it definitely sounds like a song Shinedown would have made if it were 1985. 80's Shinedown, or Shinedovi is born. But hey, this song is ridiculously catchy and the lyrics don't suck. So yeah, definitely one of the better songs. 3.5/5
7) Nowhere Kids - I can't read this song, it sounds like a rocker and an 80's pop song rolled into one. Yup, Shinedovi is back. The main reason I say that is the lyrics "that little social scene is just a hate machine," and the chorus sound so very, very 80's. EDIT: Autotune like a mo fo in this song, and it really, really bothers me. This is the only other song on the album that I consistently skip. Knocking the score down a peg. 2/5
8) Miracle - Miracle sounds like If You Only Knew 2 and pretty much just blends in with all the other ballads on the album. The lyrics "my Mona Lisa is making me smile" makes me cringe. 3/5
9) I'll Follow You - Another ballad, this album is layered with ballads. It sounds at first like its another Call Me but picks up a bit. Pretty much in the same pack as Unity, good but not great. Sounds really typical "I'll follow you down into the heart of the storm, don't worry I'll keep you warm" again, not too strong lyrically. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Lyrically it seems like I Dare You 2. The lyrics are more challenging and really sounds like a Shinedown song, which is kind of few and far between on this album. Musically, not much to brag about here. I enjoy this song. 4/5
11) My Name (Wearing Me Out) - FUCK YES! This is not only the best song on the album but one of the best Shinedown songs EVER! The only SOM/Amaryllis song that could have legit been on Leave a Whisper. It has the drive, the passion, and lyrics you'd expect from a Shinedown song. The only problem? Why didn't this song close out the album? It was made to close out the album and would be an excellent set closer too. 5/5
12) Through the Ghost - Closing out the album, yup, another ballad. Thankfully its the best ballad on the album and easily the third best track on the album. It's a grandiose Call Me without the piano. While I enjoy it I would have much rather seen My Name as the album closer. 4.5/5
Overall, Amaryllis is a little too packed with ballads. Don't get me wrong some of Shinedown's ballads are their best work. But I was really hoping for a more heavy song laden album. Hearing Enemies and My Name makes me wonder what could have been if they focused more on the rockers. But on the other hand, some of the other rockers weren't good at all (Bully and Nowhere Kids are awful!). In conclusion, while it has its share of awesome tracks, Amaryllis is overwhelmingly mediocre and disappointing. (I say this as I'm listening to the album and have been perhaps too much)
comments
I'm actually surprised with Amaryllis. Its the first Shinedown album I've listened to fully, so maybe I'm a little biased to it. But I love all of the songs, I can relate to almost each one of them.
I'm getting a lot of tension of Amaryllis (the song). Some say its a love song, some say its about destiny. I was a little iffy on the song the first two times I heard it, but the other day I was listening to it while I was getting ready for work, and I was looking in the mirror singing along, and I felt like I was singing a love song to myself, and I started liking the song a lot more, and it really gave me a self-esteem boost.
As for the other songs, its pretty much take it as you will. I havnt heard/found Brent say anything about Miracle, but the first time I heard it, I pictured it as a song for his son. I'm probably wrong, but to me it sounds like something a devoted parent would sing to their child.
I think the songs I relate to most on the album are Bully (which I will admit, is getting really old really fast because EVERYONE is playing way too much) because I was bullied as a kid, and my kid sister is going through the same thing. (I actually played the song for her after it came out and she went and plaster the chorus all over her bullies locker. I was VERY proud of her.) I give mega props to SD for having a song that empowers people to stand up to people who are trying to take away personal power. Bulling is becoming a major issue, and the more its addressed, the more help comes. PROPS!.
The other song, which seems to be getting a lot of positive feed back is "My Name (Wearing me out). As an adult survivor of child abuse, I couldnt find a better song to apply to myself. To me, I've always held Breaking Inside to be my favorite song, because it helped me step away from my problems and disconnect. (See my Post in Breaking Inside titled "Breaking Inside, How it saved me") My Name is like a part 2 of that. I've stepped away and disconnected from the problems, I've started going my own way, rising above, now I'm ready to declare that I'm sick of the bullshit and give a big FU. I'm standing up for myself now and I'm over the pain and abuse.
Those are the songs that stood out to me most and my thoughts on them. Take it as you will.
[quote="clairguitar9"]but nobody's saying you have to sing along to the words that you don't like? You seriously went and hid while they played Bully?[/quote]
Maybe hid is too cowardly of a word, but I did have to use the bathroom and just didn't leave until I heard that Bully was over.
[quote="clairguitar9"]maybe it would help if you didn't overanalyse music so much. if you enjoy it then listen to it and if you don't enjoy it then don't. the album is out now and not liking Bully isn't going to make it change.[/quote]
I skip Bully and Nowhere Kids every time I listen to the album, but when they play it live what do you want me to do? I actually hid in the bathroom for all of Bully. But could still hear it. Also, its not over analyzing music by not liking the lyrics. It's not like I'm criticizing them for no time signatures or anything. The lyrics are bad, its not over analyzing if you hate the words you are supposed to sing along to.
[quote="aromaine"]I know Dan that there was going to be a huge variety of opinions on this album as it really is different from any other album, but I don't know if you got to hear any of these songs live. They really kicked ass with them live, so that may help with some of the lesser liked ones.[/quote]
Not really, Bully is just bad, playing it live won't help the awful lyrics. Nowhere Kids live was better than Nowhere Kids autotuned but still not enough to make me think differently. I don't enjoy Unity, Amaryllis, or Adrenaline enough to believe they should be played over Burning Bright, I Dare You, Heroes, Shed Some Light, Left Out, Call Me, Junkies, or pretty much any SD song on the previous three albums. Heck, if they had played My Name, Through the Ghost, and For My Sake instead of 3/5 Amaryllis songs I doubt I have any complaints outside of too many SOM songs, not enough LAW/U&T songs.
I know Dan that there was going to be a huge variety of opinions on this album as it really is different from any other album, but I don't know if you got to hear any of these songs live. They really kicked ass with them live, so that may help with some of the lesser liked ones.
Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
- AllAmericanDan1[quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"][quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.[/quote]
1. I never said it sounded like Bon Jovi. I said it sounded like an 80's song. I also said Nowhere Kids sounds like an 80's song. Calling them Shinedovi was a gag, I could have went with ShineHalen or Shinedoison or whatever, I said Shinedovi. It was a joke.
2. The song reminded of I Dare You lyrically, like it was a continuation of I Dare You.
3. I'm hearing what I hear, you hear what you hear. Either way its nothing to be perturbed about.[/quote]
I don't hear the 80's influences at all, but if that's what you hear, ok.
You said For My Sake sounds like I Dare You 2, so that led me to believe that you think it sounds like I Dare You. You never said anything about a continuation of the lyrics.[/quote]
Its all right, my 80's thing comes mostly from the horns sounding like they are a synth line. I listen to stuff like Springsteen and DMB and the horns on their songs don't sound anything like the horns on "I'm Not Alright," but the song's horns do remind me a lot of Van Halen's "Jump." Which was essentially an 80's pop song. Nevertheless, its a catchy song.
I edited my review to reflect what I said about For My Sake, and other songs. I've been listening to the album a lot and I'm finding what songs are sticking, which are just background noise, and the ones that just plain suck.
Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
- jmiske13[quote="allamericandan1"][quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.[/quote]
1. I never said it sounded like Bon Jovi. I said it sounded like an 80's song. I also said Nowhere Kids sounds like an 80's song. Calling them Shinedovi was a gag, I could have went with ShineHalen or Shinedoison or whatever, I said Shinedovi. It was a joke.
2. The song reminded of I Dare You lyrically, like it was a continuation of I Dare You.
3. I'm hearing what I hear, you hear what you hear. Either way its nothing to be perturbed about.[/quote]
I don't hear the 80's influences at all, but if that's what you hear, ok.
You said For My Sake sounds like I Dare You 2, so that led me to believe that you think it sounds like I Dare You. You never said anything about a continuation of the lyrics.
Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
- AllAmericanDan1[quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"][quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.[/quote]
1. I never said it sounded like Bon Jovi. I said it sounded like an 80's song. I also said Nowhere Kids sounds like an 80's song. Calling them Shinedovi was a gag, I could have went with ShineHalen or Shinedoison or whatever, I said Shinedovi. It was a joke.
2. The song reminded of I Dare You lyrically, like it was a continuation of I Dare You.
3. I'm hearing what I hear, you hear what you hear. Either way its nothing to be perturbed about.
Re: A Brutally Honest Review of Amaryllis
- jmiske13[quote="allamericandan1"]
6) I'm Not Alright - Shinedovi is born. 3/5
10) For My Sake - Sounds like I Dare You 2
[/quote]
After hearing the full album:
1. None of the songs sound anything like Bon Jovi
2. For My Sake sounds nothing like I Dare You
Not sure what you're hearing dude.
i enjoy it and im proud of the guys. SD4L.
[quote="brent_gave_me_his_beer"]I haven't heard the full album, just Bully, Unity, Adrenaline, and Enemies, so I can't really give a complete opinion on the album or your review. But I do have a few comments.
1) The harder to softer ratio of songs seems to be about right to me, 6 to 6. Harder songs - Adrenaline, Bully, Enemies, Nowhere Kids, For My Sake, and My Name (Wearing Me Out). Softer songs - Amaryllis, Unity, I'm Not Alright, Miracle, I'll Follow You, and Through The Ghost. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the ratio for 'Amaryllis' was even, as opposed to TSOM, which had 5 harder songs and 6 softer ones. Judging from the full songs and clips I've heard, this seems to be a heavier record than both UAT and TSOM. UAT was a fantastic album, but overall it wasn't very heavy.
2) You said that My Name should have been the final song on the album, which is fine, but Shinedown albums typically start with a rocker and end with a ballad. The only possible exception is LAW, which ended with 45, which is more in-between a harder song and a softer song in my opinion. UAT - Some Day, TSOM - Call Me, and Amaryllis - Through The Ghost.
3) Some of your comments lead me to believe that you wanted Amaryllis to sound similar to LAW or UAT. If I'm wrong, let me know, but that's the impression that I get. In my opinion, one of the great things about Shinedown is that each album sounds different than the others. I want something fresh when I hear a new album. I think Amaryllis will continue that tradition.
A few more things. I read online that Unity was written about SD fans, which lyrically makes more sense than the "uniting the world" subject. Here's the article that says that. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artist/Shinedown Click on the biography and it's in there.
Amaryllis isn't a love song. Brent said it's about destiny and finding yourself.[/quote]
Well if you got the Fan Club edition you were treated to an 8/6 heavy/ballad ratio. The main difference was the ballads on TSOM were amazing. Really not a bad one in the bunch. To me it seems they're trying too hard to make another Second Chance, which they called a "deviation" at one point.
Also, I know most of Shinedown's albums have closed with ballads. But My Name is too perfect as a closer. That, to me, falls on Rob Cavallo. I also had issue with the way ballads would get doubled up on you during this album. It's hard for me to like Amaryllis and I'll Follow You when Unity starts up and when I just heard Miracle. I had the same issue on TSOM when If You Only Knew followed TCATB. Again, Cavallo's mistake.
I wasn't expecting another LAW or U&T, in fact until Enemies came on I thought I was going to hate this album because none of the first 4 songs really impressed me or led me to believe this wasn't The Sound of Madness 2, which was my biggest fear for the album. Essentially, My Name and Enemies saved this album for me and I'm Not Alright was a good shot at being different just wished they went with some other instrument other than horns/synth (I REALLY think its a synthesizer).
Unity, I have read, was about world peace and people coming together. If Brent is changing the meanings of the songs again this early that may explain a lot. Amaryllis, whether it is or is not a love song, carries itself like a love song and that's how most listeners are going to hear it.
On a last note, my heavy to ballad to ratio for U&T was 7-4 (Lady So Divine was neither, it was SD's only long, or "epic" song). That's still good, SD will never do an album like LAW where they had a 10-2/9-3 rocker to ballad ratio (9-3 for those who want to consider 45 a ballad).
[quote="jdx_123"]I came to terms with with Shinedown no longer being a full fledged "metal" band long ago. The range of this record is what impresses me the most. They took some radical turns -- some I like, some not so much. But its that risk/reward that has me appreciating this record as a whole. And without the "softer" tracks, I feel these hard rocking jams would just be lost in the shuffle. Again, my biggest fear after the success of their more mainstream tunes was an album full of "Second Chances".[/quote]
I don't want anyone to think I was expecting a metal album from these guys. I have said that the best songs on TSOM were the ballads, particularly Crow and Call Me. I just didn't like these ballads as much as TSOM's. And like I said at the end, not all the rockers on this album were good either. Bully is not good, Nowhere Kids has an identity crisis, and Adrenaline is mindless. So making this album heavier or softer wouldn't have done anything really.
One last thing that bugged me about this album is that every song clocks under 4:12. I had the same problem with TSOM, they don't have to go all Free Bird on us, but a little variety in the times would be nice. Would it kill them to write another 6+ minute song?
[quote="jdx_123"]I came to terms with with Shinedown no longer being a full fledged "metal" band long ago. The range of this record is what impresses me the most. They took some radical turns -- some I like, some not so much. But its that risk/reward that has me appreciating this record as a whole. And without the "softer" tracks, I feel these hard rocking jams would just be lost in the shuffle. Again, my biggest fear after the success of their more mainstream tunes was an album full of "Second Chances".[/quote]
I was never worried about an album full of "Second Chances" cause I had a lot of faith that it wouldn't happen, but I agree with your point. The bottom line is that they are still making honest, emotional ROCK songs, which is what Shinedown is all about. They could have easily taken the mainstream success of Second Chance and If You Only Knew and made a whole record of poppy songs. Some people don't realize that Brent is sober now and has a kid, so he won't be writing the darker, grungier LAW-type songs anymore that related to his drug addiction. To me, the new songs are still SHINEDOWN. I can't blame them for writing a few mainstream ballads for the purpose of selling albums. It is a business and those types of songs help make that happen. Adrenaline and especially Enemies rock as hard as any previous SD songs and from what I've been hearing, My Name is pretty badass as well.
I came to terms with with Shinedown no longer being a full fledged "metal" band long ago. The range of this record is what impresses me the most. They took some radical turns -- some I like, some not so much. But its that risk/reward that has me appreciating this record as a whole. And without the "softer" tracks, I feel these hard rocking jams would just be lost in the shuffle. Again, my biggest fear after the success of their more mainstream tunes was an album full of "Second Chances".
A few more things. I read online that Unity was written about SD fans, which lyrically makes more sense than the "uniting the world" subject. Here's the article that says that. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/artist/Shinedown Click on the biography and it's in there.
Amaryllis isn't a love song. Brent said it's about destiny and finding yourself.
I haven't heard the full album, just Bully, Unity, Adrenaline, and Enemies, so I can't really give a complete opinion on the album or your review. But I do have a few comments.
1) The harder to softer ratio of songs seems to be about right to me, 6 to 6. Harder songs - Adrenaline, Bully, Enemies, Nowhere Kids, For My Sake, and My Name (Wearing Me Out). Softer songs - Amaryllis, Unity, I'm Not Alright, Miracle, I'll Follow You, and Through The Ghost. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the ratio for 'Amaryllis' was even, as opposed to TSOM, which had 5 harder songs and 6 softer ones. Judging from the full songs and clips I've heard, this seems to be a heavier record than both UAT and TSOM. UAT was a fantastic album, but overall it wasn't very heavy.
2) You said that My Name should have been the final song on the album, which is fine, but Shinedown albums typically start with a rocker and end with a ballad. The only possible exception is LAW, which ended with 45, which is more in-between a harder song and a softer song in my opinion. UAT - Some Day, TSOM - Call Me, and Amaryllis - Through The Ghost.
3) Some of your comments lead me to believe that you wanted Amaryllis to sound similar to LAW or UAT. If I'm wrong, let me know, but that's the impression that I get. In my opinion, one of the great things about Shinedown is that each album sounds different than the others. I want something fresh when I hear a new album. I think Amaryllis will continue that tradition.