Geoff

Yeah, I agree. As close to perfect as pretty much any band got. Songs are absolutely spot on (only one slightly below par being 'Mr Heartache,' imo) and the production job stacks up - easily - against anything released from then to today. PC69 top 6, imo; 1. Electrified 2. One Size Fits All 3. Sonic Dynamite 4/5. In10sity / debut 6. Games People Play My indecision around the debut is purely due to it being one of the pissiest sounding albums from that entire era, released on a major label. If any band ever re-recorded and album entirely, man I wish PC69 would redo this one. I'd love it with Deris, but I'd be happy with Readman too. It has great songs, but the tin can drums and - to be fair - some of Deris' vocal choices, are pretty rubbish. I'd love to hear Deris redo it, vocally, and have the drums actually recorded, instead of the tin cans they used for the recording. But I'd also love to hear Readman have a crack at it too, for interest's sake.

I’d have to consult my records to confirm that. I don’t like anything off Dial Hard but I think there maybe be one or two okay songs from Open. And recent albums are poor too. You guys should check out Organized Crime one day. Yeah PC69 is a band I did consider. Their first couple of albums after the two sellout ones are easily on par with earlier releases. If not arguably better. Thunderdome not so much, imo.

If it’s not you, probably Jez?

I did see that, but that's albums you have scored isn't it? As in given a rating out of 100? I want to know the ones I commented on only. I must confess that I never really did the ratings as I found it too hard to pluck a number at random. What I could actually do, if I had a couple of years to spare, is go back and rate them all now, with my awesome spreadsheet of ratings by my side. I could do them one by one and comment on the ones I haven't done so, as I rate them all. I'd get a kick out of that, but only if I ever stop taking photographs will I have that sort of time available...

You are correct. I wonder if you knew that because they're the only good songs on it, or am I just that predictable? Yeah, HOL had a good run there when they first came back... after the 'Power and the myth' hiccup. There's several of their more modern albums I'd rate well above 'Sahara,' but not s/t or 'Demons Down.' 'Sahara' is one of the stand-out "almost but not quite" albums from 1990, imo. It sounds awesome in every regard, except for the fact that most the songs just miss the mark. Not by a long way, but there's so many ordinary hooks and choruses that just miss the mark. Shame, because it could have been a great album. On the flipside, I played 'Demons Down' again earlier this week and even though I've always loved that album, I grew an even greater fondness for it again. It is such a great disc, and a killer comeback after the disappointing 'Sahara.' Especially in 1992, when everything was crumbling around them. Great album.

Yeah, I might put some more thought into it after I finish my yearly playlists. For now, that is my "musical project" that I just want to get through and complete. Up to 1992, so not too far to go. It'd be cool to drop comments as I went along on this venture... but again, probably most I've already done. Maybe, as you say, when I get to later years, I'll incorporate that into my listening schedule.

That's one thing I'd still like to do - pen reviews for the albums I never got around to, or that were released after I stopped doing the main site thing. I think I mentioned it before, though, that I'd love to be able to know which ones I'd reviewed and have a list of all the ones I hadn't. Otherwise, there's just too much guess work and scrolling n' stuff for me to persist with such a venture.

Wow, I wonder if that's a lonely opinion. I actually don't even like 'Dial Hard' at all, and only two songs from 'G.' I love 'Homerun' and 'Domino Effect.' Even the over-rated 'Lip Service' I'd take over 'Dial Hard' and 'G.' Not the debut, though. But I will say that I recently spun the debut for the first time in a while and I do think 'Homerun' and 'Domino Effect' have it covered. Very cool album, but a lot more one-dimensional than I remembered.

I can't think of a Pretty Maids album I dislike, even if the first couple are not my favourites. They are extremely unique for me too, but not in the same way as you chaps. They're unique for me in that their best album, imo, was recorded in the same year Dokken recorded 'Shadowlife,' and Warrant 'Belly to Belly.' And who knows what other atrocities were committed that year. The year was 1997, and Pretty Maids released their absolutely killer 'Spooked' album, which is their best for me. Well, either that, or 'Jump The Gun.' 'Sin Decade' is right up the top too. But yeah, I do agree that 'Pandemonium' is on the same level as their best albums too. Great band. As noted above, I think Gotthard bettered their debut later on, but I can't think of any other bands that did. Regarding Treat, 'Organized Crime' is definitely my favourite album from them, but after that I do think the top 5 albums would be more modern ones than old ones. 'Dreamhunter' would be in there, but the other three would be modern ones, led by 'Coup De Grace.' I agree that Trixter's recent albums have been well worthwhile, but hard to compete with those first two. Like Danger Danger. Excluding 'Dawn,' they've not done a poor album. Even if only the Ted albums, 'Revolve' is a great album but it's hard to compete with those first two. And Harem Scarem. Still making great albums, but when your first couple are near flawless it's hard to compete.

This is an old thread, but I was trying to timeline and recall my joining the site too. If I recall correctly, I was frequenting the Comments section on the Main Pages. In my head I was doing that for quite a while - months, or maybe even years? - before it came up a few times (in the comments section) that I should check out the forum. In my memory it was a while before I did so, but it looks like I joined the forum in May 2004. I'm curious as to how long I was using the site up until that point. I know I was very active on the Melodicrock.com Noticeboards leading up to joining here, possibly prolonging my hesitation to join another similar forum? Hard to recall as it was so many, many years ago. Looks like it'll be 20 years next year that I've been on this forum. Madness.

Off the top of my head, ‘Domino Effect’ and ‘Homerun’ are my two favourite Gotthard albums.

Sad this discussion has to be taking place in a Blink 182 thread, lol.

Hey Dan, just me being a complete nerd, but I'm curious so I'll ask anyway. I've just randomly been looking at people's join dates in this thread, out of curiosity. I notice yours is allegedly in 2002, but you mention that the site has been around for 25 years. Were you not an actual active username/participant on the forum in the early stages? Or was it only the main Album Reference pages to start with, and the forum came a few years later after that part of the site was established?

Very good. That's great news. It's weird and ironic, but for many years as a PM fan, I always wanted to hear more of the melodic songs from them. Now that we've had an abundance from Ronnie's solo albums (granted, to be fair, not really on par with PM's better songs), I just want to hear proper PM again. Was there ever a falling out between Ronnie and Ken, or was it just another thing the magnificent world reaction to covid ruined?

lol. I cringe at what I posted yesterday, let alone what I might have posted 10 years ago. There was a tonne of stupid shit posted back in those days, but it was good fun, back when the internet (well, at least this section of it) was a happy, joyous space. I had office jobs back then, so basically had the forum open all day and spit rhymes with all the other dudes, and dudettes, throughout the entire day. But yeah, I guess that era was my "prime," as far as my internet life goes. I don't know if any of that shit would be even remotely amusing in hindsight, but there seemed to be a lot of funny shit back then. These days - and not just in Internetland - I feel a shadow of my former self, lol. Guess life has beaten me down to some extent, but you take the good with the bad and battle forthwards.

Not too bad. Hasn't been overly intentional from the outset or anything, but 2023 has seen me try to move away from too much screaming in my music. Obviously still plenty of clean vocals in this one, but overall if I was going to listen to screamy stuff there are limitless options and I think I'd look elsewhere, personally. I was listening to an otherwise awesome band this week - No Home - who I'd preference. I just think I'm a bit burnt out on too much screaming.

Riffage. I enjoyed that.

The album is solid, pretty much on par for them. I think it’s been out for ages, innit? A few stand out tracks like Paranoid, Eye Of The Storm, Worth It and Who Will We Become round out the list of keepers for me from this one. I find they’ve actually got better with time, if I recall their discography correctly.

I want to check out the Producers now, as I actually like the original song best of all of them.

Gave it a sneaky listen today. It's half decent but it's Denander to a T, whatever that means to you. There's some nice songs on it, but I definitely considered if I'd prefer ADV writing LeBlanc's songs, or Denander. Couldn't decide. I guess their best five each would be the secret formula. Solid stuff. Denander fans will dig ti.

Very solid album that I believe would appeal to several here. 1 . Northern Battle Cry 2 . To The Gods We Swear 3 . Heavy Metal Rider 4 . Nightmare In Flames 5 . Born Again 6 . Silent Lies 7 . Headed For Hell 8 . United We Stand - Divided We Fall 9 . Caged 10 . Rage 11 . Heavens Falling Down 12 . Burning Up Really consistent album with nothing I dislike on it. Favourite song is; But there's solidness all over the joint like this; And this is their official video, which is a solid tune too;

Wow, has my head done some spinning today. When I heard 'She Shiela' I was all like, what are they doing re-recording a Storyteller song? I then finally recalled that it was actually 'She Sherea' that they recorded, and that it was actually Nelson, who I'd heard perform this song on their 'Life' album. Either way, at the time I assumed it was their original song. Had no idea this awesome original version existed; Anyway, suits M3 well too, and it's one of my preferred songs on the album. Regarding the album, I like it but have similar thoughts to the new Boys Like Girls album. The last M3 album had absolute killer songs as far as the eye could see. This is a nice album, and a nice surprise too. But it is undoubtedly M3 mixed with Butch's solo style, and one might even suggest it's more of the latter. But it's a solid album. My picks are 'If We're On Fire (Let It Burn),' 'PTSD (Post Touring Singer's Depression),' 'She Sheila' and the best tune on this and the Boys Like Girls album combined; 'Kill A Motherfucker That Breaks Your Heart.' Really awesome song... just wish there were a few more like it. But it's a nice album and I'm very happy to hear it happen and I hope there are more.

Half decent album throughout. Got a decent feel to it but not entirely my jam. Songs mostly pretty solid, with 'Without You' probably being my pick of the lot.

New album, 'Rizky Biznizz,' seems much the same as the first for anyone who dug it. 1 . Change Of Heart 2 . Don't Let Me Drive 3 . Man Eater 4 . We're All Gonna Be Alright 5 . Scandinavian Girls 6 . Rizky Biznizz 7 . When The Water Runs Dry 8 . Dream Forever 9 . Hey Everybody 10 . Down To The River 11 . In The End

Nice album. This one's the standout for me. A bit "quirky" at first listen, but kicks in to be the album highlight for sure. Elsewhere it's a very strong album. To me it's definitely more noticeably Boys Like Girls mixed with The Night Game rather than just pure BLG, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as both bands are great. I will say that compared to 'Love Drunk' era of the band there's considerably less killer tunes, but it's still a very nice album, and a very welcome surprise. 'Miracle' and 'The Outside' would be my next favourites.