Fat Freddy's 2009 In Review

[Fat Freddy]

Most of you probably know that I'm a part time contributor/CD reviewer for "Detritus," a hard rock/metal e-zine... this coming week is time for the 2009 round-up columns from all of the contributors, so here's mine in case you're interested.... comments are welcome...I'm sure Geoff will have issues with my Steel Panther comments. Fire away, y'all.

 

KEITH'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2009

(In order of preference, more or less)

 

Anvil – THIS IS THIRTEEN (VH1 Classic): One of the most heartwarming underdog stories of this past year has been the resurrection of Canadian metal vets Anvil. Thanks to the (fantastic, hilarious, tear jerking) award winning documentary film “Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” Lips and Robb are finally getting some mainstream recognition of their work after 25+ years of slugging it out in sh*thole bars and clubs. As their profile soared higher throughout the year (culminating in a triumphant performance of their classic anthem “Metal on Metal” on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”), you couldn’t help but be thrilled for them. THIS IS THIRTEEN (released independently by the band in ’07 but picked up for wide distribution in ’09 by VH1 Classic) shows that the band still has the chops and the fire to back up all the hype.

 

KISS – SONIC BOOM (KISS Records) Okay, show of hands: how many of you thought that we’d never even see a new KISS album? Ever since Ace and Peter left (again) in the early ‘00s, Gene and Paul seemed content to endlessly whore out the greatest-hits set (with two impostors in the ranks) on the nostalgia circuit. When KISS announced plans for this new album, my inner cynic refused to get caught up in the hype at first, but once the first single “Modern Day Delilah” started making the rounds … consider me humbled! Screw PSYCHO CIRCUS – this is the “real” KISS comeback CD we were promised over a dozen years ago. No trend chasing, no studio musicians, no flavor of the month tricks, just good old fashioned KISS style rock n roll. I’ll admit that it still kinda bugs me to see Tommy Thayer painted up as “Space Ace” and Eric Singer as “The Cat” but the mere fact that they finally recorded new material with this lineup has legitimized this version of KISS for me.

 

Beatallica – MASTERFUL MYSTERY TOUR (Oglio) The Masters of the Mash-up return with a thunderous, hilarious second album that seamlessly mixes the blood and drama of classic Metallica with the pop sensibilities of the Beatles. Obviously this is a “love it or hate it” formula, but you can put me squarely on the “love” side. One spin of ditties like “Everybody’s Got a Ticket to Ride Except For Me and My Lightning” or “Got to Get You Trapped under Ice” should quickly convert even the hardened cynic. These guys manage to be heavy AND humorous at the same time, which is a harder combo to pull off than you might think. (See: Steel Panther)

 

Megadeth – ENDGAME (RoadRunner) Mega-Dave’s been on a roll since he “rebooted” ‘Deth in the early ‘00s, and ENDGAME is another home run. What’s not to like? It’s yet another snarling, nasty, pissed off platter of hyper speed thrash metal. Dave keeps making threats that the band may be coming to an end soon so we’d better enjoy them while we still can.

 

Heaven and Hell – THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (Rhino) Call it whatever you want, this is still Black Sabbath to me. The Dio era has always been my favorite period of Sabbath history, so THE DEVIL YOU KNOW was the most welcome “comeback” album of ’09 for me. Heavy, melodic, classy, soaring… everything I expected from Dio/Sab is here in spades. I pray that Ronnie recovers quickly from his current health problems so they can do another album just like this one.

 

Dominance – RESURRECTED (Divebomb/Tribunal) This reissue of a long lost ‘80s thrash band’s demos whooped my ass up and down the block on the first spin and has continued to do so ever since. Press “play” on this one and you’re instantly transported back to the glory days of Overkill, Testament, and Anthrax. Good thrash metal never goes out of style!!

 

Sons of Liberty – BRUSH FIRES OF THE MIND (self-released) Jon (Iced Earth) Schaffer’s politically-charged solo/side project pretty much came out of nowhere with no advance hype (you can download it for free – legally! – from http://www.sons-of-liberty.net ), but its nine tracks easily snuff anything from the last two Iced Earth CD’s. This is no frills, straight up heavy metal – y’know, the kind of stuff that Iced Earth used to excel at before Jon started hanging out with Blind Guardian so much. J Hey Jon – when it’s time for new I.E., drop the sci-fi/alien conspiracy crap you’ve been peddling and cut some more stuff like this!!

 

Halford – WINTER SONGS (Metal God Entertainment) File this one under “Most Pleasant Surprise of ‘09” for me. When I first heard that the Metal God was releasing a Christmas album (!) I feared a train wreck of Biblical proportions. Amazingly, Rob pretty much pulls it off (barring a few sub-par tracks), creating an album that keeps its metal cred while still remaining respectful to the source material. Like TSO’s Christmas discs, WINTER SONGS is bound to become a holiday staple around my house in future years.

 

Ace Frehley – ANOMALY (Bronx Born) 2009 was a great year to be a KISS fan. Not only did we get a new KISS album, but Ace finally kicked down his endlessly delayed new solo album (his first in 20 years!) to boot! While it may not be on par with his 1978 solo album, ANOMALY is certainly its spiritual brother and the strongest material we’ve heard from Ace since that classic record. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 20 years for Ace’s next one!

 

Slayer – WORLD PAINTED BLOOD (American) Critics have been hailing this one as Slayer’s best since SEASONS IN THE ABYSS. I don’t know if I’d go quite that far (2006’s CHRIST ILLUSION was just a tad nastier and more homicidal-sounding to my ears) but it’s definitely a quality slab of splatter-thrash either way. “Public Display of Dismemberment” wins the prize for “Coolest Song Title of 2009,” hands down.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Gama Bomb – TALES FROM THE GRAVE IN SPACE (Earache) These Irish thrashers took the unusual step of releasing their new album as an entirely free and legal download, which reportedly racked up somewhere in the neighborhood of 30,000 takers. (The CD version will be released in February of this year.) Those who sampled it found a delightfully kitschy old school thrash assault that recalled such favorites as Nuclear Assault and early GWAR. Not innovative in the slightest, but tons of fun. There aren’t nearly enough thrash songs about Mussolini and Ninjas, in my book. J

 

Helstar – THE KING OF HELL (Locomotive; European release in ’08, U.S. release in ’09) – James Rivera’s pipes are still in fine shape and his old cohorts are still in full on shred mode on their first disc of new material in umpteen years, upping the intensity big time over such vintage releases as BURNING STAR or REMNANTS OF WAR while still maintaining their classic feel. One of my message board friends describes this band as “death metal with power metal vocals,” and that pretty much sums this one up, I think.

 

Various – OUTBREAK OF METAL VOL. I and II (Slaney Records) This pair of “split compilation” CDs introduced me to a four pack of rookie thrash bands (Vindicator and Metal Witch on Vol. I, Destroyer and Violated on Vol. II) that I will definitely keep an eye and and ear out for in the New Year.

 

THE “MEH” (i.e. stuff that wasn’t particularly bad, but not great either)

 

Tim “Ripper” Owens – PLAY MY GAME (SPV) Lord knows I’ve always been an Owens fanboy and I’ll give anything with his name on it a fair shot, but his debut as a solo artist just didn’t have any staying power with me. Maybe next time?

 

Lacuna Coil – SHALLOW LIFE (Century Media) Cristina is still hotter than Dutch love and I would listen to her sing the phone book, but LC’s latest finds them devolving even further from their earlier, innovative goth/metal hybrid sound into just another nothin’ special modern rock act. Sigh.

 

The “SHOULDN’T HAVE BOTHERED:”

 

Steel Panther – FEEL THE STEEL (Universal) I know this band is supposed to be a parody of ‘80s hair metal clichés, but with all the hype that led up to this release you’d have thought they were the second coming of Zeppelin or something. Too bad the final product didn’t justify that hype. They’re amazing musicians and they’ve got the ‘80s hair metal formula down to a “tee,” so I get the feeling that if Steel Panther ever got serious and put out a “real” album it’d totally smoke. Sadly, the stooooopid, juvenile, porn-obsessed, sub-Beavis and Butt-head lyrics on this CD killed this one virtually from the get-go. I’m no prude (hell, I’ve been listening to the Mentors since the ‘80s) but after hearing three or four references to V.D., ball licking, and "squirting baby gravy” on groupies’ faces per song, I was reaching for the “stop” button. It boggles my mind that this thing was actually released on a major label.

 

BEST CONCERT OF 2009:

The Metallica/Machine Head/The Sword gig at the Prudential Center in Newark , NJ , on Jan. 31st got my 2009 off to a most rockin’ start. It was also the ONLY concert I saw in 2009. Yeah, I know, I need to get out more often. J

 

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2010:

A new Overkill CD is always welcome around my house, and the snippets I’ve heard of the forthcoming IRONBOUND indicate that I won’t be disappointed; Raven’s long awaited WALK THROUGH FIRE, which has only been available in Japan thus far, will finally be receiving its long overdue U.S. release via Metal Blade in March; and even though I suspect that we may be in for a total clusterf**k, I am still morbidly curious to hear Trouble’s upcoming new one with the totally mismatched, but always entertaining, Kory Clarke (Warrior Soul) on vocals.

[Geoff]

Haha. Harsh mate. Honestly, got no real issues with anything there because if you compare our top 10's you may as well be comparing the top 10 dance albums of the year with the top 10 bluegrass albums of the year.

 

No one could mistake us for having even remotely similar tastes in music so it's no surprise that our opinions are that different. The only CD in your top 10 I even bothered listening to (and as my lists suggested throughout the year, I heard a billion CDs in 2010) was the KISS one. Which I liked, but couldn't honestly compare it to any of my faves of the year.

 

Cool write-up anyway mate. Nice work.

[Fat Freddy]

Thanx, G. I should've added a note mentioning that 2009 was actually a pretty slow year for me in terms of buying/hearing new CDs (damn economic crisis cutting into my habit... grrrrr!) so there were quite a few things that I wanted to hear but never got around to. So this list is more or less the best & worst of what little I heard.

[SUICIDE]

Steel Panther – FEEL THE STEEL (Universal) I know this band is supposed to be a parody of ‘80s hair metal clichés, but with all the hype that led up to this release you’d have thought they were the second coming of Zeppelin or something. Too bad the final product didn’t justify that hype. They’re amazing musicians and they’ve got the ‘80s hair metal formula down to a “tee,” so I get the feeling that if Steel Panther ever got serious and put out a “real” album it’d totally smoke. Sadly, the stooooopid, juvenile, porn-obsessed, sub-Beavis and Butt-head lyrics on this CD killed this one virtually from the get-go. I’m no prude (hell, I’ve been listening to the Mentors since the ‘80s) but after hearing three or four references to V.D., ball licking, and "squirting baby gravy” on groupies’ faces per song, I was reaching for the “stop” button. It boggles my mind that this thing was actually released on a major label.

 

Best review of the year. Magnum Opus in writing.

[Swazi]

Haha. Harsh mate. Honestly, got no real issues with anything there because if you compare our top 10's you may as well be comparing the top 10 dance albums of the year with the top 10 bluegrass albums of the year.

 

No one could mistake us for having even remotely similar tastes in music so it's no surprise that our opinions are that different. The only CD in your top 10 I even bothered listening to (and as my lists suggested throughout the year, I heard a billion CDs in 2010) was the KISS one. Which I liked, but couldn't honestly compare it to any of my faves of the year.

 

Cool write-up anyway mate. Nice work.

 

Exactly my thoughts ! Don't know anything besides Kiss. But what do you expect from an AORhead ?!?!

[phaffas]

Haha. Harsh mate. Honestly, got no real issues with anything there because if you compare our top 10's you may as well be comparing the top 10 dance albums of the year with the top 10 bluegrass albums of the year.

 

No one could mistake us for having even remotely similar tastes in music so it's no surprise that our opinions are that different. The only CD in your top 10 I even bothered listening to (and as my lists suggested throughout the year, I heard a billion CDs in 2010) was the KISS one. Which I liked, but couldn't honestly compare it to any of my faves of the year.

 

Cool write-up anyway mate. Nice work.

 

Exactly my thoughts ! Don't know anything besides Kiss. But what do you expect from an AORhead ?!?!

Just humour Keith.... we all know what we are basically saying is his music sucks... just let him have his moment

[eaglesfan3000]

Keef you really need to pick up WOLF - Ravenous just killer power metal. Am I the only one who has this on the board?

[Jez]

I have a few on your list, Kiss, Heaven & Hell, Megadeth, Ace Frehley & Slayer and would pretty much go along with all you say on those ones, all really strong releases and great additions to all the artists catologues. Spot on Steel Panther review aswell mate.

[Geoff]

Steel Panther – FEEL THE STEEL (Universal) I know this band is supposed to be a parody of ‘80s hair metal clichés, but with all the hype that led up to this release you’d have thought they were the second coming of Zeppelin or something. Too bad the final product didn’t justify that hype. They’re amazing musicians and they’ve got the ‘80s hair metal formula down to a “tee,” so I get the feeling that if Steel Panther ever got serious and put out a “real” album it’d totally smoke. Sadly, the stooooopid, juvenile, porn-obsessed, sub-Beavis and Butt-head lyrics on this CD killed this one virtually from the get-go. I’m no prude (hell, I’ve been listening to the Mentors since the ‘80s) but after hearing three or four references to V.D., ball licking, and "squirting baby gravy” on groupies’ faces per song, I was reaching for the “stop” button. It boggles my mind that this thing was actually released on a major label.

I did let it go, but if I were to do a tiny nitpick I would have to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure there are only two songs with reference to VD on the whole CD ('Turn out the lights' and 'Girl From Oklahoma'). Ball Licking is only mentioned in two songs too, I believe. And squirting loads all over faces is only references a couple of times also... maybe three.

 

But the fact is, on a normal CD how often is "love" mentioned? Or stuff about broken hearts? Or any other dime a dozen subject matter. The reason it's probably more obvious on this CD than other CDs is because they're singing lyrics that aren't a dime a dozen. That are different. Lyrics you won't find on every single other CD out there. Yeah, they overlap a little but honestly tell me a CD where every single song is completely different lyrically to the rest.

 

There, just had to say it as this gathers momentum with all the prudes coming out of the woodwork.

 

To summarise, the main thing a lot of people say is that they're not a prude... but they love everything about the CD except the lyrics. So they love the CD basically, except for the lyrics, because of their overt sexual nature. I can understand not wanting to label oneself a "prude" as such - and I'm certainly not calling anyone a "prude", but I think this CD has gone a long way in showing that people are maybe a little more conservative than they may have thought?

 

I mean, I know I'm not a "prude" and I've said a thousand times that I prefer the CD with the lyrics it has and think it makes it better than if they were just standard lyrics. So if I'm not a prude and can enjoy it for what it is, how come other non-prudes can't?

[heaven&hell]

Pretty good stuff Keef but where is:

 

Saxon - Into the Labyrinth?

[Geoff]

Pretty good stuff Keef but where is:

 

Saxon - Into the Labyrinth?

And Farcry - 'High Gear'?

[SUICIDE]

I did let it go, but if I were to do a tiny nitpick I would have to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure there are only two songs with reference to VD on the whole CD ('Turn out the lights' and 'Girl From Oklahoma'). Ball Licking is only mentioned in two songs too, I believe. And squirting loads all over faces is only references a couple of times also... maybe three.

 

But the fact is, on a normal CD how often is "love" mentioned? Or stuff about broken hearts? Or any other dime a dozen subject matter. The reason it's probably more obvious on this CD than other CDs is because they're singing lyrics that aren't a dime a dozen. That are different. Lyrics you won't find on every single other CD out there. Yeah, they overlap a little but honestly tell me a CD where every single song is completely different lyrically to the rest.

 

There, just had to say it as this gathers momentum with all the prudes coming out of the woodwork.

 

To summarise, the main thing a lot of people say is that they're not a prude... but they love everything about the CD except the lyrics. So they love the CD basically, except for the lyrics, because of their overt sexual nature. I can understand not wanting to label oneself a "prude" as such - and I'm certainly not calling anyone a "prude", but I think this CD has gone a long way in showing that people are maybe a little more conservative than they may have thought?

 

I mean, I know I'm not a "prude" and I've said a thousand times that I prefer the CD with the lyrics it has and think it makes it better than if they were just standard lyrics. So if I'm not a prude and can enjoy it for what it is, how come other non-prudes can't?

 

Man. What a load of musically challenged nonsense that is.

 

I will change my explanation for my vote on 'Worst HHer' Poll. Now I think you are the #1 WORST.

 

[TIM (2)]

I did let it go, but if I were to do a tiny nitpick I would have to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure there are only two songs with reference to VD on the whole CD ('Turn out the lights' and 'Girl From Oklahoma'). Ball Licking is only mentioned in two songs too, I believe. And squirting loads all over faces is only references a couple of times also... maybe three.

 

But the fact is, on a normal CD how often is "love" mentioned? Or stuff about broken hearts? Or any other dime a dozen subject matter. The reason it's probably more obvious on this CD than other CDs is because they're singing lyrics that aren't a dime a dozen. That are different. Lyrics you won't find on every single other CD out there. Yeah, they overlap a little but honestly tell me a CD where every single song is completely different lyrically to the rest.

 

There, just had to say it as this gathers momentum with all the prudes coming out of the woodwork.

 

To summarise, the main thing a lot of people say is that they're not a prude... but they love everything about the CD except the lyrics. So they love the CD basically, except for the lyrics, because of their overt sexual nature. I can understand not wanting to label oneself a "prude" as such - and I'm certainly not calling anyone a "prude", but I think this CD has gone a long way in showing that people are maybe a little more conservative than they may have thought?

 

I mean, I know I'm not a "prude" and I've said a thousand times that I prefer the CD with the lyrics it has and think it makes it better than if they were just standard lyrics. So if I'm not a prude and can enjoy it for what it is, how come other non-prudes can't?

 

Man. What a load of musically challenged nonsense that is.

 

I will change my explanation for my vote on 'Worst HHer' Poll. Now I think you are the #1 WORST.

 

 

Backed 100%. I can't believe you're still banging on about that fucking Steel Panther disc. And still not listening to people's responses? Not sure anyone is offended or a prude, just bored & no longer laughing after repeat spins. Perhaps if they wrote an album with similar lyrics that were funny (not juvenile) & had longevity & some big hooks then they would've appealed to the full MHR community rather than just half of it. Who knows (or cares)?

[Fat Freddy]

Geez fellas, go easy on poor G! He's entitled to his opinion that the Steel Panther CD is the greatest thing since canned beer.. even though he's wrong.

 

But seriously, folks: (by "folks" I mean Geoff)... I really, Really, REALLY wanted to like Steel Panther. God knows I did. The little snips and bits I heard/saw leading up to the album's release really did strike me quite funny (that "Behind the Music" parody promotional video that made the rounds a while back was freakin' hysterical), so I was jazzed to hear the full album. And on the first spin, it WAS funny. But on the second spin, it was a little less funny. On the third spin, even less so. I dunno, "South Park"/"Beavis & Butt-head" style humor doesn't have the staying power that it once did for me, I guess. They seem like they're trying TOO hard to be outrageous, i.e. "Hey, wow, look at us, kids! We're so DIRTY! Your Mom would HATE us! Buy our record please!"

 

About the "prude" thing: I'm assuming you have never heard The Mentors, Geoff. Doubt they'd be your thing anyway, but lyrically, those guys make Steel Panther sound like Barney the Dinosaur by comparison. The Mentors were true masters of the gross-out lyric craft and their discography pretty much used up every good porno lyric, ever. Anyone who even tries to follow in their footsteps is gonna sound like a cheap imitation.

 

I do really dig what they're doing musically. They have the classic 80s metal sh*t down cold, I just wish the lyrics were really as funny and clever as the band members seem to think they are.

 

 

Pretty good stuff Keef but where is:

 

Saxon - Into the Labyrinth?

 

To be honest, I didn't dig that one as much as I dug LIONHEART. It's OK but didn't blow my doors off.

 

And Farcry - 'High Gear'?

 

So many CDs, so little money. (Sorry Pete...)

[Geoff]

Geez fellas, go easy on poor G! He's entitled to his opinion that the Steel Panther CD is the greatest thing since canned beer.. even though he's wrong.

 

But seriously, folks: (by "folks" I mean Geoff)... I really, Really, REALLY wanted to like Steel Panther. God knows I did. The little snips and bits I heard/saw leading up to the album's release really did strike me quite funny (that "Behind the Music" parody promotional video that made the rounds a while back was freakin' hysterical), so I was jazzed to hear the full album. And on the first spin, it WAS funny. But on the second spin, it was a little less funny. On the third spin, even less so. I dunno, "South Park"/"Beavis & Butt-head" style humor doesn't have the staying power that it once did for me, I guess. They seem like they're trying TOO hard to be outrageous, i.e. "Hey, wow, look at us, kids! We're so DIRTY! Your Mom would HATE us! Buy our record please!"

 

About the "prude" thing: I'm assuming you have never heard The Mentors, Geoff. Doubt they'd be your thing anyway, but lyrically, those guys make Steel Panther sound like Barney the Dinosaur by comparison. The Mentors were true masters of the gross-out lyric craft and their discography pretty much used up every good porno lyric, ever. Anyone who even tries to follow in their footsteps is gonna sound like a cheap imitation.

 

I do really dig what they're doing musically. They have the classic 80s metal sh*t down cold, I just wish the lyrics were really as funny and clever as the band members seem to think they are.

I'm actually interested in the Mentors now. No, definitely never heard them. What style of music is it? I'm guessing the heavier side of the spectrum? Good choruses and stuff?

 

To be totally honest, the prude comment really wasn't aimed at your good self personally at all (even if this thread is yours) but more at ultra-conservatives amongst us like SUICIDE.

 

I guess at the end of the day we all have different senses of humour. I sure as hell still find this CD funny, and so do a lot of other people. Even after a million spins, but I'm sure I wouldn't find a lot of what other people find amusing as amusing as they would and vice versa. You get what I'm saying, I hope.

[Fat Freddy]

I'm actually interested in the Mentors now. No, definitely never heard them. What style of music is it? I'm guessing the heavier side of the spectrum? Good choruses and stuff?

 

 

The Mentors can best be described as sloppy, drunken punk/metal... here's a sample, this is perhaps their most famous track, "Four F Club"

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncrFWdWJZ_8

[Geoff]

I'm actually interested in the Mentors now. No, definitely never heard them. What style of music is it? I'm guessing the heavier side of the spectrum? Good choruses and stuff?

 

 

The Mentors can best be described as sloppy, drunken punk/metal... her e's a sample, this is perhaps their most famous track, "Four F Club"

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncrFWdWJZ_8

Oh man, that's awful. Haha. Thanks for the link, though. I think.

 

Anyway, at the end of the day the Steel Panther discussion is an easy fix to me. People don't like the lyrics - well I hate christianity and any blatant promotion of it, but I'd think myself a tool if I turned my back on excellent bands like The Brave, Disciple or Holy Soldier just because I hated their lyrics. At the end of the day (despite Tim's very, very lonely opinion - but correct me if I'm wrong, Tim, you don't like any bands in this style of hard rock anyway, do you - serious lyrics or joke lyrics?) everyone has agreed the album is great musically and song-wise. I don't need to find the lyrics hilarious or mature everytime I hear the CD to simply acknowledge that the actual songs are great. That's the simple maths for me at the end of the day. Great songs means a great album.

[Glen]

I did let it go, but if I were to do a tiny nitpick I would have to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure there are only two songs with reference to VD on the whole CD ('Turn out the lights' and 'Girl From Oklahoma'). Ball Licking is only mentioned in two songs too, I believe. And squirting loads all over faces is only references a couple of times also... maybe three.

 

But the fact is, on a normal CD how often is "love" mentioned? Or stuff about broken hearts? Or any other dime a dozen subject matter. The reason it's probably more obvious on this CD than other CDs is because they're singing lyrics that aren't a dime a dozen. That are different. Lyrics you won't find on every single other CD out there. Yeah, they overlap a little but honestly tell me a CD where every single song is completely different lyrically to the rest.

 

There, just had to say it as this gathers momentum with all the prudes coming out of the woodwork.

 

To summarise, the main thing a lot of people say is that they're not a prude... but they love everything about the CD except the lyrics. So they love the CD basically, except for the lyrics, because of their overt sexual nature. I can understand not wanting to label oneself a "prude" as such - and I'm certainly not calling anyone a "prude", but I think this CD has gone a long way in showing that people are maybe a little more conservative than they may have thought?

 

I mean, I know I'm not a "prude" and I've said a thousand times that I prefer the CD with the lyrics it has and think it makes it better than if they were just standard lyrics. So if I'm not a prude and can enjoy it for what it is, how come other non-prudes can't?

 

Man. What a load of musically challenged nonsense that is.

 

I will change my explanation for my vote on 'Worst HHer' Poll. Now I think you are the #1 WORST.

 

 

Backed 100%. I can't believe you're still banging on about that fucking Steel Panther disc. And still not listening to people's responses? Not sure anyone is offended or a prude, just bored & no longer laughing after repeat spins. Perhaps if they wrote an album with similar lyrics that were funny (not juvenile) & had longevity & some big hooks then they would've appealed to the full MHR community rather than just half of it. Who knows (or cares)?

 

I care, that SP CD rules. It pretty much lays waste to virtually every other album released in 2009, in terms of musicianship, hooks (no hooks?? God knows what cd you are listening to mate?), and vocal performance....I mean come on, that dudes voice is f great....perfect for this type of rock.

 

Yeak OK, so the lyrics are a bit juvenile, but they are still funny as hell - I know one thing - I will be listening to this for a long time to come.

 

To quote Geoff, 'I feel sorry for those who cannot appreciate the awesomeness of this disc'

 

Over and out.

[Jeff]

My opinion on the Steel Panther debate is that it is the type of music that for the most part should not be "reviewed" in the same group as the more typical releases. It's like reviewing apples and hmmm, apples sauce maybe? You just cannot have the same sort of expectations out of a release like Steel Panther's as you can from say, Winger, Danger Danger, etc.

[Dead Planet]

My opinion on the Steel Panther debate is that it is the type of music that for the most part should not be "reviewed" in the same group as the more typical releases. It's like reviewing apples and hmmm, apples sauce maybe? You just cannot have the same sort of expectations out of a release like Steel Panther's as you can from say, Winger, Danger Danger, etc.

 

I agree....I see SP in the same light that I see Spinal Tap........decent music and imminently listenable but not to be taken seriously....

[TIM (2)]

My opinion on the Steel Panther debate is that it is the type of music that for the most part should not be "reviewed" in the same group as the more typical releases. It's like reviewing apples and hmmm, apples sauce maybe? You just cannot have the same sort of expectations out of a release like Steel Panther's as you can from say, Winger, Danger Danger, etc.

 

I agree....I see SP in the same light that I see Spinal Tap........decent music and imminently listenable but not to be taken seriously....

 

Me too. The main problem being that it's just been so ridiculously overhyped that anyone buying it is only going to be disappointed. I do like it, but find peoples comments that it's the second-coming-of-christ quite ridiculous. If this was genuinely the best album of 2009 then we should all give up on the Melodic Rock genre now, as in 1987 this album would've passed-by with a fair amount of interest but none of the stupid fanfare's or overhyping it's getting now.

[SUICIDE]

... To be totally honest, the prude comment really wasn't aimed at your good self personally at all (even if this thread is yours) but more at ultra-conservatives amongst us like SUICIDE. ...

 

HaH. Yes. If disliking silly lame comedy rock makes me Ultra-Conservative then I must be the pope. Now you can hate me twice.

 

 

I agree with Tim (2), Jeff, Dead Planet last statements.

[Metal T]

Heaven and Hell – THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (Rhino) Call it whatever you want, this is still Black Sabbath to me. The Dio era has always been my favorite period of Sabbath history, so THE DEVIL YOU KNOW was the most welcome “comeback” album of ’09 for me. Heavy, melodic, classy, soaring… everything I expected from Dio/Sab is here in spades. I pray that Ronnie recovers quickly from his current health problems so they can do another album just like this one.

I agree,that Heaven and Hell was a beast.

[Fat Freddy]

Keef you really need to pick up WOLF - Ravenous just killer power metal. Am I the only one who has this on the board?

 

I had one of Wolf's previous discs (EVIL STAR) a while back...it was OK but in the end it wasn't a keeper for me. The music raged but the vocalist got on my nerves after awhile, he sounded like he had something stuck up his nose the whole time