Pitchfork & PopMatters on the new Decemberists
Pitchfork reviews The Hazards of Love and gives it a lowly 5.7. In the summary blurb, the phrases “stoner metal sludge” and “prog-folk” are invoked. On the other hand, while PopMatters’ review starts with the ominous phrase “There have been signs that this was coming” and compares the album to Genesis‘ Lamb (usually a kiss of death in a mainstream publication these days), the review ends up being very positive indeed. All this makes me feel cautiously optimistic about how I might like this one. I haven’t bothered listening to the low-bitrate version that leaked a couple weeks ago, so I’m looking forward to hearing the release with fresh ears.
Also reviewed today at Pitchfork: Kylesa’s new one, Static Tensions. Kylesa are a hip sludgy metal group with at times very distinct Pink Floyd influences, two drummers, and a rotating cast of vocalists (though the chief screamer is guitarist Laura Pleasants, who rocks). Pitchfork gave it a good review, and I agree: this is a good ‘un.
Tags: Kylesa, Pitchfork, PopMatters, Static Tensions, The Decemberists, The Hazards of Love
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Actually, despite the middling number, I thought the pitchfork Decemberists review was pretty good—you’d never guess the numerical score, reading the review.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Yeah, you’re right… it reads more like a 7.5 review or something like that. I’m very interested to see how the fans react. People on prog or proggy message boards (PE and 5/8) are raving about this album.
I think I fall somewhere in between right now.