Advantages: Highly inventive. Amazing.
Disadvantages: None.

...Since 1995, Richard Devine has been tearing down and then reshuffling sound. He is a master of the experimental genre, alongside Joseph Fraioli, a.k.a Datach'i. Since his fist Ep (Lip Switch, Warp Records / Schematic), Richard has always incorporated an aggressiveness to his compositions, not as destructive as his fellow musician and friend Aaron Funk (Venetian Snares), but with more of an operatic power behind the corrosive facade. Devine's compositions are unique: he considers sound as a living architectural entity, and tends to shape music that defies the amount of detail most artists put into their arrangements. Cautella was released in 2005 under Sublight Records. It contains 14 tracks, which amount to 55 minutes approx. The inlay and cover art are breathtaking, sculpted by digital artists Keepadding. Helix Stair Helve... Read review

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Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: Babysong

...The man has done it again, Devin Townsend is a genius. It's official. As probably the most prolific rock artist around at the moment, Townsend has created an album that while it still has his trademark sound, is musically much more diverse than his last offering "Accelerated Evolution". The production is stunning and allows the thickly layered music to become completely absorbed by the listener. Synchestra oddly begins with a frankly brilliant acoustic number called "Let It Roll" which doesnt take long before it transforms into Townsends wall of noise approach. "Hypergeek" is almost an extension of the first track and starts to hint at the quirkiness that will rear its head futher on in the album. Then comes the first OH MY GOD track. A wonderful piece of work on any level called "Triumph". Its even got a hoe-down in the middle... Read review

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Advantages: Live TD music
Disadvantages: Only half a concert

...I bought this album about two years ago with some other TD albums. It’s been in my ‘wanted’ list for some time. Unfortunately, after listening to it, I was sadly disappointed. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t as good as I imagined it to be. I have recently listened to this after quite some time. In fact, I think this is only my third time of listening to it. It is supposedly the first release of the so-called "Tangerine Dream Classics Edition", released in 1999, featuring the first part of the Sydney concert. The rest of the concert (Soho Man 2 perhaps) has never, as yet, been released. A bootleg LP version called ‘Leprous Appearance On Wednesday’ appeared in 1984 and was re-released in CD format in 1993, featuring the same part of this concert. When listening to the bootleg, it’s obvious that Soho Man has been altered to obtain better... Read review

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Advantages: It`s ABBA!
Disadvantages: ---

...... Read review

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Advantages: Devin Townsend at his best
Disadvantages: trivium fans wont like it ha ha ha

...Ok guys you ready for the most evil sounding yet melodic death progressive metal light hearted album of the year? well here it is, strapping young lad's "the new black" sets new standards for metal with this blindingly impressive album from the master of metal Devin Townsend. Many people may know Devin Townsend from his other band "the devin townsend band" or from when he has featured on some steve vai songs singing. But this album is where he really does show his best work. This album is not really anything like the earlier strapping albums. i mean dont get me wrong its still as brutal as hell but it kind of seems like hes taken some of the devin townsend band style and mixed it with strapping to create this "super strapping" sound that is just incredible. Parts of the album are eerie where as some parts are quite light hearted... Read review

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Advantages: Datach'i second best album - Moments of pure genius
Disadvantages: None

...to favour meticulous operatic choir backdrops and whirling breakbeat movements that give an epic feeling to the album. In fact, this album is probably the best experimental release of 2004, alongside Venetian Snares's Huge Chrome Cylinder Box Unfolding. The first track demonstrates Joseph's use of outlandish choir voices and technical beat sequences, also introducing the high-pitched sounds I was referring to above. Several beats are distorted until they actually splash into rhythm, like some kind of melting liquid bullets. Penvag does very much the same thing, with more of a hysterical feel to it. Dust and Scratch can be seen as a combination of both tracks, only slightly malicious. Personally, I love those contemplative tracks (Richard Devine-esque) that use sound as a method of exploration. This always reminds me how evolved... Read review

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Advantages: Unique. Various styles. Incredible use of sound.
Disadvantages: Track nbr. 8

...and waves of malformed chanting. Da Doo Doo really does sound like a Mr. Bungle track. Rhythm-wise, it hurls it's shape into collapsed segments, giving the whole a choppy sensation. Daddy's Car could be seen as the album's highlight for those who like pop music. Personally, I do not. It is an R&B soul-groove with Jamie Lidell singing alongside silken hip-hop beats. 00..0 is classicist experimental, clashes of Richard Devine-esque digitals develop into intricate micro-rhythms and exceptionally complicated patterns. The Cop it Suite is a delayed bebop piece, with lush jazz plucking and odd time signatures. It then grows into a lament, Jamie's voice bawling in the background. A passionate track. Droon99 is a very particular piece. You will appreciate it if you like Mira Calix, Autechre's latter works, and Richard Devine. It is like... Read review

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Advantages: Uplifting, great feeling to the album and amazing tracks
Disadvantages: heavy bass, that sometimes blocks lyrics

...and the song is telling another story that keeps you picturing the situations that he has a brought up = 9/10 13.: Welcome To The South - Chamillionaire & Pimp C - another explosive start and a strong bass beat and an rn'b style but great rapping for verses 9/10 14.: You Must Be Crazy - Chamillionaire & Famous - Loving the tune and the first words said on the tune just makes me laugh very clever, addictive track 10/10 15.: We Breakin' Up - quite a jazzy instrument set used for the beat but the lyrics are still very good and i just really enjoy chamillionaires singing ability's really makes a tune 10/10 16.: Stuck In The Ghetto (skit) - Chamillionaire & Tony Henry - not a fan of this because i find skits just used to add a few more minutes in the albums, so i always miss this one out 3/10 17.: Rock Road - Chamillionaire & Devin The Dude... Read review

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Advantages: It's real music
Disadvantages: It doesn't last long

...Rieser creates a percussive counterpoint to the bass section of cello and bass guitar, the lyrics of the song to me seem to be about people living there lives and chasing their dreams and while looking forgetting their friends and loved ones, this is an excellent opener for the album as it sets the tone for the whole collection. The second song is the longest on the album “Seen it all Before” (4.15) and again begins with the acoustic guitar, which plays a delightful little bluesy sounding opening section that has the bass playing of Lee Alexander providing the backbone to the sound at the back of the acoustic guitar that allows the Hammond b3 playing of Devin Greenwood to add further melancholy to the track with gentle runs on the keys that are given further drama by the electric guitar playing by Adam Levy (from Norah’s... Read review

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Advantages: 100% Profanity-free
Disadvantages: All very similar

...to split. He sings most of the song, something I've already commented on, its not a strength for him. 17. "Skit - Stuck in The Ghetto" This is a short song by Tony Henry, who I assume is an R&B artist. It's there to fill in space in the album and probably promote this unknown artist. This isn't quite a skit because it's a song, but it last for just over one minute. 18. "Rocky Road" (feat. Devin the Dude) **Three Stars** Devin the Dude is an underground artist who I've followed for a while, so it was a pleasant surprise to find him on this album. His style of rapping suits this track because everything that comes out of his mouth seems to be very sombre, no matter what topic he's on. This tune is perfect for him and for him to collaborate with Chamillionaire will only help him. This songs seems to be a wind-down, the bass... Read review

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