Double albums are always going to be a challenging task, especially when you only have a couple of albums done prior and especially when you are going to 'change' your style. Baroness has taken what I see is a big 'risk' with the new album 'Yellow & Green'. Does the change in style and the double album pay off? I will talk about that at the end.
I always felt as though Baroness was living in the shadows of Mastodon. They always tend to get comparisons to them but I for one have never found them to be complete clones. It is interesting though and probably coincidence that they would take a more 'mainstream' approach to their sound right of the back of Mastodon's 'The Hunter' last year which took a more mainstream direction as well. Again, I will revisit this topic at the end.
'Yellow & Green' is much softer than what 'Red Album' and 'Blue Record' are. Even the heavy moments on this album don't have that edge they had before, but it isn't meant to. Instead the songs are laced more with catchy and memorable melodies, reminding me of post rock and a more hard rock side. 'Yellow' reminds me of a soundtrack to autumn, driving through a road along the woods where the yellow leaves, that have fallen from the now leafless trees, have formed mounds and they have all lined up along the road.
What the softer side does is it gives these melodies a chance to settle in my mind more thanks to the effects and just being so enjoyable. The soft side lets the bass play a more prominent role and at times it feels like it is the lead point on songs like 'Little Things' and 'Cocainium' for example, which I pay a lot of attention too considering how much I like the melodies. The heavier side even lets you take in the fuzz more and the buzz of solos doesn't feel as awkward as they did on 'Blue Record'.
I don't find a bad song here either and I must say, They are all memorable and all have their 'moments' and I am enjoying these songs more than their on previous works. Sure, it might seem that way because of this change in style but that is not the case. These aren't pop songs.
'Green' brings to mind when spring has arrived. Yes, we skipped winter but it isn't needed here. 'Green Theme' has probably the heaviest moment on the album and just feels like the grass has become green again on the hills and the trees have sprouted and become glorious and full of green leaves again. The main difference I pick up between 'Yellow' and 'Green' is 'Green' tends to play around with the electronics and effects more and it is done well. I dig that slight echo effect of 'Mtns. (The Crown & Anchor)', feels old. The songs are also slower in tempo and I'd even go as saying they are softer than 'Yellow'. I even get a more lifting feel on 'Green' than 'Yellow'. The energy in 'Green Theme' and 'Board Up The House' help that.
Again, I like all the songs. Everything from the riffs, lyrics, it is all catchy and memorable. The bass again plays a great role in leading your interest to it given how cool the guitar melodies are. Overall, 'Yellow' sticks in my mind more and probably the easier to take in. 'Green' takes time and does need to grow on you because of the experimentation with the electronic elements. Now that it has, it is excellent.
A softer side might make one think that the distinct passion and feel in Baroness might have changed or be lost here. That passion and feel is still here. Just hear the energy in John's voice when he throws it forward in a song like 'Psalms Alive', 'The Line Between' or 'Eula' for example. At times calm and mellow and other times lifting the energy in the voice with great emotion. The times when the dual vocals come in only drives that passion further. And with plenty of catchy lyrics, you might want to join in on the chorus too.
So does all this pay off? Oh yeah! This will surely take Baroness to new heights. Their fan base will grow (and deservedly so) and that will definitely go beyond the metal scene where the core of their fan base is. Don't be surprised if a major label picks them up too. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they become more popular than Mastodon. Is this a bad thing? I don't think so. Many of us complain about what dominates the mainstream music area and how our favourite heavy musicians don't get the full acknowledgment they deserve. Baroness can be one of those bands that show how heavy bands can write more 'accessible' music just as well without the pressure of big record execs. Remember, Baroness is still on Relapse so there is no 'selling out' going on here as one may suggest. No doubt this album will bring out the fans who like Baroness for their music and not for their heaviness.
In the end, how I feel about this album is definitely summed up here. This is the best thing they have done so far and this will be one of my albums of the year. Not much more can be said.
Ikil
No comments:
Post a Comment