Megadeth - So Far, So Good...So What!
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Artist: MegadethEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2004-07-27
Music Label: Capitol
Soundtracks:
- Into The Lungs Of Hell
- Set The World Afire
- Anarchy In The U.K.
- Mary Jane
- 502
- In My Darkest Hour
- Liar
- Hook In Mouth
- Into The Lungs Of Hell (Paul Lani Mix) - previously unreleased
- Set The World Afire (Paul Lani Mix) - previously unreleased
- Mary Jane (Paul Lani Mix) - previously unreleased
- In My Darkest Hour (Paul Lani Mix) - previously unreleased
Free Music Notes for So Far, So Good...So What!
Free Music Review: An Underappreciated LP From Megadeth
Hit: 5 Stars
When it comes to Megadeth, many people consider LPs such as "Rust In Peace" ('90), "Countdown To Extinction" ('92), or "Peace Sells" ('86) to be examples of the band at their best, and yes...while I'm inclined to agree with that stand, the group's third album released in 1988 called "So Far, So Good...So What!" is often quite underrated with many examples of great songwriting from band leader Dave Mustaine (vocals/lead/rhythm guitars). Completing the line-up was bassist/songwriter David Ellefson plus the two new members Jeff Young and Chuck Behler that were recruited to replace Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson on lead/rhythm guitar and drums respectively. The eight songs were laid down at Music Grinder Studios, in Los Angeles, CA during late 1987.
The beginning of this album is a rare occurrence in Megadeth's catalog since it is the only time the band starts with an instrumental: "Into The Lungs Of Hell". A nice chord progression that utilizes some acoustic guitar soon gives way to the main part of the song with killer dual bass drumming, fast/heavy riffs, and a shredding solo from Mustaine that eventually settles into a really cool lead guitar pattern. The whole thing seems to get progressively darker until the last note is left to ring out with a wave of crash cymbals. Soon an explosion is heard signaling the start of the next track with lyrics dealing about nuclear proliferation: "Set The World Afire". Mustaine doesn't sing until about two minutes into it! In the middle the tempo picks up dramatically for a full blown trash metal section. The first solo is played by Mustaine and shows cool usage of the diminished runs. Listen carefully towards the end though...you'll hear another solo from Mustaine but even before he finishes Young comes in with an amazing, haunting solo (comes from the left speaker) that utilizes both shredding and two-handed tapping techniques! It's one of my favorites!
Their take on the Sex Pistols classic "Anarchy In The UK" follows but Mustaine sings USA instead! It is pretty straightforward although the arrangement makes room for both Mustaine and Young to play some short leads in between the vocals. "Destrooooyy!" shouts Dave before its conclusion. "Mary Jane" starts with a cool descending chord pattern that quickly gives way to a haunting section with arpeggios on the acoustic guitar with Dave singing the song's title. Soon the heavy riffs kick in and the whole thing keeps getting more and more intense instrumentally while the singing gets more and more manic! The solo is played by Young. The disappointing thing here is the fact that the ending always seems to get me by surprise with the song being only four minutes and a half long... For me this tune had the potential to keep going for at least two minutes longer! It could have been an epic! Oh well, eventually an epic will come a little bit later...
Some furious fast riffing played in the key of A introduces "502", a song about driving recklessly and well over the speed limit! "It's the cops" says Mustaine. The verses and the chorus are well constructed. Listen closely right after the first chorus ends...Jeff comes in to play an inventive lead with two-handed tapping! However he quickly pulls out to allow Mustaine to continue on to the second verse. In the middle, something strange occurs: the music fades out and a siren is heard! Now I say: Oh no! Somebody honks! It sounds like a crash although the siren can still be heard! Now a new, ascending chord progression is introduced with a screaming solo from Mustaine on top. The song now sounds like it is going to collapse on its own weight as Dave sings "Life in the freeway is hell"! Well... in the end it DOES collapse!!! "It's the hell... I'm coming through"!!! What follows is total mayhem from the instruments. The drummer goes bananas hitting all over the kit with a torrent of feedback from the guitar. Everybody freaks out here! This is a great tune to listen while playing games like "Need For Speed" since you can act crazy making the cops mad, doing 220 mph, making other cars turn over in flames, etc!
Anyway, "In My Darkest Hour" shows some incredible songwriting from Mustaine. Without a doubt one of their best written songs from the band's early years, an early career highlight! This is the epic of the album since it is the longest clocking at 6:25 (give or take a few seconds). A killer intro-arpeggio with a combination of electric/acoustic guitars starts it that's played in the key of E. It is another song that speeds up gradually as it goes along. Lyrically it deals about somebody contemplating suicide. I really like the lead guitar that mimics a laugh (at 4:23) played in between the vocals. A few seconds later, Jeff brings a new trick to the table with his solo: some mean, screaming notes with the tremolo bar. Before long the excellent intro is reprised to finish it up. Now it's on to "Liar", in my opinion, the weakest cut. The lyrics were written about former member Chris Poland. The eastern-sounding intro riff is fantastic and the whole thing seems to progress quite well until about the two minute mark: that's when the rather weak chorus appears and it doesn't get much better with that section where Mustaine sings (actually talks) with the same tone of voice for quite a few seconds. The use of the f-word was unnecessary too. The two solos (first Jeff then Dave) save it from total disaster. A dissonant riff finishes the song abruptly and the last number "Hook In Mouth" rushes in without warning! This is definitely a much better composition than the last I'm glad to say even if it lacks proper solos. The chorus is really cool, with the backing vocals spelling out the word freedom. Also included is a really interesting staccato guitar motif from Young before Mustaine comes in to play a descending two-handed tapping pattern. Mustaine yells the song's title at the end. Good finish!
In a nutshell, this is a highly entertaining album if you are big into trash/speed metal! If you have already heard the classic albums I mentioned at the beginning, then you should give this one a try!
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Later...
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