Turisas - The Varangian Way
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Free Music Notes for The Varangian Way
Free Music Review: Let's not get carried away here...
Hit: 4 Stars
It's crazy how gaga everyone seems to be over this album. I haven't read a single critical review of it yet, and I must admit that made me very excited to hear what I was missing. I always let myself get all excited about new albums that people are crazy about, and I'm almost always a little disappointed. So I'm trying not to let myself get my hopes up as much. I hope that doesn't sound too jaded, since I want folks who read this to take it seriously. Anyway, the point is, I was less disappointed with this than I might otherwise have been, because this album is quite good. I really, really like it. I would recommend buying it if you're into this sort of heavy metal -- I promise you'll like it. But be warned, this is not the album of the year. It's only April, and I've already heard something better. The problems I have with The Varangian Way are a bit small and petty.
One is that there's a little something missing to the sound that I can't quite put my finger on. I think that the general atmosphere of this album is missing something...I don't know what to call it...I guess it's a "bigness" to the presence. I want this album to take its time more, to let itself build, to create some sort of atmosphere. Just a little, mind you. You know what it reminds me of that I think has the same problem? The band Rhapsody. Go listen to Rhapsody and tell me if you can recognize what I'm talking about.
Second, I think that while the music here is really nicely choreographed, I would like to see it balanced with simpler melodies at times. The melody is complex (again, without having a true "fullness") and Turisas sometimes don't give you a chance to get into it before they change it into something else. It makes the music a little hard to follow, and a little hard to get into. I think this CD could be a lot more successful if they'd just hook you with some simple riffs and some catchier verses. I think there's a lot to be said for that, and I think that's what makes bands like Manowar so likeable. There's also another band, Battlelore, from Finland, that does that sort of thing well, and that's why I still think Battlelore is better than Turisas.
There's plenty to like here, though. There's some fun fiddlework in Track 5 that really got me going, and the last song, Miklagard Overture, brings the whole concept of the album full circle and really finishes everything nicely, and I think it's a totally successful way to close the album. It's truly epic. The backing vocals are perfect throughout, as are the main vocals, which I think is very crucial to good music.
So all in all, a great album. I give it a B+. Are these guys going to be bigger than Manowar? I would find that hard to believe. Will I get their next album? Probably. And so should you. This band is way better than lots of others out there.
Free Music Review: Amazingly epic music.
Hit: 4 Stars
The Varangian Way. Awesome, inspiring, moving and well... epic! This is a great piece of folk-metal if I've ever heard one. The guitar work, the wind instruments, vocals, everything is fantastic on this album. If you love folk-metal you owe it to yourself to pick this album up right now.
There is a bit of a side-note, however. With all the applause I give this band/album I COMPLETELY agree with the reviewer McFate. I truly wish some of the more head-banging songs would let the hook stay in the mouth a bit longer and allow more of the sound to build onto itself culminating in ... well ... more head-banging! It's always been my love/hate of progressive metal. While technical and overwhelming at times some of the time I am left feeling like I wanted to hear more heavier vocals and more hair-swaying melodies. That might be one of the reasons this band is so great, though. They can pull you in easy as pie and keep you there for the duration of the album, making you play it again despite your "wants" and "needs".
A truly EPIC piece of musical harmony and thought-out album planning at it's greatest. Buy this. You won't regret it.
Free Music Review: Good Concept, Lackluster Writing
Hit: 4 Stars
I bought this based on numerous positive reviews and came away somewhat disappointed. Don't get me wrong, this CD will leave a smile on your face, but for all of the grandiose ambitions, the songwriting here just isn't in the same league as Opeth or Nightwish. Personally, I think Liv Kristine & co. did a better job with Vinland Saga. That's not to say that it's bad, it is actually pretty good. As an earlier reviewer stated, "there's a little something missing". Despite all the varied instrumentation (including sampling from the Vienna Philharmonic!), the songwriting is pretty basic. I don't think that this is a lousy CD, there are many places where it effective and there is nothing here that is truly awful. This is after all, only the band's second CD. So, buy it and have some fun, just don't expect a masterpiece.
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