Finally, something different
585091
K-Os brings something different to the rap music scene with his freshman album, Exit. If you enjoy rap but are tired of the monotony, commercialism, and violence that permeate commercial/popular rap, give K-Os's work a listen. He successfully blends rap, acoustic, piano, soul, dance, and other genres of music into a uniquely perfect mixture.
2031545
This is mostly a CD of old, traditional hymns and yet it's totally refreshing.  A much different take on almost all the songs.  A favorite is "The Strife is O'er" - it's actually pretty amazing.  "Amazing Grace" also is a fresh new take of a common song.  LeClerc does the vocals on all the songs as well as doing almost all of the instrumentation.  (Her producer also sang backup and played guitar on the odd song). The two songs written by LeClerc are funky and yet still fit in with the CD.  If you want to hear traditional hymns with a twist, check this out.
3457829
Radiohead music has always been unclassifiable by its sound. They always make inventive music whether they're being rock or electronic.
Such is the case with Hail to the Thief, an overt anti-government  message... although perhaps not intended for the masses. While the messages will of course be outdated as people find new things to whine about (there will always be something to complain about), what matters is the music.
I enjoyed this album because whatever approach Radiohead (not just Yorke) took to the song, it was totally different than the stereotype of the kind of music. The electronic beats are eclectic and rhytmic... definitely unlike the hip hop rhythms of Linkin Park's RockRap (or is it RocKrap? jk jk), while the all out rock portions aren't grungy (or pippy like Good Charlotte)and have organic feels to them.
What I didn't like was that the songs felt unended, there was no sense of being completed although perhaps that's Radiohead saying "This isn't over yet." Perhaps, but at least we can understand what Yorke is saying, even if it is totally anti-sentimental.
986925
Very new take on things. A refreshing departure from all the chest thumping marines and constant missile lobbing boring naval fleet slugfests that seem to have congested the genre.

Gives you a true taste of alien instead of unoriginal adaptations of earth animals - you know, bipedal tigers or mean intelligent bears, oh my!  Left *plenty* of questions which can give this series plenty of legs.  But done artfully. The book is complete and satisfying.  But there more, much more coming ... You can see it.

Excellent work!  Thank you for creating us for us!
863585
I've read many reviews of this book, and few seem to do it justice. While it does borrow some of the main themes from other sources, it stands on it's own two feet and offers the reader a new perspective on the 40k universe. It hits on many of the main themes of the 40k universe, but with an entirely new spin. It was very refreshing to have the book end in a new way; there were no necrons hiding under the planet, no warp storms, and no crushing Imperial victory. If you're looking for something different from all the other Guard books and Space Marine bolter porn novels, then look no further. Henry Zou offers up something new, rather than beating that poor dead horse.
2925471
I really  enjoyed this  one. Looking for  something else  like  it
2312381
With their last album not especially well-recieved and certainly controversial among fans, Tull seemed to stray into a particularly different direction with Roots to Branches, utilizing sounds from all around the world, and a free and creative approach to what they can (and perhaps once thought they can't) do.

The music on the album is certainly fitting to the artwork on the front and back covers (which are great, by the way)often very circular with it's roots deep and the earth, and still not afraid to give it that hard edge here and there.

I am surprised, though happy, not to see more distasteful reviews of this album, seeing as it is definitely very different than the archetype of Tull's sound, and certainly not what a lot of their fans expected. Which goes to say a lot, considering it was so different and yet so well recieved.

I would recommend this album to the average Tull fan who wants to journey into their "modern" sound (the album was released a while ago, but not a lot has been released since unfortunately). There are songs on this album that would no doubt impress any Tull fan, and usually and impressive Tull song is worth the money of the album, amirite?
3795843
I was in the mood for something new and took a chance on this album.  I picked it because I liked the cover, the title and the fact that there was a photo of a guy by a piano.  Very superficial reasons to choose the album, I know.  Luckily, I discovered a very good album.  I had no idea that this was "Christian" music but while listening, I wondered if the artist was religious because of his lyrics.  Thoughtful and at times, very real, comments about our society today.  However, good lyrics won't make me listen to an album over and over unless the music is good.  This music is good.  It sounds like he has a full band with him and I enjoy the variety in the songs.  There is a slight pop feel to some of the songs, while others are more ballad like or more zydeco (great rhythm).  If you like Robbie Williams, the Wallflowers, Toby Keith, and Dave Matthews, then you will probably like this album.  It isn't a work of genius, but it is a work of a good musician and is refreshingly different.
4327462
'Reviens' is a unique album that instead of following the same pop formula of 'Seul';  Garou, the lyricists, the producers have opted to go in a different direction...by showcasing and extending Garou's vocal style, intensity and range.
  The songs contained explore refreshingly different and ecclectic styles from the blues of 'Une dernire fois encore' to the old gospel spiritual sound of 'Pendant que mes cheveux poussent' to the guitar heavy rock of the 70s in 'Hemingway' to the classically French 'Les filles'.
  It's difficult to find an album, where the quality of the production, musicianship, the writing, and the vocals don't follow the standards set by many of today's mainstream cookie cutter "artists".
  This is an album worth buying, listening to and keeping.
  Here's to a long lasting and fulfilling career for Garou and Company.
  Thank you.
3138364
Being a death metal fan for so long, it took me a while to get over the lack of hyper speed rhythms, rumbling double bass drumming, and frantic fretwork. And at first, the genre changes did seem token.
But it grew on me.
First off, someone here complained that their use of odd time meter is annoying and pointless. I beg to differ. They use odd meter in an interesting way -- instead of COUNTING out a riff in 11/16 let's say (like most prog metal bands), they play the riffs by FEEL. I find this FAR more enjoyable than so-called math metal.
The vocals are AWESOME. Coma does a great job mixing it up between shouting, screaming at the top of his lungs, and flowing.
The drummer is INSANE. While he doesn't do blast beats or constant double bass drumming, his playing is unique, interesting and intense in its own way.
The guitars get monotonous occationally, but for the most part, they're killer as well. Again, not as complicated and intense as death metal, but slammin' nonetheless. And I like how the bassist kinda grooves on his own and doesn't just mimic the guitars.
Finally, I think the genre changes ARE token, but Candiria makes it work. I don't want to hear rap in every song and I don't want to hear jazz breaks where they aren't necessary. The breaks just add to the [intercoursed]-up vibe.
Overall, Candiria is quality, innovative, pummeling hardcore at its finest.
2307757
From the title song, you realize this will be pretty different.  "Man is a giddy thing?" Really?  But this collection of gothic bluegrass alt country...I give up trying to put it in a genre. Sparse arrangements put emphasis on vocals and lyrics, but the banjos kick in and you're transported into a different place. Emotions are on full display here with songs like "White Blank Page" and "I Gave You All" almost leave you breathless with rawness of them, but then you focus on awkward lines like "But your tears fell warm as they fall on my forearm," from the latter and you realize there's still some work to do here. Songs like "Timshel," and "Thistle and Weeds" just wander around aimlessly, while the sing song rhythm of "Awake My Soul" and the darkly intense "Dust Bowl Dance" fascinate.  But the overall feel is a smart, funny group that will have plenty to say in the future.
2803311
For fans of Eluveitie's previous work, this isn't anything like that, as there's not really any black metal, or even metal influence.  Yet, it's not a real folk album, either - I have plenty of straight-ahead Celtic (and even some Scandinavian) folk CDs, and this doesn't sound like that.  It IS folk-influenced - there's the obvious presence of the folky acoustic instruments, and Irish/Celtic melodies pop up throughout. The singing doesn't sound Celtic to me - it reminds me of folk-pop bands from Scandinavia, particularly Varttina, which is a kind of cool, energetic sound.  The drumming is the only thing that bugs me on this, it tends to have that overstressed "3" on the 4/4, like modern pop-rock (almost techno-ish), although it's not terrible - but it's certainly not Celtic/folky sounding.  The overall sound is very polished, modern, professional recording quality, and it sounds good to me.
But then, I don't need a straight-ahead folk album by Eluveitie, there's plenty of that on the market; and they've got two and a half pretty solid Celtic black metal albums out (and there's more by bands like Cruachan and Waylander if you want more), and I'm pretty sure they'll go back to their metal style after this, so it was cool to hear something different.  (Finntroll similarly did an "acoustic" 3rd album, then returned to their folk-metal style for the next couple).
So,  I agree with the people who commented that it sounds somewhat pop-rock, but since it retains the folk/pagan/ancient Gaelic influences of their previous recordings, it still is better and more interesting than anything you'll hear on the radio - I mean, it would "fit in" somewhat with some modern radio, but it would still stand out and if I heard it on the radio, not knowing what it was, it would be the only thing that would interest me, and I'd run out and buy it!  Overall, it's a cool CD with an unusual and interesting sound, and I like it quite a bit.  (There is actually a scene of modern folk and medieval pop/rock that this fits in pretty well with, although some of those bands have a goth/80's/punkish rock basis that I don't like as much).
  It's still pretty energetic, but will do for those times when you don't want to totally rock out or scare the company, but want to listen to a little Eluveitie.
2118740
Ok, so this isn't the best sabbath album ever, but it is so incredibly different from all the others that it is fascinating. Some very good songs on there, including 'Dancing Queen', one of my favorite Sabbath songs. If you're curious, you gotta try it. I'd love to know the story though behind the last song of the album which is NOT sung by Ozzy.
2450992
I really liked this CD. As others have posted, it is different from their other 2 and not what I expected either but nevertheless I liked it. I admire an artist/artist's that tries something new. It shows that they are trying to expand their creativity and not stay in their "comfort zone". I'm not saying I like this CD better. Its just different but their wonderful vocals and most of the instruments are still there...just different. They didn't go far afield with this CD. As stated, they are a talented group and I really like them.
1147024
This was really different and very, very good. There is a level of ambiguous realism here, aside from all the fantastic theatrics, that feels like you are RIGHT THERE.

The first chapter, that takes you right to the thick of things, was incredibly bizarre. Starting right in the middle like that, I was completely baffled. Things were happening that made not a lick of sense. I simply could not believe my eyes. I kept re-reading passages, saying to myself "This isn't happening, this can't be real."

The second chapter backed up a bit to start off at the beginning, thank goodness. But it all ramped back up quickly enough. Wow, you have never read a book like THIS. This is truly a new perspective on virtually everything.

I honestly had a great time reading this. There is a lot of humor, not in a jokey way, but arising from the situation. It is pretty intelligent too. There are mysteries to figure out here.

I dearly love those dragons, and believe they are going to be playing a much larger role coming up. Also, despite appearances, I think that witch is not evil, but playing an awfully clever and dangerous game. I also suspect we are seeing different factions of demons.

I would really like to read more, a lot more. This book was published almost 3 years ago now. So where is that sequel?
749045
Just something different for a change. Not exciting.
3823469
Very interesting premise, finally something different! Justin is a bit of an unusual character to get used to what with his drinking, drugs and women. But Mae and her story make the book interesting.  I recommend this novel to anyone looking for something new to read that is fun, engaging and original.  Can't wait for the next book in the series.