Customer Reviews

Black Sun

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For a heavy rock band like Ra, it hasn't been easy. Having gone through two record labels, they've gone the independent way for their third studio release Black Sun. Without abandoning the Duality sound while also incorporating what made From One a fan favorite, this is easily their best record next to their first. What shocks me is that I haven't heard these guys on the radio since '02, and while they're not a total radio band, you'd think this would be played relentlessly like Seether or Breaking Benjamin, who in my opinion are lesser bands compared to Ra. So whether you haven't heard these guys before or you've been a fan, do check these guys out.

What can I say that probably has not already been said. This band is amazing. They are on a different plain from anyone else and that's a great thing. Sure, they are a little commercial but not to the extent that all of the other bands in their category have become. You can tell that Ra do what they do for the music and their loyal fans. They will and can only continue to grow and get better over time. I hope that they will be around for many more years to come. When I first popped this new material in my CD player I really didn't like it as much as their last two albums. But now by the 4th or 5th time I actually like it more. They are just so incredibly talented. More Ra, please! Can't get enough.

Just ran out and bought it. It's Ra, so I know it would be good. This is like keeping the smooth vocals and guitar sound of the second album and mixing it with some hard licks from the first album. Every song that starts off like it's going to be a softy becomes rocking heavy at some point or another. Throw in some egyptian sounding instruments and this makes what Ra is. Very good album. If you liked either of the two previous albums, I don't see why you wouldn't like this. Five stars because it just sounds different from everything always heard on the radio. Liked every track one way or another.

First of all, this album is light years away from a masterpiece. I will try to be as succinct as possible to get my point across. From One was good, Duality was great, and Black Sun is pathetic. Problem with this albums: Most songs sound the same especially the choruses. I am a very open music fan but I haven't been this musically disappointed in a long time. The best songs are the ones that were released before the album even dropped. With the exceptions of Faulty Information, Broken Hearted Soul, and Don't Turn Away, there really isn't much intriguing about this album. They built it up to be the greatest album ever and instead of making songs from the HEART they made an album bad mouthing genocides and their former record label. I think I'm speaking for the majority of Ra fans when I say that the songs we need are On My Side, Tell Me, Superman, Taken, Say You Will, Swimming Upsteam, Sky. Things of the nature. Real songs. My theory is good tunes are good tunes but this is just poor work compared to their previous efforts. They are not connecting with the listener with these songs. Cheesy lyrics as well to most choruses. Faulty Information stands out from the rest and the album should be modeled around that song and that style. I listen to Duality religiously and I listen to Black Sun seldomly. Huge let down. Go back to the songs about emotions and love and not about your record label problems. Fans care but don't want to hear songs about it. Fans want to hear about songs they can relate to; those are the best songs.

This is just my .02¢

I'm only giving this a high rating of 2 stars, because I'm still a fan of the band.

Like another reviewer, I bought "From One" on a whim and have been hooked ever since. I wasn't in any hurry for this album(though excited) to come out, because I'm so into "From One" and "Duality", but I did snag it the week it was released.

Not a single inspiring thing on the album. Nothing that makes me want to drive fast or even make me stop and think to maybe not drive so fast. No hard, grinding anger. What the hell? It's like the writings of a 15 year old who got kicked out of the AV club and built a home studio and put this album out. Though THAT would be a bit more impressive.

Overall: Weak, bland and repetitive.

-Still a big fan and I will wait for what I hope will be the next gem from these guys.-

I like this CD. Ra is one of my favorite bands and Duality is one of my favorite CDs of all time. With that being said, I was hoping for another CD on par with Duality, but I did not get it. This is a more aggressive, angry and dark side of RA. I like it but I don't love it. There are 3 main flaws in this CD, in my opinion:

1. The production suffers due to a bad mastering job. Whoever mastered the project really overdid the compression. This is very common now in Rock music. (See Metallica's "Death Magnetic") Even when listening to this CD at a low volume, it sounds way too loud and distorted, giving the listener what music engineers call ear-fatigue. This was not the case with From One or Duality.

2. Many of the songs do sound alike. Especially the choruses. The vocal intervals between the verses and choruses are exacxtly the same in many of the songs. Also, the actual vocal melodies are similar in many of the songs. I'm not sure why this has happened,considering the bands' previous releases were very versatile.

3. The songs seem more angry and raw. It is not my thing. I like a more hopeful and positive message. I do realize that the band has dealt with a lot to make them angry dealing with an unfair and corrupt industry, but I wish it didn't rear it's ugly head so much in the music. I listen to some angry music but I don't want it when I am listening to RA.

Overall, this is a good CD. I enjoy listening, and probably will listen to it for another couple of months. However, I will be listening to Duality for the rest of my life.

I'll admit I originally heard the band through tiger woods pga tour 03 with, Do you call my name? And I was hooked then. Ever song they have is different with different meanings. Not like the boring same songs form different artist you hear on the radio. I'd definetely suggest getting it if you like any of their music.

this is truly one of my favorite bands out there these past few years! this band has'nt quite ever gotten its due and it's a real shame. the only song I've heard reach radio air play was their cover of the police's every little thing she does is magic. that figures since they didnt write that song. it would seem they had to finance their new cd just to keep their career's going. good vocals and I love the guitar sound on this record along with good flowing melodies!!! some of the tracks that stand out for me is "broken hearted soul","the first step","dont turn away","waste of space",and"genocide"!!! I can't stress enough about how people should be taking notice of this talented band!!give'm a chance..........

I have been a fan of RA since "Do You Call My Name" was released on the radio. I would call the band's third studio release a culmination of the best elements of the prior releases "From One" and "Duality". From the beginning track "Broken Hearted Soul" to the last track "Easier than This", BLACK SUN keeps the amazing melodies/harmonies and pounding guitar riffs coming through and through.

What amazes me most is the fact that the band recorded and produced this release themselves. And to be honest, I think it is their best sounding release thus far. I truly do not understand why this band isn't plastered all over the radio with the likes of Three Doors Down and Nickelback. If you like straight forward hard driven mainstream rock and haven't heard this band yet, you are missing out. Sahaj Ticotin is by far one of the best vocalists on the scene today!

I have followed these guys for years now. For the life of me I don't understand how these guys are not know by everyone. This is an intense piece of work. I am not a fan of the "Raw" cd but this is in the same league as "From One" and "Duality". Ra are real musician and artist. That is a rare thing in music today with all the manufactured bands on the radio. This may be the most emotional release for them yet. They are trying to survive in the music world on their own terms and that is a challenge to say the least. Self produced, self promoted, and self managed is an impressive thing. The music is smooth and thoughtful. I wish the world would finally discover these guys. Radio has ignored them.

If you want something that is different and crosses many styles of music check this out. Its worth buying