Customer Reviews

Manipulator (Bonus CD) (Dlx)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When something heard for the first time can give me goose bumps that says a mouthful. Manipulator is such an audible delight that I'd feel guilty for listening if it wasn't just so "giving me the happiness". As a product of a generation suffering from ADHD I love movement in my music and, as a result, "Quarter Past" has become the reason for my being. I'm proud to own this album - the smile would not dissipate the first time I played it - and would hope that as many people as possible experience what is not only an amazing audible opus but a marvel of creativity.

Mukilteo, Washington's, The Fall of Troy have produced a near-perfect release in 'Manipulator'. This album literally has it all--from super high, poppy vocals (The Blood Brother's esque), to the more expected harsh screams and unusual musical arrangements of previous records, 'Manipulator' is wonderful. 'Ex-Creations' is a standout track in my mind, encompassing exceptional guitar work and creative lyrics. Overall, this album is a bit more diverse than previous Fall of Troy efforts, but it is certain to please fans of the band from start to finish.

When i first heard of Fall of Troy is was right before Doppleganger came out. I heard the demo versions of "Tom Waits" and "Whacko Jacko Steals The Elephant Man's Bones", and i was blown away. The vocals weren't the best but i saw past that. I saw their potential. Crazy guitars, and time shifts that blew you away, they were all there. Then I heard the full CD and still felt the same way. After i also checked out their debut "Fall of Troy" i noticed a slight progression in the sound i was a bit more precise but still retained that raw edge. That was before...

...Manipulator is now! Fall of Troy continue to defy common knowledge. These dude are 21 years old and they are blowing people minds with their music. Just think how good these guys will be in 2 or 3 years. They continue to push their music forward with Manipulator. They explore their past efforts and combine it with new styles of music. You can hear a little blues, a little pop, and still keeping the post-hardcore, post-punk edge. They mix it up perfectly and combine styles to make some amazing songs. Thomas also has a solo song on here. Its a nice jazzy sort of song. He shows his potential vocally on this track and most other tracks, also. He can range from the lowest scream to the highest note. Sometimes he reaches a little too high but i won't fault him for that. You can hear some vintage Fall of Troy in here, you can hear a little Mastodon on here, you can here a dab of Blood Brothers on here, you can hear a little HORSE the band on here, and strangely enough you can here a bit of Weezer on here. The range is awesome and the blending is perfect. It's not a surprise to me that there is the Weezer influence. Thomas is a big fan of Weezer. I saw them at a show a while ago and while they were fixing some of the stuff on the stage he played "Butterfly" by Weezer. It was pretty good too. That shocked me. In a good way though. It's nice to know musicians are diverse listeners. My favorites (right now) on Manipulator are "Quarter Past", "Shhh!!! If You're Quiet, I'll Show You A Dinosaur", and "A Man. A Plan. A Canal. Panama.". They are all good songs though, I promise you that!

GO!NOW!LISTEN!

5 friggin' stars.

Alot of believe this album is their weakest effort, but I believe it has their finest work ever. Some would say that they more poppy, but this cd has the heaviest stuff that the fall of troy has and probably will ever do. The best tracks imo are "The Dark Trail", "Semi-Fiction", "Sledgehammer", "Seattlantis", "Ex-Creations", and the epic closer "A man a plan a canal Panama". This cd has some of the best guitar work iv'e heard, the vocals are hit or miss, but i'll give the guy a pass because he plays so well. If you like progressive music or heavy music this is one to try out, at the very least try the tracks iv'e listed.

This album is a killer album. The fall of troy is one of the best bands to come out in a long time. Between Thomas Erak's psychopathic vocals and guitar playing to Andrew Forsman's tight yet insane drumming you can hear why many people claim this bands is extremly talented. But there strength is in the amazing song they write.

I will Review mt Favorite song on the album

Dark Trail- This song to me is the fall of troy's strongest song. It features different styles of Thomas Erak's voice and guitar work with some sick drums to go along.

Quarter Past- This song has a very bluesy vibe to it and show Thomas Erak's more melodic vocals which are very killer

Ex-Creations- This song has a vibe more like an older The Fall Of Troy song. This is one of the heaviest song on the album and one of the best.

A Man. A Plan. A Canal. Panama- The 8 minute epic that ends the album i mean its 8 minute need i say more.

The Fall of Troy's third release, is right where I'd expect them to be: a little bit older, but they haven't lost the edge, and the music structure I guess represents what it's like to have ADD. I see this band, and this release as being not very accessible, perhaps because of its strange manic style. By manic I mean there are extreme moods being represented,and visceral energy. In a recent interview guitar/vox Tom Erak stated that when writing this album it was during a dark period for him, which is manifested in Manipulator. The guitar once again is awesome, the vocals alternate between clean singing, to shrieks, screams, and some growls. You could hardly call these songs boring, even if it's not as intense as their first and second (more similar to the latter). Some of the songs are even catchy, in their own strange way.

If you like/dislike let me know

what can i say? i rocked this cd so loud and so hard, it gave me an ear infection. 'nuff said.

The first time I heard The Fall of Troy was through guitar hero
F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X would be stuck in my head all day
I had heard "Sledgehammer" on youtube, and instantly hooked
Gave the rest of the album a listen, and wow
blown away!
it's so crazy, creative and abstract
One of the best of 2007 for sure in my opinion
BUY IT!

I was very happy with this product. It is a CD so it's not like i can tell you it works better than products like it, but it does have a bonus live performance that I enjoy.

Seen them several times in the great city of Seattle, it was not until this album that the band finally clicked for me. People say Doppleganger and their previous material are so much better, I guess I have to disagree. Catchy chrous', vocals and some pretty stellar/creative guitar work I can't stop listening to this.