Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not The Taproot You Once Knew, But..., September 4, 2005
...Damn, this album is great!
It takes a little while to catch on, but Taproot's third album, "Blue Sky Research" really gets under your skin. On my first listen, it sounded like a mess of ideas compiled onto an album. But the more I listened, the more it creeped into my head. I would find myself, hours after having listened, having these sick melodies stuck in my head, courtesy of Taproot.
For starters, this album is a huge departure from the sound of 2000's "Gift" and their 2002 so-so follow-up, "Welcome." Their sound definitely moves farther from the nu-metal label (although, they were always above that) and focuses more on catchy riffs and better songwriting. Don't get me wrong, the band is still here. Songs such as the dark opener "I Will Not Fall For You" and "Facepeeler" are instant classics among the Taproot song-book. But then you have songs that, with a little help from some high-profile people, will shock more than a few ears. The first single, "Calling" alone is worth the purchase of this album, and it was even co-written by Jonah Matranga (Gratitude, Far), which is odd when you consider the music this man has made in his own career. The song is a perfect example of Taproot making an edgy, dark song into something very catchy and very addictive. The first day I had this album, I must've repeated this song a dozen times. A more well known collaborator in Billy Corgan helps out on three songs, "Violent Seas," "Lost In the Woods" and "Promise." Just like the songs he worked on for Breaking Benjamin's "We Are Not Alone," these tracks have the classic 'Pumpkins stamp on them, and yet, sound just right when filtered through a completely different band. Despite the collaborations (which also include legendary producer Bob Marlette), Taproot still manage to keep their identity through the course of the album. "April Suits, "Facepeeler" and "I Will Not Fall For You" are just as good as anything else on this album, and the band did it themselves. Usually I hate it when groups use outside people to help write songs (the upcoming Korn album has me worried), as it takes away from the authenticity of the music, but I think Taproot have proven themselves before, and on this album, therefore, it's just not an issue.
I was very disappointed with "Welcome," as I was a huge fan of "Gift," and I must say, "Blue Sky Research" gets the group back on track. It may be a bit hard to swallow at first, but it's a very interesting listen, and I'm sure I will still be listening to this in the years to follow (just like I still do with "Gift"). Just give it a chance. Don't be turned off by the change. If you're close-minded enough to shut yourself out by their style, then maybe Taproot just weren't the band for you in the first place.
|
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DIFFERENT IS NOT BAD!!!!, July 20, 2006
GEEZ!! When will people stop bashing on bands who change up thier style of playing a little. If Di Vinci painted another painting of the Mona Lisa would anybody care? of course not! Its no longer original. Its the same with music, also an art. As bads(respectable ones) grow older their music matures and adds sophistication while still keeping their signature style, especially alt(not nu)-metal. They are artists, not musical xerox machines. If you look at legendary bands that most new bands idolize, you'll find that their music changed alot from album to album. Blue sky research had some very well written and deep songs all around both instrumentally and especially vocally. Even right off the bat with I will not fall for you(their most beautiful song yet), which is where they lost most of you idiots who dont know what real music is, the vocals and music were smooth as silk. I couldnt believe their new found sophistication when i heard it. They kept it coming the whole album most notably with calling and whats left. For those who appreciate great music buy this album immediately. For the rest of you who bashed this album, keep walking over to the pop section and buy a Good Charlotte or Green Day album. Dont worry, they're as cookie cutter as it gets. Shame on you!
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The fans are disappointing, not the record..., October 24, 2005
When you are younger, all you want is music that is extremely aggressive and angsty. It seems like a multitude of people reviewing this record are not the same age as the band that wrote and recorded it. So let's put that into perspective, if you think most "modern rock" bands are the pinnacle of song writing then your age is just showing. A lot of the bands that Taproot is currently touring with or that they are lumped in with are bland. That is just a simple truth and sure, it is just a matter of opinion but explain to me why CD sales are the way they are then? Yes, the RIAA is to blame as well... but I'm digressing.
I saw Taproot open up for the Deftones back in 2001 and in an anticipratory move, I bought "Gift". It suited what I was into then but listening to it recently there were things I realized. There are only a few songs that still hold up because it did follow a formula. When "Welcome" came out, I was really bored with the band and felt like they were not going anywhere interesting. They called it "experimental" but it just sounded like average radio rock at that time. I used to be what you call a "nu-metal" fan and the thing is that you get older. You grow up, you realize that a lot of the lyrics that you used to identify with are really self centered and immature. I loved Korn up until this last record that came out but Jon Davis writes boring songs literally because he has like three topics he sticks to and I really don't care how hard fame is. The Deftones are the only band from this grouping that I still say are in my top five favorite bands because they grow and were never really a mainstream act.
As soon as I heard that Taproot was working with Billy Corgan on this record, I became really excited because his work in general tends to eclipse all others. The songs he worked on are some of my favorites on this record. I had no idea that Jonah worked on Calling but it makes more sense why that song sounds the way it does. That song and Facepeeler were sort of a letdown at first because it seemed like more of the same but the more I hear them then I more I like them. Is it just me or is there an influence of Poison the Well in the chord progressions in facepeeler? The opening riff is way nu-metal but the rest of the song redeems it.
This is a really good rock record, it isn't worried about being part of a sub-genre. Most people will snub it because of the bands previous work but it represents growth.
If you like this record then check out Circa Survive's Juturna album.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
by Taproot 
