Review the latest album or single you purchased

[Monty]

Dragonforce – Ultra Beatdown

The new Dragonforce album is now 'available' for those who know where to look. I’ve only given it the one listen through so far but I think it’s every bit as good as Inhuman Rampage, even if the title is miles stupider.

It’s unmistakably Dragonforce but it feels quite different. Although still very much a guitar album the vocals have been given a lot more emphasis this time and the songs seem a lot better put together and much more rounded. The soloing is just awesome but doesn’t always rely on being a million notes a second just for the sake of it (although there is still plenty of fret-w*nk). This allows for more melodic sections which seem to fit the songs better and allow more variation than just a blur of notes. The lyrical content is still very much 16-bit RPG territory but as it has seen them successfully through their first 3 albums it was unlikely this would change any time soon.

On the first listen I give this a good 8 out of 10 but I expect it will grow on me even more.

[raithrover]

This new Metallica album is a return to form. Still some nonsense but demands to be played very loud!

[AdamGS]

Dragonforce – Ultra Beatdown

The new Dragonforce album is now 'available' for those who know where to look. I’ve only given it the one listen through so far but I think it’s every bit as good as Inhuman Rampage, even if the title is miles stupider.

It’s unmistakably Dragonforce but it feels quite different. Although still very much a guitar album the vocals have been given a lot more emphasis this time and the songs seem a lot better put together and much more rounded. The soloing is just awesome but doesn’t always rely on being a million notes a second just for the sake of it (although there is still plenty of fret-w*nk). This allows for more melodic sections which seem to fit the songs better and allow more variation than just a blur of notes. The lyrical content is still very much 16-bit RPG territory but as it has seen them successfully through their first 3 albums it was unlikely this would change any time soon.

On the first listen I give this a good 8 out of 10 but I expect it will grow on me even more.

I've been intrigued by Dragonforce ever since the GH3 Through the Fire and Flames. Whats their best album?

[Monty]

I find it hard to pick a favourite album but if I was to choose a single song to listen to it would probably be something off the second album, Sonic Firestorm. That said, the third album, Inhuman Rampage (from which TTFAF is taken) is probably the most instantly accessible set of songs and what got me hooked on them in the first place.

If you get into them (and can listen to a whole album without complaining all the songs sound the same) then I'd recommend the rest as highly as each other.

I'm seeing them live again in a little over 2 weeks. Can't wait.

[AdamGS]

Inhuman Rampage was only £6.96 on iTunes. Purchase made. I swear though, this one click buying world we live in is going to bankrupt me.

[AdamGS]

Well that was disappointing. Track 1 (Through the Fire and Flames) was awesome, but then at around halfway through the album I realised that there songs just blur into one giant guitar solo. Re-using riffs and even lyrics. The last track was a nice surprise though, it actually sounded different.

[Sprite Machine]

Well that was disappointing. Track 1 (Through the Fire and Flames) was awesome, but then at around halfway through the album I realised that there songs just blur into one giant guitar solo.

Yeah, pretty much.

[Monty]

I’ve had the new Trivium album, Shogun, on repeat for the last couple of days and it’s awesome. Retaining the catchy hooks of The Crusade but returning to the heavier edge they had on their earlier albums and the balance is perfect. Probably would have been my metal album of the year if it wasn’t for Death Magnetic.

I also listened to The Streets new album yesterday. I’d heard mixed reviews but I actually thought it was very good. Nothing that Skinner will ever do will be as fresh as Original Pirate Material but barring the odd out of place song I’ve enjoyed all the albums he’s put out and the way he’s developed and evolved his sound. It’s the same with this album, which is quite laid back but still unmistakably The Streets.

[tubaros]

I heard that Wanna go to heaven for the weather and hell for the company yesterday - really good tune. Top lyrics too.

[Monty]

HFCWHFTC is a good song but there are plenty of catchy tunes on there. I only listened to it the once, start to finish as background music whilst I battled my brother on Puzzle Quest, but we both agreed it was a good album. I need to hear it again but I reckon its probably the second best Streets album behind OPM.

[coxy]

The last single / album I purchased (that I've listened to a lot) is...

Chromeo - Fancy Footwork

Excellent, it is, too - well, if you like electro disco funk. This album will have you dancing round your bedroom in your under-crackers in no time! What's more, you can dance like a dick and still look fucking cool. The first half of the album is better than the second half - you have been warned.

I bought this in digital format from a digital music store that wasn't iTunes - probably Amazon MP3 or 7digital.

edit: Just looked, and this album is only a fiver per CD on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fancy-Footwork-Chromeo/dp/B000SSET5Q/

[tubaros]

I am so following you when Last.fm comes to the xbox, you super user, you

Just getting this now

[coxy]

I am so following you when Last.fm comes to the xbox, you super user, you

Why wait?

(Usually people tell me my taste in music is crap...  )

[tubaros]

Just got the 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack and am totally addicted to Sweet Disposition, which is in the charts at the moment too. Great song.