Jark
PLUMP and RIPE
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2007
- Messages
- 59,221
Five years on, I think it's probably time to discuss the fact (fact) that this is, surely, one of the great pop triumphs of the last decade.
A near flawless record that effortlessly toes the line between alt-pop and Grimes' more commercial sensibilities, incorporating rock-pop and metal into her trademark ethereal electronica. A far brighter, more uptempo album than anything she'd done before - it really glimmers.
I actually think this would be a superb candidate for a sync listen if it hasn't been done already.
the early-middle section is the album's strongest I think - that run from Flesh Without Blood through to Artangels (my absolute fave) is pretty astonishing and relentless. The title track exudes effervescence and joy - the bridge where she sings in French has on occasion brought me close to tears, such is the pop perfection of it. I'm not joking!
if I have one criticism it's that the mixing/mastering is a bit off across the board - to hear the quieter parts of Kill v. Maim I have to crank the volume right up, and then the SCREAMO bits fucking DESTROY MY EARDRUMS
yes mom!!!
and of course there is the REALiTi debacle and the fact (as recently observed by @funky) that the demo is quite a bit better than the very clean but slightly lifeless album version. In general though, Grimes does a phenomenal job of smoothing out her raw edges into something very palatable with this album - it's surprising to me that nothing properly crossed over into the mainstream, because it feels built for that.
As ever, written and produced almost entirely alone, which speaks to the considerable creative genius of this elfin creature's beautifully BIZARRE mind...
xx Laughing and Not Being Normal
xx California
xx Scream (ft. PAN)
xx Flesh Without Blood
xx Belly of the Beat
xx Kill v. Maim
xx Artangels
xx Easily
xx Pin
xx Realiti
xx World Princess Part II
xx Venus Fly (ft. Janelle Monae)
xx Life in the Vivid Dream
xx Butterfly
@OutSynk @jivafox @Zu-Klara @ameraal @Iguana @Tisch @SDF @Gangsta Nancy Lam @Pipo @Mats @Dark Carnival @COB
A near flawless record that effortlessly toes the line between alt-pop and Grimes' more commercial sensibilities, incorporating rock-pop and metal into her trademark ethereal electronica. A far brighter, more uptempo album than anything she'd done before - it really glimmers.
I actually think this would be a superb candidate for a sync listen if it hasn't been done already.
the early-middle section is the album's strongest I think - that run from Flesh Without Blood through to Artangels (my absolute fave) is pretty astonishing and relentless. The title track exudes effervescence and joy - the bridge where she sings in French has on occasion brought me close to tears, such is the pop perfection of it. I'm not joking!
if I have one criticism it's that the mixing/mastering is a bit off across the board - to hear the quieter parts of Kill v. Maim I have to crank the volume right up, and then the SCREAMO bits fucking DESTROY MY EARDRUMS
yes mom!!!and of course there is the REALiTi debacle and the fact (as recently observed by @funky) that the demo is quite a bit better than the very clean but slightly lifeless album version. In general though, Grimes does a phenomenal job of smoothing out her raw edges into something very palatable with this album - it's surprising to me that nothing properly crossed over into the mainstream, because it feels built for that.
As ever, written and produced almost entirely alone, which speaks to the considerable creative genius of this elfin creature's beautifully BIZARRE mind...
xx Laughing and Not Being Normal
xx California
xx Scream (ft. PAN)
xx Flesh Without Blood
xx Belly of the Beat
xx Kill v. Maim
xx Artangels
xx Easily
xx Pin
xx Realiti
xx World Princess Part II
xx Venus Fly (ft. Janelle Monae)
xx Life in the Vivid Dream
xx Butterfly
@OutSynk @jivafox @Zu-Klara @ameraal @Iguana @Tisch @SDF @Gangsta Nancy Lam @Pipo @Mats @Dark Carnival @COB
