Release Date: September 8th 2017.

Genre: Progressive/Technical

Background: Novelists are a French band from Paris, formed in 2013. They have just released their second album entitled Noir to positive response. They are a progressive band with technical elements and although they are metal, they blend in a lot of clean singing with their signature guitar sound interplaying between guitarists Florestan Durand and Charly Kelevla.

Album links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1JEdqMrokyxKNudFqeCVdTCZPJLGHfxC
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/79j9AMreHlr8wIPEvq116s
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/noir/id1262538842

First OT so please take it easy on me, I am well aware this is not of a high standard. Links for YT/Spotify/Apple should make it easy for everyone to listen I hope, if there's any other services you'd like added let me know!

My initial thoughts on the album are positive. I really enjoyed my first couple of listens however they have been on my drive to work so I have yet to really listen start to finish, however I will get right down to that! For a band who are onto their second album, second album syndrome could be a thing from their stellar debut. I would suggest an open mind, the vocals may not be for everyone at times, but the musicianship and writing at times is absolutely sublime.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts! Don't forget to post an album you'd like for week 2. I'll do a forum suggested album one week and my own suggestion the next or something.

This is is a cool idea! I'll try and find time this weekend to give it a listen.

Very early impressions (only listened to roughly half).

Mixed bag for me so far. Its a little too mellow for my liking however I really dig the instrumentation and the times they go a bit harder. "A Bitter End" is an early favorite.

Interesting album at the least. Will need more time to fully digest it.

Weetrick said:

This is is a cool idea! I'll try and find time this weekend to give it a listen.

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Excellent! Would be great to see you around!

bebop242 said:

Very early impressions (only listened to roughly half).

Mixed bag for me so far. Its a little too mellow for my liking however I really dig the instrumentation and the times they go a bit harder. "A Bitter End" is an early favorite.

Interesting album at the least. Will need more time to fully digest it.

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Yes, to be honest i'd agree. I think it's a very good album, but it's definitely missing something. It's like an evolution that's still happening, more so than a finished product. But given it's a second album I expected nothing less. In all honesty I think they're going to be a very solid unit come album 3.

I love the guitar on this album, for me it's the standout of the entire package. Yeah, i've had a few listens now and i'm still torn on it. Glad we have a week left haha! There are some corkers on the second half of the album though, namely The Light, The Fire and Heal the Wound.

I should note, I'm not really a fan of this type of metal.

That being said, on first impressions, I would definitely call it mixed.

The first two tracks didn't pull me in or give a major first impression.

However, once track 3 started, I was really feeling it and everything clicked. 4,5 and 6 kept the momentum up and I was really digging it by this point. Then they lost me for the rest of the album. Nothing really stood out again like those four tracks. The guitar did stand out, but a lot of the production kinda felt samey at this point.

I will definitely be giving Under Different Welkins, Les Nuits Noires, Grey Souls, and Bitter End several listens though.

ArgyleReptile said:

I should note, I'm not really a fan of this type of metal.

That being said, on first impressions, I would definitely call it mixed.

The first two tracks didn't pull me in or give a major first impression.

However, once track 3 started, I was really feeling it and everything clicked. 4,5 and 6 kept the momentum up and I was really digging it by this point. Then they lost me for the rest of the album. Nothing really stood out again like those four tracks. The guitar did stand out, but a lot of the production kinda felt samey at this point.

I will definitely be giving Under Different Welkins, Les Nuits Noires, Grey Souls, and Bitter End several listens though.

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Yeah, the first half is the stronger in my opinion. I wasn't a huge fan of the slower songs in the second half and they ruined the flow of the album, especially the four songs you mentioned.

Listened to the album twice a day since the thread was made. I really can't put my finger on it but the album just does not flow well.

Band: Highly Suspect

Album: The Boy Who Died Wolf

Release Date: November 18, 2016

Genre: Alternative Rock; Grunge

Background: The sophomore album of a band composed of twin brothers and their best friend from Massachusetts.
Links:

YT: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh8Wm_EGriA1ueXgazwl3ltRjIBzIsxZv
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3TC40H9dIJArFzy0rWnWCg
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-boy-who-died-wolf/id1149445034

In an attempt to get this thread/club going again, I'll post an album I discovered this week.

I thought this was a really, really good album. I've listened to it twice already and can't get a good number of the songs out of my head. Every track is so distinct from one another, it sounds like it jumps genres from song to song. Somewhat remenicent of Queens of the Stone Age.

The lyrics range from humorous to melancholic. The guitars sound great, as well as the drum work. Give it a listen and keep the thread alive.