Golden Section - System 7

Advantages: Great jazz tunes from the Golden Age
Disadvantages: None

...This is real jazz, from the real Golden Age of Jazz. It's got the pace, the rhythm, the fluid trumpet playing, the relentlessly enthusiastic, rolling piano playing and the clear diction of some excellent singing of vocalists who could not only hold a tune, but who could capture your heart and soul, too… There's musicians with such great names as Muggsy Spanier, Meade Lux Lewis, King Oliver and Sidney Bechet. You do not get musicians called Muggsy nowadays. I wonder why? As well as straight out jazz such as the Dippermouth blues, there's also the dreamy and melodic April in Paris from Charlie Parker. Some jazz aficionados reckon that Charlie Parker eventually sold out. Well, perhaps he did. But some of his earlier work still stands the test of time. Jack Teagarden is on this CD, with So Many Times, a rather nice, well... Read review

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Advantages: AN AMALGAMATION OF LIKE MINDED TALENT
Disadvantages: A WEAKER LP THAN THE LATER 'SON OF EVIL REINDEER'

...BEFORE I BEGIN, PLEASE NOTE THAT TRACKLISTINGS AND OTHER DETAILS I TEND TO AVOID ARE ALL AVAILABLE UNDER THE 'PRODUCT INFORMATION' TAB OF EACH REVIEWED ITEM. Why this kind of thing isn't done more often, I'll never know. Here, we find a catalyst for something finding its feet on the road to becoming something special. Taking band members from, amongst others, Arab Strap, Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai and Mull Historical Society in an effort to create a mind-blowing LP of unrivalled excellence and dimension, would surely have been 'The Reindeer Section's goal. However, the musical gel in which they swim is quite bonding them, isn't quite holding them in unison yet. But it will, it will, it will! Opening with serenade style song, simple in it's delivery, bringing proper attention to its lyrics, which set the mood for this LP. A mood... Read review

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Advantages: Mad, Manic, Loud, Chop Suey and Arto
Disadvantages: Mad, Manic, Loud, very much a mood album

...sounding speed riff. Then all hell breaks lose as the fully distorted guitars crash in, first chugging and then harshly picked. Then just as suddenly it all stops, Serj alternates between shouting and whispering as the guitars crash in and out. Next you're treated to actual real singing from Serj (He's not bad!), the lyrics run something along the lines of "I don't think you trust, In my self righteous suicide, I cry when angels deserve to die". Only first time through this, as System of a Down are a metal band and all, the die comes out more like DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to admit I have a soft spot for metal-die-moments, Impaled Nazarene are very good at them - although that is ALL they are good at. Anyway, song swaps around between the previously mentioned sections before (again) with just over a minute to go... Read review

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