Guitar Lullaby - Ricardo Cobo

Advantages: Fantastic fourth album, no loss in strength
Disadvantages: Takes a while to get into

...on with the new tracks. The big stoner/grunge chords are largely gone and replaced by stong lead guitar lines. The volume level has also been dramatically reduced, with a dramatic reduction in white noise scenarios and a more intensive focus on melodic progression. Homme's days in Kyuss now become apparent with a heavier concentration on high power bass lines, which I think is a welcome development. There's a difference in the drum lines, whether it's less consistent or more varied I still can't decide, but it is a good thing. No longer will you be battered by beats all the way through and this serves to make the points when the drums do come to the fore all the more impressive. "This Lullaby" opens the album in a somewhat bizarre style, with guest vocals from Mark Lanegan. More of a sung skit than anything else, Lanegan pretty much solos... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Catchy in places, yet far more experimental than Songs For The Deaf
Disadvantages: Those who only like Songs For The Deaf may find this too adventurous

...peircing screaming on the mock-heavy metal tracks 'Quick And To The Pointless' and 'The Lightning Song'. Nick Oliveri continued to lend his vocal 'talents' to two more tracks on Songs For The Deaf. So, all three of their previous albums all sound different, and they all play different parts in the rock spectrum. So what of this? their fourth album? Well, the first thing you will notice upon first listen of Lullabies To Paralyze is that Nick Oliveri has been sacked along with his vocal contribution. Also, there are far far less tracks with Mark Lanegan on vocals, who sang on a good portion of Songs For The Deaf and did a few tracks on Rated-R. Infact the only song that Mark alone sings in is the first track, 'This Lullaby'. As an opening track it is a very strange choice as instead of the usual hard guitars that normally open an album it has... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of good songs
Disadvantages: It has a weak ending

...They brought you the amaizing "no one knows." Of course your expecting some good, musically sophisticated, pleasing to the ear, straight to the point rock music and here it is. The opening track, "slow lullaby," is an eery introduction to the album. Personally I would say that it is not strictly a song in itself, more just to set the scene. Its chilling lyrics and piano are followed by "medication," the opening bars pure guitar, it just feels like rock. The song itself is not a particular hit, neither is the following one, but they are both palitable. Next comes the first track of particular merit, 'tangled up in Plaid.' It is musically pleasing and emotional. Track 5, 'Burn the witch', is my favourite song of the album and is the sort of song that sticks in your head for a number of days. It is simple but affective, speaking... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful