Holidays - Brave Combo

Advantages: Original, captivating
Disadvantages: None really

...Marillion's concept album "Brave" released early in 1994 broke a fairly long hiatus for the band, following some criticism of their previous album, "Holidays in Eden" from 1991, which was thought of in some quarters as just a bit too poppy, and a triumph of chart-climbing attempts over substance. The result was "Brave", a long, deep and sometimes difficult concept album chronicling the journey in and out of loneliness and despair of a teenage runaway. The lyrics are intelligent and moving without resorting to any manipulative hooks, and the music is enticing. This is an album that sounds intriguing the first time you listen to it. The second time, you hear a few things you didn't quite pay attention to the first time, and ditto the third time, the fourth time... and so on. In short, this is one of those albums that tends to grow... Read review

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Advantages: Back to classic, epic, adrenaline-charged Maiden
Disadvantages: Bruce's voice has aged noticably

...Hurrah! Reason was listened to, hatchets were buried, and Bruce Dickinson was back with Iron Maiden once again. It had to happen for Maiden to be a force once more, and everyone came out of it with their pride intact. Blaze Bayley was fondly said goodbye to, and the band reconvened. But what was this? Legendary guitarist Adrian Smith also wanted back in? What a dream team! So, with all the original 'dream team' members back, plus Janick Gers, Maiden now had an awesome triple-thronged guitar assault team. The writing for 'Brave New World' began in 1999, just before the dawn of the new Millennium, the 'brave new world' of the future. There was also a welcome return for artist Derek Riggs. He co-designed the cover art with Steve Stone, a foreboding image of Eddie's face forming in the turbulent sky over a futuristic cityscape. Fans... Read review

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Advantages: Great album in its genre
Disadvantages: Not immediately accessible for some- but well worth persevering with

...Katatonia are a Swedish rock band who, like many of their contemporaries, evolved from death metal through to increasingly melodic and accessible rock music. Today, their music is catchy, even poppy, and this is exhibited particularly well on their "Great Cold Distance" album released earlier this year. However, this album, "Brave Murder Day", is from their earlier incarnation. Dense, gloomy, and powerfully atmospheric, this is one of the top albums of its genre, and I feel compelled to tell you why... As the sleeve notes (written by band member Anders Nystrom) point out, it's not often that an album's title is comprised on the first three songs on the album itself. It's also not often that an album as diverse and groundbreaking as Brave Murder Day emerges. When it was originally recorded back in 1996, it was the album that first... Read review

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