Lurker > rwlh

I always mean to listen to the albums in these topics, but I almost never do. Browsing the comments for VU&N, however, really motivated me to take the plunge and listen. Here is my ranking, with comments for each song.

1. Heroin
2. Venus in Furs
3. Im Waiting for the Man
4. Sunday Morning
5. Run Run Run
6. Femme Fatale
7. European Son
8. The Black Angels Death Song
9. There She Goes Again
10. Ill Be Your Mirror
11. All Tomorrows Parties

Sunday Morning feels trippy and psychedelic, a nice way set a tone for the album (we shall see if it keeps this tone!).

Im Waiting for the Man didnt hold my interest until the line about brownstones (or thereabouts). For some reason, maybe it was hearing the somewhat repetitive backing enough times, that was when the song begun to click for me. If it were half the length, I honestly dont think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much.

Femme Fatale: Wow that is some feedback on that mic. I like Nicos vocals. The best descriptor I can think of for them is classy and a little sad. This song is fine but a bit underwhelming compared to the first two.

Venus in Furs: This song starts out overwhelming, with discordant guitar and deep, low drumming. I really love the effect, its very gripping. The rest of the song keeps that vibe going. The specific guitar work reminds me a bit of the Indian music influences that were prominent in rock music when this album was released I wonder if thats intentional. Notably, this was the only song on the album to make me smile; I really got into it.

Run Run Run: Ive heard this one before, many years ago, and its so catchy that its occasionally popped into my head ever since! I honestly wouldnt have expected such a catchy refrain from this album. Ive always thought it was interesting when songs have random one-second dips in volume. Run Run Run has a few of them. I can only assume theyre intentional?

All Tomorrows Parties: Not really into this one. Maybe its the slower pace? Like with Femme Fatale, I like Nicos singing but I havent been digging her tracks as much. I did like the sped up guitar near the end, contrasted with the regular pace of the rest of the song.

Heroin: I knew going in that this was the big song from the album. It doesnt disappoint. I love the ebb and flow, starting off quiet and contemplative, then swelling into a big burst of energy, then dropping back to a quieter pace. Im not normally one to pay attention to most lyrics, but its clear Reed paints a pretty unflinching portrait of drug use. Wikipedia says the screeching instrument is an electric viola thats super effective. Heroin seems like the culmination of the album to this point.

There She Goes Again: I dont envy any song that has to follow Heroin, though this would probably rank low even with favorable placement. Not much to really say about it.

Ill Be Your Mirror: Not much to say about this one either! Poor Nico.

The Black Angels Death Song: My favorite parts of this song are the JSSSSHHHHH deflation noise and the discordant viola. Thats a very unique flavor.

European Son: oh this seems like a normal sonHEY THERE LION AND GLASS BREAKING uh yeah give me more sound effects in rock music, apparently thats a thing I like. The guitar solo that follows the glass is I guess what they would call raw. I think Ive gotten used to the feedback by this point that I barely even notice it, but its especially prominent in this song. It helps create this feeling of being overwhelmed in a really uncomfortable way (in a good way). The song is just utter chaos by the end. Unfortunately, I stopped paying attention to it, so its docked a few points from that.

Overall: neat album! Heroin was the clear standout, but the overall picture is pretty intense and raw, with interesting aural choices.

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I really appreciate your writeup on Speed Demon! You took the time to point out a lot of little things about the episode's direction. I too love the zoom in on their house when they first travel through time, only to get the reveal later of where they are. (I also laughed at how they didn't even notice at first, lol.) "A total misery tour" is a great to describe the episode. The girls are driven to such despair and are essentially totally broken by the end. HIM has truly won, and the ultimate capper is that the girls are convinced that it's their fault.

The show liked to play with these darker tropes occasionally, but this was a full immersion in suffering. We don't see what HIM even did specifically, all we know is it was bad enough to destroy everything and break everyone the girls loved. The moment when he rises up and says "Beat you? Don't you see...I've already WON!" gives me chills every time. Definitely a highlight in the show's run.

Thanks for the great writeup!

What happened to Tom and Jerry? I liked that entry.

hmm

Zanarkand

I've always enjoyed The Extreme, but it's never made the jump to love levels. It's always felt like it's missing something for me. Zanarkand is a song I like more (8/10 vs. 7/10), and it occasionally rises to the occasion on listens, like during yesterday's match against The Decisive Battle. So while I'm not super in love with these finalists, there were certainly worse outcomes for me.

Thanks for running this fun contest, andy!

Zanarkand

Clash on the Big Bridge

Zanarkand

The first 20 seconds of Seymour are incredible, and while I like the rest, it's a step below Zanarkand for me.

The Decisive Battle

hmm

The Extreme

y

Clash on the Big Bridge

Not Alone
Zanarkand

Ultima
Antipyretic

n

The Simpsons
Homer Simpson
Cartoon
Low

https://i.giphy.com/media/3o7TKVUn7iM8FMEU24/giphy.webp

Homer Simpson has a shocking amount of skill in tons of areas, having worked hundreds of jobs over the years, including bodyguard, bounty hunter, mountain climber, and other jobs that may or may not be relevant. He primarily fights with punches and kicks and is not above attempting to strangle opponents. He is incredibly durable and among other things has survived his skull being crushed, cannonballs to the stomach, punches from a professional boxer, multiple blows to the groin, etc.

Weaknesses: Hes Homer Simpson. Hes pretty dim and likely wont be able to formulate a coherent plan of attack unless one falls into his lap. However, he was able to successfully execute a complicated plan to bring alcohol to Springfield under prohibition, so maybe hell come up with something, who even knows?

One-Winged Angel
Valse di Fantastica

Clash on the Big Bridge
The Sunleth Waterscape

Interesting that I didn't vote for any of these four songs 100% of the time. I wonder if there's a song left I can say that about?