RUSH
R40
ORANGE GOBLIN
Back from the Abyss
(Candlelight)
"Sabbath Hex," the opening track on
Orange Goblin's latest 12-track album, is
pure hard rock anthem. The chorus "If
you understand / raise your right hand /
repeat after me / we are stone free," later
joined by "freedom wears a crown /
dogma wears you down," comprise one of
the catchiest hooks ever by these stoner
metal peddlers. "The Devil's Whip" bears
a touch of Motorhead, especially with
vocal delivery, and a whiff of High On
Fire, most notably for quick tempo and
thematic material (think "Fury Whip").
"Heavy Lies The Crown" shows the veteran UK band's firm bluesy roots, as does
"Into The Arms of Morpheus," only with
an appropriate slower and groovier
tempo and extended (over 6 minutes) running length.
- Jason Scales
8
THE TWILIGHT SAD
Nobody Wants to Stay Here
and Nobody Wants to Leave
(Fat Cat)
Misery loves company; and so The
Twilight Sad create depressing but beautiful music that's alluring in its dark tone
and moody atmosphere. The foreboding
sound, accentuated with ambient electronic layers and stark production shudders with nighttime fever, but nimbly
avoids the garish undertones that sometimes plagues overtly gothic acts. Long
gone are the suffocating, massive guitar
squalls that swallowed songs whole.
Instead, textured, rippling guitars crest
heartbreaking melodies while James
Graham's thick Scottish brogue rings and
sighs.
- Patrick Conlan
Appearing: 2/28, Beat Kitchen
8
(Anthem/Zoe)
R40 is a post holiday-gift bonanza for
newer fans onboard since Rush's 2013
induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame. The package celebrates four
decades since the adventurous Canadian
trio's self-titled debut album. Although
most of the video content was filmed in
the 2000's, R40 includes deep tracks and
fan favorites spanning the band's timeline. If R40 has a downfall, it's connected
to the intensity of Rush's fanbase. The five
recent concert films collected here are previously released, and devoted Rush fans
probably own them all. While revealing
and fun for new viewers, the recent films
boost the package price for completists
seeking the box's real prizes. 2003's Rush
in Rio caught the Brazilian stop supporting 2002's rejuvenated Vapor Trails album.
Guitarist Alex Lifeson is electrifying on
fresh material like "Secret Touch." R30 celebrated Rush's previous decadal birthday,
including influential covers from Rush's
Feedback EP. Bassist Geddy Lee digs into
Cream's "Crossroads." Snakes and Arrows
Live arrived in 2008, with "Far Cry" and
"Spindrift" alongside crowd-pleasers
including bra [