Music Reviews Existing Reviews Analysis Mellon Collie and

Music Reviews

Existing Reviews

Analysis: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (Smashing Pumpkins) review Introduction: This review starts with the narrator explaining that people were wary of the idea of the Smashing Pumpkins coming out with a double album, but they surprised them with the result. The language in the interview is somewhat informal with the album being described as “Generation X’s last hurrah. ” Body: The review starts off with mentioning the extent of Mellon Collie’s fame. It then highlights a selection of the songs in the album such as “Tonight, ” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings. ” There is also mention of the happy tone of several of the songs and how it was possibly bravado. As a retrospective review, it has mention of the history surrounding Mellon Collie. This can be seen where it says “the first Iraq war receding into memory and the paranoia of the post-9/11 years still half a decade away. ” Conclusion: The review ends on a bitter note, as it mentions the band’s decline after the album, before stating that this made the album all the more significant.

Analysis: Like Clockwork (Queens of the Stone Age) Album review Introduction: This review starts by saying that before the album's conception, QOTSA singer Josh Homme had a near-death experience which served as the main inspiration for the album. The language is relatively formal and technical, for example using the phrase “symbolism is eschewed and the sentiments are plain”. Body: The review then goes on to highlight a particular song “The Vampyre of Time and Memory, ” the first song Homme wrote after the experience and uses it to mention that Like Clockwork is a personal album. Afterwards, like the previous review, there is discussion of several songs, followed by mentioning guest stars like Dave Grohl and Elton John and how Homme still stands out. Finally, there is mention of recurring themes, namely emotion. Conclusion: The review ends by complementing the band. It mentions that the album, as well as being well made is a show of perseverance.

Compare and Contrast Similarities: Both of these reviews are album based, with alternative rock as a subject. Also, both of these were highly positive about their respective albums. These were both deliberate choices by myself as I have only good things to say about the band I've listened to, and it's a similar genre. ● Differences: While the review for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was a reflection after twenty years, and the events of the band in that time. Like Clockwork's review, instead, was posted shortly after the album itself, making it seem more like a first impression. Additionally, Mellon Collie's review focussed more on the instrumentation, while for Like Clockwork, it was more about the lyrics and themes. ●

Links The Guardian. 2015. Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, 20 years on | Music | The Guardian. [ONLINE] Available at: https: //www. theguardian. com/musicblog/2015/oct/29/smashing-pumpkinsmellon-collie-and-the-infinite-sadness-20 -years-on. [Accessed 10 March 2017]. ● Consequence of Sound. 2013. Queens of the Stone Age – …Like Clockwork | Album Reviews | Consequence of Sound. [ONLINE] Available at: http: //consequenceofsound. net/2013/06/album-review-queens-of-the-stone-agelike-clockwork/. [Accessed 10 March 2017]. ●