Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Something Beautiful
Title
Songs About Angels
Type
LP/EP
Company
Independent
YOR
2009
Style
Progressive
6/16/2009 - Review by: Raising Iron

Something Beautiful
Songs About Angels

Company: Self-released
Release: 2009
Genre: Progressive
Reviewer: Raising Iron

  • A heart-filled and ambitious effort



  • For the fan of exorbitant, capricious, and progressive excess comes the latest album from Chicago's goth-stained metallers Something Beautiful christened, Songs About Angels. The epic indulgence has been increased ten-fold on this concept album revolving around a murderer, a priest and an angel(s) and their struggles with faith and redemption.

    Concept album is of key-import here, as the twelve songs inscribed tend to run together into one large, storytelling song that bests the seventy-two minute mark; and that's with a song left off (due to the run-time restraints of cd's), which can be downloaded at the band's website. As well, these are all full-length compositions with virtually no repetition in choruses or riffs; unlike many concept albums which contain handfuls of tracks that are nothing more than quick interludes made up of instrumentals, samples, spoken parts, or other such transitional fare. Length aside, there is a solid, cohesive, and deliberate pace to the tale; the duo taking as much time as they wish to convey the drama herein. The best track - mainly due to its tight focus - is "Daughter of God", which is bookended by two tracks that'll have the listener immediately recalling NIN circa mid-90's, with their quiet, sampled, and increasingly layered rhythms accompanied by singer Dale Tippet's angst-ridden melancholy. Stylistically speaking, those who enjoy Everygrey's lofty, extensive, moody, and maudlin approach to songwriting will find comfort amidst these grooves.

    Ultimately, Something Beautiful's Songs About Angels is a heart-filled and ambitious effort; sure to be redeeming for the patient listener.


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      3.5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Songs About Angels
    2009
    Independent
    Raising Iron6/16/2009
    3.5
    States of Being
    2006
    Independent
    Raising Iron5/5/2009
    3

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


    << back >>