|
Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 12/4/2010
Posts: 37,894
|
You guys have been writing some great reviews! Glad to see you guys participating.
Quote:
Originally posted by Jax
Y'all I really tried to listen to it all the way through but I just couldn't. I think I'll just only review hip hop or r&b albums.
|
Try! You still have about 6 days.
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 36,781
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Doc
You guys have been writing some great reviews! Glad to see you guys participating.
Try! You still have about 6 days.
|
K lemme try again. Y'all won't get a good review from me tho cuz I am not a fan of what I've heard other than Chandelier
|
|
|
Member Since: 2/17/2012
Posts: 33,611
|
This is an amazing idea but I dunno if I can make it through this album, I'm not a fan of her.
|
|
|
ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
|
Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear | 6.8 / 10 |
Sia has always been a bit of an obscure figure in pop music. Couple that with her latest image portrayal – her continuous covering of her face – and it seemingly adds another layer that is the mystery and intrigue around her. These past few years have seen many audiences become more familiar with Sia’s aesthetic, with her co-penning some of the biggest pop hits, most notably Rihanna’s “Diamonds”. However, this calls into question, just how familiar are we with Sia?
The opening of 1000 Forms of Fear is a soaring anthem “Chandelier”, a strong album opener if there ever was one. Sia’s famously strong vocals laced over a refreshing thrilling dance inspired production. Through and through its very en vogue, everything pop music today stands for, and yet there is this overwhelming urge to compare the song to other vocalists. How would Rihanna sound here? What about Miley? And that is precisely the biggest issue surrounding the album: it becomes a challenge to exactly place who Sia is.
Of course, perhaps the strongest aspect of the album is the lyrical content, one of the easiest moments to get an inkling of what Sia was going for. Looking to the second track, “Big Girls Cry”, a downtempo electronic ballad, you genuinely get the vulnerability of a woman undergoing a tough breakup. The lyrics become synonymous with the pain felt and any masking behind pop identities is broken down to reveal the true emotion. But it’s not restricted to lyrics where we see the truth emerge through. The emotive vocal outro to “Eye of the Needle” is performed with such persuasion that you’re almost taken aback. Again in “Straight for the Knife” we feel a closer understanding of what turmoil may be going on in these relationships. By and far the album’s best moment is essentially the entire second half of the album closer “Dressed In Black” where an almost chaotic yet melodic vocal performance twists and turns the ideas we’ve already become accustomed to in the album. There is a coupling idea of both fear and bravery as we arrive to an understanding of what Sia has to fear. Indirectly, as we get more accustomed to the outright strength of these moments, the veil surrounding Sia is slowly lowered.
And that is where the album becomes slightly confusing. For every honest moment there are songs that simply rely on the same tired pop tropes we’ve become used to. Songs like “Elastic Heart”, “Fair Game”, and “Free the Animal” genuinely sound like someone else should be singing them. These are the issues that arise as we quickly lose the vague connection we had with Sia in favour of almost faceless pop wherein there is no real distinction.
But is that the real intention? Are we really ready to see who Sia is in her entirety, or is that sense of hiding necessary to add more intrigue and interest to an artist? There may be a point to this masking identity here. Sia is keen on separating her pop-writer persona from the true her. It becomes a task to dissect each track on the album to pinpoint exactly what and where the real woman is revealed. And that is the fear. There is frightening feeling of revealing too much about yourself so easily.
Favourite tracks: Chandelier, Big Girls Cry, Eye of the Needle, Straight for the Knife, Dressed in Black.
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 36,781
|
1000 Forms of Fear- Sia 4.5/10
With a promising opening to the album like Chandelier, one would think that this has the potential to be one of the better albums released this year. Well you are correct, the potential is there, but it is not fulfilled. With a song like "Big Girls Cry" that sounds like Sia spent her time recording the song while eating mashed potatoes, nothing about this album is pleasing to the ear other than the beauty of Chandelier. Beats as overused and tired as Sia's gimmick, this album is nothing to write home about. All that this album has is the gimmick and hype.
While listening to 1000 Forms of Fear, at first I was pleased due to the magnificence of the masterpiece known as Chandelier. However, immediately after I couldn't tell when one song started and the other ended. The beats are all catchy, too bad they all sound the exact same. Sia is an amazing talent and this album does not display that. It is painful for one to listen all the way through. I guess if struggling vocals and cheap sounding beats are your thing, this could be the album for you. If that doesn't sound pleasing to you, join the club. Overall, Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear is a waste of talent and nothing special.
Standout Track: Chandelier
|
|
|
Member Since: 6/3/2006
Posts: 51,724
|
Oh, how freaking cool! I actually posted a review in my personal blog, let me translate it!
|
|
|
Member Since: 12/4/2010
Posts: 37,894
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Jax
1000 Forms of Fear- Sia 4.5/10
With a promising opening to the album like Chandelier, one would think that this has the potential to be one of the better albums released this year. Well you are correct, the potential is there, but it is not fulfilled. With a song like "Big Girls Cry" that sounds like Sia spent her time recording the song while eating mashed potatoes, nothing about this album is pleasing to the ear other than the beauty of Chandelier. Beats as overused and tired as Sia's gimmick, this album is nothing to write home about. All that this album has is the gimmick and hype.
While listening to 1000 Forms of Fear, at first I was pleased due to the magnificence of the masterpiece known as Chandelier. However, immediately after I couldn't tell when one song started and the other ended. The beats are all catchy, too bad they all sound the exact same. Sia is an amazing talent and this album does not display that. It is painful for one to listen all the way through. I guess if struggling vocals and cheap sounding beats are your thing, this could be the album for you. If that doesn't sound pleasing to you, join the club. Overall, Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear is a waste of talent and nothing special.
Standout Track: Chandelier
|
Come thru, Jax!
I need to play though this album a few more times before I review.
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 36,781
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Doc
Come thru, Jax!
|
I was NAWT a fan. However I still use Chandelier<3
|
|
|
Member Since: 2/17/2012
Posts: 33,611
|
I'm not even going to pretend I never was bias against her, but here's my honest opinion on this album.
Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear is her first full album ever since breaking into the top 40 scene. She's known for writing more bombastic and, well there's no other way to say it, loud, songs for her Pop peers. This album does not change any of her trademarks that she had been using the last few years. Unlike many of the artists she's written for (Rihanna, Britney), Sia has a powerful voice. This, however, proves to be a drawback in the album. Her voice is booming yet her enunciation suffers because of it. Only on "Elastic Heart" and "Free the Animal," the albums two standout tracks is she remotely comprehensible. Another issue with volume on the album is the production. It seemed like during the recording process everyone involved seemed to forget the word "subtlety" existed. The drums hit hard on every single track, and the synths are layered beyond comprehension, and what the listeners get is a barrage of maximalist sound. The lyrics (well, the comprehensible ones) are full of this decade's pop cliches. She sings in the first person but it's all too obvious these songs are not personal, they are for a general audience. Instead of developing the time to flesh out her persona, it seems like Sia stayed safe lyrically. Sia is an artist with tons of potential yet it seems like most of the time she relies on cliches without any awareness, making this album seem both trendy and completely out of touch.
3.7/10
Might edit it later. But my score is final.
|
|
|
Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
|
I finally listened to this album and I did not like it. I don't know how there are so many positive reviews. I'll listen a couple more times before I write a review though. I like the lines about subtly and potential in the review above me.
I will say though there is one amazing track on this album that blew me away.
|
|
|
Member Since: 3/8/2012
Posts: 39,015
|
A little introduction to my review. I haven't listened to Sia much before this album, but after hearing it, it led me to listen to her other past work. Sia has surprised me, and I'm glad that I gave her a shot when she released Chandeliers for the first time! Here is my review, of each song and then the whole album as a whole.
1. Chandelier - First song that exposed me to Sia's own music! This song has a pop vibe to it, while also having a tinge of a dark side. Instantly catchy, and her voice powerhouses its way throughout the song! Only problem I have with Sia and this song sometimes (based on my mood) is her enunciation. At first I thought she was saying "One, two, three - One, two, three, three" when its actually "drink" for the italicized part. 9/10
2. Big Girls Cry - This song is a bit darker than Chandelier, and it leaves a bit of a haunting feel while you listen to it. One part of the song I really enjoy is near the end (the bridge?) where her voice really shines! 8.7/10
3. Burn The Pages - At first this was one of the tracks I overlooked, but now I find it to be an enjoyable track. The overall feel is upbeat, while having an interesting production. 8.6/10
4. Eye Of The Needle - Although not instantly catchy like her other songs, Eye Of The Needle is great songs where Sia's voice is clear and powerful, 8.7/10
5. Hostage - Probably the most upbeat song on the album. Cool lyrics that goes with the beats, although I was hoping Hostage would have been a darker song based on its title. Still a fun song to listen too, although not the top on the album. 8/10
6. Straight For The Knife - A slow song for the album, Straight For The Knife offers a different pace for the album. The song subtly goes up and down in tempo and lyrically which makes it a fun listen. 8.4/10
7. Fair Game - Another slow song, a bit boring sometimes although not a terrible song. 7.5/10
8. Elastic Heart - Liked the song from the first listen! Has a really interesting sound to it, although its hard to understand Sia again a bit. 8.8/10
9. Free The Animal - Love this song. Its one of the standouts on this album and the lyrics, Sia's voice, and production really stands out. Great listen! 9.7/10
10. Fire Meet Gasoline - Didn't think too much of this song at first, but now its one of my favorites. Everything complements each other well, and it has a catchy pop tune to it without completely being typical pop. 8.7/10
11. Cellophane - Strange song, some people have really liked this track but for me it doesn't so too much. Compared to the other two slower songs on the album however (Fair Game and Straight for the Knife), Cellophane has a distinct sound. 7.5/10
12. Dressed in Black - Another standout song on the album. This song starts out slower and softer in the beginning but ends really big! This song is a really fun listen, and it's an epic album closer! 9.7/10
Overall: This album is great! I can say I like the whole album and 1000 Forms of Fear offers a new sound for Sia that she hasn't explored. The album has stood out to me so much that I am willing to listen to her older material! The album has great vocals and lyrics by Sia, and she offers a unique sound with her voice and production! The only complaint I have with this album is that sometimes Sia is hard to understand, however I believe this sort of add's to Sia's likeability and makes the song more interesting. I give this album a 9.4/10 for standing out too me and being my favorite album of the year so far! Its a solid album from beginning to end.
|
|
|
Member Since: 9/9/2012
Posts: 59,872
|
I wanna do this weekly. Lemme have my own stuff. :wee: May I suggest we do 3-5 single reviews a week though? 'Cause like, we don't need a whole week to listen to a 3 minute song.
I'm also adding this to my post on the 1st page for easier access. I'll keep all my reviews collected in that post (put them in collapse tags if they take up too much space). It'll be a portfolio.
Sia — 1000 Forms of Fear
July 15, 2014
Summary: The sixth full-length release for the Australian pop singer-songwriter was produced by Greg Kurstin.
Genre(s): Electronic, Club/Dance
Release Date: July 8, 2014
Tracklist:
1. Chandelier
2. Big Girls Cry
3. Burn the Pages
4. Eye of the Needle
5. Hostage
6. Straight for the Knife
7. Fair Game
8. Elastic Heart (feat. The Weeknd & Diplo)
9. Free the Animal
10. Fire Meet Gasoline
11. Cellophane
12. Dressed in Black
| |
TRACK: | TITLE: | RATING: | 1. | Chandelier | 6.5/10 | 2. | Big Girls Cry | 3.5/10 | 3. | Burn the Pages | 4/10 | 4. | Eye of the Needle | 2/10 | 5. | Hostage | 6/10 | 6. | Straight for the Knife | 6/10 | 7. | Fair Game | 3.5/10 | 8. | Elastic Heart | 2/10 | 9. | Free the Animal | 1/10 | 10. | Fire Meets Gasoline | 1/10 | 11. | Cellophane | 3/10 | 12. | Dressed in Black | 1.5/10 |
To start within a positive note -- earlier today, I listened to 'Wild Ones'. I loved it, just as I did in 2012. It's amazing vocals, something that stands out, doesn't make Flo Rida seem as comedic as an artist as usual. A perfect song that'll show the face of music in early 2010's. So as today winded down, I opened Sia's new album with that positive note inside. A ride it was, indeed. 'Chandelier' the current single, leading the album's released was something I thought was peculiar and fun but not enough to actually stick with me. Even when viewing the video. The magic couldn't spark once again, and left me with an eery feeling which I'd hope change listening to the rest of the album. Expectations linger -- then fell, as the album continued track by track. The following 3 tracks, 'Big Girls Cry', 'Burn the Pages', and 'Eye of the Needle' left a sour feeling. Disappointment and morale down by the minute in each song. Though the album somewhat took a turn, 'Hostage' and 'Straight for the Knife' turned out to be somewhat decent one could say. The problem was known by then to me -- nice production, drowned out by a monotone singer with a thick accent. Her emotion went nowhere because the 'deepness' was the same exact level on each song. It was almost like a Lana Del Rey, (but not that horrible). It was by the 8th track, 'Elastic Heart' it became a full struggle to make it through the songs. Sia failed to draw me in, I stared down at each track left and my '1000 Forms of Fear' became real. The end of the album was just a struggle, a feeling you get when you're fed up and just want to be finished if the only way to describe.
3.3 out of 10
|
|
|
ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 56,234
|
I still need to do this. I'll give the album another listen, and then it's review time. Loving the ones already done so far!
|
|
|
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/15/2007
Posts: 29,795
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Georges
Are all members reviews scored evenly or some hold more weight than others?
We could have a "resident writer" title for people who write a certain number of reviews and give them more "clout" (their reviews hold more weight). Could entice some quality members to write quality reviews imo
|
It's been brought up by someone else, but really it is kind of complicated to give some members more weight than others. Well, especially at the moment. Maybe the longer this goes, peopel review and rate albums, and we see who reviews from a neutral standpoint on everything; maybe we'll re-think the idea. At the moment though this is very new and music taste is VERY subjective, so it's hard to pinpoint who deserves more weight than others.
Quote:
Originally posted by theREALslimSHADY
this is an absolutely FANTASTIC idea!!!
i am not listening to Sia.. so i'll skip this one but i am SO excited to take part in this!!
i have a few questions though..
1. how many people must show interest in an album for you to count it?!
2. who is choosing the albums to rate?
3. one week is going to be from the US date of release right, and not from the date it leaked or somethhing?!
|
You should still take part! Maybe you'll like the album!
1. Any one who reviews and rates will be counted for the score; there is no minimum or maximum. You will not be counted if it looks like you are trolling and your review is less than the 10 sentence minimum. Everyone has been doing great with their reviews, so we haven't come across those issues yet! Those will probably come up during releases from the big main pop girls.
2. We're not only just doing albums, we are also going to be reviewing singles. We want to be a little more different than metacritic, so we are doing the same scoring for singles as well. As for choosing what to review, we're going to focus on new releases watching Music News for those releases. Us moderators will probably discuss what to review next, but we do recommend what to review. If we get a majority recommendation, we'd be more likely to review that.
3. One week is the maximum time length to review. Like I said we are going to focus on new releases, so we will be taking advantage of leaks. If something major leaks, expect the deadline to be shortened to about 24 hours or shorter of the content that we are reviewing currently so we can jump while things are hot. ATRL rules will still apply, so no asking of links of any kind or posting download or streaming links of any kind.
|
|
|
Banned
Member Since: 11/7/2011
Posts: 36,781
|
YAS @ the negative reviews coming in
|
|
|
ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
|
I like the idea of keeping it to new/upcoming releases. If we go back to older stuff from this year it isn't totally fair since we've had more time with the albums which might affect our scores.
Seriously though all of these reviews are so good! I love reading them all.
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/13/2009
Posts: 25,902
|
This is an innovative idea.
|
|
|
Member Since: 9/21/2010
Posts: 29,122
|
Im polishing up my review. listened to the album twice before I came to my verdict. It was actually weaker on 2nd listen. lol
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/26/2012
Posts: 5,189
|
Sia - 1000 Forms Of Fear
6.4/10
Let's be honest here, Sia's " 1000 Forms Of Fear" was not what the singles suggested it would be. " Chandelier", " Elastic Heart", and the two promo singles are 4 beautiful songs written with deep meanings and catchy melodies. However, the rest of the album fell way short. The rest of the CD either had one or the other. Not to mention that I would've fallen asleep halfway through streaming the album if it wasn't for " Elastic Heart". Thanks, Obama. I must congratulate Sia for blowing me away with the standout tracks. I had to dry my eyes after " Eye Of The Needle". She had me trying to find my weave after " Elastic Heart". In " Chandelier", Sia had me singing the high notes terribly out of tune because I suck. Sia even made me spend 30 minutes finding out what she's even saying in " Burn The Pages", because I was too stupid to look it up. Overall, this album has a butt-load of downs, but the ups make up for it.
Scores for each track out of 10
Chandelier: 10
Big Girls Cry: 10
Burn The Pages: 9
Eye Of The Needle: 10
Hostage: 5
Straight For The Knife: 4
Fair Game: 3
Elastic Heart: 10
Free the Animal: 2
Fire Meet Gasoline: 5
Cellophane: 4
Dressed In Black: 6
Standout tracks: Chandelier, Big Girls Cry, Eye Of The Needle, Elastic Heart, Burn The Pages.
|
|
|
Member Since: 3/8/2012
Posts: 39,015
|
What is with these low ass scores Not yall doing so much on Free The Animal and Dressed in Black lol
|
|
|
|
|