Blog Archives
Album Review: Flotsam and Jetsam – Ugly Noise
In case you have been living under a rock, Flotsam and Jetsam have been in the metal business for over 30 years (since formation under the name Paradox); slightly less if you start counting at their first release in the mid 80s. They have perfected (mostly) a concoction of quality metal focused on stringing together catchy riffs and headbanging cadences. Though they haven’t garnered the sweet royalties of today’s Big Four-type bands, Flotsam and Jetsam have created a niche of fans for all intents and purposes is quite fine with the band. Ugly Noise is their 11th studio album and out of all the Flotsam and Jetsam albums I have heard over the years…even the stuff I missed and had to catch up on, Ugly Noise is a focused well-produced/fan-sponsored album. But, does that make it good?
Concert Review – Testament/Flotsam and Jetsam
I find it interesting that the days before and immediately after this Testament show was/is snowy and miserable. A cancellation would not have surprised me, but on Monday the 25th, the sun was shining and the Interstate highway nice and clean…as if a gift from the Metal Gods telling me I must attend the show. So, after a full day of work and a 103 mile drive to Denver with my GPS voiced by America’s best Dad Homer Simpson, I made my way to the Summit Music Hall in downtown Denver, CO. My goal was to get there before Flotsam and Jetsam, but as luck would have it I arrived in time to see all the bands…which was a super bonus.
Song of the Day – Hypocrite – 11 Feb 11
I always thought Arizona’s Flotsam and Jetsam was cool rockin’ metal band. That was more than 20 years ago and for some reason, as I mentioned in a previous blog, I lost touch with them. When I saw The Cold was released I bought it without hesitation; the chance paid off. The Cold is a solid album through and through. The song of the day is in the lead-off position:
Hypocrite by Flotsam and Jetsam off the album The Cold.
If you are like me and lost touch with the band, this is a good way to reintroduce yourself and get acquainted. The title track, The Cold, is a real good song clocking in at over 7 minutes.
Album Review – Flotsam and Jetsam – The Cold
I used to be an avid listener of Arizona’s Flotsam and Jetsam probably 18+ years ago. I was a big fan of their earlier stuff, obviously, then for some unknown reason I just stopped listening to them. I have no real explanation for that, but the last Flotsam album I bought was Unnatural Selection in 1999. Then that was it. Maybe I just didn’t like that particular album too much, I really can’t remember. So when I saw “The Cold” was released on September 14, 2010, I thought why not? The Cold is holding steady on iTunes with 17 reviews at 5 stars. I think the album is quite good. The Cold is my favorite song on the album. Other notables are:
Hypocrite – A good thrash song and good opener
The Cold – Heavy, and the longest song on the album at 7:19
Better off Dead – A powerful song
This album has made me a fan again and I may find myself starting to back track a little bit to see what I have been missing out on. If you are like me and kind of forgot about Flotsam and Jetsam, The Cold is an appropriate reintegration.
I give Flotsam and Jetsam’s “The Cold” 4 of 5 Devil Horns.
(photo credit: www.crashmusicinc.com/news.htm)
