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4.4
Average of 13 reviews
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Is the mp3 version identical to the early vinyl pre-order download that lacks album art?
After being let down by this one —>https://www.discogs.com/release/7378404-Faith-No-More-Sol-Invictus, I passed it on to the wife, since she wouldn't mind, and treated myself to this version. So, thankfully, I can say - it's as quiet as a mouse and spins perfectly flat. No surface noise, no pops, no crackles, no IGD, nothing. The left and right channels are cleanly separated, so no issues there either. Sound-wise, it's spot on. The vinyl itself is a solid gold color, not see-through or orange, and no black specks in sight. The gatefold is matte, feels sturdy and nice. The only thing that bothers me a tad is that the FNM logo isn't gold-foiled. I played it without washing, just gave each side a quick brush with Ursa Major four times. It came out of the (printed) sleeve clean and almost static-free. Of course, I'll store it in a fresh polylined inner.
This album was quite enjoyable. Barring the dreadful track "Motherfucker," I believe the songwriting is strong and typical of this band. It's certainly an improvement over the disappointing "Album of the Year." Of course, the band doesn't quite reach the heights of "TRT" or "AD," but that's not entirely unexpected. My favorite tracks are "Matador," "Sol Invictus," "Superhero," and "Separation Anxiety." The band seems re-energized, and I think Bordin and Bottum truly shine on this record. My main issue with the album is the production, which, in my opinion, is unsuited to the band. There's absolutely no edge or intensity in the sound at all, and whenever the band goes for a high-energy moment, it falls flat. Everything sounds too smooth and almost complacent. The band could have really benefited from some professional production assistance to make it as aggressive and urgent as it needs to be. I can only imagine what Steve Albini could have done with this album. My other concern is the guitarist John Hudson, who is probably a very capable player, but his guitar tone and playing style are incredibly uninspired. Considering these two issues, it's a real shame that the band didn't bring back Jim Martin for this reunion. His guitar work was a highlight of the band, and his production work with Andy Wallace on "TRT" and "AD" could have been crucial to this comeback album. Despite the overall success in the songwriting, I can't help feeling a bit disappointed by the production and the uninspired guitar work. Hopefully, they'll address this for their next album.
I had been eagerly anticipating this album, resisting the urge to listen to it before its official drop. I approached it with a blend of nervousness and superstition, as I'm not one to trust reunions, and the thought of one of my favorite artists reuniting with their most renowned band filled me with a touch of fear. But from the very first listen, all my doubts vanished, replaced by pure enjoyment. I waited several months before putting pen to paper about this album. I didn't want to risk being swept away by initial excitement, nor did I want to rush my judgment. I wanted to truly understand how much I appreciated it as time went on. I didn't want to come across as a die-hard fan (and I sincerely hope I've achieved that!). A couple of days ago, as I was driving home from Casentino, bidding farewell to the mountains and hills bathed in the warm orange glow of the setting sun, I was listening to "Sol Invictus." That's when it finally hit me what I could say about Patton and the band's latest work. The title is bold, directly referencing the invincible sun god—a pagan, ancestral symbol that even Christianity has embraced (think about Christmas, just a few days ago). Perhaps this title underscores that Faith No More is back, their essence still intact and undefeated. They've reunited not just as great musicians, but as a force of nature, creating music that expresses their irreverence, their epicness, their melancholy, their light-heartedness, their irony, and their seriousness all at once. They'll never reveal why they chose that title, and there'll never be a definitive explanation for their lyrics. It's fruitless to delve into those depths. What truly matters is that the 10 tracks of "Sol Invictus" are a mosaic of diverse feelings and emotions, painting a picture that immediately and effortlessly connects with the listener. In my humble opinion, "Matador" is the crown jewel of this album. Almost an "Innuendo" in its suite-like structure, its ebb and flow, and the grandeur of its finale. And that's all, folks! ;) [E.R.]
The quality of my pressing is quite bad. It sounds all muddled and squashed.
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