Apoptygma Berzerk- Rocket Science (2009)

I have said many times throughout my posts that I will get an album to check out based on some retarded reason: name, cover art, if their foreign, etc.  Well Apoptygma Berzerk is one of those bands that, after listening to them, I was more or less "Aww, whatever"; then I looked on their site, and based on the fact that they look like modern day emo bafoons, I'm gonna say "I don't really care for them".  (I base this on very loose logic- I came across them and decided to check them out based on their name, which is not any way to really go about these things, and was pretty wishy-washy with their music, then I see a picture of them and since they look idiotic, I now pronounce them, subjectively, lame. See what I was saying?- loose logic.)  Now on to the review.........

Rocket Science seems to be these guys' 6 album, and honestly, 6th?  Anyhow, this album consists of 14 elecro/pop/synth pop type tracks.  At nearly an hour long, the album feels a little drawn out.  Here's why: 1. synthy type releases, that are instrumental, really need to have some hooks or something to keep it interesting- this did not; 2. I have heard synth releases from decades ago, that were the same quality, but due to their release date, hold a way higher interest; 3. the tracks aren't too complicated and seem like they are meant to be just a synth style soundscape; and 4. now that I've seen photos, they wear freakin' eyeliner, which I'm not opposed to if you rock, but if your lame, well..... then your lame factor is increased exponentially.   So, there it is, take it for what it's worth.  I was not impressed, and honestly as soon as I'm done with this review I am going to remove from my MP3 player. 

If you're into synth pop or elecro soundscapes, then go ahead and get this; but, if you are an avid music fan, you'll see the flaws with this release.

Official score-1.75/5

Jonsi and Alex- Riceboy Sleeps (2009)

I had high hopes for this album when I found it, and not to say this is bad, but I was a little disappointed.  Jonsi is the front man for Sigur Ros, who I am a big fan of; not to mention the Jonsi solo album, Go, which is really good.

The album itself is a really good ambient/minimal release, that does a good job at providing a nice atmospheric sound that can calm any listener; but honestly, that's where it ended.  As I listened to each track and the build up of each song I was expecting an apex within the track, but it never arrived.  From the albums I have heard from Sigur Ros, and the solo album by Jonsi, I was anticipating more.  Maybe I psyched myself up but this just pretty much felt like a standard ambient/minimalistic album; the experimental post rock sound I am accustomed to was not there.  These 9 tracks, with a running time of a little over an hour, seemed to drag for me.  Like I said that sound is really good, if you like ambient/minimalism you'll really like this,  but in my opinion it just didn't deliver what I was wanting/expecting. 

Multiple soundscapes line this album, within each track; and each track has a few different layers that can keep you interested, but maybe not interested enough to keep it in any kind of regular listening rotation.  You might want to check out actual Sigur Ros albums or even the solo Jonsi album before you get this one. 

Official score- 3/5