*** THE CASUAL GAMER ***
| Main | Rating: Transcendent |
Mad Season: Above
Mad Season is a moody, atmospheric album, that is well crafted. It is born of the Seattle music scene, and two of its members were Layne Staley of Alice in Chains and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam. This album represents a great synthesis of talent.
This album has a great, haunting feel to it. The sound is like a great mix of musical styles from hard rock to country to blues. Because of Staley's vocals, some of the songs bear a resemblance to Alice in Chains songs, and McCready's prescence feels like a Pearl Jam reference. But although those members are remembered for their work in other bands, the sound of Mad Season is something all to itself.
The album's sounds range from moody ballads to hard rock and back. It is very simplistic in its formula, but that is what keeps it honest. The instruments are very clear and yet have a raw edge. Staley's vocals are magnificent and show how amazing a singer he really is. This album is not overproduced or bogged down with multiple overdubs. It is plain and simple, and that is what is so great about it.
Mad Season's "Above" is a great album. Anyone who is a fan of the Seattle "sound" that came out of the early nineties owes it to themselves to check this album out. However, if you don't like that kind of music at all, this album won't change your mind. And if you listen to this album expecting Alice in Chains or Pearl Jam, you will disappointed. It is neither; it is its own beast. It is a very honest and pure rock album that has much to give. Give it a listen.