LATERALUS

I had a really hard time deciding how I should rate this album. On the one hand, there are very solid, inventive tracks that present unique atmospheres, complex ideas, and undeniably progressive development; on the other, it doesn't age well, there are parts I desperately want to skip with every listen, and I don't feel like I'm making any new discoveries with each listen. In fact, I'd go as far as to say the magic wears off a little more each time. Maybe my tastes are changing with each new group I discover, but regardless I will praise the innovation and high degree of musicianship the album demonstrates. Plenty other reviewers have already given their track-by-track analyses, both in positive and negative lights, so I won't pile on. What I will say, however, is that no matter what rating or opinion each reviewer has presented, this really is an album you'll just have to listen to and judge for yourself. Don't take the number of 5 star or 1 star ratings or reviews here; formulate your own opinions in regards to what you take away from the album.

It's unique and will undoubtedly offer something different for each person who hears it. I just don't feel the energy on this album I expect from a masterpiece and its diminishing returns for me are readily apparent. I give it 4 stars for now because of the strength of certain tracks and the talent of the musicians themselves, but don't be surprised if this rating falls, assuming the trend with this album for me continues and it never rebounds.