ANGEL RAT

Recommended as the favorite Voivod album of my roommate, this was something I couldn't not consider. And frankly, I'm a great appreciator of the band, though neglecting to delve deeper into them, just like a myriad of bands across the spectrum of sound and perceived popularity. And up until today, I've only known the two which preceded it, the beloved and celebrated Dimension Hatross (1988) and, of course, Nothingface (1989). I'm very excited... despite my frustrations to simply sit down with an album and just review it these days (it's been rough); it's been sitting in my queue for months. Early Progressive Metal is very worth 'being about' to me. This release, though... I'm not sure I have the... meanest things to say, at least.

Our '91 release, Voivod's sixth, begins with the short-lived, self-explanatory "Shortwave Intro", opening into "Panorama". This latter track has a surprising amount of classic Metal sonics about: clean vocals and chugging, riffing guitars [the whole album featured this 'surprise']. But then the bridge is quite nice. Progressive? Limited to this section's 6/8 forward drive (the majority is in a quick 4/4). Opening with another classic riff, "Clouds In My House" is next. And the back-glancing doesn't end here at its start. The guitars are slightly overdriven, looking to bands such as Kiss or even Def Leppard (as if I couldn't have said 'even' for Kiss). Signs of its actual time are revealed in its oft-occasioned cool--Dare I call this a reflection of contemporary Alternative Metal?--and instances of pinch squealin' leads. And speaking of, the guitar solo is very tasty indeed. More progressive than "Panorama"? Sure! I guess! Great track nonetheless.

Much to my continued surprise--but not to my chagrin--this general mode of lighter, Alt Metal-inflection continues on "The Prow". Cool rhythm here. Another great, and, yes, classic Metal guitar solo from Piggy. "Best Regards" is the first track which didn't immediately hook me, if that's telling [despite the lack of bolding I've withheld from the last two tracks, and a few toward the end]. A minute in and I'm just as on the fence; my ass is hanging off to one side in particular... It's punky. Interesting, but nothing fantastic. But this also has one of the most obviously progressive moments in its bridge and latter half... Very conflicting. A lot of great things still. Next is "Twin Dummy". Cool riff here, too, though feeling more like Hardcore Punk influenced? The bass from now-featuring Blacky is warmly rolling and flowing into my eardrums; great stuff. Our context is slightly re-substantiated with this total wash of keyboards, yet only briefly, as we approach 2:00.

To follow is the title track, "Angel Rat", bringing with it a totally other vibe; slower and softly 'doomy'. I welcome reproach, though, as this is probably my least favorite track thus far, ironically. Oh, and now "Golem" is up; and no, this isn't Stone Temple Pilots, sir hahaha! The sonic choices on this album are totally baffling to me, to be completely honest. What a strange time for music; and admittedly very great, too, obviously. Getting into the nitty-gritty, this offers far more promise than I first expected. Pretty dark track. And then this bridge section!!! Good God! I believe, a 'finally' is in order, but I'm now remembering track 5 ("Best Regards" seriously did have some not-so-hidden magic). Sadly, this awesome ends far too quick for my tastes. Cool riff and all, and hell, the vocals are working pretty nice here, too; just wanting quite a bit more. And for more confusion, let's talk the weird Mersey Beat randomness that is the harmonica at the start of "The Outcast". More classic Metalings here, over a hurried basic rhythm. All in all, though, it's a big ol' meh from me, dawg...

As we approach the close, "Nuage Fractal" seems to be offering me more of the same. I am terribly sorry to the real deal fans of this one, because I'm just feeling less and less for it as it progresses [there's almost no progression, again ironically]. What this one does offer is some interesting, almost surf-rock guitar, lightly swinging from ear to ear, and all over a fairly cool riff in the midsection. The vocals weren't working so hot for me here, and the overall composition was just not my thing, I guess. Next is "Freedoom"--surprised I've never seen this neologism before--begun with twinkling post-progressivisms, if I can personally pinpoint it; highly uncharacteristic. I mean, this feels like an Alt Rock B-side. Cool vibe though, end of the day. Finally then, around 2:00 (again?), something does in fact happen, and generally reminiscent to this one band I've heard before, too! Voivod, I think they were called... A surprise highlight, in fact! Finally, we have "None Of The Above". More classic, cleaner things going on here, too. Sorry I don't have more to say. Cool guitar solo, anyways. But the song was wanting. Which is not unique to this track.

Checking out the minority negative and middling reviews here before mine, and... yeah. [Starting with the 3-star ratings to those much worse...] Descriptions given for Angel Rat and its components such as 'disappointing', 'more subtle', 'much simpler', 'radio rock', 'not very progressive in any way', 'just awful', 'transitional', 'Grunge from outer space' [I couldn't have said that much better myself], 'average', 'not very convincing', 'suddenly drop off dramatically', 'very bland', 'pedestrian', 'very generic', 'very uninteresting [and] lackluster', 'Don't believe the hype,' 'a huge disappointment' [not to be redundant], and... *cough cough* 'overrated sh*t'... are certainly more than apt for much of the album. There's a smaller part of me that would consider this closer to 2-star material...