Baroness - Yellow & Green
Rating
RIYL
MastodonKylesa
Darkest Era
Torche
Release Date
07/17/2012
Label
RelapseTracklist
Yellow1. Yellow Theme
2. Take My Bones Away
3. March To The Sea
4. Little Things
5. Twinkler
6. Cocainium
7. Back Where I Belong
8. Sea Lungs
9. Eula
Green
1. Green Theme
2. Board Up The House
3. Mtns. (The Crown & Anchor)
4. Foolsong
5. Collapse
6. Psalms Alive
7. Stretchmarker
8. The Line Between
9. If I Forget Thee, Lowcountry
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All hail the run-on sentence and Baroness: not the dame from G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, but the presumptive claimants to year-end top-tens of the last half-decade-plus, the clean-cut brother from Savannah’s gnarled beard scene (all things relative—the cover art does feature what are probably nails but I prefer to think of them as golf tees jammed into someone’s head, and a topless woman preparing to slit a swan’s throat—par for the John Dyer Baizley course, I suppose).
Here’s the thing, though. As much as it is tempting to point to the parts of this double album where Baroness have continued to smooth out their edges, there are enough counterpoints that we won’t be decrying Yellow & Green as the kind of “rawk” horse-shit that inexplicably has a substantial following or the inoffensive garbage trying to out-vanilla itself (see: Fun.). “Take My Bones Away,” for example, introduces us to the most anthemic Baroness has ever been, but still maintains its deep fuzz and enough bite that metal elitists won’t be aghast and/or shaking their heads in disbelief. For further proof check out the fierce groove that closes out “Little Things” or the sinister prog that segues into the drowned “Sea Lungs.”
As I said, Baroness has always been the most refined of their Savannah brethren, though they have made a tidy niche for themselves toeing the line between fried-rat-eating Black Tusk and cosmic-tripping-latter-day Mastodon. Yellow & Green, while quite clearly the catchiest and most arena-ready of the Baroness oeuvre, as well as the most ambitious, obviously, has more of what some might dub middle-grounding, but in reality continues to stand on its own, much like the ’Ness’s other Southern Creations. That this record just ups the ante is not surprising. It takes what made Baroness so appealing and expanded it over a much wider arc. Like, two albums’ worth.
Inherent in that ambition is the drive that propels certain individuals to greatness, and while some have become preening assholes, there is a warmth to Yellow & Green that immediately envelopes the listener; where the incredible sweep of the record and its increasingly challenging composition should daunt, it thrills; where the aspirations of Baizley should go Corgan, we get paeans to the low-country and gruffly-sung melodies that simply soar; where at its most disturbed the record should become bogged-down, we get “Board Up the House”; and where Baroness should be tempted to chase the fickle critics around, they just stay true to their own aesthetic (and have been getting near-universal acclaim anyway).
So while some might be tempted to dismiss Baroness for perceived compromise or fault them for not dramatically breaking with their past here, they’ve nevertheless forged ahead to create what is sure to garner substantial year-end praise, and for damn good reason. Compromise this is not, people.
--Jacob Oliver
Comments
Reno, NV
It's going to be hard for anything to beat this album out for best of the year. Perhaps the best, most consistent double disc I've ever heard. 18 tracks and all 18 have something to contribute. Definitely showing the softer side of the band, but maintains that edge that culls them from the heard. Pretty intense review! I laugh at those who mock the softer side and claim they have sold out or whatever. Those fans are just meat/metal-heads that don't like anything that doesn't growl or scream bloody murder.
Top Weekly Artists Last.fm
http://bandcamp.com/buck09
Wales
Couldn't agree more. I would say ETID has this beat in my AOTY race, but I would be surprised if this doesn't place very highly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLF9Cm4E15E
I GO TO WORK
Columbus, OH
The only reason I don't listen to this nonstop is that every time I start it, I feel compelled to finish, which is a lot of music. This is a fantastic release that will surely be in my top 15. This has been a great year for music so far.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
This will be my album of the year. There are so many great parts, and my brain hasn't even processed them all yet. Good review too. I know a lot of "true" metalheads are going to shit all over this album, but I'm glad to see Baroness's scope of music being appreciated.
Philadelphia
BACKED HARD
-Maclyn
@maclynbean
http://www.facebook.com/maclynb
Columbus, OH
I could see this and The Contortionist being the two albums Decoy agrees the most with for our year-end lists.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One
Salt Lake City, UT
listening to it now, it's really good.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
London, UK
This album just feels effortlessly brilliant. In some ways it seems very simple but every note, every melody works so well. A huge improvement from an already damn good band and if it wasn't raining every day in the UK would be a perfect Summer record.
Currently listening to:
Of Glaciers - Heart Museum
Cyril Snear - Riot Of Colour
Boy Sets Fire - While A Nation Sleeps
Sleepers Awake – Transcension
Bruce Soord with Jonas Renkse - Wisdom Of Crowds
Best Of 2012 - Best Of 2013
I back what you said 200% Bucky.
This is one solid double album!
It DEMANDS repeated listens...
Buffalo, NY
I fell in love with Baroness for their guttural sludge, but with each listen this record is growing on me immensely.
Salt Lake City, UT
Well said.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Olympia, Washington
this album is so massive, yet simple and elegant. love it.
Ann Arbor, MI
It is amazing. I cannot stop listening to this.
DETH ROK!!!!
Lehigh Valley, PA
Maybe I need to listen to it again...
Reno, NV
Go listen to more Dave Mathews Band. Honestly I can't see you loving this album Bill. It's too good for that. :-)
Top Weekly Artists Last.fm
http://bandcamp.com/buck09
Lehigh Valley, PA
That's not really a diss to me haha
and I found a majority of it boring. I need to listen again. I've become so far removed from any music like this that I just have a real hard time getting into any of it anymore. Nothing impresses me.
Reno, NV
Ha, wasn't really trying to diss, more stating the truth.This one was on the edge of being Bill Lohr likeable. I can't see you liking it, but there is an almost pop factor to some of these grooves that are hard not to like regardless of what genre/style you are into (unless its Dave Mathews). But I can't picture it being in your end of the year list either way. It's all good.
Top Weekly Artists Last.fm
http://bandcamp.com/buck09
Baton Rouge
After seeing what has received the highest community scores so far this year, it's clear that you are guys are a bunch of dudes.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Lehigh Valley, PA
It needs to be heavier. That's all
Reno, NV
That's what she said....
Top Weekly Artists Last.fm
http://bandcamp.com/buck09
Reno, NV
Isn't Adjective a chick?
Top Weekly Artists Last.fm
http://bandcamp.com/buck09
Baton Rouge
Hahaha. That would explain his bitchiness sometimes, but nope. Just a dude, too.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
West Haven, CT
Adjective is not a girl?! You're bullshitting us..
Fuckings Greatest Hits: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
Salt Lake City, UT
This is my rock album of the year.
http://www.sonnambulanaut.com/
^ Blogthing.
Columbus, OH
Did you ever give Aeges' The Bridge a listen? I think you'll dig it.
Currently Listening To:
Lo!- Monstrorum Historia
HeavyArms- Burning Crowds
Shining- One One One