Norma Jean - Redeemer

Rating

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RIYL

Misery Signals
Fear Before the March of Flames
As Cities Burn
The Chariot

Tracklist

1. The End Of All Things Will Be Televised
2. A Grand Scene For A Color Film
3. Blueprints For Future Homes
4. The Longest Lasting Statement
5. A Small Spark Vs. A Great Forest
6. Blueprints For Future Homes
7. Amnesty Please
8. A Temperamental Widower
9. Like Swimming Circles
10. Cemetery Like A Stage
11. Songs Sound Much Sadder
12. No Passenger, No Parasite

Users Rating

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3 ratings

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Recent Ratings

After the potential displayed on Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child I had very high expectations from Norma Jean. Then came the horrendous O God, the Aftermath and to me Norma Jean blended in with all the other so-so unimaginative metal bands. On Redeemer, Norma Jean shows the potential they had initially shown and they emerge quite respectfully from the crowd.

Thankfully Norma Jean didn't follow the route of other recent metal/metalcore bands that decided to alter their vocals from the hardcore screams to a more accesible widely acceptable singing style. Instead Cory Brandan's vocals are delivered with the same incomprehensible viciousness of their previous releases. The same that is, except for the noteable difference in the band's sudden usage of vocal harmonies on a handful of songs. On both of the first two LPs harmony and conventional song structure were devoid all together. On Redeemer the band improves by experimenting with having actual choruses and although as unorthodox as they make it, some songs feature a uniformity in actual structure. They experiment without compromising what they have done along. They still have verses bleeding straight into the chorus, the songs that seem like four minute free for all's with little in the means of vocals, and the aimless wondering of their dueling guitars.

With the highly experienced Ross Robinson (At the Drive-In, The Blood Brothers, Slipknot) behind the boards, Redeemer has great production in its own raw way. It works very well for the sound Norma Jean aims for. After O God, I had lost faith in Norma Jean, but this album shows they can live up to the potential it seems they had all along.

--Andy Young

Author

AndyY9587
Last updated: 09/29/2009 08:54PM

Comments

theDrivingSnow
10/06/2006
07:00AM
As overused as this comparison is, how can you really discuss Norma Jean without mentioning Botch? At least have them in the RIYL. They could also be mentioned as evidence of why O, God was terrible; well, because it sounded note for note like attempted Botch cloning. I just think that omitting Botch from a Norma Jean review sounds uniformed, but that's just my opinion.

It's blowin' cool outside today...

HEARTandSYNAPSE
10/06/2006
07:08AM
Location
Manchester, England
i thought O, God was an amazing record.

Kerwin White
10/06/2006
07:14AM
Age: 26
Location
blockbuster
I love Martyr, havent heard Aftermath though because of all the bad things people say about that album.

I listened to a new song off this album on the band's myspace and they've gotten much more melodic than anything I heard off Martyr, but thats not a bad thing.
kina
10/06/2006
07:20AM
Location
NH
redeemer is mostdef. better than aftermath.
good stuff.
Great Refuser
10/06/2006
07:21AM
Age: 32
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Definitely a good surprise. I was disappointed in O God, it just didn't hold up after repeat listens, but this album is much better. Still want to see more bands going in an experimental direction (fbtmof) though.
kina
10/06/2006
07:27AM
Location
NH
Great Refuser
Definitely a good surprise. I was disappointed in O God, it just didn't hold up after repeat listens, but this album is much better. Still want to see more bands going in an experimental direction (fbtmof) though.

well I don't want too many bands to go experimental. I personally think that fbtmof went a little overboard. then again, I probably haven't listened to the album enough. I'm going to go listen to it again being more open minded. yeah.
Aenimaniac
10/06/2006
08:06AM
Location
East Lansing, MI
Love the album, I'm addicted to A Grand Scene For A Color Film.
Sins Of Arcadia
10/06/2006
08:21AM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
This album is a pile of shit. Worse than O God, the Disappointment.

Bless The Martyr remains the only good thing they released. Luckily for them, it's really really really good.
AndyY9587
10/06/2006
10:38AM
Age: 25
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Wow, so many mixed feelings on this one

djc666
10/06/2006
10:46AM
Location
San antonio, Texas
Man i have constanly listened to this CD so many times...but god dammit i cant get into this CD.....they have alot of good things going on, but it comes off disjointed......sorry norma jean!!

Bells and Whistles
10/06/2006
11:00AM
Location
Edmonton, AB
i enjoyed O God the aftermath... kinda hard to listen to it alot but once in a while it was pretty good
AndyY9587
10/06/2006
11:21AM
Age: 25
Location
Cincinnati, OH
theDrivingSnow
As overused as this comparison is, how can you really discuss Norma Jean without mentioning Botch? At least have them in the RIYL. They could also be mentioned as evidence of why O, God was terrible; well, because it sounded note for note like attempted Botch cloning. I just think that omitting Botch from a Norma Jean review sounds uniformed, but that's just my opinion.



Thats why, its redundant you said it yourself. I actually didnt do the RIYL, but with or without Botch it was done pretty well

violentspecter
10/06/2006
11:37AM
Age: 23
Location
Holland
o god was really different. this is multitudes better though.

...this is the end.

Cradle Of Filth
The Whip
Psyclon Nine
AFI
CKY

Bob Loblaw
10/06/2006
11:53AM
O' God was shit. Every song sounded exactly the same. Redeemer is meh, not bad, not good. Martyr will remain their best because this new singer is nowhere near as good.
djc666
10/06/2006
11:59AM
Location
San antonio, Texas
I liked Spitfire's "self-help" alot more than this...

Mike Duchnowsky
10/06/2006
01:32PM
Age: 27
Location
West Haven, CT
This cd is better than the last cd, but that isn't saying much since the last cd was Botch's We are the romans only with the guys from Norma Jean ripping it off.
I can't believe this cd got a good rating and the Daughters got a low score.
What a pile of shit.

The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.

Sins Of Arcadia
10/06/2006
01:34PM
Age: 28
Location
Florida, USA
lol @ assuming the daughters would recieve a high score.
xdillonx
10/06/2006
02:31PM
Location
Kansas
HEARTandSYNAPSE
i thought O, God was an amazing record.


Seconded.

www.myspace.com/dearaugustine
www.purevolume.com/againstantares

iamnotyourbroom
10/06/2006
02:46PM
Location
Charleston, SC
i have never been able to like anything this band has ever put out...and beleive me i've tried....i can't quite put my finger on it but i hate them...bless the martyr was the only CD i ever came close to liking
gregplaysdrums
10/06/2006
04:12PM
Location
SCV, CA
i didn't mind o, god the aftermath, but I didn't really love it or anything. Redeemer is much better
Tempus
10/06/2006
04:25PM
Location
Canada
I've never seen the big deal with this band. There's just nothing interesting going on.
lpshinobi
10/06/2006
05:27PM
Age: 23
Location
VT
I really believe that Cory Brandon's vocals sound just like a constantly screaming Dustin Kensrue.

My Top Songs of '09
The Appleseed Cast//as the little things go
Caspian//sycamore
Sunwrae//Chinook Winds
Dredg//down to the seller
If These Trees Could Talk//the sun is in the north
From Monument to Masses//an ounce of prevention
Straylight Run//i'm through with the past


LpShinobi's Post-Rock and Shoegazing Recommendation, via YouTube

Lpshinobi's Post-Rock Band, New Song Posted

Kerwin White
10/06/2006
08:28PM
Age: 26
Location
blockbuster
Mike D Hates You
This cd is better than the last cd, but that isn't saying much since the last cd was Botch's We are the romans only with the guys from Norma Jean ripping it off.
I can't believe this cd got a good rating and the Daughters got a low score.
What a pile of shit.


funny, Daughters in general are like listening a Blood Brothers album with the Daughters guys ripping it off, extremely fucking poorly.

ZING
xdillonx
10/08/2006
03:39AM
Location
Kansas
Kerwin White
funny, Daughters in general are like listening a Blood Brothers album with the Daughters guys ripping it off, extremely fucking poorly.

ZING


Not even close.

www.myspace.com/dearaugustine
www.purevolume.com/againstantares