Search - Bryan Scary :: The Shredding Tears

THE Best Album of 2006

12/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I haven't been able to take this absolute masterpiece from going repeat for the past month, it's seriously been the only thing I've been listening to. Every song is beautifully crafted with delicate precision, huge hooks, and a lot of those loud "DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN..." parts, you know what I'm talking about. Singing is quiant and so is the music even though the lyrics are mainly on the darker side. Average time of each song is about 4 minutes each. Perfect opener and closer, the closer is what makes me want to listen over again, I think, just how it slowly fades the album away and then the beginning fades it back in.



STRONGLY recommended for fans of Sgt. Pepper."

Best album of 2006

Rachel Spence | Lakewood, OH United States | 01/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, let's get this out of the way: you can hear influences of Sgt. Pepper, Frank Zappa, theatre rock, glam rock, prog rock, mix in some kazoos, some heavy lyrics, add just a hint of bubblepunk and enjoy.



How ironic that the most ORIGINAL sound of the year has so many tags to it? It's because you really need to HEAR it. It's not a mish mash of sounds, it adds up to a completely inventive experience. You'll be amazed at the sheer audacity of the songwriting ambition and yet...it's really fun and catchy.



Tracks #1&2 are passable, but after that buckle up for the ride. "Operaland", "Mrs. Gracy's Revenge", "Ceiling on the Wall", "Blood Club" and "Bottom of the Grave" are excellent on their own, but this album works the best as a cohesive whole.



A wonderful CD gapping styles and sounds together into a truly unique and enjoyable experience."

Simply amazing!

I am a banana | Berkeley, CA USA | 07/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was typing a whole huge review of this and then I found this article that summed it up perfectly:



While it is true that Scary's stylistic approach, both instrumentally and vocally, is comparable to a vast number of classic pop artists, this obstacle in becoming a notable innovator is merely a component that should be overlooked to get the most out of The Shredding Tears. Those who expect complete innovation in every modern release are of a foolish nature. Music is an art that has lasted thousands of years and with each passing year it becomes more difficult to push creativity to a new level without being labeled as outdated. Despite the unavoidable comparisons, the most impressive aspect about Scary that causes him to stand apart from the generic mold is, simply, his natural ability to write a memorable pop song. Apart from the drums, Scary writes, sings, and plays all the instruments in every song on The Shredding Tears. Personally, he is one of the most talented musicians I have stumbled across in the past few years. While his multi-instrumental ability is extremely impressive, it is his songwriting that shines with the most brilliance. The majority of the tracks contained on the album implement a similar approach with an emphasis on unavoidable hooks, mostly dragged on by vocal melodies and piano-laden key changes. Scary's most attributable instrument is the piano, also the one that he has clearly mastered to the most significant degree. Incorporating a variety of electric guitars and keys is the norm throughout The Shredding Tears. Solos on both fronts are supplemented by a variety of production effects, whether it be the throwback shrill organ in "Mrs. Gracy's Revenge!" or the contemporary usage of synths in "Misery Loves Company". It appears safe to say that Scary is a knowledgeable student of successful pop music. He flawlessly incorporates the techniques of past artists like The Beatles and Queen into his own creative approach, resulting in an album that pushes the limits of present-day virtuosity and musical aptitude.



Full review at the Obscure Sound Blog"