Burn Burn: The Reviews

SpiritualJunkie · Post by **SpiritualJunkie** » 7/13/2009, 8:48 pm

As a music reviewer myself, I'm struggling with the way things are rated.

I tend to overrate albums. If I like a record enough to wanna listen to it again, I'll give it a 4/5 or 5/5. My editor has a totally different system where a 5/5 means that it's one of the best records you've ever heard in your entire life and a 4/5 is only maybe a song away from being the best record ever. A 2/5 is considered lower than average but not crappy like a 1/5. Mathematically speaking, a 40% doesn't sound like anything to brag about, but when you're comparing it to hundreds or thousands of other records out there...it kinda makes sense how coming across a 4/5 or 5/5 album would be hard to come by.

My point is...a 2.5/5 for Burn Burn isn't as bad as it sounds. I mean, with "All You Did Was Save My Life," as part of the tracklisting, I'm definitely not expecting a 4/5. That said, the record shouldn't get a 1/5, either as we've heard from "Paper Moon"...

Driven · Post by **Driven** » 7/13/2009, 8:54 pm

A reviewer just needs to have a consistent system.

To me, a 4 out of 5 should mean that it's a great/fantastic album, which is usually the case. A 5 is used for classic albums.

If you look at most OLP reviews, Naveed falls around a 3-3.5/5, Clumsy around a 4, Happiness, around a 3-3.5, Spiritual Machines around a 4, and HIPT and Gravity at 3 or below.

You're not going to get a 4+ out of Burn Burn, in most cases. Anything a 3 or above should be a success for the band, considering their last two albums can't really reach that.

Gadmo · Post by **Gadmo** » 7/14/2009, 2:37 pm

I'm really surprised about the level of ALYDWSML hate in this thread. I love the song. When I first heard it, my immediate thought was, 'alright, the band I love is back doing what they do' ... not, 'oh well, hopefully the album'll be better'

In almost every review that's been posted, the reviewer has agreed with my sentiment, so I feel a little validated by that. It seems to me that ALYDWSML is a really good, solid OLP rock song.

Maybe some of you might give it another listen...?

Rural Juror · Post by **Rural Juror** » 7/14/2009, 2:41 pm

I agree; I think it's a great song.

And now people are saying that it doesn't fit with the album at all, which I really don't see. It's a killer opener for me.

RileyLewis · Post by **RileyLewis** » 7/14/2009, 2:45 pm

I think it's a good, feel-good rock song. Nothing special, but nothing bad either. I don't think it's a great single choice compared to a few other tracks, but it fits in well enough. I would prefer it was a little more raw though. The live performances are awesome.

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/14/2009, 4:42 pm

ayd really shines live.

Codes · Post by **Codes** » 7/14/2009, 4:53 pm

It's just to bad the awesomeness of AYD live didn't show up on the cd, like I've said before I liked the song live, but the studio version is weakkkk

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/14/2009, 5:57 pm

well i dunno about weak, that is one strong rock/pop song....and people are liking it.

what can you do? some songs are live songs and some are studio songs - and that holds true to every band out there.

I still say its a great way to lead off the record...and I really think that if it wasn't there the record just would not have the same feeling you get once you hear that last riff of paper moon

RileyLewis · Post by **RileyLewis** » 7/14/2009, 7:05 pm

But imagine what the record would have sounded like with Vampires leading it off...

(wink wink, this is a hint that we still want a b-sides!)

LifeRiot · Post by **LifeRiot** » 7/14/2009, 7:10 pm

BSIDES NOW!!!!

OM NOM NOM NOM!!!!

MindsOnLoan · Post by **MindsOnLoan** » 7/16/2009, 5:11 pm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... tml?cat=33

Associated Content review. It didn't get an actual rating, but it's a review nonetheless.

MindsOnLoan · Post by **MindsOnLoan** » 7/19/2009, 10:25 pm

http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sq ... ftxzr0ldke

The main review I've been waiting for has been posted. It's by AllMusic. They give it 2.5 stars out of 5. That's .5 above Gravity and HIPT, but below the first four.

Driven · Post by **Driven** » 7/19/2009, 10:29 pm

I agree with the comparison to the Goo Goo Dolls. When I first heard Never Get Over You, I instantly thought of the Goo Goo Dolls.

And that is not a good thing.

todddowney · Post by **todddowney** » 7/19/2009, 10:50 pm

Alternative Addiction: 4/5 stars

http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/new ... asp?id=804

Our Lady Peace returns in 2009 with an independent release. Nobody had control of their music but them and as it turns out these guys know what they’re doing. Closely resembling their early releases “Naveed” and “Clumsy” with a few more melodic sensibilities “Burn Burn” turns out to be a great album. Songs like “All You Did Was Save My Life”, “Dreamland”, “Never Get Over You”, and “White Flags” all resemble early Our Lady Peace work but they’re not identical because they do show some of the growth and change the band accomplished with “Gravity.” Be sure to check out “Dreamland” if you’re going to listen to one song from this album- it’s one of the elite OLP tracks. “Burn Burn” isn’t Our Lady Peace’s best work but that wasn’t really expected. They had a string of five outstanding albums and then they released “Healthy in Paranoid Times” which didn’t stand up to the band’s previous works. “Burn Burn” isn’t the band’s best album but they’re back with a bit of the edge they had before “Somewhere Out There” blew up and they’re back to form with a good album.

todddowney · Post by **todddowney** » 7/19/2009, 11:05 pm

http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2009/07 ... -burn.html

Our Lady Peace sheds the bonds of corporate rock and returns to their roots on Burn Burn, due out July 21, 2009. After feeling as if they'd lost control of their sound over the last two or three albums, Raine Maida and crew went back to their Indie roots, writing, recording and producing all of the material on Burn Burn themselves. The result is Our Lady Peace's most vibrant and enjoyable album since 1994's Naveed.

Burn Burn opens with All You Did Was Save My Life, which happens to be the first single from the album. All You Did Was Save My Life is perfect Pop/Rock Radio or teen movie soundtrack fodder. It's an upbeat Mix Tape candidate; a love song out of the traditional sphere with great pop hooks. All You Did Was Save My Life should drive downloads and album sales, particularly once people find out Burn Burn isn't your typical modern album with one good single. All told there's perhaps one average song on the disc, with the rest of the material here ranging from above average to excellent. Dreamland is a poignant piece of songwriting. The color scale of life becomes greyer as we do; this is a song about longing for our Technicolor days. Our Lady Peace gets a bit bizarre on Monkey Brains, which appears to be two songs (or song threads) tied together. I don't get it, but I love the progressive nature of the song.

Our Lady Peace guarantees themselves at least two big singles to follow All You Did Was Save My Life. The End Is Where We Begin is a wonderfully melodic guitar rock anthem, whereas Never Get Over You might be one of the best power ballads on the past few years. If Never Get Over You doesn't end up as a top-10 single somewhere it will only confirm that commercial radio is as lifeless and bereft of taste as reality television. I got a particular kick out of White Flags, a song that sounds like it's about ready to descend into utter musical chaos every time the chorus comes around but never quite does. Big, can't miss hooks and a distinctive pop feel make White Flags an essential listen. Perhaps the best songwriting on the CD is saved for last. Paper Moon is one of those songs that will stick with you, popping into your mind here and there, now and then and never being unwelcome.

Our Lady Peace is back After a number of years of corporate oppression, Raine Maida are once again in control of their own musical destinies. This good for Our Lady Peace, but even better for long suffering fans who've wondered where the fire and spark that made the band essential in the early 1990's went. It's here on Burn Burn, and the fire is burning bright.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Automatic · Post by **Automatic** » 7/20/2009, 3:28 am

MindsOnLoan wrote:http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0nftxzr0ldke

The main review I've been waiting for has been posted. It's by AllMusic. They give it 2.5 stars out of 5. That's .5 above Gravity and HIPT, but below the first four.

Bah. I can't help feeling that Erlewine doesn't get OLP. Naveed is one of the best grunge albums ever and way better than 3 stars, Happiness... is one of the underrated albums of the 90's and Burn Burn deserves more than 2 and a half stars.

He also makes it look like the only reason they recorded the album is because David Cook mentioned their name on American Idol and they think they can make some money.

Driven · Post by **Driven** » 7/20/2009, 11:18 am

He didn't review Naveed.

MindsOnLoan · Post by **MindsOnLoan** » 7/20/2009, 11:54 am

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/mu ... 8235.story

Newsday review. No rating, just review.

Trustworthy · Post by **Trustworthy** » 7/20/2009, 11:54 am

WTF @ THE GOO GOO DOLLS?!

blueseeka · Post by **blueseeka** » 7/20/2009, 12:10 pm

Trustworthy wrote:WTF @ THE GOO GOO DOLLS?!

All You Did Was Save My Life brought on the Goo Goo Dolls comparisons