Jon Oliva's Pain - Global Warning...

Cheiron · May 12th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Masterpiece. Best album they've done. As good as anything he has done since Streets (and I think I had said the same about Maniacal Renderings, but this is better than MR).

I love the Queen influence on so many of the songs. This album makes so many other bands sound like amateurs, from the singing to the song arrangements to the melodies to the guitar solos.

The album is a mix of songs about a rising temperature of human termperment, and of songs that are more personal about I think the chaos and unpredictability of one's own life. I'll have to read the lyrics closer to really piece it together.

But I can't emphasize -songs- strong enough. While most bands are happy to produce a certain 'sound' and go with it. JOP changes things up from song to song. Its clear when one ends and another begins. Each can live with you long after you stop listening to the album. The art of quality sound crafting is so rare, especially in metal (as most bands seem just satisfied to -be- metal, and to mimick other metal bands), that when you come across an album that has nearly mastered that art... its just incredible.

The only part I take issue with at time is the lyrics. At times they are overly simply and cliche. But I think that Jon wanted these certain lyrics to be so.

I can't recommend this album more.

Kenneth R. · May 12th, 2008, 01:15 PM

While I like it, I think that Jon is just recycling his stuff since his first solo disc. When 'Tage Mahal came out, I was wowed. It's Savatage reincarnate! With Maniacal Renderings, I was happy, but knew that there wasn't much in the way of originality. With Global Warning, that thought has been hammered home. Sure, Savatage was never very progressive from album to album, but with JOP, he hasn't been going anywhere at all, except perhaps a bit backwards.

So yeah, I'm a fan. But it can't hold my interest for repeat listens, or even make it through a whole album at a time. The intensity is there, but the memorable riffage, the interesting lyrics, and the melodic foundation are faded and gone since Poets and Madmen became old news.

edgeofthorns · May 12th, 2008, 01:28 PM

I honestly haven't heard this release yet, because I haven't had the chance to buy it. With that said, I'll be picking it up soon, so that I can have some sort of opinion formed. I'm always looking for consistency when it comes to Jon and his music, and I'm sure that I'll be getting that with Global Warning.

~Brian~

VenomGA · May 12th, 2008, 01:39 PM

Very disappointed in this album compared to Maniacal Renderings.

Kenneth R. · May 12th, 2008, 01:43 PM

Brian, you'll definitely get consistency. You'll probably love it.

PurpleCrayonWriter · May 12th, 2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheiron

Masterpiece. Best album they've done. As good as anything he has done since Streets (and I think I had said the same about Maniacal Renderings, but this is better than MR).

I can't recommend this album more.

I agree. There's something about Global Warning that grabbed me from the first track. It has a cool vibe to it. Very creative album. I think it's his best work (post Savatage) to date.

I'm looking forward to asking Jon about it in a week or two.

Bill

batmura · May 12th, 2008, 02:43 PM

Jon is probably my all-time favourite singer and songwriter, so I look forward to hearing the new album. It's on its way from lasercd as I type this, but so far I've heard lots of mixed reviews on it. Then again, I'm one of those who think MR was better than the debut. This one's said to be a lot more acoustic based, which I think would be cool.

Nightmare1z · May 13th, 2008, 01:54 AM

Yeah, I haven't heard the CD yet - but this one is getting very mixed reviews from what I've seen. Some calling it one of his best works other, others calling it the worst of his 3 solo offerings (and a lot of the Savatage catalogue).

Waiting for it to arrive!

TwizstedJesus · May 13th, 2008, 07:40 AM

First off,I'm a huge fan of the Mtn King! I was excited about this disc when I heard it was coming,but now that I've heard it I've dubbed it "Global Boring". The material doesnt stand as anything redeemable compared to his past works...I've tried to like it,I just can't get into it.

dspot · May 13th, 2008, 10:01 AM

What Kenneth R said - i heard it before, and honestly I heard it better. We all love Oliva, and he is a brilliant composer. But I think he is brilliant when paired up with O'Neil and his brother, RIP. I know he claims that this is now Savatage, but to me it's not. His solo stuff has had flashes of awesomness on each album, but as wholes, each album to me is just average. Including the new one. I feel similarly about Zach's and Chris' solo efforts. I mentioned this before, but what a great Savatage album(s) we could have if you put best songs from each one of their solo efforts?

edgeofthorns · May 13th, 2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspot

What Kenneth R said - i heard it before, and honestly I heard it better. We all love Oliva, and he is a brilliant composer. But I think he is brilliant when paired up with O'Neil and his brother, RIP. I know he claims that this is now Savatage, but to me it's not. His solo stuff has had flashes of awesomness on each album, but as wholes, each album to me is just average. Including the new one. I feel similarly about Zach's and Chris' solo efforts. I mentioned this before, but what a great Savatage album(s) we could have if you put best songs from each one of their solo efforts?

You never will hear me argue that Paul O'Neill and Jon Oliva had a chemistry like no other writing team.

I think they about killed each other at times while making records, but they sure came up with some classics!

~Brian~

May 12th, 2008, 12:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cheiron Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,608	Jon Oliva's Pain - Global Warning... Masterpiece. Best album they've done. As good as anything he has done since Streets (and I think I had said the same about Maniacal Renderings, but this is better than MR). I love the Queen influence on so many of the songs. This album makes so many other bands sound like amateurs, from the singing to the song arrangements to the melodies to the guitar solos. The album is a mix of songs about a rising temperature of human termperment, and of songs that are more personal about I think the chaos and unpredictability of one's own life. I'll have to read the lyrics closer to really piece it together. But I can't emphasize -songs- strong enough. While most bands are happy to produce a certain 'sound' and go with it. JOP changes things up from song to song. Its clear when one ends and another begins. Each can live with you long after you stop listening to the album. The art of quality sound crafting is so rare, especially in metal (as most bands seem just satisfied to -be- metal, and to mimick other metal bands), that when you come across an album that has nearly mastered that art... its just incredible. The only part I take issue with at time is the lyrics. At times they are overly simply and cliche. But I think that Jon wanted these certain lyrics to be so. I can't recommend this album more. __________________ Cheiron Proud Co-sponsor of Andromeda for ProgPower IX Proud Co-sponsor of Virgin Steele for ProgPower VIII Last edited by Cheiron : May 14th, 2008 at 08:24 AM.

May 12th, 2008, 01:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kenneth R. Autumnstone Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hallways of Always Posts: 15,294	While I like it, I think that Jon is just recycling his stuff since his first solo disc. When 'Tage Mahal came out, I was wowed. It's Savatage reincarnate! With Maniacal Renderings, I was happy, but knew that there wasn't much in the way of originality. With Global Warning, that thought has been hammered home. Sure, Savatage was never very progressive from album to album, but with JOP, he hasn't been going anywhere at all, except perhaps a bit backwards. So yeah, I'm a fan. But it can't hold my interest for repeat listens, or even make it through a whole album at a time. The intensity is there, but the memorable riffage, the interesting lyrics, and the melodic foundation are faded and gone since Poets and Madmen became old news. __________________

May 12th, 2008, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
edgeofthorns He carves his stone... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Mountain King's Dungeon Posts: 3,172	I honestly haven't heard this release yet, because I haven't had the chance to buy it. With that said, I'll be picking it up soon, so that I can have some sort of opinion formed. I'm always looking for consistency when it comes to Jon and his music, and I'm sure that I'll be getting that with Global Warning. ~Brian~ __________________

May 12th, 2008, 01:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
VenomGA At War With Stan Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,944	Very disappointed in this album compared to Maniacal Renderings. __________________ Don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house....

May 12th, 2008, 01:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kenneth R. Autumnstone Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hallways of Always Posts: 15,294	Brian, you'll definitely get consistency. You'll probably love it. __________________

May 12th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
batmura Sea of Tranquility Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 2,279	Jon is probably my all-time favourite singer and songwriter, so I look forward to hearing the new album. It's on its way from lasercd as I type this, but so far I've heard lots of mixed reviews on it. Then again, I'm one of those who think MR was better than the debut. This one's said to be a lot more acoustic based, which I think would be cool. __________________ Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!

May 13th, 2008, 01:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
Nightmare1z Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 763	Yeah, I haven't heard the CD yet - but this one is getting very mixed reviews from what I've seen. Some calling it one of his best works other, others calling it the worst of his 3 solo offerings (and a lot of the Savatage catalogue). Waiting for it to arrive!

May 13th, 2008, 07:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
TwizstedJesus Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 256	First off,I'm a huge fan of the Mtn King! I was excited about this disc when I heard it was coming,but now that I've heard it I've dubbed it "Global Boring". The material doesnt stand as anything redeemable compared to his past works...I've tried to like it,I just can't get into it.

May 13th, 2008, 10:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
dspot Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 15	What Kenneth R said - i heard it before, and honestly I heard it better. We all love Oliva, and he is a brilliant composer. But I think he is brilliant when paired up with O'Neil and his brother, RIP. I know he claims that this is now Savatage, but to me it's not. His solo stuff has had flashes of awesomness on each album, but as wholes, each album to me is just average. Including the new one. I feel similarly about Zach's and Chris' solo efforts. I mentioned this before, but what a great Savatage album(s) we could have if you put best songs from each one of their solo efforts?