When Ghost Reveries came out I instantly liked it, and still do. But Watershed is in my opinion a better record. I love it. I guess Porcelain Heart is WS' weakest track, if I have to get picky. But with tracks like Hessian Peel, Lotus Eater and Hex Omega (my favourite..), you just gotta love it. I really like Opeths turning point, and their direction. I would rather have them producing an ok album, than repeating Blackwater Park over and over again.
The album confuses me. I like most of it yet I don't feel compelled to give it a spin... It's not bad, the new direction is interesting... but might be a bit much too soon for some
Yeah, I am skipping Hex Omega, it seems to very uninspired in my opinion. I haven't tired of the first half of the album as of yet - 'Coil', 'Heir Apparent', 'The Lotus Eater' and 'Burden' are great - but 'Porcelain Heart', parts of 'Hessian Peel' and the aforementioned 'Hex Omega', they're not really that good are they? I still don't know what to make of the CD, even though I have listened to it at least twice a day since it was leaked. I like it, but.. nah, I'm gonna stop trying to wrap my brain around this. Whenever I tire of the sweetness, I put on an earlier album or some other band. BUT if Watershed is an indication of future Opeth releases, I suspect my sincere fanatic devotion to the band will start to dissapear. Yeah I Know, so fucking what, new fans are coming in, but opinions are allowed. even here BTW I have come to the conclusion that, as simple as they may seem, I really dig the lyrics here
I agree, and while I love the new album, I miss the older, darker, more oppressive nature of Opeth's earlier work. The heavier songs on the album (Heir Apparent, TLE, parts of hessian Peel) are absolutely fantastic, and fit the darker criteria some fans crave, yet in a new, progressive way. I love the softer songs too, especially burden and hex omega, but I personally would absolutely love to see the new heavy style of Opeth (if that makes sense) to be further explored on the next record.
I was disappointed with WS at first but since then I've come to 'understand' many more things on the album which I previously found ridiculous. I thoroughly enjoy listening to it but overall it just doesn't connect as effectively with me as the rest of their albums did, so to be honest I really don't know what to make of it, it really puzzles me. I think it's taking some time for me to accept that there's been such huge changes with my favourite band and its music but even if I prefer their previous albums I don't condemn the new direction they seem to be going in, as regardless of it being my least favourite album of theirs I think Mike's musical potential has become even more boundaryless, so I have pretty high expectations for the future. The one major criticism I have, however, is concerning some of the song structures.
First few listens, I would have said yes. Since then, hell no. It's a great, very mature musical attempt by this band.. it isn't without it's flaws, but it's an extremely good disc.
you and i share our opinion of this disc almost perfectly, esp. the enjoyment compared with engagement idea.
Some of you must be fucking high. Watershed is a brilliant album, I love the "new" sound they got going. Per's contributions are fucking stellar, especially the "skeletal wish" parts in Heir Apparent - so fucking evil. I doubt Opeth will ever use pyro, but some nice synced Rammstein-style flames during that part would look tits. I love the whole 60's influence in this album, it's psychadelic rock than progressive rock. Not to mention the oboes. The oboes own your fucking face. Watershed > You
I like that they don't try to please the fans. I would hate a repeat of any of the earlier albums. By the first listen, my impression was that I'd need to hear it many times to fully appreciate it. And I'm still not there, but I love it nonetheless. I just heard the 5.1 mix, and I discovered so much more. I was stunned how good it sounds. What a great album!
