Size Matters

[eht13]

http://www.helmetmusic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32

Since Monochrome has its own discussion forum, I thought maybe we could have discussion threads for the other albums here.

So get some Size Matters discussion going...

[MilktoastAnTea]

I have a hoodie with artwork from this album that i got off of rockabillia.com. it feels good to wear a hoodie of a band that most people havn't heard of and have people ask what's Helmet mean and then i tell them to buy the greatest hits and if they like that to buy the albums. thats really cool, to help spread the word.

[downtown_juliebrown]

Size Matters tends to be spoken of poorly, but I really enjoy it. The production on the album is amazing. Sonically, it is the best "sounding" album that Helmet put out. I also think Page really shined on vocals. Both his singing and yelling were very well done. I also really dug the tunes. A fine return after a long hiatus.

[Ruoska]

Size Matters tends to be spoken of poorly, but I really enjoy it. The production on the album is amazing. Sonically, it is the best "sounding" album that Helmet put out. I also think Page really shined on vocals. Both his singing and yelling were very well done. I also really dug the tunes. A fine return after a long hiatus.

Yeah, now that Monochrome is out Size Matters sounds a lot better. I have to say the soundwork is pretty well done, it sounds like this decade for sure. I love the sounds on Betty (the snappy snare, the awesome bass drum etc) but SM is lot louder, just like records nowadays tend to be. Maybe it's got to do with compression and overall loudness but I'm not much of a studio technician so I'll pass the subject.

Maybe what's worst on SM is the dull lyrics (much like Monochrome, except I hate the swearing on Monochrome..how unnecessary) and the song "See you dead" in general. I kinda enjoy the Gandhi demo tho, with some of the more experimental sounds on it that set the songs apart. SM sounds all the same, I can't remember any of the songs beyond track 5.

Smart and Crashing are some pretty good songs and the powerful sounds compliment them quite a bit!

[BornSpeechless]

I can't remember any of the songs beyond track 5.

That's a shame, cause I actually think the second half of Size Matters is stronger than the first half. Everbody Loves You, Surgery, and Speak and Spell (tracks 7-9) are the top 3 tracks of the album IMO.

[Electric Ordinary]

Size Matters tends to be spoken of poorly, but I really enjoy it. The production on the album is amazing. Sonically, it is the best "sounding" album that Helmet put out. I also think Page really shined on vocals. Both his singing and yelling were very well done. I also really dug the tunes. A fine return after a long hiatus.

You took the word right out of my mouth on ALL points!!

Size Matters = Great Album!!

[RockMessiah]

Everbody Loves You, Surgery, and Speak and Spell (tracks 7-9) are the top 3 tracks of the album IMO.

That's interesting, for me personally Surgery is the worst song Page ever wrote, or let's say I subjectively just totally don't like it, who can really judge if a song is good or not after all.

My favorites are spread all over the album: Smart, Everybody Loves You and Throwing Punches (the 5/4 beat is just great!).

[co-pilot]

I really don't like the production. The whole album just seems a bit passionless sound-wise. It's the sort of production I'd expect Staind, Puddle of Mudd, Disturbed or some other piece of shit shlock-rock band to have.

I agree that Throwing Punches kicks some proper arse though.

[RockMessiah]

Yeah, I don't like the production either, which was entirely digitally recorded, and Page said in an interview (see thread I just opened) that he doesn't like how the SM production turned out, either, and was glad to record analog again.

[Analog Rockin Hard]

Size Matters is the runt of the litter. Production is very unHelmet. A few decent songs but too much filler. And Page sings too much - I prefer it when he bellows.

[nhtbuzzsaw]

SM is the album I've found myself listening to the most in the past 2 years, probably followed by Aftertaste, Betty, Strap It On, and Meantime. I hardly ever listen to Born Annoying -- I love BA 93 and Your Head, but the rest never really calls out to me.

I could do without the word "darling" I think Rolling Stone's Aftertaste review said that Page wasn't personal enough with his lyrics. Maybe he read that and decided to change how he wrote. I don't know. This seems like a "divorce" album, and that stuff was probably front and center in his mind, and this was his way to get it out.

I like this album a lot -- I don't mind Tempesta's playing; it's not Stanier, but it seems to fit the music.

The only thing is that I would have liked to see more of the screaming solos like on Monochrome. If I can remember, Drug Lord and Last Breath are the only ones with the old-school way-out-there solos.

And I think Last Breath should have been there single off that album. If they were trying to get radio airplay, I think that would have been the one to do it. It's got something to it and it's not as overt as "See You Dead" which might have creeped out some people as too stalker-ish or whatever.

[adventreno]

Too stalker-ish? Burden Brothers released that song, "Shadow", and recieved moderate amount of airplay from it. Still not convinced? Sting wrote that song, "Every move you make, every step you take, I'll be watching you." That song screams "Stalker", and that song still recieves airplay.

*rant over*

I personally found SM good. Surgury is my favorite on the album, and See you dead IMO wasn't a bad choice for airplay/recognition. If Helmet were going to go mainstream, this album would probably have been the one to take them there.[/i]

[lamb_of_gods]

Staind, Puddle of Mudd, Disturbed or some other piece of shit shlock-rock.

The correct term for these "bands" is K Mart metal, or Wal Mart in America.

[markofcain]

i was pretty harsh on this album when it first came out, but after listening to it a fair few times on my mp3 player when im at work i dont mind it as much. i reckon there is too much filler on the album aswell but i still dont think it deserves the critiscism it got. i was harsh on the production at first but i would much rather the production on SM than the production on Monochrome. i know they supposedly used the same tape machine like the did on Meantime but i reckon it sounds nothing like it. IMO it sounds rubbish.

[todd]

The correct term for these "bands" is K Mart metal, or Wal Mart in America.

i have never heard these descriptions before...