Jeff Mangum PI
Hank Scorpio
11 herbs and spices for the rest of eternity; Is Number Two. Number Two!
The 2nd Coming
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Post by Jeff Mangum PI on Jun 9, 2015 19:05:14 GMT -5
Also, I'm gonna be on a weeklong cruise to the Virgin Islands starting on Sunday, so can someone PM me what the next two rounds will be so I can enter them in?
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Gus Richlen Was Wrong
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
Fun while it lasted
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Post by Gus Richlen Was Wrong on Jun 9, 2015 20:43:54 GMT -5
OK, I did NOT expect Cruachan to do that well. Mildly pleased.
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pegasuswarrior
El Dandy
Three Time FAN Idol Champion
@PulpPictionary
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Post by pegasuswarrior on Jun 9, 2015 21:46:12 GMT -5
Blessid Union of Souls - Hey Leonardo Ah, yes. This song that pretty much defines 90s pop. Catchy hook, always had that. Also, mildly irreverent 90s pop culture references dispersed. All in all, not enough lyrical punch to put it over the top, but a nice throwback, and a darn clever play off of the round that got a fun laugh out of me as soon as the tune hit my speakers. One thing no one says about this track and a few other Blessid Union of Souls tracks is that there is some pretty fine instrumentation going on here. It's deliciously 90s. It's got enough all-around sizzle to give an edge over plenty of tracks and it's never a song I would change my station off of. Also working in your favor is that this song never got overplayed. So it still feels fresh in a sense with a balanced enough sense of nostalgia thrown in now that it's "old." Thanks a lot for this!
Cruachan - The Marching Song of Fiach Mac Hugh Love the rock/Irish fusion instrumentally. I think it's the traditional ballad approach that makes it a little too gimmicky for me. There is a purity in those old ballad stylings, and so when you fuse it was a faux rock approach to the lyrics, it takes away the bite of original intention of these ballads. Gosh, the rock instrumental parts are right on target. I love the pipes and winds that secure the Irish roots too. But there is a bit of a trainwreck in terms of all of that coming together with a narrative and traditional ballad approach that makes it seems like they are trying way too hard to get themselves over. It just comes across to me as a bit of perversion of the source material, manufactured and a stretch as a novelty act more than a legitimate approach to all of that that they're trying to incorporate. It's like they "chose" to be this, and I like musicians who are true to whatever it is that they are and don't come across like they're trying to fill a niche. (I'm looking at you too, Mumford and Sons. Posh.)
David Allen Coe - Long Haired Redneck A popular track for its target audience, for sure. Love country, classic country, real country, outlaw country, folk country, and even some modern country. But this is one that has yet to grow on me. It's because of a negative association with the target audience. It's a dumbed-down approach to something that was once more pure. It's just too ... marketable for me, you know what I mean? I really think it's just making too much of a play off of previously established outlaw country instead of stepping up and doing it on its own merits.
Daniel Bedingfield - James Dean Catchy enough hook for its intention, but falls a little flat in terms of depth and genuine-ness. Kind of a little bit of a generic tune that lazily relies on Daddy Warbucks and 50s pop references that the target audience isn't even going to get. For that sake, it lacks some originality for me, and runs into the problem of being just another upbeat pop seduction song.
Hellcat and the Prowl - Betty Bones PERFECT, gripping opening statement. I got a tremendous kick out of how it fit the theme. The instrumentation may not have as much depth as a couple of tracks I've given a nod to already in this round, but this is where holistic purpose and artist's voice just speak volumes for the song itself. Every part of how this song is layered and timed and delivered vocally works for the narrative and the style that it is going for. It feels like a song with sass and likewise, the band doesn't veer from that approach. One of the comments I made earlier is how it feels like some are trying to hard or that they lose their narratives or originality in a bunch of manufactured attempts at "overness." This just goes for it wholeheartedly and scores.
Mission of Burma - Max Ernst Yes! Love the opening riffs here! Get after it! Just straight up perfect for the narrative approach here. LOVE those guitar parts. The low ends of this song are just dead on! I love it! The vocal approach to it also fits very well with what's going on with the song. Another approach that's just true to its content and its overall goal. Stylized and unique as eff! Artistry! And I love the little flares of nuance in there, such as a vocal switch-up every now and then or a change in the drum beat pattern in an expected part or the vocal fillers that just add to the flavor of the song. Just nails every part of what it is going for, and I appreciate the throwback to a unique age of song-writing and song composition.
Rodriguez - Cause AGAIN, a lesson in ballad writing! For the ones that I kinda critiqued, this is one of the songs that I would reference when I'm talking about "approach" to the material. Another narrative and a ballad-like approach. And here, the content and arrangement falls dead in line with the goal of the song, a fact that gets lost in all of the "busyness" and plastic feel to a few of the others earlier. This guy is as convincing as they come, and believability is the whole thing that has to carry a song like this. You can't tell this story outside of a lyrical or musical sense and pull off the same effect you have here. And now, with this setup, it still feels conversational and moving and he has your full attention from the beginning note to the last. And time-wise, he doesn't feel up every measure of the song with words. There are even full measures that don't even have a word spoken. That's the anticipation of the next part of the story at work. Marvelous craftsmanship and a smart player here. I really dig this selection.
Run the Jewels - Blockbuster Night (Part I) Good grief. Thanks for this. This group has their hands firmly on the grasp of the genre. This is fresh as all get-out. I have destroyed previous hip hop tracks for their fruitless messages and cookie-cutter approach. And while this is "diss hop" like we've heard from other rappers, the identity of the group is well in tact. Very identifiable and a fingerprint all their own. The guys' timbres play off each other perfectly. That's a must for this genre. Like I said, I've destroyed some rap entries in the past for their lack of genuine-ness and their "yawn" approach. But this is fresh and believable and true to the genre. It's a welcome change from a genre that needs a kick in the nethers. Run the Jewels kicks many levels of rear end with this one!
Screaming Trees - Polly Pereguin Yes! Alt 90s rock done right! Yes to the lackadaisical lyrics! Yes to the grunge vocals! Yes to the lumbering instrumentation! Yes to bullseye'ing the approach to the song. That bass line is textbook 90s grunge. Just a lumbering ape of a track that makes it seems like it's a job for the band just to get through the song. Freaking grunge, man! Nothing like it when it's done right! Again, I go back to the fingerprint'ing of the bands style on the song and that goes a ways in putting it among the top of the herd this round. Making this round's scoring all the more difficult song by song here. Well done.
Spoon - They Want My Soul 9 out of 10 Spoon tracks, I hate. I'm sorry. It's just the bad luck of the draw here with me, and you had no way of knowing ahead of time. However, this is one of their tracks that is more on the tolerable side for me. And while it's not going to do any favors for my credibility with you since you're obviously a Spoon fan, here's the explanation on my view of the band. The main word that comes to mind is that they are poster boys for posers. They try so so so hard to be hip and to seems like they're this alt nouveau thing, yet their lyrics to most of their songs and their song titles in particular are just dumb. It's seems like a blatant attempt to be something by just being "trendily" left of center. It's not like there's a direction to it or a why. It's just so they can be easy alt fan targets for anyone who hasn't already got a band they can "claim" as their own. Again, this is just a perception thing with me. Like, with this song in particular, it's a topic and approach others have already done before them. And it's like they thought those previous bands were cool and got over, so let's just do the same thing with our Spoon name (which is the worst effing band name ever ... or "evah" as they might put it) and get ourselves over on the coat-tails of others. Now, please realize that I'm going to be the first to say that I may be fully wrong in my assessment, but it's just the way the band comes across to me. And every Spoon fan I've ever met is the same way. Just kind of a bad luck of the draw where I already have several preconceived notions about their pretentious nature and their pretentious fans. It's like "all of these other bands got out there first and others knew who they were before me, so I need a band I can call my own since I missed out the first time when everyone was latching on to the cool bands." So, they have a sort of "we're the leftovers" feel to me. (Again, no commentary on you; I just wanted to drop you a courtesy explanation on why I have such a negative association with Spoon. And no, it doesn't mean I'm right. I've said the same about Bob Seger and such, artists I have a preconceived bad taste in my mouth about. It's just a bad luck of the draw. Doesn't happen often, but it's just one of those things here.) And back to the song itself, not a terrible choice by any means. There are elements here that I just hear in every Spoon song, but there are glimpses of stuff I want to like. I just can't get the poser stamp of disapproval out of my head. It's frustrating for me as a judge, because I don't want to tear down anyone's fandom of the band. But I just come back to the word "poser" so many times with Spoon. Ugh, I mean, just the name of the band itself. Geezus.
The Replacements - Alex Chilton Boy, 90s bands sure had a lot of first and last name references in their songs, didn't they? Another band whose approach I dig. I imagine how fun this track would be to hear live with an audience. Just altogether a rocking, fun approach, an approach I associate with this band's every track. It's that weird pop alt rock approach that started happening mid-to-late 90s, but The Replacements got ahead of the curve. This song is another perfect example of how. And that "break it down" section around the 2:35 mark is just perfect for giving the song a unique flair that others don't have. It's innocent and deliciously simple, and like I said, it's just way ahead of the curve that so many others would soon follow. Easily one of the songs of the round that I'll have in my head for weeks after this round is over.
Just all-star picks. All deserving of #1 in this tier! 1. Rodriguez - Cause 2. The Replacements - Alex Chilton 3. Mission of Burma - Max Ernst 4. Run the Jewels - Blockbuster Night (Part I)
5. Screaming Trees - Polly Pereguin 6. Hellcat and the Prowl - Betty Bones 7. Blessid Union of Souls - Hey Leonardo 8. Spoon - They Want My Soul
9. Cruachan - The Marching Song of Fiach Mac Hugh 10. David Allen Coe - Long Haired Redneck 11. Daniel Bedingfield - James Dean
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Gus Richlen Was Wrong
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
Fun while it lasted
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Post by Gus Richlen Was Wrong on Jun 9, 2015 21:59:12 GMT -5
Having listened to what Cruachan usually does, Pegasus, I picked the one that'd be easiest to listen to. Normally the vocals are FAR harsher, as their roots are more in black metal than folk metal.
That and the other songs I had in mind I wanted to keep in reserve. You know, just in case.
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Waffel113
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Ain't no Rap Mobile with his Waffels
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Post by Waffel113 on Jun 9, 2015 22:10:13 GMT -5
...what're the odds that Peg mentions Bob Seger (who I used last season) in the comment for my song, and in roughly the same context (IE: screw them.)? I can see where you're coming from. I've never picked up that vibe, personally, but these things hit people different ways, I suppose. Que sera sera, I'll see if I can do better next round.
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fw91
Patti Mayonnaise
FAN Idol All-Star: FAN Idol Season X and *Gavel* 2x Judges' Throwdown winner
Tribe has spoken for 2024 Mets
Posts: 39,085
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Post by fw91 on Jun 10, 2015 0:12:39 GMT -5
Finally im content with my placement
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MrBRulzOK
Wade Wilson
Mr No-Pants Heathen
Something Witty Here.
Posts: 26,719
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Post by MrBRulzOK on Jun 10, 2015 1:14:15 GMT -5
A very interesting round overall. And looking back at how I scored things... I'm quite surprised with some of my placements myself.
Tier I
1. Cruachan- The Marching Song of Fiach Mac Hugh: Certainly wasn't expecting something like this. It's quite the surprise though. Some may call me crazy for putting this as my number one, but I dunno... I just really enjoyed this song. I think the mix of heavy guitar with more traditional instruments works alot better then it has any right to. It's also a song that never really feels boring to me, which is a huge plus as well.
2. Blessid Union of Souls- Hey Leonardo (She Likes me for Me): Honestly this is just a really well put-together song for me. What it does, it does pretty well. It's a very catchy tune to be certain. One that never overstays its welcome and ends exactly when it needs to. Plus the harmonica solo really puts it over the top for me. Just a fun little toe-tapper.
3. Hellcat and the Prowl- Betty Bones: This could probably have been swapped for my number two in hindsight. This was a song that grew on me each time I listened to it. The lyrics just paint such an unsettling picture and really makes you feel bad for what happened to poor Betty. And of course complementing everything is constantly solid instrumentation throughout. I also enjoy the part where everything kind of slows down towards the end, which helps sells things even more. Definitely a great track here.
4. Rodriguez- Cause: This is a fascinating song really. It's one of those where you really have to pay attention to lyrics to follow the narrative. Which in this case I think helps add to things. It's also got a much less traditional song structure. There' no chorus here or anything of that sort. It almost seems like a stream of conciousness thing. Plus all throughout you have some absolutely beautiful music throughout helping to tie everything together. Like the rest of this tier, I could have easily switched this around with the top three. Truthfully, this was a very close round for all of my top four.
Tier II
5. Screaming Trees- Polly Pereguin: Well it's got a great somewhat-psychadellic sound to it, which makes sense considering the song seems to be about a crazy woman. While a little repetitive at times, the song works quite well in spite of that. There's a great solo towards the back end as well that really lifts things for me as well. Plus I kind of like how things go off the rails as it concludes. It's a notch below my top tier, but still a very fine song.
6. The Replacements- Alex Chilton: I think I found the problem with this round, and it's that alot of people went with such similar songs that alot of them blended together. Not anybody's fault, but it seems alot of people had some very similar mindsets. Now that aside here's another perfectly fine song. It's got some great guitar at points throughout to be sure. The singing isn't too bad either, I suppose. I guess what holds it back a little is things do get a little samey at points, which dials it back a little for me. Still, a solid choice for the round.
7. David Allan Coe- Long Hair Redneck: Country for me usually falls into two categories: stuff that surprises me and stuff that sounds exactly as I expect it to. This falls into the latter. It's not a bad song, but it's just a little underwhelming for me. Also, the lyrics don't really seem to fit, and the bookend at the end doesn't work. The song just kind of... dies. I dunno, this just didn't impress me much.
8. Spoon-They Want my Soul: This is another song that I should probably enjoy, and again there are parts I do. The instrumention is pretty good stuff, but aside from that... I was just underwhelmed really. There's nothing here that made me say wow. The singing is good, but not great. The music is good, but not great. You see the pattern here. Also there are parts where it sounds a little too screechy for my liking, but musically and lyrically. Not a bad song, but nothing I'll remember most likely.
9. Mission of Burma- Max Ernst: Honestly when I first started listening to this one I thought it would be a winner, but for whatever reason it really didn't light my world on fire one way or another. There alot of good stuff here, don't get me wrong, but I guess the main thing that put me off was the ending. The whole DADA thing kind of soured me a little. I guess that could be why it's down here. A shame because otherwise this isn't a bad song at all.
Tier III
10. Daniel Bedingfield- James Dean (I wanna Know): I just didn't like this song at all. The music is just bleh, and the lyrics? I'm getting almost a stalker-vibe from the singer just going on and on about how much he wants some girl. and it gets old fast. If I were a woman and somebody started belting this tune out I'd probably be filing for a restraining order quick. That is if I didn't fall asleep first. I'm sure some people like this song, but I'm not one of them.
11 Run the Jewels- Blockbuster Night 1: Well Mags, guess I'm a Mark Jabroni. Because I don't get it. I mean sure... in terms of rap songs I do love the beat in the background. The two contrasting voices do work surprisingly well. However... when your lyrics include stuff like "doo doo" I dunno... it just isn't my cup of tea. It's not a bad song, and there are parts I enjoy, but the whole thing is kind of brief and again, some of those lyrics just made me cringe. Sorry, man. But I can't place it any higher then here, especially against such stiff competition.
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Post by RadcapRadsley on Jun 10, 2015 2:31:05 GMT -5
I believe this is the first time my song has finished on top of a round
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Dub H
Crow T. Robot
Captain Pixel: the Game Master
I ❤ Aniki
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Member is Online
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Post by Dub H on Jun 10, 2015 7:00:09 GMT -5
Rank 1: Hellcat and the Prowl-Betty Bonnes I think it was by far my favorite. The singer has a beautiful voice ,it has interesting lyrics and the tune is pretty sweet ,it takes you for a ride and the guitar work is pretty good.I think i had nothing but praise for this.
Rank 2: Daniel Bedingfield -James Dean I guess i saved this from last place,yies,i think i can see the other judges glaring at me.But honestly i tough as dancing pop songs goes this was pretty good,the lyrics could have been better.Maybe i should have place a rank or two lower but i would still be top 4 for me .it was a pretty good dancing old school song.
Rank 3: Rodriguez - Cause This song was not my main style but it was really beautiful .Not a fan of the pauses between the singing parts but it is no big deal ,it is a soothing song and it is really relaxing.
Rank 4:Run The Jewels - Blockbuster Night Part 1 (Official Video) Also not the usual type of Rap i listen when i do.But man,they can rap ,i can't definitely put my finger in it,maybe they just sound unique to other rappers with a pretty good.And i definitely listened to worst rap lyrics...not that it says much.
Rank 5:Cruachan - The Marching Song of Fiach Mac Hugh It is always interesting when people go for a mix of genres ,sometimes it falls flat on the face or sometimes it goes great.I am a big fan of Celtic music and i tough this was a pretty good spin.I had hard time understanding the lyrics ,but maybe that was just me since it is my second language? Very energetic and a lot of things going on.
Rank 6:The Replacements - Alex Chilton It has a very catchy chorus and parts to it that i really enjoy and the man can sing .But i found the guitar part for some of the parts a little dull for my taste .But still a solid pick.
Rank 7:Spoon - They Want My Soul I really love the beginning and the small parts the instruments play in the background,mainly the drum. But everything also did not mesh well for me,i got tired of the song by the one minute mark and afterwards it was just boring to listen.
Rank 8: David Allen Coe Long Haired Redneck I had to think back to what Pegasus said...and nope,it is not low just because country is not one of my favorable genres,i listen to small part of it but this one is exactly what i think when i picture someone MAKING FUN of Country music or mocking it.,the lyrics is that uninteresting texas story ,the voice is not appealing.At some parts i tapped my feet to the guitar and the small beat,but it was really unappealing.
Rank 9:Mission of Burma - Max Ernst (1981, Signals, Calls and Marches EP) I know it is a song...but all i could hear was noises.It felt like a bunch of uncoordinated noise in my ears with a bad voice accompaining,trying to be something.But nothing meshes well for me.
Rank 10: Hey Leonardo I think the word that described this for me is uninspiring and kinda boring.It seemed like it would be good at first,but never went anywhere for me
Rank 11: Screaming Trees - Polly Pereguin I really like this genre so i'm quite disappointed i did not enjoy it at all,it feels like it is just trying to hard to be something they cannot do. The end result is bad vocals that does not go with the sound they are playing.
Also personally,i feel like it was by far the weakest round by a good margin so far. i could see my Rank 2 to 5 picks being ranked in below half in other rounds.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 7:30:43 GMT -5
Well...at least pegasus liked my pick.
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Square
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Official Ambassador
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Post by Square on Jun 10, 2015 7:32:12 GMT -5
a clue for you
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Jeff Mangum PI
Hank Scorpio
11 herbs and spices for the rest of eternity; Is Number Two. Number Two!
The 2nd Coming
Posts: 6,957
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Post by Jeff Mangum PI on Jun 10, 2015 10:29:09 GMT -5
Songs people play when getting their asses kicked?
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Gus Richlen Was Wrong
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
Fun while it lasted
Posts: 38,519
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Post by Gus Richlen Was Wrong on Jun 10, 2015 10:35:42 GMT -5
Historically important songs?
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Waffel113
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Ain't no Rap Mobile with his Waffels
Posts: 19,020
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Post by Waffel113 on Jun 10, 2015 12:38:33 GMT -5
Surprise knockout round: bottom finisher is eliminated.
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J
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,915
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Post by J on Jun 10, 2015 15:03:46 GMT -5
Surprise knockout round: bottom finisher is eliminated. Alternatively: Surprise Knockout Round, J automatically wins Fan Idol!
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Square
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Official Ambassador
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Post by Square on Jun 11, 2015 17:14:25 GMT -5
Yeah, I changed my mind on the round due to recent events ROUND NINE: DREAMS NEVER DIE Choose a song that references either Dusty Rhodes himself, The American Dream, hard times, plumbing or any other of his legendary catchphrases. Songs in by Sunday and there will be a sing off after this round
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Post by RadcapRadsley on Jun 11, 2015 19:48:51 GMT -5
While there may not be that many songs about plumbing,hard times are such a universal thing that their must be tens of thousands of songs written about it in some form or another. Either way this is a nice way to honor a legend.
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Waffel113
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Ain't no Rap Mobile with his Waffels
Posts: 19,020
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Post by Waffel113 on Jun 11, 2015 20:36:59 GMT -5
This is perhaps a bit late, but I remember @irontyger and pegasuswarrior talking about them at one point during the last game. Did either of you know that Death have come out with a new album?
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pegasuswarrior
El Dandy
Three Time FAN Idol Champion
@PulpPictionary
Posts: 8,748
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Post by pegasuswarrior on Jun 11, 2015 20:45:21 GMT -5
This is perhaps a bit late, but I remember @irontyger and pegasuswarrior talking about them at one point during the last game. Did either of you know that Death have come out with a new album? That would be hard since the main dude is gone. But it is cool info. And I now go to look that up.
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Gus Richlen Was Wrong
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
Fun while it lasted
Posts: 38,519
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Post by Gus Richlen Was Wrong on Jun 11, 2015 20:50:03 GMT -5
This is perhaps a bit late, but I remember @irontyger and pegasuswarrior talking about them at one point during the last game. Did either of you know that Death have come out with a new album? That would be hard since the main dude is gone. But it is cool info. And I now go to look that up. He probably isn't referring to the death metal pioneers Death. I think there is a punk band by the same name, which I think he means.
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