Norma Jean - Meridional (13 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

EPIC...Fu**ing EPIC

C_Frye | DFW Texas | 07/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've loved these guys since they went by the name Luti-Kriss. They've come so far & Meridional is evidence of their growth. This album should've came after Redeemer as it's sounds like the next logical step for the band. I liked AntiMother but had my reservations. Overall, an uninspired album. Perhaps they took a step back & realized what was missing? Well, whatever the case, this album is as strong as they've ever been. There's brilliant use of all their trademarks everywhere on this album without re-hashing the same ol same ol. The subtleties are perfect in their places. What really stands out to me is the arrangements & vocals. DAMN SOLID, I tell you! I'm gonna enjoy this album for a LOOOONG time. I'm sure NJ fans everywhere will be pleased, as long as they're not expecting another Martyr or Aftermath. Those just need to be left right where they are, as the band intended."

Extremely satisfying, and powerful record.

Chulito Pojito | 07/13/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I got into Norma Jean late, with the first record I listened to was "Redeemer." However, I have journeyed back to listen to the rest of what they have to offer. This new album is wonderful, and if not, as great than what I think is the best record they have made which would be "Redeemer." They definitely strayed away from the sound you may have heard in "The Anti-Mother" where they leaned more toward having melody shine through their music, or better yet, having Putnam (the singer) actually "sing." He never truly sings (except for "A Media Friendly Turn For The Worse" and "Falling From The Sky")yet his screams become enhanced with the ambient distortion in the background in many of the final songs of the album. The band itself gives wonderful performances from great drumming to creative guitar riffs (What would you expect from Norma Jean, horrible instrumentals? Bah). This record can be best compared to that of what is heard in "Redeemer" only that Norma Jean has expanded that talent significantly, creating wonderful, blood rushing moments in their music. However, they do have very melodic songs towards the end of the album, where the beginning really doesn't have any melody, yet there are some songs that slow the fast pace of the beginning of the album such as the Third Track "Deathbed Atheist." It's definitely a little wave where the pinnacle is at the beginning (First four) and then it settles a little. However, It rises again at the end. The music won't be as heavy as "Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child" and not as erratic as "O' God, The Aftermath" and at times it won't feel heavy at all (some songs such as "Falling From The Sky" and "The People That Surround Us on General Basis" and especially "A Media Friendly Turn For The Worse" enter a very all too familiar realm, along with two instrumentals to fill up space and time) yet it delivers a substantial amount of quality only Norma Jean can execute with such force. With the little bit of actual singing heard is great from Putnam and definitely fabricates a nice touch when mixed with his screams in the songs, in turn adding emotion, and none the less, Attitude to their music."

Nearly Unrivalled...

C. Conard | Fort Collins, CO | 07/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What is Norma Jean? Not the same band that released Bless the Martyr, that's for sure. No, in the years since O God, The Aftermath, (and probably more precisely, Redeemer)NJ has worked to augment their chaos with heavy doses of melody and even choruses. Few bands have been able to pull off melodic destruction like Norma Jean, and it all comes to stunningly realized fruition on "Meridional".

One of my main gripes with the "screamo" genre(I'm not referring to Norma Jean, mind you)is that the melodic parts are too distinct from the heavier areas, sounding completely brutal one second and sounding almost like a boy band the next. Apparently that is not the way to do it, if "Meridional" and NJ's last two records were any indication. I'm still not sure how they do it so well, but the melodies are buried underneath the mess of sounds, for the most part. On some songs, such as High Noise Low Output and Falling From the Sky:Day Seven, the melodies come to the forefront, to the point where NJ can sound like a completely different band. Some songs are undoubtedly the most accessible ever written by NJ, especially Falling From the Sky, but I really enjoy these stylistic changes. Also Cory really flexes his vocals on this record, sounding both angrier and more euphoric than previous outings. And for some, this change will probably be unwelcome.

Meridional is receiving terrific reviews, as it deserves to. It is a suprising, inspiring album that I picture most people loving. In my mind itt doesn't have the immediate magnetism of Redeemer, which is my personal favorite by NJ and probably always will be. But "Meridional" is largely unparalleled in heavy music today, and it will easily become regarded as a masterwork. The bottom line of this review is simple: like Norma Jean? Get this record. Which you probably already have."

Norma Jean does it again!

Kit Kitsch | 07/14/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Norma Jean has always been known for thinking outside the box. This album is no exception and is perhaps the greatest transition in their music since The Aftermath-to-Redeemer. Norma Jean experiment like they never did before and the music flourishes as a result.

This is, by far, Norma Jean's most melodic album to date. A few songs are particularly old school Norma Jean styled, like Blood Burner, but for the most part we have very light Norma Jean tracks in terms of actual heaviness. Is this a bad thing? Not really, but it may upset some of Norma Jean's faithful. That being said, if you are a Norma Jean faithful, then you know this band never sounds the same. So expect another transition and I think you'll enjoy this album immensely.

They way I listened to this album, it's really a tale of two halves. The first half of this album is absolutely spectacular. Some of the best music you will hear from Norma Jean. They're really mastered and honed their sound for these tracks and if you're like me, you'll absolutely be blown away by it.

The second half of the album, well, it's just not as good as the first. As strong as the first half was, you'd be expecting the quality to build on it's own momentum. It does, and the second half is far from bad, but I wasn't nearly as entertained with some of the tracks towards the end. The melody and lightness of the tracks is almost too prevalent and I don't feel like I'm listening to Norma Jean anymore.

That's not to say all of the tracks in the second half are bad. Falling From the Sky is a masterful song as well as the end of the album, Innocent Bystanders United. So Norma Jean head a new direction and you can get on board with it or not. But if you didn't expect them to change their sound, then you don't know Norma Jean.

If you loved any of Norma Jeans past few albums, then pick this up. The first half alone is just astonishingly good. Norma Jean is truly the master of subtle melodies and then show it in this album.

I would like to point out one little thing however. I was listening to this with a friend of mine when he remarked that one of the tracks sounded very similar to another song by another band. Particularly in the way Cory is singing. I won't say what song and what band it is, but the track is A Media Friendly Turn for the Worse. If you notice a similarity, then you're not the only one. Might be a coincidence, but I just think it's interesting to note."

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