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Yellow and Green has a lot to offer any fan of melodic metal or "pop metal" music.

Music Review: Baroness – Yellow and Green

Yellow and Green is the third studio offering from Savannah-based group Baroness. I received the download version, but I understand the physical recording is a 2-CD set.

The earlier offerings, which also had color themes, (Red and Blue, respectively) were allegedly more metal than this. I cannot say for sure, because this is the first Baroness offering I have heard. But I have to say this one still has a lot of metal to me, only with a melodic edge which adds a lot of interest.

“Yellow” begins with a brief instrumental, “Yellow Theme,” and then launches into the pounding “Take My Bones Away,” which certainly took my breath away for a moment! “March to the Sea” continues with the pounding rhythm, but then “Little Things” offers more melodic, somewhat softer vocal that really appealed to me.

“Twinkler,” the next song, is really a beautiful number, which is almost chant-like and makes excellent use of sound effects to enhance the dream-like feeling.

“Cocanium” continues that prog-rock experimental feel to very good effect, as does “Back Where I Belong.” The final song on the disc, “Eula,” is also evocative and fascinating. In fact, the only song which is somewhat lacking for me is “Eula,” a very heavy metal song that isn’t bad but simply does not seem to me to be up to the level of the others here.

“Green” begins with “Green Theme,” which starts slowly and majestically and suddenly bursts into metal in a way that is both startling and invigorating. The contrast between the stately march and the heavy parts creates a truly triumphal feeling.

“Board Up the House” follows, with a rockier feel. It is very catchy. “Mtn. (The Crown and Anchor) also has more of a classic rock feel, while still maintaining a bit of metal. In fact, this side has a more melodic rock sound and less metal overall, with the exception of “The Line Between.”

All the songs on both “Yellow” and “Green” make great use of effects to build atmosphere and structure for the vocals. Much of the instrumental work is just stellar, as on “Stretchmarker,” which is one of my favorites here, and “If I Forget Thee, Low Country.”

There are 18 songs and over 70 minutes of music here. Baroness has a lot to offer, and you are bound to find moments that surprise and amaze you. I recommend Yellow and Green to any fan of melodic metal or “pop metal.”

About Rhetta Akamatsu

I am an author of non-fiction books and an online journalist. My books include Haunted Marietta, The Irish Slaves, T'ain't Nobody's Business If I Do: Blues Women Past and Present, Southern Crossroads: Georgia Bluesand Sex Sells: Women in Photography and Film.

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