Meshuggah

ObZen
$8.91
This is my introduction to Meshuggah, but I've ordered the rest of their CDs based on the excellence of this one. Like many others who have dug into Meshuggah, I've had to absorb their music over time to appreciate where they are and what they do. Needless to say, this isn't the kind of music that will survive a casual listen. Those looking for something immediately accessible, or at least more melodic, are advised to steer off and keep looking. For those who who can stick with it, and who appreciate a band that practically defines a new genre of metal, there is a magic moment when the noise fades away and the incredible depth and discipline of their music is exposed. That moment arrived for me after the third uninterrupted listen while driving to work. I get it and I love it.

Chaosphere
$16.98
Chaosphere is one of my favorite Meshuggah albums. This is worth it if you are a fan and don't own Chaosphere already.

This is like Contradictions Collapse/None...Chaosphere (Reloaded) is the original Chaosphere album with the True Human Design EP included on it. The only track that it is missing is the live version of Future Breed Machine that was originally on True Human Design.

Bleed
$0.00
A little repetitive but the breakdown in the middle is very impressive. I need to get more stuff by these guys. Rational Gaze is an awesome slab for those who haven't heard it.

Catch Thirty-Three
$15.98
I won't be so bold as to say this is the greatest album of all time, since I haven't heard every album ever produced, but it's definitely the best album I've ever heard. For comparison's sake, I would place this work slightly above John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme", Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue", The D.O.C.'s "No One Can Do It Better", J-Live's "All of the Above", Metallica's "Master of Puppets", The Mars Volta's "De-Loused in the Comatorium", and Opeth's "Ghost Reveries".

That is an eclectic group of music to be sure, but an album of this caliber is hard to compare to only one genre. "Catch 33" is such an amazing album one has to reach across all musical boundaries and eras to find equivalent vision and quality. Probably the best comparison above is "A Love Supreme", being how successfully the two express their respective visions.

As with the other works I list, "Catch 33" takes a few listens to fully appreciate and/or comprehend. For example, if you listen to the first 3 tracks and think the riff never changes, this album is not for you. The subtle complexity of the first 3 tracks is probably the most impressive aspect of this work. After a few listens, you can pick up the variations between tracks and really feel how the riff evolves while retaining its groove. It is amazing that these musicians can take 3 notes and an overall 4/4 beat and turn it into something so exquisite.

"Catch 33" is so enthralling I can't listen to it while driving, as my senses are fully engrossed in the experience. I've tried a few times, but it always feels like I'm fighting to remember what I'm doing and at any point I could let my car swerve off the road.

So, if you want a rich aural experience, give this album a chance. If you want to passively listen to mindless music, I will have to point you elsewhere. I like a catchy three-minute pop tune as much as the next guy, but be assured there is none of that here. Pop this in, sit down, put on your headphones, and be prepared to be amazed.