Ranking the Discography: Metallica Part X: Lulu (2011)

In 1997, Metallica and Lou Reed were on the bill for the 11th of Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit concerts. Then in 2009, Metallica and Lou Reed performed at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert in 2009. This led to them considering recording an album together. The album was based on the “Lulu plays” written by German playwright Frank Wedekind.

Lulu almost doesn’t count as a Metallica album because it’s a collaboration between them and Reed. However, I decided to count it because it’s listed in their chronology.

The Tracks:

1. “Brandenburg Gate”: The idea behind the album is that it’s really like a spoken word poetry album, where someone recites poetry with music behind it. On some of the songs, it works. This is one.
2. “The View”: And sometimes it doesn’t. “I am the table”?
3. “Pumping Blood”: This is ok.
4. “Mistress Dread”: Not bad, could use better percussion.
5. ” Iced Honey”: When the songs are short, it’s actually tolerable.
6. “Cheat On Me”: This is another problem with the album: most of the songs are too long and kind of boring.
7. ” Frustration”: I thought this might’ve worked. It sounds all right.
8. “Little Dog”: I almost skipped this one.
9. “Dragon”: Oh good, it’s almost over. This song was painful.
10. ” Junior Dad”: This is WAY too long.

Final Verdict: I wanted to give this album a chance. Lou Reed was a phenomenal artist. This might have worked, but let’s be honest, as it is, I had trouble getting into it. The production is bad, and it seems to lack direction. But compared to the worst Metallica has to offer, this is just bad. It’s far from Load or Reload.

Grade: D.

Ranking the Discography: Metallica Part IX: Death Magnetic (2008)

Death Magnetic was produced by Rick Rubin, one of my favorite producers. It was the first time since …And Justice For All that they didn’t collaborate with Bob Rock. This album also marked the debut of current bassist Robert Trujillo (whose work includes Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, Ozzy Osbourne, and others). It debuted at #1 with 3 singles. It has been certified Platinum.

Members:

James Hetfield: vocals, rhythm guitar

Kirk Hammett: guitar

Robert Trujillo: bass

Lars Ulrich: drums

The Tracks:

1. “That Was Your Life”: Finally, an album with a good start! In fact, I’d say it’s an amazing start!
2. ” End of the Line”: This song actually has good percussion. No random banging this time! And an actual solo?
3. “Broken, Beat, and Scarred” : Hetfield and Ulrich disagreed about the title, but this song is explosive. Robert’s bass is great.
4. “The Day That Never Comes”: This song has a good use of distortion on the guitars.
5. “All Nightmare Long”: One of my favorite songs from start to finish. I love this!
6. “Cyanide”: The bass and drums are on fire on this. On first listen, I thought the song was uneven, but I liked it better the second time.
7. “The Unforgiven III”: This is a worthy climax to the trilogy, with a beautiful piano and guitar. It sounds more reminiscent of the first song than the second ever did.
8. “The Judas Kiss”: Some more good drumming and shredding on this.
9. “Suicide and Redemption”: This is the first instrumental in a long time. It feels uneven.
10. “My Apocalypse”: My least favorite song on the album. The production seems louder than it should.

Final Verdict: Metallica is back to top form with an excellent album!

Grade: A

Ranking the Discography: Metallica Part VIII: St. Anger (2003)

Prior to recording St. Anger, James Hetfield entered rehab in 2001, delaying recording until 2002. The recording was the subject of the documentary Some Kind of Monster, titled after a song on the album. This is the only album Metallica officially recorded as a trio, as Jason Newsted left the band before sessions began. Producer Bob Rock replaced him for the album. (This was the last album he produced.) Four singles were produced. The album has been certified double platinum.

Members:

James Hetfield: vocals, rhythm guitar

Kirk Hammett: guitar

Lars Ulrich: drums and percussion

The Tracks:

1. “Frantic”: My biggest problem with this album overall is the percussion. A lot of times it sounds more like Ulrich is just randomly banging on the drums without really creating a rhythm. This is one of the few songs where I don’t mind it, because the song is called “Frantic”, so it fits.
2. “St. Anger”: I like the breakdown for the choruses. This is a song that could really have benefited from a solo, if only to break up the monotonous drumming.
3. “Some Kind of Monster”: Along with “St. Anger”, this is one of the best songs. That’s not saying much on an album like this.
4. “Dirty Window”: At least it’s short, that’s one positive about this song. Other than that, it’s kind of boring.
5. “Invisible Kid”: This song is okay. A bit too long.
6. “My World”: This song would have been better if it had a solo or some better rhythm.
7. “Shoot Me Again”: This song is decent.
8. “Sweet Amber”: I liked this song more on a second listen.
9. “The Unnamed Feeling”: Another one of the best songs on the album. I feel like the album could have stopped here.
10. “Purify”: The worst song on the album, mostly because of the percussion.
11. “All Within My Hands”: One of the few songs where the percussion actually sounds good.

Final Verdict: This album has a reputation of being a bit of a train wreck, due to its terrible percussion overall. Considering what went into the album, I’d expect the feeling of the album. I’m glad I gave the album a chance, as it is a step up from the two garbage albums that preceded it. There are some good songs, so I’ll give it an average rating.

Grade: C