Listening to Mastodon: Hushed And Grim (Side 4) 

This album can’t be overstated. Period.

This is the first time that I’ve experienced a 15 track album that literally has NO fillers at all. Every single track is a masterpiece by any other bands qualification these days. It’s mastodon best and that hard to do… it just perfect

"The mountains we made in the distance, Those will stay with us" Incredible lyrics to close a perfect album. Referencing the incredible works Nick John helped them bring to life for all of us to enjoy and benefit from.

If they don't win a Grammy for this...I just don't know...this is truly a masterpiece. I was hoping Opeth would do something like this and then the Mastodon boys just slayed us all. Absolute perfect album.

Love the Gigantium reaction! That’s exactly how I feel each time I hear it.

Thank you Jim, it was a great reaction and Perfect format for presenting new music. I had a smile on my face for four episodes. I'm a Mastodon fan, but this album is the culmination of their discography. Wonderful. Thank you

I loved your reaction to Gigantium 😆 This is their Magnum Opus. This has to be ONE of the top records of the year if not THE top record of the year. Crack the Skye is undoubtedly their best technical album they've released but this is their peak (so far). I've never heard a record from a band that had so many different musical styles on it as this does. You can clearly here previous tones and styles they've used over the last twenty years but the way they've managed to intertwine all these together, along with all their new tones is incredible. The vocals are out of this world. Easily the best they've ever sounded vocally, especially Troy. He always had a raw, visceral quality to his voice but on this he is far more controlled and moves the tone of his voice a lot smoother than he ever has before. Brann's drumming is off the wall on this too. His drum fills throughout are perfectly worked. The tones on his toms are perfect. His ability to shift the tempo so effortlessly and without it sounding out of place never ceases to amaze me. And then Brent........easily his best solo's he's written for Mastodon. So much more structured than the solo's he's written before and they definitely sound like they're being played with real enthusiasm. This album is a credit to them and a credit to the influence Nick John had on them. It's amazing that from their grief for their friend that they came out and produced this absolute masterpiece. How amazing a man Nick John must have been to inspire these guys to write and compose music of this calibre. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing some if these new songs live.

Eyes of Serpents has hit me like a tidal wave the past few times listening to it, so emotional yet so good.

If you like Mastodon's mellow side, I can highly recommended their EP called "Cold dark place"

This album has completely enthralled me since it came out. Every week I check to see reactions to the full album and I thoroughly enjoyed watching you react to it. Absolutely brilliant album, I've never been so enthralled with an album like I have with this one.

Another masterpiece produced by David Bottrill. His CV includes Tool, Muse, Silverchair, Placebo, King Crimson, Mudvayne, Godsmack, the Smashing Pumpkins, Coheed and Cambria, Soen, Dream Theater, Rush, and Peter Gabriel. Not too shabby.

Jim, it's been such a pleasure to listen to the album with you. Thank you very much!

I have to say, what a unique experience! I held on to listening to the album properly. My better half does not listen to this type of music, plus we are usually busy with the little critters before bed!. To then indulge the moment with someone at the same time. Not had a journey like that since the Division Bell! (Of course Tool's new album finishing with 7pest was also a memorable highlight) I have always thought that you can define a truly great album, by the quality of the last song. this last track turning a complete tempo and sonic shift in the last 3 minutes took my breath away! I am very glad to have shared the moment with yourself! Thank you!

What an amazing record

I hope the band gets to see this if only just for your reaction to the final song, Jim. That's would make any musician proud. ^_^

Gigantium is one of the best album closers ever! Eyes of Serpents chokes me up but Gigantium's mix of melancholy and elation is incredible. Brent Hinds guitar solo's are some of the most heartfelt and uplifting

Gobblers of Dregs is one the most amazing songs that they have ever created. I love that funky part at minute 4 of the song its just unbeliveable. Basically two songs fused in one and they fit perfectly. Very huge album in all senses.

The fact Brent creates the solos mostly on the spot is reflection of his genius as a guitarist

I think G.of D. is the amazing highlight of Troy's vocal abilities. To just think where he started and where's he now...wow.

Amazing reactions my guy! I think it's my 2nd favorite by them, it wasn't like that at first but it grew on me a lot :) glad you liked it!

I wish I could run forever! Thanks Jim for your infectiously good listen-a-longs over sides 1-4. It really is an awesome record which with any luck will be privileged to enjoy for many years to come.

Can't get enough of this album, nice to see someone else rendered speachless by Gigantium. It seems to me to hit some sort of catharsis point for the loss of their friend / manager.

The only way I can describe Eyes of Serpents is that it moves me deeply. This pretty much sums it up as well, “We don’t talk about our feelings with each other, we just put them in the lyrics” - Mastodon

Great double album and tribute to their dear friend and manager. Thanks Jim, glad you liked it ✌🤘

Fantastic seeing your reactions to this album, mastodon are a very special band and nobody else out there is like them. Really enjoyed your 4 videos on this record. Gobblers of dregs is probably my favorite track but I love them all, Gigantium was truly an incredible closer to a fantastic album, that ending solo is just amazing, don’t think you can end a great album better than that.

These last three tracks are perfect to end this great record

Great reaction Jim, this album is a monster. Saw Mastodon at a festival around six years ago and was instantly hooked. Thanks for taking this one for a spin, good times.

I gotta say "Gigantium" really is something special. I went to another place when I heard it

Thank you Jim! Great reaction. Amazing album indeed.

glad you enjoyed it as much as we all did! i gotta say Crack the Skye still holds a special place at the top of their catalogue for me but this is a truly remarkable album.

I was so excited about dream theatre and mastodons albums being released within a week of each other but I’ve totally neglected view from the top of the world for this flawless masterpiece, Hushed n Grimm was amazing the first listen but it keeps getting better and better, best double album of all time for me and one of the best albums I’ve ever heard.

I'm so happy that you did a full listen of this album with us together. Fantastic album, fantastic band.

I agree with you on the slower tracks. If you give a song some room to breath those punchy moments can have so much more impact. Also, that final track is phenomenal.

The last track is so good. Wasn’t on board from the first spin, but the album grew on me and now I love it🤘

I have heard other reviewers call this album too long, losing momentum in the end. The way you listen to it, side for side, may have prevented this effect. And that's a good thing.

Absolutely in love with this! I came through this with you like listened it first time 🔥🔥🔥

Thanks for sharing, Jim. It was such a pleasure to grin along with you for this one!! It made my day.

I was there with you at the end, spine tingling. What an album! Fan of Mastodon and will be buying this masterpiece.

Really enjoyed your videos on this album. Made me feel like I was listening to it for the first time again. Well done.

Eighty-six minutes of music. Yes, the Covid shutdown has been good to them.

This album is a thing of beauty. An absolute triumph. Loved listening along with you Jim and watching the sheer joy on the journey. 🎧

Great reaction Jim!

Gigantium. cant stop listening to it. So good to see your reaction to this album. Album of the year for me.

Great reaction Jim. Another phenomenal album in their brilliant discography. Hope to see more Mastodon reactions soon. Check out also the band Pull Down The Sun from New Zealand. That's my recommendation, the band is new and still not well known but their music is very atmospheric and beautiful. Something between Mastodon, Gojira, Tool and Deftones. Quite progressive but for sure not too heavy. Ave mighty Mastodon👍👌 Greeting from Poland!!! Ps. Huge respect for David Botrill, the legendary producer did a great job here.

OK Jim. I bought/downloaded the album. Top 5 metal album of the year for sure.

Time for another mastodon album

Whoaaa!

❤️

I took a deep breath & released at the exact same time you did after Gigantium end lol. Phenomenal album. Excellent reaction, mate🤜🏼🤛🏼

Well done Jim. This last side has a very floaty sometimes softly doomy rocky slant that hits home for sure. First listen was fab as whole. I can't fault it. I'm going with a confident 10/10....so it's 6 records I have for this year with full marks at moment....though it's an organic process so I have no problem changing scores over time....ha Yes' The Quest for example after loads of listens has gone back up to a confident 8.5/10 recently and I love it (though that excellent score only gets it about 15th on my list)

That release part goes Rush like you say around 6:00....then extra floaty Yes on that gliding ethereal verse....that's well good....no that's great ❤️‍🔥🤠

I enjoyed it more listening on here. Some of the subtleties had been missed on my first listen. Still not a huge fan of the singles but many of the tracks do have some interesting shifts and melody mixed with power.

After binge-listening to the full album with you, all I can say is: wow! Fantastic album, and this fourth side is simply majestic. My only regret is that you didn't show us the unfolded cover... 😭 The first part of the final track kinda sounds like a Soundgarden song, I'm guessing that's where Kim Thayil came in. Twelve years later, this album finally sounds like Crack The Skye's natural heir. Don't get me wrong, I like the albums they put out since then, but they all felt like a step back in ambition, being comprised of mostly shorter, straightforward songs with only a handful of more progressive tracks. BTW, you should lend an ear to Arcadea. It's Brann Dailor's side project. Basically it's Mastodon with keyboards instead of guitars, all sung by Brann. They released a pretty good self-titled album in 2017.

First song: great song. Indeed, the slower songs are the best. Second song: pure progressive rock song. Great transitions. Third song: the same. Fourth song: wall of sound, I like it. Apart from a few songs that I don’t like, this is a great album. Completely different from what I thought the album would be. They have a great drummer. Now to find this album. Digital €11 CD €20 Elpee €38

Is it too early to call this a classic/masterpiece?

And next 50.000 volts of Whitney Houston or the experimental procedure of Adele? 😄 Or will you rather settle to your current state?

This album should’ve been 11/12 tracks tops.