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Mastodon's "Crack The Skye" Lands On Time's Top 10 Albums Of 2009

posted Dec 10, 2009 at 5:43 PM by xFiruath.  (27 Comments)

Mastodon's latest album "Crack The Skye" has landed on spot #3 of Time's top 10 albums of 2009. "Crack The Skye" was the only metal album to make the list. Time had this to say about about the album:

The band name doesn't inspire confidence. Nor does the warlock-strewn album cover. Nor the fact that Crack the Skye is the last of a four-album cycle about Earth's elements. But before you sneer, "Hello, Cleveland," listen to Mastodon's thunderous, disciplined and expansive brand of metal. There are plenty of bass-drum carpet-bombings, and "The Czar," a four-part ode to Rasputin — O.K., go ahead: "Hello, Cleveland!" — has all the whiplash rhythm shifts of vintage Metallica. But the album also has nods to European folk, free jazz and prog rock, and as produced by Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam), it fronts a brawny sound that doesn't overwhelm the clarity of individual notes. Chuckle at lyrics about "the space-time paradigm" if you must, but the ambition and tenacity of Mastodon's music makes Crack the Skye sonically unforgettable.

The other artists on the list included Brad Paisley, Dirty Projectors, Miranda Lambert, Phoenix, The-Dream, Raekwon, Grizzly Bear, The Avett Brothers, and Lady Gaga.

Source: Time

What's Next?

27 Comments on "Mastodon Lands On Time's Top 10 Albums Of 2009"

deathfreak's avatar

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1. deathfreak writes:

Wow Good for them

# Dec 10, 2009 @ 8:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

2. miguel sanchez writes:

While I think it should really be number 1, that is still some pretty damn good recognition.

# Dec 10, 2009 @ 9:39 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

3. thegoosegoblin writes:

YES a good band finally gets recognition from mainstream culture, and they picked a good one too. I don't know any of the other bands on their list but they probably suck. Anyways I hope I get to see Mastodon again soon.

# Dec 10, 2009 @ 9:46 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Rubyred's avatar

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4. Rubyred writes:

Yeah, I liked their live performance when on that David Letterman Show: MASTODON have a oddly/strange fusion Metal vibe going in their music. Very intriqueing Master "talented-complex" bunch they/Mastodon are and much congratulations on their #3 spot in TIME's Top 10 Albums of 2009. They definately earned that!!! Peace.

# Dec 10, 2009 @ 10:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
DeathCrush's avatar

Member

5. DeathCrush writes:

thank god someone gave them their due. I think their album is on the top 10 albums of the decade, but that is just me

# Dec 10, 2009 @ 11:45 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Demoncleaner's avatar

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6. Demoncleaner writes:

I saw Mastodon and Dethklok in Atlanta. They played Crack the Skye in its entirety absolutely incredible!!!

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 2:54 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Hammerheart's avatar

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7. Hammerheart writes:

Great to see Mastodon get some mainstream recognition. I remember when they were on Letterman; Dave looked terrified of them.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 11:27 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BrunoHockalugie's avatar

Member

8. BrunoHockalugie writes:

LOL ^^^^ I believe it was documented that the fossil formerly known as Letterman sh** his pants during Mastodon's performance. He was literally scared sh**less.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 12:10 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

9. cruor is too damn lazy to log in writes:

Props to Mastodon they put out a hell of an album that turned me from a casual fan to a die hard. Glad they are getting the recognition they deserve.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 12:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Hammerheart's avatar

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10. Hammerheart writes:

"the fossil formerly known as Letterman"

lol. I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't stand him.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 1:18 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Cynic's avatar

Former Contributor

11. Cynic writes:

Good stuff, though sounds like the reviewer is another a$$hole who thinks metal is a joke.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 1:31 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
xFiruath's avatar

Former Contributor

12. xFiruath writes:

It's awesome news that metal is getting some big recognition, but something doesn't sit well with me when Mastodon is on the same list as Lady Gaga.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 1:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Hammerheart's avatar

Member

13. Hammerheart writes:

Cynic: I got that too with the Spinal Tap ("Hello Cleveland!") references.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 1:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
MetalBro4Life's avatar

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14. MetalBro4Life writes:

Troy Sanders is an a$$hole! The other guys in Mastodon are pretty cool, but Sanders can drop dead. Good that "Crack the Skye" is getting recognition. Mastodon are onboard to becoming the next Metallica if TIME is covering them.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 2:16 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Hammerheart's avatar

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15. Hammerheart writes:

"the next Metallica"

I hate that "the next (insert legendary band name here)" crap. It dooms bands.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 2:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
DeathInEye's avatar

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16. DeathInEye writes:

Yeah, I'm with Cynic. It's a bit like *cough* Mastodon *cough*.

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 3:28 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
BrunoHockalugie's avatar

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17. BrunoHockalugie writes:

Hammerheart- I cannot believe he is still on TV. I checked his show out about 15 years ago when Beavis & Butt-Head made a parody of "That Letterdude" and even then I thought he was lamer than lame. I bet he even still does those stupid top 10 lists, LOL!
Metal Bro4Life- Why you gotta dis Mastodon like that? ;)

# Dec 11, 2009 @ 7:43 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Hammerheart's avatar

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18. Hammerheart writes:

Bruno: He does, lmao! I flip through sometimes and occasionally see it. They're never that good.

# Dec 12, 2009 @ 1:49 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

19. Peter Parker writes:

Nice to be recognised but fvck the rest of that list, fvck the writer and fvck Time magazine. Keep our bands off you shtty mainstream lists. You don't really like metal music so don't bother talking about it.

# Dec 12, 2009 @ 8:07 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

20. Metalfan1979 writes:

They're not the next anybody, they're the first Mastodon. My only regret is that I only heard about Mastodon after Crack the Skye was released. Their other albums are equally as good in different ways.

# Dec 12, 2009 @ 11:41 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

21. jake.shall.persih writes:

I definitely agree with you metalfan1979

# Jan 3, 2010 @ 11:41 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

22. RTB writes:

Bruno, that episode was titled "late night with butthead".....funny as hell....lettermans a fahqn worm...especially after it came out in 09 he was banging his intern, or terns.....
Mastadon is great, #3 on the list...congrats to them not only for that achievement, but for making a great lp as well

# Jan 4, 2010 @ 2:26 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
WOLF7's avatar

Member

23. WOLF7 writes:

That´s great for Mastodon. Definitely deserved!! Mastodon´s my 2nd fav band right after Meshuggah.

Time´s comments on the band were mostly crap though...

# Jan 4, 2010 @ 8:12 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Cozen's avatar

Member

24. Cozen writes:

Good point Cynic...

What does TIME magazine have against...
1. Tusked hairy mammoths
2. Warlocks
3. Earth's Elements
4. Rasputin
5. space-time paradigms

I would hope that the "Hello, Cleveland!" references increased exponentially in the Lady Gaga or Raekwon reviews.

# Jan 4, 2010 @ 12:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Crushem's avatar

Supporter

25. Crushem writes:

Great that they got the recognition but I agree with Cynic. Don't review it if you don't like it and obviously don't take it seriously. Badass album though. I was a little late getting into Mastadon- this was their first album I actually sat down and listened to- and was blown away. Awesome.

# Jan 4, 2010 @ 4:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

26. txmetalhead70 writes:

It goes without saying that MASTODON destroy everything - LIVE... Remission is one of my all-time favorite metal albums, although, all of Mastodon's albums are killer. They are a great band. I agree with ya'll - that reviewer sounds like a goofball!

# Jan 5, 2010 @ 1:03 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
n0thinghead's avatar

Podcaster/Writer

27. n0thinghead writes:

lady gaga \m/

# Jan 5, 2010 @ 8:47 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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