Who would have thought that I'd be this pleasantly surprised by Metallica's newest release. Yes, the same band that didn't and maybe still doesn't get the Net... Well they do get tight crunchy guitars and a (welcome return to) "meaty" drum sound where the thin trash can sounding ones reigned before. In  returning to their earlier sound of fast paced crunchy chords and multiple change-ups both within a song as well as from song to song they are offering a lot of punch. The rhythmic shifts are happening much more smoothly to my ear than they used to as well. So these guys are mastering their instruments and rocking out with a more polished sound without being "slick."

FYI-I was never a big Metallica fanboy back in the day so I feel I'm being pretty objective here. If you liek a lot of acoustic guitar ballads and keyboard type music-this is not for you. However, if you can embrace a headful of nasty guitar tone and driving rock drums this will probably satisfy.

Update: Hope for Net Awareness?

A commenter at the Lefsetz Letter had this to write:

I ordered two tickets to see Metallica at the Forum after their fan club sent me the info that the tickets had gone one sale. After paying for the tickets, I got two more emails from Metallica, one giving me two vouchers to have the new album mailed directly to my  house, yes on CD, for no charge. The second email was from Metallica LIVE (best live music band site EVER) sending me two vouchers to download the show that I AM GOING TO SEE AT THE FORUM! Well, Like em or not, like the new record or not, this is about the coolest thing I have EVER seen a band do for their fans. It wasn't part of the sales pitch and I had NO IDEA they were going to send me these two free-b's. I am extremely excited to get a copy of the very show that I am going to see at the LA Forum. SOMEONE is paying attention in the Metallica camp as this is something I have never seen anyone else do. YOu can buy ACC files that come with set lists, ticket stubs, videos, etc. at http://www.livemetallica.com/ for shows going back to the beginning of their career. They are Metallica and are still doing things their way - right or wrong.