| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 583 Registered: 05-2005 |
Lambchop - Damaged (return to form after a few patchy albums) Espers - EspersII (keep hearing comparisons to Fairport Convention (a band who I have avoided over the years), all I know is the dual vocals are ace, and if this is folk its very dark folk) Tapes'n Tapes - The Loon (had not actually played this in months, one of the years best) Albums that I wish I could hear are new ones from The Rapture, Sparklehorse and The Lemonheads, but as The Velvets would say "I'm Waiting For My Man" - should be soon though. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 553 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ten Light Years - Caroline Trettine its amazing check it - www.myspace.com/carolinetrettine Sorry! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 554 Registered: 05-2005 |
Del Amitri - Del Amitri The first album, like Television but a trifle more literate and slightly faster, the guitar work though is wonderful. Their first incarnation this, I used to see them loads around this time, mid 80's. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 587 Registered: 05-2005 |
oh, and the Thom Yorke album at least once a day. a few people on here said they had bought this album and hated it. I think its the best thing he has been involved with, although I hate Radiohead when they kind of "go off on one". As such, I dont really care for The Bends or most of OK Comp, and prefer Kid A. I'm curious, what do people on here who've heard it think of it? Especially those who like The Bends and Kid A. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 590 Registered: 05-2005 |
Well got back home after work and The Man has partially came up trumps. Just played the new Sparklehorse album and its another goodie from Mr Linkous. If you dont like previous Sparklehorse albums you wont like this though, because like the last three it has all the usual hallmarks. Atmospheric keyboard tracks, with hisses and static, interespersed with fast fuzzy rockers. Linkous still using that mic that makes his voice all tinny, and some tracks sung in a duet style with a girl vocalist. on first listen though the female singer is not recognisable to me, its certainly not pj harvey. only heard it once but i can see this being in my cd player for a good few months. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 481 Registered: 03-2005 |
Spence, I really like Caroline's voice and phrasing on your album so I WILL be checking her out. | ||
| Eke Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 88 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kevin - I hate The Bends and OK Computer. I love Kid A and Amnesiac. I love The Eraser. I don't know if that helps your statistics any but there you go...  | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 556 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kev, I want to get Eraser. I loved The Bends, not at the time but years later. High and Dry is my guilty pleasure. Around '95, generally music was quite poor, so a few of the songs they had at the time stood out for me. Never heard Kid A or Amnesiac either, will get around to it. Randy, thanks. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 41 Registered: 05-2005 |
- Pale saints, In Ribbons - A good band to remember. - Winebago Orchestra - A good band to follow. - Lloyd Cole, Easy pieces - A good forgotten album of Lloyd Cole. - Belle + Sebastien, Life of pursuit - A very good first-half cd. - Morrissey, Rott - Not his best but God please help me to find a ticket for his concert in Ancienne Belgique ("ze" place to see him!). Sold out in NO time... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 558 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cheers TROU & Randy I saw Pale Saints, one of the loudest bands ever! Sigur Ros remind me of them. They were ahead of the game in many ways. I once supported an offshoot pale Saints group called The Edsel Auctioneer, again, they were really really loud. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 591 Registered: 05-2005 |
The loudest band I have ever heard were Sugar at Kilburn in about 1993. Me and 2 mates travelled down to London on the train (6hour journey)specially just to see them. Of course, maybe the reason they were so loud is that we were so drunk we were propped up against these massive speakers to stop us falling over. After that, I would have to say Primal Scream about 2 years ago were pretty loud,probably to the detriment of the songs. Drive By Truckers were ear shatteringly loud a few months ago, but that suited the songs they played that night - the more ballsy rock n roll tracks rather than the countryfied ones. My mate swears the loudest band he ever heard were Swans. He said his ears were literally bleeding because of the volume and people were actually walking out it was so loud. then again, given that it was Swans they might have been walking out cos the music was crap | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 428 Registered: 04-2005 |
I'm not surprised you say Sugar was the loudest band you've seen, Kevin. The loudest show I ever attended was Bob Mould in '89 on the Workbook tour, which was his "quiet" album. But he played the whole thing at Husker Du volume backed by Chris Stamey, Anton Fier, and Tony Mamone. The next loudest show I saw was the Clash in Berkeley on the Give 'Em Enough Rope Tour. The sound was atrocious and feedback and distortion were bouncing around the hall like crazy. I wasn't sure my hearing would ever come back after that one (this was long before anyone thought to wear earplugs at shows). Probably not what the band intended...I saw them a couple of times after and the volume was much more sane. Bands I've never seen that are said to be way up their on the dB meter: Dinosaur Jr and My Bloody Valentine. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 592 Registered: 05-2005 |
Contrastingly, one of the quietest gigs I have ever been to was Wilco on the last tour of the UK. It was in QMU in Glasgow and in my experience the gigs are never that loud there anyway but this was really low. it suited the gig though, because the songs were almost exclusively from A ghost is born and YHF whose tracks are fairly quiet affairs anyway. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 559 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sugar were greaaaaaaaaaat!!! Still play both albums now, thinking of covering If I cant change your mind. Yeah Kev Wilco could be as quiet as a mouse, til the word got out, that GOD is in the house! Esp as you say some of the quieter Ghost and Yankee stuff. They then blew me away when they ended the set in birmingham with 15 mins worth of what sounded like, Test Dept covering Can whilst reading a William Burroughs book! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 593 Registered: 05-2005 |
Spence , do you have The Wilco Book? I bought it when it came out about 18 months ago and I have never read it!!!!! I do this all the time, I buy books on Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Clash, Joy Division etc etc and either start them and forget about them, or never even start them. I have 2 problems preventing me reading as much as I want to: 1)lack of time, 2)a frustrating inability to concentrate on reading for any more than 10 mins. the last music books I managed to read were Morrisey and Marr and a book on Mark Eitzel. The Wilco book comes with a 40 min CD off stuff left of YHF http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0971367035/sr=8-1/qid=1154631261/ref=sr_1_1/0 26-9309034-3863631?ie=UTF8&s=gateway | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 371 Registered: 10-2004 |
Scott Walker - 3 Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country June Brides - This Town EP (prompted by C86 thread) Servants - Reserved The Room - In Evil Hour XTC - Apple Venus | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 560 Registered: 05-2005 |
Oh Scott, what a genius! Kev, yep I got the book, its a nice design etc, very minamilist and understated, the cd is great but for fans only. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 77 Registered: 01-2006 |
Kevin & Spence, what is the bonus material CD with the Wilco book like? I once e-mailed the publishers to see if there was any way of obtaining the CD without getting the book! Needless to say I got a very curt reply. Cheeky of me I know but the thought of a book of photographs and essays on Wilco doesn't interest me at all. Their More Like the Moon is a great download EP, really raw, loud version of Camera, nice slower version of Handshake Drugs and also a few other tracks that have been doing the rounds at some of their shows over the years. Well worth tracking down if you don't have it. I've been waiting for far too many years now to see them live again. Looking forward to their new studio album... Also have you heard the Jeff Tweedy soundtrack to the Chelsea Walls film directed by Ethan Hawke? The film is a bit pretentious but OK, the soundtrack is great. Glenn Kotche the WIlco drummer plays on the whole album too, would also recommend this if you haven't got it. Some nice instrumentals/score work from the two of them. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 601 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sorry XY765, cant remember what it sounds like, been over a year since I played it, played it maybe twice because tbh the quality was as you would expect with a book giveaway. I'm at work just now (Saturday nightshift - yippee!)so I cannot play it, will dig it out some time soon. Just as well its a graveyard shift and I have some music in with me. Playing Mary Margaret O'Hara - Miss America, and its sounds wonderful, a very late Saturday night kinda record. What ever happened to her, cant believe that an artist can make such a sublime record and then just disappear. Also played, or am going to play Barrington Levy - Love Your Brotherman Sparklehorse - Dreamt for Light Years in The Belly Of A Whale Robert Forster - Calling From A Country Phone Yo La Tengo - Im Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass Hot Chip - The Warning Scritti Pollitti - White Bread Black Beer | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 604 Registered: 05-2005 |
Does anybody like this Ray LaMontagne guy? I bought the album when it came out about a year ago on the strength of glowing reviews in Mojo and Uncut but binned it after a few listens. Yet more worthy, handwringing confessionals with duller than dishwater musical settings. I see it has recently been re-released and has been in the UK Album top 10 for a few weeks. This just confirms my suspicions - I smell another David Gray. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 454 Registered: 05-2005 |
Give Ray LaMontagne another go Kevin. It's really a very good album. Good driving music. (I'm not a David Grey fan BTW). Listening to Gnarls Barkley at this very minute (on Kevin's recommendation from some time ago). I just bought it today, along with five other CDs. My 4-year-old daughter kept asking me - in four different record shops - "Can we go to the museum now?" We did get to the museum eventually! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 498 Registered: 03-2006 |
After a longer than usual period needed for it to grab me, I've decided that I agree with Padraig that Trouble is indeed a very good album and that it's a keeper. The title cut is a bonafide classic. Something about it's very compelling and kept pulling me back... There you go with your getting shit way in advance of the release date, at least here, Kev. I'm fairly peeing my pants in anticipation over the new Yo La Tengo...which, btw, has one of those titles that, alone, probably justify the purchase...In a coupla years, when that comes out here, I'll give my review... | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 500 Registered: 03-2006 |
As for stuff I'm listening to, and enjoying, thank you very much: Dengue Fever - Escape from Dragon House Best of Luna - about time they put out a comp (now that they're defunct) - none of their records ever really kept my interest all the way through. This has most of the killer and no real filler. Buck Owens - 21 Greatest Hits In a word, magnificent. The man had tremendous soul and, really, was a true iconoclast. Highly recommended. Cat Power - Covers Record Scott Miller & the Commonwealth - Citation White Bicycles - a comp of Joe Boyd-produced stuff that is tasty as hell...now, I just need to track down the accompanying book. Not so easy in the states. Can Sei Der Se Sexy - CSS | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 105 Registered: 04-2005 |
Little Keith, Just read 'White Bicyles' and found it strangely unenthralling. It has had some rave reviews too. Whilst it had some interesting passages (and he was certainly present and influential at some key moments), it totally lacked any passion for me. Just after finishing it I read an interview with John Martyn in which he made some disparaging remarks about Joe Boyd...'one eye always on the Financial Times'. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 187 Registered: 07-2005 |
John Cale Paris 1919-lovely Sonic Youth-Rather Ripped,thought I should get it with Kevin's high recommendation | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 609 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jerry, John Cale - thats a great album. will need to dig it out, hows the sound, take it its a remaster? Jeez, the Sonic Youth could end up being a millstone round my neck  what do you think? If we're going for millstones, I can confidently predict that both YoLaTengo and Lambchops new albums will both sit proudly in amongst these bands best works. Buy with confidence if you are a fan. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 139 Registered: 01-2005 |
Jerry, let us know if you have the new rematered version of Paris 1919. I am listening to Remain In Light as I am posting this. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 188 Registered: 07-2005 |
The John Cale sounds great and I confess I've not had this before,I have other John Cale stuff. But I don't know why I've not got this sooner proably a fear of it not living up to its reputation.I was worried if I got it, it would sit on my shelf like pet Soundss and Horses and rarely get played.But no its a real corker. Not really given the Sonic Youth a good listen but yes I like it so far Also like you waiting the Lambchop and Bob Dylan. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 509 Registered: 03-2006 |
I'm also listening to the new New York Dolls, which, come to think of it, I'm surprised no one else here has weighed in on...don't have a definitive opinion yet, but it's sounding pretty danged good to these jaded ears...surprisingly solid... Had to check it out, as their first one is definitely a fave...one of your alltime great, kickass, trashy and fun rock and roll records. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 376 Registered: 10-2004 |
kevin - how's that new scritti politti album? i'm kind of curious about it. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 614 Registered: 05-2005 |
I like it Jeff. If you like Greens vocals you will love this, I even read that at long last he can listen to his vocals and enjoy them. I would hesitate to call this a lofi album, but compared to the slick, shiny 80s/90s albums it is. I'm sure I even read its a home studio, solo kinda album ,sounds like it because its pretty much dominated by keyboards/programmed beats. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 461 Registered: 05-2005 |
I finally listened to American V on the way to work. A great, incredibly sad album. Almost crying behind my prescription sunglasses a few times. | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 119 Registered: 11-2004 |
Great to see that most of the albums that I'm listening to have been mentioned by Go-Bees folk: Lambchop - Damaged. Kevin I'm very suprised you said 'Aww C'mon/No You C'mon' was 'patchy' - such an ambitious double album (you would have thought overly so - a concept album on a 50's silent film!) How they pulled it off and produced such a good record I will never know! I saw the 'chop for the first time last month in Gateshead. They opened with 'Paperback Bible' - what a brilliant experience to hear it live. Thom Yorke - The Eraser I kind of missed all the of build up to the realease of this (maybe their wasn't any) - the album seemed to arrive 'straight out of left field' as our American friends would say. I'm afraid to my ears I find it provocatively poor. Roll on the next Radiohead Album! I'm not one shun their more electronic albums (equally loving early stuff as well as 'Kid A' onwards) Makes me think Johnny Greenwood's input into compositions is much needed. The Soft Boys - A Can Of Bees I'm delighted to have recently discovered Robyn Hitchcock - think he might sooon come to rival my Go-Betweens and R.E.M. obsessions. Anyone else a fan? R.E.M. - 'Murmur' through to 'Around The Sun' I'm listening to them for the first time in about a year as I heard about the forthcoming R.E.M. compilation due in September (I make it their 4th or 5th compilation!) It's all early material when the band were at their awesome best. I have far too much time on my hands this evening! - so far I've listened from 'Murmur' chronologically through to 'Life's Rich Pageant'. Can anybody beat my feat of listening to 'The Lost Album' chronologically through all albums to the end of 'The Friends of Rachel Worth' in one session!? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 628 Registered: 05-2005 |
Matt, I think Aw C'mon is actually quite good, but by Lambchops standards a disappointment. Sounds like Kurt Wagners had a bit of a time recently, check this paragraph from the glowing review of their new album in The Guardian "Lambchop main man Kurt Wagner went into the band's eighth studio album confronting his own fragile mortality full on. With his jaw eaten away by a virulent cyst, Wagner underwent surgery to transplant bone from his hip into his rotting mouth; he then survived a major cancer scare. Lyrical asides on this troubled album also hint at collapsing personal relationships" 1841310%2C00.html,http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,1841310,00.html Apart from the music critics, I seem to be out on a limb as far as thinking that The Eraser is fantastic. Maybe its because I find Radiohead a little overbearing and pompous at times. I could never listen to more than 2 albums by any band back to back. My limited attention span would not allow it, there is also so much music I want to listen to that I still havent heard or not heard enough to allow this to happen though. PS - lots of kudos to you if you can sit through the abomination that was Around The Sun. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 532 Registered: 03-2006 |
I've gotten to the point where I think enjoy trading my old "dog" discs in for nice, shiny new used ones (often promos) more than I do acquiring music in any other way...something about there being at least the seeming appearance of getting something for nothing. Also, it gives me leeway to try stuff I might not typically plunk down cash for...so anyway, Friday I sort of struck it rich at Second Spin, the local used CD shop, and came up with some new stuff that I really enjoyed: Jim Noir - Tower of Love: Great, arch Beach Boys-y pop. Super harmonies and melodies. No idea what the lyrics are going on about - probably things not so nice. Margot & the Nuclear So and So,s - The Shadow of Retreat: This, despite the dorky group name (it's a reference to the Royal Tennenbaums) is just gorgeous and unique. Fits in, I guess, somewhere in the Death Cab, Arcade Fire spectrum, but somehow, moves me more. Thomas Dybdahl - Someday you'll dance for me, New York City: TD is Norwegian, hence the clunky syntax of the title. What is it with all the great Nordic music lately, btw? The music is stunningly gorgeous, though, something like a smoky, late-night mix of Richard Hawley and Paddy McAloon... Danielson - Ships: Okay, there had to be one piece of doo doo in the mix - no one's that lucky to get all home runs. This has been raved about all over the media, notably in Pitchfork (a sign right there), but is uniformly blah and in many places unlistenable. Put it down to the singer's extremely annoying "strangled testicle" voice...that and the Fiery Furnaces-style disjointedness style of the "everything but the kitchen sink" arrangements. If only Little Keith were so lucky when he actually spent money on discs.. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 636 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ok, Trouble and Love and Theft. Sorry, but these arent for me. Trouble kicks off with a Van Morrisson pastiche, followed by a whole albums worth of stuff that sounds like the kind of crap Ryan Adams would reject - and he's the kind of guy who seriously needs quality control given his output last year. Love and Theft - Tweedle Dee and Mississippi are fine, the rest just floated on by. I dont like 30s and 40s style music anyway (apart from some blues, which this isnt), so why should I like it when Bob Dylan does it now? Hardin, glad you love Love and Theft, but its not for me. I will still give the new album a chance, but early reports say its similar to Love and Theft so I remain wary | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 638 Registered: 05-2005 |
Twin Cinema - New Pornographers: - "new" power pop genius. "two sips from the cup of human kindness and I'm shitfaced", thats the kind of line that Elvis Costello used to knockout in his heyday. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco:- Whens the new album ?? VivaDixie etc - Sparklehorse:- One of the best left field American debuts of the last 25 years? If an American who likes British bands is an Anglophile, what is a Brit who likes American bands? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 470 Registered: 05-2005 |
Matt, I have not managed that feat - but when I lived in Cork city in 1990-91 my flatemate and I used to have R.E.M. theme weekends; where we would play nothing but R.E.M. all weekend. Up until that point R.E.M. had not dissapointed apart from a few awful b-sides. LK, I got a couple of promo CDs on Friday because they were cheap. As you said, it allows you to get something by someone you've not heard. One was an album by a band called Living Things. I picked it up on the basis of the sleeve quoting rave reviews from Spin and Rolling Stone. I really enjoyed it, it's a great rock album. (There's a little bit of pop there too, but not a whole lot). The other was The Trials of Van Occupanther by Midlake. I liked it and suspect I might grow to love it if I give it a chance. It was hard to be too objectivce about it coming after Living Things as the music is completely different. Midlake remind me a bit of Mercury Rev's more Americana sounds. I know that will put a lot of you right off though! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 644 Registered: 05-2005 |
Midlake are great Padraig. Another great American "beardy" band Apparently the guy who plays the lead role in My Name Is Earl is their biggest fan | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 471 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ah! That's rings a bell. I read that too somewhere, in Mojo or something. I'll keep playing it, but I went out and bought another seven CDs on Saturday... this really is an addiction. An expensive one at that, but unlikely to kill one as other addictions do. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 537 Registered: 03-2006 |
I second, or third, or wherever we are, the props for Midlake. I've had a promo copy for about a month love it. Like Mercury Rev, only good (sorry)...great tunes...it seems, already, like some kind of minor classic. It hits all the pleasure centers in the brain and makes you wonder, "why can't everybody do this?". Have had a copy of Living Things too for many moons, but it hasn't managed to rise to the top of the stack...based on your rec, PC, I'll bump it up a few notches... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 472 Registered: 05-2005 |
Good man LK! Make sure your mood is set to rock and the amp all the way to 11. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 538 Registered: 03-2006 |
Yeah! Hell with the neighbs...I owe them, anyway, for all the non-stop reggaeton... I think part of what's held me back with LT is the name - is it just me? Seems a little lame - as opposed to what? Actually, if they'd called themselves "Dead Things" that would have been way more rock n roll...It reminds me of something I read by Tom Waits - he was dissing the Eagles and America in an interview, and said, "Horse with no Name"? Give me a "Horse with No Legs"...now, that would be an interesting song!"... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 473 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah, Living Things is not really an inspiring name. It doesn't capture the band's sound in a way that, for example, Rage Against The Machine did. | ||
| Cichli Suite Member Username: Cichli_suite Post Number: 136 Registered: 08-2004 |
On the subject of American Beardy bands, does any one like The Willard Grant Conspiracy? I think their second last disc, Regard the End, is a great record - dark and brooding - a type of gothic folk. I'm listening to their new one, Roll On, at the moment and I'm not as taken with it. I think fans of Nick Cave and The Handsome Family would like them. They tour mainland Europe quite a lot, often playing small towns, including the small town I live in. Apparently, they are very big in Slovenia. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 190 Registered: 07-2005 |
Just bought Lambchop, hope I'm not going to be disappointed. A quick listen in HMV pushed me towards the counter and paid my £10.I'm on a £50 ration this month including magazines books etc. Now got just over a tenner left for the new Bob Dylan in 2 weeks. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 368 Registered: 08-2004 |
U2 - Boy Lou Reed - Transfomer Pulp - This Is Hardcore The Zombies - A's & B's Rolling Stones - Aftermath Wedding Present - Take Fountain The The - Naked Self Talking Heads - Little Creatures | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 540 Registered: 03-2006 |
Admirable discipline, Jerry H. I should try that....Does your 50 lb. (sorry my puter don't have one of them fancy symbols) allocation include smokes and booze? Anyway, it occurred to me that YOU'D probably enjoy the Midlake disc, based on your tastes as stated on this board...that is if you can free up another tenner. Just trying to help you spend money... There must be a kid somewhere whose piggy bank you can raid! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 645 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cichli - I kinda like Willard G C, I have the two albums you mention but have not played them enough. If I have a problem with them its that the songs are just too long. Let It Roll has two songs at 9mins, one at 7min, and the rest are nudging 6 mins. I really should listen to them more and would definately recommend them to anybody who likes Americana, and as Cichli says Nick Cave. At the moment I am listening to Midlake. I had played this to death when it come out a few months ago but in my usual fashion had moved on to other things, the posts on this thread have reminded me of what a very good record this is. My latest find is Junior Boys. I was nudged towards them via my liking for Hot Chip. Listening to their stuff they sound very much like Hot Chip and the Thom Yorke album. That is, synth dominated pop songs with a nod to the dance floor. A word of warning though, I have noticed a few on here are wary when Pitchfork are bigging up a band - well Pitchfork love Junior Boys!! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 646 Registered: 05-2005 |
I listened on Napster to the expanded version of Blue Sunshine by The Glove which has just been re-released. I wasnt aware that there was a contractual dispute that meant that Robert Smith could not do the vocals on this album because The Cures management objected. Very similar to the situation with Grams vocals not being allowed on some tracks for Sweetheart of the Rodeo. I just thought Smith and Severin chose the girl vocalist to be a bit different. Anyway the expanded release has demo quality guide vocals by Smith on the tracks that were eventually sung by the girl. Its an interesting insight but its hard to say how they would have sounded on the original album as unfortunately the backing tracks are demos too. This rerelease has been getting very positive reviews, always thought it was a poor release to be honest. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 486 Registered: 03-2005 |
I would like to say that what I'm listening to right now is Caroline Trettine but I'm finding it amazingly difficult to source her stuff here in the States. I have an email into her record company for her most recent album. Has anyone in the U.S. found a domestic source for her releases? | ||
| Eke Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 93 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've plumped for Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me out of this batch of reissues. I remember Blue Sunshine as a bit of a damp squib as well kevin and I really don't feel the need to wallow in Bobdom to the extent of four double CDs. My latest purchase other than that was Kathryn Williams' Relations album which is a few years old now but a lovely thing nonetheless. It's covers but more in the Cat Power style than Annie Lennox. Some interesting choices (Ivor Cutler included) although I'm not sure if the world needs any more versions of Hallelujah. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 191 Registered: 07-2005 |
Hardin my £50 is part of a general economy drive the wife has only spent £5 so far so I might try and spend hers. I don't smoke but like a drink, booze is not on ration,it really is just CD's Magazines books.Clothes i don't need and booze is not rationed. I might try midlake next month as i'm waiting for the new Bob Dylan. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 192 Registered: 07-2005 |
Lambchop-damaged, not disappointed Bob Dylan-Blonde on Blonde Lloyd Cole-Rattlesnakes Still playing the John Cale (Paris 1919) on heavy rotation and the Fall-This Nations Saving Grace | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 649 Registered: 05-2005 |
Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye. Is electro pop the next big thing? Primal Scream - Riot City Blues. Thought I'd play this after a cooling off period to see if it really is crap. It is. The Best of Studio One Collection Box Set. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 487 Registered: 03-2005 |
Love Studio One's recordings! Clement Dodd was a genius. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 147 Registered: 01-2005 |
Matt, I'm probably the biggest Robyn Hitchcock fan here. I have most of his releases and a lot of live boots. If you like "A Can Of Bees" by the Soft Boys, be sure to get "Underwater Moonlight". It was remastered and re-released as a double disc set back in 2001, get that version. It's a desert island disc for me, and highly praised by music critics. Regarding his solo albums, "I Often Dream Of Trains", "Black Snake Diamond Role", "Eye", and "Moss Elixer" are all great. His 2004 album "spooked" is also decent. His output with the Egyptians is somewhat spotty. Each album has some clunkers and some great songs. I would say "Element of Light" is the strongest, after that try "Fegmania!" or "Globe of Frogs". Robyn's new album, "Ole Tarantula", will be released this fall. It was recorded with the Minus 3 which includes Peter Buck. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 650 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, the Studio One box set is fantastic value - 4 cds for £20 http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000FZEST4/ref=pd_rvi_gw_2/026-4738710-982283 8?ie=UTF8 On a sidenote, I notice that Pitchfork are this week doing a countdown of their 200 greatest songs of the 60s, today they posted numbers 60 - 21 and will post the top 20 tomorrow. Is it too obvious to predict that Dylans Like A Rolling Stone will be the No1? | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 581 Registered: 05-2005 |
REM - Reckoning Shack - Here's Tom With the Weather Malcolm Ross - Low Shot Blue Aeroplanes - Spitting out Miracles Monsters Ball - Soundtrack Mogwai - Young Team Mikey Dread - Dubwise | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 544 Registered: 03-2006 |
Michael, just seconding your admiration of Mr. Hitchcock, though my fandom is obviously not in your league...I have lot of his discs though, and agree with the highlights you mention...I used to have a very cool disc of his called "Robyn Sings" where does all Dylan covers, quite capably, I might add. I think it is a casualty of a move, since I haven't been able to lay my hands on it lately. I'd tell you it's worth seeking out, but dollars to donuts, you already have it! Today, I'm listening to Gulag Orkestar, by Beirut...very nice, but you have to have the requisite taste for Balkan, Gypsy-ish music... | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 149 Registered: 01-2005 |
LK, Robyn has mentioned in the past that Uncle Bob's number "Visions of Johanna" is his all time favorite song. I have "Robyn Sings", but I probably haven't played it a year or so. Robyn and friends performed the complete white albumn by the Beatles live a few years back. I have a boot of that which is pretty interesting. They didn't do the backward thing though on Revolution #9. I am really looking forward to getting his new one in the next couple of months. I am guessing it will be his best in 10 years, since Moss Elixer was released in 1996. At lease that's the buzz going around on RH's mailing lists. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 545 Registered: 03-2006 |
And an estimable choice for favorite it is, Michael, as it contains just about all the strengths that make Zimmy so great. The line, "The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face" is as emblematic of the Bobster's genius as the famous "sound of a finished kiss" one is of the GoBs... Another RH fave I forgot to mention is "Queen Elvis" - a very consistent batch of songs, with some very cool cameos, not the least of which is a vocal appearance by one Glenn Tilbrook. His take on the white album sounds tasty as well - that's, I think, one of the alltime great double albums, and one of the few that couldn't have been improved by shrinking it to a single... Jerry, good luck with the "new austerity" plan...Unfortunately, I can only dream of having such self-control.... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 475 Registered: 05-2005 |
The new Dan Kelly album, which I bought yesterday. Sounds great on first listen (bar one song which was a little too much "let's try for a hit here"). I assume it is only just out as I certainly had heard nothing about it before I saw it in the record shop. He's Paul Kelly's nephew by the way. There's a strong streak of songwriting talent in that family. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 651 Registered: 05-2005 |
REM - Murmer -the best album of the 80s? Junior Boys - So This Is Goodbye - watch for this being high up in the year end lists. Scritti Pollitti - White Bread Black Beer - as above The Smiths - The Smiths - now this album can be reviewed in comparative objectivity given that a decent amount of time has elapsed, some people now reckon this is their best album. I tend to go for Strangeways.. but its close. Am I the only one who thinks The Queen Is Dead is another album (like REMSs Automatic For The People)that is far from being each bands high point and is actually their low? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 547 Registered: 03-2006 |
Though Dan got the songwriting genes apparently, I hope he didn't get PK's looks... You've tantalized and titillated me, Padraig. I'm such a big fan of Paul Kelly, that'd I'd probably buy the nephew's disc sight unseen, or sound unheard, but alas, the only copy I see out there is on Amazon UK and they only want a mere 75 pounds for it...I'm tempted but wondering if it's really THAT good... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 652 Registered: 05-2005 |
A bit closer to home LK http://www.gemm.com/c/search.pl?field=TITLE&wild=sing+the+tabloid+blues or http://www.netsoundsmusic.com Do a search for Sing The Tabloid Blues and theres 2 of 'em | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 476 Registered: 05-2005 |
LK, fear not, Dan is quite the handsome chap ... which is why his occasional lyrics of not being able to get the girl are a bit hard to believe. Tabloid Blues was his first album and is well worth getting. The guitars are a little harder on it than on the new one. He also had an excellent six song EP last year. One of those tracks - Drunk On Election Night - is also on the new album. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 477 Registered: 05-2005 |
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/clippings/photos/cody_chesnutt2004/dan_kelly_and_t he_alpha_males/img_5145.jpg | ||
| Ulrich A. Bayer Member Username: Marenhannes Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2006 |
Elliott Murphy - April a live album Prefab Sprout: all new "old" songs from the fabulous sprout homepage (thanks for the link) Elliott Smith - all the new amazing versions from the elliott smith homepage Neil Diamond: 12 songs Johnny Cash A Hundred Highways The Triffids: Born Sandy Devotional (rem.) John Cale: Paris 1919 (rem.) | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 548 Registered: 03-2006 |
I'm so suggestible - it looks like this Dan Kelly train is one I'm gonna have to jump on, soon's as I find a copy that won't necessitate knocking over a liqour store (thanks for help with that Kev)... I did find a sample from "Tabloid Blues" that did indeed sound pretty smashing...What do yo think is the best one to get, Padraig, that or the new one? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 549 Registered: 03-2006 |
Stuff I'm listening to and enjoying: Paul Burch: East to West - an excellent, country(ish) artist loosely associated with the Lambchop camp. He might be the first one out of the gate with a song about John Peel called, well, "John Peel". Bob Dylan & the Band: "The Basement Tapes" - amazing stuff and still amazing to me that you can just walk into a store and buy it. Burning Spear : "Ultimate Collection" - my go-to guy for gruff, depressing reggae that is still somehow uplifting. Squeeze: "Singles - 45's and Under" - since music is, for me, all about melody and lyrics, these guys just sound better every time I hear them. Johnny Cash: "100 Highways" - hard to listen to but compelling...I never knew Rod McKuen (of "Come Feel the Warm" fame) ever wrote any songs that didn't make you want to upchuck. I was shocked when I read the songwriting credit for "Love's Been Good to Me'. Tom Petty: "Highway Companion" - far too mainstream and MOR for this board, I'm sure, but hey, I likes him. Sounds good, but too early to say if it's a keeper. Beirut: "Gulag Orkestar" - still hooked on this -it makes we want to sip herb-infused vodkas and brood...for this reason, I try to avoid hearing it before 5 o'clock... I did download and listen to a couple of Pipettes tracks, Jeff, and I do see the appeal, though I'm not sure they're the second coming of pop. Catchy as hell though: it sounds like some sinister scientist cooked it up in a lab someplace, with a bunch of recombinant Go-Gos and Banarama DNA...it certainly doesn't hurt that they're such a comely bunch. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 583 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kev I love Meat is murder, played it twice today. Love the wit and the production, i think Queen is overrated but its almost where they went from amateur to professional I guess, and we all know aht that can bring, they split a year and a half afterwards!! I remember when The Blue Aeroplanes went from amateur to professional, just after spitting out miracles, then they produced one of my fave albums ever in Swagger, Beatsongs was agood follow up then the band changed significantly and they lost their way for a bit. the Smiths I suppose didnt lose their way but Strangeways is almost too polished and considered for me. Its almost too refined. i dunno. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Nemo Post Number: 59 Registered: 07-2005 |
LK, some Dan Kelly stuff is available from Redeye at a reasonable price. http://www.redeye.com.au/answer.asp?reion=UK&atype=both&artist=dan+kelly&code=&s earch=search | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 195 Registered: 07-2005 |
The thing for me with "The Queen is Dead" is that it hold together as an LP really well. The Lp is better than the sum of its parts.I still think "There is a light "is one of my favourite Smiths songs.I really like Hatful most then The Smiths and Queen.By Strangeways for me the party was over. | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 196 Registered: 07-2005 |
Murmur-REM Lowedges-Richard Hawley and Lambchop-Damaged is really working its charms. Hardin I will check out the Midlake LP ( I had been thinking about getting it) but have been really trying to stick to my £50 this month.I don't know how long this economy drive will last!!! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 550 Registered: 03-2006 |
Hey Jerry, Midlake'll keep - they're not going anywhere. They're just sitting around growing their beards. You're making me jealous of the new Lambchop. I'll definitely be getting that when it comes out here, oh...in about 2008. If I only had your magnificent willpower instead of being a no-money-having schlub with no self-control. I'll toast you tonight with a Twinkie dipped in beer. Do you like Neil Finn? He does a spot-on version of There is a Light in "7 Worlds Collide", his excellent concert film. Thanks Hugh - using Redeye might help me avoid getting the "red ass" about how expensive the damn thing was seeming! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 478 Registered: 05-2005 |
Start at the beginning LK. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 488 Registered: 03-2005 |
I'm feeling an Amoeba urge coming on. I haven't been in months. I'll see if they have any Soft Boys who, stupidly, I've never heard even though I have a handful of Hitchcock albums. I'll overlook his performance of the Rutles' white album. Feh. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll have Dan Kelly. Kevin, I'll check to see what's on the Studio One box but I think it will mostly retread the stuff I have on three volumes of Studio One releases put out by Heartbeat back in the 1980s. If #1 on that list isn't "Like a Rolling Stone" it will be "Satisfaction." I always hover over the Townes van Zandt section. I don't know where to begin. Any suggestions? Marianne Faithfull did a killer version of "Visions of Johanna" on what is probably her single worst album, "Rich Kid Blues" from about 1974. It's just her junk-dazed self and an acoustic guitar. Spellbinding. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 479 Registered: 05-2005 |
Listened to Dan Kelly again this afternoon. Even better on second listen. Be aware though that he does not sound very much like his uncle, apart from Paul's more poppy early 80s material. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 654 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, Unless you are a completist like me you dont need the box set. The first 3 discs are the ones you already have, although they are remastered and each disc has 6 bonus tracks. On most re-releases it might be sensible to be wary of bonus tracks, however I dont need to tell you that this is not the case here. The 4th disc is made up of 12" discomixes. Both of us were wrong about the Pitchfork thing. No 1 was God Only Knows by the Beach Boys, LARS was no 4, Satisfaction was not in the Top20 but Gimme Shelter was No12 | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Nemo Post Number: 60 Registered: 07-2005 |
Randy, with reference to Townes Van Zandt, the Texas Troubadour boxset can be picked up very cheaply in the U.K. and is great value for money. It is a four disc set and contains all the tracks from his first seven studio albums plus a number of tracks from his live album 'Live At The Old Quarter, Houston.' Add in a nice biographical essay and colour booklet and it is a steal at the price. http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/597967/Texas_Troubadour/Product.html http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0007ODLCS/026-8670828-8556400?v=glance&n=229 816&s=music&v=glance | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 197 Registered: 07-2005 |
Hardin, I'm not one for an economy drive we usually joke about being on one for a week and that's long enough. But did buy the Midlake yesterday and like what I've heard, has a quick listen to the snippets on iTunes and thought was Neil Youngish only to find a similar comment in a back dated Uncut.So thanks for that.Fortunately in the UK now CDs seem a bit cheeper so for £50 could get approx 5 new CDs or more if you get the midprice one but they have to be old classics or popular ones which I never seem to want. The Wife doesn't really mind all the CD buying a hobby could be worse,more time consuming and more anti-social. I'm thinking Golf etc.But thanks for your kind words. Can you not get Lambchop in the USA? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 563 Registered: 03-2006 |
Alright Jerry! Hope you like it and that it didn't completely upset the apple cart re: your budget. I think it's one of the best things I've heard all year - and, like Gnarls Barkley and Rather Ripped, has seemed to stay stuck in my CD player...I think the N. Young comparisons are apt, along with Buffalo Springfield, maybe even a little Fleetwood Mac, without in any way being slavishly imitative. I love that they took the trouble to write a bunch of killer songs, instead of relying solely on atmospherics, as so many new groups tend to do. My girlfriend doesn't really get the music obsession, thinks it's a little silly and adolescent, though she likes music. But hey, we all have our stuff we blow money and energy on - she has hers. I want to take up golf, too - I live next door to a very swanky, Eden-like course, but it ain't so easily picked up. You apparently have to take lessons, to avoid minor mishaps like, I dunno, hitting people in the noggin with golf balls. I may just take up surfing instead, the other new hobby I've been contemplating, because I think I could possibly do it just by watching others...then you only have to worry about hitting your own noggin with your board when you wipe out... If nothing else, CD buying is safer, come to think of it! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 564 Registered: 03-2006 |
Also, I believe Lambchop finally comes out this week. Based on your stellar reviews I'm going to have to pick it up. I think Kev really liked it too... | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 153 Registered: 01-2005 |
Hugh mentioned 'Live At The Old Quarter, Houston.' That's the only Townes that I have and I just got it a couple of months ago. The guy was a great songwriter, that's for sure. It's just him and his guitar singing his early great songs like Pancho and Lefty, To Live is To Fly, For The Sake Of The Song, and the oh so sad Tecumseh Valley. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 566 Registered: 03-2006 |
Pancho & Lefty: surely one of the alltime great songs ever written. Love the version by Willie & the Hag. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Nemo Post Number: 61 Registered: 07-2005 |
Michael, the 'Texas Troubadour' boxset is well worth owning. Townes wrote and recorded his best work for the Poppy/Tomato labels between 1968 and 1978 and at £13.99 ( US$27 ) it is an absolute steal as well as being a lovely package ( biography, song notes and lots of photos.) LK, the Emmylou Harris recording which appears on Luxury Liner is probably my favourite version of the song. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 668 Registered: 05-2005 |
Midlake - The Trial of Vanoccupanther. Yep, still playing it even after a few months have gone by. Checked the review at All Music Guide and they gave it a glowing recommendation. Couldnt help but notice that quaint "mood" thing AMG insist on adding in with their reviews. Its supposed to give the reader a clue as to what type of music to expect, normally I just ignore it but in Midlakes case its quite accurate. It might also give folks on here who are curious about them a few clues Moods: Reflective Melancholy Wistful Gentle Literate Restrained Delicate Intimate Hardin, will definately play their debut album when I get in from work tonight and will let you know what I think. AMG describe it like this: "....sounds like a group of musicians trying to remake Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band with toy instruments on a portable cassette recorder, that is, with even more impressionistic lyrics." | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 199 Registered: 07-2005 |
Listened to the Midlake twice tonight and will be playing it for a long time I think. So far it is the best thing I've heard all year So a big thanks LK,of course will have to get all there other stuff now!!!! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 671 Registered: 05-2005 |
Listened to Midlakes debut album again tonight after initially giving it a cursory listen some weeks back. These guys were definately big Grandaddy fans then. I say then, because I cant hear that on the new album, but its all over this one. In fact,if I didnt know it was Midlake I would swear it was a totally different band, they have really re-invented themself for Vanoccupanther. The sound is a lot thinner, Vanoccupanther has a real full sound to my ears. Will definately play more this week, could be another of those slow burners. Just played the new Outkast, initially very disappointed but that might be because they set the bar so high with previous releases. Mountain Goats album Get Lonely is really growing on me. Hardin get straight to the record store today (or in your case tomorrow), you will not be disappointed. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 570 Registered: 03-2006 |
Hmmm...that's good to know the Mt. Goats are registering favorably...they are real growers: with each successive release they've just sounded better and better. Don't need to go to a record store, though. Ordered it, and a bunch a stuff, from Amazon, including that Lambchop you guys go on and on about and the new one by Eric Bachmann, of Crooked Fingers fame. May steer clear of the other Midlake releases. I think you've put your finger on at least part of what's so appealing about their latest - it's the full sound and the fleshed out arrangements...none of that skeletal bullshit you might find on, say, a Grandaddy record (nothing against them, just that I don't think they've ever made a record this pleasurable)... Glad you're diggin' 'em, Jerry, and that I didn't steer you wrong. I agree - it really sounds like a keeper. And there you have Kev's reviews of other stuff in the catalog... And, I probably will go out and buy the new Outkast, though it's already drawing decidedly mixed reviews. Like you, Kev, I'm a big fan...it also doesn't hurt that it will be only $10 at all the local joints... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 594 Registered: 05-2005 |
Josef K - Sorry for laughing. kev, check this out, http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38058/Exclusive_Domino_to_Release_Jos ef_K_Anthology | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 448 Registered: 04-2005 |
Thanks for the link to the video, Spence--and that's good news about the upcoming Josef K anthology. But I hope it's better than the Fire Engines thing from Domino I bought a while back--demos and live tracks with really crappy sound. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Nemo Post Number: 62 Registered: 07-2005 |
Jerry, it should not take you very long to collect all the remaining Midlake stuff as there is very little of it. Excluding their first album ( Bamnan and Slivercork ) the only other really interesting material is on the 'Milkmaid Grand Army' EP which they self released back in 2001. It is currently unavailable unfortunately. If you want you can register at CDBaby and they will notify you if and when it gets a re-release. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 595 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt no probs matey, yeah I know what you mean about the Domino Fire Engines release. Its like as if they released it coz they're flavour of the month!! I hate that, a label trying to be cool and basically ripping people off. I know people who bought that cd with the ide that it was a 'best of' only to be left deflated. At least the Josef K CD seems as good if not better than the Marina release in '98 which I feel is hard to beat. Josef K did release a llive CD I did the sleeve and CD art for Paul Haig's ROL label called Live at Valentinos. Now that is a CD that is rough but well worth the money. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C84MU/104-2216163-6551161?v=glance&n=5174 | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 672 Registered: 05-2005 |
Spence, I agree what you say about Domino and the Fire Engines release. Its unusual for them, because I think they normally do really well for what is essentially an indie label.Say what you like about Franz Ferdinand and The Arctic Monkeys but Domino took a chance on them when they were unknown and their roster also includes Smog, Bonnie Prince Billy, Clinic, 4Tet, The Kills, Steven Malkmus, as well as my new faves Junior Boys. You're right, this Josef K release looks a killer, definately be getting that one. |