| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1649 Registered: 05-2005 |
Buffalo Tom - 3 Easy Pieces. First album in 9 years although apparently they never officially broke up. I used to love this band in the early 90s, Let Me Come Over was a great album and the twice I saw them live were gig highlights of that decade. This album stays true to their melodic but grungey/punky roots and choruses register after a solitary listen. Some tracks sounds like The Replacements crossed with Sugar which as we all know is a very good thing Editorial Reviews Amazon.com Ever wonder what happened to Buffalo Tom, the seminal Boston trio whose early-'90s songs were splashed about alternative radio and MTV? They're back, and one spin of their first record since 1998's Smitten gives the impression that they never left and that a decade has gone by faster than a Tom Maginnis drumroll. The melodies still rumble with elegance. The choruses are instantly unforgettable. And the band's original members--Maginnis, Bill Janovitz (guitar/vocals), and Chris Colbourn (bass/vocals)--remain intact and chillingly in synch. While it might be apropos to say they have matured with age, as all three have seen 40 pass them by, the angst and innocence of these 13 songs could easily have come blasting out of 1992. Rockers "September Shirt," "Bottom of the Rain," and "Good Girl" surely entice, but it's the power-poppiness of "Renovating" and "CC and Callas" (both sung by the underrated Colbourn) that drift back to the band's staples like "Taillights Fade" and "Mineral." Add to that canon the radiant melody of "You'll Never Catch Him," where Janovitz's gravelly tenor complements a radiant hook that, together, recapture the brilliance of this essential American band. --Scott Holter Matthew Dear - Asa Breed. This guy really gives LCD Soundsystem a run for their money, discovered him through Pitchfork. Sometimes those guys are right on the money with their reviews, other times. like their love of Deerhof and bands of that ilk. they are just way off the mark. Must admit I spend a lot of my listening time these days playing what could loosely be called electro - eg LCD, Matthew Dear, Justice, Digitalism, Junior Boys, Hot Chip etc - anybody else into this stuff? Randy, if you like Bright Eyes Digital Ash album you would like some of this stuff I reckon. Just downloading The Apples In Stereo album after seeing props for it on here, will play it later. Rodigans Dub Classics Vol 1. Compilation of dub stuff by Dave Rodigan who is a well known DJ on the UK reggae scene. Playing it on the turntable, with loads of authentic JA crackle!!! | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 658 Registered: 08-2004 |
John Coltrane - Plays It Cool The Twang - Love It When I Feel Like This New Order - Movement Public Enemy - Apocalypse '91... The Enemy Strikes Black The Triffids - In The Pines | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1651 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Apples In Stereo album was a good listen, however I cant see any XTC influences. Although to be fair I gave up on them about 1984. Will definatly be listening to this again. QOTSA - Era Vulgaris. I guess the main thing for me that stops this being too close to metal is Hommes vocals - he is no screamer. Also its riff based music without self indulgent guitar solos. After about 6 listens I still like it, the reviewers appear to be split down the middle however. Most reviews I have read tend to be either 4 or 5 star reviews or alternatively 2 star. One track, Into The Hollow sees Josh Homme using the same vocal style that Gene Clark used on the No Other album which is alright by me. In a bid to stop being the boards Wilco pessimist, I have had the new album in the car for the last 3 or 4 days. So far I have not had the urge to take it out of the CD player but I still find I get more enjoyment from the first 4 tracks and the last 3 than I do from the tracks in the middle. Which suggests to me that they knew these tracks were the weakest, but maybe I'm out on a limb here. Which reminds me, whens Spence back from his holiday? You just know he's been giving SBS big licks on holiday - you really miss his quirky posts when he's not here. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1652 Registered: 05-2005 |
Forgot to say, the infamous Andy Gill gave the QOTSA album 5 stars in his Independent review. He also mentioned Joy Division, gulp. Unlike his reviews of Around The Sun and Intermission though, I think he is actually on the mark with this review. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1532 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for letting us know there's a new Buffalo Tom album out Kevin. I love them. Very nice guys too. I've interviewed Bill and Chris and later had a few drinks with Chris and Tom after a show in Melbourne (St Kilda to be more accurate). I couldn't believe what a shy person Tom was. I read that he was but didn't believe anyone in a rock band could be that shy, but he was. Great guys. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1654 Registered: 05-2005 |
Padraig, played the Buffalo Tom album again tonight, and I cant believe how good it sounds (albeit after only 2 listens)- normally comeback albums are a major letdown. I reckon this sounds like it should have been the album they made in 1994/1995 when their stock was probably at it its highest, why they chose to mellow out then is anyones guess but it was a major gaffe in my opinion. Bill Janowitz's solo albums did not hint that he had this album in him ,although I suspect that the melodic ear of Chris Colbourn was a major factor in this albums apparent success(although once again I stress its early days) | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 679 Registered: 08-2006 |
Buffalo Tom - wow. I thought they were gone, gone, gone. So you like the record, Kevin? I wouldn't have had the guts to pick it up because of the comeback curse. My hat's off to you! Since I mentioned it yesterday, the Puerto Rican Independence Day Parade was fun, although it might have been subtitled "A Latin American Salute to Our Fossil Fuels." About 80 percent of the parade involved tricked out motorcycles and big, fancy cars. And it was LOUD. The food, though, was first-rate. I felt like Calvin Trillin, rapaciously trolling the food vendors looking for the strangest and most aromatic fare. And boy, did I find it. I don't even know what exactly I ate, although one dish involved octopus (I know tentacles when I see them) and another included ingredients I'm pretty sure are involved in the digestive process. The highlight was my old standby when I'm in the neighborhood, this pork sandwich that's made with fried plantains instead of bread. It's one of those food items you can imagine arriving with a label detailng how many days it'll take off your life. But you'll die happy, I guarantee it. After that binge, and all that noise and exhaust, I'm into (sorry, Kev) bland today, music-wise. I think 16 LL might even be too much. Anyone have a secret stash of Yanni CDs they want to e-mail me? (That's a joke, please don't.) Happy Father's Day to all the papas on the board! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 490 Registered: 09-2006 |
Why thankee, Rob, and the best wishes are certainly returned if you're a dad yourself. You're a braver feller than I if you dived into an octopus dinner...if I'd had even the slightest curiosity before, "Oldboy" was enough to put me off that particular delicacy for good. Oh right, what am I listening to? Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2 soundtracks Q-Tip - Amplified Harold Budd/Brian Eno - The Pearl That latter album just might work for you if you have it, Rob...soothes the most jangled nerves while never insulting your intelligence or aesthetic sense... | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1251 Registered: 03-2005 |
I second Allen's recommendation of "The Pearl." And because I've just been raving so much about Big Star's "Third" on the "Best of '78" thread, that's what I'm playing right now. Nice and loud. We're going to get born. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 683 Registered: 08-2006 |
Funny you guys mention Eno; "Discreet Music" has been my palliative this afternoon. I confess I've never even heard of "The Pearl." It's on the list now, though. So you're a daddy, Allen? I'm not, but I have the utmost respect for child-rearers. My ex and I never quite got around to it, but you never know what the future holds. In honor of the day, though, I'm going over and cooking some hamburgs (stuffed with feta cheese!) for my dad tonight. He's off at the Cubs game in some client's luxury box, the lucky stiff. He'd better save room for some feta burgers or - Father's Day or no - there'll be hell to pay. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1658 Registered: 05-2005 |
A profitable night on Napster. Just downloaded the new White Stripes album, RFs and GMs Intermission and Frank Blacks The Solo Years 1993-2003 (24 tracks!). Nights like this make the Ł9.99 a month subscription fee seem ridiculously cheap. The White Stripes album is crazy, weird stuff and on first listen sounds like a novelty record, all kinds of weird and wacky instrumentation but underpinned by Jacks riff machine and Megs trademark thumping drums and slashing cymbols. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 219 Registered: 07-2006 |
triffids - born sandy... loves it. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1534 Registered: 05-2005 |
Listening to Write Your Adventures Down right now. Halfway through it and the highlight so far - by several lengths - is The House That Jack Kerouac Built by Glenn Richards of Augie March. It's got theremin on it! Have to say though that overall it sounds a little restrained compared to the wild, joyous abandon that was the tribute concert. But I'm not comparing eggs with eggs. I'm sure this disc will grow on me. Rob, LOL at your gastronomic delights at the PRID Parade! Thanks for the father's day wishes too. It wasn't father's day in Australia though. I think it's in September here. Maybe October. I reckon they stagger it round the world so the unsold cards can be shipped to the next target market. It would certainly explain why my card last year was written in Tagalog. Josh Pyke's take on Bachelor Kisses was just on and was very good. It's the only one on the disc that wasn't also done at the concert. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1535 Registered: 05-2005 |
Draining The Pool For You by Andrew Cox of The Fauves is very good too. He didn't do it on the concert version. He does a pretty good Robert. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1536 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hold Your Horses by Sarah Blasko & Darren Hanlon is an extraordinary take; as it was at the concert. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1538 Registered: 05-2005 |
New Buffalo's version of No Reason To Cry is, um, interesting? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1540 Registered: 05-2005 |
Glenn Thompson does Dive For Your Memory in a country style. It works rather beautifully. He did it quite differently at the concert. The pedal steel on it is great. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1541 Registered: 05-2005 |
Now playing Three Easy Pieces by Buffalo Tom. Very poppy. And great. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1542 Registered: 05-2005 |
Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles. Because it follows the BT song on iTunes! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1543 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bukka White / Special Stream Line. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1544 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Future Is Unwritten soundtrack. It is very beautifully and lovingly curated for the documentary on Joe Strummer (which I've just missed at the Sydney film festival). Some of the links are Joe talking about the songs from his BBC World Service program. All bar one of the Clash songs are previously unreleased versions. And they are good versions. Rachid Taha's verion of Rock The Casbah is incredible. A Bollywood version! My album of the year so far. Buy it people, you won't regret it. 1. Punk Rock Warlord - Strummer, Joe 2. White Riot - Clash (1) 3. Rock The Casbah - Taha, Rachid 4. BBC World Service - Strummer, Joe 5. Crawfish - Presley, Elvis 6. Black Sheep Boy - Hardin, Tim 7. Kick Out The Jams - MC5 8. Keys To Your Heart - 101'ers 9. Mick And Paul Were Different - Strummer, Joe 10. I'm So Bored With The USA - Clash (1) 11. Natty Rebel - U-Roy 12. Armagideon Time - Clash (1) 13. Nervous Breakdown - Cochran, Eddie 14. In The Pouring Rain - Clash (1) 15. Omotepe - Strummer, Joe 16. Martha Cecilia - Landeros, Andres 17. Minuet - Ranglin, Ernest 18. Trash City - Latino Rockabilly War 19. I Called Him Woody - Headon, Topper 20. Ranger's Command - Guthrie, Woody 21. Corrina Corrina - Dylan, Bob 22. Johnny Appleseed - Strummer, Joe & The Mescaleros 23. To Love Somebody - Simone, Nina 24. Without People You're Nothing - Strummer, Joe 25. Willesden To Cricklewood - Strummer, Joe & The Mescaleros | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1659 Registered: 05-2005 |
Even more from Napster - Clinic album called Funf(odds and sods release), Annuals album called Be He Me (heard good things about this lot), but most interestingly for me is a new album from The Meat Puppets called Rise To Your Knees. I presume they have reformed, although like Buffalo Tom maybe they just faded away and never officially broke up. This is much gentler than some of their early output, could loosely be termed country rock. A few songs almost echo some of the stuff REM was doing circa Murmer and Reckoning. This one is guaranteed a good few listens over the next week or so. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 660 Registered: 08-2004 |
The Joe Strummer Ost is a good one. Some real curiosity's on there. The Elvis song is from before he started rocking. Padraig, have you got the Revolution Rock: A Clash Jukebox, compiled by Paul Simonen. It features some songs covered by the band & assorted inspirational oddities. The Traveling Wilbury's - Vol 1 Bunnymen - Crocodiles Faust - Faust IV | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 685 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'd heard the Kirkwood brothers were back together but I didn't know an album was on the way. Glad to hear it. I always gave Kurt Cobain big props for spotlighting the boys during his MTV Unplugged slot. And "Meat Puppets II" will be in my heavy rotation stack 'til I got nothing left to rotate. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1257 Registered: 03-2005 |
"(No, No) I'm Losing You" -- Aretha Franklin, from her early Columbia years. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1549 Registered: 05-2005 |
I don't have that Jerry, but I do have about half the songs on it. I might still get it sometime though! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1550 Registered: 05-2005 |
Last Exit To Brooklyn soundtrack - Mark Knopler. Picked it up today for $10. I had the cassette version for 15 years though. Coincidentally, I bought the DVD of the movie for $9 at the weekend! Great film, great soundtrack. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 663 Registered: 08-2004 |
Kodo - Heartbeat Drummers Of Japan Bob Dylan - Desire The Coral - The Invisible Invasion Happy Mondays - Uncle Disfunktional | ||
| Wolfgang Steinhardt Member Username: Berbatov Post Number: 82 Registered: 09-2006 |
The Book Of Knots - Traineater Jacques Dutronc - Intégrale (Best of) Fellow Travellers - Just a Visitor Os Mutantes - De Volta Ao Planeta Dos Mutantes Best of Benny Hill | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1586 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hi peeps, hope u all well. I'm back! (Oh no!) I hear you cry! On my wee break in picturesque Wales, I listened to The Feeling - 12 Stops and home and mostly 2 compilations cd's I did for my wife. On one of them, is the song Ain't no big thing by Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. It was kindly brought to my attention, and affection by Mr Randy Adams. I think I can declare after listening to it numerous times that it has possibly the most wonderful introduction in the whole stratosphere of music. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1665 Registered: 05-2005 |
Welcome back Spence, sure missed those wacky (but always interesting!!) posts of yours  | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2048 Registered: 03-2006 |
"Diamonds in the Dark" - Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles. Great, catchy honky tonk stylings from Ms. Borges, whom I think hails from the east, Boston maybe... "Oceans 13" - Soundtrack by David Holmes. Got hooked by seeing the flick. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1261 Registered: 03-2005 |
Bright Eyes -- Cassadaga. Specifically "Soul Singer in the Session Band." | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 691 Registered: 08-2006 |
X - "Wild Gift." Killer. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1433 Registered: 04-2005 |
Lately, it's been "music for better living": Miles Davis - In a Silent Way Ideal when you're an insomniac who desperately needs some sleep, but unable to get it, you need something to put your mind in a dream state. DJ Shadow - Entroducing... Perfect for the bus commute the next morning, when you're being squashed by the morbidly obese person next to you but trying to keep your cool. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 666 Registered: 01-2005 |
I'll soon be listening to "Swoon" and "Da Capo" by Prefab Sprout and Love when they arrive at my door. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1666 Registered: 05-2005 |
Icky Thump - White Stripes. Not heard anybody apart from Padraig and I talk about this album, has nobody else heard it yet? Not that I'm advocating mind altering substances, but this album is weird, and I can only imagine what it would sound like if you were "sorted" - scary shit!! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2051 Registered: 03-2006 |
Kev, I'm kind of digging it. Maybe it's a testament to my own state of mind, but I don't find it all that weird, but more of a return to the direction they were going in before, what was it called, "Get Behind Me Satan". I promise that my mind, at this early stage of the day, is completely unaltered (notwithstanding tremendous amounts of caffeine), but give it a few hours... In addition to the White Stripes, I've currently been listening to: Khmer - Nils Petter Molvaer The Singles - the Clash Monterey Pop Festival - the new two disc sampler of it that just came out. Geez, the Byrds sounded great live. I was marvelling over what a great song "So You Want to Be a Rock n Roll Star" is...what a neat trick - the words are so cynical, yet the music is so uplifting, you forget all about it. It makes you, well, want to be a rock n roll star... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 692 Registered: 08-2006 |
How's "Khmer," LK? I don't have that one but I've been listening to a lot of Molvaer lately. Kurt, if you dig "In a Silent Way" (and everyone should!) you should try Molvaer if you haven't already. Now that I think of it, I think you mentioned in an earlier post that you have... I went for a second play of "Wild Gift" today, which I almost never do with albums. When I'm in the right mood, it can sound like one of the great records by anyone, ever. Enjoy "Da Capo," Michael. It's great. Not "Forever Changes" great, but pretty great. If you like it, I'd really recommend that two-disc "Love Story" comp from Rhino. Love put out a lot of great songs even on their later, marginal records. I play it a lot. | ||
| Wolfgang Steinhardt Member Username: Berbatov Post Number: 83 Registered: 09-2006 |
No kevin, heres another supporter. But how could an outfit like this become so popular, I don't really get it - Jeffrey Lee Pierce never was too close to a Grammy and they've got two of them; they sell tons of CDs even in the mainstream record shops where people usually come out with the likes of James Blunt. They got a cool concept, the Stijl-thing mixed up with their puristic sounds matches fine and is far ahead of that boring retro-thing by - for example - The Strokes. And - talking of Icky Thump - they still keep their track. I listened to White Blood Cells yesterday after Icky, they weren't famous back then and didn't have to fullfill expectations, but there isn't tooo much difference in attitude. Like that very much... | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2053 Registered: 03-2006 |
Khmer is as wonderful as everything else I've heard by Molvaer. Features a little more funky and uptempo stuff than I've heard on other outings... On the subject of X, Sarah Borges' new one, which I mention above and think you'd probably love, Rob, features a cracking cover of X's "Come Back to Me" from their also great record "Under the Big Black Sun". | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 696 Registered: 08-2006 |
You don't hear that many X covers, do you, LK? And yeah, "Black Sun" is wonderful. I'm a huge fan of everything until "Ain't Love Grand." After that, the going gets rough at times. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1263 Registered: 03-2005 |
"Black Sun" is a pretty good album. Which album is the one with their cover of "Wild Thing?" That's where I bowed out. I've always associated it with Siouxsie & the Banshees' pointless cover of "Dear Prudence." Yesterday I was sending some Wilco songs off to Jeff and iTunes just kept on playing through the alphabet. I was reminded once again how much I LOVE the Winnebago Orchestra's "Get Me," the lyrics, Caroline's delivery of them, the arrangement--the whole shebang. Are those sampled drums, Spence? The stuttering fill that announces the return of the drums in time for the end of the song is terrific. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2056 Registered: 03-2006 |
The Wilco are coming to the Greek, Randy. I guess it's up to us to be there or be square! That would be...I dunno what that would be. Wasn't it used in that dumb, but satisfying baseball movie with Charlie Sheen? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1667 Registered: 05-2005 |
On the 2nd of July I will be mostly listening to this: Domino stake a further claim towards being the best reissue label going. "Since its release the sound of Colossal Youth has seeped into the vocabulary of personal music. Young Marble Giants made the abstract immediate and the introspective warm and natural. Their influence filters through every generation from Nirvana to Belle & Sebastian, and there is something almost canonical about the album’s use of voice, muted instruments and space. Their tracks have been covered by Belle & Sebastian and Courtney Love’s Hole; ‘Colossal Youth’’s attention to sparse detail is now a modus operandi for haunted electronica auteurs and spectral singer-songwriters alike, but ultimately, only the Young Marble Giants sound like Young Marble Giants. On 2 July 2007 Domino are proud to rerelease ‘Colossal Youth’ and the Collected Works of Young Marble Giants, drawing together the band’s album and singles for the first time ever on a CD set. Including a 32 page booklet, the limited edition initial pressings of the set will also include a third disc, which features 6 tracks the band recorded for John Peel in 1980, making it a complete package of Young Marble Giant's recorded tracks." | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1590 Registered: 05-2005 |
Wilco - live various (SBS era) courtesy of XY. Really triffic versions of the songs, structures differ from the finished album in places, so its nice to see the development. Randy, Get Me, the music is ne of my fave arrangements, it wasn't produced that well in the end, acoustic s are too low, it was always a demo, Caroline was great. We put linen sheets over the kity to give it a soft sound, we were aiming for a 70's sound (Midlake), early demos sounded like REM. The middle 8 is really REMesque. The drum riff back in is great I must admit (blush!!) Thr drum kit used was once owned by the drummer in Budgie. However, the whole song is pretty much vocal wise, inspired by The Blue Aeroplanes. Apart from the slide guitar, that was originally, lap steel, but it sounded better as slide. Bob the lap steel guy played the riff, he supported The Beetles twice! | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 666 Registered: 08-2004 |
I've heard the expanded Colossal Youth. In fact they sound like The Cure 5 years hence. The Editors - An End Has A Start (I fear Coldplay will sue) Sonic Youth - Goo New Young Pony Club - Fantastic Playroom Gary Lucas & Gods & Monsters - Coming Clean | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 465 Registered: 04-2006 |
an absolutely gorgeous band called the go-betweens with their live in london double cd. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1595 Registered: 05-2005 |
Live Wilco http://wilcoworld.net/roadcase/index.php I was at the gig and I am so glad they recorded it. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 701 Registered: 08-2006 |
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - "Some Loud Thunder" In my opinion, this is a far, far better album than advertised. Every spin it gets better and better. I don't understand the gripes about the fuzzed out intro, or some of the other non-traditional production choices. Jesus, today's indie kids can't handle a little distortion? I blame Nick Drake. I liked the first CYHSY CD a lot; I rank this higher. They get compared to the Talking Heads. If the first was "'77" this is "More Songs About Buildings and Food." | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2059 Registered: 03-2006 |
Rob, I dig the Clap (or whatever shorthand hipsters use for their name) and don't really understand why some people hate on them. Possibly, it's a backlash thing - they were extremely hot in the blogosphere for awhile, maybe it's a case of the nerds giveth and the nerds take away...Like that record, too, and think it's a pretty major improvement over the deebutt... Listening right now to: Lucinda Williams - West. Okay, time has given me a bit of perspective on this record. My considered take is that it's a bit flawed and probably won't be adjudged a classic, particularly by a lot of her hardcore, longtime faithful. But having said that, I think it has some of the most beautiful and powerful songs she's ever done. Stuff like "Wrap My Head Around That" may feel a bit underwritten and seem short on melody, but other songs like "Are You Alright?" and "Mama You Sweet" are impossibly moving, full of on-target, powerful poetry and set to gorgeous melodies. "Unsuffer Me" is also just an incredible set of lyrics and a scorching, transcendent piece of music. Richard Thompson - Sweet Warrior. This, due to its high quality, has been stuck in my CD changer since it came out. A great, great Thompson record, his best by my lights, since "Rumour & Sigh". 14 tracks, with 11 of them completely stellar, while three of them are merely great. One powerful story song, "Guns Are the Tongues" would make a powerful successor to the perenially crowd-pleasing "'52 Black Vincent" (great song, but at this point I've probably heard it enough). And Thompson's clever, soldier's-eye view, anti-war song, "Dad's Gonna Kill Me" is absurdly great, not to be missed. It's based on soldier slang - for instance, Dad = Baghdad. Rob, if you don't already own this, leave the house now and go buy it! Do not pass "Go", do not collect $200 till you own it. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 703 Registered: 08-2006 |
You know, LK, in a way I was waiting for the above review from you before I bought the RT. You and I are entirely symatico on the man's music and your thumbs-up is good enough for me. I haven't bought an RT record since "Mock Tudor" and haven't thoroughly enjoyed one since "Rumour & Sigh." So color me delighted by your take on the new one. I'm heading down to Reckless as soon as I make lunch. Thanks, man. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1442 Registered: 04-2005 |
I approach new RT albums with a bit of trepidation too, Rob, and I'm quite pleasantly surprised by the new one. There are a few songs that are too RT-by-the-numbers workmanlike ("Bad Monkey" is a lesser rewrite of "Tear Stained Letter," for example), but a handful are stone-cold classics, and there's more consistently thrilling electric guitar playing on any album of his since, perhaps, "Hand of Kindness." Like LK says, "Guns Are the Tongues" has the feel of one of his all-time best. Also featuring in my car stereo and on my iPod: "Sound of SIlver" by LCD Soundsystem. Kevin may be right about this being one of the best of the year, though I gotta say "New York I Love You But You're Bring Me Down" is in my book a "play once, be mildly amused, then never endure again" kind of track. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1672 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, "New York....." is a bit of rip off of Rock n Roll Suicide from Ziggy Stardust dont you think? Its not my favourite track, but its a mellow way to end the album - a bit like how RnRS ended Ziggy! | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1443 Registered: 04-2005 |
Hmm, didn't think of that, Kev. I'll have to listen to them side-by-side to see. By the way, not to re-open the Wilco SBS can of worms, but this week's Entertainment Weekly (guilty pleasure mag with decent music coverage) spotlights Wilco as one of its "hot 100" entertainers. In the brief profile, Tweedy takes exception to the recent EW review (positive) that called SBS the "best album the Eagles never made." Tweedy said something like, "I know you meant it as a compliment, but the Eagles have never been a big favorite of mine," which is his polite way of saying "they suck." So at least we know the album isn't a deliberate "Desperado" homage. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1599 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Monkees various and furthermore loads of Mike Nesmith stuff, tunes I have never heard, thanks Randy! It really is a pleasent valley sunday, actually its pissing down but you get the gist! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 500 Registered: 09-2006 |
New York Dolls - first album Fairport Convention - Liege and Lief Bad Brains - Banned in D.C.: Greatest Riffs | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1604 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just purchased The National - Boxer. Very restrained, is it gonna be a slow burner? Never bought anything by them before. I only ever saw them on Jools Holland a few years ago. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2065 Registered: 03-2006 |
Spence, I love that one, but it is probably a slow burner. Perhaps the one to get you hooked, the "gateway drug", if you will, would be the one before it, "Alligator", which has a lot more catchy, uptempo songs with crazy lyrics and more guitar... But, make no mistake, I listened to it just yesterday - "Boxer" is a beautiful piece of work. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 673 Registered: 01-2005 |
RF and GM - Intermission Kurt, Maybe I should start "Guilty Pleasures" topic, as I always liked "Desperado". I thought it was a huge improvement over their first album. They went downhill fast though, apart from Bernie's touching "My Man" tribute to Gram, the third album was forgetable. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1444 Registered: 04-2005 |
Actually, Michael, I don't know the Eagles at all--I've never heard those albums. It's just the only album title of theirs I could think of besides "Hotel California"! | ||
| Wilson Davey Member Username: Wilson Post Number: 63 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Fire Engines - "Candyskin"...I've got a turntable set up so I can play vinyl again ! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1611 Registered: 05-2005 |
I love Meat Wiplash the b side, that to me was a pivitol moment in Scottish Indie, that drumbeat man!! LK babey, I just bought Alligator, yep man, that is floating my boat right away, it makes sense as that was the period I heard em first. Tho, I am sure you are bang on the money re Boxer, I just need to give it a few plays. Thanks buddy. By the way, ths sinfger's voice from The National really remnds me of Jim Irvin from a band called Furniture from the 80's. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 43 Registered: 03-2007 |
Spence, a band who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. I loved 'Brilliant Mind' and picked up a copy of 'The Wrong People' before it was deleted. There is a video of the band performing the song on MySpace. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseac tion=vids.individual&videoID=1369038204 | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2068 Registered: 03-2006 |
Spence bro - enjoy! In no time at all, you'll be annoying your friends and family by pogoing and singing along at the top of your lungs to "Mr. November" ... I have a couple of tracks by Furniture on a Stiff records box set. I'll have to check that out to see if I hear what you're talking about. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1614 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think Lit Up was what I first heard and am indeed pogoing to it right now LK! Hugh, thanks for th link, I switched over from Brilliant Mind to Lit Up by The NAtional and his vocal is really really suprisingly similar, no bad thing of course. I think The National are what Gomez always wanted to be. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 502 Registered: 09-2006 |
Nick Lowe - "At My Age" A touch more peppy and varied than his last two ("The Convincer" and "Dig My Mood") but not that much more varied - I like the guy so much I'll buy his albums until he or I pass on, but if you don't think much of his late night jazz/blues crooner mode you should probably avoid. He is a little funnier this time around (yay!) - there's a jaunty little study in pathology called "I Trained Her to Love Me," in which a love 'em and leave 'em kinda guy isn't shy about admitting that it's the leaving part that gets him off the most... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1683 Registered: 05-2005 |
Boo Boo Davis- Drew Mississipi. Kindred spirit to RL Burnside, kinda like a new millenium version of the blues. Hip Hop elements and strings adorn some tracks, but never deviates from the blues template. Caribou - Andorra. More electro/acoustic gems from Dan Snaith who used to be called Manitoba till ol' Handsome Dick objected. The Tuss - Rushup Edge. Internet rumours suggest this is Aphex Twin in another guise, if not he should sue. Lee Perry - Super Ape/Roast Fish,Cornbread and Collie Weed/Return of The Super Ape. 3 albums over 2 CDs from Trojan, more madcap genius from Mr Perry The White Stripes - Icky Thump. Take out the Scottish novelty track about Jocks, sorry Jacks roots and you are left with a scorching guitar based blues album. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 503 Registered: 09-2006 |
And still, after three goddamn weeks, the Apples in Stereo album remains a fixture in my player. I flash on favorite bits all day long, and keep discovering new ones...all those things that make great albums great. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1619 Registered: 05-2005 |
The NAtional - Alligator. On the recommendation of LK, I have purchased this gem. It got me right away, in a way, the way Midlake got me with Trials. The frontman reminds me of Ian Curtis, or Stuart from Tindersticks. The music is like an up-to-date group from the mid to late 80's scene I remember in England, there were many great local band to me who had this similar feel, great bands that because Indie was Indie and NOT mainstream, would surely be floating on success if it were their turn this time around. However, The National are more refined. Its beautiful music, its music for the OC sure, but its more than that. Very enjoyable. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1684 Registered: 05-2005 |
You must have been sleeping with The National Spence. LK, myself and others have been bigging up their albums on here every once in a while,and you know what great taste in music we have | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1621 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah I was Kev! I do realise that you were indeed BIGGING em up for a long time, just took me a while!... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 716 Registered: 08-2006 |
So Allen, the new Lowe is pretty good? I love Nick, liked "Impossible Bird" but only played "Dig My Mood" a few times and then gave up on his current state of laid-backness. I suppose I'll buy the new one but, jeez, someone get that guy a Fender Twin and tape the volume knob at 8. Apples in Stereo is still doing it for me, too, Allen, as is the new National, which does take a little bit to kick in. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2069 Registered: 03-2006 |
Glad you're diggin' the National, Spence. It's pretty addictive stuff. I have a theory that getting into an artist's more accessible stuff opens the door for the more "difficult" music in their catalog. So maybe it'll pave the way for you to dig into "Boxer", which is also a great record, just in a different way... I think if you didn't know they were from the States, one might think they were from England, maybe Manchester. I don't know if they own up to it, but I think they've definitely listened to some Joy Division in their time! (Not to mention Tindersticks and Nick Cave.) If you require more by them, "Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers" is good, more in the vein of "Alligator". Also, there's an EP that came out after it, called "The Cherry Tree" that's fairly wonderful. Their self-titled debut, "The National" is good, but not as special as the other items in their catalog. I'm with you on the White Stripes, Excellent-Taste-Havin' Kev. I could also do without the mariachi song, but the rest is pretty cool. I'm intrigued by this Boo Boo Davis...Being LK, born in the swamp, the seventh son of a seventh son, and a John the Conquerer root addict, that sounds right up my alley! I'll have to check it out. And Robman Brookman, the Nick Lowe IS very good, better, if we have to judge it that way, than "Dig My Mood". On one listen it seems more uptempo - also, wiseass Nick has returned for some of the songs, which is always welcome. "Dig My Mood", though great, was a little too unrelentingly sincere in approach. And yeah, if Nick were on the radar at all, "I Trained Her to Love Me" would probably cause a wee bit of controversy... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1687 Registered: 05-2005 |
Having an LTM Records fest on Napster. After listening to Sorry For Laughing, the unreleased debut album by Josef K, I listened to Here Comes Everybody by The Wake, who were a Scottish clone of Joy Division/New Order in the early 80s. Dont know if Bobby Gillespie is on this album, but he did play for them at one point. Spence, seems LTM are the foremost "raincoat band" reissue label, as well as the K and The Wake I noticed they had albums by Section 25 and The Blue Orchids, any more you know of? | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 679 Registered: 01-2005 |
The Icicles - A Hundred Patterns Great female shimmering pop music from Detroit, beats the heck out of The White Stripes! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1623 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cheers LK, you are right it is the way to open doors, esp for ol timers such as me. Kev, LTM. They have really gone to town with their rematers and rereleases, I think they cover every Factory, Factory Benelux, Les Disques Du Crepuscule and associated bands and freaks (joke) known to man. Its all down toone man, James Nice, formerley Niess. He lived in Edinburgh in mid 80's. I wrote to him in 84 as a 16 year old spotty art student. I saw a review of a tape he released by The Happy Family. Ex josef K, with Momus fronting. It was a tape of demoes for their previously released album on 4AD - the Man on your street. 4ad's worst selling album of all time. From then on after purchasimng the tape, I continued my letter writing relationship with James. I happende to like the same sorta stuff he did, Josef K, Tux Moon, et al. From there on he released a couple of compilations of stuff he licensed from the bands them selves, out takes and rough copy songs. Most of these bands were from the uderground industrial scene, or had Factory or 4AD connections. Some of the bands he featured on these comps were, as you say, Section 25, Happy Family, Tuxedo moon, Clock DVA, Crispy Ambulance etc etc. One album he released was The doctor is on the market. A comiplation of audio snippets from the late and great William S Burroughs. I had been interested in Bill at that time. Like Scott Walker atthe time, Bill's albums used to go for a helluva lot of wallet, so it was hard to hear his tuff, let alone read his stuff, so for me James seemed to be on a mission, releaseing I suppose, stuff in a landmark type of way. James got me into a band called Heyday, ex Josef K, but fronted by a guy from the New wave scene, Steven Harrison from Metropak. The guy had a great voice, like Bowie, Lloyd Cole and Scott Walker! He released some stuff on Crepusscule, they loved him, he had his work produced by Alan Rankine from The Associates who rated him highly, which is no bad thing coming from the guy who worked with the other worldly and majestically awesome Billy Mackenzie. And today I am know in the lucky position of working with Steven, all these year later after being a fan! We're going in the studio together in August. Anyhow, as usual I digress... James then went to work for Crepescule in brussells, and ran a sunsidiary of that label, releaseing various works. Then in 1990, he resurrected Les temps modernes, as LTM. He had the balls to release 2 Josef K Cd's for the first time on CD. The released Only fun in town, the postcard album, and the unreleased album, sorry for laughing, along with bbc peel sessions and some singles and demoes. I was in heaven, but in 1990, no one was interested. Phil Collins was mainstream and hio still. I think these CD's are collector's items now. Since then he's released and rereleased clasic post-punk albums and avant garde artists. Some of my favourite releases are things he has recently released that had been unavailable for years and yeras. Namely, Crepusscule compliations, From Brussells with Love, Some of the interesting things you'll see on a long distance Flight, Winston Tong's album Theoretically Chines and Richard Jobson's spoken word albums, all of which are gems./ Bands on the label at the moment are: Acertain Ration, Antena, Dislocation Dance, Paul Haig, The Wake, Lowlife, ur bro in law Kev!? Mozzers mate, Ludus, Revenge yadda yadda yadda. Recently his label released Shadowplay. A DVD. An excellent docu on Factoory Records from 77-81 I think. Its purely snippet type talking head interviews with everyone associuated with Factory and Crepuscule. For any New order fans, he conducts interviews with Tony Wilson and Peter hooky is featured too. Phew!!!!! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 504 Registered: 09-2006 |
Rob, the new one is generally closer to "Impossible Bird" than the two that followed it. I still have faint hopes that he'll pull out something more akin to "Party of One" (maybe even "Labour of Lust," starry-eyed dreamer that I am), but he's been on this path for 13 years now, so I'm more at the acceptance stage now. On the other hand, tbere was his live album of a few years back, parts of which proved he can still jump around when he wants to... | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 471 Registered: 04-2006 |
boring leo kottke. his first album released on fahey's takoma label. but if you listen to it you can feel the difference betwen fahey's music and kottke's one. fahey's music is touching the soul and comes from another world. kottke just bores. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1688 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cheers for the info Spence. I did notice while pouring over Napsters new releases today that as well as The Wake, JK, Section 25 et al, there were also three Lowlife albums but I didnt link them with LTM. I'll need to ask Bill if he will see any royalties coming in from Napster in the next few months, I've always been curious to know how they and Itunes dish the money out. Clock DVA - bloody hell. Forgot about them, I used to love that album they brought out in the early 80s - White Souls In Black Suits. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 473 Registered: 04-2006 |
lou reed- berlin the show yesterday was louder.... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 505 Registered: 09-2006 |
Van Morrison - It's Too Late to Stop Now Amy Rigby - The Sugar Tree | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 506 Registered: 09-2006 |
Also, "Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?: the Best of the Replacements." Definitely not the testament they deserve, but a decent overview, and it sure beats the first disc of "All For Nothing." Some of Chris Mars' favorite drummer jokes: Johnny: Mom, I want to be a drummer when I grow up. Mom: Now, Johnny, you can't do both... Q. What do you call a drummer who just broke up with his girlfriend? A. Homeless. Q. Hear the one about the drummer who graduated from high school? A. Me either. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2077 Registered: 03-2006 |
Funny you should mention that, AB. Amy Rigby has her own repertoire of drummer jokes, lending a certain consistency to your listening favorites. One I remember is: Q. What's the difference between a pizza and a drummer? A. A pizza can feed a family of four. And, oh yeah: Q. How do you tell if a drum riser is level? A. The drool is running straight down the drummer's chin. Currently listening to Marshall Crenshaw's greatest hits disc. Though I first heard "Something's Gonna Happen" performed by Robert Gordon, MC's version is just fine. And, Marshall, that girl you sing about in "There She Goes Again"? Take it from me, buddy, her heart will NEVER be satisfied. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 513 Registered: 09-2006 |
Does that comp have "My Favorite Waste of Time" on it? Lyrically it's a bit slight compared to his others, but it may be my all-time fave of his. I was listening to the enhanced version of the debut awhile ago and thinking I'd never heard such a rich lot of extras ever... The drum riser joke was one of Chris Mars' list as well, LK, as well as its companion: "What does a drummer get on an IQ test? Drool." | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 729 Registered: 08-2006 |
Another Amy Rigby drummer joke: Q: What's the difference between a drummer and a saving bond? A: One will eventually mature and accrue interest. Funny you were listening to MC last night, LK. I played "Good Evening" while a made dinner. His version of Richard Thompson's "Valerie" is killer. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2080 Registered: 03-2006 |
And, of course, Amy has her great song about "giving the drummer some". The comp does have "Waste of Time", AB. One of my faves too. The slightness of the lyrics adds to the overall disposable, "it's only pop" quality and makes it even more alluring, to me. It's as though Crenshaw is saying, "look at me - I can dash off a Brill Building level pop song without even really thinking about it!". Nice version of Valerie, indeed, Rob. Sonny Landreth plays on it, right? | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 52 Registered: 05-2005 |
Amy Rigby rocks! My favourite of her's is "Keep it to yourself" - a twisted song, which for obvious reasons, women can maybe appreciate just a little bit more than blokes.. This isn't an Amy Rigby one, and not technically a drummer joke but they can be adapted! Q: What do you call a beautiful woman on the arm of a banjo player? A: A tattoo. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 732 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'm always surprised there are so many Amy Rigby fans on this board, especially since she sells so few records. I guess we're into underdogs around here... | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1460 Registered: 04-2005 |
It's true, Rob. The Go-Betweens were like U2 compared to Amy Rigby, popularity-wise. But she's a unique talent, cool person, and a classic underdog you can't help but love. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1692 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation Deluxe Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger. Apart from the ludicrous novelty rocker Halloweenhead this is his best album since Heartbreaker, although as has been said countless times if only he had slimmed last years output(42 songs over 3 albums) down to two 12 track albums they would have been crackers. Caribou - Andorra. His best record yet. Greensleeves 12" Rulers. 12 inch disco mixes by Dancehall reggae stars (1979-1983), released on the Greensleeves label Boo Boo Davis - Drew, Mississippi. You need to check this out LK. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1553 Registered: 05-2005 |
Think A Man Would Know - The Ben Taylor Band. I think he's James Taylors' son. It's on a Word magazine comp. Great song. I'm back! Computer troubles over! New power board, new keyboard and new mouse after plugging in a blow heater blew the power board a week ago. Bloody unusually cold Sydney winter! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1555 Registered: 05-2005 |
God's Highway - Tobias Fröberg. From the same Word CD. Oh my God, what a beautiful song. West Coast genius done by, I think, a Norwegian. Or Glaswegian. Or Galwegian. Some wegian. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 516 Registered: 09-2006 |
Welcome back, Padraig! I was beginning to wonder... Listening: Augustus Pablo: East of the River Nile Six Feet Under - Everything Ends - soundtrack Digable Planets - Reachin' One of the funnier and more morbidly fascinating drummer jokes is the studio chatter on the expanded version of Notorious Byrd Brothers, as Roger and Dave try to coax a different-sounding beat (for "Dolphin Smile") out of poor dopey Michael Clarke. Roger: "Try playing right!!" Michael: "What the fuck do you know about what's right and what's wrong?" And later, just so you know it's the sixties: Roger (or maybe Dave): "We love you, man, that's why we want you to play the drums right..." | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1558 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Allen. Good to know I'm not just writing into the ether here either! | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 44 Registered: 03-2007 |
Padraig, welcome back. Your man Tobias is from Sweden ( currently the home of some great music.) He has released two albums ( Somewhere In The City and For Elizabeth Wherever She Is ) both of which are excellent. The new one can be picked up fairly cheaply from various Amazon MarketPlace Sellers while the older one is considerably more expensive. It can however be purchased for a reasonable price from cdon.com if you are interested. http://www.cdon.com/main.phtml?navroot=9 06 Tobias on MySpace :- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus eaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=349029 25 Currently listening to The Great Investigation by Ronderlin. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1282 Registered: 03-2005 |
Yikes, Padraig! Your computer melt-down sounds harrowing. "God's Highway" is on the myspace page. It sounds good. Allen, I gather from the Gene Clark biography that Michael Clarke was the most agreeable person in the Byrds which is probably why he found his way onto some of Clark's solo work and the second Burrito Brothers album. Unfortunately it's that second BB album that highlights his limits as a player. But, hey, I'm the last person to pick on somebody for that. Currently listening to "Passion Plays" by the Passions, another '80s group introduced to me by Jeff. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1698 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sly and the Family Stone - Greatest Hits - The greatest compilation ever? LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver The Revolutionaries - Drum Sound - Hard hitting dub from the fantastic Pressure Sounds label. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1637 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kev, must get LCD, they were great on Jools Holland show. Like a refined The Fall. Imus admit, I was taking a break from buying music that isn't quitet, but that's gone by the wayside. Am loving Boxer by The National and Alligator. Tremendous albums. Also, I swore nothing would ever impress me again from MySpace. I was wrong, I am finding some great artists. namely, Natural Calmity from Japan and Javiera Mena from Chile. And on a purley self indulgent level, some new album songs by The Winnebago Orchestra, have finished production and am very pleased with them. Oh, Chrry Ghost, they are folating my boat. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 739 Registered: 08-2006 |
Boy, it's a ghost town around here these past few days. Anyhow: Richard Thompson - "Sweet Warrior." LK, my friend, you do not lie; after a few listens, it does sound like his best since "Rumour and Sigh." I don't know how to explain it, but the songs don't sound as deliberately "songwriterly" as his recent efforts. In other words, the seams of craftsmanship don't show as much. And his guitar-playing sounds as good as any he's put on record in years. With RT that's saying something. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2085 Registered: 03-2006 |
Yo man, glad that recommendation paid off for you. I, needless to say, completely agree. Funny, we debate, try to put into words, the virtues of different musics, but I do believe in that unquantifiable, "X factor" quality. And yeah, this one has it. He definitely has his head in the game for it. I've read that he approaches songwriting, come "new album time", like a 9 to 5: he rents an office and approaches like it a job. And, definitely, his work sometimes show it, there's a certain workmanlike quality to it sometimes, particularly recently. Maybe it took something like the war to inspire him. And how about that "Guns Are the Tongues"? One of his all time best? I think one could make a case... I'm really glad to find you a-hauntin' the board, Rob, for a non music-related reason. I'm thinking about making your famous feta burgers (long as you don't call them fetid, eh?) tomorrow for my big Independence Day (what a joke, huh, given the state of our country) shindig...The information I'm lacking pertains to condiments: do you just serve 'em up with all the fundamentals, mustard and ketchup, etc., or do you go whole hog and serve them with some kind of Mediterranean dressing? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 740 Registered: 08-2006 |
I've heard the same thing about RT's work habits, LK. And I think sometimes it shows. He can sound like he's cranking product out there, which he does as well as almost anyone but doesn't send me running to the record store. I think this one is a bit different. But definitely, LK, rock the feta burger the way you see fit. Just mix it up together and I think condiments should be left to the dicretion of your guests. Here in Chicago, we frown a bit on the ketchup (NO KETCHUP on a Chicago-style dog!). But whatever. The feta burgers can hold up to whatever you throw at them. My dad and I ate 'em with grilled red onions and mustard, because mustard is God's Condiment. But I'd be interested to try 'em with chutney, like a Major Grey or something. There are no rules, my friend. Have at it! And have fun. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1572 Registered: 05-2005 |
Any "milkmaid went a-churnin'" type tunes on it Rob? I'm listening to Van Morrison & The Chieftains' pure genius 1988 album Irish Heartbeat. This album used to make me dreadfully homesick when I lived in Boston. I just bought it on CD today (previous copy was a cassette) in a branch of HMV that's closing down. I was thrilled to see it because it's out of print at the moment. I also picked up a copy of Poetic Champions Compose, which is also out of print. My joy was tempered when I discovered the disc inside is one called Too Long In Exile by Van. I'll bring it back to the shop tomorrow but I'm not hopeful of getting a replacement. There were no other copies there. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 102 Registered: 05-2005 |
Stephanie Dosen - a Lily for the spectre. She opened for the Midlake's concert in april. Sometimes, this music reminds me the Sundays and I hear the Simon Raymonde's touch here and there. Not bad at all. Bob Dylan - Modern times. I'm not too much with Bob but this one has its moments. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 742 Registered: 08-2006 |
Padraig, "Too Long in Exile" is one of my favorite late-period Van albums. I assume you've heard it before but if not, give it a spin before you return it. And yeah, I have to admit there are a couple "milkmaid went a-churnin" tunes on the new RT, but there's also a lot of really great stuff. I think I played it three times yesterday alone. For whatever reason, it's a cut above a lot of his recent stuff. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1643 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jeb Loy Nichols - Days are mighty Mario Biondi - Handful of Soul Level 42 - Best of... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 519 Registered: 09-2006 |
How's that Jeb Loy, spence? Last one of his I listened to was "Just What Time It Is," after seeing him do a very fine show opening for Kasey Chambers. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 520 Registered: 09-2006 |
OK, so I'm succumbing to peer pressure (at 45, yet)...my library actually has the new RT in its system already, so I've put it on hold. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 522 Registered: 09-2006 |
In honor of the day, what else but "There's a Riot Goin' On" | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1574 Registered: 05-2005 |
Well I wish I had now Rob! I played the first song and thought it was repetitive crap and so didn't bother with the rest. Should have mp3'd it... They didn't have another copy of Poetic Champions so I bought three other albums instead. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1575 Registered: 05-2005 |
Right now I'm listening to Decade: Ten Years Of Fierce Panda. Twenty indie pop singles on one disc for $5! Can't beat that. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1576 Registered: 05-2005 |
Wow, Embrace's All You Good Good People is actually a great song. I'll forgive the bombast. Hadn't heard it for about 10 years. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1577 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just read the sleevenotes and discovered that version of Embrace's song sounds so good because it is not the re-recorded version I was familiar with. | ||
| abigail law Member Username: Abigail Post Number: 119 Registered: 06-2005 |
i'm currently on a replacements kick - a band that passed me by previously. let it be & pleased to meet me haven't been of the turntable in days | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1578 Registered: 05-2005 |
Welcome back Abigail. Glad you've found your way to The Replacements. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 64 Registered: 05-2005 |
It's never too late to discover The Replacements. I consider myself blessed that I discovered them in 1985, aroound the same time as I discovered Husker Du. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1579 Registered: 05-2005 |
Did you spend your confirmation money on Minneapolis punk rock records then Catherine? (That's a Catholic reference to those of you confused) | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 65 Registered: 05-2005 |
You're not far off the truth! I used to have to save up my pocket money, then go and blitz my favourite record shop. Ken, the owner liked to see me coming in, as I was the only teenager not buying wham/kylie/etc. Most was spent on C90s though | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 745 Registered: 08-2006 |
I discovered the Replacements back in 1984 courtesy of - hold on to your hats - Rolling Stone magazine. Yes, back before it surrendered the bulk of its column inches to Hilary Duff, Good Charlotte and "The Hot Issue" - the magazine used to advocate from time to time for relatively obscure music. They gave "Let It Be" a very positive write-up and I bought it my freshman year in college. It's still my favorite album of the '80s and would probably finish pretty high on an all-time list, were I forced to make one. Congrats on the discovery, Abigail. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 276 Registered: 01-2006 |
My Bloody Valentine Live in Barcelona 1992 Billy Bragg and Wilco - Mermaid Avenue LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver Tom Waits - Mule Variations Jesus and Mary Chain - Darklands Daniel Johnston - Fear Yourself | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 43 Registered: 06-2005 |
Candi Payne - I wish I could have loved you Her impressive debut and another to add to the list of 2007 great female releases, including: Feist - The Reminder Keren Ann - Keren Ann Laura Viers - Saltbreaker Tracey Thorn - Out of the woods and one I only caught up with this year Cat Power's The Greatest. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 273 Registered: 04-2005 |
Keren Ann - Keren Ann Excellent + here is a nice review from PopMatters that mentions her friends Third World Love (see my concert reviews in the Recent Gig thread). http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/revie ws/41839/keren-ann-keren-ann/ And here are Keren Ann's own words on that group from a recent NY Times article: "This band is killer. The songs on "Sketch of Tel Aviv" are timeless. These guys are all jazz musicians, but you don't have to be a jazz fan to like this record (if you are, you'll be blown away.). It's melodic, with a rock spirit to it. It's playful; they play with each other, like dialogue through music. The trumpet player Avishai Cohen has his own solo career, and they all have different setups. I think that every term that scares people away from listening to jazz could actually be a complimentary adjective to this record. This album is funky and jazzy. I like it in the car or to start the day. You can listen to it like you'd watch a movie, with your full attention. They bring the sound and the visual to it" | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 274 Registered: 04-2005 |
Edwyn Collins - Hope and Despair Apparently the great man will have a new release out this year (see http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/0 7/edwyn_collins.html). I read a 'Scotmans' newspaper article back in March, which I found quite moving. The journalist (obviously a real fan) did not get to meet up with Collins, but spoke to him over the phone. I got the impression that his recovery was going to be a long haul. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 96 Registered: 01-2007 |
The National-Boxer realy good on constant rotation Thinking of getting FOuntains of Wayne ( like the previous one worth it anyone? Manic Street Preachers, not a fan in the slightest apart form having Everything..again anyone got there new one as has a good write up. However I ussually feel with the Manics that they are good genuine bunch of blokes but the music passes me by, any comments anyone. Not bought Intermission yet as have all the songs but it is going for Ł10.99 at HMV !! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 524 Registered: 09-2006 |
Pet Shop Boys - Fundamental Maybe a hair or two less exciting than when I first heard it, but still an extremely solid rekkid. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1645 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bee and Flower - Last sight of land. A feckin masterpiece, like a silky smooth Nick Cave, the kind of music he would write in the dentist's chair, aesthetic with the anaesthetic! Stevie Wonder - Hotter than July. I bought this for Master blaster. Its feckin awful. Allen, Jeb's album is good, light and chilled out. REM - Green. I'm off for a week in the caravan in Devon, hope your weekend/week goes swimmingly folks!! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2098 Registered: 03-2006 |
Mark Olson - the Salvation Blues Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full Bob Dylan - Masterpieces Love - Love Story Andy Partridge, et al. - Monstrance Frank - if you liked FOW's last one, you'll like this one, as it is of roughly equal quality, stuffed with great, hooky pop songs full of references to all kinds of modern detritus - Subarus, being stuck at Baggage Claim, falling in love with your beautiful clerk at the DMV, and life on the Planet of Weed. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 98 Registered: 01-2007 |
Thanks LK have already purchased it. |