| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2142 Registered: 05-2005 |
Now we are in to July, my favourite albums so far this year are The Hold Steady - Stay Positive. A mighty, mighty record, even the track with the harpsichord is great. (Harpsichords are a crime on rock records, file alongside Mellotrons on Wilco's last album) The Bug - London Zoo. Apocalyptic Dubstep Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver albums more to follow | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 328 Registered: 01-2007 |
Well said Kevin the Bon Iver and Fleetfoxes definitely best so far also The Evangelist-RF Momofuku-Elvis Costello Not heard The Hold Steady yet as not out until 16/7 | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2143 Registered: 05-2005 |
Frank, forgot about Robert, he should have been on my initial list. The Hold Steady has been available on Napster and Itunes for a couple of weeks now which is how I heard it. Its been put back to the 14th, was supposed to be out next week? I got the new issue of Uncut delivered yesterday and (predictably) its their 5star album of the month, but honestly if anybody has liked their past albums they will be blown away by this. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 176 Registered: 05-2005 |
In no particular order: Dig Lazarus Dig - Nick Cave (his best ever I reckon) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (utterly beguiling) Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket (one real clunker of a track - but the rest make up for it) The Evangelist - Robert Forster (can't wait to see him at the Opera House here next month) 22 Dreams - Paul Weller (whets my appetite for his show here in August) | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 49 Registered: 05-2005 |
Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea - Silver Jews Vantage Point - Deus Dig Lazarus Dig - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds The Evangelist - Robert Forster Oracular Spectacular - MGMT | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2146 Registered: 05-2005 |
....and more. Plastician - Beg To Differ Mr Cave - Dig Lazarus Dig Drive By Truckers - Brighter Than Creations Dark Evangeline - Dubstep comp curated by MaryAnn Hobbs Various Artists - Steppa's Delight- Dubstep Present To Future Reissues - Augustus Pablo - The Mystic World Of... 4 cds and a dvd in a box set - magnificent Brian Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2170 Registered: 05-2005 |
Robert Forster, Paul Weller. Kevin, wrong Wilson. | ||
| Richard Lim Member Username: Re17 Post Number: 30 Registered: 05-2005 |
At the risk of sounding rather downbeat, I could list a handful of records I've been listening to, but I wouldn't regard that many of them as top-drawer. As a little exercise at the end of 2007 I attempted for the first time to shortlist my favourite discs of the year and again, while I didn't have a problem coming up with a top ten, I wasn't actually that attached to some of them. Ironically, at the same time I can honestly say I am more engaged with the music scene than I have been for many years; in the last three years I've probably bought more records and downloads than in the preceding six or seven. Trouble is, while I think there is a lot of reasonable stuff out there, and technology certainly is helping new bands realise the sound they want, I don't think there is that much blindingly great music being made. Anyway, having got that longwinded preamble out of the way, what's done it for me so far this year: * Fleet Foxes - naturally, and definitely top-drawer. Had the pleasure of meeting them a few weeks ago. * Red by Guillemots - a problematic record by a band I've been following from the start and whom I half-know on a personal level; at least I can see what they were trying to achieve here and sometimes they manage it. * Fireproof by Dawn Landes - charming bluegrass-flavoured stuff but doesn't have a diverse enough musical palate to sustain interest throughout. * We Started Nothing by the Ting Tings - That's Not My Name was one of THE singles of last year and most of the album is a vindication of that promise; I'm so pleased that there's good pop music out there. And finally, a bit of a cheat because it came out towards the end of 2007 but I only got round to it this year: * The Movie by Clare & The Reasons - comes across like the music for an imagined film or musical, with something of a narrative thread running through the songs. Musically it belongs in the same territory as Rufus Wainwright, featuring lots of great orchestration and some jazzy touches but without the pomp. (And no, I didn't buy The Evangelist and still have no desire to do so.) Richard | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2147 Registered: 05-2005 |
well spotted Padraig | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 1205 Registered: 01-2005 |
I haven't bought a lot of new releases this year, less then 10, so my list is pretty narrow. 1. The Evangelist - Robert Forster 2. Another Country - Tift Merritt 3. @#%&*! Smilers - Aimee Mann 4. Asking For Flowers - Kathleen Edwards 5. Just a Little Lovin'- Shelby Lynne 6. Accelerate - The Venus 3 (plus a couple of Michaels). 7. Funplex - B-52's. I'd like to get the Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, 40th O&O Zombies Concert, etc. | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 239 Registered: 02-2008 |
Lookin' on ye olde record shelf I see there're quite a few top notch records to come out this year to date. Some of the ones that have blown Ewan's skirt up the highest: Vampire Weekend Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind Al Green - Lay It Down B52s - Funplex REM - Accelerate Bon Iver - Whatever, Emma Drive By Truckers - Creation's Dark Elvis Costello - Momofuku Dr. John - City That Care Forgot Nick Cave - Dig Yourself Lazarus James McMurtry - Just Us Kids Van Morrison - Keep It Simple Portishead - Third Santogold Tie for reissue of the year: Dennis Wilson - POB Otis Redding - Otis Blue Would've been best reissue of the year if not for the two listed above: Nick Lowe - Jesus of Cool | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 2178 Registered: 05-2005 |
REM - Accelerate and Nick Cave - Dig Lazarus Dig for me too. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 334 Registered: 01-2007 |
Ewan--just bought the Vampire Weekend a week ago I forgot about it, it is good. Drive By Trucker I must dive in there me thinks where best to start? Kevin ? | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 335 Registered: 01-2007 |
Kevin re The Hold Steady I'll stick with Boys and Girls for a week or so as the CD is suppose to have extra tracks. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2148 Registered: 05-2005 |
Frank. Truckers, best place to start would be The Dirty South I reckon. The new album(Brighter Than Creations Dark) is a bit sprawling with 19 tracks on 1 cd so maybe best to steer clear of that one, although it is excellent. I have The Hold Steady on order to get the 3 extra tracks, although I think the 11 tracks that are available digitally are sequenced perfectly. The single Sequestered In Memphis is getting big licks on BBC Radio 6. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1171 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'm with Kev, Frank. As good as the new one is, "The Dirty South" gets the nod for concision. If you like it, I'd definitely recommend the new one. Can't wait for the Hold Steady. I've heard most of the tracks, but I, too, have been holding off for the CD. Sounds like a burner! | ||
| Ewan Talisker McEwan Member Username: Ewan_mcewan Post Number: 244 Registered: 02-2008 |
Frank, you could do worse than just pick up the current one. It's not like a series of novels where it really matters where you pick it up. The new one, though longish, is really accessible and the vast majority of the many songs on it are top notch. Are you one a them vinyl people? I read that the singer from the group says it really sounds fine that way and that the great gatefold art looks smashing in the album format. Of course, finding it's another thing... | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 336 Registered: 01-2007 |
Thanks for that I'm off on hols so always great to have a few new sounds, Ewan I do like my vinyl but for last 15 yrs been only buying CD this year I've bought 2 vinyl LP the Evangelist which sounds really good warm and the Elvis Costello. Both sound good on this. What I liked about the EC was that you could download it for free with a code. To me this seems the logical way to go persuading more people back to vinyl yet the benefits of the MP3, It dispenses with the need for USB turntables and all that.I might get both I was tempted to the newer one as it is suppose to be more accesible so could be a good way in to the group. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 337 Registered: 01-2007 |
I Could only get Southern Rock Opera, good sound strong tunes | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2156 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ok, I may or may not regret saying this in July. But if anybody makes a better rock record than The Hold Steady this year I cant wait to hear it. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1178 Registered: 08-2006 |
Kev, that big space of time between the release of "Stay Positive" on iTunes and in physical form prompted me to do the unthinkable: I bought it on iTunes then shelled out for the actual CD. While I recognize no Hold Steady record will ever pack the same punch for me as "Boys and Girls...", the new one sure ain't no slacker. Hey, I thought enough of it to buy it twice! And how good is that "Slapped Actress" tune? Between that and "Southtown Girls," these guys know how to end an album. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 2158 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, Slapped Actress is indeed a cracker. So much so its on my current compilation CD I made up for listening to in the car. The last CD had Sequestered In Memphis on it which my 10 yr old daughter loves. She also sings along to Gardenia by Steven Malkmus and Shack Up by A Certain Ratio. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1179 Registered: 08-2006 |
Ha! You're raising her right, Kev. I assume she's a GBs fan, too, yes? |