| Author | Message | ||
     pd Member Username: Peter_d Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2005 |
Mine is probably Alligator by the National..any recommmendations for me? | ||
| James Member Username: James Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
Open Season - British Sea Power | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2005 |
arcade fire's funeral, antony and the johnsons i'm a bird now | ||
| Nigel Wheatley Member Username: Nigel_wheatley Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
Open Season by BSP is great, but possibly not quite as good as their debut, The Decline Of British Sea Power. An excellent live band, also. | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
Open Season by BSP. Followed by Oceans Apart. | ||
| Jacqueline Hope Member Username: Jack Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2005 |
Funeral by The Arcade Fire I'm Wide Awake It's Morning by Bright Eyes Oceans Apart by The Go-Betweens I Am A Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 19 Registered: 05-2005 |
Belle&Sebastian - Push Barman to Open Old Wounds Spoon - Gimme Fiction Smog - A River Aint Too Much To Love | ||
| Lard Ass Member Username: Lardass Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2005 |
Man-Made - Teenage Fanclub The Great Destroyer - Low Discover A Lovelier You - Pernice Brothers | ||
| Rob Robinson Member Username: Rsub8 Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2005 |
Might be a bit OT - but William/Weesam and Jacqueline/Jack, would you care to elaborate on your pick of the arcade fire album - why / what made it stand out for you, what made it special? Just curious. | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
Well, Tunnels is just an awesome song, there's lots of layers and interesting things going on there, the music soars and builds into an almost wall of sound, it teters on the edge of falling apart but doesn't. Lyrically it's beautiful - if a bit pretentious. I also love the way Wake Up stomps along for 4 minutes then suddenly turns into The Clash's Hitsville UK. Genius. And Jacqueline, I like your style! What are you doing tomorrow night?? | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2005 |
Arcade Fire's Funeral is bloody great, yep. - especially track 2 (Neighbourhood #2), real buzz to that track. Josh Rouse's Nashville - brilliant tunes. Saw him do an excellent acoustic solo set in Tower records Dublin one lunctime last March - didn't know about it, just a happy coincidence. The Frames "Burn the Maps" recently released here in CH - love it. Brendan Benson's The Alternative to Love has got great reviews but never heard of him and haven't heard the music yet - want to though. Looking forward to Al Stewart's new one, out 21st. June. Haven't heard from him in a while. | ||
| Richard67 Member Username: Richard67 Post Number: 9 Registered: 04-2004 |
Yeah, 'Nashville' by Josh Rouse is my pick of the so far along with 'Cold Roses' by Ryan Adams. Can't separate them. 'Nashville' isn't quite in the same league as '1972' but not far behind. 'Cold Roses', like most of Ryan Adam's LP's, suffers from 'White Album Syndrome' ie should have been a single album. I've put my own running order onto a CD and cut a few songs and it makes it his best album yet........in my opinion!!! | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 8 Registered: 05-2005 |
I count Funeral as a 2004 album, it was my album of the year then. Absolutely love it. | ||
| gareth w Member Username: Gareth Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
'Nashville' is a great record - his third great album in a row for me. 'Cold Roses' is a return to form too. Takes a good few listens but there are some real gems on there (2 more albums coming this year from Mr. Adams!). 'Devils and Dust' is growing on me too. Not impressed to begin with but on repeated listens on headphones it begins to sound really strong. Played it sitting around a campfire in the Grand Canyon and it sounded like the best thing i've ever heard. Not a great year for albums so far for me - very let down by Weezer and Eels. Oh, and 'Oceans Apart' is just fantastic. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 25 Registered: 04-2005 |
So far this year, Spoon's 'Gimme Fiction' sounds best to me, with 'OA' right up there too. And yes, the Arcade Fire album is fantastic, but as kuba pointed out, it's from 2004...though it seems most people are discovering it this year. | ||
| jim mcculloch Member Username: Wee_jim Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2005 |
i`m gonna say Joni`s Garden by Green peppers..but i do have a vested interest. | ||
| Jacqueline Hope Member Username: Jack Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 |
RE: Funeral I love the non-standard song progression especially on Crown Of Love which follows a typical chorus/verse rock song (kinda) progression for four minutes before breaking into an almost electronic outro that lasts about another minute. Rebillion (Lies) has a great mix of electronic and organic instrumentation not to mention a brilliant lyric. @William: :-) Thankyou *blushes* (not used to people "getting" my taste in music.) Funeral was a 2005 release in Australia. | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 52 Registered: 09-2004 |
The Emergency: The Spectrum Deadly Marc Reguiero-McKelvie: Forceback Jonathan Michell: can't remember the title | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 35 Registered: 02-2005 |
"'Cold Roses', like most of Ryan Adam's LP's, suffers from 'White Album Syndrome' ie should have been a single album." Many albums suffer from being over-long, but 'The White Album' isn't one of them... it shoulda been a triple! That's right. If 'Revolution 9' had been bounced to a 7-inch bonus disc, Side Four could have included 'Hey Jude' (bean-counting Brits be damned). Or for good measure, 'Not Guilty' and 'Across The Universe' could have been knit into the mix. There has rarely been such an embarrasment of riches on a single collection of music as 'The White Album.' | ||
| Trevor Boyd Member Username: Trevor_boyd Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2005 |
Porcupine Tree: Deadwing Interpol: Antics The Church: Uninvited, Like The Clouds (not yet released) | ||
| M. Mark Burgess Member Username: Fortysomething Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2005 |
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds:B-sides and Rarities. | ||
| James Member Username: James Post Number: 18 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tom Vek's debut album is great too as is The Arcade Fire album (though I thought it was 2004 so didn't include it) I bought Jimmy Webb's 'Twighlight of the Renegades' last week, it's really quite an odd record. The cover is terrible! | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Go! Team (or was that last year anyway I'm still listening to it) and The Fall Complete John Peel sessions. I am going to buy The Arcade Fire on the strength of the recommendations above so it'd better be good. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2004 |
well, i have to say Oceans Apart. is that stating the obvious? it's been in heavy rotation, and like all great go-betweens albums, each listen reveals something new, another layer, which makes me love the album more every time i hear it. i can't think of any other new records that affect me this much. don't know if this counts, but i'm looking forward to the reissue of shack's 'zilch,' (+ 10 stellar bonus tracks) which just came out, and which should be coming in the mail soon. that's a favorite record of mine, which has been long overdue for a nice reissue treatment. i could see this album appealing to other go-betweens fans. | ||
| Rob Robinson Member Username: Rsub8 Post Number: 11 Registered: 05-2005 |
William/Weesam and Jacqueline/Jack, thanks very much for taking the time to clarify your earlier comments on Arcade Fire: Funeral. To explain my earlier query, and I again apologize if straying a bit OT: I had been wondering to what extent you had keyed into the overall "concept" of the album. To a lesser extent than I did, I reckon, because your comments, per se, were focused more on the songs, rather than the whole package. Nothing wrong with that; again, I was just curious. To me, the music does meander (lacking a better way to put it) a bit too much (besides the cuts you mentioned, which I agree are very good). Perhaps affecting my impressions of it, the album's "concept" visited my family, sadly, three times in the last year. Also, the design of the enclosed lyrics leaflet, under the circumstances, hit a bit too close to home, but was tempered somewhat by the printed dedications. On the other hand, the design of the CD sleeve is beautiful, with the inside "wallpaper" almost having an embossed, velvet-like appearance. I came across the album, incidentally, poking around on Amazon. Ordered a copy of OA, and got one of those screens, "people who looked at OA also looked at..." and listed there was Arcade Fire's Funeral! I wonder if Amazon's linking OA and Funeral is reflected by the latter getting lots of mentions around here (or might it be the other way around)? - | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 11 Registered: 01-2005 |
The new Decemberists album. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2005 |
I've been listening to the new CD by Bugs Eat Books, Ghosts of Leaves. Recommended if you like Little Teddy bands and Tullycraft. | ||
| Sean Alvin Member Username: Hammjammin Post Number: 3 Registered: 05-2005 |
!!!! I can't believe you have heard of them! Those are my very very good friends in Athens GA. I am in the singer's wedding in a month. I didn't know that anyone had heard of them as they are on a very small US label. Are they on Little Teddy in Germany? It's so great to hear that someone likes them. I love that album! Album of the year for me so far--- Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die. Are these guys big in Australia? I tried to post about them in another thread but it appeared to get deleted for some weird reason. | ||
| Jonathan Evans Member Username: Jon Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2005 |
Don't know if its worth posting as most are above, but here goes anyway. The Go! Team and The Arcade Fire (both brilliant live), Ryan Adams, Teenage Fanclub and Belle & Sebastian (If you can call it a NEW album). Obviously Oceans Apart!!!! And one to add to the list would be Brendan Benson "The Alternative To Love". Cheers Jon | ||
| pd Member Username: Peter_d Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hi all thanks for all the replies - looking forward to checking out some of the more esoteric ones ! | ||
| spencer roberts Member Username: Spence Post Number: 17 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Winnebago Orchestra's (birmingham group influenced by GB's, Wilco, B&S, Talking Heads et al) new album - available on: www.oportorecords.com Cheers all. | ||
| Greg Adams Member Username: Greg_adams Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2005 |
Sean Alvin wrote, Re: Bugs Eat Books: Those are my very very good friends in Athens GA Wow! Small world. I didn't know that anyone had heard of them as they are on a very small US label. Their label, Happy Happy Birthday to Me, released one of my favorites of last year, the self-titled album by Men in Fur. I've also heard HHBTM's CD by Caspar and the Cookies, but I didn't care for it. Are they on Little Teddy in Germany? They've been on at least one Little Teddy compilation. | ||
| Sean Alvin Member Username: Hammjammin Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah, I knew they were on that Little Teddy comp. Haven't heard the comp, but I like the song they submitted for it a lot. Haven't heard of Men in Fur. I've met that Caspar guy but I've never heard his music. And for the other bands that have been listed-- Go! Team album is great, but I got it last year. Some other albums from last year that I was obsessed with were Animal Collective and Dungen. This year nothing's really blown me away... the best so far is Architecture in Helsinki. | ||
| Michael Davis Member Username: Michael_d Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2005 |
I would have to pick Architecture in Helsinki's In Case We Die also. Sean, they are doing very well in Australia, I first saw them support The Go-Betweens in the BYBO tour. Most recently at a VERY sold out show at the Annandale in Sydney. As far as I know they are currently Touring North America. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 40 Registered: 03-2005 |
taking more notes . . . . | ||
| Richard67 Member Username: Richard67 Post Number: 10 Registered: 04-2004 |
"i`m gonna say Joni`s Garden by Green peppers..but i do have a vested interest." Love your album Jim, 'Joni's Garden' was one of my fave LP's of last year. Can we expect another anytime soon? Will it be on Neon Tetra again? | ||
| Richard Member Username: Double_hipness Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2005 |
Sex Socialism and the Seaside by Stephanie Says, and undiscovered gem | ||
| Craig Beaumont Member Username: Pat_garrett Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2005 |
Great call Kevin, with Smog's 'A River Ain't Too Much to Love'. Bill Callahan is a wonderful songwriter and this is probably his best since 'Dongs of Sevotion'. | ||
| Todd Slater Member Username: Todd_slater Post Number: 10 Registered: 01-2005 |
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds; B Sides & Rarities The Dirty Three; Untitled, due for release Sept/Oct. Oceans Apart; | ||
| Matthew Berlyant Member Username: Incarag Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2005 |
1) The Decemberists' Picaresque. 2) Oceans Apart 3) Antony and the Johnsons' I Am a Bird Now 4) Idlewild's Warnings/Promises 5) The Kaiser Chiefs' Employment 6) Maximo Park's A Certain Trigger 7) The Fall-The Complete BBC Sessions 1978-2004 (I know this is old stuff, but much of it was never officially released before a few months before) | ||
| Eke Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2005 |
Obvious choices perhaps, but for me it's a toss-up between Antony & the Johnsons' "I Am A Bird Now" and The White Stripes' "Get Behind Me Satan". Can't get enough of either of them. | ||
| AS Member Username: Labelguy Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
Oceans Apart Antony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now Roisin Murphy - Ruby Blue Jeb Loy Nichols - Now Then (out in October) Springsteen - Devils and Dust Miles Davis - Miles in Tokyo (Re-Issue) Spoon - Gimme Fiction Vic Chesnutt - Ghetto Bells Sam Prekop - Who´s Your New Professor | ||
| Graham Twyford Member Username: Graham_twyford Post Number: 15 Registered: 05-2005 |
Apologies - this is just the best I've bought so far in 2005 (but pretty current). In no particular order: Oceans Apart - The Go-Betweens Warnings/Promises - Idlewild Temper the wind to the shorn lamb - This Beautiful Mess High - The Blue Nile Antics - Interpol Catch the breeze (anthology) - Slowdive Discover a Lovelier You - Pernice Brothers Funeral - The Arcade Fire Here Come The Tears - The Tears On a final note I just don't get The Decemberists. And man I've tried - I feel like I 'should' like them. But I just...don't. Oh well. | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 14 Registered: 05-2005 |
Don't worry Graham, I don't get this band at all too. It's not that I think they're bad, they just don't do anything to my ears, listened to three albums and all were, like, 6/10. Two more great 2005 albums which weren't mentioned but are definitely worth checking - "Some Cities" by Doves and "The Mysterious Production Of Eggs" by Andrew Bird. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2005 |
Can't wait to see Doves in Sydney but be wary of the last album, Doves novices. Like Coldplay's latest album, Doves think that they should now worship at the idol of U2 instead of 66-67 Beatles. Bad move!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doves, however, still have far more layers of intriguing noises and meaning than Colplay. If you really want some good Doves, check out "Lost Souls" and "The Last Broadcast". | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2004 |
The new Go-Kart Mozart album, 'Tearing Up The Album Chart' is fantastic. Nice to see that Lawrence has still got the goods. | ||
| Matthias Opfermann Member Username: Matze Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2005 |
Mogwai - Government Commissions (BBC Sessions) Kettcar - Von Spatzen und Tauben, Dächern und Händen (great german band!) Postal Service - Give it up (Release as 2LP was in 2005, I guess....)- SO LOVELY! I Am Kloot - Gods and Monsters Death Cab For Cutie - John Byrd EP and of course: The Go-Betweens - Oceans Apart Just registered and logged in - Hi to all !  | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 15 Registered: 05-2005 |
Geoff - I have to say Coldplay's last efforts are dull and overrated, but on the other hand I think "Some Cities" is the best Doves' record. Matthias - welcome. | ||
| James Member Username: James Post Number: 23 Registered: 05-2005 |
Does anyone know whethet the name Go-Kart Mozart is a reference to the lyric of Springsteen's 'Blinded By The Light'? | ||
| William Member Username: Weesam Post Number: 20 Registered: 05-2005 |
coldplay? no,no,no,no, NO! they could make their music more boring, but it would be difficult. A one-album-per-year purchase for people who don't like music | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 55 Registered: 03-2005 |
With so many mentions on here, I had to borrow a copy of "Funeral" from a friend. I thought "hmmm, WAY overblown arrangements." Then I saw them live at the Hollywood Bowl--where the Go Betweens would have been able to play in a fair and just world. Arcade Fire is a spectacular live act. Suddenly the "overblown" bit makes sense--they're giving it ten tenths all the way through. I have never seen a harder working, better coordinated band. They were not the main act and David Byrne had to really struggle to win his audience back. I'd say the record is no more than a memento if you're able to see them live. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 29 Registered: 05-2005 |
Shite - I missed the Arcade's live date in Zurich at a small venue in May but heard it was A1 from a few different sources. The above just makes me kick myself good and hard in the arse again! And I love the album. | ||
| Andy Greenwald Member Username: Agreenwald Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2005 |
Very good year for albums so far. My picks (including some early advances): Death Cab for Cutie -- "Plans" Bloc Party -- "Silent Alarm" Kanye West -- "Late Registration" Alkaline Trio -- "Crimson" Caesars -- "Paper Tigers" Michael Penn -- "Mr Hollywood Jr 1947" Josh Rouse -- "Nashville" Wolf Parade -- "Apologies to the Queen Mary" The Bats -- "At the National Grid" British Sea Power -- "Open Season" Common -- "Be" Idlewild -- "Warnings/Promises" Portastatic -- "Bright Ideas" New Pornographers -- "Twin Cinema" Spoon -- "Gimme Fiction" How about an award for most disappointing? Teenage Fanclub, anyone? A. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 45 Registered: 04-2005 |
Andy, you've heard "Twin Cinema" already? It's not due in the stores until next month, I believe. It's my most eagerly awaited disc of the year. AC (Carl) Newman is a pop genius--"The Slow Wonder" was probably my favorite of '04...well, right behind the Arcade Fire, anyway. | ||
| Eric Phillipp Member Username: Rapideric Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2005 |
"I'm wide awake it's morning" - Bright Eyes | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 56 Registered: 03-2005 |
I've been listening heavily to some Bright Eyes stuff a friend complied on two CDs for me which I know include the entirety of the two new albums, but reshuffled. Mad genius. So I'm voting with Eric Phillip and Jacqueline Hope. | ||
| M. Mark Burgess Member Username: Fortysomething Post Number: 15 Registered: 05-2005 |
Two upcoming releases that I'm excited about---Echo and the Bunnymen/Siberia and the long overdue solo album from Tom Verlaine. | ||
| Jeremy Hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2005 |
Rilo Kiley- More Adventurous and The National-Alligator, both excellent. May be Rilo Kiley is 2004 but gaining momentum in UK now,it had a special recommendation by Elvis Costello. | ||
| abigail law Member Username: Abigail Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2005 |
man made by teenage fanclub is great, very soulful and the new st etienne isn't bad. god, it's like 1991 all over again | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 18 Registered: 05-2005 |
Not the album of the year, but anyway, all of you from Australia should check "Current Sunlight" by Black Nielson, which hasn't been released anywhere else so far. Third LP by the band from Southampton UK, a fragile and very charming record, Brian Wilson meeting Wilco on the Caribbean maybe. And "Love Song To Chan Marshall" is one of the most moving songs of the year. | ||
| jerry_h Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 2 Registered: 07-2005 |
I can't decide whether to get the Teenage Fanclub album-how good is it really compared to there finest? Grand Prix/Songs from Northern Town | ||
| abigail law Member Username: Abigail Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2005 |
jerry - the teenage fanclub is well worth getting. its very tuneful, melodic and (ugghh i hate to say it) mature. Its quite affecting and reminds me a lot of early, folky neil young - make of that what you will | ||
| jerry_h Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2005 |
Thanks for that-I'll probably get it.Their last album I didn't like too much. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 87 Registered: 08-2004 |
Stephen Malkmus - Face The Truth The Bravery - The Bravery Both are excellent. It's good that St. Etienne are back and getting a mention here. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 50 Registered: 04-2005 |
I take back my earlier choice (Spoon's "Gimme Fiction"), which turned out to not be a grower. Now I'm leaning toward Low's "The Great Destroyer" by a slight margin over "Oceans Apart" and "The Woods" (Sleater-Kinney). It's interesting to note all three have distortion issues, although the Low and S-K albums were apparently deliberate, both being produced by distortion-happy David Fridman. | ||
| Huw Roberts Member Username: Huw Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2005 |
Good evening everyone. I've just registered and this is my first post. I don't think anyone has nominated Ben Folds 'Songs For Silverman'. I bought this the same day as 'Oceans Apart' and since then have played them daily. Also the Engeneers album is well worth a listen. | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 68 Registered: 09-2004 |
New Dave Graney-Clare Moore double album is exceptional. | ||
| Eke Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 12 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Malcolm Middleton album is excellent - great accent, great swearing. A bit "New Boots And Panties!!!" in that way. And The Saint Etienne album is lovely. | ||
| Matt Ellis Member Username: Matt_ellis Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2004 |
Seeing as though I feel at 28 I'm never up with new bands I've realised that i've included 3 debut albums: Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger (I must give props to the other person who nominated them here. I saw them live last night and they were brilliant) Tom Vek - We Have Sound (Funky Indie = fantastic) Nine Black Alps - Everything Is (If anyone enjoyed Nirvana's Nevermind I would heartily recommend this. I think its in the same league) Pernice Brothers - Discover A Lovelier You (Seems popular with Go-Bees fans: I discovered them, or should that be him? via this board) By the way: Has anyone got the new Frank Black record (released this week), any good? | ||
| jerry_h Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2005 |
the Ben Folds is excellent back on form for him,I'd lost interest in him since his first 2 albums but really enjoying it. Also Richmond Fontaine are a great find with their album from last year " Post to Wire" and this years " the Fitzgerald".Any one like the Rockingbirds ( now defunct) | ||
| James Member Username: James Post Number: 29 Registered: 05-2005 |
I loved the rockingbirds, went to their testimonial show at The Garage and bought one of the backing singers spangly shirts that they were selling off, it's still in my wardrobe. I think the 2nd album just shades it for me. They played an awesome version of 'I Woke Up One Morning' at the Fleadh the year the album cam out. | ||
| Matthew L. Member Username: Matthew_l Post Number: 9 Registered: 06-2005 |
Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress's eponymous debut is very good. A wonderfully drawled-talky, hangdog voice, interesting arrangements to sparse and repeated phrasings, and pretty decent, lovelorn lyrics. That, and Antony and the Johnsons's I Am a Bird Now, which is just so darn bee-yew-deeful. | ||
| carl allen Member Username: Carl Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2005 |
Alan Tyler (from the Rockingbirds) did support Rob once at the Garage - might have been the same gig Beth Orton also supported? I also stood in line with him for another Rob gig, so Alan must be a GB fan. The Rockingbirds did make some really good records - I still love 'standing on the doorstep of love'. | ||
| jerry_h Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 6 Registered: 07-2005 |
I saw the go-betweens in Norwich several times and each time were fantastic. The songs and melodies are all strong and great harmonies as well. If any one wants to get into them either album is great or Alan Tyler's solo album ( i got it at amazon).Their albums as well as the Go-betweens are ones I come back to time and time again and discover something new. 'Standing on the Doorstep of love' is one of my favourites as well as the Jonathon Richman cover 'jonathon'. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 23 Registered: 05-2005 |
the juan mclean - less than human (better than lcd soundsystem!) sufjan stevens - illinois (orch pop from the left field) Cardinal - reissue of the only album (isnt the singer from Oz?) | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 16 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've managed to purchase my second album of the year, apart from Coldplay of course(since I obviously don't like music)and I would have to say that the new Panics album "Sleeps Like a Curse" is definitly in the same stratosphere as "Oceans Apart". I don't know about others, but I always seem to be "catching up" on favourite albums as usually my favourite for the year is something that's old. In which case,the second America album "Homecoming", and the first Croby,Stills,Nash album are also embarrassing regulars on the dancette....along with Coldplay of course. | ||
| david nichols Member Username: David Post Number: 73 Registered: 09-2004 |
Half of Cardinal was Richard Davies, formerly of Sydney band The Moles. The album came out probably '95 or so. I think people somewhere on this message board have been talking about RD over the past few months - probably in the criminally underrated thread. | ||
| John Flood Member Username: Floodjo Post Number: 31 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think Coldplay are really brilliant - and fuck the begrudgers! Still play their first 2 albums regularly and they haven't lost their shine for me. The new one is also surprisingly good - I was sure they blow it - so much hype about re-recording this that and the other and also thought they'd slide into Keane MOR terroritory - but I was wrong. Still prefer the GoBetweens any day though in a small venue with a few hundred than Coldplay in a stadium going through their catalogue impeccably but lacking any real soul (is a general problem for me at mega gigs, they are by and large pretty awful to my ears and soul) | ||
| Kevin M. Pawlak Member Username: Irishcornboy Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2005 |
1.) Sufjan Stevens-"Come On Feel The Illinoise" 2.) Andrew Bird-"The Mysterious Production Of Eggs" 3.) Art Of Fighting-"Second Storey"* 4.) The Go-Betweens- "Oceans Apart" *I know Art Of Fighting was released last year in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, It finaly saw the light of day in the UK and Europe this year. Still no date for a North American release. | ||
| jerry_h Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 14 Registered: 07-2005 |
Though I would restart this thread as it's been a few months since the last entry. Since then still like The National, new Neil Young, Kate Rusby and Johnny Cash box set. | ||
| Paul Wright Member Username: Wallaby Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
Apart from Ocean's apart, it has got to be Rilo Kiley's more adventurous. Rather more country than my usual taste, but what more do we GB fans want than twisted lyrics beautifully played. Or is that just me? The Bright Eyes Wide awake has some brilliant stuff, but I was put off by him making negative comments about John Peel at Glastonbury. With all the fuss about JP in the UK the Go-Betweens were never mentioned, and I realised that despite the Peel session I never heard him play them on his shows. Seems an unusual oversight on his part. On the theme of "hello, it's 1981" I saw the Beat for the first time in 25 years, and they were so good I'm going again. Their first album was great. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 72 Registered: 03-2005 |
I give an honorable mention to Vic Chesnutt's "Ghetto Bells." I'm just starting my discovery of this artist. I still think the current Bright Eyes record sits on top, particularly the "Digital Ash" half. | ||
| gareth w Member Username: Gareth Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sigor Ros and Springsteen get my votes so far this year. To my shame, i haven't played 'Oceans Apart' since about the 3rd week after it came out. | ||
| M.J.L. Member Username: Mjl Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2005 |
I call back my foolhardy nomination for 'I Am a Bird Now'. In its place - Devendra Banhart's 'Cripple Crow'. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 54 Registered: 05-2005 |
I Am a Bird Now is great MJL. Don't withdraw your nomination! I like the new Posies album more everytime I hear it. Some of the songs I love and none are bad. I like the Big Star record, but, unlike all three of their previous albums (all from the 70s), it's no classic. I even like the disco song on it that everyone else seems to hate. The Springsteen album is really good. Ryan Adams' Cold Roses is great. I have not heard his latest yet. Their is a new Bats album for the first time in a decade. The two tracks I got as mp3s are great and I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of it. Does anyone here listen to Kanye West? Is his album worth getting? My hip-hop taste doesn't stretch too far from Public Enemy and Wu Tang Clan, but Kanye West seems to be an interesting character with something to say. I certainly liked his off script comments on Bush at the Hurricane Katrina telethon. | ||
| abigail law Member Username: Abigail Post Number: 9 Registered: 06-2005 |
i seem to be in the minority in thinking i am a bird now is awful. the first song is okay but from there on in its just a long, tuneless adolescent dirge. i hate it. Neil young's latest left me cold too, in fact most albums (including oceans apart) have been dissappointing. i'm hoping the new kate bush album will save the day | ||
| jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 15 Registered: 07-2005 |
You have something there Abigail.I find it more so recently, that albums are not as good as they were or the quality is not sustained over a whole CD. Is it and age thing or is it over hype.The Neil Young after my initial enthusiasm has failed to grow on me. The Arcade Fire album was disappointing and was left with a feeling that I was missing out on something. Hence looking backwards to Johnny Cash and rediscovering older artists. Ben Folds Album is a definite grower very strong tunes and a great song to the late Elliot Smith. | ||
| Eke Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 13 Registered: 05-2005 |
The new Kanye West is too similar to the last one really but still well worth a listen. Nowhere near as "hard" as Public Enemy or Wu Tang but great pop tunes with interesting, subverted samples and plenty to say. | ||
| Mark Tuffield Member Username: Mark_t Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
the best party ever - the boy least likely to for lower case lovers everywhere | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 73 Registered: 03-2005 |
Jerry, the "age thing" may be what you are experiencing. Fear not, however. It just means that you are becoming more discerning. Look back to some records you thought were great but haven't listened to in a long time. If you listen now, some of them will not be so good. The simple fact is that there aren't a whole lot of great records being made at any given time. Rediscovering older artists and, better yet, discovering them belatedly is a great antidote to your current malaise. I didn't truly discover the Go Betweens until after 2000 when I finally started buying their original albums. I experienced every bit as much excitement with these records as I did when I was 17. I'm in my late 40s now. I finally got my hands on a copy of "Born Sandy Devotional." Prior to this I'd only heard the John Peel versions of "Life of Crime" and "Chicken Killer." I cannot get enough of this wonderful album, particularly "Wide Open Road" and "Stolen Property." My personal best album of 2005 will probably turn out to be this twenty year old Triffids album. And don't forget to search through the independent releases coming out. It's been a long time since the major record labels had anything to do with the best music being made now. | ||
| kuba a Member Username: Kuba Post Number: 24 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, I can only 100% agree with you on "BSD". I feel exactly the same. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 97 Registered: 08-2004 |
I agree heartily with Randy, it's better to be 5-10 years behind and never buy anything new. classic records will filter through by word of mouth and leave all the rubbish behind. | ||
| Andrewnz Member Username: Andrewnz Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2005 |
in no particular order: Ry Cooder "Chavez Ravine", David Kiligour "Frozen Orange", Tex Don and Charlie "All is Forgiven" (and probably also that lovely live Kraftwerk album "Minimum Maximum" - what a treat to see them at the BDO a couple of years ago) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 55 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks for the advice Eke. I bought the new Patty Griffin album the other day and listened to it last night. Sounds really good on first listen. I forgot to mention the Mercury Rev album earlier. That's the record of the year for me. | ||
| Eke Member Username: Ekewebb Post Number: 14 Registered: 05-2005 |
That Mercury Rev album is certainly a stunner. On the subject of "Born Sandy Devotional" that should be everyone's album of next year when it's supposed to be getting a remastered reissue. Something to look forward to immensely I think. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 56 Registered: 05-2005 |
I bought a Kanye West single tonight. I'll let you know what I think. Too late in Sydney to play it now (I have no headphone connection on my computer). | ||
| James Member Username: James Post Number: 32 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm quite enjoying 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard' by McCartney. But whether I'll still be listening to it by the close of the year is a different issue. While on the subject of Paul. Does anyone rate any of his solo albums? Personally I would say McCartney/Ram/Flaming Pie, and the new one are all pretty good | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 23 Registered: 05-2005 |
I was wondering what the new McCartney one was like. He has been so "miss and miss" in the last 25 years or so! After rave reviews for "Run devil run" I bought it and it was mostly crap. Heard Driving Rain - boring crap. Did not investigate Flaming Pie. It would have to be exceptional to knock off Ram in my books. It really pisses me off too that he hasn't honoured his promise to come back to Australia. I saw him in 93 and, musically, its the best concert I've ever seen. I guess another all-time-grossing- sellout-tour of America keeps getting in the way of "the land down under" as all of those Northerncentric wankers attest. Had to get that off my chest!!! Does anyone else agree with me!!! Have just got the new Mark Gardener (Ride) album and its good so far. It's pretty much like the live show -all 12 string acoustic stuff and sounds better than any of the Animalhouse stuff. |