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Phởc Hu
Sep 5, 2008, 12:24:20 AM9/5/08
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On Sep 4, 6:00 pm, poisoned rose <whydoIstillbot...@usenet.com> wrote:
> Recommended releases which I heard for the first time within the past
> month-ish, in approximate order of quality:
>
> Gary Louris-Vagabonds
> ...tuneful, alt-country pop from the ex-leader of the Jayhawks. Comes
> off more personal and heartfelt than his old band's genre work.
>
> The Last Shadow Puppets-The Age of the Understatement
> ...starring the Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner, but with songs arranged in
> a wholly different, plush style. I'm glad that I thoroughly investigated
> the Scott Walker catalog within the past couple of years, because I
> don't think I'd really "get" this album if I hadn't.
>
> Fleet Foxes-Fleet Foxes
> ...I already posted about this album. Ghostly Americana, with incredible
> vocal harmonies and a heavy sense of rustic spirituality.
>
> Beck-Modern Guilt
> ...this album seems to be somewhat of a "bomb," and I don't understand
> why. A collaboration with Danger Mouse (yes, of "Grey Album" fame). At
> this point, I much prefer when Beck pursues this modern folk-song vein,
> rather than the faux hip-hop which brought him his greatest commercial
> success. I think he has worn out the latter sound.
>
> Spiritualized-Songs in A&E
> ...it's a quality album, but it's the same, same thing Spiritualized has
> been doing for years. No surprises. The good news is that this album
> steers away from the more rocking direction of the last couple of
> releases -- which wasn't nearly as distinctive. This one's back in the
> realm of druggy, ethereal hymns with lots of lovely arranging touches.
>
> Brian Wilson-That Lucky Old Sun
> ...already mentioned in an earlier post. A solid effort, considering how
> creatively exhausted Wilson is.
>
> Split Enz-Frenzy
> Split Enz-Time & Tide
> ...despite my avid, long-time interest in underground New Zealand pop
> (not to mention Neil Finn/Crowded House), I've never quite warmed up to
> Split Enz. A bit too glossy and synthetic...a bit too grounded in '80s
> New Wave. But now I've changed my mind. I'll be further digging into
> their catalog this month.
>
> The Beau Brummels-The Beau Brummels, Vol. 2
> ...nifty, British Invasion-inspired pop from a highly underrated band. I
> wish I had been "shopping" for the Brummels' stuff all along, because
> the cutout/secondhand vinyl bins sure ain't what they used to be.
> Actually, I could voice the same moan about Split Enz. I even *sold
> back* three Split Enz records in the past.
>
> Liquid Liquid-Liquid Liquid
> ...why had I never heard this group before? Guess I assumed they were
> just another '80s synth-pop act. Really interesting grooves, more
> focused on percussion textures than "songs." The somewhat trivial vocals
> seem peripherally barked out over completed backing tracks. If you love
> Talking Heads' "Remain in Light" and still would dig it even if the
> vocals were wiped off, check out this album.
>
> Weezer-Weezer [Red Album]
> ...somewhat of a guilty pleasure, but I do think Rivers Cuomo needs to
> be taken seriously as a songwriter. As a lyricist, he really understands
> how to walk that tricky line between personal confession and
> universality. And the albums continue to have appeal almost solely based
> on his songwriting, with production values barely straying beyond a
> standard guitar/bass/drums mix.
>
> Bob Mould-District Line
> ...same old Bob Mould (ex-Husker Du, ex-Sugar). The grinding, riffless
> guitar pop, and the terminally anxious lyrics about ambiguous, emotional
> "tension." Merely serviceable.
>
> Aloha-Light Works
> ...I'm not sure whether to call this an album or an EP -- it has just
> seven tracks and lasts about 28 minutes. Aloha doesn't have the
> prominent vibraphone licks anymore, which is disappointing to me. This
> leaves them with a pleasant, chiming pop sound resembling Dean Wareham
> in a more "math rock" mood. Aloha has done better in the past.
>
> --
> I'll take my one-star rating now, please.
> Recommended releases which I heard for the first time within the past
> month-ish, in approximate order of quality:
>
> Gary Louris-Vagabonds
> ...tuneful, alt-country pop from the ex-leader of the Jayhawks. Comes
> off more personal and heartfelt than his old band's genre work.
>
> The Last Shadow Puppets-The Age of the Understatement
> ...starring the Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner, but with songs arranged in
> a wholly different, plush style. I'm glad that I thoroughly investigated
> the Scott Walker catalog within the past couple of years, because I
> don't think I'd really "get" this album if I hadn't.
>
> Fleet Foxes-Fleet Foxes
> ...I already posted about this album. Ghostly Americana, with incredible
> vocal harmonies and a heavy sense of rustic spirituality.
>
> Beck-Modern Guilt
> ...this album seems to be somewhat of a "bomb," and I don't understand
> why. A collaboration with Danger Mouse (yes, of "Grey Album" fame). At
> this point, I much prefer when Beck pursues this modern folk-song vein,
> rather than the faux hip-hop which brought him his greatest commercial
> success. I think he has worn out the latter sound.
>
> Spiritualized-Songs in A&E
> ...it's a quality album, but it's the same, same thing Spiritualized has
> been doing for years. No surprises. The good news is that this album
> steers away from the more rocking direction of the last couple of
> releases -- which wasn't nearly as distinctive. This one's back in the
> realm of druggy, ethereal hymns with lots of lovely arranging touches.
>
> Brian Wilson-That Lucky Old Sun
> ...already mentioned in an earlier post. A solid effort, considering how
> creatively exhausted Wilson is.
>
> Split Enz-Frenzy
> Split Enz-Time & Tide
> ...despite my avid, long-time interest in underground New Zealand pop
> (not to mention Neil Finn/Crowded House), I've never quite warmed up to
> Split Enz. A bit too glossy and synthetic...a bit too grounded in '80s
> New Wave. But now I've changed my mind. I'll be further digging into
> their catalog this month.
>
> The Beau Brummels-The Beau Brummels, Vol. 2
> ...nifty, British Invasion-inspired pop from a highly underrated band. I
> wish I had been "shopping" for the Brummels' stuff all along, because
> the cutout/secondhand vinyl bins sure ain't what they used to be.
> Actually, I could voice the same moan about Split Enz. I even *sold
> back* three Split Enz records in the past.
>
> Liquid Liquid-Liquid Liquid
> ...why had I never heard this group before? Guess I assumed they were
> just another '80s synth-pop act. Really interesting grooves, more
> focused on percussion textures than "songs." The somewhat trivial vocals
> seem peripherally barked out over completed backing tracks. If you love
> Talking Heads' "Remain in Light" and still would dig it even if the
> vocals were wiped off, check out this album.
>
> Weezer-Weezer [Red Album]
> ...somewhat of a guilty pleasure, but I do think Rivers Cuomo needs to
> be taken seriously as a songwriter. As a lyricist, he really understands
> how to walk that tricky line between personal confession and
> universality. And the albums continue to have appeal almost solely based
> on his songwriting, with production values barely straying beyond a
> standard guitar/bass/drums mix.
>
> Bob Mould-District Line
> ...same old Bob Mould (ex-Husker Du, ex-Sugar). The grinding, riffless
> guitar pop, and the terminally anxious lyrics about ambiguous, emotional
> "tension." Merely serviceable.
>
> Aloha-Light Works
> ...I'm not sure whether to call this an album or an EP -- it has just
> seven tracks and lasts about 28 minutes. Aloha doesn't have the
> prominent vibraphone licks anymore, which is disappointing to me. This
> leaves them with a pleasant, chiming pop sound resembling Dean Wareham
> in a more "math rock" mood. Aloha has done better in the past.
>
> --
> I'll take my one-star rating now, please.
daysof48
Sep 5, 2008, 10:34:29 PM9/5/08
to
On Sep 4, 6:00 pm, poisoned rose
>Beck-Modern Guilt
...this album seems to be somewhat of a "bomb," and I don't
understand
why. A collaboration with Danger Mouse (yes, of "Grey Album" fame).
At
this point, I much prefer when Beck pursues this modern folk-song
vein,
rather than the faux hip-hop which brought him his greatest
commercial
success. I think he has worn out the latter sound.>
Did he do better with the faux hip-hop? That's sad.
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