Life (live)
release date: Jun. 30, 1987
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,56]
producer: Neil Young & David Briggs
label: Geffen Records, Germany- nationality: Canada
Tracklist: 1. "Mideast Vacation" (4 / 5) - 2. "Long Walk Home" (4 / 5) - 3. "Around The World" (3 / 5) - 4. "Inca Queen" - 5. "Too Lonely" - 6. "Prisoner of Rock'n'Roll" (4 / 5) - 7. "Cryin' Eyes" (3,5 / 5) - 8. "When Your Lonely Heart Breaks" (3,5 / 5) - 9. "We Never Danced" (4 / 5)
16th studio album by Neil Young is released as Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Finally, and after almost 10 years astray, Neil is back on track! The music here is very much like Rust Never Sleeps (1979) with electrified folk rock or hard rock and elements of blues rock in combination with a strong singer / songwriter profile. Also, the album was recorded very similar to that specific album as a live recording of new songs. The track "Around the World" put him back on top as it was very well-received by radio stations and critics. I don't think it's that great, and prefer most of the other tracks. The album contains two beautiful ballads: "When Your Lonely Heart Breaks" and "We Never Danced". The strongest tracks are the first two, and on the lyrical side, Young is generally highly critical on America's military role around the world. Many tracks are just fine Neil Young songs but they're a bit overshadowed by the heavy '80s production sound with too much attention on drums and bass, which gives an overall muddied feel to the album.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]
[ just music from an amateur... music archaeologist ]
"Dagen er reddet & kysten er klar - Jeg er den der er skredet så skaf en vikar!"
30 June 2014
29 June 2014
Bloc Party "Silent Alarm Remixed" (2005)
Silent Alarm Remixed (remix)
release date: Aug. 29, 2005
format: cd
[album rate: 2 / 5]
release date: Aug. 29, 2005
format: cd
[album rate: 2 / 5]
producer: various
label: Wichita - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: 1. "Like Eating Glass (Ladytron Mix)" (2 / 5) - 2. "Helicopter (Sheriff Whitey Mix)" (2,5 / 5) - 3. "Positive Tension (Jason Clark Remix)" (2 / 5) - 4. "Banquet (Phones Disco Edit)" (3 / 5) - 5. "Blue Light (Engineers Anti-Gravity Mix)" (2 / 5) - 6. "She's Hearing Voices (Erol Alkan's Calling Your Dub Reworking)" (1,5 / 5) - 7. "This Modern Love (Dave Pianka's Making Time Remix)" (1,5 / 5) - 8. "The Pioneers (M83 Remix)" (2 / 5) - 9. "Price of Gas (Automato Remix)" (1,5 / 5) - 10. "So Here We Are (Four Tet Remix)" (2 / 5) - 11. "Luno (Bloc Party vs Death From Above 1979)" (1,5 / 5) - 12. "Plans (Replanned by Moqwai)" (2,5 / 5) - 13. "Compliments (Shibuyaka Remix by Nick Zinner)" (2,5 / 5)
A remix album by Bloc Party of the band's debut released 6 months after the original album. Now, why was this ever necessary? I bought the album without listening to it first. Having heard only good music from this band, I just wanted everything they released, but this was a waste of money. Everything they had done so far was in the spirit of the new post-punk revival wave. Even the cover is a 'repro' of the artworks by Peter Saville and Joy Division but here the music goes elsewhere. In retrospect, it only signals that the band is much more than just post-punk but the result is not good, although a lesser version of "Banquet" doesn't manage to ruin the song. Almost all tracks are club dance remixes of every song on the original album with a few daring exceptions.
Tracklist: 1. "Like Eating Glass (Ladytron Mix)" (2 / 5) - 2. "Helicopter (Sheriff Whitey Mix)" (2,5 / 5) - 3. "Positive Tension (Jason Clark Remix)" (2 / 5) - 4. "Banquet (Phones Disco Edit)" (3 / 5) - 5. "Blue Light (Engineers Anti-Gravity Mix)" (2 / 5) - 6. "She's Hearing Voices (Erol Alkan's Calling Your Dub Reworking)" (1,5 / 5) - 7. "This Modern Love (Dave Pianka's Making Time Remix)" (1,5 / 5) - 8. "The Pioneers (M83 Remix)" (2 / 5) - 9. "Price of Gas (Automato Remix)" (1,5 / 5) - 10. "So Here We Are (Four Tet Remix)" (2 / 5) - 11. "Luno (Bloc Party vs Death From Above 1979)" (1,5 / 5) - 12. "Plans (Replanned by Moqwai)" (2,5 / 5) - 13. "Compliments (Shibuyaka Remix by Nick Zinner)" (2,5 / 5)
A remix album by Bloc Party of the band's debut released 6 months after the original album. Now, why was this ever necessary? I bought the album without listening to it first. Having heard only good music from this band, I just wanted everything they released, but this was a waste of money. Everything they had done so far was in the spirit of the new post-punk revival wave. Even the cover is a 'repro' of the artworks by Peter Saville and Joy Division but here the music goes elsewhere. In retrospect, it only signals that the band is much more than just post-punk but the result is not good, although a lesser version of "Banquet" doesn't manage to ruin the song. Almost all tracks are club dance remixes of every song on the original album with a few daring exceptions.
28 June 2014
Prince and the Revolution "Around the World in a Day" (1985)
Around the World in a Day
release date: Apr. 22, 1985
format: vinyl (gatefold)
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,68]
producer: Prince
label: Paisley Park - nationality: USA
7th studio album by Prince and his second credited Prince & The Revolution.
release date: Apr. 22, 1985
format: vinyl (gatefold)
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,68]
producer: Prince
label: Paisley Park - nationality: USA
7th studio album by Prince and his second credited Prince & The Revolution.
Dead Kennedys "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" (1987)
Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death (compilation)
release date: Jun. 1987
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: various
label: Alternative Tentacles - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 4. "The Man With the Dogs" - 5. "Insight" - 7. "A Child and His Lawnmower" - 9. "I Fought the Law" - 11. "Pull My Strings" (live) - 13. "Straight A's" (live) - 16. "Night of the Living Rednecks" (live)
A compilation album released after the band had split. This is so far the only compilation released on Alternative Tentacles, the record label that released all their original studio material. It's a rather fine collection with tracks from their initial period and a majority of tracks that are previously unreleased or in alternate takes. It also contains a couple of rare and very special live recordings, i.e. the hilarious and famous "Pull My Strings" live performance in front of guests at a music award show where the band had rehearsed and was scheduled to play "California Über Alles" but to everyone's surprise they stopped the song at the very start, and continued with a song written for the occasion and built on "My Sharona" by The Knack, but with new lyrics about selling ones soul for money, which of course was hinted at the whole music industry, and a majority of the invited guests. The satirical chorus goes: "Is my cock big enough - for you, to make me a star?" Another fine live recording is "Night of the Living Rednecks", which is a fine example of Jello Biafra's spur-of-the-moment spoken word story, accompanied by bass and drums, about an experienced incident, just to waste time while the band's guitarist was changing a guitar string.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
release date: Jun. 1987
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: various
label: Alternative Tentacles - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 4. "The Man With the Dogs" - 5. "Insight" - 7. "A Child and His Lawnmower" - 9. "I Fought the Law" - 11. "Pull My Strings" (live) - 13. "Straight A's" (live) - 16. "Night of the Living Rednecks" (live)
A compilation album released after the band had split. This is so far the only compilation released on Alternative Tentacles, the record label that released all their original studio material. It's a rather fine collection with tracks from their initial period and a majority of tracks that are previously unreleased or in alternate takes. It also contains a couple of rare and very special live recordings, i.e. the hilarious and famous "Pull My Strings" live performance in front of guests at a music award show where the band had rehearsed and was scheduled to play "California Über Alles" but to everyone's surprise they stopped the song at the very start, and continued with a song written for the occasion and built on "My Sharona" by The Knack, but with new lyrics about selling ones soul for money, which of course was hinted at the whole music industry, and a majority of the invited guests. The satirical chorus goes: "Is my cock big enough - for you, to make me a star?" Another fine live recording is "Night of the Living Rednecks", which is a fine example of Jello Biafra's spur-of-the-moment spoken word story, accompanied by bass and drums, about an experienced incident, just to waste time while the band's guitarist was changing a guitar string.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
a-ha "Hunting High and Low" (1985)
Hunting High and Low [debut]
release date: Oct. 28, 1985
format: digital (2015 remaster - 30th Anniversary Edition)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,12]
producer: John Ratcliff; Tony Mansfield; Alan Tarney (1, 6)
release date: Oct. 28, 1985
format: digital (2015 remaster - 30th Anniversary Edition)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,12]
producer: John Ratcliff; Tony Mansfield; Alan Tarney (1, 6)
label: Warner Bros. / Rhino Records - nationality: Norway
Track highlights:
1. "Take on Me" -
3. "Hunting High and Low" -
6. "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." -
10. "Here I Stand and Face the Rain"
Studio album debut by Norwegian trio a-ha consisting of lead vocalist Morten Harket, guitarist and main composer Pål Waaktaar, who's also credited for drum programming and backing vocals, and bassist & keyboardist Magne Furuholmen. The album was originally released on Warner Bros. and John Ratcliff is main producer on all tracks (aside from also mixing and playing additional keyboards), Mansfield is producer on seven compositions, and Tarney on two.
Didn't they just make it to all the little girls' bedrooms back then... I thought it was too slick and cheesy, too much happy-go-lucky without sufficient original content and the music completely failed to interest me then. Today, it's very much what has been labelled 80s pop music, and tracks #1, 3 and 6 are the soft pop songs you'll find on compilations alongside Duran Duran, Madonna, George Michael, Cindy Lauper and the like - basically music I never really bothered listen to. I think, the band owe much of their success and widespread popularity to video director Steve Barron, who stood behind the highly original pencil-sketch animation music video to "Take on Me".
This album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", which I really find a bit hard to understand as I basically see the album as interesting but also as a somewhat generic pop album without much new to offer.
26 June 2014
"Buster" (OST) (1988)
Buster (soundtrack)
release date: 1988
format: vinyl
[album rate: 3 / 5]
producer: various
label: WEA - nationality: England, UK
Soundtrack from the film "Buster" (1988) directed by David Green featuring Phil Collins and Julie Walters is the official soundtrack by various artists.
release date: 1988
format: vinyl
[album rate: 3 / 5]
producer: various
label: WEA - nationality: England, UK
Soundtrack from the film "Buster" (1988) directed by David Green featuring Phil Collins and Julie Walters is the official soundtrack by various artists.
Madvillain "Madvillainy" (2004)
Madvillainy [debut]
release date: Mar. 23, 2004
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: Madlib [aka Otis Jackson Jr.]
label: Stones Throw Records - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 3. "Meat Grinder" - 4. "Bistro" - 5. "Raid" (feat. M.E.D. aka Medaphoar) - 6. "America's Most Blunted" (feat. Quas) - 8. "Rainbows" - 9. "Curls" - 12. "Shadows of Tomorrow" (feat. Lord Quas) - 18. "Eye" (feat. Stacy Epps) - 21. "Great Day" - 22. "Rhinestone Cowboy"
[ full album playlist ]
Studio album debut by US duo Madvillain consisting of MF Doom [aka Daniel Dumile], English-born / American-residing hip hop recording artist, and producer and Madlib [aka Otis Jackson Jr.] American DJ, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper.
Now, although, hip hop isn't my favourite genre, I came across this album after hearing about it in various contexts over the years. I do recall the album cover from around the time of its release simply because of its direct and confronting style tho' I had absolutely no idea of its content.
Stylistically, it represents a huge blend of styles and influences [perhaps most prominent: Wu-Tang Clan, Outkast and Nas], which has brought about the terms abstract hip hop, experimental hip hop and instrumental hip hop, and later on most likely helped in shaping the style of conscious hip hop. There are obvious elements of jazz and rock traits, but what seems more apparent is of course the resulting original loose sonic style formed by a significant use of samples and a more laid-back rapping style. There are no obvious hits on the album, which consists of 22 tracks, and of these only three are longer than 3 mins. Actually, its made up of many primarily short compositions that bring about themes and hooks one will recognise in others, so the overall sensation is that you listen to one thematic structure - not unlike the experience you have listening to traditional classical albums. As being an abstract hip hop album the lyrical side is a strange mixture of reasoning and babbling mysticism, but the vocal side, imho, serves more as another instrumental part to facilitate its musical force. I like it, it's gooood, and it does win over time.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, The Observer, Mojo 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]
release date: Mar. 23, 2004
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: Madlib [aka Otis Jackson Jr.]
label: Stones Throw Records - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 3. "Meat Grinder" - 4. "Bistro" - 5. "Raid" (feat. M.E.D. aka Medaphoar) - 6. "America's Most Blunted" (feat. Quas) - 8. "Rainbows" - 9. "Curls" - 12. "Shadows of Tomorrow" (feat. Lord Quas) - 18. "Eye" (feat. Stacy Epps) - 21. "Great Day" - 22. "Rhinestone Cowboy"
[ full album playlist ]
Studio album debut by US duo Madvillain consisting of MF Doom [aka Daniel Dumile], English-born / American-residing hip hop recording artist, and producer and Madlib [aka Otis Jackson Jr.] American DJ, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper.
Now, although, hip hop isn't my favourite genre, I came across this album after hearing about it in various contexts over the years. I do recall the album cover from around the time of its release simply because of its direct and confronting style tho' I had absolutely no idea of its content.
Stylistically, it represents a huge blend of styles and influences [perhaps most prominent: Wu-Tang Clan, Outkast and Nas], which has brought about the terms abstract hip hop, experimental hip hop and instrumental hip hop, and later on most likely helped in shaping the style of conscious hip hop. There are obvious elements of jazz and rock traits, but what seems more apparent is of course the resulting original loose sonic style formed by a significant use of samples and a more laid-back rapping style. There are no obvious hits on the album, which consists of 22 tracks, and of these only three are longer than 3 mins. Actually, its made up of many primarily short compositions that bring about themes and hooks one will recognise in others, so the overall sensation is that you listen to one thematic structure - not unlike the experience you have listening to traditional classical albums. As being an abstract hip hop album the lyrical side is a strange mixture of reasoning and babbling mysticism, but the vocal side, imho, serves more as another instrumental part to facilitate its musical force. I like it, it's gooood, and it does win over time.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, The Observer, Mojo 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]
25 June 2014
The Chemical Brothers "Singles 93 - 03" (2003)
Singles 93 - 03 (compilation)
release date: Sep. 22, 2003
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: The Chemical Brothers
label: Freestyle Dust / Virgin - nationality: England, UK
Compilation album and the Chemical Brothers' first official sort of best of collection. It's fine if you don't have anything by the band, or if you only happen to have one or two albums, but it somehow seems like a superfluous collection of songs. Also, the diversity of the tracks make it a strange release to listen to, although, the single tracks are great as "singles".
release date: Sep. 22, 2003
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: The Chemical Brothers
label: Freestyle Dust / Virgin - nationality: England, UK
Compilation album and the Chemical Brothers' first official sort of best of collection. It's fine if you don't have anything by the band, or if you only happen to have one or two albums, but it somehow seems like a superfluous collection of songs. Also, the diversity of the tracks make it a strange release to listen to, although, the single tracks are great as "singles".
Laurie Anderson "Bright Red" (1994)
Bright Red
release date: Oct. 25, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5]
producer: Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson
label: Warner Bros. - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Speechless" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Bright Red" (3,5 / 5) - 6. "Freefall" - 7. "Muddy River" - 8. "Beautiful Pea Green Boat" - 14. "Same Time Tomorrow" (4 / 5)
5th studio album release by Laurie Anderson. The album is divided in two halves - the first seven tracks are labelled "Bright Red", and the last seven: "Tightrope". It's not that much different from Strange Angels (1989) in style, although, I think, she tries to mix the pop style with her earlier works, experimenting with a more minimalist way of expression in combination with lyrics. However, the five years between the two releases makes it a bit of a disappointment. The album received mixed reviews, and although, I don't find it entirely great, it's surely an interesting album with much focus on the lyrical side.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
release date: Oct. 25, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5]
producer: Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson
label: Warner Bros. - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Speechless" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Bright Red" (3,5 / 5) - 6. "Freefall" - 7. "Muddy River" - 8. "Beautiful Pea Green Boat" - 14. "Same Time Tomorrow" (4 / 5)
5th studio album release by Laurie Anderson. The album is divided in two halves - the first seven tracks are labelled "Bright Red", and the last seven: "Tightrope". It's not that much different from Strange Angels (1989) in style, although, I think, she tries to mix the pop style with her earlier works, experimenting with a more minimalist way of expression in combination with lyrics. However, the five years between the two releases makes it a bit of a disappointment. The album received mixed reviews, and although, I don't find it entirely great, it's surely an interesting album with much focus on the lyrical side.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
Prince and the Revolution "Purple Rain" (OST) (1984)
Purple Rain (soundtrack)
release date: Jun. 25, 1984
format: vinyl (25110-1) / cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]
producer: Prince & The Revolution
label: Warner Bros. / WEA - nationality: USA
6th studio album by Prince, or his first as Prince & The Revolution is a soundtrack for the film "Purple Rain". Basically the backing band The Revolution had backed Prince since '79, so this is by most filed as a Prince album.
The album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
release date: Jun. 25, 1984
format: vinyl (25110-1) / cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]
producer: Prince & The Revolution
label: Warner Bros. / WEA - nationality: USA
6th studio album by Prince, or his first as Prince & The Revolution is a soundtrack for the film "Purple Rain". Basically the backing band The Revolution had backed Prince since '79, so this is by most filed as a Prince album.
The album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
Morrissey "Bona Drag" (1990)
Bona Drag (compilation)
release date: Oct. 25, 1990
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Stephen Street; Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 2. "Interesting Drug" (4 / 5) - 3. "November Spawned a Monster" - 6. "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" (4 / 5) - 8. "Hairdresser on Fire" - 9. "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (4 / 5) - 10. "He Knows I'd Love to See Him" - 13. "Suedehead" (4 / 5)
Compilation album by Morrissey originally released on HMV. This is only his second album release after leaving The Smiths and already he releases a compilation album. The formula is the same that The Smiths found successful, which basically consists of a collection of A-side and B-side singles compiled, meaning a collection of several non-studio album tracks. The album is rather nice-to-have as many of the songs didn't make it to neither his debut or his follow-up album Kill Uncle (1991). In fact, only two songs appear on the debut ("Suedehead" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday"), the remaining 12 tracks only appear on single releases and other (later) compilation albums (track #8 is on American issues of the debut album). Although, the songs here were written and composed over a two year-period they generally fit nicely together, and maybe because most of the songs (10 tracks) were co-written with Stephen Street like was the case on Morrissey's debut album. Four of the A-side singles on the album feature Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, ex-members of The Smiths (as well as guitarist Craig Cannon who often supported The Smiths live) - both appear on tracks #1-3, and #6.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Q Magazine 3 / 5, Blender 2/ 5 stars ]
release date: Oct. 25, 1990
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Stephen Street; Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 2. "Interesting Drug" (4 / 5) - 3. "November Spawned a Monster" - 6. "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" (4 / 5) - 8. "Hairdresser on Fire" - 9. "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (4 / 5) - 10. "He Knows I'd Love to See Him" - 13. "Suedehead" (4 / 5)
Compilation album by Morrissey originally released on HMV. This is only his second album release after leaving The Smiths and already he releases a compilation album. The formula is the same that The Smiths found successful, which basically consists of a collection of A-side and B-side singles compiled, meaning a collection of several non-studio album tracks. The album is rather nice-to-have as many of the songs didn't make it to neither his debut or his follow-up album Kill Uncle (1991). In fact, only two songs appear on the debut ("Suedehead" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday"), the remaining 12 tracks only appear on single releases and other (later) compilation albums (track #8 is on American issues of the debut album). Although, the songs here were written and composed over a two year-period they generally fit nicely together, and maybe because most of the songs (10 tracks) were co-written with Stephen Street like was the case on Morrissey's debut album. Four of the A-side singles on the album feature Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, ex-members of The Smiths (as well as guitarist Craig Cannon who often supported The Smiths live) - both appear on tracks #1-3, and #6.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Q Magazine 3 / 5, Blender 2/ 5 stars ]
24 June 2014
"Cocktail (OST) (1988)
Cocktail (soundtrack)
release date: 1988
format: vinyl
[album rate: 3 / 5]
producer: various
label: Elektra - nationality: England, USA
Soundtrack from the comedy film "Cocktail" (1988) by Roger Donaldson featuring Tom Cruise, Elisabeth Shue, and Bryan Brown is the official soundtrack by various artists.
release date: 1988
format: vinyl
[album rate: 3 / 5]
producer: various
label: Elektra - nationality: England, USA
Soundtrack from the comedy film "Cocktail" (1988) by Roger Donaldson featuring Tom Cruise, Elisabeth Shue, and Bryan Brown is the official soundtrack by various artists.
23 June 2014
Omara Portuondo "The Best of Omara Portuondo" (2008)
The Best of Omara Portuondo (compilation)
release date: Jun. 23, 2008
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: various
label: Union Square Music - nationality: Cuba
Best of compilation album by Omara Portuondo in the series 'The Cuban Heroes Collection'.
release date: Jun. 23, 2008
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: various
label: Union Square Music - nationality: Cuba
Best of compilation album by Omara Portuondo in the series 'The Cuban Heroes Collection'.
PJ Harvey "To Bring You My Love" (1995)
To Bring You My Love
release date: Feb. 28, 1995
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
Track highlights: 1. "To Bring You My Love" - 4. "C'mon Billy" (4 / 5) - 7. "Down by the Water" (4 / 5) - 9. "Send His Love to Me"
3rd studio album b PJ Harvey released on Island Records and produced by Flood, John Parish, and PJ Harvey. The album introduces a change of style from her previous albums. Personally, she had met a tremendous amount of artistic and financial success, which may be the reason for her choice to take some time off when she practically didn't perform live more than once in '94. She turns to new musical partnerships when working on this album, which has a more American sound and a blues-oriented style influenced by and with references to Captain Beefheart. I really enjoy the Captain, but do not enjoy the combo of Harvey's blues rock, and in the end I kinda dislike the result.
The album, however, may be seen as her international biggest breakthrough to stardom, and almost everywhere it was met with appraisal. The single tracks are not bad or unoriginal - I just don't like the dark, sinister tone and the heavy blues rock element. A few great tracks stand out like "C'mon Billy", and "Down by the Water" both of which are more like the music on her debut Dry (1992) and her successive album Is This Desire? (1998). With this Harvey experienced for the second time a nomination to the Mercury Prize Award in 1995, which was handed to Portishead for the album Dummy.
Although, I'm not overwhelmed by the result, the album is no near a bad one.
[ almusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
release date: Feb. 28, 1995
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
Track highlights: 1. "To Bring You My Love" - 4. "C'mon Billy" (4 / 5) - 7. "Down by the Water" (4 / 5) - 9. "Send His Love to Me"
3rd studio album b PJ Harvey released on Island Records and produced by Flood, John Parish, and PJ Harvey. The album introduces a change of style from her previous albums. Personally, she had met a tremendous amount of artistic and financial success, which may be the reason for her choice to take some time off when she practically didn't perform live more than once in '94. She turns to new musical partnerships when working on this album, which has a more American sound and a blues-oriented style influenced by and with references to Captain Beefheart. I really enjoy the Captain, but do not enjoy the combo of Harvey's blues rock, and in the end I kinda dislike the result.
The album, however, may be seen as her international biggest breakthrough to stardom, and almost everywhere it was met with appraisal. The single tracks are not bad or unoriginal - I just don't like the dark, sinister tone and the heavy blues rock element. A few great tracks stand out like "C'mon Billy", and "Down by the Water" both of which are more like the music on her debut Dry (1992) and her successive album Is This Desire? (1998). With this Harvey experienced for the second time a nomination to the Mercury Prize Award in 1995, which was handed to Portishead for the album Dummy.
Although, I'm not overwhelmed by the result, the album is no near a bad one.
[ almusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
22 June 2014
Eberl42 "Blindfold" (2012)
Blindfold
release date: Feb. 1, 2012
format: vinyl (EBLP001) + cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Johannes Smed
label: Eberl42 - nationality: Denmark
Studio album debut by Eberl42, a Danish music-project led by Johannes Eberl Smed, who has composed, produced and mixed free improvisations played by Uffe Steen (Jensen) on guitar, Olga Goija on viola, Joost Schelling on harpe, Kristian Bugge on fiddle, Bilal Irshed on oud, and with Johannes Smed on guitar and computer.
The album, which I purchased upon attending a fascinating live performance by Eberl42, comes with a free cd version of the album.
release date: Feb. 1, 2012
format: vinyl (EBLP001) + cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Johannes Smed
label: Eberl42 - nationality: Denmark
Studio album debut by Eberl42, a Danish music-project led by Johannes Eberl Smed, who has composed, produced and mixed free improvisations played by Uffe Steen (Jensen) on guitar, Olga Goija on viola, Joost Schelling on harpe, Kristian Bugge on fiddle, Bilal Irshed on oud, and with Johannes Smed on guitar and computer.
The album, which I purchased upon attending a fascinating live performance by Eberl42, comes with a free cd version of the album.
21 June 2014
Ultravox "Lament" (1984) (single)
Lament, 7'' single
release date: Jun. 21, 1984
format: vinyl (UV 2)
[single rate: 3 / 5] [3,12]
producer: Ultravox
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: A) "Lament" - - B) "Heart of the Country" (instrumental)
Single release by Ultravox taken from the band's homonymous 7th studio album released in April. The single is the band's third of a total of five singles from the album. The single peaked at number #22 on the UK singles chart list, and only the second single "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" became a top-10 hit peaking at number #3.
release date: Jun. 21, 1984
format: vinyl (UV 2)
[single rate: 3 / 5] [3,12]
producer: Ultravox
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: A) "Lament" - - B) "Heart of the Country" (instrumental)
Single release by Ultravox taken from the band's homonymous 7th studio album released in April. The single is the band's third of a total of five singles from the album. The single peaked at number #22 on the UK singles chart list, and only the second single "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" became a top-10 hit peaking at number #3.
20 June 2014
The Style Council "Confessions of a Pop Group" (1988)
Confessions of a Pop Group
release date: Jun. 20, 1988
format: digital
[album rate: 2 / 5] [2,12]
producer: Paul Weller, Mick Talbot
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "It's a Very Deep Sea" - 2. "The Story of Someone's Shoe" - 7. "Why I Went Missing" - 8. "How She Threw It All Away" - 10. "Confessions 1, 2 & 3"
4th full-length studio album by The Style Council. After releasing Our Favourite Shop in '85 the band released a third album The Cost of Loving in '87, which may be seen as the band's low point. I honestly didn't think they would continue much longer after that, but this is an improvement. Technically, it's superior to anything they have released but it doesn't bring about anything new and sometimes it sounds more like an anachronism. With 'do-bi-doo' backing vocals, greasy slick harmonies that make one think of The Carpenters, and a strange but often use of marimbas... What is this, Mr. Weller? The New Manhattan Transfers? The 'soul' and originality has nearly disappeared completely and what remains is pastiche pop, or lounge when it's least daring. This is below mediocre, and the album became the last studio release before the band split up in 1989. A final album had been recorded prior to the disbandment; however, it wasn't released until 1998. Paul Weller and Dee C. Lee married in 1987.
[ allmusic.com 1 / 5 stars! ]
release date: Jun. 20, 1988
format: digital
[album rate: 2 / 5] [2,12]
producer: Paul Weller, Mick Talbot
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "It's a Very Deep Sea" - 2. "The Story of Someone's Shoe" - 7. "Why I Went Missing" - 8. "How She Threw It All Away" - 10. "Confessions 1, 2 & 3"
4th full-length studio album by The Style Council. After releasing Our Favourite Shop in '85 the band released a third album The Cost of Loving in '87, which may be seen as the band's low point. I honestly didn't think they would continue much longer after that, but this is an improvement. Technically, it's superior to anything they have released but it doesn't bring about anything new and sometimes it sounds more like an anachronism. With 'do-bi-doo' backing vocals, greasy slick harmonies that make one think of The Carpenters, and a strange but often use of marimbas... What is this, Mr. Weller? The New Manhattan Transfers? The 'soul' and originality has nearly disappeared completely and what remains is pastiche pop, or lounge when it's least daring. This is below mediocre, and the album became the last studio release before the band split up in 1989. A final album had been recorded prior to the disbandment; however, it wasn't released until 1998. Paul Weller and Dee C. Lee married in 1987.
[ allmusic.com 1 / 5 stars! ]
19 June 2014
XTC "Mummer" (1983)
Mummer
release date: Aug. 30, 1983
format: vinyl (reissue - OVED 142) / cd (2014 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,72]
producer: Steve Nye and XTC
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 2. "Wonderland" - 3. "Love on a Farmboy's Wages" - 4. "Great Fire" - 6. "Human Alchemy" - 7. "Ladybird" - 8. "In Loving Memory of a Name" - 9. "Me and the Wind"
6th studio album by XTC introducing new producer Steve Nye (and with Bob Sargeant producing two tracks). Founding member drummer Terry Chambers left the band during the recordings and is only credited on the first two tracks, although, he remains credited as band member on the album, but his decision left the band to continue as a trio consisting of Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory. For the remaining drum parts, Peter Phipps was brought in as additional personnel.
Almost as usual, a new album signals a change of style when it comes to this band. The album reflects a progression into a more polished pop / rock style, despite it being classic melody-founded with a specific experimental art pop style to distinguish their music from all other expressions of 'pop'. The production is again in the high-end compared to what was released at the time.
Mummer soothes of super blue-eyed positive sensation and really takes you into a Swindon country-side of a long-forgotten England. It's far from being boring once you enter the Partridge / Moulding lyrical and musical universe. The latter is responsible for three of the original album's ten tracks - Partridge having written the remainders and the 5 bonus tracks on the 2014 remaster.
In general, I always felt that it lacked really great songs 'though in retrospect, I find it a much better work than I did then. It's a near-conceptual work of art with songs telling stories of everyday life and elements that touch it in a certain part of England just as it once was. Almost like a peek into a storybook.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine, Rolling Stone 3 / 5, Smash Hits 4,5 / 5 stars ]
release date: Aug. 30, 1983
format: vinyl (reissue - OVED 142) / cd (2014 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,72]
producer: Steve Nye and XTC
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 2. "Wonderland" - 3. "Love on a Farmboy's Wages" - 4. "Great Fire" - 6. "Human Alchemy" - 7. "Ladybird" - 8. "In Loving Memory of a Name" - 9. "Me and the Wind"
6th studio album by XTC introducing new producer Steve Nye (and with Bob Sargeant producing two tracks). Founding member drummer Terry Chambers left the band during the recordings and is only credited on the first two tracks, although, he remains credited as band member on the album, but his decision left the band to continue as a trio consisting of Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory. For the remaining drum parts, Peter Phipps was brought in as additional personnel.
Almost as usual, a new album signals a change of style when it comes to this band. The album reflects a progression into a more polished pop / rock style, despite it being classic melody-founded with a specific experimental art pop style to distinguish their music from all other expressions of 'pop'. The production is again in the high-end compared to what was released at the time.
Mummer soothes of super blue-eyed positive sensation and really takes you into a Swindon country-side of a long-forgotten England. It's far from being boring once you enter the Partridge / Moulding lyrical and musical universe. The latter is responsible for three of the original album's ten tracks - Partridge having written the remainders and the 5 bonus tracks on the 2014 remaster.
In general, I always felt that it lacked really great songs 'though in retrospect, I find it a much better work than I did then. It's a near-conceptual work of art with songs telling stories of everyday life and elements that touch it in a certain part of England just as it once was. Almost like a peek into a storybook.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine, Rolling Stone 3 / 5, Smash Hits 4,5 / 5 stars ]
2014 remaster |
18 June 2014
PJ Harvey "4 Track Demos" (1993)
4-Track Demos
release date: Oct. 19, 1993
format: cd / vinyl (2020 reissue)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: PJ Harvey
label Island Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Rid of Me" - 2. "Legs" - 3. "Reeling" - 5. "Hook" - 6. "50 Ft. Queenie" - 9. "Hardly Wait" - 10. "Rub 'Til It Bleeds" - 13. "Yuri-G"
3rd full album by PJ Harvey released 5 months after her successful follow-up studio album Rid of Me (May '93) is released through Island Records and produced by PJ Harvey. The album features 14 tracks of Harvey's own lo-fi '4-Track Demo' recordings made in her home from 1991 to '92, eight of which had their full studio versions on Rid of Me, whereas the rest remain otherwise unreleased.
The album is a fine document of Harvey's own musical skills and her taste for the raw and unpolished style.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
release date: Oct. 19, 1993
format: cd / vinyl (2020 reissue)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: PJ Harvey
label Island Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Rid of Me" - 2. "Legs" - 3. "Reeling" - 5. "Hook" - 6. "50 Ft. Queenie" - 9. "Hardly Wait" - 10. "Rub 'Til It Bleeds" - 13. "Yuri-G"
3rd full album by PJ Harvey released 5 months after her successful follow-up studio album Rid of Me (May '93) is released through Island Records and produced by PJ Harvey. The album features 14 tracks of Harvey's own lo-fi '4-Track Demo' recordings made in her home from 1991 to '92, eight of which had their full studio versions on Rid of Me, whereas the rest remain otherwise unreleased.
The album is a fine document of Harvey's own musical skills and her taste for the raw and unpolished style.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
16 June 2014
My Bloody Valentine "The New Record by My Bloody Valentine" (1986) (ep)
The New Record by My Bloody Valentine, ep
release date: Sep. 1986
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: My Bloody Valentine, Joe Foster
label: Kaleidoscope Sound - nationality: Ireland
Track highlights: 1. "Lovelee Sweet Darlene" - 3. "On Another Rainy Saturday" - 4. "We're so Beautiful"
2nd ep by My Bloody Valentine introduces a considerable change of style. The band has completely abandoned the psychobilly and gothic rock and also the clear post-punk references and instead they have founded compositions on noise pop and indie pop. It's really striking to compare this with the Geek! ep released less than a year earlier, and with the same band members. Yes, David Conway is still credited on vocals, but it's apparent that also Kevin Shields sings lead vocals on this. It's not yet the style you'll find on their full-length album debut as this has more in common with bands like Stone Roses, The Church and The Jesus and Mary Chain with obvious influences from 60s surf rock. It has noise pop at its centre, and from here they appear with a proper musical direction.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]
release date: Sep. 1986
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: My Bloody Valentine, Joe Foster
label: Kaleidoscope Sound - nationality: Ireland
Track highlights: 1. "Lovelee Sweet Darlene" - 3. "On Another Rainy Saturday" - 4. "We're so Beautiful"
2nd ep by My Bloody Valentine introduces a considerable change of style. The band has completely abandoned the psychobilly and gothic rock and also the clear post-punk references and instead they have founded compositions on noise pop and indie pop. It's really striking to compare this with the Geek! ep released less than a year earlier, and with the same band members. Yes, David Conway is still credited on vocals, but it's apparent that also Kevin Shields sings lead vocals on this. It's not yet the style you'll find on their full-length album debut as this has more in common with bands like Stone Roses, The Church and The Jesus and Mary Chain with obvious influences from 60s surf rock. It has noise pop at its centre, and from here they appear with a proper musical direction.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]
15 June 2014
Robyn "Body Talk Pt. 2" (2010)
Body Talk Pt. 2, mini-album
release date: Sep. 6, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,56]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden
Track highlights: 2. "Include Me Out" - 3. "Hang With Me" - 4. "Love Kills" - 5. "We Dance to the Beat" - 7. "U Should Know Better" (feat. Snoop Dogg) - 8. "Indestructible (Acoustic Version)"
Mini-album by Robyn and Part 2 in her "Body Talk" trilogy is like Part 1 primarily recorded, produced and co-written by Klas Åhlund, although, the album also features Andreas Kleerup, Alexander Kronlund, and guest artist Snoop Dogg.
Stylistically, the album doesn't differ a great deal from Body Talk Pt. 1, but it feels even closer to Robyn (2005) with its equal share of dance-pop and electropop than the more electronic-founded Part 1 of the trilogy.
The album was officially promoted by the single "Hang With Me", which is found on Body Talk, Pt. 1 in an acoustic version, and this uptempo version became another major hit topping the Swedish single chart list though "only" reaching #54 in the UK. Also the album peaked at #1 in Sweden (and Denmark), and became her highest charting album on the overall Billboard 200 in the US as #41.
Despite being another top-selling victory and being positively reviewed, I don't find it near as good as Part 1.
Yes, it may be club- and dance-orientated with a certain house and disco-influence, but it simply lacks the great hooks and twists and turns of the predecessor. To me, this was a clear step down - proving how difficult Part 1 would be to follow, although, it's no near a mediocre album. Robyn is still aeons over Madonna, Lady GaGa, P!nk and everyone else in the genre. Like Part 1 this offers music at around half an hour, clocking in just over 32 mins, which makes it difficult to file as a full-length album, and some reviewers also refer to it as part 2 of her ep trilogy. Even so, it contains more than just "Hang With Me", and it still secures high expectations to the last chapter.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, NME 4 / 5, Rolling Stone, Slant 3,5 / 5 stars ]
release date: Sep. 6, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,56]
producer: Klas Åhlund
label: Konichiwa Records - nationality: Sweden
Track highlights: 2. "Include Me Out" - 3. "Hang With Me" - 4. "Love Kills" - 5. "We Dance to the Beat" - 7. "U Should Know Better" (feat. Snoop Dogg) - 8. "Indestructible (Acoustic Version)"
Mini-album by Robyn and Part 2 in her "Body Talk" trilogy is like Part 1 primarily recorded, produced and co-written by Klas Åhlund, although, the album also features Andreas Kleerup, Alexander Kronlund, and guest artist Snoop Dogg.
Stylistically, the album doesn't differ a great deal from Body Talk Pt. 1, but it feels even closer to Robyn (2005) with its equal share of dance-pop and electropop than the more electronic-founded Part 1 of the trilogy.
The album was officially promoted by the single "Hang With Me", which is found on Body Talk, Pt. 1 in an acoustic version, and this uptempo version became another major hit topping the Swedish single chart list though "only" reaching #54 in the UK. Also the album peaked at #1 in Sweden (and Denmark), and became her highest charting album on the overall Billboard 200 in the US as #41.
Despite being another top-selling victory and being positively reviewed, I don't find it near as good as Part 1.
Yes, it may be club- and dance-orientated with a certain house and disco-influence, but it simply lacks the great hooks and twists and turns of the predecessor. To me, this was a clear step down - proving how difficult Part 1 would be to follow, although, it's no near a mediocre album. Robyn is still aeons over Madonna, Lady GaGa, P!nk and everyone else in the genre. Like Part 1 this offers music at around half an hour, clocking in just over 32 mins, which makes it difficult to file as a full-length album, and some reviewers also refer to it as part 2 of her ep trilogy. Even so, it contains more than just "Hang With Me", and it still secures high expectations to the last chapter.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, NME 4 / 5, Rolling Stone, Slant 3,5 / 5 stars ]
14 June 2014
Van Morrison & The Chieftains "Irish Heartbeat" (1988)
Irish Heartbeat
release date: Jun. 1988
format: cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,28]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Exile / Polydor - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Star of the County Down" - 2. "Irish Heartbeat" - 3. "Tá Mo Chleamhnas Déanta" - 6. "I'll Tell Me Ma" - 7. "Carrickfergus" - 8. "Celtic Ray" - 10. "Marie's Wedding"
18th studio album by Van Morrison is released as a collaboration album with the sextet, The Chieftains and it follows his fine Poetic Champions Compose by only 9 months.
On this, he is only credited as composer of two tracks (#2 and #8) - "Celtic Ray" was originally released with the album Beautiful Vision (1982) and appears here in a re-arranged version - and the remaining songs are Irish traditional folk songs, but these have been arranged by Morrison together with Paddy Maloney (band leader) of the Irish folk band The Chieftains. Maloney is also credited for playing uilleann pipes and tin whistle. Aside from Maloney, The Cheiftains constitute of Martin Fay, Derek Bell, Kevin Coneff, Matt Molloy and Seán Kean. Apart from these also bassist Ciarán Brennan of Clannad play on an album where Van Morrison really embraces his Irish roots.
The album was met by positive reviews and critical acclaim and it peaked at number #18 on the UK albums chart list.
Irish Heartbeat is not a favourite of mine, but there's no doubt that they all play well together and the originality of the songs is handed with great admiration and devotion - that is if you're a fan of traditional celtic folk songs.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
release date: Jun. 1988
format: cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,28]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Exile / Polydor - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Star of the County Down" - 2. "Irish Heartbeat" - 3. "Tá Mo Chleamhnas Déanta" - 6. "I'll Tell Me Ma" - 7. "Carrickfergus" - 8. "Celtic Ray" - 10. "Marie's Wedding"
18th studio album by Van Morrison is released as a collaboration album with the sextet, The Chieftains and it follows his fine Poetic Champions Compose by only 9 months.
On this, he is only credited as composer of two tracks (#2 and #8) - "Celtic Ray" was originally released with the album Beautiful Vision (1982) and appears here in a re-arranged version - and the remaining songs are Irish traditional folk songs, but these have been arranged by Morrison together with Paddy Maloney (band leader) of the Irish folk band The Chieftains. Maloney is also credited for playing uilleann pipes and tin whistle. Aside from Maloney, The Cheiftains constitute of Martin Fay, Derek Bell, Kevin Coneff, Matt Molloy and Seán Kean. Apart from these also bassist Ciarán Brennan of Clannad play on an album where Van Morrison really embraces his Irish roots.
The album was met by positive reviews and critical acclaim and it peaked at number #18 on the UK albums chart list.
Irish Heartbeat is not a favourite of mine, but there's no doubt that they all play well together and the originality of the songs is handed with great admiration and devotion - that is if you're a fan of traditional celtic folk songs.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
PJ Harvey "Rid of Me" (1993)
Rid of Me
release date: May 4, 1993
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,04]
producer: Steve Albini
label: Island Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Rid of Me" - 2. "Missed" - 5. "Hook" - 7. "Highway '61 Revisited" - 8. "50ft Queenie" - 9. "Yuri-G" - 10. "Man-Size" - 12. "Me-Jane"
2nd studio album release by PJ Harvey released on Island Records and produced by Steve Albini. One year earlier the debut album from '92 put her on everyone's lips, but with this album she reached her highest position on the album chart list in the UK, and although, she now had a famous American producer behind the album, it didn't get much attention in the US. The style is pretty much the same as her debut album, only, this one has a more heavy alt. rock production on top, which makes it slightly louder, more electrifying, but not angrier than Dry.
Together with her debut and her 2000 album, I think, this is one of her 3 best albums ever. She was nominated (for the first time) to the Mercury Prize Award in 1993, which was handed to Suede for their homonymous debut album. This is the second consecutive album by PJ Harvey to be enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, NME 4 / 5 stars ]
release date: May 4, 1993
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,04]
producer: Steve Albini
label: Island Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Rid of Me" - 2. "Missed" - 5. "Hook" - 7. "Highway '61 Revisited" - 8. "50ft Queenie" - 9. "Yuri-G" - 10. "Man-Size" - 12. "Me-Jane"
2nd studio album release by PJ Harvey released on Island Records and produced by Steve Albini. One year earlier the debut album from '92 put her on everyone's lips, but with this album she reached her highest position on the album chart list in the UK, and although, she now had a famous American producer behind the album, it didn't get much attention in the US. The style is pretty much the same as her debut album, only, this one has a more heavy alt. rock production on top, which makes it slightly louder, more electrifying, but not angrier than Dry.
Together with her debut and her 2000 album, I think, this is one of her 3 best albums ever. She was nominated (for the first time) to the Mercury Prize Award in 1993, which was handed to Suede for their homonymous debut album. This is the second consecutive album by PJ Harvey to be enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, NME 4 / 5 stars ]
Damon Albarn "Everyday Robots" (2014)
Everyday Robots [debut]
release date: Apr. 28, 2014
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Damon Albarn & Richard Russell
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Everyday Robots" (4 / 5) - 2. "Hostiles" (live) - 3. "Lonely Press Play (4 / 5) - 4. "Mr Tembo" (4 / 5) - 6. "The Selfish Giant" (4 / 5) - 7. "You and Me" - 10. "Photographs (You Are Taking Now)" - 12. "Heavy Seas of Love"
1st "real" studio album by Damon Albarn released on Parlophone and produced by Albarn and Richard Russell, with Brian Eno co-producing track #12.
After several collaboration projects, soundtrack releases, a demo album Democrazy (2003), he finally sends out brand new material in his own name. In fact, the term "project" seems fitting when talking of Mr. Albarn who has been like in an eternal process of projects since his involvement in the first ever virtual band Gorillaz from around 1998 while still a founding member of Blur - the latter has never officially disbanded but their last album remains Think Tank (2003), and it's really that particular album that Everyday Robots resembles the most.
The Gorillaz project is perhaps his first "real" solo-project, although, Blur in reality progressed into an Albarn-lead project, and especially with Think Tank where his usual music partner, Graham Coxon was absent in the writing and performing part of the recording process. In 2002 he was part of the album Mali Music, in 2003 he was one of the co-founders behind the cross-cultural project the Africa Express platform, and in 2006 he was even more involved in the "super-project" band The Good, the Bad & the Queen with whom he has so far only released one album, and that project is like Blur, Gorillaz, and Rocket Juice and the Moon (other collaboration project with Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and African studio percussionist Tony Allen) only put on a hiatus - all with future plans of new material to come. So yes! Damon Albarn's project is... making musical projects, and he has no problems in finding / creating (new) projects to involve in, because that's what he does. I really like his ability not to conform. No one ever knows where his going next 'cause he's got so many interests and is influenced by this and that. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he did a musical for the stage and would become a new shining musical composer, or would set out to realise a full-scale opera with classical musicians. He's so talented.
This album is another example of his artistic level. By choosing to release an album in his own name, he sort of states that it's neither this nor that, although, it does share some stylistic elements with his Gorillaz project-band and the (so far) last two Blur albums. However, if one would expect britpop or hip hop electropop, well that's not what you get here. Because this guy is everywhere in musical genres and styles, he comes out with something different (almost) no matter what he does, and this is definitely "something" as opposed to the expected. Stylistically, it's in a style of art pop but in a very laid-back type of singer / songwriter atmosphere of leaning on downtempo electronic and with elements of glitch pop and trip hop, but also with a nice modern jazz feel which ultimately makes it so transgressing. My initial "one-week-verdict" said 3 out of 5 stars, two weeks later I rated the album 3,5. Now after 1 month I find that it's worth 4 / 5 stars, because this is not only subtle and very interesting but also intelligently unique and very embraceable. The album has nearly only met very positive reviews. I like it, it's great, and the more I listen to it, the more I love it. Maybe, it will eventually end up on top of my year list. The album was nominated the British Mercury Prize in 2014, which was handed British hip-hop act Young Fathers for the album Dead.
[ The Guardian, Q Magazine, The Independent, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
release date: Apr. 28, 2014
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Damon Albarn & Richard Russell
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Everyday Robots" (4 / 5) - 2. "Hostiles" (live) - 3. "Lonely Press Play (4 / 5) - 4. "Mr Tembo" (4 / 5) - 6. "The Selfish Giant" (4 / 5) - 7. "You and Me" - 10. "Photographs (You Are Taking Now)" - 12. "Heavy Seas of Love"
1st "real" studio album by Damon Albarn released on Parlophone and produced by Albarn and Richard Russell, with Brian Eno co-producing track #12.
After several collaboration projects, soundtrack releases, a demo album Democrazy (2003), he finally sends out brand new material in his own name. In fact, the term "project" seems fitting when talking of Mr. Albarn who has been like in an eternal process of projects since his involvement in the first ever virtual band Gorillaz from around 1998 while still a founding member of Blur - the latter has never officially disbanded but their last album remains Think Tank (2003), and it's really that particular album that Everyday Robots resembles the most.
The Gorillaz project is perhaps his first "real" solo-project, although, Blur in reality progressed into an Albarn-lead project, and especially with Think Tank where his usual music partner, Graham Coxon was absent in the writing and performing part of the recording process. In 2002 he was part of the album Mali Music, in 2003 he was one of the co-founders behind the cross-cultural project the Africa Express platform, and in 2006 he was even more involved in the "super-project" band The Good, the Bad & the Queen with whom he has so far only released one album, and that project is like Blur, Gorillaz, and Rocket Juice and the Moon (other collaboration project with Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and African studio percussionist Tony Allen) only put on a hiatus - all with future plans of new material to come. So yes! Damon Albarn's project is... making musical projects, and he has no problems in finding / creating (new) projects to involve in, because that's what he does. I really like his ability not to conform. No one ever knows where his going next 'cause he's got so many interests and is influenced by this and that. I wouldn't be surprised one bit if he did a musical for the stage and would become a new shining musical composer, or would set out to realise a full-scale opera with classical musicians. He's so talented.
This album is another example of his artistic level. By choosing to release an album in his own name, he sort of states that it's neither this nor that, although, it does share some stylistic elements with his Gorillaz project-band and the (so far) last two Blur albums. However, if one would expect britpop or hip hop electropop, well that's not what you get here. Because this guy is everywhere in musical genres and styles, he comes out with something different (almost) no matter what he does, and this is definitely "something" as opposed to the expected. Stylistically, it's in a style of art pop but in a very laid-back type of singer / songwriter atmosphere of leaning on downtempo electronic and with elements of glitch pop and trip hop, but also with a nice modern jazz feel which ultimately makes it so transgressing. My initial "one-week-verdict" said 3 out of 5 stars, two weeks later I rated the album 3,5. Now after 1 month I find that it's worth 4 / 5 stars, because this is not only subtle and very interesting but also intelligently unique and very embraceable. The album has nearly only met very positive reviews. I like it, it's great, and the more I listen to it, the more I love it. Maybe, it will eventually end up on top of my year list. The album was nominated the British Mercury Prize in 2014, which was handed British hip-hop act Young Fathers for the album Dead.
[ The Guardian, Q Magazine, The Independent, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
Bloc Party "Silent Alarm" (2005)
Silent Alarm [debut]
release date: Feb. 14, 2005
format: cd + dvd (reissue, LTD.)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,06]
producer: Paul Epworth and Bloc Party
label: Wichita - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: 1. "Like Eating Glass" (4 / 5) (live on Jools Holland) - 2. "Helicopter" (live on Jools Holland) - 3. "Positive Tension" - 4. "Banquet" (5 / 5) (live on Conan) - 5. "Blue Light" - 6. "She's Hearing Voices" - 7. "This Modern Love" - 8. "The Pioneers" (4 / 5) (live) - 9. "Price of Gasoline" - 10. "So Here We Are" (4 / 5) - 11. "Luno" - 12. "Plans" - 13. "Compliments" - *14. "Little Thoughts" - *15. "Two More Years" (live)
release date: Feb. 14, 2005
format: cd + dvd (reissue, LTD.)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,06]
producer: Paul Epworth and Bloc Party
label: Wichita - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: 1. "Like Eating Glass" (4 / 5) (live on Jools Holland) - 2. "Helicopter" (live on Jools Holland) - 3. "Positive Tension" - 4. "Banquet" (5 / 5) (live on Conan) - 5. "Blue Light" - 6. "She's Hearing Voices" - 7. "This Modern Love" - 8. "The Pioneers" (4 / 5) (live) - 9. "Price of Gasoline" - 10. "So Here We Are" (4 / 5) - 11. "Luno" - 12. "Plans" - 13. "Compliments" - *14. "Little Thoughts" - *15. "Two More Years" (live)
* Bonus tracks on Limited Edition
Studio album debut by Bloc Party in a reissue from Oct. 2005 with the inlusion of their most recent hit single "Two More Years" and extensive video footage on DVD. The album is the much anticipated and hyped full length album originally released some 9 months following the 6-track ep Bloc Party (Sep. 2004). I had heard the track "Banquet" over and over again just waiting for the album to arrive, and it didn't quite satisfy my expectations although, I found it one the best releases that year, and Bloc Party the most promising band I had come across in a long time. I immediately purchased the cd release, which contained the unlisted 'hidden' track "Every Time Is the Last Time", figuring at the end after a 5 minute silent part, but after they released the single "Two More Years" (Oct. 2005), a 2-disc Limited Edition of Silent Alarm was now issued and I also purchased that and then resold the original cd without paying attention to the fact that the unlisted end-track had been skipped on this new issue.
Anyway, the album came out to critical acclaim and soon received a number of nominations, including the 2005 Mercury Prize and it won the NME Best Album award, and went straight to number #3 on the national album charts list.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
Studio album debut by Bloc Party in a reissue from Oct. 2005 with the inlusion of their most recent hit single "Two More Years" and extensive video footage on DVD. The album is the much anticipated and hyped full length album originally released some 9 months following the 6-track ep Bloc Party (Sep. 2004). I had heard the track "Banquet" over and over again just waiting for the album to arrive, and it didn't quite satisfy my expectations although, I found it one the best releases that year, and Bloc Party the most promising band I had come across in a long time. I immediately purchased the cd release, which contained the unlisted 'hidden' track "Every Time Is the Last Time", figuring at the end after a 5 minute silent part, but after they released the single "Two More Years" (Oct. 2005), a 2-disc Limited Edition of Silent Alarm was now issued and I also purchased that and then resold the original cd without paying attention to the fact that the unlisted end-track had been skipped on this new issue.
Anyway, the album came out to critical acclaim and soon received a number of nominations, including the 2005 Mercury Prize and it won the NME Best Album award, and went straight to number #3 on the national album charts list.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
inlay cover |
13 June 2014
The Church "Seance" (1983)
Seance
release date: Jun. 13, 1983
format: vinyl (821 046-1) / cd (1989)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,15]
producer: The Church; John Bee
label: Carrere Records - nationality: Australia
release date: Jun. 13, 1983
format: vinyl (821 046-1) / cd (1989)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,15]
producer: The Church; John Bee
label: Carrere Records - nationality: Australia
Track highlights: 1. "Fly" (4 / 5) - 2. "One Day" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Electric" (4 / 5) - 4. "It's No Reason" (4,5 / 5) (video) - 5. "Travel by Thought" - 6. "Disappear?" (4 / 5) - 7. "Electric Lash" (4 / 5) (video) - 10. "It Doesn't Change" (5 / 5)
[ 1983 Steve Kilbey interview ]
3rd studio album by The Church following The Blurred Crusade (Feb. 1982) is the band's final studio album on the smaller label Carrere under EMI / Parlophone before the band became associated with Warner Bros.
Once again, the production sound has improved since the last release and here to a new stage with a stronger spatial sensation. At the same time, the band has added a greater touch of the neo-psychedelic (most pronounced on "Travel by Thought") and a progressive touch to their usual jangle pop. It is not really mainstream pop / rock but rather something of an experimental nature despite the preservation of relatively simple compositions.
Forced to choose just one of the band's many great albums, I would go with this one, as it is also one of my absolute favourites from the 80s. The album is a sort of a culmination of their early years - a period in which they kept refining their expression.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]
12 June 2014
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds "Let Love In" (1994)
Let Love In
release date: Apr. 19, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,79]
producer: Tony Cohen & The Bad Seeds
label: Mute Records - nationality: Australia
Track highlights: 1. "Do You Love Me?" (4 / 5) - 2. "Nobody's Baby Now" - 3. "Loverman" - 4. "Jangling Jack" - 5. "Red Right Hand" - 6. "I Let Love In" - 8. "Ain't Gonna Rain Anymore" - 10. "Do You Love Me? (Part 2)"
8th studio album by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds released on Mute follows two years after the fine Henry's Dream - now with Australian producer Tony Cohen, who has worked with the band on several occasions as either producer (Kicking Against the Pricks' and 'Your Funeral... My Trial) or as engineer (also on the predecessor). Here Cave shows that he has evolved into a singer / songwriter territory but still maintains an "edge" to alt. rock, reflecting his roots in post-punk and noise punk carried out here as (theatrical) art rock or cabaret rock. He has always had a taste for (classic) epic drama and stories involving the true and big emotions. Following Henry's Dream, which I consider his best album, this came as a surprising change, and an embrace of a more mainstream-founded universe to satisfy a broader appeal. His backing band The Bad Seeds are still his Dark Knights making sure he doesn't sell out. I've always had mixed feelings about Nick Cave. I first came across his music when I listened to the debut with his Bad Seeds From Her to Eternity (1984), which I never really understood - I keep trying. His music with his former band The Birthday Party (Mick Harvey, guitarist of The Bad Seeds, was also part of that) were real noise rockers of the "we love Iggy and The Stooges, no wave punk rock, goth and glam and we're not afraid of doing hard drugs either", which was... dark and... bad, and... pointless, imho. Anyway, I like (some of) his stories, his ever-present embodiment of decay, but also at times find it a bit too theatrical, the staged imagery, being the "real bad man" trying to put him aside Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, or some American comic book spaghetti-western anti-hero. From this period and onward, he has developed into an acclaimed author, composer of film music, a true poet, singer / songwriter, and an emblematic figure fully embracing the style of both Leonard Cohen (epic songwriting), Johnny Cash (picking up the man's alter ego 'the man in black'), Tom Waits (the drunken Bohemian attitude and experimental jazz-rock and cabaret), Bertolt Brecht and Fassbinder (the avantgarde drama of modern realism), and all the lonesome cowboys of ancient America.
Basically, I find that Cave is good in small dozes, but I have also learned that I find him better now than I used to, so this album has evolved from being a 3-star album to a 4.
[ allmusic.com, NME 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
release date: Apr. 19, 1994
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,79]
producer: Tony Cohen & The Bad Seeds
label: Mute Records - nationality: Australia
Track highlights: 1. "Do You Love Me?" (4 / 5) - 2. "Nobody's Baby Now" - 3. "Loverman" - 4. "Jangling Jack" - 5. "Red Right Hand" - 6. "I Let Love In" - 8. "Ain't Gonna Rain Anymore" - 10. "Do You Love Me? (Part 2)"
8th studio album by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds released on Mute follows two years after the fine Henry's Dream - now with Australian producer Tony Cohen, who has worked with the band on several occasions as either producer (Kicking Against the Pricks' and 'Your Funeral... My Trial) or as engineer (also on the predecessor). Here Cave shows that he has evolved into a singer / songwriter territory but still maintains an "edge" to alt. rock, reflecting his roots in post-punk and noise punk carried out here as (theatrical) art rock or cabaret rock. He has always had a taste for (classic) epic drama and stories involving the true and big emotions. Following Henry's Dream, which I consider his best album, this came as a surprising change, and an embrace of a more mainstream-founded universe to satisfy a broader appeal. His backing band The Bad Seeds are still his Dark Knights making sure he doesn't sell out. I've always had mixed feelings about Nick Cave. I first came across his music when I listened to the debut with his Bad Seeds From Her to Eternity (1984), which I never really understood - I keep trying. His music with his former band The Birthday Party (Mick Harvey, guitarist of The Bad Seeds, was also part of that) were real noise rockers of the "we love Iggy and The Stooges, no wave punk rock, goth and glam and we're not afraid of doing hard drugs either", which was... dark and... bad, and... pointless, imho. Anyway, I like (some of) his stories, his ever-present embodiment of decay, but also at times find it a bit too theatrical, the staged imagery, being the "real bad man" trying to put him aside Lou Reed and Iggy Pop, or some American comic book spaghetti-western anti-hero. From this period and onward, he has developed into an acclaimed author, composer of film music, a true poet, singer / songwriter, and an emblematic figure fully embracing the style of both Leonard Cohen (epic songwriting), Johnny Cash (picking up the man's alter ego 'the man in black'), Tom Waits (the drunken Bohemian attitude and experimental jazz-rock and cabaret), Bertolt Brecht and Fassbinder (the avantgarde drama of modern realism), and all the lonesome cowboys of ancient America.
Basically, I find that Cave is good in small dozes, but I have also learned that I find him better now than I used to, so this album has evolved from being a 3-star album to a 4.
[ allmusic.com, NME 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
Sigur Rós "Ágætus byrjun" (1999)
Ágætus byrjun
release date: Jun. 12, 1999
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]
release date: Jun. 12, 1999
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]
producer: Ken Thomas
label: FatCat Records - nationality: Iceland
Track highlights: 2. "Svefn-g-englar" (4 / 5) - 3. "Starálfur" - 5. "Ný batterí" (4 / 5) - 9. "Ágætis byrjun"
2nd studio album by Sigur Rós released in Iceland on Smekkleysa Records and by FatCat Records in EU is produced by Ken Thomas.
This was the first album I heard with the band, and it immediately made me fall for their take on post-rock, ambient, dream pop and progressive rock in one highly original blend.
Stylistically, it's a more refined development from the debut Von (1997), which with this appears much less coherent and also more shoegaze-oriented without the distinct original sound one will find on this, as well as their later releases.
The album is deservedly enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
Editors "In This Light and on This Evening" (2009)
In This Light and on This Evening
release date: Oct. 12, 2009
format: digital (9 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Flood
label: Kitchenware - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "In This Light and on This Evening" - 2. "Bricks and Mortar" - 3. "Papillon" - 4. "You Don't Know Love" - 5. "The Big Exit" - 9. "Walk the Fleet Road"
3rd studio album by Editors is 'as usual' released on Kitchenware, and also as usual the band makes use of a new producer - this time the acclaimed Flood (aka Mark Ellis). At first I was rather disappointed with this album. It's almost a new style and in a new blend of genres, which made it hard to accept as an Editors album but I it's better than that, only not really great. It's the band's involvement into synth-pop, or synth rock and almost without the blazing distorted guitars you'll find on the two previous album releases. Here the tracks are made of synthesizers and drum machines instead of original guitar and drums. Although, it contains a few really fine tracks it also has some fillers, which ultimately doesn't make it any near a favourite Editors album. This is the last studio album featuring founding member, guitarist and keyboardist of the band, Chris Urbanowicz.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, NME 2,5 / 5, The Independent 3 / 5 stars ]
release date: Oct. 12, 2009
format: digital (9 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Flood
label: Kitchenware - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "In This Light and on This Evening" - 2. "Bricks and Mortar" - 3. "Papillon" - 4. "You Don't Know Love" - 5. "The Big Exit" - 9. "Walk the Fleet Road"
3rd studio album by Editors is 'as usual' released on Kitchenware, and also as usual the band makes use of a new producer - this time the acclaimed Flood (aka Mark Ellis). At first I was rather disappointed with this album. It's almost a new style and in a new blend of genres, which made it hard to accept as an Editors album but I it's better than that, only not really great. It's the band's involvement into synth-pop, or synth rock and almost without the blazing distorted guitars you'll find on the two previous album releases. Here the tracks are made of synthesizers and drum machines instead of original guitar and drums. Although, it contains a few really fine tracks it also has some fillers, which ultimately doesn't make it any near a favourite Editors album. This is the last studio album featuring founding member, guitarist and keyboardist of the band, Chris Urbanowicz.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, NME 2,5 / 5, The Independent 3 / 5 stars ]
The Smiths "Peel Session"(1988) (ep)
CD cover |
release date: Oct. 10, 1988
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Roger Pusey
label: Strange Fruit - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: 1. "What Difference Does it Make?" - 2. "Miserable Lie" - 3. "Reel Around the Fountain" - 4. "Handsome Devil"
A 4-track ep recorded for the John Peel BBC Radio 1 radio show. The tracks (excluding "Miserable Lie") are previously released and included on Hatful of Hollow (1984). This album wasn't released until the band was history and the tracks are all from the initial period, as the tracks were recorded on May 18, 1983 at a time when The Smiths was a rather unknown band.
<
original cover >
09 June 2014
XTC "Wonderland" (1983) (single)
Wonderland, 7'' single
release date: Jun. 24, 1983
format: vinyl (VS 606)
[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Steve Nye and XTC
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: A) "Wonderland" - - B) "Jump"
Single release by XTC from the forthcoming album Mummer (1983). The B-side composition is not included on the original album but comes as a bonus track on the 2014 remaster.
release date: Jun. 24, 1983
format: vinyl (VS 606)
[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Steve Nye and XTC
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: A) "Wonderland" - - B) "Jump"
Single release by XTC from the forthcoming album Mummer (1983). The B-side composition is not included on the original album but comes as a bonus track on the 2014 remaster.
Tindersticks "Curtains" (1997)
Curtains
release date: Jun. 9, 1997
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,96]
producer: Tindersticks
label: This Way Up / PolyGram - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Another Night In" (5 / 5) - 2. "Rented Rooms" (4 / 5) (live) - 3. "Don't Look Down" - 6. "Ballad of Tindersticks" - 7. "Dancing" - 8. "Let's Pretend" (4,5 / 5) - 10. "Buried Bones" (4 / 5) - 12. "(Tonight) Are You Trying to Fall in Love Again" (4,5 / 5) - 13. "I Was Your Man" - 14. "Bathtime" - *16. "A Marriage Made in Heaven"
*Bonus on US-issue
3rd studio album by Tindersticks. Once again, the band delivers a really strong collection of compositions. The album title presumably refers to the art of acting, and that may also be found in many of the song lyrics. Two songs feature duets with actors, Ann Magnuson and Isabella Rosselini, or actually it only contains one song with Magnusson on the standard EU issue (track #10), but for some reason I was able to purchase a US-issue in Denmark, which also contains the unlisted track #16 featuring Rosselini.
I remember the album as a bit of a disappointment, which has to do with what I found the best about the debut. In my perspective, and from listening to "City Sickness" (from the debut album), Tindersticks was a band with obvious bonds to a post-punk style, but with their second album they had taken a different path and then this album is no return to what I thought they represented. Looking back over the years and the long list of albums and stylistic changes they have go been through, this album stands out as a corner stone, a marker point, where the band for the first time showed what their version of chamber pop was about, and that they were not bound to gothic rock but are much more than that. A few tracks on the first two albums carried some of the same jazzy tone and a quieter melancholic mourning that oozes throughout this one. This is one of their most harmonic and coherent albums. Two tracks are duets. The beautiful "Buried Bones" feature Ann Magnuson on vocals, and here it's obvious that she's not only an actor but is a skilled musician, and on the other hand there's "A Marriage Made in Heaven", a duet with actor Isabella Rosselini, which seems more like a [corny] gimmick too evidently displaying her not so gifted singing skills, and / or as a reference to the (epic) singing voice of Marilyn Monroe, but apart from that the album is highly recommendable and one of my favourites by the band.
I recall seing the band while touring with the album that Autumn - they played a great gig at Amager Bio, Copenhagen on Sep. 17 with Cornershop as warm-up band - and they were great too!
The cover art is credited Stuart Staples and his wife, Suzanne Osborne, who also contributed with a band portrait for the debut album.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
~ ~ ~
"Another Night In"
"Greed's all gone now, there's no question
And I can see you push your hair behind your ears
Regain your balance
Doesn't matter where she is tonight
Or with whoever she spends her time
If these arms were meant to hold her
They were never meant to hold her so tight
For the love of that girl
Greed's all gone now, the panic subsides
When I could run, pulling arms to love her
Try to put myself on on the inside
For the love of that girl
Tears swell, you don't know why
For the love of that girl
They never fall, they can never run dry
For the love of that girl
Promise is never over, never questioned it needed reply
But she could breathe deep into my neck
Let me know I'm just on the outside
[Chorus]
Greed's all gone now, there's no question
And I can see you push your hair behind your ears
Regain your balance
Doesn't matter where she is tonight
Or with whoever she spends her time
If these arms were meant to hold her
They were never meant to hold her so tight
[Chorus]"
~ ~ ~
"Let's Pretend"
"Let's not make it into a big thing
Let's not get lost in this
I know it is, I know we could
I guess we surely would
Let's pretend it's not
It doesn't mean a thing
Let's not blow it out of all sense
As though it meant so much
It's always thought about for weeks
Not everytime your lips meet mine, I think of her
But when her hands reach out, I think of you"
~ ~ ~
"(Tonight) Are You Trying to Fall in Love Again"
"My my, it doesn't matter what you say
From the start, I hang off every word you say
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
Are you trying to fall in love again?
Now, I'm a hard man gone soft
The lines were so clear then
How did I ever get by?
There was a time I hang off every word you say
Every breath you blew, I was running to inhale
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
Are you trying to fall in love again?
My my, there will be other days
It comes and goes, you know it never stays
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
Are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
You're trying to fall in love again"
~ ~ ~
release date: Jun. 9, 1997
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,96]
producer: Tindersticks
label: This Way Up / PolyGram - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Another Night In" (5 / 5) - 2. "Rented Rooms" (4 / 5) (live) - 3. "Don't Look Down" - 6. "Ballad of Tindersticks" - 7. "Dancing" - 8. "Let's Pretend" (4,5 / 5) - 10. "Buried Bones" (4 / 5) - 12. "(Tonight) Are You Trying to Fall in Love Again" (4,5 / 5) - 13. "I Was Your Man" - 14. "Bathtime" - *16. "A Marriage Made in Heaven"
*Bonus on US-issue
3rd studio album by Tindersticks. Once again, the band delivers a really strong collection of compositions. The album title presumably refers to the art of acting, and that may also be found in many of the song lyrics. Two songs feature duets with actors, Ann Magnuson and Isabella Rosselini, or actually it only contains one song with Magnusson on the standard EU issue (track #10), but for some reason I was able to purchase a US-issue in Denmark, which also contains the unlisted track #16 featuring Rosselini.
I remember the album as a bit of a disappointment, which has to do with what I found the best about the debut. In my perspective, and from listening to "City Sickness" (from the debut album), Tindersticks was a band with obvious bonds to a post-punk style, but with their second album they had taken a different path and then this album is no return to what I thought they represented. Looking back over the years and the long list of albums and stylistic changes they have go been through, this album stands out as a corner stone, a marker point, where the band for the first time showed what their version of chamber pop was about, and that they were not bound to gothic rock but are much more than that. A few tracks on the first two albums carried some of the same jazzy tone and a quieter melancholic mourning that oozes throughout this one. This is one of their most harmonic and coherent albums. Two tracks are duets. The beautiful "Buried Bones" feature Ann Magnuson on vocals, and here it's obvious that she's not only an actor but is a skilled musician, and on the other hand there's "A Marriage Made in Heaven", a duet with actor Isabella Rosselini, which seems more like a [corny] gimmick too evidently displaying her not so gifted singing skills, and / or as a reference to the (epic) singing voice of Marilyn Monroe, but apart from that the album is highly recommendable and one of my favourites by the band.
I recall seing the band while touring with the album that Autumn - they played a great gig at Amager Bio, Copenhagen on Sep. 17 with Cornershop as warm-up band - and they were great too!
The cover art is credited Stuart Staples and his wife, Suzanne Osborne, who also contributed with a band portrait for the debut album.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
<
show lyrics >
~ ~ ~
"Another Night In"
"Greed's all gone now, there's no question
And I can see you push your hair behind your ears
Regain your balance
Doesn't matter where she is tonight
Or with whoever she spends her time
If these arms were meant to hold her
They were never meant to hold her so tight
For the love of that girl
Greed's all gone now, the panic subsides
When I could run, pulling arms to love her
Try to put myself on on the inside
For the love of that girl
Tears swell, you don't know why
For the love of that girl
They never fall, they can never run dry
For the love of that girl
Promise is never over, never questioned it needed reply
But she could breathe deep into my neck
Let me know I'm just on the outside
[Chorus]
Greed's all gone now, there's no question
And I can see you push your hair behind your ears
Regain your balance
Doesn't matter where she is tonight
Or with whoever she spends her time
If these arms were meant to hold her
They were never meant to hold her so tight
[Chorus]"
~ ~ ~
"Let's Pretend"
"Let's not make it into a big thing
Let's not get lost in this
I know it is, I know we could
I guess we surely would
Let's pretend it's not
It doesn't mean a thing
Let's not blow it out of all sense
As though it meant so much
It's always thought about for weeks
Not everytime your lips meet mine, I think of her
But when her hands reach out, I think of you"
~ ~ ~
"(Tonight) Are You Trying to Fall in Love Again"
"My my, it doesn't matter what you say
From the start, I hang off every word you say
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
Are you trying to fall in love again?
Now, I'm a hard man gone soft
The lines were so clear then
How did I ever get by?
There was a time I hang off every word you say
Every breath you blew, I was running to inhale
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
Are you trying to fall in love again?
My my, there will be other days
It comes and goes, you know it never stays
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Oh, tonight, are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
Are you trying to fall in love again?
Does it make it all right?
You're trying to fall in love again"
~ ~ ~
BEST OF 1995:
Alanis Morissette "Jagged Little Pill" (1995)
Jagged Little Pill
release date: Jun. 13, 1995
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]
producer: Glen Ballard
label: Maverick - nationality: Canada
Track highlights: 1. "All I Really Want" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "You Oughta Know" (4 / 5) - 4. "Hand in My Pocket" - 5. "Right Through You" (4 / 5) - 6. "Forgiven" (3 / 5) - 7. "You Learn" - 8. "Head Over Feet" (4 / 5) - 10. "Ironic" (4,5 / 5) - 12. "Wake Up" (3 / 5)
3rd studio album release by Alanis Morissette with new producer Glen Ballard, is what many think of as her debut, which was actually released in 1991. Her first two albums - both produced by Leslie Howe - are rather differently styled as pure dance-pop releases, where this is the album that brought her international fame in a singer / songwriter and more boldly a style of alt. rock or post-grunge that she would hang on to after this. It's a great energetic pop / rock album and it's no wonder why she was lauded after this. I only bought the album a few years ago, as I thought it was fine but also a bit... superficial, somewhat grey, superfluous, or: just too mainstream for my taste at the time of the release. Also, it was really not necessary to buy it 'cause you couldn't go anywhere without being met by this very album at cafés, movie theaters or any non-food stores.
The album and Alanis were nominated to dozens of prizes after the release, and it's one of the best-selling albums of the 1990s. Critics also received the album with nothing but high praises. Allmusic.com hands it 4,5 / 5 stars, and it's enlisted on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 greatest albums of all time".
1995 Favourite releases: 1. Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill - 2. The Cardigans Life - 3. The Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
release date: Jun. 13, 1995
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]
producer: Glen Ballard
label: Maverick - nationality: Canada
Track highlights: 1. "All I Really Want" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "You Oughta Know" (4 / 5) - 4. "Hand in My Pocket" - 5. "Right Through You" (4 / 5) - 6. "Forgiven" (3 / 5) - 7. "You Learn" - 8. "Head Over Feet" (4 / 5) - 10. "Ironic" (4,5 / 5) - 12. "Wake Up" (3 / 5)
3rd studio album release by Alanis Morissette with new producer Glen Ballard, is what many think of as her debut, which was actually released in 1991. Her first two albums - both produced by Leslie Howe - are rather differently styled as pure dance-pop releases, where this is the album that brought her international fame in a singer / songwriter and more boldly a style of alt. rock or post-grunge that she would hang on to after this. It's a great energetic pop / rock album and it's no wonder why she was lauded after this. I only bought the album a few years ago, as I thought it was fine but also a bit... superficial, somewhat grey, superfluous, or: just too mainstream for my taste at the time of the release. Also, it was really not necessary to buy it 'cause you couldn't go anywhere without being met by this very album at cafés, movie theaters or any non-food stores.
The album and Alanis were nominated to dozens of prizes after the release, and it's one of the best-selling albums of the 1990s. Critics also received the album with nothing but high praises. Allmusic.com hands it 4,5 / 5 stars, and it's enlisted on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 greatest albums of all time".
1995 Favourite releases: 1. Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill - 2. The Cardigans Life - 3. The Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
08 June 2014
Siouxsie and the Banshees "Hyaena" (1984)
release date: Jun. 8, 1984
format: vinyl (SHE HP1) / cd (2009 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Mike Hedges, Siouxsie and the Banshees
label: Polydor / Wonderland - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Dazzle" (officiel video) - 2. "We Hunger" - 3. "Take Me Back" - 4. "Belladonna" (4 / 5) - 5. "Swimming Horses" (4 / 5) - 6. "Bring Me the Head of the Preacher Man" (4,5 / 5) - 7. "Running Town" - 9. "Blow the House Down"
6th studio album by Siouxsie and the Banshees (SATB) is the first and only of its kind to feature Robert Smith (of The Cure) on lead guitar. Former guitarist John McGeoch was dismissed from the band shortly after A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (1982). Already as early as after the band's second album Join Hands (1979), the band was left without a guitarist as John McKay left just prior to a tour with The Cure as a warm-up band was about to take off - Robert Smith therefore jumped in to help the band complete the first two shows before John McGeoch then took over as new permanent guitarist while Smith stayed with The Cure. When McGeoch was hospitalised in '82, the band again Smith again if he would step in as temporarily replacement, and when McGeoch then eventually was sacked from the band, Robert Smith officially accepted the role as their new guitarist, although he was still the main force in The Cure. Together with bassist Steve Severin, Smith simultaneously established the short-lived project-duo The Glove in '83, under which name they released Blue Sunshine (Aug. '83). Also, Siouxsie Sioux and drummer (and husband to be) Budgie began their (long-running) duo, The Creatures, and they released their acclaimed debut Feast in May '83. After breaking up with SATB in '83, McGeoch became a member of the band The Armoury Show and he cintributes to the band's only (and fine) Waiting for the Floods (1985).
Musically, Hyaena (stylized: 'Hyæna') is something quite different compared to the band's previous releases, although the same may be said of all their albums. The '82 album was clearly experimental and full of strings, and unlike that, Hyaena is a multi-layered synthesiser mix, blending art pop, post-punk, gothic rock with distinct traits from neo-psychedelia.
If you happen to be familiar with The Top (1984) by The Cure (and therefore Robert Smith), Blue Sunshine (1983) by The Glove (Robert Smith & Steven Severin), then you'll perhaps notice a similar soundscape of Hyaena, which is very much in line with exactly those two albums by exhibiting some of the same stylistic traits. There is an almost wild and absurd willingness to throw in all sorts of instrumentation as extra layers on top of all the existing layers of both acoustic and electronic instruments while miraculously still managing to maintain a distinct musical direction through musical signatures created by the use of guitars, bass, and drums - as a common feature on all three albums. Some may point out that precisely this should be credited Robert Smith's creative abilities. However, the music is credited to the band, and Budgie and Severin have also played fundamental parts in the creation of the sound that characterised SATB. Sioux contributes especially with her characteristic vocal and she is also credited almost all lyrics, except for three tracks with lyrics by Severin. Although he naturally slipped in as one of the band's many fine guitarists, Robert Smith left the band again shortly before the release of the album as he ended up suffering from symptoms of physical strain and mental breakdown, most probably as the result of having been full-time involved in three concurrent projects. Smith was subsequently replaced by John Valentine Carruthers, who was to prove to be another distinctive guitarist in SATB.
Hyaena is yet another dazzling album from a band who seem to quite simply (re-)invent musical styles and simultaneously be able to reinvent themselves over and over again.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
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