Some music reviews ... It has been awhile.
R.E.M. - Accelerate, 2008
Okay so after this treatise (see comments) I've come to the realization that this album isn't that good. Not that I thought it ever was. But I still defend some aspects of it. The production is good. I don't find it embarrassing (although the opening lines from I'm Gonna DJ are pretty damn awful) or a sad attempt to recreate the past. I really like the first two songs. That Supernatural, Superserious song is already way overplayed. Overall, I'd say this LP has 2 good songs, 8 fairly mediocre ones, and 1 gawd awful one. It is a nice first step back. And they are at least trying to do fun B-sides again - a Beat Happening cover after years of just putting live versions of old songs on as B-sides.
Check out these lyrics from I'm Gonna DJ:
death is pretty final
i'm collecting vinyl
i'm gonna dj at the end of the world
cause if heaven does exist
with a kicking play list
i don't wanna miss it at the end of the world
hey steady steady
hey steady steady
i don't wanna go until i'm good and ready
and i'll spin my way right through it
create an easy way jack through it
as i mosh up to the moon
as you circle the room
Black Mountain - In the Future, 2008
Not as immediately rockin' as their debut but I still like it a lot. Maybe not as immediately retro as the first but that's okay with me. Even the 17 minute song is good if you're in the right mood. I caught them on Conan awhile back and was pleasantly freaked out by those female vocals.
The Liars Liars, 2007
I've enjoyed their last two weirder albums. I also really really like their debut album that's all jittery and shit. This is a good mix between the two. Plus they like kittens.
Radiohead - In Rainbows, 2007
Their best album since Ok Computer? Hell, maybe even better since there's no dumb robot song on this one. This is a really nice listen. Job well done boys.
Electrelane - No Shouts No Calls, 2007
Another stellar effort from a criminally underappreciated band. Sadly their last album.
M.I.A. - Kala, 2007
One of my favorites of the year. There are a couple songs that don't sway me but overall I really like this album. Love the Modern Lovers and Pixies references. Love love M.I.A. even if Mitch hates her songs every time they come on at Floyd.
A Date With John Waters, 2007
Maybe not quite as good as his Christmas mix but still quite good nonetheless. He needs to make at least one compilation a year. Good stuff.
The Sadies - In Concert, Volume One, 2006
The Sadies - New Seasons, 2007
Two CD's is a whole of live Sadies. Makes me want to see them live again. This is a hootenany. The 1994 Listmaker would not have believed that the 2008 Listmaker would think that this album would have been better with a little less guest starring action from Jon Spencer.
The most recent studio album is nice, as are all Sadies albums. But it doesn't set my world afire or nothing.
Echo and the Bunnymen - Songs to Learn and Sing
A best of I guess? I don't know - I'm too lazy to look it up. I borrowed this from my boss. I dig it. I only had one one of their albums when I was a kid, the one with Lips Like Sugar on it. I didn't love that album. This best of is pretty damn good though but I don't really feel the need to get more.
Pitty Pat
Hot Tub Eric insists that he didn't make this mix but that Phoebe did. Well then, Phoebe is carrying on the fine Plumley tradition of outstanding mixes. The title track is amazing and will undoubtedly be featured on an upcoming Listmaker. Jackson 5, Dexter Redding, Pookie Blow, this has got all the hits. Thanks Phoebe!
Listen to 5 Stairsteps and Cubie to get a taste.
Red Sticker Collection
Electric Light Orchestra - ELO'S Greatest Hits
Donovan wrote a bit in the fall about his love for ELO. Nothing to be ashamed of there. This is a fantastic best of and I'm wondering if I should delve deeper into the ELO catalog. This is a band that had its heyday a little bit before I was aware of stuff. And either hadn't heard a lot of their songs until recently or wasn't aware that some of their songs were by them.
Sure, I knew the huge hits but I don't think I even knew who sang the songs. I just knew them from their last hit, - 1983's Rock and Roll is King and being the band of the big haired dude from The Traveling Wilburys. The first time I really realized how much I dug this band was a few years ago when Mr. Blue Sky was in that ad. What was that ad for again?
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5 comments:
I remember "Mr. Blue Sky" being in the commercials for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Great song.
Try Ocean Rain by Echo and the Bunnymen. Go on, I dare ya. Its good, I promise.
The R.E.M. lyrics you posted are not making me any more interested in giving Accelerate a chance. Absolutely depressing. If this were just some unknown band, no one would give it a second look. It seems to be my personal mission to eradicate any positive press generated by this album. I'm not sure why this is. Maybe I need a hobby.
i never said it was great. i just loved that band so much and i find it interesting that they are still banging away at it. i pretty much will always be intrigued to see what they're up to.
i still don't know where you are reading all of this supposedly great press. there is no r.e.m. is the best band of 2008 conspiracy out there.
I am really digging the new Black Mountain now as well, after taking a little while to get into it (though I still like their first one better). The extra songs on the EP Druganaut are really good too, if you ever want to borrow it. That female singer is awesome. When I saw them live, it occurred to me that she is a much more natural singer than someone like Neko Case, who I like but who every time I've seen her perform seems to be off key about 20% of the time.
Have not given In Rainbows much of a chance, guess I should. Their albums usually take several listens to sink in for me.
About ELO, my first big memories of them are when I was 9 and the song "Don't Bring Me Down" was a hit. I remember being at my cousins' house once and hearing that and "King Tut" by Steve Martin. Out of the Blue is a good album and the greatest hits one I have is solid. Jeff Lynne was a champion at coming up with irresistible hooks.
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