Discuss the Musics Thread

[Ezee E]

To Pimp a Butterfly sounds like the early 2000s rap that I liked, which is to say, I am disappointed by this one.

[MadMan]

For The Whole World To See is excellent. I should watch that A Band Called Death documentary sometime.

[D_Davis]

The new Mathias Eick album - Midwest - is incredible. The addition of the lead violinist adds a real Americana feel to the Norwegian composer/trumpeter's jazz compositions, and the percussion work is some of the best I've ever heard.

Also, listening to this on my new Yamaha monitors is a real treat.

[transmogrifier]

I really think Sleater-Kinney's latest may well be their best. I don't know. I think so.

1. No Cities to Love
2. The Woods
3. Dig Me Out
4. One Beat
5. The Hot Rock

6. Call the Doctor

7. All Hands on the Bad One
8. Sleater-Kinney

1-5 are all various shades of brilliant. 7 and 8 are good, solid, nothing to be sniffed at, but suffer in comparison.
Seriously, these guys.

[right_for_the_moment]

Surf is spectacular

[Idioteque Stalker]

Surf is spectacular

Listening now. First track is cool.

[Russ]

Hey gang, here is a Sex Pistols article (http://www.rockshockpop.com/forums/content.php?5089-Looking-Back-The-Sex-Pistols-Invade-Texas-Sex-Pistols-live-at-Randy%E2%80%99s-Rodeo-January-8-1978) that I wrote for the Rock!Shock!Pop!.com site.

The wife of the guy who runs the site says she shared this on John Lydon's Facebook page. :)

[D_Davis]

Hey gang, here is a Sex Pistols article (http://www.rockshockpop.com/forums/content.php?5089-Looking-Back-The-Sex-Pistols-Invade-Texas-Sex-Pistols-live-at-Randy%E2%80%99s-Rodeo-January-8-1978) that I wrote for the Rock!Shock!Pop!.com site.

The wife of the guy who runs the site says she shared this on John Lydon's Facebook page. :)

Great article!

[ledfloyd]

https://costelloandthecoolminors.bandc amp.com/album/the-rattling-arcade

This is really good.

[bac0n]

Has anybody listened to Mumford & Sons' latest album? The few tracks I've heard sound like Marcus replaced his entire band with members of Coldplay and The National.

[D_Davis]

Fans of Harold Budd's The Pavilion of Dreams will definitely want to check out Chris Dingman's The Subliminal and the Sublime. Great ambient jazz with that '70s flavor.

[D_Davis]

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jul/22/dieter-moebius-five-classic-recordings

[D_Davis]

Once again, Marconi Union delivers a tremendous album.

https://chemicaltapeslabel.bandcamp.co m/album/departures

[EyesWideOpen]

I was looking to listen to "Deep Cover" today which I consider probably the quintessential Dre and Snoop track and it is unavailable anywhere. It's not on spotify, itunes or amazon even to purchase. There is only one copy of the Deep Cover soundtrack on amazon and it's a third party seller asking for over $100. Obviously there are other less legal ways to find it online (or listen to it on youtube) but I find it weird that the track that introduced Snoop is so hard to find.

[D_Davis]

The new Dre album is slowly growing on me.

Sometimes I can be a bad fan, the worst kind of fan. At first I didn't like the album, because all I really wanted to hear was The Chronic part 3. I wanted my nostalgia fire fanned, and expected Dre to turn in another collection of great party tracks. But instead, Compton is a much more ambitious affair, more akin to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On? than any of the G-Funk classics. Dre is in weird place now - he sold a company for billions, and IIRC, sits on the board of Apple now. For him to release a part 3 to The Chronic would be really weird. Compton is more of a reflection from the point of view of someone on the outside, looking back, rather than an account of some street-level soldier.

[EyesWideOpen]

I love it. Such a great album. I much prefer it to the new Kendrick Lamar.

[D_Davis]

I can't even come close to claiming that, but the best parts of Compton are when Kendrick Lamar is on the mic.

[dreamdead]

Man, this year continues to overwhelm me with the number of artists that have already released solid work, and we've still got Bat for Lashes, Anna Von Hausswolff, Deafheaven, Chvrches, and a couple others to go. Can't wait to see what those first two sound like, beyond the clips already released.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Random list my co-worker asked me to make: top 5 Beatles songs with one-word titles.

1. Blackbird — s/t (White Album)
I won’t pretend nostalgia isn’t a factor in this being my #1. I grew up to this song. After hearing it in various forms in my youth, the chirping bird in the original recording game me pause: is it too on-the-nose, is it too precious? No. It’s simple and tender. The perfect touch.

2. Yesterday — Help!
I’m sure someone with more expertise could explain just how unnatural the melody is—and how that very characteristic helps make it one of the most bittersweet love songs ever.

3. Taxman — Revolver
I’ve always had a soft spot for the groove here. It may not be their most subtle song thematically, but it’s always seemed a bit under-appreciated and George’s guitar solo kills.

4. Because — Abbey Road
It may get bonus points for kicking off the sublime second half of Abbey Road, but the harmonies sound impossibly huge.

5. Michelle — Rubber Soul
Although the lyrics flirt almost too much with the quirky language barrier conceit, the deceptively complex melody and chord progression (as is expected of Paul) is just the best.

HM: Julia — s/t (White Album)
A thinly-veiled love song from John to Yoko, Julia is a simple but haunting lullaby that is just a tad too lethargic to make my list.

[dreamdead]

So I stayed away from Kozelek's Universal Themes album because I like his voice mournful and reminiscent, not screeching, which is the dominant mode that I heard from his singles off of UT.

This new single, though, collaborating with Jesu, is everything that I want from his lyrical focus:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=398&v=hCiK166i0I8

Sad, reflective, and consciously in the moment.

[D_Davis]

Wayne Coyne's infatuation with Miley Cyrus is borderline creepy. I wouldn't be surprised to find out something scandalous in the near future.

Can't wait for that stupid, gimmick-fueled, attention-grabbing union to break up.

For a band who has built its career on gimmicks, this Cyrus one is an all-time low.

[D_Davis]

I'm totally into this vaporwave shit.

It's appropriated nostalgia at its finest, and most soulless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOh6AvsS3Mw

[D_Davis]

Dammit.

There's already post-vaporwave.

I just can't keep up.

https://noproblematapes.bandcamp.com/album/--3

[Idioteque Stalker]

Damn Twigs! Along with Future Islands and Dirty Projectors this has gotta be one my favorite tv performances of recent memory.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7E4JXnMEec

[Idioteque Stalker]

I'm totally into this vaporwave shit.

I don't know much about it but this made me laugh.

[D_Davis]

I don't know much about it but this made me laugh.

:)

heheeh


*****

Pet Shop Boys' Behavior 25 Years Later (http://www.popmatters.com/feature/pet-shop-boys-behaviour-25-years-later/)

[D_Davis]

That new Bowie track sounds like the follow up to Outside - his most underrated album - that I always wanted.

[D_Davis]

Adele again proves that being white, young and pretty is the number one thing in music, because Sharon Jones still makes Adele's blue eyed soul sound silly and soulless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlPE1rEdAdI

[[ETM]]

I dunno, I don't really see the overlap.

And yeah, Blackstar is hypnotically amazing.

[D_Davis]

Lee Scratch Perry just lost everything in a huge fire.

Decades worth of dub and reggae relics, documents and recordings....all gone.

https://www.facebook.com/Lee-Scratch-Perry-official-172796666113415/

[D_Davis]

Enjoy a Winter EP

https://soundcloud.com/davisjdaniel/from-rain-to-snowand-back-to-rain-again

[bac0n]

Adele again proves that being white, young and pretty is the number one thing in music, because Sharon Jones still makes Adele's blue eyed soul sound silly and soulless.

The sound mixing on that video is pretty horrid. Can't hear the brass or background singers at all. It's like it's missing an entire stereo channel. Doesn't do the song justice.

On a more positive note, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings released a Holiday Album this year, and it's pretty kick-ass.

[D_Davis]

The sound mixing on that video is pretty horrid. Can't hear the brass or background singers at all. It's like it's missing an entire stereo channel. Doesn't do the song justice.


I think one of your speakers might be out.

Just checked - I can hear the horns, the background singers and I get a full stereo image.

???

It does have a really, really wide stereo field for some reason, so maybe something is out of phase with your set up?

Most of the horns and backup singers are on the same channel/side.

[bac0n]

I think one of your speakers might be out.

Just checked - I can hear the horns, the background singers and I get a full stereo image.

???

It does have a really, really wide stereo field for some reason, so maybe something is out of phase with your set up?

Most of the horns and backup singers are on the same channel/side.

They didn't design the mix with my particular set up in mind. Therefor, it is a horrible mix. What is the matter with you man? I thought you were a musicer or something. You should know this shit.

[D_Davis]

Actually that is true. For commercial music, they should always check for sub par listening situations including mono. :$

[D_Davis]

Best album of 2015:

Mbongwana Star - From Kinshasa

http://s3.amazonaws.com/quietus_production/images/articles/18175/Mbongwana_Star_1434978822_crop _550x367.jpg

Wow. What an album. By far the most sonically interesting and inventive album I heard all year - a bona fide masterpiece. Mbongwana Star's debut album is a masterful combination of world-afro-beat, dub, post-punk and experimental electronic music. I've never heard anything exactly like it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJCwfjl_sXc


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRovi-WT9c


Runners up:
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Kamasi Washington - The Epic
Dreems - In Dreems
Food - This is Not a Miracle
New Order - Music Complete (best surprise of 2015)

[D_Davis]

V-v-v-v-v-apor way-ve.....the last great vapor wave album of 2015.

http://aloecityrecords.com/album/melt-plus

[D_Davis]

An early contender for 2016's 2015's Albums of the Year

http://www.grooves-inc.com/images/cover/125/352/j8gkap3t.j31


Aside from the eerily minimal magic of her music, this ECM debut by the young Norwegian saxophonist and composer Mette Henriette RølvÃ¥g (http://www.mettehenriette.com/) is a classic testament to the German label’s method. Find the quietest, most privately contemplative sax debutante around, and let her make a double album that doesn’t have a title, on which nine tracks have elapsed before she emerges from evaporating sighs and high-register flutters and whispers (the recording often catches the moistness and crackle of her sax-reed) to take a decisively central role. Yet the details are fascinating: sounds not unlike an insect buzzing in the sun (the first disc features RølvÃ¥g’s saxophone accompanied only by pianist Johan Lindvall and the sonically resourceful cellist Katrine Schiøtt), gong-like piano repetitions that draw the saxophonist out of hiding, plaintive Jan Garbarek-like sweeps. The second disc features a 13-piece band, and often sounds more composed and upfront, and thematically inviting. The set may be an acquired taste for some, but Mette Henriette is a contemporary-music star on the rise.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/dec/10/mette-henriette-mette-henriette-review

This is a stunning debut. Bold and contemplative, mature and adventurous, confident and expertly crafted. It's minimal to its core - some of the pauses between phrases within each composition are longer than the space between the tracks. Sometimes there is nothing more than a raspy breath being breathes through the mouthpiece of a horn. And sometimes, it's abrasive and disjointed, assaulting your ears with sonic attacks.

[D_Davis]

https://f1.bcbits.com/img/a0022249123_16.jpg


Want some funk?
(https://vulfpeck.bandcamp.com/album/fugue-state)

[D_Davis]

One more day until the new David Bowie, and by all accounts it is among his boldest and most artistic statements of his entire career. From what I've heard, it sounds like we're finally getting part two to Outside, so I am beyond excited.

[D_Davis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiiWR6436Eg

[D_Davis]

David Bowie - Blackstar

David Bowie’s 1995 masterpiece, Outside, is a psychotronic journey into the mind of madman overflowing with the kind of paranoia and pre-occupation with serial killers so prevalent in that decade. Outside was supposed to be the first part of a trilogy, but, unfortunately, we never got a sequel.

That is until now, 21 years later, with Bowie’s latest, Blackstar.

OK, so Blackstar isn’t an official follow-up to Outside, but it’s close enough in themes and sound to be so. Once again, Bowie returns to the seedy underbelly of a near-future (or possible an alt-history) dystopia, singing from the POV of the dead and the dying, the discarded and the unwanted. Like Outside, Blackstar is a thematically cohesive album with songs ranging from the weird and disjointed to the poppy and beautiful. It is a bold artistic statement from an artist who sees little value in simply revisiting the past, and is more concerned with examining there here and now and what is to come.

And while the two albums occupy similar thematic and sonic territory, Blackstar stands apart from Outside in its execution, with its jazz roots and production. The first thing I noticed is how amazing the drums and bass sound. The bass is muted, and locked perfectly in time with the tight kick and one of the best sounding snares I’ve ever heard. “This sounds like Tony Visconti’s production,” I said to myself. And, lo and behold, it is. Nobody makes a rhythm section sound better than Visconti, and Blackstar is up there with his very best work. The second thing I noticed is how interesting and bizarre the songs are. Even when they’re more pop/rock orientated, there is an otherworldly quality to them that makes them sound haunting and illicit, not to mention the inclusion of the harshest language I’ve ever heard Bowie use.

If Outside was Bowie’s response to the paranoia of the 1990s, then Blackstar is his response to the hatred and violence found in the world today. Both albums reflect their times, and also examine a near-future similar to a J.G. Ballard story; I wouldn’t hesitate to call both Ballardian in nature, if I didn’t think that the comparison would discredit how Bowian they are (and I don’t think I realized how similar these two artists are until today). Both albums also end with a surprisingly upbeat track shedding a ray of light and hope that recharges the listener with a brief hint of optimism, or at least a chance at redemption.

[Russ]

In the last 20 years, if you were ever in love with The Orb, then you most assuredly cut that cord pretty quickly (I know I did).

Newsflash: They're baaack (and better than ever)...

"First, God does not exist.
But don't worry, what does exist is good, as opposed to evil.
So, if you believe in God, you believe in good, and that's as it should be.
You are just fine.
If you believe in evil, then you probably need a whack on the back of the neck with a big fucking stick."

This is the intro to Alex Paterson and Thomas Fehlmann's latest Orb excursion, Moonbuilding 2703 AD. This is The Orb we all know and love. A throwback to the early classic Orb of yore, with a few tweaks: less emphasis on those weird samples, and more on the musicscaping worlds of these seasoned ambient pro's. There are 4 tracks, clocking in at 52+ minutes; released on the German Kompakt label with flawless mastering by Stefan 'Pole' Betke, and it's cut from the same cloth as the longer, trippy, dubby tracks not heard since the classic U.F.Orb release from the early 90's. As evidence, all 4 tracks seem to share Blue Room DNA at one point or another - the difference here being the tempo changes and the avoidance of repetition - and an absence of the 'muddy' sound that resulted from the constant layering of sound upon sound upon...yet more sound. No, these tracks are clean, clear, and propulsive -- pretty conclusive evidence that these sonic sculptors stepped back and actually took their time time with this release. And it shows.

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff324/astrojester/ultra%20space%20deer_zpsdou8kt 0a.jpg

Daniel. I know you (rightfully) think The Orb's sell-by date has long since expired, but I really think you should give this a shot.

[D_Davis]

I've actually liked their last two albums quite a bit. Good stuff. Good write up. Reminds me to listen to it again.


Have you checked out Mbongwana Star?

[D_Davis]

Re-downloaded the Orb album to listen to this week.

[D_Davis]

https://youtu.be/qR8WrRRFl_c

[D_Davis]

New album

https://f1.bcbits.com/img/a1158852826_16.jpg (https://carlsagansghost.bandcamp.com/album/phases)

[Sven]

"But with this song, Marshall’s telling White people that he’s here so they better get used to it. Macklemore is just asking Black people if he can stay a bit longer just in case he’s worn out his welcome."

A fine way to put it (http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/eminem-white-america-lyrics-macklemore/). "White America v. White Privilege II". Macklemore makes me wretch.

[Yxklyx]

This piece of music is epic:

https://www.kristinhersh.com/Releases/power-light/

[Yxklyx]

Keith Emerson died :(

[D_Davis]

New Grant Lee Phillips is the best thing he's done since Might Joe Moon. Every track is great.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfPcgt9i1vQ

[transmogrifier]

Primal Scream's "Where the Light Gets In" is one of the best pure pop songs I've heard in a while.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC77NtzW7U4

[D_Davis]

The new album is pretty good. Although it does sound like a best of collection of everything they've done since Screamadelica.

[transmogrifier]

They are a fascinating band....the way they jump from electronica to straight rock to pop to the onslaught that was XTRMNTR.... truly a group that just does what the hell they feel like album to album

[D_Davis]

And they do it all really well. That's the amazing thing.

[transmogrifier]

If it's possible for an album to be underrated only a week after its release, The Hope 6 Demolition Project is that album. I like it better than Let England Shake... which was pretty good.

[transmogrifier]

Well, Radiohead are officially in a slump. The new album is boring... Their butchering of True Love Waits is a perfect embodiment of their overproduced, sluggish, mirthless new direction.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Since I know that any defense of Radiohead could be easily dismissed as fanboyism (considering my user name), I'll first say that I agree with you that they are in a slump.

I've been reminded with every new Radiohead record that it's perilous for me to proclaim anything within the first week or more (I disliked In Rainbows and adored The King of Limbs upon first listens, for instance), but I think it's safe to say this is not some OK Computer/Kid A type of "oh shit" achievement. But does anybody except marketing execs really expect that from Radiohead at this point? I've cooled off of The King of Limbs in the time since its release, but I'll always defend that album for its transcendent moments. Unfortunately, Radiohead's transition from making groundbreaking, cohesive, essential albums to making kinda inconsistent, albeit oftentimes beautiful, albums has been met with a relative knee-jerk dismissal. It's not that they used to be good and now they're not, but rather they used to be the most important band in the world--and now they're not.

Indie music or whatever has caught up to Radiohead. They're not in their own league anymore. I'm not sure exactly where this new album will end up for me. But I do know that, to me, there are moments on here, including the new version of True Love Waits, that are breathtaking.

[transmogrifier]

Oh, I hate the new version. In fact, I think it is their worst ever closing song.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Theoretically I could agree with you and still love it. Radiohead owns closing songs.

1. Motion Picture Soundtrack
2. Videotape
3. Life In a Glass House
4. True Love Waits
5. A Wolf at the Door
6. the Tourist
7. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
8. Separator

They're all fantastic.

[Ivan Drago]

I've only heard the first two singles from Radiohead's new album, but they're both incredible. I hope to get my hands on the full album soon.

In the meantime, I've become obsessed with The 1975. Their new album is fucking amazing.

Davis!!! Have you heard the new Pet Shop Boys album yet?

[ledfloyd]

I just bought the new album.

For the record, I was underwhelmed by King of Limbs, but I loved In Rainbows — I still think it's their third or fourth best album.

[slqrick]

The new album is fantastic. Really love Greenwood's film scoring influence and that PTA video for "Daydreaming" was terrific. Thought they did some really interesting stuff on this and just because it's not as immediately pleasing as something like In Rainbows doesn't mean they're in a slump. I enjoyed King of Limbs but it lacked any sort of urgency. There's less anxiety in this than their best work, but Yorke is 47 now, and the new version of True Love Waits is absolutely gutting. The live version is probably my second or third favorite song of theirs, but this studio version closing out this album felt very powerful.

Between this, Lemonade, Pablo, and the James Blake, it's been a hell of a month and half. Looking forward to Chance 3.

[Idioteque Stalker]

I love Greenwood's film scoring influence as well. The instrumentation is currently the album's highlight for me. The strings on Burn the Witch and Glass Eyes, the pianos on Daydreaming and True Love Waits... All seriously cool and gorgeous stuff.

There's this one nitpicky thing that's really bothering me though: five minutes into Daydreaming, pretty much the climax of the song, the strings take center stage with this Eastern-influenced "dipping" motif (I'm not an ethnomusicologist so I don't know the proper term). Sorry, but for me it seems incredibly out of place. I know he's been messing around with non-Western music for a while now, but that honestly makes it worse. After all that adventuring, this is what you bring back to Radiohead? It sounds like something my buddies and I would do to channel Middle-Eastern music while goofing off. I know this may be weirdly specific, but it really bothers me because otherwise Daydreaming would probably be my favorite track on the album.

[Ivan Drago]

Davis!!! Have you heard the new Pet Shop Boys album yet?

Adding to this. . .on this day, I have purchased tickets to see the Pet Shop Boys live.

Given how seasoned they are, and how rarely they tour, I'm so excited, I'm hyperventilating.

[bac0n]

I'm jealous! The PSB aren't coming anywhere near to me, and I'm not in a situation where I can fly out to a city where they are playing. (I'm already flying out to Chicago in Sept for Riot Fest. Flying out again in November would be hard to pull off).

They're great live. Neil has a very warm, friendly, personable onstage presence, and Chris is, well, Chris.

As a side, Super is a solid album. Not as good as Electric, but that album is a tough act to follow. They're sliding into their new roles as the elder statesmen of electronic pop quite well.

[transmogrifier]

Since I know that any defense of Radiohead could be easily dismissed as fanboyism (considering my user name), I'll first say that I agree with you that they are in a slump.

I've been reminded with every new Radiohead record that it's perilous for me to proclaim anything within the first week or more (I disliked In Rainbows and adored The King of Limbs upon first listens, for instance), but I think it's safe to say this is not some OK Computer/Kid A type of "oh shit" achievement. But does anybody except marketing execs really expect that from Radiohead at this point? I've cooled off of The King of Limbs in the time since its release, but I'll always defend that album for its transcendent moments. Unfortunately, Radiohead's transition from making groundbreaking, cohesive, essential albums to making kinda inconsistent, albeit oftentimes beautiful, albums has been met with a relative knee-jerk dismissal. It's not that they used to be good and now they're not, but rather they used to be the most important band in the world--and now they're not.

Indie music or whatever has caught up to Radiohead. They're not in their own league anymore. I'm not sure exactly where this new album will end up for me. But I do know that, to me, there are moments on here, including the new version of True Love Waits, that are breathtaking.

I've mellowed on A Moon Shaped Pool; I quite like it on the whole (it's way better than TKOL), though it is mainly because each song has one little lovely bit in it, rather than having any front to back great songs on it...

EXCEPT it saves the worst two songs to last. I've tried, but they are so, so, so damn boring.

[Ivan Drago]

I'm jealous! The PSB aren't coming anywhere near to me, and I'm not in a situation where I can fly out to a city where they are playing. (I'm already flying out to Chicago in Sept for Riot Fest. Flying out again in November would be hard to pull off).

They're great live. Neil has a very warm, friendly, personable onstage presence, and Chris is, well, Chris.

As a side, Super is a solid album. Not as good as Electric, but that album is a tough act to follow. They're sliding into their new roles as the elder statesmen of electronic pop quite well.

You've only added to my excitement. Their music video for All Over The World is a collage of their live performances of the song, and between the vibrant colors, trippy costumes and awesome dance choreography, what they do on stage looks to be right up my alley.

I've been catching up on what they've came out with since Yes (which was the album that got me into them, and still my favorite), after getting tickets, and Electric is just like it in the sense that I can listen to it from beginning to end. "Love Is A Bourgeois Construct" might be one of the best songs they've ever done, and "Shouting In The Evening" is a blast to work out to. I thought Elysium was decent yet disappointing, but Electric was a return to form.

I liked Super when I first heard it ("Happiness" is the catchiest track for me), but I'll be revisiting it more than a few times before the concert.

[Derek]

I've mellowed on A Moon Shaped Pool; I quite like it on the whole (it's way better than TKOL), though it is mainly because each song has one little lovely bit in it, rather than having any front to back great songs on it...

EXCEPT it saves the worst two songs to last. I've tried, but they are so, so, so damn boring.

I'm with you on "Tinker Tailor...", which is quite dull and easily the worst song on the album, but I love the haunting re-imagination of "True Love Waits". Different strokes I suppose, although I still find a part of me wishing more of the album had more cuts like "Ful Stop" which I imagine is your favorite track? It's a big step of from TKoL, which really gets worse every time I listen to it.

As for guitar rock, you heard the new Parquet Courts or Car Seat Headrest? Both are pretty great even if the latter is a bit overhyped.

[dreamdead]

Midyear assessment of the year's most interesting listens so far:

Black Mountain - 4
The Hotelier - Goodness
Japanese Breakfast - Psychopomp
Mitski - Puberty
Esperanza Spalding - Emily's D+Evolution
Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book
David Bowie - Blackstar
Kvelterak - Nattesferd
ANOHNI - Hopelessness
Cobalt - Slow Forever

There's a palpable drop-off from "Sorry" to "Freedom" on Beyonce's Lemonade, but it's pretty decent.

Derek, few things have been better last year for me than 2814's album. Any thoughts on what's been exciting you this year?

[Derek]

Midyear assessment of the year's most interesting listens so far:

Black Mountain - 4
The Hotelier - Goodness
Japanese Breakfast - Psychopomp
Mitski - Puberty
Esperanza Spalding - Emily's D+Evolution
Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book
David Bowie - Blackstar
Kvelterak - Nattesferd
ANOHNI - Hopelessness
Cobalt - Slow Forever

There's a palpable drop-off from "Sorry" to "Freedom" on Beyonce's Lemonade, but it's pretty decent.

Derek, few things have been better last year for me than 2814's album. Any thoughts on what's been exciting you this year?

I haven't heard any of those except for Chance and Esperanza, which were both pretty good, and Bowie's, which I love. I have ANOHNI and Mitski, but I'll look into the rest.

So far this year, there's really nothing that's blown me away but a lot of decent/good albums. It's mostly usual suspects for me (looking forward to checking out the new Autechre too), so hoping for some nice surprises in the back half of the year.

In rough order of preference w/the top 4 standing out a bit more than the rest.

Bowie - Blackstar
Radiohead - AMSP
Parquet Courts - Human Performance
Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial

Matmos - Ultimate Care II
The Field - The Follower
Kendrick Lamar - untitled unmastered.
Tim Hecker - Love Streams
Andy Stott - Too Many Voices
Porches - Pool
PJ Harvey - The Hope Six Demolition Project
And Also the Trees - Born Into the Waves
Beyoncé - Lemonade
Fire! - She Sleeps, She Sleeps
Explosions in the Sky - The Wilderness
Kanye West - The Life of Pablo

[transmogrifier]

I'm with you on "Tinker Tailor...", which is quite dull and easily the worst song on the album, but I love the haunting re-imagination of "True Love Waits". Different strokes I suppose, although I still find a part of me wishing more of the album had more cuts like "Ful Stop" which I imagine is your favorite track? It's a big step of from TKoL, which really gets worse every time I listen to it.

As for guitar rock, you heard the new Parquet Courts or Car Seat Headrest? Both are pretty great even if the latter is a bit overhyped.

Rough order of preference..

1. Daydreaming
2. Burn the Witch
3. Ful Stop
4. Decks Dark

5. The Numbers
6. Identiket
7. Present Tense

8. Desert Island Disk

9. Glass Eyes
10. True Love Waits
11. Tinker....

I'll check those two albums out - need some new stuff.

[bac0n]

You've only added to my excitement. Their music video for All Over The World is a collage of their live performances of the song, and between the vibrant colors, trippy costumes and awesome dance choreography, what they do on stage looks to be right up my alley.

I've been catching up on what they've came out with since Yes (which was the album that got me into them, and still my favorite), after getting tickets, and Electric is just like it in the sense that I can listen to it from beginning to end. "Love Is A Bourgeois Construct" might be one of the best songs they've ever done, and "Shouting In The Evening" is a blast to work out to. I thought Elysium was decent yet disappointing, but Electric was a return to form.

I liked Super when I first heard it ("Happiness" is the catchiest track for me), but I'll be revisiting it more than a few times before the concert.

You're right, Elysium was a bit of a let-down after Yes, and I'm inclined to think that they were well aware of it, which was why Electric came out so quickly after it. I think they were trying to capture the melancholy of Behaviour, but fell a little short.

And from a pure catchy hook standpoint, Love is a Bourgeoisie Concept is, in my opinion, their best pop single since, sheesh, probably going as far back as Home and Dry if not farther back.

[transmogrifier]

PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Radiohead, Kanye West, The Avalanches, Deerhoof, maybe LCD Soundsystem.............

Big year.

[Thirdmango]

On the first listen this radiohead is my least favorite. I'm not a fan of ambient music though so it might not cool for me. I hope it does though since it seems there is some joy there. I'll have to give it another go.

[bac0n]

I've been listening to PSB's Super a lot, and this might seem blasphemy to some, but I'm starting to like it even more than Electric.

[bac0n]

OMG, LOVING this collab between Paul Banks (Interpol) and RZA (no intro needed).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtf5isao73E

Apparently they've been buddies for years, getting together to play chess, and play around with their musical toys on occasion. Finally got around to putting their stuff to album, and the result is the most badass song I've heard in a long while.

[transmogrifier]

Goddamn you all for not making me listen to Roxy Music earlier. You should be ashamed of yourselves. For Your Pleasure FTW.

[transmogrifier]

Seriously, is there a better five albums stretch anywhere than Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure - Stranded - Country Life - Siren?

[Idioteque Stalker]

Always been a blind spot for me as well--pretty ludicrous since Eno is a favorite.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Idioteque Stalker]

2016:

1. Frank Ocean - Blonde
2. Bon Iver - 22, A Million
3. Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition
4. Kero Kero Bonito - Bonito Generation
5. Noname - Telefone
6. Jessy Lanza - Oh No
7. Anohni - Hopelessness
8. Avalanches - Wildflower
9. Ian William Craig - Centres
10. Beyonce - Lemonade

HM: James Blake, Radiohead, Jenny Hval, Anderson .Paak, Babyfather, Kendrick

Great effing year.

[Ivan Drago]

And from a pure catchy hook standpoint, Love is a Bourgeoisie Concept is, in my opinion, their best pop single since, sheesh, probably going as far back as Home and Dry if not farther back.

They played the ambient mix of Home and Dry when I saw them live. It may honestly be my new favorite single from them now.

[bac0n]

Oooh, nice! They did an acoustic version of it when I saw them. Who knew that Neil Tennant could play the guitar?

[Winston*]

Why had I never listed to Patti Smith's Horses before? This rules.

[transmogrifier]

Why had I never listed to Patti Smith's Horses before? This rules.

Absolutely.

[Russ]

Why had I never listed to Patti Smith's Horses before? This rules.

Welcome to the club.

[Gittes]

2016:
1. Frank Ocean - Blonde


So great.

Time flies — this SNL performance of "Thinkin Bout You" already packs a nostalgic punch for me. One of my favourite live renditions of a song. I wonder if another SNL appearance will happen this season...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNBD4OFF8cc

[Idioteque Stalker]

New xx is really good. Early on I was scared "Performance" was gonna be another quiet sad confessional track (we already have "Shelter" and others), but then the strings came in--nothing too flashy of course, but exactly what the song needed. Crazy it's been five years since their last album.

[Winston*]

Saw Nick Cave last night for the first time. Jesus Christ, that guy is a rock star.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Saw Nick Cave last night for the first time. Jesus Christ, that guy is a rock star.

Only time I've seen him "live" was in Wings of Desire, but yeah. New album sounds too depressing.

[[ETM]]

Saw Nick Cave last night for the first time. Jesus Christ, that guy is a rock star.
I saw him in 2011 with his "Grinderman" side project. It was quite an experience.

[transmogrifier]

Some albums that have recently caught my attention:

Illinois - Sufjan Stevens
Welcome to Sky Valley - Kyuss
Jailbreak - Thin Lizzy
Until the End of the World - Various Artists
Blast Tyrant - Clutch
Wrong - Nomeansno
We Got it From Here... - A Tribe Called Quest
Teens of Denial - Car Seat Headrest
You Want it Darker ​- Leonard Cohen

[Idioteque Stalker]

New Kendrick is awesome. Musically it's up to snuff, and if the rumors are true that he's releasing a companion album on Easter then conceptually.... well, my mind is running wild.

[Winston*]

The new Future Islands rules.

[Ezee E]

Does anyone participate in Record Store Day?

My take today:

Notorious BIG "Born Again"
Blade Runner Soundtrack
A Bronx Tale Soundtrack
Bollywood - The Psychedelic Years
Rough Guide to Delta Blues
New Orleans Soul '66
Sublime "Badfish"
King Crimson "In the Court of the Crimson King"

[D_Davis]

Basically all I've been listening to in 2017 is Sleaford Mods. Probably the most important group making music today. The most punk rock thing since Big Black. A band that is politically and culturally dangerous, a band that does not give one single fuck about how they are perceived. They are smart, sincere, angry as fuck, hilarious, brave and unflinching. It's telling that the most politically charged group making music today is two nearly-50 year old lower middle class brits. Most everything else I'm listening to feels empty in comparison. Sex Pistols > Big Black > Public Enemy > Sleaford Mods.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEYYI1ii0AU


https://youtu.be/kw4HVtvTo0Q?t=7m11s

[D_Davis]

And the new Roger Waters, which is great. Another one full of great anger.

[dreamdead]

Since DD revived this thread, my faves from this year past the halfway point:

Slowdive - Slowdive
Julie Byrne - Not Even Happiness
Jay Som - Everybody Works
Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds from Another Planet
Perfume Genius - No Shape
Priests - Nothing Feels Natural
Run the Jewels - RTJ3
Charly Bliss - Guppy
Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.
Pallbearer - Heartless

Excited for Julien Baker and The National, need to spend more time with Fleet Foxes's, Elder's, and Mount Eerie's latest.

[D_Davis]

Slowdive - Slowdive


I didn't like this. Feels like 10 steps backwards from Pygmalion. Pygmalion still sounds like it's from the future, and the new s/t album sounds like a band trying to sound like Slowdive did before Pygmalion. I was really hoping they would have used Pygmalion as a jumping off point.

One thing I can't wait for, next week, is Ben Gibbard's cover of Teenage Fanclub's Bandwagonesque.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Friend of mine just put out a doom metal EP with her band High Priestess (https://highpriestessmusic.bandcamp.co m/releases), in case any of you are metalheads in the mood for an all-lady band.

[I think it's doom metal, but I'm not good at classifications. It's good eerie heavy wanderingness.]

[bac0n]

Right now the albums I'm most excited about are new ones from The National, and I heard that His Partiness, Sir Andrew WK has a new one coming out as well.

Went to see old faves Social D a few nights ago, at a new venue in St. Paul. Wow, what a great place to see a show. Probably my new favorite venue, despite the fact that it's in Loserville St. Paul.

[Dead & Messed Up]

New Andrew WK? Awesome!

[D_Davis]

My most listened to album from 2016 (with nearly 100 listens), was Forsvinder, from Bremer/McCoy. They're a jazz duo consisting of piano/keyboards and bass. It is one of the most detailed recordings I've ever heard. You can hear everything, from the musicians breathing, to the pedals of the piano being pressed, to the felt pads on the hammers hitting the strings, to the creak of the wood in the studio, to the squeak of the bassist's hands moving up and down the neck of the bass. There are some very light dub techniques used with subtle echo and delay, and a striking amount of melody. It is an atmospheric jazz album with hooks. An incredibly achievement.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcpY8YE6ssI

[Idioteque Stalker]

Two very different vibes with that and the Sleaford Mods clips, but enjoyed them both. I like the looser feel of the second part rather than the sexy Air thing they do at the beginning, maybe because the bass gets more to work with. He has crazy good tone.

[Idioteque Stalker]

At the Big Ears music festival earlier this year there were a bunch of Norwegian musicans collaborating, giving talks, etc.

Arve Henriksen
Nils Okland
Frode Haltli
Sigbjorn Apeland
Mats Eilertsen
Deathprod

I've seen the Supersilent dudes play before and this year I saw Deathprod (one of the scariest shows I've ever been to), but skipped the rest. Did I miss something big?

[D_Davis]

All good stuff.

Arve Henriksen is currently my favorite musician making music today. Dude is incredible.

[D_Davis]

From Arve Henriksen's Places of Worship.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My93_77vT18

[D_Davis]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5109WWEGKKL.jpg

Master Ace Inc.'s 1995 album Sittin' on Chrome is a forgotten classic. This album should be mentioned in the same breath as any of the great hop hop albums from the Gangsta Era, and is easily on par with the best from Dre, Snoop, Cyprus Hill, Ice Cube, NEW, Warren G, etc. It's a little more playful, more party orientated than other gangster rap albums, focusing more on cruising in cars with great stereos, than it does on busting caps in a nigga's ass or fucking hoes.

The production is top-notch, with great beats, memorable synth-bass lines, and catchy melodies, and the lyrics instantly put me in that backyard BBQ, head-boppin', 40-drinkin' mood.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2NqcWP8tos


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okTBN_SjWVI

[D_Davis]

Top 5 Post-Punk Albums...GO!

Mine.

1. Gang of Four - Entertainment!
2. B-52s - s/t
3. U2 - Boy
4. New Order - Power, Corruption and Lies
5. Wire - Pink Flag


Really hard to pick 5. This sub-genre has so many greats. I exploring this sub-genre will be my music project for 2018.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Post-punk as a genre is perplexing. It's hard for me to pin down exactly what makes an album post-punk, so in the end I just go by feel. It has a lot to do with attitude, but it doesn't have to be your typical rebellion. For instance, B-52s feel more like post-punk to me than Pink Flag. Smiths, Talking Heads, Replacements don't make the cut--don't ask me why. London Calling feels like post-punk to me, but that's not its reputation so oh well.

Then there's the issue of timing. I guess you get bonus points coming out in the early 80s. So I'm gonna make two lists:

OGs:
1. Joy Division - Closer
2. Public Image Ltd. - Metal Box
3. Minutemen - Double Nickels On the Dime
4. The Slits - Cut
5. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy

Newbies:
1. Women - Public Strain
2. Sleigh Bells - Treats
3. John Maus - We Must Be the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves
4. Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
5. Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights

[Idioteque Stalker]

Mine.

1. Gang of Four - Entertainment!
2. B-52s - s/t
3. U2 - Boy
4. New Order - Power, Corruption and Lies
5. Wire - Pink Flag

Entertainment! is the clear winner here. I left it off my list to challenge myself a little. Love the B-52s call, but I don't often listen to the album front to back. Early U2 is good stuff--I prefer War slightly. Never listened to New Order really. Pink Flag to me is the golden standard of punk, but doesn't really feel like post-punk to me.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Been on a 2017 music bender. I'll probably post a list after I hear Bjork's album, but here is a list of artists who I'm 99% sure will not make the final cut.

Sampha
Fever Ray
Jlin
Alvvays
Real Estate
Julien Baker
King Krule
Jay Z
Japanese Breakfast
Young Thug
Neil Cicierga
Visible Cloaks
Creeper
Tyler, The Creator
The Weather Station
Priests
Julie Byrne
Kelly Lee Owens
Rostam
Princess Nokia
Mount Kimbie
LCD Soundsystem
SZA
St Vincent
Dirty Projectors
Migos
Amnesia Scanner
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Vagabon
Alex G
Wiki
Charly Bliss
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile
Vince Staples
Iglooghost
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Big Thief
Leif Vollebekk
Chad VanGaalen
Earthen Sea
Gas

TOPS

[D_Davis]

I haven't listened to a ton of new stuff this year. Love the new Four Tet. The new Quicksand is fantastic. Arve Henricksen's new one is great. As is the new one from Cornelius.

My main discovery this year was Sleaford Mods, which was seriously all I listened to for a couple of months.

With the release of the 30th Anniversary of Master of Puppets last week, I've been on a non-stop Metallica kick. Haven't seriously listened to them since 1992 or so. Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, ...And Justice for All and the S/T are probably the four best back-to-back rock albums ever recorded. There isn't a single track I dislike on any of those albums. These guys were just so good during these years. Complex arrangements, strong lyrics, and great performances all around.

[Idioteque Stalker]

I haven't listened to a ton of new stuff this year. Love the new Four Tet. The new Quicksand is fantastic. Arve Henricksen's new one is great. As is the new one from Cornelius.

Cool. Four Tet was already on my to-do list. I'll add the others and let you know what I think.

[Idioteque Stalker]

The Four Tet and Quicksand albums are both incredibly well-produced. These people really know what they're doing. I didn't much care for either in the end, though. Seems to me Four Tet is working with pretty much the same musical palette he always has. I'll be seeing him live and am greatly anticipating it because the sounds are lovely, but to me it's background music. I'm not familiar with Quicksand's 90s releases, but personally this style of music reminds me of the boys in middle school who "took music very seriously" and listened to Foo Fighters instead of Ashanti. I know that's unfair, and I do really like the song Cosmonauts, but for me it is somewhat of a corny sound.

[D_Davis]

Quicksand is what you get when you take the best parts of Fugazi and Hum. Nothing corny about it! :) Their first two albums are legendary. The new one is merely good technical rock.

I see see what you mean about Four Tet. I only ever listen to about every other album of theirs so I'm not tired of it.

[Idioteque Stalker]

More artists who will not make my year-end list:

Ellen Arkbro
Four Tet
Nick Hakim
Girlpool
Open Mike Eagle
BROCKHAMPTON
Paramore
The Clientele
Nite Jewel
Gaussian Curve
Broken Social Scene
Ibibio Sound Machine
Laurel Halo
Arca
G Perico
Chief Keef
Mark Templeton
Oh Sees
Quicksand
Kehlani
Spoon
Father John Misty
Odonis Odonis

[D_Davis]

Everything Neil Young ever recorded is available to stream fro free in Master Quality.

http://neilyoungarchives.com

[Idioteque Stalker]

2017 Top 30:

1. The xx - I See You
2. Lorde - Melodrama
3. Nai Palm - Needle Paw
4. Kendrick Lamar - Damn
5. Kirin J Callinan - Bravado
6. Perfume Genius - No Shape
7. Feist - Pleasure
8. Ariel Pink - Dedicated to Bobby Jameson
9. Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, Offset - Without Warning
10. Richard Dawson - Peasant

11. Fleet Foxes - Crack-Up
12. Bibio - Phantom Brickworks
13. Rapsody - Laila's Wisdom
14. Idles - Brutalism
15. Circuit Des Yeux - Reaching for Indigo
16. Jay Som - Everybody Works
17. Mount Eerie - A Crow Looked at Me
18. Various Artists - Mono No Aware
19. Randy Newman - Dark Matter
20. Slowdive - s/t

21. Bing and Ruth - No Home of the Mind
22. Armand Hammer - Rome
23. Moses Sumney - Aromanticism
24. Playboi Carti - s/t
25. Golden Retriever - Rotations
26. Jens Lekman - Life Will See You Now
27. Algiers - The Underside of Power
28. William Basinski - A Shadow In Time
29. Expressway Yo-Yo Dieting - Undone Harmony Following
30. Young Thug - Beautiful Thugger Girls

Sorry Bjork, Aldous Harding, Jane Weaver, John Maus, Mac DeMarco, Kettenkarussel, The Courtneys, and Charli XCX. I don't think I've ever listened to so much music from one year.

[D_Davis]

Haven't listened (or even heard of) to most of those.

I do really like. William Basinski - A Shadow In Time.

[D_Davis]

Top 10 for 2017

1. Sleaford Mods – English Tapas
2. Roger Waters – Is This the Life We Really Want
3. Arve Henriksen – Towards Language
4. Brother Ali – All the Beauty in this Whole World
5. Cameron Mizell – Memory / Imagination
6. Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band – Body and Shadow
7. Four Tet – New Energy
8. Cornelius – Mellow Waves
9. Kilby & Kennedy – Glow and Fade
10. Kraftwork – 3-D Catalog

[D_Davis]

For the first time in my life, one of my songs played on the radio right after...Def Leppard?

http://wfmu.org/playlists/LE/180110

What a truly bizarre set.

"Combining: Van Morrisson, Vangelis, AntonÃ*n Dvorák, Jim Steinman's bombastic Wagnerian 80's pop, Def Leppard, David Guetta & Sia, The Police, Ella Fitzgerald, Erasure, Escala, Matthew Mathis, Moby, Vincent Duseigne, Ogurusu Norihide, Fairuza Balk, Pink Floyd, Charlie Kaufman, Nicholas Cage, Claire Danes, Radiohead, Richard Stallman, Seconds, Lara Flynn Boyle, Twin Peaks, My So-Called Life, THX 1138, Donald Pleasence, WarGames, Matthew Broderick, Daniel J. Davis, Air Supply, Bonnie Tyler, Ingrid Bergman... and a lot more, in ways never previously imagined. "

[D_Davis]

What a great day for music. Moby's new album is the best thing he's done since Animal Rights. Reminds me of David Bowie's Outside a bit, in its dark, dystopian vision.

And then Thandi Ntuli's new jazz epic, Exiled. Might be 2018's first great jazz album.

https://thandintuli.bandcamp.com/album/exiled

[bac0n]

Let's not forget that ANDREW WK's ALBUM IS RELEASED TODAY AS WELL.

[transmogrifier]

If I had to choose my absolute favorite song of the last 10 years, it might well be this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBOaLjtR4mw

[Idioteque Stalker]

Great song.

At first blush I think mine are Lotus Flower by Radiohead or First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Erykah Badu and the Flaming Lips. Apparently I'm stuck in the late 90s.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Here's some music a really like so far this year. More guitar-y stuff than last.

Against All Logic
Mount Eerie
Organ Tapes
Shopping
MGMT
Soccer Mommy
Amen Dunes
Peggy Gou
Albert Hammond Jr
Screaming Females
Beach House

[dreamdead]

Been spending the last week or so digging into Frightened Rabbit's discography. Not the biggest fan of coming to a band after the main musician commits suicide, but that resonance makes FR's music far more impactful. Melancholy stuff throughout... so far, Midnight Organ Fight is the standout, but I hope to get to their following two releases soon.

Otherwise, this is what's been intriguing me from this year so far:
The Atlas Moth
Beach House
Half Waif
Janelle Monae
Mount Eerie
Mournful Congregation
US Girls

[Idioteque Stalker]

Kanye's been busy lately. The five mini-albums in five weeks thing will no-doubt be a big talking point this year, though the critical and audience reaction has been kind of mixed. Seven tracks/~24 minutes for an "album" is a little short for me, but whatever--there was still some great music.

1. Teyana Taylor - Keep The Same Energy
2. Kanye West - Ye
3. Pusha T - Daytona
4. Kanye and Cudi - Kids See Ghosts
5. Nas - Nasir

[Idioteque Stalker]

Favorite songs of 2018 so far:

"Life" - Saba
"Gonna Love Me" - Teyana Taylor
"My Jesus Phase" - Eleanor Friedberger
"Unlock It" - Charli XCX
"Don’t Miss It"/"If The Car Beside You Moves Ahead" - James Blake
"Ponyboy" - Sophie
"February 3rd" - Jorja Smith
"Believe" - Amen Dunes
"High Horse" - Kacey Musgraves
"Pearly Gates" - U.S. Girls

[bac0n]

Attended Hinterland fest in Iowa last weekend. First time hearing Tyler Childers. Haven't been this excited about a new artist since Sturgill.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtVrDud1gZM&feature=youtu.be

[Milky Joe]

One of my favorite acts is David Nance from Omaha. Blown out country-tinged soulful rock n roll. He has a new album coming out with a track called "Poison" available for streaming and it's great. Check it out, along with everything else he's done.

https://davidnance.bandcamp.com/album/peaced-and-slightly-pulverized-2

[bac0n]

Howdy, partners - i'm putting together a spottily list consisting of western songs to provide some, shall we say, ambiance for a wild west - themed board game (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/232405/western-legends)I have arriving in a few weeks.

I was able to wrangle about 99 songs, but I sure could go for more ideas - especially from female artists. It's pretty male heavy at this point.

Anywho, here it is, enjoy, and feedback would be most appreciated.

https://open.spotify.com/user/1279964706/playlist/1fqZ1HSWEcLYNHAHjE6Nvl

[Dukefrukem]

Might I suggest... (or too harmonized?)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iZ9JRVmJ5o

[bac0n]

good suggestion - I already have a few Westworld songs on there. I will see if Spotify has that one.

[Idioteque Stalker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNnG90WFTMw

Sounds like a stagecoach to me.

[bac0n]

Added!

[TGM]

I just discovered Babymetal last week, and now I'm completely obsessed.

[dreamdead]

I just discovered Babymetal last week, and now I'm completely obsessed.

If you appreciate Babymetal, you should appreciate the even more fantastic Haru Nemuri:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuKL2DT77Xo

She's like a more consistent Grimes--and I say this as a Grimes fan--willing to keep experimenting with musical styles and vocal approaches.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I just discovered Babymetal last week, and now I'm completely obsessed.

Excellent. Their song about chocolate is good clean rocky fun.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Lately I've been finding real enjoyment out of female-led pop-rock outfits. Examples include Metric, Meg Myers, Sky Ferreira, Florence and the Machine. I've liked Yeah Yeah Yeahs for a good while. Anybody have recommendations along those lines?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kIrRooQwuk


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORaln6aPqUk

[transmogrifier]

A lot of these are probably more rock than pop, but screw it you know?

The Naked and Famous
Elastica
Whale
Tilly and the Wall
Sleater-Kinney
The Fiery Furnaces
Jaurim
Garbage
The Delgados
Cansei De Ser Sexy
Skunk Anansie
Sleigh Bells
The Breeders
The Amps
Electrelane
Deerhoof
Headless Chickens
Haim
The Runaways
Rilo Kiley
Hole
Tune-Yards
Babes in Toyland
L7
Bikini Kill
Bat for Lashes
Blonde Redhead
Concrete Blonde

[Dead & Messed Up]

I know some of those names but will take a look at the rest. What would be your top three picks of those?

Thanks!

[TGM]

Excellent. Their song about chocolate is good clean rocky fun.

Oh yeah, that was their first one I heard. Someone on another forum randomly brought it up, and after checking it out and digging it, and checking out a few more things of theirs, before I knew it, I was completely hooked. :p

I just love how positive and innocent their music is, and the sheer number of genres they blend together in some of their songs, all the while maintaining both a clear metal inspiration, as well as a very anime-ish vibe to their music, which carries over into their performances. They're just such a breath of fresh air, and pure escapism bliss. Like, I think by the time I got around to this song about freaking hide and seek of all things, with the outstanding choreography to boost, I was completely sold on them:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VANhYO1TLno

Watching their performances is just mesmerizing, how they're able to consistently move around at that pace and maintain that level of energy and sing at that level night in and night out without missing a beat. But what I especially appreciate about them is, they're more than just a cute gimmick. They're totally a legit metal band, too, and these live performances are some of the most kick ass things I've seen in the genre:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTEYUFgLveY

And this, which won't post: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5ggoil

It's been years since I've been to a concert, but I so wanna go to one of theirs. :cool:

[bac0n]

Some of my favorite female-led pop-rock bands ATM not already mentioned:

The Joy Formidable
K.Flay
Wolf Alice
Chvrches
Lucious
Tash Sultana (tho technically Tash is non-binary)

[TGM]

So I recently received my first Babymetal DVD, which was from their 2 night Budokan show, which was essentially their last really big show in Japan just before they branched off on a more international level with their first European tour. So that was an interesting context to watch this in I felt.

For instance, it's interesting to see how probably their biggest international hit, Gimme Chocolate, was treated as just another song on this show, as it's really not regarded as one of their more popular songs in Japan. Meanwhile, when performed internationally, they almost always play the song somewhere in the set-list where it's clear there's more importance being placed on it, and usually have a call-and-respond moment with the crowd, but no such thing here. In fact, it was sorta interesting that they didn't have such a moment in any of their songs on these shows really, since that's usually a big thing they like to do, is really interact with the crowds and make them a part of the show.

But anyways, as to the shows themselves, the first night was Red Night, and this one was notable for two reasons to me. One, I always find it interesting when they place Babymetal Death later in the show, as opposed to opening with it, as it's so clearly (and quite literally) an introductory track. Here, they placed it third to last, which was, again, interesting, but didn't quite work in that spot. The only other show so far where I've seen them place it later was on the more recent Legend S, where it was the second to last song. There though, it actually did work, as the song was used as a really dark lead in to that show's closer, The One.

The more notable thing about this show, however, was the two big accidents that took place on the last two songs. Yuimetal fell off the stage halfway through the song Headbanger, and the other two had to finish the rest of the song without her. Between songs, the crowd were chanting for Yui, and they actually got the biggest reaction of the night when the lights came back on, and she was back on stage again for the last song.

But then for the final song, Ijime, Dame, Zettai, Moametal sprained her ankle at the very beginning, and you can see it on her face throughout the entire rest of the song that she's seriously in total agony. And yet she still powered through, and didn't half ass it at all, running around and jumping and dancing like nothing had happened, even if you could see her sweating and tearing up in her eyes from the pain she was clearly enduring. And keep in mind, at the time this show took place, these girls were both 14 years old, and yet they still soldiered on and gave it their all. The sheer work ethic and professionalism displayed by this group is simply astounding and inspiring. Like, I know so many full grown adults who don't even have a quarter of the amount of drive and work ethic as these three girls do. Hell, I've seen so many countless other bands live that would've cut their set short for far, far less.

All that said, Red Night was mostly notable as a rare instance when things were really off for the band, and is actually pretty uncomfortable to watch because of it. It's really hard to get into the songs when I'm sitting there just concerned for the girls on stage and worried about what they might be going through.

Next up was Black Night, and this was a much better all around show. The set list was changed up, and they indeed opened with Babymetal Death this time out. And while most of the set consisted of songs from their first album, they actually busted out a couple of surprises, including a rendition of their cover of Kimi to Anime Ga Mitai (and the best version of that song I've heard to date at that), as well as an early rendition of No Rain, No Rainbow. The latter was notable because it really showed just how much Su-metal's voice has changed in the four years since this performance. Here, her voice was still much higher pitched compared to when she performs now.

So those were a couple of neat surprises to see here. And the rest of the show was a blast as well. A big standout includes the Yui and Moa song titled Song 4, which on the album isn't exactly the best song on there, but holy shit do those two put on a fucking clinic of a show for this song live.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_D6Q895Ts8

As for Uki Uki Midnight, this show took place before Su was singing the whispered parts live, which is a bit of a shame, because damn is it sick when she does that. But she really killed it here too on this night with her own solos, including a real kick ass performance of Rondo of Nightmare. This song also featured the Kami Band having one of several moments in the night where the spotlight was shined on them for some solos of their own, and I got a real kick out of how many times they switched up guitars throughout the night. Their bassist and one of their guitarists swapped out twice, and their other guitarist swapped instruments at least three times that I counted. I don't know if that's a common thing for bands to do at live shows, to swap out instruments between songs, but I just found that real interesting as I was noticing it throughout the shows.

Also interesting to note was how the show ended, where they initially closed out with Ijime, Dame, Zettai again, and even did their whole schtick where they say their farewells to the crowd. And I was real confused for a moment, because I knew there was supposed to be a real awesome rendition of Headbanger on this show, yet it hadn't happened yet. But then after a video played, the girls came back out for an encore, which I hadn't seen them do at any of their other shows I've seen thus far, and they actually played two more songs, including Doki Doki Morning, which just put the biggest god damn smile on my face, as well as that aforementioned epic rendition of Headbanger to truly close things out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2vuKOmd1js

All in all, Black Night was a fucking awesome show, and definitely an improvement over the previous night. And it's real interesting to see how this show differs from some of their later shows, after they've become more of an international act (I've seen lots of individual songs from earlier performances, but most of their full concerts I've seen so far have been from their later years). So overall, I'm pleased with this purchase.

[bac0n]

Hey gang - sorry to say - if you don't like the new Guided By Voices' Album, Space Gun, then Rock & Roll, well, it might just be not for you.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=logjpKitcLo

[bac0n]

May I present Minneapolis' latest gift to the world, J.S. Ondara. (well, Minneapolis by way of Nairobi)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WchPdy7jHZ4

You're welcome.

[TGM]

So Babymetal has announced their next album to be released in October, and they've released a handful of new songs as well, showing signs of their next album experimenting with a lot of different regional musical styles from around the world.

Here's the video for their new single, Pa Pa Ya (which is ridiculous how quickly they put this out. The concert this footage was filmed at took place not even 48 full hours prior to this video's release. Fuck me that's some turn around right there!)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO7Y8NsnkRg

Sporting a very Latin sounding style, this is just such a fun damn song, and watching the live version is seriously like watching a party on stage. And it's so freaking catchy at that. This song is like a stampede, and it's so freaking awesome. (And I love how this also just so happens to be a song about salad. The most kick ass song about salad ever. :p )

And then there's this one that's getting quite a bit of attention, currently untitled but which fans are calling "Shanti":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5AlEavdipA

This is another really fun one, and at this particular festival, this new song was definitely among those that really won over the crowd, and I could see it having the potential to take off as a big hit if they decide to release it as a single. Su's freaking vocals in this are my current obsession, that she not only pulls off this foreign style to her, but pulls it off as flawlessly as she does, is nothing short of astounding. She's seriously outdoing herself the way she's manipulating her voice in these songs to match their regional styles, and she's seemingly setting out to prove that she really is the best damn singer in the whole world.

[TGM]

And since we're apparently only allowed to share 2 videos per post...

This one doesn't have any clean footage available yet, but it's definitely a kick ass new song as well, and from what we can make out here, the choreography looks absolutely sick!! (song starts at 1:40):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P75yYBz4xA

Dubbed "Arcadia" by fans until it receives a title as well, this is just a gut punch of a song, and a hell of a way to open a show. You can hear the audience's reaction after the first chorus, where they erupt in collective excitement at the realization they're witnessing something truly special here. Like Road of Resistance, it has a very Dragonforce sort of feel to it (and I'd be curious if they legitimately collaborated with them again for this track). But this is a song that just reaches out straight to the heart, and I can't get enough of it. Can not wait for a cleaner version.

[transmogrifier]

I'm bored, so here are my Top 20 most played artists over the last 12 years (as collated by Last.fm) and their best albums:

1. Sonic Youth - NYC Ghosts & Flowers (I am in a significant minority on that one)
2. PJ Harvey - Rid of Me (could also be Dry, Is This Desire, or The Hope Six Demolition Project)
3. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus
4. Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
5. R.E.M. - Monster (also a seriously minority opinion)
6. Radiohead - OK Computer
7. The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
8. Deerhoof - The Runners Four
9. LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening
10. Nirvana - In Utero
11. The Delgados - Peloton
12. Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure
13. Electrelane - Axes
14. Blur - 13
15. Arcade Fire - Funeral
16. The Chemical Brothers - Surrender
17. Tool - Aenima (or Lateralus)
18. Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
19. Mclusky - Mclusky Do Dallas
20. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy

[TGM]

My review of Babymetal’s Dark Night Carnival - http://cwiddop.blogspot.com/2019/07/babymetal-dark-night-carnival.html

[dreamdead]

Anyone able to recommend any of the Thai funk that's influenced the pysch-rock band Khruangbin? I like 'em, but seeing Thai funk get name-checked in reviews makes me want to see what influenced them more directly...

Otherwise, this year has yielded some good stuff. New stuff by Inter Arma, Charly Bliss, Jambinai, Weyes Blood, Big Thief, Mannequin Pussy, Jessica Pratt, and even Pup (methinks their prior album was better, but still...) all make it a good year for new music. Hopefully Charli XCX's new one delivers left-of-center pop as well.

[bac0n]

I saw Pup a few months ago - fun as hell band to see live, super high energy and friendly vibe.

[TGM]

Just released, the official MV for Shanti Shanti Shanti:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQnG_T7kbtY

Seriously got chills watching this. The studio version of this song is sick.

[TGM]

New Babymetal music video for Da Da Dance:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMKlj_1zbYc

Features footage from their recent Japan shows in November (the giant triangle stage), as well as their big show this past October at The Forum in LA, which I attended (the octagonal stage). Love the song, but I really wish they had chosen either one or the other show to use for this video, as the constant hopping back and forth between the two performances honestly really bothers the hell out of me while watching it. Ah well. :\

[Yxklyx]

Is 50 years too late to review an album? Harry Nilsson's Aerial Ballet (1968) is ALL OVER THE PLACE! Half the songs are bubble-gummy tunes that The Monkees would play - and then there are a few that really stand out after all these years like Everybody's Talkin' (from Midnight Cowboy) and One (from Magnolia).

[TGM]

Brand new pirate metal song "Oh! Majinai" featuring Joakim from Sabaton, in one of its first performances. I am obsessed with this song's choreography. :cool:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avEdUi4kzj4&app=desktop

[Dukefrukem]

Anyone have experience with music licenses?

[Irish]

Henry Rollins is doing a radio show/ podcast thing where he chats up a bit and plays music.


This is a show free of the constraints you might be accustomed to on regular terrestrial radio.

One of my favorite things about music is that often, there’s a good story about any one album or song. I specifically put tracks into this show so I could tell you the story before we play the song. A couple of examples from this show would include a live Cramps track from 1979 that was recorded by Ian MacKaye and also, the first cassette I ever copied. Another would be a live Led Zeppelin track from the time Ian and I saw them play.

We will be playing different songs from different bands of course but we’ll also be listening to entire albums, EPs, and singles. At four hours, this is lonnnnnnnnng-form programming!

Listen: https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/music-special/henry-rollins-radio-longform-joy-division-ian-mackaye

Show notes: https://www.henryrollins.com/on-the-radio-all/2020/4/7/cool-quarantine-broadcast-001-04-0720

[Dukefrukem]

Oh fuck! Subscribed!

[transmogrifier]

One thing about this pandemic and having to do online classes, I'm spending a lot more time on my computer listening to music in the background. And that's how I've come to love The Sound, and Bikini Kill, and the Japanese band Number Girl, and Swans...Killing Joke, Kyuss, Clutch, Tindersticks...the Melvins, Fairport Convention..

I don't keep up with much new music, especially because my preferred genres seem to be on a downswing in the commercial sphere, and I don't really have the patience to seek out smaller new bands from random playlists and track their releases over the next ten years or whatever. Instead, I keep finding myself going backwards in time and finding bands with extensive discographies that I have overlooked for some reasons and diving headfirst into them. There's something way more interesting in having all of their releases right there and navigating your way through it.

[Pop Trash]

New Fiona Apple LP is pretty bangin'. Quite literally since she is bangin' on everything in her house apparently (she even has an album credit for playing the "chair"). First 10/10 from Pitchfork since Kanye West "My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy" and first 10/10 for a female artist from them period.

I have a love / hate relationship w/ Pitchfork but I've been reading them for 20 years since back in my record store clerk days, when I realized that their "Best New Music" hype for Broken Social Scene, Interpol, and Arcade Fire had a lot of clout for selling records. That was an interesting era when "old media" hype (Spin, Rolling Stone, NPR) was gradually being replaced by "new media" hype (mostly Pitchfork, but other blogs as well, along with RYM starting to be a thing).

I don't know if this is a 10/10 (I'd give it a 9/10 right now personally after a few listens) but I get it. We're living through times where we want art to mean something, and we are living through times where all of us can collectively deep dive into a new "important" record. It also has the perfect storm of touching on #metoo feminism plus Fiona Apple being the original housebound recluse for years recording this thing with probably dozens of multi tracks on each song. It's the sounds of going a little nuts inside your space, while also being cohesive enough to have hooks, melodies, and lyrics for traditional songcraft. Similar to "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" in that it threatens to fall apart under its own weight but keeps grabbing you with hooks and hairpin song transitions. Good stuff.

[Philip J. Fry]

1263472143502905346

[Philip J. Fry]

1263092158040543232
Gimme.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZLrnk0h8nE

[Philip J. Fry]

1278059383201640449

[Idioteque Stalker]

I'm watching the Grammys for the first time in years. I'll rank the performances as they occur.

-- good
1. Billie Eilish (good song, evocative staging, just a great voice)
2. Doja Cat (good song, good performance, quirky aesthetic, finally something fresh)
3. DaBaby (gotta appreciate his sense of humor)
4. Silk Sonic (negative points for pre-recording, still good song/performance, pastiche was amusing)
5. Haim (good song, enjoyed the musicianship)
6. Megan/Cardi (Megan killed it like always, WAP was never going to fully work on basic cable)
7. Post Malone (honestly emo looks good on him)
8. Miranda Lambert (good song, she's a pro)
9. BTS (negative points for pre-recording, best choreography, true pop stars)

-- fine
10. Dua Lipa (good songs, not a great performer, little charisma, DaBaby elevated it)
11. In Memoriam Medley (Silk Sonic rocked Good Golly Miss Molly, Brittany Howard/Chris Martin were far far too much, Brandi Carlile and Lionel Richie did their jobs)
12. Taylor Swift (a fine medley of songs, cozy staging, appreciate she had her producers on stage)
13. Bad Bunny (didn't love the song, but cool staging)
14. Roddy Ricch (nice staging, Roddy is deer in headlights)
15. Mickey Guyton (new/interesting message for country, boring American Idol performance)
16. Black Pumas (very good musicianship, not my thing)

-- bad
17. Lil Baby (this is the grammy's version of conscious hip-hop? Killer Mike can't save it)
18. Maren Morris/John Mayer (awkward rock/pop hybrid goes on too long, reminds me why I don’t watch grammys)
19. Harry Styles (I'm not the target demo, Watermelon Sugar High is a total nothing song)

[Dukefrukem]

How was Billie Eilish's whisper singing?

[Idioteque Stalker]

How was Billie Eilish's whisper singing?

I'm a big fan. She whisper sang so well. I continue to be concerned she's become too serious/prestigious too quickly.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Drawing near to the end of the show and nothing great so far.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Song of the Year: Her - "I Can't Breathe"
Album of the Year: Taylor Swift - "Folklore"
Record of the Year: Billie Eilish - "Everything I Wanted"

Super meh, but what do you expect.

[transmogrifier]

My vote for the best music video of all time:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f2wg1pqQDs

[Dukefrukem]

Hmmm. Best music video of all time? Off the top of my head....

Pearl Jam - Do the Evolution
Green Day - Walking Contradiction
Ok go - this too shall pass
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Michael Jackson - Thriller

[StuSmallz]

As far as music vids go, I've always been a big fan of this one:


https://youtu.be/qc98u-eGzlc

[bac0n]

I'll always have a soft spot for this one:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbgKEjNBHqM

[Philip J. Fry]

1375830019688255490


1375074771650625540
Love that album.

[Philip J. Fry]

Hmmm. Best music video of all time? Off the top of my head....

Pearl Jam - Do the Evolution
Green Day - Walking Contradiction
Ok go - this too shall pass
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Hurt by Johnny Cash.

[quido8_5]

So this is happening: https://www.stereogum.com/2143437/sufjan-stevens-convocations-meditations-volume-one-album-stream/music/

[Idioteque Stalker]

So this is happening: https://www.stereogum.com/2143437/sufjan-stevens-convocations-meditations-volume-one-album-stream/music/

I support Sufjan grieving the loss of his father however he wants, but my personal excitement level for 2.5 hours of sad ambient music from him (excuse me, "five sonic cycles") is low. I think I'm a little Sufjan-ed out. But I still play the old hits.

[quido8_5]

I support Sufjan grieving the loss of his father however he wants, but my personal excitement level for 2.5 hours of sad ambient music from him (excuse me, "five sonic cycles") is low. I think I'm a little Sufjan-ed out. But I still play the old hits.

I agree with that, although I probably will listen (albeit with low expectations). I always admire that he swings for the fences and he's batting .500 from what I can see. When he does hit, though, it is typically a home run (technically I think Seven Swans gets to third base, but I think we're all tired of this extended metaphor).

[Idioteque Stalker]

Seven Swans gets to third base

As evidenced by "Casimir Pulaski Day" I remember at Michael's house/In the living room when you kissed my neck/And I almost touched your blouse when Sufjan is in full Christian mode (like on Seven Swans) he doesn't go to third base. In fact, he only makes it to first, then contemplates stealing second before chickening out.

[quido8_5]

Got caught in a Velvet Underground hole and realized that they really are peerless. Their self-titled (sans Nico) can stand up to any album. Listened to Murder Mystery with headphones for the first time in forever and that song fucking rocks. The dichotic listening is less than a chore than I remembered, since I could tune in to either ear and be entertained, while simultaneously appreciating all the amazing precipitation in the background, music swelling up to meet the few melodic bars. Great shit right there.

[quido8_5]

Just finished Loaded. Could be Lou Reed's best solo album, but thank God he still has his bandmates to anchor him to the fringe. The contributions of the other members are crucial for making this more than a great rock album. Each song over-stays its welcome just enough to make it an odd, uniquely VU party.

Listening to Transformer now, for maybe the third time, and it is good. Really good. If it wasn't Lou Reed, don't know how I'd feel about it. As it is, it just seems like Lou is working too hard. So many of the hooks, lyrics, and production are superfluous and uninteresting. Of course, it has two, maybe three, of the best songs written in the last century. So there's that.

[quido8_5]

Finished Transformer and it definitely resonates with the Almost Famous rendering: he's trying to be Bowie, he should just be himself. At the same time, I don't see us getting that, incredible, version of Satellite of Love without Bowie. Very nearly worth it, but most of the album is a bunch of concessions for the frontman of one the most unonventional bands of all time to portray himself as a pop star. There are also the lines that I'd say are transphobic, which may be a little bit of projection given Reed's biography.

[Philip J. Fry]

Finished Transformer and it definitely resonates with the Almost Famous rendering: he's trying to be Bowie, he should just be himself. At the same time, I don't see us getting that, incredible, version of Satellite of Love without Bowie. Very nearly worth it, but most of the album is a bunch of concessions for the frontman of one the most unonventional bands of all time to portray himself as a pop star. There are also the lines that I'd say are transphobic, which may be a little bit of projection given Reed's biography.
Can't wait for your thoughts on Berlin.

[Yxklyx]

She's My Baby by Mazzy Star is the greatest song that Led Zeppelin did not cover. Whenever I listen to this one I imagine Robert Plant singing it.

[quido8_5]

Just FYI, this happened: https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-kanye-soldier-field-20210827-f6fppemdwrdtpn7mdtjdw2opim-story.html

"Kanye West gives fans a remarkable, bonkers experience at Soldier Field ‘Donda’ listening party with Marilyn Manson, DaBaby and Kim Kardashian"

[DFA1979]

I love The Velvet Underground. I haven't heard any of Lou Reed's solo efforts.

[bac0n]

Good God, this new Yola album is an absolute delight.

[DFA1979]

1375830019688255490


1375074771650625540
Love that album.

I listened to that one two months ago. It is great. Nosferatu Man should be used in a horror movie.

[Skitch]

I haven't heard any of Lou Reed's solo efforts.

Varying results, but none boring (that I've heard).

[DFA1979]

Varying results, but none boring (that I've heard).

I'm guessing his 70s and 80s stuff is probably his best solo wise.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Way into Donda.

[quido8_5]

I'm guessing his 70s and 80s stuff is probably his best solo wise.

I legit love Street Hassle, but it can be a hard listen. The title track is a beautiful, deeply disturbing master piece. The Blue Mask is good, but inconsistent.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Way into Donda.

Okay, it's been a week of non-stop Donda for me and I need to get my thoughts down in case Kanye reworks the album entirely.

First of all, I can see why it's had a mixed reception (53 from critics on metacritic, 6.6 from users): the Manson/DaBaby yuckiness, multiple delays, being ~45 minutes too long... and then of course everything else that annoys people about Kanye West these days. Frankly, these things don't harm the experience for me as much as they seem to for others. Don't care about the delays -- after all, Kanye records as of late have been works in progress anyway, so even after release they're not guaranteed to be "finished." The Manson/DaBaby thing is easy to ignore for me because they're both on a bonus track ("Jail pt 2") that I don't really consider part of the album and I never listen to. Speaking of bonus tracks, the last four songs (all the pt 2s) equal 25 of the 40-45 minutes that need to be cut imo -- once you realize the tracklist actually ends with "No Child Left Behind," Donda feels far less overlong than I feared it would the first time I saw the outrageous runtime.

With that out of the way... the music. Oh my good God in heaven, the music! As good on a Sunday morning as it is on a Saturday night. If you don't think Kanye is a genius by now, this won't be the album to change your mind (unless you're particularly intrigued by gospel creeping into the hip-hop space a la Chance the Rapper or "Ultralight Beams"). If you've been lovingly following his career, however, it would be a bleepity-bleep shame to let the length of the album or its mixed reception keep you from this embarrassment of riches. Not every song hits, sure, but who in their right mind would write off The White Album just because "Birthday," "Long, Long, Long," and "Revolution 9" are less than highlights? Donda may not be perfect, but it has some of the most vulnerable, emotionally potent, and just plain beautiful music Kanye has ever released.

Kanye the rapper may not destroy every verse like he did during the 2000s, but he's thankfully excised his 2010s habit of sprinkling incredibly stupid lines to and fro across the album. The ride is smoother than it has been in a long time. And his singing! Apparently living in and around gospel music has sharpened his technique a bit, because "Believe What I Say," "24," "Lord I Need You," and "Come to Life" are all sing-first songs in which Kanye is in total sincerity mode, and his voice has never sounded better. Others bring the vocal heat too: Roddy Ricch has maybe the album's best feature on "Pure Souls" with a full-on singing verse, some guy named Vory is all over the album with fantastic hooks, and even Kid Kudi (whose voice I usually do not like) gives a restrained performance on "Moon" -- possibly the most densely packed moment of pure beauty in Kanye's entire discography, in which vocal loops flutter around like angel wings lifting you toward the heavens.

Kanye the producer does not seem to be in groundbreaking territory here, but fans will enjoy plenty of call-backs to previous sounds, and (considering how the game always seems to shift slightly according to innovations which may or may not be apparent upon release) I'd be a fool to predict Donda doesn't send out ripples of influence for years to come. But, yeah, it's neither the unprecedented and grandiose display of something like Late Registration/MBDTF nor the 180-degree stylistic mindmelt of something like 808s/Yeezus. It's just a very large collection of mostly good-to-great songs, featuring a whole helluva lot of organ, and it's probably more cohesive than you expect. I do wish more of the myriad features were less expected and pulled from sources outside the current hip-hop landscape (remember back when the Justin Vernon/Kanye collabs blew everyone's mind?), but Kanye's knack for unleashing younger artist's true potential is nevertheless on full display.

I'll admit, among Donda's many highs exist a few lows, which is why it's so key that Kanye sticks the landing with an incredible string of closing tracks in "Lord I Need You," "Pure Souls," "Come to Life," and "No Child Left Behind." With the way his life has gone lately, to hear him close the album by repeating the phrase "He's done miracles on me" is nothing short of a revelation -- despite everything, Kanye continues to direct praise and thanks to God... but also manages to remind us that he himself is pretty great too.

Now, some lists!



Favorite songs:
1. "Lord I Need You"
2. "Come to Life"
3. "Off the Grid"
4. "Moon"
5. "Ok Ok"/"Ok Ok pt 2"


Least favorite songs (take these and the pt 2s out and the album is acceptable length):
1. "Tell the Vision" (R.I.P. Pop Smoke but what is this even doing here)
2. "New Again" (bad Graduation outtake with Chris Brown? No thanks)
3. "God Breathed" (mediocre Yeezus outtake and outro is too long to be so early in tracklist)
4. "Junya" (already tired of Whole Lotta Red, sorry)
5. "Remote Control" (annoying melody but Young Thug almost saves it)


Favorite features:
1. Roddy Ricch/mystery girl at end ("Pure Souls")
2. Jay-Z ("Jail")
3. Shenseea/Lil Yachty/Rooga ("Ok Ok" and "Ok Ok pt 2")
4. Fivio Foreign/Playboi Carti ("Off the Grid")
5. Lil Baby/The Weeknd ("Hurricane")


Kanye ranked:
1. Yeezus
2. Late Registration
3. Donda
4. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
5. Graduation
6. Life of Pablo
7. Ye
8. The College Dropout
9. 808s & Heartbreak
10. Kids See Ghosts
11. Watch the Throne
12. Jesus is King

[Spun Lepton]

My brain all day today: Body-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody. Ah. Body-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody.

Stupid freaking catchy song. Grrr!

[transmogrifier]

I gave Donda one listen and that was it for me. West lost me around Life of Pablo and I have not found a way back. Basically, MBDTF and Yeezus are untouchable and I'll listen to them for ever, Graduation and Late Registration are alright, and I'll leave them on if they come up on album shuffle, Life of Pablo has a couple of tracks in my Best Songs playlist, but I never listen to the full album anymore, and the rest is just.... not for me.

[Philip J. Fry]

So... Rolling Stone claims Gasolina is the 50th best song of all time? Can't say if they're idiots or if they're trolling.

[Idioteque Stalker]

So... Rolling Stone claims Gasolina is the 50th best song of all time? Can't say if they're idiots or if they're trolling.

Just heard it for the first time. Not gonna lie, the song goes hard. I don't put much stock in RS's lists, so not gonna think too hard about its high placement. (Added benefit of leading me back to Bad Bunny through their collab on last year's excellent YHLQMDLG.)

[Idioteque Stalker]

I've hardly listened to any new music in over a year. My friends think there's something wrong because it's very much not like me. There's nothing wrong -- I just haven't been feeling it for whatever reason. But it's nearly October, and if I've learned anything about music over the years it's that sometimes you have to dig deep and listen to a lot in order to find your favorite things. There's a lot of great stuff out there I'm certain I've missed out on over the course of the last year.

I always keep a running list of artists whose current-year LPs/EPs I want to listen to. Since I haven't been checking things off the list, however, it has grown to a preposterous length. Here's what I am currently prioritizing (about 1/10 of the full list):

Madlib
Lingua Ignota
Spellling
Boldy James/The Alchemist
Quickly, Quickly
Low
Little Simz
Armand Hammer/The Alchemist
L’Rain
Black Midi

I'd appreciate anyone's 2021 recommendations (stuff I should prioritize from the above list, or anything else).

Even though I'm far behind where I would typically be at this point in the year, I've still heard ~25 albums. My current favorites are:

Kanye West - Donda
Dean Blunt - Black Metal 2
Floating Points/Pharoah Sanders/London Symphony Orchestra - Promises
Navy Blue - Song of Sage: Post Panic
Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever

As much as I like these records, in a normal year of listening I would expect maybe 3-4 of them to make a personal top 10.

EDIT: I'll add that I'm eagerly anticipating albums from Tirzah, Circuit des Yeux, and Grouper.

[Philip J. Fry]

1505280724865359877

[StuSmallz]

The 20 best Rolling Stones albums, ranked: as the legendary rockers celebrate their 60th anniversary, we look back at the greatest work from their prolific career (https://www.avclub.com/rolling-stones-albums-ranked-60th-anniversary-1849159648)

[DFA1979]

I've heard 10.