Discuss the Musics Thread

[D_Davis]

Just had one of those magical music moments while walking home, in the pouring rain, listening to Alt-Ctrl-Sleep. Brilliant. These dudes (actually a dude and dudette, a husband-wife team) are simply amazing; tailor made for my tastes.

[D_Davis]

Man, this Alt-Ctrl-Sleep album is amazing. What a discovery. To think that a random, free subscription to Tape Op would lead me to discover one of the best albums I've heard this year. I love how stuff like this works out - as if it were meant to be.

[D_Davis]

Mercury Rev's new album should be called Welcome to Dullsville.

So far it is a major disappointment.

Oh well.

[bac0n]

Mercury Rev's new album should be called Welcome to Dullsville.

So far it is a major disappointment.

Oh well.

That's too bad, cuz their previous album, The Secret Migration, was pretty awesome.

[D_Davis]

That's too bad, cuz their previous album, The Secret Migration, was pretty awesome.

I thought that album had some cool stuff on it. I think they kind of peaked with Deserter's Songs, although my personal favorite is still Boces.

This new one is just really dull - it's not interesting at any level. Of course, first listens at work can be deceiving, so perhaps it will grow on my later.

[D_Davis]

I saw Sigur Ros last night - it was awesome.

They were definitely channeling some major Floyd on a bunch of songs, especially their keyboardist. There were some moments where I could have sworn I was listening to Rick Wright.

It's pretty amazing the amount of sound they get from only 4 dudes. They played at Benaroya Hall here in Seattle, the venue that the Seattle Philharmonic plays out, and so the acoustics were just perfect.

I highly recommend seeing them live - it's a great experience.

[MadMan]

I've only heard one song from Sigur Ros. And I love it. I should really dig into more of their work.

Today I finished listening to The Very Best of Chicago. Its clear that their older stuff is far superior to their later work. In fact the differences between the two are really truly night and day. I think that, judging from what I just heard, that the band really became too cheesy. They were able to sort of rein it in in the beginning, but they became way too damn soft rock. Which isn't cool. But I still like them as a group regardless.

[D_Davis]

The La's one and only album got released today as a deluxe version. This version includes three different versions of the album, each one recorded by a different producer. This is way awesome, as some of the versions sound drastically different.

This is one of the strongest albums recorded in the 1990s, and it is great to have its legacy and history collected here.

[D_Davis]

Oh man, I forgot how awesome this La's album is. It may be the strongest single-album releases from any band I've ever heard.

That would be a good list to put together.

The best 20 albums from bands that only released a single album.

[D_Davis]

This deluxe La's is incredible. Wow.

John Leckie's version of There She Goes is stunning - it's so thick and rich. I would love to have been given an entire La's album produced by Leckie. His work on the Stone Roses first album is legendary in the world of pop-music production, and I think he would have been a perfect mix for a La's project. Perhaps not this particular album though, as he does tend to over produced a bit, and part of the La's strength was their raw energy.

The Mike Hedges version of the album is great, and at first I thought I was listening to a Leckie production. It's like the La's album we're all acquainted with, but with a slab of reverb lathered on top, with some additional effects and nuance added in. It's a more "studio" sounding album than the one that was officially released, and while it fails to capture that raw, naked sound of the La's it is still a solid recording.

Contrary to the Hedges and Leckie versions is the Gary Crowley version - these recordings are almost too raw, conjuring GBV's boombox recording sessions. They sound more like demos than a proper release, and I am glad the band shifted directions.

The additional bonus tracks - Knock Me Down, I Am the Key, Clean Prophet, and Man I'm Only Human - are fantastic, and while I love being able to hear these as proper recordings, they mainly serve to frustrate me because I can only imagine what another La's album might sound like. Hopefully the rumors are true, and Lee Mavers is indeed working on new material.

[D_Davis]

Speaking of John Leckie, here is an awesome article from Sound on Sound about the production of the Stone Roses' acidhouse masterpiece, Fools Gold.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb05/articles/classictracks.htm

[D_Davis]

A new Harold Budd album was released today as well. It's Harold Budd with an experimental guitarist named Clive Wright; the album is called A Song For Lost Blossoms, and it is beautiful. Wright reminds me a bit of Robert Fripp with his use of long, echoing sustain and thoughtful note selections. Budd's contribution is, like always, subtle, soothing, and inventive, the man simply knows how to lay down a solid ambient foundation. My only complaint is the included crowd noise at the end of one of the tracks, presumably recorded live. It totally breaks the spell of the album, and I will be editing it out of the track. The title track alone is worth the album price; at over 30-minutes in length, it is an epic journey into a melancholy soundscape of ambient atmosphere and mindfulness.

[MadMan]

The Allman Brothers: Live at Filmore West is pretty awesome. The disc features 7 really long and well crafted tracks that they played for a live audience, and plays to their strength of expert and awesome guitar work. Which is presented on many a lengthy and satisfying solo. Their vocals aren't bad either, and are best featured on a 20 some minute extended version of their classic Whippin' Post. Good stuff, although I wish Jessica had been featured as well. That's my favorite track of theirs.

[D_Davis]

The La's album doesn't contain a single bad track. Every tune on this album is, in fact, an example of masterfully conceived pop. It's been years since I last listened to this, and I had forgotten just how amazing this record is. These dudes were definitely working on a higher level than many of their contemporaries; Mavers was channeling some seriously creative energy with these tunes.

[MadMan]

Abby Road is a goddamn masterpiece. Wow. I'm completely blown away by how amazing it truly is. Out of the ones I've listened to so far, it might even be better than Sergent Peppers.

[D_Davis]

It's crazy, I've listened to these La's tunes hundreds of times since I first bought the tape in high school, and yet I am hearing subtle nuances and inflections now that I've never noticed before.

This is one of the signs of a masterpiece.

The style is straight out of the 1960s, the production and execution is totally of the 1990s, and yet the entire thing sounds timeless.

The opening three songs are pure genius, rivaling the trilogy of opening songs on U2's The Joshua Tree. In about 8 minutes worth of time, the band unleashes 3 of the greatest pop songs ever recorded: Son of Gun, I Can't Sleep, and Timeless Melody.

[D_Davis]

This new Harold Budd is brilliant. It reminds me a lot of the stuff Eno and Fripp have done together, specifically The Equatorial Stars, and The Essential Fripp and Eno.

[D_Davis]

New Trashcan Sinatras comes out next week!

Awesome.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Weird Al provides a more realistic version of T. I.'s "Whatever You Like." (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=yRVi0paZlfI)

I chuckled.

[D_Davis]

I'm digging the heck out of the new Kings of Leon.

I haven't listened to them much at all since I first moved to Seattle. We use to listen to their first album all the time when we closed at Trader Joes.

I don't know if this new album represents a logical progression from their previous albums, but I love where they've ended up.

[Justin]

Just bought the new Deerhoof album today, have yet to listen to it.

[Derek]

Just bought the new Deerhoof album today, have yet to listen to it.

Heard it twice so far and was pretty disappointed both times. It's certainly not bad ("Basket Ball Get Your Groove Back" is one of their funniest songs), but definitely not on the same level as Runner's Four or Friend Opportunity.

[Duncan]

I bought The Walkmen's new album "You & Me" the other day. I'm liking it a lot. They're the first band I ever saw live in NYC, so I have a soft spot for them. Also, I think like three of them went to my school.

[D_Davis]

So after listening to the new Mercury Rev album more, as well as the free album from their website, Strange Attractor, I've decided that I really don't like this new phase the band seems to be entering. It's like their Kid A - it's MR dabbling in techno, but, like Radiohead was, they're just not very good at it, and thus it ends up sounding sub par, especially when compared to other tried and true electronic bands.

They've traded their guitars, bass, and drums, for keyboards and drum machines. As a sometimes electronic musician myself, this in itself is not a problem. The problem is that MR doesn't seem to know how to make their electronic music interesting; there is no texture or dynamics to these songs, it's all sheen and shine, and sonically uninteresting (!). It's all mediocre, and really cheesy sounding.

Kid A was a dull excursion into ambient land, lacking the great rhythms the band was known fore and barely treading in the wake of artists like Brian Eno, Harold Budd, Neu!, Steve Roach, Seefeel, Daniel Lanois, and others created decades before. These new MR albums aren't even that interesting.

Bands like this should focus more on their already proven strengths, or at least wait until they are more proficient and comfortable with a new genre before experimenting with it commercially. The Flaming Lips moved effortlessly into a more electronic territory while still maintaining the things that make them unique. MR, who are really The Flaming Lips Jr., aren't so lucky. They've lost their sound in a sea of electronic shimmer.

Maybe MR will continue down this path and become better at it. Radiohead certainly did with Amnesiac and In Rainbows. However, they are really going to have to sharpen their edge, because they've become very dull and predictable over the course of their post-Deserter's Songs albums. And dull and predictable are two terms that I never thought I would be using to describe the band that gave us Yerself Is Steam, Boces, and See You on the Other Side.

[bac0n]

When I first heard the Flips' At War With The Mystics, it was seeming to me that producer Dave Fridmann had a case of ProTools-a-citis. That is, he was getting up to speed on the industry standard ProTools Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) production software and was wanting to throw in every trick he had learned into the Flaming Lips' latest album. Interviews I've read in various electronic music magazines such as the now defunct American version of Future Music have sorta lent credence to that hunch.

Tho I have yet to hear the Mercury Rev's latest (and I'm a big fan of The Secret Migration) I wonder if Fridmann is still in awe of the DAW, wanting to overproduce the crap outa his stuff. Many an artist has fallen into this trap.

[D_Davis]

At War With the Mystics is terribly produced. It's way too loud. I hate this fascination with loudness, sheer volume, these days. It's a major problem, everyone mastering their album with full compression to make it as loud as possible. There are no dynamics at all, and many nuances are lost. Many new albums actually hurt to listen to at any volume because they are poorly mastered. The songs from that album sound much, much better live. The Flips have been experimenting with electronics for some time, and really went for this in live applications after Clouds Taste Metallic, after Ronald left.

[D_Davis]

It would be great if Mercury Rev's newest album was the only album from one of my past favorites to disappoint, but unfortunately the new Secret Machines is also a major let down.

Man, what a total bummer.

These dudes have released one absolute masterpiece (Now Here is Nowhere), one great album (Ten Silver Drops), and two pretty good EPs.

This new album, self titled, is by far their worst effort to date. It's just noise. I've listened to it twice now and for the life of me I can't recall a single thing about it.

Granted this is a loud rock album, and I should be listening to this at home, not at work where I have to keep the volume way down. I should be rocking out to this. However, good music is good music, and good rock is good rock at any volume. This just isn't good rock.

I will again bring up the point I made earlier about the Flips last album, At War With the Mystics. It seems as if the Silver Machines have traded nuance and dynamics for sheer volume, and thus everything sounds washed out in a sea of incomprehensible noise. I cannot recall a single melody or phrase.

I will wait to pass a final judgment until later. I need to fully listen to the lyrics as the band normally has great things to say, and I will give it a listen to through head phones.

But as it stands, the album just isn't very good, and it totally bums me out.

[Lasse]

Daft Punk figures available from March 2009. I want 'em.

http://www.soundvenue.com/upload/nyheder/2008-10/daftpunk_23102008_top.jpg

[Lasse]

Does anyone recognize the piano sample used for this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzZXK3VSadg

[D_Davis]

Does anyone recognize the piano sample used for this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzZXK3VSadg

I don't know, but that song Sumper by this group is pretty sweet.

[Lasse]

I don't know, but that song Sumper by this group is pretty sweet.

Haha, cool. Sumper was another one of my favorites.

I've loved these guys since the early nineties. And although the music hasn't aged too well, it's still wonderfully nostalgic to put their records on.

[D_Davis]

Haha, cool. Sumper was another one of my favorites.

I've loved these guys since the early nineties. And although the music hasn't aged too well, it's still wonderfully nostalgic to put their records on.

I am always down for hearing new music, and 9 times out of 10, when someone posts something here that I've never heard before I make a concerted effort to check it out.

I figure, if it's good enough to warrant the poster's time, I should at least check out.

Sometimes it feels as if recommendations by posters go unnoticed here.

Sumper's a sweet track. I was rapping in gibberish last night after listening to it, pretending I was a Danish rapper.

:)

They remind me of MC 900 Foot Jesus, and early Stereo MCs. I can totally dig their old school aesthetics, even if they don't hold up today.

[D_Davis]

Is there anything better than discovering a new-to-you band, only to find that a) you really dig them, and b) they have an extensive discography to crawl through?

Today, whilst clicking through iTunes (I like to spend about 30 minutes a day clicking through RIYLs, review links, and LABs, going at least 10-20 deep looking for new bands to listen to) I came across a band called Blue Rodeo, and almost instantly fell in love.

Maybe everyone else in the world knows about them - it's possible - but they were a brand new discover for me.

These alt-country rockers hail from Canada, and they've been around since the mid-80s (1984), and they have over 12 albums as of last year.

I sampled a number of their albums before picking 1995's Nowhere to Here as my first purchase. It is pretty damn great.

Apparently, the Wilco dudes are pretty big fans of Blue Rodeo, and they've even appeared on one of their albums Palace of Gold, also the first album to feature Bob Egan, formally of Wilco, on the guitar.

Some cool songs:


Hasn't Hit Me Yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crfpN3n8lR0

5 Days in May
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmqZdPoPTG0

Rain Down on Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Cr7ss5VEE

[dreamdead]

Daniel,

So I was listening to Diatonis from the second MC mixtape. How is their "Ambient Life" album? I could see this type of music being wonderful for writing/reading, but I want to make certain that you didn't select the "single" from the album.

[D_Davis]

Daniel,

So I was listening to Diatonis from the second MC mixtape. How is their "Ambient Life" album? I could see this type of music being wonderful for writing/reading, but I want to make certain that you didn't select the "single" from the album.

One of the best ambient albums I've ever heard, and a total steal as a download from iTunes. It's only $9.99 and contains 23 tracks: over 3 hours of music.

I listen to it all the time - it's become the soundtrack for a ton of the books I read.

It can listened to as background music, but it is also engaging and interesting enough to be listened to intensely.

I highly recommend it.

[dreamdead]

One of the best ambient albums I've ever heard, and a total steal as a download from iTunes. It's only $9.99 and contains 23 tracks: over 3 hours of music.


I like the price on Itunes, but I see that the longer track cuts aren't offered on Itunes, though, so the album is missing four or so tracks. Should I just go with a $17 CD from amazon?

[D_Davis]

I like the price on Itunes, but I see that the longer track cuts aren't offered on Itunes, though, so the album is missing four or so tracks. Should I just go with a $17 CD from amazon?

The whole thing is available on iTunes.

Yeah just checked - all 23 songs listed on the CD on Amazon come with the album purchase on iTunes.

The "Album Only" tag means that it can't be purchased as a single - songs over 10 minutes long are usually tagged as "Album Only" meaning you have to buy the whole thing.

[dreamdead]

I made the plunge with Diatonis. Loving it so far.

Took it out on a drive this morning and was pleased to hear how celestial it was, and how it opened up my thinking, whereas my thinking typically is confined to the melodies itself.

[D_Davis]

I made the plunge with Diatonis. Loving it so far.

Took it out on a drive this morning and was pleased to hear how celestial it was, and how it opened up my thinking, whereas my thinking typically is confined to the melodies itself.

Lately I've been starting the album at different points. Because it is so long, I rarely make it all the way through on a single listen, and so there are some tracks towards the end that I don't listen to. I like how the longer tracks break up the album; each one seems to end a particular movement, combining the themes of the previous tracks.

[Sven]

Prince is a fucking genius.

Discuss.

[Derek]

Prince is a fucking genius.

Discuss.

I have no doubt that he is as I've heard too many musicians I respect say that. I just wish he would use his genius to make, you know, great music?

[Sven]

I have no doubt that he is as I've heard too many musicians I respect say that. I just wish he would use his genius to make, you know, great music?

This coupled with that horrific CJ7 score can mean only one thing: I hate you.

[Derek]

This coupled with that horrific CJ7 score can mean only one thing: I hate you.

I honestly haven't heard all that much from him (not even Purple Rain in its entirety), but I've never been particularly interested in digging deeper from what I have heard over the year. I should at least check out PR just because...if only to make amends. :)

[transmogrifier]

Prince is a fucking genius.

Discuss.

He's okay.

[bac0n]

Prince is a fucking fruitcake.

Discuss.

fixed

[D_Davis]

I've always admired Prince on a technical level. The dude is a fantastic guitar player (very underrated) and he is a great producer and important industry dude. However, I hate his music. It does nothing for me.

[Sven]

fixed

He's both, of course.

[D_Davis]

Is liking Q-Tip one of those things associated with white people?

Who cares.

I'm white, and I love this kind of hip hop. And while I am still just a tad bit miffed about how Tribe became more popular than De La Soul and The Jungle Brothers (I'll get over it someday), I cannot deny their brilliance.

Anyhow, the new Q-Tip is awesome. It's so playful: I'm sitting at my desk right now totally grooving while filing paperwork for patents. It's going to make today an even better day, and that is a very good thing.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have no doubt that he is as I've heard too many musicians I respect say that. I just wish he would use his genius to make, you know, great music?

This.

[Sven]

Ridiculous. Every single one of you.

[Sven]

I challenge anyone to listen to the entirety of Sign 'O' the Times and then explain precisely how it comes up short. Practically the definition of perfection in musical production.

[D_Davis]

I challenge anyone to listen to the entirety of Sign 'O' the Times and then explain precisely how it comes up short. Practically the definition of perfection in musical production.

Production wise, maybe, but the music itself - the tunes, the compositions, the sounds, the melodies, etc. - does nothing for me.

It totally sounds like your thing though, and I would imagine you loving the heck out of him. He's kind of a throwback to that style of 70s music you dig.

But to me, it's just kind of boring, a mix of ho-hum RnB, bad rap, cheesy pop, and slick corporate rock.

You probably feel the same way about a lot of the ambient stuff I listen to.

No biggie.

:)

[D_Davis]

It totally sounds like your thing though....

But to me, it's just kind of boring, a mix of ho-hum RnB, bad rap, cheesy pop, and slick corporate rock.


I should clarify something here. I don't think all the stuff you like sounds like the above.

That's just how I feel about a lot of Prince's albums.

However, I can also hear the things in his music that would lead me to believe that you would really dig his stuff.

[Sven]

Nah, it's all good. My indignation is intended comically, though I am nothing but sincere. Different strokes and all, but you know that feeling when something works so perfectly for you, and yet you are barraged with opposing opinions? It's like The Twilight Zone.

[D_Davis]

Nah, it's all good. My indignation is intended comically, though I am nothing but sincere. Different strokes and all, but you know that feeling when something works so perfectly for you, and yet you are barraged with opposing opinions? It's like The Twilight Zone.

Right!

I just wanted to make sure you didn't read my post and see "It sounds like something you would like, it sounds like shite!"

:)

[Sven]

Right!

I just wanted to make sure you didn't read my post and see "It sounds like something you would like, it sounds like shite!"

:)

Eh, you're not too far off. :)

Speaking of which, Davis, Klaatu. Their first two albums. Check them out. It is imperative.

[D_Davis]

Speaking of which, Davis, Klaatu. Their first two albums. Check them out. It is imperative.

I have been, although I am having trouble finding the full albums. They aren't available on iTunes or Amazon MP3! Lame.

Some of it is pretty great, while some of it I don't care for. I need to hear the full albums though. It does get a little to theatrical for me at times (reminding me of why I don't like bands like Queen), and lacks a real edge that I like in my prog-rock (it is very slick), however, some of the stuff I've heard is very interesting.

[Ezee E]

I'll have to check out the new Q-Tip.

And I like the new Kanye song.

[/so white]

[Boner M]

Not liking Prince is synonymous with asexuality.

[Sven]

Not liking Prince is synonymous with asexuality.

I'd buy this for a dollar.

[D_Davis]

The new Why? album, Alopecia, is good.

I love his brand of indie hip hop. The compositions are creative and the arrangements are incredibly technical; every little blip, bloop, sample, and hit sits perfectly in it place.

Lyrically, it's as cryptic as ever. This wordsmith has picked up where De La Soul left off with Bahloon State Mind, and perfected on De La Soul is Dead. Why?'s delivery is relaxed, but still engaging; he shirks the stereotypes often thrust upon "slacker" emcees. His wordplay, and choice of rhythms and rhymes, is, once again, rewarding - each listen reveals a new layer to be discovered.

The album feels more focused than his previous outing, but at the same time it doesn't sound as adventurous. It feels more predictable, but only because I've grown more accustomed to Why?'s signature sound.

The album is also a bit long, though. At almost an hour in length, there is not enough variety in the dynamics, or in the sounds themselves to hold my interest.

I think I still prefer Elephant Eyelash, but there this album is also worthy of a purchase.

[Sven]

Tell me, audiophiles... does music, as it lies in my external hard drive, decline in quality over time? Is it that the software improves and the music bytes can't quite keep up with it? Or is it just that my ears are becoming more sensitive to subtleties in fidelity?

[Benny Profane]

What has Prince done in the past decade?

[D_Davis]

My band has our first show tonight.

I haven't played live in like 5 years...I'm actually a bit nervous.

Actually, I've never played live in Seattle...crazy.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Tell me, audiophiles... does music, as it lies in my external hard drive, decline in quality over time? Is it that the software improves and the music bytes can't quite keep up with it? Or is it just that my ears are becoming more sensitive to subtleties in fidelity?


I've never heard of mp3/avi/flac (I'm assuming this is your file extension) deteriorating. Either your hardware is deteriorating or your ears are.

[bac0n]

My band has our first show tonight.

I haven't played live in like 5 years...I'm actually a bit nervous.

Actually, I've never played live in Seattle...crazy.

Break a leg! Preferably of that hippy in the back who just sits there glaring at you guys from behind his monstrous cappuccino, never says anything, just sits there, STARING STARING STARING, sheesh, why don't you just stay home and listen to those nasally wankers The Decembrists, you pompous fucking English Major!

[D_Davis]

The show went great. Of course there weren't too many people there - maybe like 15 - but it was our first show, on a Thursday night, at midnight, so....

But the important thing is that we played well and we had a great time.

The three bands before us were all metal/hard core, and so we stuck out like a sore thumb. Our guitar amps were like 5 times smaller than the smallest stack the other bands used. It was actually pretty funny.

Especially my bass amp.

I have a tiny home-made bass cab, but it produces a better sound than any other bass cab I've ever heard. The other bass players had these giant 6' cabs with like 10 speakers in them, and I have this little 2.5 foot cab with a single 15''.

Pretty funny.

Of course I was the one laughing while hauling my gear back to my car - easy set up and take down!

[Milky Joe]

You guys need to play in Portland so I can come watch (and listen).

[D_Davis]

You guys need to play in Portland so I can come watch (and listen).

We definitely will.

Not sure when, but I'll let you know when we do.

[D_Davis]

Tomorrow, New Order's albums Movement, Brotherhood, Technique, and Low Life are all being released as double-albums complete with the B-sides and remixes of the various singles.

Awesome.

[D_Davis]

The deluxe version of New Order's Movement is awesome. The album is remastered, and sounds incredible, and the bonus material is ace: 7'' and 12'' versions of Ceremony, Temptation, In a Lonely Place, Hurt, Mesh, and more.

It's like a mini version of Substance, but all totally remastered.

Excellent.

This collection provides an opportunity to hear the band transform from their Joy Division roots into the powerhouse of guitar-driven techno-pop they would become on Technique.

[D_Davis]

Man, I forgot how totally awesome the 7'' version of Temptation is - this is a bona fide classic of the post-punk movement. New Order was really on to something here.

[Russ]

D, I can't wait til my budget allows my eventual purchase of these releases -- I remember owning some of these 12" vinyl mixes. Very great news indeed.

[D_Davis]

D, I can't wait til my budget allows my eventual purchase of these releases -- I remember owning some of these 12" vinyl mixes. Very great news indeed.

I'll be buying one a week from iTunes.

This week was Movement.

The only one I'm not sure of is Low-Life. While I love the album, this was my least favorite period of New Order b-sides and singles.

I have a lot of this stuff on vinyl as well, so it's nice to not have to bust that out.

Although, I was never fortunate enough (or rich enough!) to buy Run II, and now it's finally on CD as part of the Technique (my favorite New Order album) reissue.

Awesome.

[D_Davis]

Every time I get back into New Order, I am shocked by how many amazing songs they wrote and recorded. Their body of work is stunning.

[Justin]

Tomorrow, New Order's albums Movement, Brotherhood, Technique, and Low Life are all being released as double-albums complete with the B-sides and remixes of the various singles.

Awesome.

You forgot Power, Corruption, and Lies, which was also re-released and is my favorite New Order album.

[D_Davis]

You forgot Power, Corruption, and Lies, which was also re-released and is my favorite New Order album.

Woops - forgot it.

:)

[Justin]

Woops - forgot it.

:)

Its alright, I will forgive you. I do have a similar opinion about New Order, every time I revisit one of their albums, I seem to find a track that I didn't remember and get blown away by it.

And on another note, seeing m83 tonight. :cool:

[D_Davis]

And on another note, seeing m83 tonight. :cool:

Nice. That should be cool. Do you know what kind of live line up he uses? Full band, or just keyboads?

[Justin]

Nice. That should be cool. Do you know what kind of live line up he uses? Full band, or just keyboads?

I am pretty sure full band, and apparently Morgan Kibby tours with him so all of the songs she guested on the new album will probably be performed live too.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I find New Order very weird personally. Their good stuff is mind-blowingly ridiculously pro, but so much of their material either leaves me indifferent or disgusted by how wretched it is. I can't think of any other band which I feel similarly. For every Age of Consent, there's a We all Stand or a Perfect Kiss.

[D_Davis]

...but so much of their material either leaves me indifferent or disgusted by how wretched it is....

You're the new king of hyperbole.

[Acapelli]

from what i've heard, these remasters are pretty mediocre


RE: New Order's remasters. This list of errors is just...wow.

From NewOrderOnline forums:

Number of confirmed errors: 299 and counting...
(all the glitches in "Fine Line" etc. not included - anybody got timings for these?)

By no means is this a definitive list - there's likely more errors that haven't yet been spotted. If you notice any, please say so! Exact time for glitches may be one or two seconds off, depending on what hardware you use. Warning: This list is not to be used for software de-noising or other types of "error correction". The point I wish to make is that more or less all of these tracks are completely unusable and need to be remastered from the correct (analogue/digital master) sources.

Some lessons one could learn from this:
1) It's not a good idea to record tracks from vinyl (or other poor quality sources) and try to pass them off as a "remastered" CD release.
2) It's a better idea to QA the products BEFORE they go out to the shops, than afterwards.

Movement (1981):
1. Dreams Never End
2. Truth
3. Senses
4. Chosen Time
5. I.C.B
6. The Him - Glitch at 5:25-5:26
7. Doubts Even Here
8. Denial

Movement - bonus disc:
1. Ceremony
2. Temptation - Version info missing from CDtext entry (click at 3:47 - unconfirmed)
3. In A Lonely Place (levels are maxed out which has caused clipping - unconfirmed)
4. Everything's Gone Green
5. Procession
6. Cries & Whispers (mislabelled as "Mesh" - unconfirmed) (glitches at 0:06, 0:07, 0:08, 0:28, 0:34, and 0:45 - unconfirmed)
7. Hurt - Glitches at 0:00, 0:37, 1:05[right channel pop], 1:07, 3:04, 3:48, 4:06, 6:19, 6:24, 7:07, 7:26, 7:59)
8. Mesh (mislabelled as "Cries & Whispers" - unconfirmed) - Evidence of scratched vinyl at 0:28, 0:30, 0:35, 0:37, 1:05, 1:07, 1:09, 1:12, 1:14, 1:19, 1:21, 1:40, 1:41, 2:08, 2:09, 2:17, 2:18, 2:19, 2:24, 2:26, 2:28, 2:33, 2:35. In addition, digital glitches at: 0:07, 0:20, 0:44, 0:58, 1:00, 1:25, 1:33, 1:37, 1:44, 1:47, 1:49, 1:56, 1:58, 2:12, 2:22, 2:37, 2:40, 2:49, 2:54, 2:56. Sudden convergence to mono at 1:35.
9. Ceremony (Alt. Version) -L/R channels swapped
10. Temptation - Version info missing from CDtext entry. Left channel crackle at 0:24
CDtext: "Artist" information is missing
CDtext: "Title" information is missing

Power, Corruption and Lies (1983):
1, Age of consent
2, We all stand
3, The village
4, 586 ("abrupt ending", "drops the last 4 bass notes" - unconfirmed)
5, Your silent face
6, Ultraviolence
7, Ecstasy
8, Leave me alone

Power, Corruption and Lies - bonus disc:
1, Blue Monday (L/R pans 0:07[sudden], and between 0:19 and 2:24. At 2:24 it pans back again. Unconfirmed whether this is on the original 12 inch)
2, The Beach
3, Confusion - Clicks at 4:04 and 6:00 (Left channel click at 8:06 - unconfirmed whether this is on the original 12 inch)
4, Thieves like us CDtext track info says "ThEIves Like Us"
5, Lonesome Tonight (clicks at 0:40 and 0:59 - unconfirmed)
6, Murder - "Clicks" at 0:35, 1:08, 1:29, 1:43, 2:03, 2:31, 2:43, 2:50, 3:00, 3:19, 3:26
7, Thieves like us (instrumental) (click at 1:03 - unconfirmed) CDtext track info says "ThEIves Like Us"
8, Confusion (instrumental)
CDtext: "Artist" information is missing
CDtext: "Title" information is missing

Low-Life (1985) Digipak spine says "1983"
1. Love Vigilantes 4:19
2. The Perfect Kiss 4:50
3. This Time of Night 4:45
4. Sunrise 6:01 - Sudden volume drop in right channel at 2:36
5. Elegia 4:55
6. Sooner Than You Think 5:11
7. Sub-culture 4:58
8. Face Up 5:06
Overall: the album tracks "sound like they've been mastered from the Centredate cd's and not the masters themselves" "this release is a massive disappointment. I even would advise anyone not to buy it" "Sleeve notes full of errors" "Did anyone proof read these?"

Low-Life – bonus disc
1. The Perfect Kiss 8:50 - Dubious sound quality, clicks, 'crackles', and pops at 0:07, 0:11, 0:16, 0:20, 0:23, 0:25, 0:30, 0:42, 0:50, 0:54, 1:08, 1:19, 1:23, 1:28, 1:32, 1:38, 1:56, 2:12, 2:32, 3:01, 3:03, 3:10, 3:11, 3:15, 3:24, 3:29, 3:40, 3:54, 3:57, 4:52, 4:59, 5:04, 5:06, 5:11, 5:13, 5:15, 5:18, 5:20, 5:27, 5:41, 6:08, 6:09, 6:37, 6:42, 6:44, 6:47, 6:51, 6:56, 7:12, 7:47, 7:49, 8:10, 8:15, 8:20, 8:36, and 8:38.
2. Subculture 7:27 - Glitches "run the whole way through it", namely at: 0:02, 0:04, 0:07, 0:08, 0:23, 0:48, 0:56, 1:24, 1:32, 1:58, 2:09, 2:47, 2:50, 3:13, 3:52, 3:55, 3:57, 3:59, 4:30, 4:35, 4:48, 4:55, 4:57, 5:04, 5:18, 5:46, 5:49, 6:38, and 6:52.
3. Shellshock - Plays the Substance edit, not the full 12" version. Sounds "shitty, more bass but also no presence"
4. Shame Of The Nation
5. Elegia 17:30
6. Let’s Go - "Clicks" at 1:24 and 3:23(at 1:31 it sounds like the tape slowed suddenly - unconfirmed)
7. Salvation Theme 2:16
8. Dub Vulture 7:56 - Has "rumble" as if it were taken from vinyl. Clicks and pops at 0:07, 0:09, 0:14 ....
CDtext: "Artist" information is missing
CDtext: "Title" information is missing
CDtext: track titles are missing
Overall, "mastering for the bonus tracks is on the loud side" and clipping may be present. "The tracks on the bonus disc sound mostly awful". "I just can't believe this release passed the quality control of band, management and label."

Brotherhood (1986)
1, Paradise
2, weirdo
3, As it is when it was
4, Broken promise
5, Way of life
6, Bizarre love triangle
7, All day long
8, Angel dust
9, Every little counts
10, State of the nation

Brotherhood - bonus disc
1, Bizarre love triangle (shep pettibone remix) - Version info missing from CDtext entry
2, 1963 - Clicks at 0:04, 0:25, 0:28, 0:30, 0:39, 0:46, 0:55, 1:14, 1:37, 1:56, 2:03, 2:07, 2:14, 2:42, 3:07, 3:29, 3:40, 3:54, 4:25, 4:32, 4:34, 4:40, 4:55, 5:00, 5:16, and 5:25. "Stutter" at 3:36. In addition, "the track has a lot of clipping"
3, True Faith (shep pettibone remix)
4, Touched by the hand of god - Dubious sound quality, clicks, pops and digital glitches at: 0:08, 0:13, 0:15, 0:23, 0:29, 0:39, 6:53, 6:58, and 7:00.
5, Blue Monday ‘88
6, Evil dust - "sounds like it was recorded directly from vinyl", "crackles or some sort of skip at the start"
7, True Dub - Not what it says: plays a 1994 Tall Paul "eschreamer dubbier" remix
8, beach buggy - Not what it says: plays Blue Monday 1988 (dub version)

Technique (1989)
1, Fine Time
2, All the way
3, love less (click at 0:04 - unconfirmed)
4, Round and round
5, Guilty partner
6, Run
7, Mr disco
8, vanishing point
9, Dream attack
"Sleeve notes full of errors" "Did anyone proof read these?"

Technique - bonus disc
1, Don’t do it - Clicks and pops at 0:08, 0:18, 0:35, 0:40, 1:00, 2:25, 2:27, 3:01, 3:05, 3:07, 3:32, 4:12, 4:17, and 4:19. ( a skip near the beginning of the track - unconfirmed)
2, Fine line - A myriad of crackles and "jumps"
3, Round and round - CDtext track info says "Round round". Dubious sound quality, clicks, pops and digital glitches. "4 pops/irregular static within the first 20 seconds". Problems at 0:05, 0:07, 0:10, 0:16, 0:28, 0:32, 0:36, 0:41, 0:48, 0:52, 0:54, 0:56, 0:59, 1:05, 1:30, 1:39, 2:28, 2:30, 2:32, 2:41, 2:43, 2:52, 3:03, 3:15, 4:19, 5:18, 5:34, 6:32, and 6:34.
4, Best and marsh CDtext track info says "Best marsh"(dubious sound quality - unconfirmed)
5, Run 2 - Plays the extended version (not listed as such). Sound quality suggests it was "mastered" from vinyl. Clicks and pops at: 0:03, 0:10, 0:17, 0:24, 0:38, 0:41, 0:45, 0:50, 1:02, 1:13, 1:40, 2:02, 2:39, 3:10, 3:58, 4:05, 4:12, 4:15, 4:29, 4:42, 4:56, and 5:10.
6, MTO - Plays the "minus mix" (not listed as such)
7, Fine time (silk mix) (dubious sound quality - unconfirmed)
8, Vanishing point (instrumental) (dubious sound quality - unconfirmed)
9, world in motion (carabinieri mix)- Listed as "cabinieri". Sound quality suggests it was "mastered" from vinyl
CDtext title information says "Bonus disc 4".
Overall, "Be aware that the mastering here is horrible. There are audible pops and snaps on some of the bonus disc music indicating it was ripped directly from vinyl and NEVER cleaned up. You can get better bootleg MP3s than this mess."

Overall comments (applying to particular tracks and/or all of the above):
"sounds like an MP3 vinyl rip with a lot of compression" "I'm not paying good cash for 'remasters' that in some places sound as if they were played on a cheap turntable through a computer sound card replete with crackles and skips."

[Justin]

M83 was great, liked seeing them in a more intimate setting(350 people max) too. Have to say the highlight was Teen Angst, that sounded fantastic live.

[D_Davis]

M83 was great, liked seeing them in a more intimate setting(350 people max) too. Have to say the highlight was Teen Angst, that sounded fantastic live.

That's awesome.

[D_Davis]

from what i've heard, these remasters are pretty mediocre

I haven't heard any of those "errors" on the Movement disc. The b-sides definitely sound better than my old vinyl I've had for 20+ years, so even if there are some clicks and pops, I don't mind. I'm not an audiophile, I just like listening to good music. I'll take a closer listen today to see if I hear anything, maybe I'm just listening carefully enough. The tracks Mesh and Cries and Whispers might be mislabeled, can't recall off hand. No big deal though, it would just take a split second to retype the titles. For $8.99 from Amazon ($3 cheaper than iTunes I found), I'm not complaining.

[D_Davis]

The tracks Mesh and Cries and Whispers are mislabeled. I just retyped the titles - a 3 second fix.

As far as the mastering goes...

I really can't hear anything that sounds really bad about the b-sides. While it may sound like some of them were mastered from a vinyl source, I can't tell if this is true or if it was just the way the tracks were originally recorded.

Some of these old Factory Records recordings were never that good.

I've never really cared about fidelity, so long as it doesn't hamper my enjoyment of the song. Your millage may vary.

Sometimes I think audiophiles are more concerned with fidelity than they are melody, so to speak. And if there is one thing I've learned, it's to never discuss a remastered album with an audiophile. It's like discussing comic books and cartoons with Comic Shop Guy.

"There is clearly a .03% db cut on the left channel of track 4 at the 30 second mark. This is totally unacceptable and I am outraged."

Whatever.

The album proper sounds great, and the b-sides, while maybe not as good, still sound better than my old vinyl and now I don't have to get out my record player and worry about dust and needles.

To me, this is still more than worth the $8.99 price tag.

[Spaceman Spiff]

You're the new king of hyperbole.

I'm just a passionate man with passionate desires living in an impassive world.

I think you can take all the great New Order songs and put it in 1 (maybe 2 albums). They would be breathtakingly magnificent albums, it must be said.

[D_Davis]

I think you can take all the great New Order songs and put it in 1 (maybe 2 albums). They would be breathtakingly magnificent albums, it must be said.

Yeah I disagree.

Great New Order albums:

Power, Corruption and Lies
Brotherhood
Low Life
Technique

Sure, some of the songs on these albums are better than others, but they are all amazingly crafted albums with cohesive moods and thoughtful track ordering.

There is nothing "wretched" about any of the songs on any of these albums. I would probably save that kind of hyperbole for something on a Pussy Cat Dolls record. I mean, how far below wretched does your scale go?


For every Age of Consent, there's a We all Stand or a Perfect Kiss.

Which of these songs do you think is good, and which do you think is wretched?

Because they're all pretty dang good. I'd rank them: Perfect Kiss, Age of Consent, We all Stand.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Very little makes me happy in terms of music, it must be said. I'm weird/lame like that.

Okay, maybe wretched was too strong a term. Poor, or mediocre (which I agree does not equal wretched) is more what I was getting at.

Age of Consent is the best of those 3, most definitely. PC&L is my favorite of their albums.

[D_Davis]

I'll agree that some New Order songs are mediocre, and some are poor. I cannot think of a band that hasn't recorded something mediocre or poor. Even my favorite bands have produced tracks that I think are less than amazing.

[MadMan]

British Sea Power's latest disc is very, very good. I like that they improved upon their previous effort, Open Season, which was merely solid.

[Acapelli]

British Sea Power's latest disc is very, very good. I like that they improved upon their previous effort, Open Season, which was merely solid.
atom is still one of the best songs of the year

[D_Davis]

Listening to Primus now, some years removed from the zenith of their popularity, makes me realize just how incredible it is that a band like them was at one time played on the most mainstream of rock radio stations. Primus's popularity is an example of a time when the mainstream embraced a band that truly deserved to be embrace. While I hesitate to use the word unique to describe their sound (they did after all borrow a ton from King Crimson), they still sound completely unlike any other popular rock band.

They truly were a band with a ton of creativity, overflowing with talent and taste - and people appreciated them for this. They were not an attractive band, nor did they write catchy little pop tunes. Their fans actually loved them because of their talent. I still can't believe that a progressive rock band like Primus was ever as popular as they were. I know they also inspired creativity in others. The 1990s are my favorite decade for music, and Primus's time at the top is an excellent example of why I love that decade so dang much.

[origami_mustache]

M83 was great, liked seeing them in a more intimate setting(350 people max) too. Have to say the highlight was Teen Angst, that sounded fantastic live.

Cool, I'm going to see them next week.

[origami_mustache]

1000 recordings to hear before you die (http://www.1000recordings.com/the-list/)

[D_Davis]

What the World is Waiting For, by the Stone Roses.

Music doesn't get much better than this. I can't believe this was a b-side, and never on a proper album. Many bands would kill to have a song this good.

[Benny Profane]

Any Townes van Zandt fans in our midst? I just blind-bought a double live album of his and can't wait to listen to it.

[D_Davis]

Anyone here listen to Tayler Deupree?

He's pretty interesting. He's a multimedia artist, photographer, and found of the 12K record label specializing in minimalist electronic and ambient music.

His own music is interesting. Very droney, and upon a casual listen one might be prone to dismiss it as static and unthoughtful. It's ironic that many people treat ambient music simply as background music, and by not fully engaging the music as one might a shorter pop song, it does indeed wash away in the distance - kind of self fulfilling prophecy. Treated as background music, that is what it becomes.

However, when one engages the music it takes on a different quality. The one time static, unchanging nature of the compositions transforms into nuanced and deliberate study of glitchy noise, space, and mood.

It's definitely not for everyone. Music like this can be quite challenging to give one's full attention to. It's also not something that I would turn to all the time - I usually like a bit more melody in my ambient music. But sometimes, this kind of ultra minimalist electronic glitch music perfectly fits my mood.

[Russ]

Anyone here listen to Tayler Deupree?
I like his stuff quite a bit, tho I haven't heard any of his newer music. The amount of released material this guy is associated with is unbelievable. I mainly have the stuff he did when he was producing for the Instinct label. Human Mesh Dance was, more beat-oriented in the beginning but evolved into the sound with which he's now associated. He had other projects back then (Drum Komputer, Prototype 909, Escape Tank, Futique), but the one I liked the most was SETI, which he produced with Greek electronics musician, Savvas Ysatis.

I really haven't heard any of his 12k releases, but would certainly like to.

[D_Davis]

I didn't know he was part of SETI - I like their stuff.

He reminds me of Peter Namlook and Bill Laswell a lot in that he is incredibly and ridiculously prolific, to an absurd degree. It seems like it's almost impossible to everything he's done. Only listening to the albums he's released under his name could take months and months, and that's not even mentioning everything else he's been associated with.

I'm just now starting to dive into his stuff. I picked up Stil. largely considered to be his masterpiece (at least from what I've read).

[Russ]

I didn't know he was part of SETI - I like their stuff.
Hope you're thinking of the right one. There were two SETI's out during the 90's. One was S.E.T.I., which was Andrew Lagowski (Lustmord). I haven't heard any of his work. I think all of Deupree's SETI work was for the Instinct label.

[MadMan]

Current rentals:

*Rockin' The Suburbs-Ben Folds (I'm checking this one out for the second time)-***1/2
*D-Sides-Gorillaz
*Because of the Times-Kings of Leon

[Duncan]

I bought Of Montreal's Skeletal Lamping the other day. It didn't get great reviews, but I swear this is one of the most fun albums I've listened to in years. It's sex and lunacy and sugar and I can dance to it. It goes off in a million different directions, but I'm always willing to follow it.

[transmogrifier]

Lisa Germano.

Geek the Girl.

Get it. Love it.

[Derek]

I bought Of Montreal's Skeletal Lamping the other day. It didn't get great reviews, but I swear this is one of the most fun albums I've listened to in years. It's sex and lunacy and sugar and I can dance to it. It goes off in a million different directions, but I'm always willing to follow it.

You just described Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, but I couldn't get into the new one at all.

[Sven]

New Kanye album is unbelievably awful. Like nails on a chalkboard.

[Kurosawa Fan]

New Kanye album is unbelievably awful. Like nails on a chalkboard.

Fits his personality.

[Sven]

Fits his personality.

I've never seen what's so great about the dude's music. However, this album makes Graduation, an album I don't like, sound close to a masterpiece.

No more Vocoder. Please. Pleeeeeeaaaaaase...

[Acapelli]

808s & heartbreaks is one of my favorite albums of the year

[Acapelli]

and all the new animal collective songs are terrible

[D_Davis]

I've never seen what's so great about the dude's music. However, this album makes Graduation, an album I don't like, sound close to a masterpiece.

No more Vocoder. Please. Pleeeeeeaaaaaase...

The dude is the most overrated hip hop artist of his time.

Unbelievably mediocre in very regard.

[Acapelli]

i find that people's opinions of kanye seem to be more influenced by his personality than his music

even if you don't like 808s & heartbreaks, i think you need to commend the artistic risk he took making this album

[Sven]

even if you don't like 808s & heartbreaks, i think you need to commend the artistic risk he took making this album

It was a pretty annoying risk. I know nothing of the man's personality, I just find his music frightfully annoying. Blah blah blah, heartfelt songs his mother just died who cares? The Vocoder sucks, his voice sucks.

[D_Davis]

i find that people's opinions of kanye seem to be more influenced by his personality than his music


I don't know enough about him to comment on his personality. I am speaking strictly in terms of music, production, and emcee skills.

[Acapelli]

he's a mediocre rapper, but a fantastic producer

i can't imagine looking at his production credits and not finding a few things you like

[D_Davis]

he's a mediocre rapper, but a fantastic producer

i can't imagine looking at his production credits and not finding a few things you like

There are a few things that are okay, but nothing that warrants the amount of praise and worship he gets.

[D_Davis]

Any of you shoegazers/ambient fans listen to the newest Hammock album - Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow?

It is beautiful.

[Acapelli]

Any of you shoegazers/ambient fans listen to the newest Hammock album - Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow?

It is beautiful.
yeah it is

[D_Davis]

yeah it is

I just discovered it this morning, and I am in love!

No beats, no vocals, just pure ambiance created with treated guitars and, I assume, some synth-pads - although it could all be guitar.

Very, very good.

[Acapelli]

a friend of mine absolutely loves hammock and considers them his favorite band. he usually has good taste so i checked them out. i was pleasantly surprised

[D_Davis]

a friend of mine absolutely loves hammock and considers them his favorite band. he usually has good taste so i checked them out. i was pleasantly surprised

I haven't been to thrilled by their earlier stuff, but this new one is fantastic.

[Duncan]

You just described Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, but I couldn't get into the new one at all.

I'd like to revisit that one, because I didn't like it much when it first came out but I may have come around on Barnes.

[Benny Profane]

I know there are some Neko Case fans in our midst.

I picked up Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, which gets a big old MEH from me.

Blacklisted is the only other album I have from her, which I think is downright incredible. It has been one of my most played albums for the past 6 months.

So I was very disappointed in FCBtF.

For those who dig this girl, how do you rate the two albums I mentioned, and if I like Blacklisted, which others of hers would you recommend based on that?

[Duncan]

I don't know anything beyond those two albums, but if you get a chance you should definitely see her live. Mindblowingly good voice.

[Benny Profane]

I don't know anything beyond those two albums, but if you get a chance you should definitely see her live. Mindblowingly good voice.

I don't doubt it. I check her website every now and again...she doesn't seem to like coming to my part of the country.

[bac0n]

Don't have either of those two albums, but doggonit, Furnace Room Lullaby is one peach of a record.

[Derek]

I'd like to revisit that one, because I didn't like it much when it first came out but I may have come around on Barnes.

I thought I came around on Barnes last year after finding the previous two albums I've heard from them fairly mediocre, so I was disappointed when I heard Skeletal. I'll definitely give it another chance to see if it works better for me, but I'm afraid Hissing Fauna might be an anomaly in their discography.

[Wryan]

In one of those "What's the Big Hullaballou?" deals, I looked up and listened to a generous helping of Lil Wayne. I can see why he is attracting the attention of so many, and he exudes that growling kind of charisma, but so far I've only found "Got Money" to be my kind of thing.

[D_Davis]

Carl Sagan's Ghost - Track One

A rough mix of the first track for my new musical project has been finished.

It is, as of now, untitled.

Thematically, the track represents a rebirth of sorts. This is evident in how the various parts fade into existence - each subtle drone and melody is birthed from the foundation set by the original drone.

It is a very quiet track; this entire project is going to focus on quietness, a quality that is becoming more important to me.

While it is low key, I would hesitate to call it a 'minimalist' piece, at least in terms of someone like Taylor Duepree. The basis for the song still stems from my one of my original inspirations: the drones and tones of Spacemen 3 and early Spiritualized. Jason Spacemen and Sonic Boom so formed my original musical inspiration that I wonder if I will ever completely shake their influence?

Not that I'm too worried about it - it is a good foundation to build upon.


Take a listen. (http://www.genrebusters.com/mp3/song1.mp3)

[Sven]

Potential New Favorite Dylan Song: Time Passes Slowly, from New Morning.

[Sven]

Potential New Favorite Dylan Album: New Morning

[Spaceman Spiff]

Potential New Favorite Dylan Album: New Morning

:crazy:

[Kurosawa Fan]

Potential New Favorite Dylan Song: Time Passes Slowly, from New Morning.

Fantastic song. If Not for You and The Man in Me are other highlights. The album itself I still think is a step down from some of his earlier work, but it's great nonetheless. Glad you're enjoying it.

[D_Davis]

The Continuing Adventures of Carl Sagan's Ghost...

Did anyone take a listen to that first track?

I'm curious.

I imagine many people will be bored with it.

Anyhow...


I've finished tracks 2 and 3, which together with track 1 form a trilogy. This new album is going to be a trilogy of trilogies.

Each trilogy will have a certain theme: Birth, Death, and Rebirth

This first trilogy I completed will, most likely, fall under the Rebirth banner.

I'll have a rough mix of it up for a listen later this week. There are still a number of things I need to do to it.

Part 3 especially needs some work. It is one of the most 'techno' things I've ever done. It's basically a club track, probably falls into the trance-step sub genre, similar to the work done by The Field. I really like it, but the nature of the track calls for the utmost in perfection. Because of its simplistic nature, everything needs to be fine tuned to an extreme degree.

I've been listening to this trilogy, which runs about 15 minutes, for the last day or so, and I really like how it is shaping up.

This project is starting to come together, and it's nice to have some confidence again in the music I am making. It's been far too long since I've completed a musical project, and if things keep going this way I'll have this new album done come January.

Can't think of a better way to start off a new year. I feel as though a time of prolific creativity is right around the corner. That is a very good thing.

[D_Davis]

Man, some of the tracks off of the newest Rivers Cuomo CD, Alone Vol. 2, are dang awesome.

Track 3, The Purification of Water, is especially awesome.

Many of the tracks I've heard so far are the best Weezer-y things I've heard since back in the day when I loved Pinkerton.

I can't see myself getting super into this album - I feel a little silly listening to some of these songs now, as a happily-married adult, and not a sad love-struck single dude - but I am pleasantly surprised by many of these tunes.

[Russ]

The Continuing Adventures of Carl Sagan's Ghost...

Did anyone take a listen to that first track?

I'm curious.

I imagine many people will be bored with it.

Anyhow...
I did. Quality-wise, it was quite good. Reminded me a lot of the ambient stuff I became familiar with back in the mid-90's. Problem was, I usually avoided most of the dronier stuff, like this. I wasn't bored with it, but the music did little to make me feel like I shouldn't be bored. I like my IDM to give me more than simple tonal shifts (speaking as a musical layman; I respect your abilities greatly, but know virtually nothing of the technical side of your craft, so props there). I guess my main criticism (again, from an aural consumer's standpoint): it just wasn't adventurous enough. And note, I'm not equating adventurous with bpm or anything of the kind.

I'm probably not making any sense, so I'll shut up and go away now. :cool: But, best of luck with your endeavor. I'll certainly check out the rest when it's posted.

[D_Davis]

Thanks Russ - nice feedback.

I totally see where you are coming from, and the criticisms you raise are totally valid, and quite common with this kind of music.

Hopefully, with some more more tweaking and fiddling I will get these tracks up to a level that might interest some of those who normally don't go for this kind of drone music.

For instance, the second track has a nice little guitar part that comes in, and the third part really is a driving dance track.

It really is a love-it or hate-it style of music - I understand that the audience for this kind of thing is quite insular.

However, thanks for listening. I am looking forward to posting more and hearing more from you. I appreciate it!

[Russ]

For instance, the second track has a nice little guitar part that comes in
Pedal steel??? http://209.85.48.10/2898/7/emo/naughty.gif

[Spun Lepton]

I picked up System of a Down's "Toxicity" last weekend, and I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit, EXCEPT for the song, "Science," which has got to be one of the stupidest things I've heard.

Never mind the irony of using science to bag on science. If the group dislikes it so much, why haven't we seen them take up residence in a local cave and start picking berries for food? (Which is essentially what they're lamenting, that science has given us industry and technology, but has "complicated" our lives, taking us away from "mother Earth.") I'll tell you why, because they're hypocrites.

[D_Davis]

Pedal steel??? http://209.85.48.10/2898/7/emo/naughty.gif

No - not good enough yet...

Next album.

:)

[Yxklyx]

So Yes played here last night with Alan White, Chris Squire, Steve Howe AND Benoît David! No Jon Anderson. Benoit is the singer of a Yes tribute band. Bizarre.

[Sven]

So Yes played here last night with Alan White, Chris Squire, Steve Howe AND Benoît David! No Jon Anderson. Benoit is the singer of a Yes tribute band. Bizarre.

Yeah, they were in NYC a few weeks ago, and I elected NOT to get tickets because if I'm going to see Yes, I'm going to see Jon Anderson, by God. Not that I doubt they were fantastic. They're always solid live. Plus, White, Squire, and Howe. Still...

[Duncan]

Anyone listen to No Age? Just bought Nouns last night. Totally addicted to it.

[Yxklyx]

Saw Kristin Hersh the other night here in Chicago. Another great performance by her - and her voice seemed to be stronger than last time I saw her. Her guitar was still top notch - one of the best guitarists I've ever had the pleasure to listen to. It's also amazing how she uses her entire head to sing.

The opening band was Daniel Knox who I'd never heard before and I snatched their DVD (Disaster) right away. Some really excellent music. Kind of a cross between The The, Tori Amos, and David Sylvian but with lots of sarcastic humor thrown in. Mostly solo piano with vocals. He's got an excellent voice.

I saw them on Sunday and it was musical filled evening. We went to a German Brauhaus for dinner with hokey live German music - followed by a local Irish pub with live Irish folk, ending with the concert.

[Yxklyx]

Yeah, they were in NYC a few weeks ago, and I elected NOT to get tickets because if I'm going to see Yes, I'm going to see Jon Anderson, by God. Not that I doubt they were fantastic. They're always solid live. Plus, White, Squire, and Howe. Still...

I should have taken a picture of the marquis. It was an awesome sight to see:

YES - ALAN WHITE, CHRIS SQUIRE, STEVE HOWE

in huge letters.

[bac0n]

I picked up System of a Down's "Toxicity" last weekend, and I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit, EXCEPT for the song, "Science," which has got to be one of the stupidest things I've heard.

My only exposure to System of a Down was this totally awesome cover they did of the Legend of Zelda them.

So, we know what is bad about the album, what is so great about it?

[Spun Lepton]

My only exposure to System of a Down was this totally awesome cover they did of the Legend of Zelda them.

So, we know what is bad about the album, what is so great about it?

And that's where I'm going to fall on my face, because I don't really EVER know what it is about certain songs or albums that grab me. I will say that System's lyrics were unexpectedly thoughtful, especially for the Angry White Boy Nu Metal genre that it seems to have been categorized under.

I've also lightened up on my opinion of the song "Science." After having listened to the entire album a few times, I get their general stance and understand their complaints. (They're dirt-worshipping tree-huggers.) The way the message is conveyed in the song ... they blame science for the way people used/abused the knowledge that science gave us. It's like finding a wrench that was used to build the nuke that was dropped on Hiroshima and blaming the wrench for it.

Ah, whatever. I'll bring it over one of these days, bac0n, and you can tell me what you think of it. :P

[Derek]

Anyone listen to No Age? Just bought Nouns last night. Totally addicted to it.

Yeah, it's really good though like their last album I find I love half the songs and am fairly indifferent to the others. Still, "Eraser" will probably make the cut for my favorite songs of '08 and they were a lot of fun to see live.

[Milky Joe]

The Kinks are fucking awesome.

[Derek]

The Kinks are fucking awesome.

Wats hooked you up with Duh Magazine as well? ;)

[Milky Joe]

Wats hooked you up with Duh Magazine as well? ;)

Gimme a break, I missed the Ray Davies day in Rock History class last semester. I really regret that now.

[Boner M]

Yeah, it's really good though like their last album I find I love half the songs and am fairly indifferent to the others. Still, "Eraser" will probably make the cut for my favorite songs of '08 and they were a lot of fun to see live.
Agreed, although I just listened to "Eraser" and think that's one of the boring songs. They're better at rocking out than being interesting. I'll prolly see them live when they come here next month although Acapelli and a few other people I know said they were shite so I don't know.

[Melville]

Yeah, it's really good though like their last album I find I love half the songs and am fairly indifferent to the others. Still, "Eraser" will probably make the cut for my favorite songs of '08 and they were a lot of fun to see live.
Are you doing another list of best albums this year? I need you to tell me what to buy.

[Duncan]

Agreed, although I just listened to "Eraser" and think that's one of the boring songs. They're better at rocking out than being interesting. I'll prolly see them live when they come here next month although Acapelli and a few other people I know said they were shite so I don't know.

Best songs for me are Things I Did When I Was Dead, and the last three tracks. The former is one of my favourite songs of the year for sure. I feel like every movie should end with it.

[Derek]

Agreed, although I just listened to "Eraser" and think that's one of the boring songs. They're better at rocking out than being interesting. I'll prolly see them live when they come here next month although Acapelli and a few other people I know said they were shite so I don't know.

I dunno, I thought they were fun live, but I was also really pumped that night since they were opening for Liars. I'd say they're worth seeing if coupled with another band you like, but not worth it if they're the main attraction.


Are you doing another list of best albums this year? I need you to tell me what to buy.

Yup! I still have some more albums to get to and need to do some re-listening, but I should have the thread started up before Christmas.

[Sven]

Can somebody please instruct me on how to appreciate jazz music? Because seriously... I need to learn how to like that stuff.

[Winston*]

Can somebody please instruct me on how to appreciate jazz music? Because seriously... I need to learn how to like that stuff.

It always seems like way too much commitment. Like you have to wake up one day and say "I'm going to be a jazz enthusiast" and play your life accordingly.

[Derek]

Can somebody please instruct me on how to appreciate jazz music? Because seriously... I need to learn how to like that stuff.

Drag and drop a Charles Mingus album into ITunes, click play on track 1 and goddamnit, you appreciate it! :)

I am FAR from a jazz expert here, so horbo or Bacon could be much more helpful, but here are some meager recommendations of where to start:

Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus - Pithecanthropus Erectus
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Charlie Parker - Yardbird Suite
Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch
Sun Ra - Jazz in Silhouette
Ornette Colman - The Shape of Jazz to Come
Duke Ellington (w/Charles Mingus & Max Roach) - Money Jungle

[Derek]

It always seems like way too much commitment. Like you have to wake up one day and say "I'm going to be a jazz enthusiast" and play your life accordingly.

It's exhausting.

[Sven]

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch
Sun Ra - Jazz in Silhouette
Ornette Colman - The Shape of Jazz to Come

I have all of these, but the Sun Ra album (from what.cd) has been sitting in my torrent client for a couple of days now with nobody seeding it. Sad, because I'm more enthusiastic about Sun Ra than I am any other jazz musician, really.

Also, love Tribute to Jack Johnson. Favorite jazz album. On your recommendation and the word of a friend of mine, I'll pick up some Mingus.

[D_Davis]

Can somebody please instruct me on how to appreciate jazz music? Because seriously... I need to learn how to like that stuff.

I may be further from a jazz-expert than Derek is, and I can't say that I am really a 'fan' of jazz, but some of my favorite all time albums are jazz, or jazz-like, albums.

I suggest the following:

Herbie Hancock - Headhunters, and Sextant
Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain
George Schuller - Tenor Tantrum
Money Will Ruin Everything - Rune Grammafon sampler - a great place to start for 'new' jazz - tons of cool artists here
The Thelonious Monk Quartet - Monk's Dream
Soft Machine - Third - prog-jazz-fusion
Isotope 217 - Unstable Molecule - a post-rock-jazz-fusion thing. Big in the new Chicago Jazz seen.
Jaga Jazzist - A Living Room Hush - supreme new jazz/trip hop fusion

This is a good start. I rarely scratch the surface of jazz, and I tend to like the more spacey jazz-fusion stuff of the late 60s and 70s.

[Sven]

I tend to like the more spacey jazz-fusion stuff of the late 60s and 70s.

You say this, and yet you hate Sun Ra? You crazy, man. :)

[Russ]

Hey Sven, have you ever seen/heard this (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BZRnkBK_0no&feature=related)?

EDIT: Much better quality version here (http://michalevy.com/giantsteps_download).

[D_Davis]

You say this, and yet you hate Sun Ra? You crazy, man. :)

Yep. They do nothing for me. Forgetful melodies, and I find them very sloppy. It sounds like so many of the musicians are each playing their own song - there is no cohesion. Their music sounds messy to me, and I am not a big fan of messy music.

I admire their experimentation, but musically - I don't dig.

[Arthur Seaton]

Can somebody please instruct me on how to appreciate jazz music? Because seriously... I need to learn how to like that stuff.

Have sex. Seriously. That's how I got into it. Miles Davis, Kind of Blue.

[Sven]

Hey Sven, have you ever seen/heard this (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BZRnkBK_0no&feature=related)?

I have now! It was pretty cool, though a bit of an underwhelming conclusion. Good music, though.

[Russ]

I have now! It was pretty cool, though a bit of an underwhelming conclusion. Good music, though.

Watch it again on that new link I posted.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Also, love Tribute to Jack Johnson. Favorite jazz album. On your recommendation and the word of a friend of mine, I'll pick up some Mingus.

Mingus Ah Um immediately. IMMEDIATELY.

EDIT: Also, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' album Moanin' is amazing.

[Sven]

Watch it again on that new link I posted.

I actually, the first time, watched the high-quality version that was linked to on the youtube page.

[MadMan]

REM's Murmur is an awesome album, and the first one I've heard from the band (their Best of 1988-2003 one doesn't really count). Also I tried to get into Velvet Underground's self titled 1969 album but it just didn't click. Maybe some other time. I'm lucky to have some decent libraries to rent CDs from. Up next is Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming and Carlos Santana's Supernatural.

[D_Davis]

I love Slow Train Coming, but I know a lot of people disparage it for its hard-lined religious views. Thematically, I think it fits with Dylan's career and persona; he was always a bit extreme in all of his beliefs, and so it makes sense that he would be so passionate, with a tinge of religious fervor, when he first came to God. While as a Christian I don't even agree with some of the stuff Dylan says on the album, I still admire his passion and his bravery on display here.

And beyond this is the simple fact that musically, Slow Train Coming is a damn masterpiece.

Many of my favorite Dylan tracks are on this album: Precious Angel, Do Right To Me Baby, When You Gonna Wake Up, and Gotta Serve Somebody are all amazing.

[D_Davis]

Another cool jazz fusion dude to check out is Jon Hassell. His album Power Spot is awesome.

And Don Cherry's album Brown Rice. The title track is out of this world.

[D_Davis]

Oh yeah, and for some really off-the-deep-end jazz, check out John Surman. His album Private City is haunting.

And John McLaughlin's Extrapolation is awesome as well. Great jazz guitar.

His stuff with the Mahavishnu Orchestra is amazing also.

Also, for a more 'alternative' take on the jazz fusion thing, check out Dif Juz's album Extractions. It's beautiful. These dudes were on the same label as bands like the Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance (4AD)

[Sven]

For the record, "free"- "avant garde"- and "acid"- in front of "jazz" have the exact opposite of the intended tantalizing effect when it comes to recommendations. A "fusion" follow-up runs the risk as well.

Free jazz makes me either want to die or to kill. Depending on what I've eaten that day.

[Derek]

Free jazz makes me either want to die or to kill. Depending on what I've eaten that day.

Then you might want to put Ornette Colman on the sidelines my good man. I'll second KF's recommendation of Mingus Ah Um. I don't like it quite as much as the two Mingus albums I listed earlier, but it's a close third.

If you do venture into fusion, but don't want the funktified Herbie Hancock version, Bobbi Humphrey and her badass flute on Blacks and Blues is pretty sweet too.

[D_Davis]

For the record, "free"- "avant garde"- and "acid"- in front of "jazz" have the exact opposite of the intended tantalizing effect when it comes to recommendations. A "fusion" follow-up runs the risk as well.

Free jazz makes me either want to die or to kill. Depending on what I've eaten that day.

Way to keep an open mind there champ!

;)

I'm not a big fan of 'free' jazz either. But there is some amazing fusion, that is a fact.

[Boner M]

Sometimes free jazz is the best music ever.

[Sven]

Way to keep an open mind there champ

Everyone has their biases. I'm just keeping it real, dawg.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Everyone has their biases. I'm just keeping it real, dawg.

If you like traditional jazz, my two suggestions are tailor-made for you.

[D_Davis]

Everyone has their biases. I'm just keeping it real, dawg.

True.

And you can safely and assuredly disregard any and all of my recommendations, except for the Monk album.

;)

[Sven]

True.

And you can safely and assuredly disregard any and all of my recommendations, except for the Monk album.

;)

Au contraire, my friend. I've already checked out some Don Cherry and John Surman per your suggestion (not in depth, mind you) and it sounds pretty interesting!

I guess the kind of avant-garde stuff I'm talking about is, like, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWkHG2sKavg). Seriously, why would anyone choose to listen to that?

[D_Davis]

Au contraire, my friend. I've already checked out some Don Cherry and John Surman per your suggestion (not in depth, mind you) and it sounds pretty interesting!

I guess the kind of avant-garde stuff I'm talking about is, like, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWkHG2sKavg). Seriously, why would anyone choose to listen to that?

Okay then. We're kind of on the same page.

I don't like that style of free jazz either, where it sounds like everyone in the band is playing their own song unaware of what everyone else is playing. It's like walking into a Guitar Center and hearing everyone jamming in the different departments at the same time.

That Don Cherry album is amazing.

Surman can get pretty out there, and is often considered 'free jazz', but he still works with some structure.

[bac0n]

If you wanna build an appreciation for Jazz, you might wanna watch Ken Burns' Jazz documentary. Tho it's heavily slanted to old, straight jazz & bebop, it does give a good history and will introduce you to a lot of really worthwhile artists.

As for me, the albums that really got me in to it are Dave Brubeck's Time Out, Thelonious Monk's Monk Alone, John Coltrane's Blue Train, Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. You also can't go wrong with Oscar Peterson, Dave Evans or Stan Getz.

Once you get your feet wet with that sorta stuff, you could try the more challenging stuff, such as the aforementioned Money Jungle, Charlie Mingus & Ornette Coleman.

[Boner M]

I guess the kind of avant-garde stuff I'm talking about is, like, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWkHG2sKavg). Seriously, why would anyone choose to listen to that?
Eh? For free jazz, that's actually pretty melodic and listenable (and hence not terribly thrilling).

You oughta get some Brötzmann into yer system.

[Sven]

Eh? For free jazz, that's actually pretty melodic and listenable (and hence not terribly thrilling).

I figured I'd opt for a familiar. I know there's crazier stuff, but Coleman is more accepted.

[Melville]

Eh? For free jazz, that's actually pretty melodic and listenable (and hence not terribly thrilling).

You oughta get some Brötzmann into yer system.
Sweet Jesus, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xa75w-vEXk) is awesome.

[Acapelli]

http://comedians.comedycentral.com/paul-f--tompkins/videos/paul-f--tompkins---jazz-is-lousy

[D_Davis]

Sweet Jesus, this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xa75w-vEXk) is awesome.

Yeah - that's the kind of stuff I don't dig. Sounds like Guitar Center on the last shopping weekend before Christmas.

[Melville]

Yeah - that's the kind of stuff I don't dig. Sounds like Guitar Center on the last shopping weekend before Christmas.
But what makes that clip great is the way the classic jazz crumbles into sweet, cacophonous discord.

[Sven]

sweet

This is the part I don't understand.

[Melville]

This is the part I don't understand.
Even if you don't like free jazz on its own, it's made spine-tingling in that clip by its contrast with the classic song that it disrupts. It's like the deconstructive scenes in Synecdoche, NY; it gives a sense of everyday reality being peeled away to reveal the shrieking saxophone below.

[Sven]

Even if you don't like free jazz on its own, it's made spine-tingling in that clip by its contrast with the classic song that it disrupts. It's like the deconstructive scenes in Synecdoche, NY; it gives a sense of everyday reality being peeled away to reveal the shrieking saxophone below.

I admit, its dissolution was impressive, but this whole "shrieking saxophone below" thing doesn't make a lot of sense to me. In theory, I may see what you're saying. A sound is sound type-deal. I like the idea of something piercing the fabric of complacency to let in the darkness just beyond our perception.

But does it have to be so unbearable to listen to?

[Derek]

http://comedians.comedycentral.com/paul-f--tompkins/videos/paul-f--tompkins---jazz-is-lousy

So true! Jazz musicians, just like art film directors and literary authors, spend years honing their craft so that they can make the common man feel stupid.

[Melville]

I admit, its dissolution was impressive, but this whole "shrieking saxophone below" thing doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
It's like you've spent all your life wondering, "what's the point of it all?" You try to fill the void in your heart with good oldtimey jazz, but it just doesn't work. There's a lingering uncertainty, a note of unease drifting amidst the pleasantness. So in a delirious fit, you tear up the floorboards in your house... and there's Brotzmann, wailing on his sax.

[Derek]

And speaking of Polish jazz musicians, Krzysztof Komeda's Astigmatic is awesome and definitely not on the "free" or "fusion" side of the spectrum. He also did the music for several of Polanski's films including Knife in the Water and Rosemary's Baby though I haven't heard those scores on their own.

[Derek]

I admit, its dissolution was impressive, but this whole "shrieking saxophone below" thing doesn't make a lot of sense to me. In theory, I may see what you're saying. A sound is sound type-deal. I like the idea of something piercing the fabric of complacency to let in the darkness just beyond our perception.

But does it have to be so unbearable to listen to?

Have you ever listened to Merzbow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neLKgSdrch8)? 10 minutes of him and free jazz will sound downright pleasant.

[D_Davis]

Have you ever listened to Merzbow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neLKgSdrch8)? 10 minutes of him and free jazz will sound downright pleasant.

I've never been into the whole noise scene. I like melody and harmony too much.

[Boner M]

I like sound.

[Derek]

I've never been into the whole noise scene. I like melody and harmony too much.

I've had a couple Merzbow albums for a while now and I'll have to be in a real patient mood to take the dive. The live album that he did with Boris however is pretty sweet. I prefer noise when it's combined with metal or ambience that lends it a transcendent quality. The Goslings are harsh but there are moments in their songs that will knock your socks off. Then there's noise for the novices, as Bonerz would call it, like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1zWZ7jl_pg), which I absolutely love. But Fuck Buttons are hardly in the same stratosphere as Merzbow, so classifying them as noise, even melodious noise, is probably a stretch.

[D_Davis]

I like sound.

I like many sounds.

[Sven]

Rep for the first three people that can tell me, honestly, that they love Paul Simon's Graceland.

[Boner M]

Rep for the first three people that can tell me, honestly, that they love Paul Simon's Graceland.
I love rep.

[Sven]

I love rep.

Are you being deliberately cryptic with your phrasing there? Possibly to get rep that you do not deserve? Say it, Boner! Say you love it!!

[Boner M]

Are you being deliberately cryptic with your phrasing there? Possibly to get rep that you do not deserve? Say it, Boner! Say you love it!!
Never heard it, but I love it.

[Melville]

I really do love Graceland. I grew up listening to it, and I've always loved it.

[D_Davis]

Rep for the first three people that can tell me, honestly, that they love Paul Simon's Graceland.

I love it.

It's very well produced, and the instrumentation is fantastic.

In addition, of course, to the songs being good.

All my friends made fun of me for liking this in the seventh grade.

:shrug:

[Thirdmango]

Rep for the first three people that can tell me, honestly, that they love Paul Simon's Graceland.

Next time we get together you'll have to give it to me, then I will listen to it.

Oh and hooray for torrents as I finally was able to get a version of The Propellerhead's remix of Super Bon Bon. I had it on one computer back in the day with no way (except zip drives) to get it off. And well I didn't have a zip drive.

[Thirdmango]

I really tried to get into trance, I really gave it a chance. I downloaded a 5 GB torrent full of Trance and I only kept 3 albums. I tried, I really did. But for the most part I really can't stand it.

[transmogrifier]

So...

My theory is, there is a little window in your adolescent life where you are receptive to music, usually in your early teens. Whatever tickles your fancy during this time period pretty much dicatates what you'll like from then on out.

My first two albums were "Appetite for Destruction" and "Hysteria" (Def Leppard). Hence, I tend towards loud dissonant guitar with a strong melodic undercurrent.

Agree?

[Winston*]

So...

My theory is, there is a little window in your adolescent life where you are receptive to music, usually in your early teens. Whatever tickles your fancy during this time period pretty much dicatates what you'll like from then on out.

My first two albums were "Appetite for Destruction" and "Hysteria" (Def Leppard). Hence, I tend towards loud dissonant guitar with a strong melodic undercurrent.

Agree?

My first two albums were Will Smith's Big Willie Style and The Chemical Brothers' Dig Your Own Hole. I guess this explains why I tend towards white guys with guitars who can't sing very well.

[transmogrifier]

My first two albums were Will Smith's Big Willie Style and The Chemical Brothers' Dig Your Own Hole. I guess this explains why I tend towards white guys with guitars who can't sing very well.


You're a fan of Billy Corgan too?!

[transmogrifier]

PS

Dig Your Own Hole = Awesomeness.

[Winston*]

You're a fan of Billy Corgan too?!

Don't give me that diversion. I just blew your theory out of the water. I want some proper fucking rebuttal man.

[Boner M]

My first album had music on it, thus explaining why I listen to music nowadays.

[transmogrifier]

I want some proper fucking.

Try to include a second person. Boo-ya!

[transmogrifier]

My first album had music on it, thus explaining why I listen to music nowadays.


I dispute all aspects of this statement.

[Boner M]

Actually, it was Beck's Odelay. I suppose I dig that sort of eclecticism nowadays, but not unconditionally. So pish to your theory, trans.

[transmogrifier]

Actually, it was Beck's Odelay. I suppose I dig that sort of eclecticism nowadays, but not unconditionally. So pish to your theory, trans.

The Theory of Evolution was frowned upon in its time as well. Let history be the judge!

Or hot chicks in wet t-shirts. I will accept their decision without question.

[transmogrifier]

Actually, it was Beck's Odelay. I suppose I dig that sort of eclecticism nowadays, but not unconditionally. So pish to your theory, trans.

Actually, back up, back up.... How old are you? 22?

[Boner M]

Actually, back up, back up.... How old are you? 22?
+1

[transmogrifier]

+1

That was a pretty good guess.

Even though it was supposed to be a diss.

[Winston*]

That was a pretty good guess.

Even though it was supposed to be a diss.

You know 22 is like the median age of the posters here, no?

[transmogrifier]

You know 22 is like the median age of the posters here, no?


Yes. And I look down on all of them.

[Winston*]

Yes. And I look down on all of them.

:sad:

[transmogrifier]

:sad:

How else can I revel in my aged decepitness except to assume that all young people don't know anything about anything? Look at the Dark Knight thread for God's sake.

[MadMan]

I love Slow Train Coming, but I know a lot of people disparage it for its hard-lined religious views. Thematically, I think it fits with Dylan's career and persona; he was always a bit extreme in all of his beliefs, and so it makes sense that he would be so passionate, with a tinge of religious fervor, when he first came to God. While as a Christian I don't even agree with some of the stuff Dylan says on the album, I still admire his passion and his bravery on display here.

And beyond this is the simple fact that musically, Slow Train Coming is a damn masterpiece.

Many of my favorite Dylan tracks are on this album: Precious Angel, Do Right To Me Baby, When You Gonna Wake Up, and Gotta Serve Somebody are all amazing.Not sure if its a masterpiece (actually, I don't think it is) but "Train Coming" was pretty damn great regardless. I still haven't listened to a bad Bob Dylan album yet. As for the religious elements yes I noted they were there, but I really didn't have any problems with them. I'm guessing he turned to Christianity partly because of his divorce (which inspired the amazing album Blood On Tracks), but I honestly don't know.

Supernatural showed that Santana still has it, although some of the tracks didn't work as well as others. I liked it a lot though, and its cool that he invited others to work on it with him. To me Carlos is one of the best guitarists, ever.

Oh and I got my hands on The Talking Head's best of from 1976-1992. Coupled with Talking Heads '77 it will end up with me being a solid fan of them. I think after I finally get my hands on all of Zeppelin's albums I'll try and track down most of The Talking Heads' and The Beatles' works. I've listened to four of the Beatles' albums but I only own Sergeant Peppers and "1."

[D_Davis]

My dad listened to a ton of music, and he played guitar (mainly Christian stuff and folk music. He was a Jesus hippie, and he used to perform at coffee shops). His favorite was Bob Dylan, so I grew up listening to a ton of Dylan.

The first two tapes I bought were Weird Al in 3D, and Duran Duran Seven and the Ragged Tiger. I was in 3rd grade.

The first non-children's album I really got into was U2's The Unforgettable Fire. I was in fourth grade. This started my admiration for Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, that's for sure.

I didn't really get into buying music until my 8th grade year. The first genre I really got into was hip hop, and the first few tapes I bought were: Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions, De La Soul's Three Feet High and Rising, and Sir Mix A Lot's Swass.

Then in 9th grade my love for music exploded. I bought my first few CDs: New Order's Technique, Tears for Fears' Sewing the Seeds of Love, The Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique, The Stone Roses's Self Titled, and Minor Threat's Discography.

I still listen to a lot of these bands.

[Ezee E]

How old is tranny? And how come he looks down on the people he posts with? Seems weird.

[Sven]

Recommendation request time again!

Give me some great 60s-70s heavy rock. It can border on progressive. I'm thinking in terms of:

King Crimson
Deep Purple
Thin Lizzy
Rainbow
Uriah Heep
Judas Priest
UFO
Pavlov's Dog
Ten Years After

Plz?

[D_Davis]

Recommendation request time again!

Give me some great 60s-70s heavy rock. It can border on progressive. I'm thinking in terms of:


A few...

Budgie - this song is awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54H3EUAzpVg

Glass Harp - w/ Phil Keaggy, one of the best rock guitarists ever...their first album is an undeniable rock masterpiece. You gotta check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJgdNCYt_tA

Guru Guru - great stoner/space rock

[Milky Joe]

Recommendation request time again!

Give me some great 60s-70s heavy rock. It can border on progressive. I'm thinking in terms of:

First band that comes to mind is Blue Cheer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Cheer).

[Boner M]

Try Flower Travellin' Band's Satori.

[Sven]

A few...

Budgie - this song is awesome

Already a big Budgie fan, but thanks for the reminder, as well as the other recommendations!

Milky, Boner, thanks as well. Will check out promptly.

[Sven]

By the way, those with what.cd accounts should totally download my latest uploads, Peter Hammill's The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage, and Jose Cid's 10.000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus e Marte. Both albums of immense quality.

Plus, I needs me a ratio boost.

[Spaceman Spiff]

BIG STAR - THIRD/SISTER LOVERS.

Get it Sven (awesome 70s rock. Borders on progressive.)

[Sven]

Get it Sven (awesome 70s rock. Borders on progressive.)

I listened to it for my presently dormant thread. You must've missed it. I've spun it about four or five times now. Love it.

[Wryan]

The other day I had to do some work at my company's warehouse, and the guys that work there have a pc with iTunes set up that has lots of music on it. I was alone so rummaged through it and listened to Vampire Weekend and Dark Side of the Moon. Hadn't heard the first, but heard lots of good things about it, and enjoyed it. Hadn't heard the second in a while so was a good refresher, still awesome.

Also bought Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say That I Am.... I like that album a lot, though Turner's lyrical/syllabic patterns are repetitious at times. Still I could listen to this album often.

[transmogrifier]

Portishead, Third

:pritch:

I've had this album for over a half a year, and I've finally realized how mind-bendingly awesome it really is. Portishead's best by a long way, showing the kids how to do it.

[bac0n]

Best. MASHUP. EVER (http://www.submedia.net/~nic/thtftgtf.mp3)

[Sven]

Best. MASHUP. EVER (http://www.submedia.net/~nic/thtftgtf.mp3)

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Ezee E]

:eek: :eek: :eek:
It's there, but nothing played. :(

[Sven]

I'm currently loving Dream Theater more than I think I should be.

[Derek]

I'm currently loving Dream Theater more than I think I should be.

For a second I thought you were talking about "Dream Weaver (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOlspoBcwsU)". :)

And then I remembered that prog metal is among the worst music out there and that I'd probably listen to Gary Wright over Dream Theater if someone put a gun to my head.

[Sven]

And then I remembered that prog metal is among the worst music out there and that I'd probably listen to Gary Wright over Dream Theater if someone put a gun to my head.

I love Wright's tune too!

I'm curious to know why you think the genre is so terrible, if you have any itemized reasons.

The few genres of music I find I can blanketly dismiss:

Ska (I can almost add "reggae," but not quite)
Death metal (love the joke, hate the music)
Modern country (think Alan Jackson)
Opera pop (Groban, Bocelli, et al.)
That crazy atonal arhythmic brand of free jazz discussed earlier

[Derek]

Best. MASHUP. EVER (http://www.submedia.net/~nic/thtftgtf.mp3)

Genius.

[Derek]

I love Wright's tune too!

I'm curious to know why you think the genre is so terrible, if you have any itemized reasons.

Reason #1: See this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLnOx4E-G1g)? He takes himself seriously. Absolutely unacceptable.
Reason #2: This picture and song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsWGE3YcKzE&feature=related).

In general, it takes everything about 70s prog rock, which I mostly love, that could be construed as overbearing and amps it up to excessive degrees of obnoxiousness. It's unpleasant and makes me angry.

This goes for most neo-prog as well.


The few genres of music I find I can blanketly dismiss:

Ska (I can almost add "reggae," but not quite)
Death metal (love the joke, hate the music)
Modern country (think Alan Jackson)
Opera pop (Groban, Bocelli, et al.)
That crazy atonal arhythmic brand of free jazz discussed earlier

I'm with you 1, 2 and 3. I should be with you on 4, but I actually find some of Bocelli's stuff rather soothing. I love most of the free jazz I've heard, but can understand the hate as it can be a bit of a chore to listen to at times.

[Sven]

Reason #1: See this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLnOx4E-G1g)? He takes himself seriously. Absolutely unacceptable.

Call me hokey-ass, but I thought that was awesome.


Reason #2: This picture and song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsWGE3YcKzE&feature=related).

Neg rep. That picture is rad.

[Derek]

Call me hokey-ass, but I thought that was awesome.

I know the guy has talent and I'm sure that's incredibly difficult to do, but that hair, his facial expressions, that guitar, that sound and everything about that video sums up what I hate about that music. I can say no more.


Neg rep. That picture is rad.

That's the guitar of a man with a tiny penis. He might us well lift the body of his Hummer. It's truly awful, seriously.

[Sven]

Derek, why must you hate beauty?