Joan Armatrading - Into the Blues
An album of all blues tunes, made for the love of the music and you can tell. The slower songs are more successful as they better display her vocals and smooth guitar playing. Not a home run but it’s solid and enjoyable.
Cat Power - Jukebox
This was a real treat to listen to. Consisting of mostly covers, I found most of the interpretations compelling, if not a wee bit subdued. Listening to this really made me want to hear her break out a bit and really display her strong voice.
Day 23 - #MWE Music Writing Exercise
The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
Big jangly British pop rock. A stunning debut that I found just delightful. A few standout tracks overcome a somewhat dated production but overall I really enjoyed this.
Jeff Beck - Jeff
Jeff goes balls to the wall industrial / electronica here and it mostly works. His pyrotechnics, dive bombs and impeccable fills groove over the rhythmic undercurrents in what is a challenging but rewarding listen. He’s still among the best.
Lights Out Asia - In the Days of Jupiter
Atmospheric space rock, impeccably produced, sounds great in headphones. I liked it for passive listening but it frequently sounded like it was on the brink of becoming more interesting than it was. Worth a listen.
The National - Boxer
Based on recommendations, I had high hopes for this one and it mostly didn’t disappoint. It wasn’t what I expected, a bit somber, but I enjoyed it and can see myself listening to it again, and appreciating it more upon repeated listens.
Robbie Robertson - Sinematic
Every new album from Robbie is a gift and this is no exception. From track 1 with Van Morrison to the last featuring Derek Trucks, Sinematic presents the beautiful layered guitar work and haunting vocals you expect. Highly recommended.
Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
Another album that I had no real idea of what to expect going in. Turns out to be big grand pop-rock that was overall quite listenable if not overly engaging. Another that I enjoyed even though it’s not really my style.
Poe - Haunted
It’s atmospheric and rhythmic atop hauntingly personal lyrics and themes. There’s a lot happening and I get the sense that it would serve one well to give it multiple listens to fully engage with it. I liked it even though it’s not typically my thing.
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
I would call this pop-punk but with enough interesting hooks and turns to keep things interesting. Sort of had an All Mod Cons feel to it but more raw. I liked it even if it isn’t likely to get more play.
The Pretty Things - Parachute
Not new but new to me, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. I’d heard S.F. Sorrow but this was better. It’s a product of its time so some of it sounds dated but it really jams. Some Beatles influence for sure. Take a chance and give it a go.
Weezer - Pinkerton
It started off loud and pretty much stayed loud. I don’t mind loud but this didn’t grab me at all. This album reminds me of a red solo cup. It probably fit right in at a college party but once you grow up it just feels cheap and immature.
I don’t read about an album before I listen to it so am surprised afterwards at how well this one is reviewed and regarded. I just didn’t connect with it at all.
Liz Phair - Whitechocolatespaceegg
Wasn’t really sure what to expect going in but I enjoyed this a bunch, great story songs with catchy hooks. I had listened to her Exile album a million years ago but after this will definitely give it another go. Worth a listen.
Radiohead - Kid A
Well, that’s 47 minutes of my life I’ll never get back. I kept looking at the track list to see how long the songs were going to last. It’s ambient and textured and well produced but it’s discordant and lacking melody. I guess I just don’t get it.
Kelis - Food
Funky mix of soul and R&B with a retro feel. Well produced and she’s got a great voice. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would even if it probably won’t go in to heavy rotation. If this is your kind of thing, you would probably love it.
Day 10 - #MWE Music Writing Exercise
City and Colour - Sometimes
Lamentful pop songs with sparse arrangements - mostly solo acoustic. “Comin’ Home” is a standout from a strong but ultimately forgettable collection of songs.
Paul McCartney - Egypt Station
I found this to be a really strong outing from Sir Paul, perhaps my favorite since Flaming Pie. Starts off well and keeps delivering. Musically and lyrically it’s exactly what one would hope for from a Paul McCartney album. Highly recommended.
The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America
It’s probably lazy to call this the Born to Run for a new generation but it really felt straight out of the Springsteen songbook. I felt old listening to the lyrics. It’s decent and I wanted to like it but it’s not for me.
Mike Golden & Friends - Utopia
I guess I would call this anthemic angst rock - raw and full of emotion and, well, angst, in a Foo Fighters kind of way. Overall it was good with a couple of really fine standouts. Well worth a listen if you like this sort of thing.
Kandace Springs - Indigo
I loved most everything about this album, the mix of jazz and soul with a bit of attitude. The real star is Kandace’s voice, really beautiful and fits well with the arrangements. It’s very Sade like but also unique and really amazing.
Chon - Homey
Atmospheric math rock with tinges of jazz, metal, prog and hip-hop. Mostly listenable but strays a bit off the mark a couple times. The guitar work is impressive.
Overall I found about ½ of it pretty good with some misses mixed in.
Minus the Bear - Menos el Oso
Proggy, rhythmic rock, spatially pleasant with funky percussion. I guess they call it math rock but it reminds me of old UK. Not surprised my percussionist friend recommended it. I like it and will check out some other stuff.
Sonny Sharrock & Nicky Skopelitis - Faith Moves
Instrumental guitar improvs, nice chops and textures but got a bit noodley and meandering at times. I wanted to love this a lot but I just didn’t. Worth a listen as musicianship is first rate but lacking overall.
The Dollyrots - Love Songs, Werewolves & Zombies
Acoustic pop-punk with catchy lyrics and funky hooks. Fun to listen to, the sort of thing you can have on in the background while you watch Futurama with the sound down. I can recommend this. Will be checking out some more of their stuff.
Panic! at the Disco - Death of a Bachelor
Can I pay some sort of fine rather than listen to all of this? I’m about half through it and it’s just not my thing at all. I’ll post an update if anything in the second half changes my mind but I do not recommend this.
I’m committed to listening to these albums in their entirety for the sake of the exercise. My worst fear is that they will all be as bad as this one.
I should say, rather than that this is bad, that it is what it is and while I can see why it might appeal to someone, that someone isn’t me. Even the Brian Wilson themed song couldn’t win me over.
