Welcome to 2010 everyone. The new year means I post my top 20 albums of the previous year. They are.......
1. The Decemberists--The Hazards of Love
2. Mono--Hymn to the Immortal Wind
3. Them Crooked Vultures--Them Crooked Vultures
4. John Mayer--Battle Studies
5. Dave Matthews Band--Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
6. Silversun Pickups--Swoon
7. U2--No Line on the Horizon
8. Neko Case--Middle Cyclone
9. Great Lake Swimmers--Lost Channels
10. Pearl Jam--Backspacer
11. Arctic Monkeys--Humbug
12. Julian Casablancas--Phrazes for the Young
13. Porcupine Tree--The Incident
14. Alice in Chains--Black Gives Way to Blue
15. William Elliott Whitmore--Animals in the Dark
16. Animal Collective--Merriweather Post Pavilion
17. Bob Dylan--Together Through Life
18. Dinosaur Jr.--Farm
19. The Dead Weather--Horehound
20. Sonic Youth--The Eternal
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Music: Pearl Jam--Backspacer
As you know, Pearl Jam is my favorite band and seriously the best band ever. I have been very, very excited for the new album, Backspacer, and I was not disappointed in the slightest.
My Thoughts:
1. Gonna See My Friend. 4/5. Great Rocker to start off the album. Maybe not the most wonderful lyrics or hard hitting song writing, but a good rocker that I wish Pearl Jam would do more of.
2. Got Some. 4/5. Much the same thought as the first track, only a better song for me. They performed this one on The Tonight Show and I loved it. Love the studio version even better. It continues to up the energy on the first part of the album. Lovin' it.
3. The Fixer. 4/5. I actually upped this from 3 stars to 4 after hearing it in place on the album. It fits really well coming after GSMF and Got Some, bringing yet MORE energy and upping the ante on the album as a whole. I didn't like it as well as a single. Some of the lyrics seem just plain dumb, but as I listened to some of what I think Eddie was trying to say, it really started to grow on me.
4. Johnny Guitar. 3/5. The RM board was having a collective orgasm over this song when it went down, but to me, after the energy of the opening three tracks this Matt Cameron song falls a little flat and was the first bummer song for me. Not that it's bad, and certainly it's pretty good compared to say Evacuation, but it just doesn't do much for me and hasn't grown on me.
5. Just Breathe. 5/5. I don't generally give 5 stars to a song, but this is the first of three 5 star songs in a row on this album for me. This is just gorgeous. Would have fit right in on the Into the Wild soundtrack, and I was glad to see some of that side of Ed show up on Backspacer. Very beautiful, moving, simple song.
6. Amongst the Waves. 5/5. This one is my favorite track off the album. Really reminds me of Given to Fly and just takes me to another realm altogether when I hear it. Just....wow. Eddie, get out of my head!
7. Unthought Known. 5/5. I haven't fully digested this wonderful bit of music yet, I just know I love it. Period.
8. Supersonic. 3/5. The comes the let down. To me this is the Big Wave of this album. Usually I like these little rockers but it just doesn't cut it after the last three songs. My least favorite.
9. Speed of Sound. 3/5. No it's not a Coldplay cover. I really looked forward to this one after hearing the stripped down version that was out there. It could have been another Into the Wild type moment, and I just really don't care for the direction the album version takes it. I do like the lyrics though.
10. Force of Nature. 5/5. At first I only gave this one four stars, then I listened to it some more. This baby builds like a category 4 Hurricane and just fucking UNLEASHES itself on the listener on the chorus. Very Anthem like. Play it loud, play it proud.
11. The End. 4/5. Not a perfect song but a perfect fitting end to this wonderful album. It hits you like a velvet hammer and the pregnant pause at the actual end...just leaves you in space going, wow, what an experience.
So where do I put this in the PJ catalog? Well, best album since Yield, hands down. Yield is pretty much my favorite album, always will be. As of right now I'd probably rank them like this:
Yield
Vitalogy
Vs.
Backspacer
Ten
No Code
Avocado
Riot Act
Binaural
It may end up taking 3rd place as well.
As far as the band's later work (Post Yield) this is clearly the best for me anyway. Binaural had the dark feel and just never caught on for me save a few songs. Riot Act started out well but didn't age all that well (though LBC remains one of my favorite songs). I did like Avocado more than a lot of fans seemed to, particularly the rockers like WWS and Life Wasted (both of which rock live). This album has the balance that those three previous albums lacked. Perhaps because in the post Bush era, Eddie seems to be somewhat unencumbered by politics. We liberals all love the protest songs, but they get old, and when the protest ends and some change has come, they seem dated and perhaps overbearing, even though they were relevant for the time and place they were written in.
When all is said and done, this is a gigantic return to form in my eyes,and I believe it will be for other fans as well. If you want another Ten, it's not for you, but if you want something that seems to be a plausible evolution of the Yield sound, check it out....2010 watch it go to the fire!
My Thoughts:
1. Gonna See My Friend. 4/5. Great Rocker to start off the album. Maybe not the most wonderful lyrics or hard hitting song writing, but a good rocker that I wish Pearl Jam would do more of.
2. Got Some. 4/5. Much the same thought as the first track, only a better song for me. They performed this one on The Tonight Show and I loved it. Love the studio version even better. It continues to up the energy on the first part of the album. Lovin' it.
3. The Fixer. 4/5. I actually upped this from 3 stars to 4 after hearing it in place on the album. It fits really well coming after GSMF and Got Some, bringing yet MORE energy and upping the ante on the album as a whole. I didn't like it as well as a single. Some of the lyrics seem just plain dumb, but as I listened to some of what I think Eddie was trying to say, it really started to grow on me.
4. Johnny Guitar. 3/5. The RM board was having a collective orgasm over this song when it went down, but to me, after the energy of the opening three tracks this Matt Cameron song falls a little flat and was the first bummer song for me. Not that it's bad, and certainly it's pretty good compared to say Evacuation, but it just doesn't do much for me and hasn't grown on me.
5. Just Breathe. 5/5. I don't generally give 5 stars to a song, but this is the first of three 5 star songs in a row on this album for me. This is just gorgeous. Would have fit right in on the Into the Wild soundtrack, and I was glad to see some of that side of Ed show up on Backspacer. Very beautiful, moving, simple song.
6. Amongst the Waves. 5/5. This one is my favorite track off the album. Really reminds me of Given to Fly and just takes me to another realm altogether when I hear it. Just....wow. Eddie, get out of my head!
7. Unthought Known. 5/5. I haven't fully digested this wonderful bit of music yet, I just know I love it. Period.
8. Supersonic. 3/5. The comes the let down. To me this is the Big Wave of this album. Usually I like these little rockers but it just doesn't cut it after the last three songs. My least favorite.
9. Speed of Sound. 3/5. No it's not a Coldplay cover. I really looked forward to this one after hearing the stripped down version that was out there. It could have been another Into the Wild type moment, and I just really don't care for the direction the album version takes it. I do like the lyrics though.
10. Force of Nature. 5/5. At first I only gave this one four stars, then I listened to it some more. This baby builds like a category 4 Hurricane and just fucking UNLEASHES itself on the listener on the chorus. Very Anthem like. Play it loud, play it proud.
11. The End. 4/5. Not a perfect song but a perfect fitting end to this wonderful album. It hits you like a velvet hammer and the pregnant pause at the actual end...just leaves you in space going, wow, what an experience.
So where do I put this in the PJ catalog? Well, best album since Yield, hands down. Yield is pretty much my favorite album, always will be. As of right now I'd probably rank them like this:
Yield
Vitalogy
Vs.
Backspacer
Ten
No Code
Avocado
Riot Act
Binaural
It may end up taking 3rd place as well.
As far as the band's later work (Post Yield) this is clearly the best for me anyway. Binaural had the dark feel and just never caught on for me save a few songs. Riot Act started out well but didn't age all that well (though LBC remains one of my favorite songs). I did like Avocado more than a lot of fans seemed to, particularly the rockers like WWS and Life Wasted (both of which rock live). This album has the balance that those three previous albums lacked. Perhaps because in the post Bush era, Eddie seems to be somewhat unencumbered by politics. We liberals all love the protest songs, but they get old, and when the protest ends and some change has come, they seem dated and perhaps overbearing, even though they were relevant for the time and place they were written in.
When all is said and done, this is a gigantic return to form in my eyes,and I believe it will be for other fans as well. If you want another Ten, it's not for you, but if you want something that seems to be a plausible evolution of the Yield sound, check it out....2010 watch it go to the fire!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
And now for something a little less serious.........
Have you ever had a real emotional connection with a song? Like you just hear the right song at the right time, in the right setting?
It's only happened to me a handful of times, and I listen to a lot of music. In recent times I can only think of two songs that I've had that happen with: "Gone" by Pearl Jam and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day.
Well it happened again tonight.
I was driving home from work, late, after a particularly frustrating evening and frustrating week. Driving down Main Street in Clearfield and Layton the in dark, with the neon signs of run down buildings slipping into my vision like Ghosts from a past that isn't all mine, but is part mine as well, as in "This place is a part of you whether you like it or not." Most of the time I don't like it. I don't like the culture, I don't like the fact that there's nothing to do. It's just not me, but in fact part of it is. I've been up and down these streets for what will be the better part of 31 years next week.
Anyway, as this is all going on in my brain, "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger hits the radio. Now usually I listen to the alternative station, but Mariel had been driving the car yesterday so the radio was on the Classic Rock station.
Now not being a Rock star I'm not gonna pretend that this song is in anyway about me. But the music has always struck a bit of a vibe and then these lyrics hit me tonight:
Well you walk into a restaurant, strung out from the road,
You can feel the eyes upon you as your shaking off the cold
You pretend it doesn't bother you, but you just want to explode.
Most times you cant hear em talk, other times you can.
Oh the same old cliche, as that woman on her a man........
There I go, turn the page.
Everywhere I go I feel the eyes of people on me thinking I'm a bit of a never was, a person who hasn't lived up to potential. It pisses me off. A lot of it's probably in my head, but not all of it, and I have a hard time escaping it. I really want to turn the page, have a life that is new and unique to me and my family (My wonderful wife and puppy at the moment.)
I'd love to turn the page.
Anyway, the song really struck me and connected with me tonight, and as I felt the warm evening air blow the ghosts of the old streets and the old life past my car into the distance, Bob Seger helped me escape it all for five minutes, to turn the page, to be lost in the music.
It's only happened to me a handful of times, and I listen to a lot of music. In recent times I can only think of two songs that I've had that happen with: "Gone" by Pearl Jam and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day.
Well it happened again tonight.
I was driving home from work, late, after a particularly frustrating evening and frustrating week. Driving down Main Street in Clearfield and Layton the in dark, with the neon signs of run down buildings slipping into my vision like Ghosts from a past that isn't all mine, but is part mine as well, as in "This place is a part of you whether you like it or not." Most of the time I don't like it. I don't like the culture, I don't like the fact that there's nothing to do. It's just not me, but in fact part of it is. I've been up and down these streets for what will be the better part of 31 years next week.
Anyway, as this is all going on in my brain, "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger hits the radio. Now usually I listen to the alternative station, but Mariel had been driving the car yesterday so the radio was on the Classic Rock station.
Now not being a Rock star I'm not gonna pretend that this song is in anyway about me. But the music has always struck a bit of a vibe and then these lyrics hit me tonight:
Well you walk into a restaurant, strung out from the road,
You can feel the eyes upon you as your shaking off the cold
You pretend it doesn't bother you, but you just want to explode.
Most times you cant hear em talk, other times you can.
Oh the same old cliche, as that woman on her a man........
There I go, turn the page.
Everywhere I go I feel the eyes of people on me thinking I'm a bit of a never was, a person who hasn't lived up to potential. It pisses me off. A lot of it's probably in my head, but not all of it, and I have a hard time escaping it. I really want to turn the page, have a life that is new and unique to me and my family (My wonderful wife and puppy at the moment.)
I'd love to turn the page.
Anyway, the song really struck me and connected with me tonight, and as I felt the warm evening air blow the ghosts of the old streets and the old life past my car into the distance, Bob Seger helped me escape it all for five minutes, to turn the page, to be lost in the music.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
My favorite albums of the 2nd Quarter, 2009.
5. Street Sweeper Social Club--"Self Titled"
Yes, it's Morello again, but this is DAMN catchy. Great beats!
4. Dinosaur Jr.--"Farm"
My first Dinosaur Jr Album and won't be my last. Great guitar rock!
3. Bob Dylan--"Together Through Life"
Very pleasantly surprised. Dylan still has it, for me anyway. Don't pass this one by. "My Wife's Hometown" is one of my favorite songs this year.
2. Silversun Pickups--"Swoon"
Another great album from one of my favorite acts. "Panic Switch" is the highlight here.
1. Dave Matthews Band--"Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King"
I thought I was gonna hate this, but it could end up being album of the year for me. Check out Alligator Pie and Time Bomb if nothing else! Love it.
See my list at my RYM site here
Yes, it's Morello again, but this is DAMN catchy. Great beats!
4. Dinosaur Jr.--"Farm"
My first Dinosaur Jr Album and won't be my last. Great guitar rock!
3. Bob Dylan--"Together Through Life"
Very pleasantly surprised. Dylan still has it, for me anyway. Don't pass this one by. "My Wife's Hometown" is one of my favorite songs this year.
2. Silversun Pickups--"Swoon"
Another great album from one of my favorite acts. "Panic Switch" is the highlight here.
1. Dave Matthews Band--"Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King"
I thought I was gonna hate this, but it could end up being album of the year for me. Check out Alligator Pie and Time Bomb if nothing else! Love it.
See my list at my RYM site here
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A long week.
Well, if you follow my twitter at all you know it's been a long week. Inventory at work, and Mariel's been working all week too, so we're both pretty damn tired. Finally we both get a day off tomorrow. I think we're gonna sleep in!
Not much else going on. Mariel bought some stuff at work, some oven mitts, kitchen towels, and an apron. I'll tell you what, I couldn't have married a better cook, and maybe with the new apron she'll cook more!
Listening to soem new Bob Dylan. He had a free track on his website a couple weeks ago. Sounds pretty good. His voice certainly isn't what it used to be, but so far I like what I've hard songwise. Kind of bluesy.
Not much else going on. Mariel bought some stuff at work, some oven mitts, kitchen towels, and an apron. I'll tell you what, I couldn't have married a better cook, and maybe with the new apron she'll cook more!
Listening to soem new Bob Dylan. He had a free track on his website a couple weeks ago. Sounds pretty good. His voice certainly isn't what it used to be, but so far I like what I've hard songwise. Kind of bluesy.
Friday, March 27, 2009
My top 5 albums for the 1st quarter 2009
5. "Merriweather Post Pavillion" by Animal Collective.
Not sure how to best describe this album. Sure it's indie, and faily unique, but it's also a lot fun!
4. "Animals in the Dark" by William Elliott Whitmore
To listen to this deep bluesy sounding singer, you'd probably think he was a 50 some year old African American guy, not a younger white dude! Awesome garage type blues, my favorite track is "Old Devils."
3. "No Line on the Horizon" by U2.
Folks, for me anyway, U2 is BACK! In a big way too. After hearing the first single, 'Get on Your Boots' I was a little nervous, but when I heard the entire album, that track clicked right into place and it's not even the best track! This is their best since Achtung Baby. The song "Moment of Surrender" might end up being my favorite song of the year.
2. "Hymn to the Immortal Wind" by Mono.
I'm new to post-rock as a genre, but the weight, depth, and beauty of this album blow me away every time.
--And my favorite so far....-
1. "The Hazards of Love" by The Decemberists.
Yes folks, a new rock opera, and a great one, the more I listen to it, the closer it gets to being perfect. Their best since "Her Majesty," but they'll never top that album for me. This should be one of the best of the year.
See this list at my Rate Your Music Page
Not sure how to best describe this album. Sure it's indie, and faily unique, but it's also a lot fun!
4. "Animals in the Dark" by William Elliott Whitmore
To listen to this deep bluesy sounding singer, you'd probably think he was a 50 some year old African American guy, not a younger white dude! Awesome garage type blues, my favorite track is "Old Devils."
3. "No Line on the Horizon" by U2.
Folks, for me anyway, U2 is BACK! In a big way too. After hearing the first single, 'Get on Your Boots' I was a little nervous, but when I heard the entire album, that track clicked right into place and it's not even the best track! This is their best since Achtung Baby. The song "Moment of Surrender" might end up being my favorite song of the year.
2. "Hymn to the Immortal Wind" by Mono.
I'm new to post-rock as a genre, but the weight, depth, and beauty of this album blow me away every time.
--And my favorite so far....-
1. "The Hazards of Love" by The Decemberists.
Yes folks, a new rock opera, and a great one, the more I listen to it, the closer it gets to being perfect. Their best since "Her Majesty," but they'll never top that album for me. This should be one of the best of the year.
See this list at my Rate Your Music Page
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Some 2009 tunes on Grammy Night
So the Grammys are going on right now, and I thought I'd take the moment to talk about some of the new albums from 2009 that I'm really enjoying
First off is the self titled album by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Isbell is a former member of Drive-By Truckers, and his work since them has been almost as good in my opinion. This new album will feature an alt-country feel with a bit blues that might be stronger than the Trucker's work. Favorite track here is "The Last Song I Will Write." Pick it up in stores starting 2/17.
Next up is Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective. Honestly, if you've never heard AC, you're missing out on at LEAST an interesting sonic experience. Their previous albums haven't done much for me, but I like this one. It might be a bit more pop than some of their previous work and therefore more accessible. All I know is that it's a great album.
Finally we have Keep It Hid by Dan Auerbach. Dan is half of the Akron garage/blues rock outfit "The Black Keys." This is his first solo effort. I'm a solid Keys fan and this did not disappoint me at all. Maybe a tinge more folk influence here, which isn't a bad thing for me. Distinct from the Keys sound. Thumbs Up.
Also check out new Albums from Bruce Springsteen, Andrew Bird, RHCP guitarist John Frusciante, and M. Ward. Good stuff all right there. DO NOT bother to check out the new Chris Cornell/Timbaland crapfest entitled "Scream." It sucks. What happened to Chris? Seriously, Audioslave was better than this.
First off is the self titled album by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Isbell is a former member of Drive-By Truckers, and his work since them has been almost as good in my opinion. This new album will feature an alt-country feel with a bit blues that might be stronger than the Trucker's work. Favorite track here is "The Last Song I Will Write." Pick it up in stores starting 2/17.
Next up is Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective. Honestly, if you've never heard AC, you're missing out on at LEAST an interesting sonic experience. Their previous albums haven't done much for me, but I like this one. It might be a bit more pop than some of their previous work and therefore more accessible. All I know is that it's a great album.
Finally we have Keep It Hid by Dan Auerbach. Dan is half of the Akron garage/blues rock outfit "The Black Keys." This is his first solo effort. I'm a solid Keys fan and this did not disappoint me at all. Maybe a tinge more folk influence here, which isn't a bad thing for me. Distinct from the Keys sound. Thumbs Up.
Also check out new Albums from Bruce Springsteen, Andrew Bird, RHCP guitarist John Frusciante, and M. Ward. Good stuff all right there. DO NOT bother to check out the new Chris Cornell/Timbaland crapfest entitled "Scream." It sucks. What happened to Chris? Seriously, Audioslave was better than this.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
More new music...
September's a great month for new music folks. Some other albums that have been/will be released in the coming days....
TV on the Radio--Dear Science
Kings of Leon--Only By the Night
Jenny Lewis--Acid Tongue
Mogwai--The Hawk Is Howling
Check 'em out.
TV on the Radio--Dear Science
Kings of Leon--Only By the Night
Jenny Lewis--Acid Tongue
Mogwai--The Hawk Is Howling
Check 'em out.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Metallica--"Death Magnetic"
So for the last couple years, Metallica fans have been a disgruntled bunch. Let's face it, "St. Anger" left a little to be desired. However, I'm happy to report that in my opinion, the boys are BACK with their new album "Death Magnetic," released today.
I've bought various Metallica cds over the years, starting with "Load" and "Reload," then working back through the earlier stuff. Mostly I enjoy the earlier albums the most, with "Master Of Puppets" being my favorite.
In my opinion, "Death Magnetic" is probably the best thing they've done since the self titled "Black Album." While I wouldn't say that it's as good as the pre-Black album stuff, it's a pretty dang good album.
Track by Track--out of 5 stars....
That Was Just Your Life....4 Stars
The End of the Line....4 Stars
Broken, Beat, and Scarred....4 Stars
The Day That Never Comes....5 Stars
All Nightmare Long....5 Stars (Best track in my opinion)
Cyanide....3 Stars (Weakest track in my opinion)
The Unforgiven III...3 Stars
The Judas Kiss....4 Stars
Suicide & Redemption....3 Stars
My Apocalypse....4 Stars
If you like Metallica, pick this one up, give it a chance, I think you'll like it. Make sure you get it all legal like though, or Lars will come after you.
I've bought various Metallica cds over the years, starting with "Load" and "Reload," then working back through the earlier stuff. Mostly I enjoy the earlier albums the most, with "Master Of Puppets" being my favorite.
In my opinion, "Death Magnetic" is probably the best thing they've done since the self titled "Black Album." While I wouldn't say that it's as good as the pre-Black album stuff, it's a pretty dang good album.
Track by Track--out of 5 stars....
That Was Just Your Life....4 Stars
The End of the Line....4 Stars
Broken, Beat, and Scarred....4 Stars
The Day That Never Comes....5 Stars
All Nightmare Long....5 Stars (Best track in my opinion)
Cyanide....3 Stars (Weakest track in my opinion)
The Unforgiven III...3 Stars
The Judas Kiss....4 Stars
Suicide & Redemption....3 Stars
My Apocalypse....4 Stars
If you like Metallica, pick this one up, give it a chance, I think you'll like it. Make sure you get it all legal like though, or Lars will come after you.
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