Is it Tuesday again already? [Archive]

Chip_B

07-27-2004, 04:15 AM

Just got back from a brief, but outstanding vacation in America's oldest city, St. Augustine, but managed to find a bit of time to listen to a few CDs.

'Dear Sweet Goodness' - Tony Vega Band. Definitely the hottest Blues-rocker I've stumbled across in quite some time. Killer guitars (Vega and Joshua Davidson--aka 'Orq'), outstanding vocals (Vega), and monster tunes. Gotta get more of this stuff!

'Mojave' - Concrete Blonde. Not through spinning it yet, but first impressions are good. Unique.

'Humble Colossus' - Plankton. Swedes playing 70's-style guitar rock in a UFO/Scorpions vein...except that these guys do instrumentals only. Sounded good when I was sampling it on the website, but it got old very quickly when I listened to the whole CD in one sitting. Great musicians, but...

'Trouble' - Steve Thorpe. Only listened to this once so far, but it's not bad. Pretty standard contemporary Blues that doesn't break any new ground, but that is well-executed.

'Roots and Branches' - Damon Fowler Group. Fowler is a local Bluesman that creates a lot of buzz, but I can't say that there's anything on this record that grabs me.

'Long Way Around' - Chris Whitley. I like this anthology, especially the opening cut ('Home is Where You Get Across'), but as anthologies go, there should've been more to it.

'Living Out of Time' - Robin Trower. I'm very sorry to say that all of the joy I experienced over Robin's retro 70s 'Go My Way' release was trashed by this piece of garbage. I never liked Davey Pattison's earlier collaborations with Trower--way too slick and sappy--and I had my doubts when I saw he was back. Unfortunately, this CD is even worse than the stuff they were pumping out in the late 80s/early 90s. Pattison turns nearly every cut into pure crap...not that the songs are that great to begin with.

Comps:

I've been trying to go back and listen to some of the many comps/boots I've received over the last few years. I listened to most of these a few weeks ago, but thought I'd pass along a few words here and there anyway.

'Texas Clubland' and 'BBC 1972//Jeff Beck Group' - BradH. Brad was kind enough to send professional looking inserts for these two CDs and it prompted me to give them a listen. I can't say that the Jeff Beck Group was ever one of my favorites and the BBC performance didn't do anything to change my mind, but it nonetheless has some nice moments. On the other hand, I listen to Clubland more often that any other comp I've received and still enjoy it immensely.

'Timemasheen' - jack70. Getting any of Gordon's Timemasheen comps is a cause for celebration. The music is unique, meticulously compiled, and often challenging. I have several favorites among them and keep them 'filed' together so that I can find 'em when I'm ready to listen. That said, I don't care much for the Scandinavian pop included in the most recent additions. Nice to be exposed to for the uniqueness, but musicially, not my thing.

Clapton and Hendrix Blues boots - JDaniel. I like both of these. At least Clapton reinterprets Robert Johnson's tunes this time around. The Hendrix stuff is outstanding.

'Unpop' - Jim Clark. There are one or two cuts that I like just fine, but mostly it leaves me cold. Just one of those things.

My own Sonny Landreth comp twofer. I like it, but then again, I put it together, so it would be pretty weird if I didn't.

There's more, but I can't remember any of it right now.

Stone

07-27-2004, 05:00 AM

I had somewhat of a roadtrip (but to a seminar for work) this past weekend, so I got some listening in on the road, plus had some listening time at home too:

Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter - Oh, My Girl
Reminds me somewhat of Cat Power with a bit of a country twang. Very very good on first listen, but definitely not pick-me-up music.

Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
This is alright, but I really wish their songs on this one were about 2 minutes shorter each. I tend to be really wishing the songs are over by the time the ending comes. Not a good sign probably, but I need to spend more time with it.

The Glands - s/t
What a great one of pretty much straight-up indie rock. Supposedly they're done recording a new album, so hopefully we'll see something soon from these guys.

Elliott Smith - either/or
One of my clients mentioned how much he likes XO, but that that's the only one he's heard. I told him he should get either/or, and I think I've listened to this 3 times since that. What a great record - better with each listen.

Franz Ferdinand - s/t
Great, catchy pop. What a fun album.

Gary Myrick and the Figures - Living In a Movie
I found this used and on first listen, doesn't move me.

Social Distortion - Mommy's Little Monster

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs
Damn, this is strange. Not sure what to think of this one yet.

Espers - s/t

Heatmiser - Mic City Sons

Mclusky - The Difference...

Wire - Pink Flag

Deerhoof - Milk Man

Rogue Wave - Out of the Shadow

-Jar-

07-27-2004, 05:15 AM

pieces parts:

Swervedriver - MEZCAL HEAD
Further - GRIP TAPE
Beck - MUTATIONS
Flaming Lips - SOFT BULLETIN
New Order - BROTHERHOOD
Wedding Present - SEA MONSTERS
Tom Waits - BONE MACHINE
Catherine Wheel - CHROME
Golden Palominos - PURE

-jar

nobody

07-27-2004, 06:11 AM

Been listening to a bit of Jazz...

Horace Silver's Song for My Father along with Tokyo Blues. From Monk, went with Monk's Dream as well as Underground. I also gave a spin to Chet Baker's The Last Great Concert.

Still really enjoying the Streets: A Grand Don't Come for Free. I think it's a big improvement over the first one.

Been playing Holly Golightly: Truly She is None Other. I let this one slip past at first. I was kinda figuring it was just gonna be a rip off or opportunism of her being on the White Stripes last record, but it is really a good LP. It's kinda retro with a good bit of variety. Nice midtempo stuff and she has a nice voice.

Also picked up the Walkmen, and digging it quite a bit. The Rat, the single, is the best thing on it to me so far, but I still dig the whole record.

I've also been listening to the new Felix Da Housecat, the name of which escapes me right now, but for retro 80s lovers with a fondness for synths, this thing is perfect, not too shocking considering where it came from. This one is a lot more fun than most of the mopier 80s retro stuff out now. I also got a chance to hear the Killers and enjoyed it. Lots of 80s retro out there now. I like most of it, but it can get a bit jumbled in my mind. Still, a good listen.

Also spun some Clash (Radio Clash 12"), the new Morrisey, last year's Joe Strummer and a few other things. Dug out The Chronic for a quick listen. I'm waiting on an order with the new McLusky and the new Hives, hoping to have 'em in my hands before long.

tentoze

07-27-2004, 06:24 AM

A lot of my listening this week was thanks to the kindness of Rave Reckers:

A. C. Newman, The Slow Wonder- very, very fine stuff- indie pop with a hint of Kinks in there somewhere. Definitely like it better than the latest New Pornographers release.

A Daivid Kilgour comp that is great from start to finish. Dunno how I missed so much good music, but glad it found me.

The Walkabouts, Satisified Mind- see above comment in spades. Phenomenally good cover tunes from a band that's apparently been around for ages, but I missed them altogether. Nice twang.

Sonny Landreth twofer mentioned by ChipB that showed up several days ago unexpectedly. Damn, that boy can play.........

Brian Wilson Presents Smile- 2 cd boot of the Feb. performance in London. First time I have heard the Smile that is so revered. I liked it, despite Wilson's occasional sour notes and what, to me, is a very irritating slide whistle that drifts in and out of some tunes, leaving a rather odd cartoonish impression. The 2nd disk with all the old BB standards is quite a treat as well. I'm glad Wilson regained enough of his gourd to get back in the game.

Mike

07-27-2004, 06:46 AM

Razorlight - Up All Night, still playing this a lot. Stone I think it was you who replied to my earlier post, it's not out in the US yet but if you pm me with your addy I'll gladly send you a copy.

Feeder - Comfort in Sound, one of the best indie pop albums in the last few years but I don't think it made much of an impression in the US.

Modest Mouse - Good News...finally got hold of this fine album and well worth it.

The Ordinary Boys - had this a week or two but still pretty disappointed with it.

Jesse Sykes and the Hereafter - great album, very downbeat but love that twangy guitar it sounds like a soundtrack to a Lynch film.

Keane - Hopes and Fears, ok but not my cup of tea

Josh Ritter - His last one I've forgotten what it's called but it's pretty good

Others include
Joan Armatrading - comp
Clash - comp
Yello - comp
Cracker - comp

Cheers
Mike

Davey

07-27-2004, 07:38 AM

The Lilac Time: Looking For A Day In the Night - Forgot what a nice CD this one is. Got that beautifully endearing English country-folk-pop sound that makes everything seem like it'll be OK no matter what's going on....like the first flower of spring (as one customer put it in their review at amazon.com). Lots of pedal steel and banjo but it ain't no hillbilly music. I'm gotta get this one back in regular rotation.

The Walkabouts: Satisfied Mind - Like tentoze said, this is a covers album. But if ever a band was able to take songs of others and make them their own, this Seattle band is the one. Year after year, this 1996 release on Germany's Glitterhouse label remains a favorite of mine and that'll probably never change. It's got that country gothic noir sound that I love so much, with lots of texture and ambience throughout. Kind of like Neil Young mixed with Son Volt and Nick Cave and the Mekons. No idea why this American band can only make a living by playing in Europe, and especially in Germany, but that's sadly the case with the somewhat similar Willard Grant Conspiracy I love so much as well....I'm just glad someone is still making this kind of music.

Carina Round: The Disconnection - I was flipping through the TV channels one night until this woman and her band stopped my clicker finger dead in its tracks. I guess it must've been MTV2 and the video must've been for the song "Into My Blood", but after sitting mesmerized for the last couple minutes of the performance I knew I needed the CD, even if it only had one good song. So I was pleasantly surprised to see some very good reviews when I looked her up online and I picked up the CD locally for under $10. Talked about it some in another thread at http://forums.audioreview.com/showpost.php?p=43498&postcount=15 so I'll just say that I've been liking this one a lot lately.

Lali Puna: Faking The Books
Yo La Tengo: Electr-o-pura
Calla: Televise
Willard Grant Conspiracy: Regard The End
The Czars: The Ugly People vs Me (or something like that ;))
...and some Mahler and Bartok and Beethoven and Brahms got woven in there someplace last week too - and btw, since I'm listening to it again right now, if you like Brahms violin concertos, this Hilary Hahn disc with Neville Marriner conductiing The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is really nice. Actually a lot better than just nice, really quite incredible and mesmerizing. Very recommended. I don't make too many classical recs around here, so you know when I do....it's a must have! Or maybe not :)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005RIN5.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Pat D

07-27-2004, 09:29 AM

Beethoven's 6th Symphony (Pastorale). Someone asked me about this so I listened to the ones I have which I think are good: Ansermet, Leibowitz, Suitner, and Walter. My top two favorites are:

Beethoven, Symphonies nos. 6 and 8. Leibowitz, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Chesky CD69.

Beethoven, Symphony no. 6, Prometheus Overture. Ansermet, Suisse Romande Orchestra. London LP STS 15064.

Since everyone likes it, Walter, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, on CBS MS 6012, Oddyssey Y 33294, and MY 36720 is a safe bet, but it's not MY favorite, though it's very good.

Other CDs:

Schumann, Symphonies 1 and 3, 2 and 4. Antoni Wit, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. Naxos 8.553082 and 8.550923.

Berwald, Symphonies 1 and 2,; 3 and 4, Piano Concerto. Niklas Sivelov, piano; Okko Kamu, Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra. Naxos 8.553051 and 8.553052. The Berwald symphonies sound a little awkward to me, but I still like them. Something out of the ordinary.

Mozart, Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola and orch., Kv 364; Concertone for 2 violins and orch. Jean-Jacques Kantorow, Olga Martinova, violins' Vladimir Mendelssohn, viola; Leopold Hager, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. Denon 33C37-7507.

Bach, Lute Suites nos 1 and 2, Trio Sonatas nos. 1 and 2; Julian Bream, guitar and lute; George Malcolm, harpsichord. RCA 09026-61603-2

Renaissance Brass, German and English Music of the Late Renaissance for Brass. Eastman Brass Ensemble. Candide CE 31004. Whoops! This one's an LP, and a very nice one.

And, some more LPs bought at the library:

Tennessee Ernie Ford, The Folk Album. Capitol EMI ST 80833

The Andrews Sisters' Greatest Hits. Decca DL 74919

Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, Jazz Samba. Verve MIJ 1 5329

Toady

07-27-2004, 09:47 AM

sorry i haven't been around for a while. been busy and/or away. hope all is well with everyone.

today has been busy, again... so all i've had time for is:

Pinback - Summer in Abaddon

advance of their new record. if you like pinback, you'll love this. the first track is too good for words. it's consistantly great after that. a little more laid back for them.

Converge - You Fail Me

advance of their new record. a bit of a departure from Jane Doe. much more dynamic vocal (jake even carries a tune or two). the song structures don't seem quite as ambitious as Jane Doe's either. much more rock/punk oriented hardcore.

There Were Wires - Somnambulists

my friends' band who played their last show saturday night. great boston hardcore band that will be missed. they have an amazing, passionate, loving fanbase that will follow them on to other projects. they're currently morphing into an instrumental 3-piece. i saw THAT band's first show, and it was devastating. great stuff.

if you like Neurosis, you'll like There Were Wires.

KEXPMF

07-27-2004, 10:00 AM

I need packing music today. I'm moving on up, movin on up, to the Lower East Side, I finally have a piece of the sky-i-i-i-i. Sing with me people.
Weezy (sp?) passed away recently. :(

1) Virgin Megastore FREE sampler - quite a good one!
(highlights for me: The Killers, The Von Bondies, Modest Mouse, Snow Patrol, Franz F, Toots & the Maytals) (a FREE sampler with 6 KILLER songs! Sweet.)

2) Blur - Parklife

3) !!! - Dear Can

4) Gomez - Split the Difference

5) Kruder & Dorfmeister - K&D Sessions

6) Joe Gibbs Productions compilation: "Roots Culture DJs and the Birth of Dancehall"
(it's dub reggae)

7) Pharcyde - Bizzarre Ride to the Pharcyde... (that MindGoneHaywire gave me) :)

8) some 80s new wave comp cd I found while packing. With Tin Tin's hit song "Kiss Me". A damn fine song.

9) The Vines

10) Ima Robot

KEXPMF

07-27-2004, 10:06 AM

[QUOTE=KEXPMF]I need packing music today. I'm moving on up, movin on up, to the Lower East Side, I finally have a piece of the sky-i-i-i-i. Sing with me people.
Weezy (sp?) passed away recently. :(

I think those aren't the right lyrics to that song are they? Oh well you get the picture.
:eek:

-Jar-

07-27-2004, 10:25 AM

Dave_G

07-27-2004, 11:06 AM

I made this komp I called "Komplicated" for this girl here at work, I comped two Tubes titles and two XTC titles togeher for 20 cuts, she loved it.

I like that tubes toon "Fantastic Delusion" a lot, it's killer.

I listened to a crappy Jadis cd called "fanatic". It's way foo foo fluff, at least to me.

I also listened to the new Fish album, "Field of Crows". Should be titled "Full of Crap".

I listened to the 2 bonus tracks off of Ted Nugents Free for All remaster, goofy, he needs to let Derek St. Holmes back in to do the singing.

Dave

KEXPMF

07-27-2004, 11:58 AM

it's a piece of the pie ;)

Also I have a feeling the Jeffersons probably moved FROM the Lower East Side. I'm moving TO the Lower East Side from Brooklyn. Still, that is 'movin' up (so to speak). :)

movin' on up
to the East Side
to a deluxe apartment in the sky (well, 6th floor for me anyway)
moo - oo - oo vin' on up

ok enough singing. more packing!

skewiff

07-27-2004, 01:26 PM

This weeks stuff

Candi Staton............................st This is great soul

Tom Waits...............................Franks Wild Years and Bone Machine

Neil Young...............................Harvest Not my fave NY

Chris Isaak...............................Baja Sessions Laid back

John Hiatt.................................Bring the Family Still sounds great

Roy Buchanan..........................Sweet Dreams(anthology) What a player

Sonny Landreth........................Slindin' through the Bayou. This arrived from Chip B with no warning and completely blew me away. I really like SL and this comp is just about perfect, Disc1 shows his versitality with the guitar, acoustic and electic and Disc2 just rocks like a MF. He just maybe the best slide player around at the moment. Thank you so much Chip, this is up there with your oft played and brilliant Robin Trower set.

At this time I'm trying to get my hands on some of the classical recommendations from last weeks really great thread, particually, Beethoven's 3,5th and 7th. Bruckner 4th and 7th. Shubert 3rd and 4th and the 9th by Dvorak.

Can any of you guys help me out?

I need to be more involved with Classical music as I do enjoy it ,but I'm really not up to speed, or even close. Anything would be really appreciated.

Tony

audiobill

07-27-2004, 03:47 PM

Today, I finally got to the pile of comps that were lying on my table & decided to properly label their spines; give them a cd jacket, if needed; and listen to some music while I did it.

Grandaddy: Sophtware Slump -- what a terrific album from a few years back!! If Neil Young ever decided to do electronica and earthy Pink Floyd music, I think this is what it would sound like.

Soilwork: Steelbath Suicide & Natural Born Chaos -- man can these guys ever play metal the way it should be played. Intricate, abrassive and get 'yer yah yahs out-in-yer-face -- to be played loud, of course. Probably the best metal band I've come across, lately. If you haven't heard them, and you like metal....do yourself a favour.

Aretha Franklin: Comp -- a comp I put together for my wife. Man what more can one say about such uplifting singing that hasn't already been said. Great to blast while doing spines.

A Perfect Circle: Thirteenth Step -- for me, this is a pleasant link between Tool's Lateralus & any future disc they may well compile. Best played loud!!

Kanye West's -- The College Dropout -- can't wait to see what concoction of a musical cocktail K West will release with his next album. An acquired taste, but imho best out of the ordinary hip-hop I've heard.

Ryan Adams: Comp -- recently received from Mike. Man can this guy ever write very cool music. I enjoy his country-tinged songs, as much as his all-out rockers. Nice pacing on the comp by Mike -- repeat listens are in order.

Anthrax Comp -- made for me by one of my graduating students. Obviously, I missed some kick #ss rock, the first time around. Great guitar playing & vocals. Meant for exessive volume.

Franz Ferdinand: s/t -- like a breath of fresh air on a new music horizon that's dotted with "sound-a-likes".

The White Stripes: Elephant

Manitoba: Up In Flames

Edith Piaf: Very Best -- just got my oldest daughter into this great little sparrow of a "girl"!! In preparation for our european adventure: Paris, Zurich, Geneva, Munich, Heidelberg, Vienna, and Salzburg.......I'll report back in September. I plan on sampling some Abbey beer -- apparently the monks, in some of the places we're visiting, still make their own.

That's it for now & I'll be on hiatus for about a month.
Cheers,
audiobill

ForeverAutumn

07-27-2004, 05:08 PM

Soilwork: Steelbath Suicide & Natural Born Chaos -- man can these guys ever play metal the way it should be played. Intricate, abrassive and get 'yer yah yahs out-in-yer-face -- to be played loud, of course. Probably the best metal band I've come across, lately. If you haven't heard them, and you like metal....do yourself a favour.

This sounds interesting. Thanks for the tip Bill. I'll be looking into it.

Ryan Adams: Comp -- recently received from Mike. Man can this guy ever write very cool music. I enjoy his country-tinged songs, as much as his all-out rockers. Nice pacing on the comp by Mike -- repeat listens are in order.

I also received this comp yesterday and was able to give it a spin today. I liked it a lot. Me thinks this one will be in regular rotation for a while. And it looks like Ryan Adams will make it onto my wish list.

Other listens this week...

Still listening to Thornley and Finger Eleven on a regular basis.

Chantal Kreviazuk, Under These Rocks and Stones and What If It All Means Something - I don't quite know how to explain Chantal to those of you who aren't familiar with her. AMG has a bunch of artists listed under similar artists , but none of them seem right to me. Maybe Tori Amos or Lisa Loeb...but not really. Chantal has a fantastic voice and mediocre (IMHO) song writing ability. But her voice makes up for what her songs lack. Her albums highlight her voice and her piano playing, backed up by a pretty decent band. Maybe I'll throw a track of hers onto the next CRS disk. Although...I don't know...I know how much you all like for me to include a good prog track for the CRS collections. ;)

Fresh Brew II - A cool comp from my friend Uncle Swishy. Lots of great new-to-me stuff, taunting me to spend more money on ceedees.

Colin James, Traveler - Excellent Blues/Rock to get your blood flowing. I love driving to this disk. The guitar work on this is outstanding.

It's been a crazy work week (summer is supposed to be slower) so I haven't had much listening time.

Chip_B

07-27-2004, 05:36 PM

Colin James, Traveler - Excellent Blues/Rock to get your blood flowing. I love driving to this disk. The guitar work on this is outstanding.
I really love Colin James' stuff, so I'm glad you mentioned he had this one out...not familiar with it, but I'm sure I'd like it.

ForeverAutumn

07-28-2004, 04:55 AM

I really love Colin James' stuff, so I'm glad you mentioned he had this one out...not familiar with it, but I'm sure I'd like it.

Yes, I think that you would like this Chip. It's an excellent disk and has great sound. It even sounds good on my car stereo, which is really hard to do. There are some really good covers on this disk too, John Lennon (I'm Losing You); Nick Drake (Black Eyed Dog); and Jimmy Hendrix (Rainy Day, Dream Away).

Chip_B

07-28-2004, 05:40 AM

Yes, I think that you would like this Chip. It's an excellent disk and has great sound. It even sounds good on my car stereo, which is really hard to do. There are some really good covers on this disk too, John Lennon (I'm Losing You); Nick Drake (Black Eyed Dog); and Jimmy Hendrix (Rainy Day, Dream Away).
Thanks FA. I'm going to track this one down and get a copy. I like everything I've heard him do, and he's as eclectic as they come. I've got his first album (s/t), 'Bad Habits', 'National Steel', and his swing CD with the Little Big Band and I think they're all good.

Chip_B

07-28-2004, 05:44 AM

Sonny Landreth........................Slindin' through the Bayou. This arrived from Chip B with no warning and completely blew me away. I really like SL and this comp is just about perfect, Disc1 shows his versitality with the guitar, acoustic and electic and Disc2 just rocks like a MF. He just maybe the best slide player around at the moment. Thank you so much Chip, this is up there with your oft played and brilliant Robin Trower set.

You're welcome! I kinda thought you'd like it and I'm glad to hear that you do.

ForeverAutumn

07-28-2004, 07:34 AM

Thanks FA. I'm going to track this one down and get a copy. I like everything I've heard him do, and he's as eclectic as they come. I've got his first album (s/t), 'Bad Habits', 'National Steel', and his swing CD with the Little Big Band and I think they're all good.

In case you didn't know...there's two swing CDs. Little Big Band and Little Big Band II. If you're a fan, both are worth owning.

mad rhetorik

07-28-2004, 10:15 AM

Soilwork: Steelbath Suicide & Natural Born Chaos -- man can these guys ever play metal the way it should be played. Intricate, abrassive and get 'yer yah yahs out-in-yer-face -- to be played loud, of course. Probably the best metal band I've come across, lately. If you haven't heard them, and you like metal....do yourself a favour.

Soilwork is another member of the Gothenburg, Sweden death metal scene alongside peers At The Gates, In Flames, Arch Enemy, and Dark Tranquility. Soilwork's sound is characteristic of that scene--Iron Maiden-esque guitar harmonies, lots of catchy melodies and choruses, and vocals that are harsh but not usually growly (and sometimes clean vocals are thrown in too). It's a lot more digestible than most American death metal (which is decidedly unmelodic, noisier, and more obsessed with cheesy gore/Satanism themes) or the more recent forms of so-called "math metal" (which is extremely technical and often quite crazy).

Most of the bands in the Gothenburg scene are great. In Flames is the band I'm most familiar with, and they're freaking ace. Four of their albums are worth purchasing--The Jester Race, Whoracle, Colony, and Clayman. The latter two are my faves, but the old-school In Flames fans seem to prefer the first two (and they are quite good, though a bit more death metal-influenced). At The Gates and Arch Enemy also have good albums--Slaughter Of The Soul and Burning Bridges, respectively. If you dig Soilwork, you will more than likely dig these bands, so go check 'em out (that goes for you too, FA ; ) )

Anthrax Comp -- made for me by one of my graduating students. Obviously, I missed some kick #ss rock, the first time around. Great guitar playing & vocals. Meant for exessive volume.

Anthrax rule. They're thrash metal with a sense of humor. Best Anthrax albums? That depends on which era you prefer. The earlier albums Spreading The Disease, Among The Living, Sound Of White Noise, and Persistence Of Time (my favorite) all have Joey Belladonna at the helm, and the music is more "thrashy" and uptempo. Later albums like The Sound Of White Noise and We've Come For You All are slower and a bit heavier (in that Black Sabbath sense) and have John Bush singing. I prefer the Belladonna material myself, but the Bush stuff has its adherents.

Another great thrash band from the same period is Megadeth. Go buy Rust In Peace, it's their best. Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman are the greatest guitar duo since...well, ever.

Dusty Chalk

07-28-2004, 03:17 PM

Listening to a lot of Metropolis lately: Monofader, Velvet Acid Christ, Retrosic, Terrance Fixmer w/Douglas Mccarthy, etc. All good.

Totally digging that Franz Ferdinand, although I disagree with the comment that it's not derivative -- everything's derivative, some more than others.

Ditto Ghost -- just can't get enough of that one.

My car audio system needs tuning. Way too much bass on stuff like Ellen Allien (yes, I finally picked that up Davey) -- it sounds like hip-hop in my car, although it sounds just like good male-generated electronica on my home system...not saying that I can hear a peni...erm...Y chromosome, but it definitely does not sound feminine. Perhaps I shouldn't distract myself with such precepts.

Listening to Scissor Sistors right now -- kind of like a contemporary Bee Gees, neh? Maybe more so on their cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", with the falsetto vox. The rest is more just contemporary. Sort of like Kenna, which I too dig.

So how come none of you Low fans have discussed this yet:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002BO0EO.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002BO0EO/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/103-0164968-3480633)

...? It's a three disc set of rarities. And no, I stopped getting Low (although I might have to pick up Amazon's choice for a pairing, Explosions in the Sky, based on the descriptions -- "...fans of Mogwai and GYBE..."). Not sure I ever did.

Thoroughly enjoying Lamb these days. Man!, they are so good. I would say that they are at the absolute top of their genre (whatever it is -- femme-fronted e-tronica w/d&b elements?) in the same way that Portishead is to trip-hop. And no, they are not trip-hop. Their songs contain harsher elements that dissuade from the trippy element, and yet at the same time, they are "smoother"...as in, I am more likely compare their songs to classic "Lieder" than to today's pop swill...which I enjoy, too, sometimes...(oink, oink)...

skewiff -- for the D9, I like von Karajan. He's nicely bombastic on the pieces that require it, and I think this one does. The recent Fischer version and the classic Bernstein version are also certainly very good (hmmm...I only have two versions on SACD?...I have to fix that...). In fact, you almost can't go wrong with this one (although, stay away from anything different until you get used to it -- the piano concerto version, the organ version, the duo pianos version -- they're all nice, but most of them just make you want to listen to the classic orchestral version) -- it's so ...erm...trying to think of another word than bombastic...ANYWAY...that whether the conductor tries to play it subdued and serious, or sardonically and completely over-the-top, it's almost as if it's more up to the listener whether or not one wants to take it seriously or "rock out".

audiobill -- I, too, dig Soilwork, though I would classify them more as contemporary Gothenburg than classic Gothenburg, neh, madrhet? I mean, the classic Gothenburg sound is a little more dirgy, innit? Anyway, have you tried The Crown yet?

mad rhetorik

07-28-2004, 04:13 PM

I, too, dig Soilwork, though I would classify them more as contemporary Gothenburg than classic Gothenburg, neh, madrhet? I mean, the classic Gothenburg sound is a little more dirgy, innit? Anyway, have you tried The Crown yet?

From what my ears can tell, the "classic" Gothenburg sound is a bit heavier (also faster, so it's not really "dirgy") than the more recent stuff. You can hear it in At The Gates, Arch Enemy, and early In Flames. It also contains more twin guitar harmonies and no clean singing--In Flames and Soilwork are moving away from that sound and are incorporating more clean singing and more "modern" guitar techniques (unfortunately, it moves their sound closer to nu-metal, which is regrettable).

American bands like Killswitch Engage and Poison The Well have a heavy Gothenburg influence but aren't really the same. I guess the popular term these days for bands like those is "metalcore." Interestingly enough, Carcass' Heartwork influenced the Gothenburg sound a lot, way back in 1993 and they're not even from Sweden. A lot of similar elements, though.

Anyway, I have heard a little bit of The Crown's work. I thought they were okay, but as usual the Satanic image is a turn-off. They're not really typical of the Gothenburg sound--they actually sound more like The Haunted, a Swedish thrash outfit who are more remiscient of Slayer than anyone else I can think of.

audiobill

07-28-2004, 07:01 PM

[QUOTE=mad rhetorik]Soilwork is another member of the Gothenburg, Sweden death metal scene alongside peers At The Gates, In Flames, Arch Enemy, and Dark Tranquility. Soilwork's sound is characteristic of that scene--Iron Maiden-esque guitar harmonies, lots of catchy melodies and choruses, and vocals that are harsh but not usually growly (and sometimes clean vocals are thrown in too). It's a lot more digestible than most American death metal (which is decidedly unmelodic, noisier, and more obsessed with cheesy gore/Satanism themes) or the more recent forms of so-called "math metal" (which is extremely technical and often quite crazy).

Hey, thanks for the suggestions Mad rhetorik!! The Gothenburg scene sounds like it has plenty of bands worth exploring.
While I'm making my round in Germany, I'll also try to get a feel for what metal there is out that way.
I've copied your Anthrax album list, for further exploring when I get back.

Cheers,
audiobill
P.S., I absolutely adore Soilwork!!

Most of the bands in the Gothenburg scene are great. In Flames is the band I'm most familiar with, and they're freaking ace. Four of their albums are worth purchasing--The Jester Race, Whoracle, Colony, and Clayman. The latter two are my faves, but the old-school In Flames fans seem to prefer the first two (and they are quite good, though a bit more death metal-influenced). At The Gates and Arch Enemy also have good albums--Slaughter Of The Soul and Burning Bridges, respectively. If you dig Soilwork, you will more than likely dig these bands, so go check 'em out (that goes for you too, FA ; ) )

Dusty Chalk

07-29-2004, 12:24 AM

...The Crown...'re not really typical of the Gothenburg sound--they actually sound more like The Haunted, a Swedish thrash outfit who are more remiscient of Slayer than anyone else I can think of.No, sorry, I dinnit mean to imply that they were Gothenburg -- they're not -- just meant that from the original description, audiobill and the like might enjoy them.

-Jar-

07-29-2004, 05:00 AM

mad rhetorik

07-29-2004, 06:36 AM

my favorite Swedish death metal bands are Grave and Entombed. The first few albums by both bands are killer. I guess my favorites would be "Into the Grave" by Grave and "Wolverine Blues" by Entombed, though many purists say that Entombed were no longer "death metal" by the time Wolverine came out. Whatever that means. It rocks like mad. The first two Entombed albums ("Left Hand Path" and "Clandestine") are both considered death metal classics. For some reason, many fans abandoned the band after the first two albums because they went more "rock n' roll" - I don't understand it myself. Their 4th album "To Ride, Shoot Straight and Tell The Truth" is a freight train of rocking goodness... yes, it has moments of punk and hardcore, but to me, it's about the rock and it just rocks. I don't care if they're "death metal" or not. Metal fans are weird. ;-)

Not much of an Entombed fan, but I'm totally with you on the "death metal purist" thing. A good deal of so-called "metalheads" are fascists when it comes to the bands they like. If it were up to them entire discographies would sound all the same. For example, Meshuggah's most recent album Nothing got hit with a backlash from fans because it was slower and more subtle than the insane Chaosphere. I think it's the band's best album yet. Similarly, Carcass fans had a shi<a>tfit when they released Heartwork which moved away from the stupid, gory grindcore sound of previous albums. An album with sophisticated lyrics, intelligible vocals, great guitar melodies, and songs lasting more than 2 minutes from a grind outfit? We can't have that, can we?

However, that doesn't mean that there aren't bands who have sold out. Metallica is numero uno--simplifying their sound, having Bob Rock (a hair metal producer) work on the Black Album and making trendy alterna-crap like Load/Reload. Then you have Napster..not even gonna go there. I'll give Lars and James credit for trying to go metal again on St. Anger, though it still sounds like crap. Experimentation is good, but when you try to make your music palatable to radio listeners, that's not progression--that's dumbing down.

Another Swedish band to check out is Dismember.. very similar to Grave and early Entombed. Bascially, look out for albums produced by Thomas Skoksberg (sp?).. man, he used to lay down some thick-ass metal albums for lots of those death metal bands. I assume he's still working, but I haven't paid attention.

-jar

His name sounds familiar...I will have to check out Dismember.