Just got new Editors, Built to Spill, Interpol & Spoon!

[Mr MidFi]

I'm surprised you didn't get the Interpol earlier, Jim. Seems like it would be right up your alley.

Despite the "wall of noise" production values, it'll prolly end up on my top 10 for '08.

[Jim Clark]

I'm surprised you didn't get the Interpol earlier, Jim. Seems like it would be right up your alley.

Despite the "wall of noise" production values, it'll prolly end up on my top 10 for '08.

I read this gawd awful review when it first came out. Like you and everyone else I buy way too many CDs and way too much gear. It seemed like a decent enough way to save 10 bucks. Of course my will power being what it is, I broke down. My bad, and I agree with you that it's pretty darned good, a top 10 contender for me as well.

jc

[Mr MidFi]

I read this gawd awful review when it first came out. Like you and everyone else I buy way too many CDs and way too much gear. It seemed like a decent enough way to save 10 bucks. Of course my will power being what it is, I broke down. My bad, and I agree with you that it's pretty darned good, a top 10 contender for me as well.

jc

I didn't really get into it the first couple of times I listened. But then, after I'd seen them do these songs live, it took on a more vital character for me. Sometimes it just happens that way.

Not that I'm jumping the gun or anything, but who has the inside track for your year-end #1 spot at this point?

[Jim Clark]

I didn't really get into it the first couple of times I listened. But then, after I'd seen them do these songs live, it took on a more vital character for me. Sometimes it just happens that way.

Not that I'm jumping the gun or anything, but who has the inside track for your year-end #1 spot at this point?

The National seems to be the one to beat for me. Although I really do enjoy the Andrew Bird disc a whole lot. Someone really cool here who shall remain nameless sent me a preview copy and I didn't much care for it at first but later I pulled it back out and fell in love with it.

What about you?

jc

[Mr MidFi]

The National seems to be the one to beat for me. Although I really do enjoy the Andrew Bird disc a whole lot. Someone really cool here who shall remain nameless sent me a preview copy and I didn't much care for it at first but later I pulled it back out and fell in love with it.

What about you?

jc

I'm a relative latecomer to Boxer, and it's still growing on me. It's got a cool vibe all the way through. But I really do want to give that singer a shot of espresso sometimes. The Bird disc is definitely a keeper, although it loses a little momentum in the middle.

But it would take something huge and unexpected right now to knock Spoon out of the top spot for me.

[Jim Clark]

I'm a relative latecomer to Boxer, and it's still growing on me. It's got a cool vibe all the way through. But I really do want to give that singer a shot of espresso sometimes. The Bird disc is definitely a keeper, although it loses a little momentum in the middle.

But it would take something huge and unexpected right now to knock Spoon out of the top spot for me.

Spoon never clicked for me although they seem to be one of the perennial faves around here with the indie types. In fairness I will admit that I haven't even listened to the new one. I guess I'll find a preview copy of that before I commit one way or the other.

Oh yeah, and for any casual eyes or Recording Industry enforcers, I did get a legit copy of the Andrew Bird disc even though it's not evident from my post : ) worth every penny. And I have to agree with you at least in part, track 5 which would be pretty much smack dab in the middle doesn't appeal to me at all. I've posted that before and Slosh and Davie both chimed in that they thought it was one of the stronger tracks. We might be in the minority on this one.

Regards,
jc

[Davey]

Spoon never clicked for me although they seem to be one of the perennial faves around here with the indie types.

Latest Spoon is really good, but like the National and Interpol (and a bunch of others), mastered way too loud. Shame, because it does have some great music, but just not presented very well for those that care about the sound. The older ones, especially back in the Girls Can Tell era, sound so much better. The National is even worse. Nearly as bad as the Interpol disc, which isn't too surprising since they've been working with producer Peter Katis who did the first two Interpol records. Love most of Boxer, but still like it better back in the days when the sound wasn't all squished into such a small space. Makes it kind of disposable, which is a shame. Much rather listen to the Magnoia Electric Co discs, or PJ Harvey, or Electrelane, or even Caribou which is kind of the dark horse sleeper this year. Gonna rate high on many year end lists. Just has that growth appeal, gets better and better. Not exactly great sounding, but not nearly as compressed as some others, and just feels so good, even if the opening note arrives with a bit of a jolt

Had some Blind Pig IPA over the weekend, on tap. Russian River Brewing Company. Wow, the real deal. Wish I could find a local source to buy some in the bottle. Don't quite make it down to my area yet. Need to invest in a Swish 'Brew' Baby distibutor company for my neck of the peninsula. Anybody have a favorite IPA? Also has some of that Long Hammer (Red Hook) IPA recently. Pretty good, but not close to the great ones.

[Mr MidFi]

And I have to agree with you at least in part, track 5 which would be pretty much smack dab in the middle doesn't appeal to me at all. I've posted that before and Slosh and Davie both chimed in that they thought it was one of the stronger tracks. We might be in the minority on this one.

Regards,
jc

The thing is, I do like that track (Armchairs) too. It's just the sequencing kinda brings things down to lo-speed a little early in the going. But then it picks back up with one of my favorite tracks of the whole friggin' year, Dark Matter. But then, by tracks 8 & 9, you're sinking back down in reclinerville.

Anyway, the Spoon disc really clicked with me right out of the box. It ranks among their best, IMO...which is faint praise if you don't dig them already.