Most Recent CD Purchased??.....

[Davey]

I think the only one I've actually bought since the beginning of December is the last Leona Naess CD that I've recently talked a little about. Kind of fell in love with her after seeing her close out the Letterman show with the Ballerina song from this CD. Completely mesmerizing and totally adorable. I picked it up at Best Buy for under $10 and can't say I'm totally satisfied, but it really is a good album and I'm liking it more and more with each listen. Maybe it sometimes ventures a little closer to the sound of someone like KD Lang than I normally like to go, but that's OK.....she's got some Tori Amos sensibility mixed in to keep it interesting. Call it 3.5/5 and rising.

But if I were to ignore the "buy" stipulation in your post, I'd go with the latest from The Moonbabies that I've been raving about. The Orange Billboard. Haven't bought a real copy yet, but will before too much longer. That one would be a solid 4.5/5 for me. Love it.

[Slosh]

Did you ever get the latest Califone album? I almost picked it up today (mostly because they were selling the LP for $7.99) but decided against it for now since I did buy BHP 3 (finally) and didn't want two somber-ish things at once. Didn't find anything else I wanted, though

I was also looking for The Decemberists The Train EP but I guess it hasn't been officially released yet. Black Sabbath-influenced Decemberists has got to be interesting. Actually I can see them pulling it off. I always thought "Odalisque" sounded like a metal song - minus the effects pedals.

[tentoze]

I was also looking for The Decemberists The Train EP but I guess it hasn't been officially released yet. Black Sabbath-influenced Decemberists has got to be interesting. Actually I can see them pulling it off. I always thought "Odalisque" sounded like a metal song - minus the effects pedals.

Insound seems to have it. I just read about it there this AM, but figgered I'd look locally first...............and I agree that the description of the style does sound like quite a trick to pull off.

http://insound.com/annex/search.cfm?query=the+tain

[ForeverAutumn]

Hello, folks.
It's Friday, so let's play a little game.

1. List your most recent buy

2. Provide a word or two about it

3. Give it a rating out of 5 (5 being "must have")

Cool idea Bill.

Well, I haven't had time to listen to my last four purchases yet, so I'm gonna have to go back five purchases to play this game.

The CD is Chain, Reconstruct.

This is a prog record through and through. A brilliant (IMHO) concept album about the beginnings of the world through to the end of the world as we will know it, using the theory of evolution as it's basis. There are some wonderful songs on this disk including two instrumentals. Several sociological concepts are discussed including evolution vs. religion and how humans treat the planet (the planet is fine, the people are ****ed) Both the lyrics and the music make this an interesting listen.

I would give this disk a 4.5 out of 5 for fans of Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, and Spock's Beard. But if you don't like prog, then consider this to be a 2 out of 5.

[DarrenH]

Cool idea Bill.

Well, I haven't had time to listen to my last four purchases yet, so I'm gonna have to go back five purchases to play this game.

The CD is Chain, Reconstruct.

This is a prog record through and through. A brilliant (IMHO) concept album about the beginnings of the world through to the end of the world as we will know it, using the theory of evolution as it's basis. There are some wonderful songs on this disk including two instrumentals. Several sociological concepts are discussed including evolution vs. religion and how humans treat the planet (the planet is fine, the people are ****ed) Both the lyrics and the music make this an interesting listen.

I would give this disk a 4.5 out of 5 for fans of Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, and Spock's Beard. But if you don't like prog, then consider this to be a 2 out of 5.

Glad you liked that Chain FA. I think it's a pretty cool album as well. I sent a copy to Troy but I haven't heard a word from him regarding it. Me thinks he doesn't like but what do I know.

Darren

[Davey]

Did you ever get the latest Califone album?

No new Califone for me. I did hold the LP in my hands down at Stinkweeds a little while before the CD came out, but held off. Supposed to be a good one, at least according to the critics. J said a couple weeks ago that he listened to it as his first Califone album and only thought it was OK, but Califone doesn't really strike me as a good fit for him as they're more of a sound band than a song band. But sooner or later I'm sure it will wind up in my player or my turntable. I already have 4 Califone CDs plus some downloaded stuff so there's bigger fish to fry right now.

Hey, speaking of Black Heart Procession, I've been listening to some cool stuff lately. First there's the whole Three Mile Pilot thing that Pall and Tobias had going on with Armistead Burwell Smith IV (who later went on to form Pinback, another pretty cool band) before BHP. A couple pretty solid albums and most of it available online. Been looking to buy the Chief Assassin To The Sinister one that came out right before Geffen signed them, which Geffen then released with extra tracks before dumping the band, but it's now OOP in that version. It includes a cool song called Inner Bishop that I really like. Anyway, to make a short story into a long one, I checked with a couple people that have it for sale on half.com but they are selling the indie version on Headhunter. Guess I'll keep looking. The one after that is supposed to be very good too. And of course all the BHP stuff is excellent, but the Three Mile Pilot is more rocking. Pinback is cool too, kind of a Sunny Day Real Estate sound. Their Some Voices EP was very hot, hopefully the upcoming in August?? album will be too. Didn't hear the lastest EP yet.

Also BHP just did one of the In The Fishtank series releases with Solbakken that is due out Tuesday. I'd no idea who Solbakken is but aparently they are a Dutch prog band and I did listen to one of the songs that's available for download at http://www.stayfun.co.uk/recommends/fishtank.asp called A Taste of You and Me and it's pretty fuckin' darn cool too. Definitely one to check out. Way too much going on in the music world for my little hands to grab on to.

[Stone]

Hey, speaking of Black Heart Procession, I've been listening to some cool stuff lately. First there's the whole Three Mile Pilot thing that Pall and Tobias had going on with Armistead Burwell Smith IV (who later went on to form Pinback, another pretty cool band) before BHP. A couple pretty solid albums and most of it available online. Been looking to buy the Chief Assassin To The Sinister one that came out right before Geffen signed them, which Geffen then released with extra tracks before dumping the band, but it's now OOP in that version. It includes a cool song called Inner Bishop that I really like. Anyway, to make a short story into a long one, I checked with a couple people that have it for sale on half.com but they are selling the indie version on Headhunter. Guess I'll keep looking. The one after that is supposed to be very good too. And of course all the BHP stuff is excellent, but the Three Mile Pilot is more rocking. Pinback is cool too, kind of a Sunny Day Real Estate sound. Their Some Voices EP was very hot, hopefully the upcoming in August?? album will be too. Didn't hear the lastest EP yet.

I have a couple Three Mile Pilot CDs, but I can't even remember which ones I have (although I don't think either one is Chief Assassin to the Sinister). Good stuff, though. As you said, much more rocking than BHP. Is Pinback all instrumental?

[Davey]

I have a couple Three Mile Pilot CDs, but I can't even remember which ones I have (although I don't think either one is Chief Assassin to the Sinister). Good stuff, though. As you said, much more rocking than BHP. Is Pinback all instrumental?

Pinback isn't instrumental. I don't know if it's Armistead Burwell Smith IV or Rob Crow on vocals, or maybe both. Good stuff. Did you get the Absolutely Kosher sampler with your copy of The Meadowlands? It has a Pinback song on it from the EP.

[DPM]

because, while I was out taking advantage of the 78 degree weather here in the burgh, I stopped at the local used CD/DVD emporium to see if anything interesting had shown up on the shelves. I left the store with the folowing:

1) AC/DC For Those About To Rock (latest remaster $6.00) This isn't a bad recording, but it was becoming clear that the band was running out of ideas. I give it a 3 out of 5.

2) Blackmore's Night Ghost Of A Rose ($8.00) I haven't listened to this yet.

3) Iron Butterfly In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (remaster $5.00) This is playing in the computer as I type, and it is definitely a product of its time. I bought this CD for In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, and it looks like that is probably the only decent tune on here. Oh well, it was only five bucks. My score is 2 out of 5.

I also got some DVDs--Star Trek Voyager: Season One for $30.00 and The Fellowship Of The Ring extended edition for $20.00.

Not a bad haul if I do say so myself.

Dave M

[Dusty Chalk]

Speaking of BHP -- have you heard Maquiladora?

[audiobill]

Cool idea Bill.

Well, I haven't had time to listen to my last four purchases yet, so I'm gonna have to go back five purchases to play this game.

The CD is Chain, Reconstruct.

This is a prog record through and through. A brilliant (IMHO) concept album about the beginnings of the world through to the end of the world as we will know it, using the theory of evolution as it's basis. There are some wonderful songs on this disk including two instrumentals. Several sociological concepts are discussed including evolution vs. religion and how humans treat the planet (the planet is fine, the people are ****ed) Both the lyrics and the music make this an interesting listen.

I would give this disk a 4.5 out of 5 for fans of Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, and Spock's Beard. But if you don't like prog, then consider this to be a 2 out of 5.

I, too, love a good concept album/CD. They seem to be too far and rare these days. "Chain" sounds very intriguing, esp. with the underpinnings of evo/socio.

I'll have to seek this one out.
Cheers,
Bill

[audiobill]

because, while I was out taking advantage of the 78 degree weather here in the burgh, I stopped at the local used CD/DVD emporium to see if anything interesting had shown up on the shelves. I left the store with the folowing:

1) AC/DC For Those About To Rock (latest remaster $6.00) This isn't a bad recording, but it was becoming clear that the band was running out of ideas. I give it a 3 out of 5.

2) Blackmore's Night Ghost Of A Rose ($8.00) I haven't listened to this yet.

3) Iron Butterfly In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (remaster $5.00) This is playing in the computer as I type, and it is definitely a product of its time. I bought this CD for In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, and it looks like that is probably the only decent tune on here. Oh well, it was only five bucks. My score is 2 out of 5.

I also got some DVDs--Star Trek Voyager: Season One for $30.00 and The Fellowship Of The Ring extended edition for $20.00.

Not a bad haul if I do say so myself.

Dave M

Those are some awesome prices on the DVD sets!! Lmk, if you get a moment, what the picture quality on that Season One Voyager is like..... audiobill

[Davey]

Speaking of BHP -- have you heard Maquiladora?

I listened to the first two songs at their site and it sounds pretty good, kind of a slow Yo La Tengo sound with hint of Giant Sand, maybe? Not all that distinctive and kind of meandering without much payoff, though. What do you think? I'd rather hear YLT, but the personnel on board is kind of impressive, even if the music isn't. You should give a listen to that BHP & Solbakken song I mentioned above. It's very neato!

[audiobill]

I think the only one I've actually bought since the beginning of December is the last Leona Naess CD that I've recently talked a little about. Kind of fell in love with her after seeing her close out the Letterman show with the Ballerina song from this CD. Completely mesmerizing and totally adorable. I picked it up at Best Buy for under $10 and can't say I'm totally satisfied, but it really is a good album and I'm liking it more and more with each listen. Maybe it sometimes ventures a little closer to the sound of someone like KD Lang than I normally like to go, but that's OK.....she's got some Tori Amos sensibility mixed in to keep it interesting. Call it 3.5/5 and rising.

But if I were to ignore the "buy" stipulation in your post, I'd go with the latest from The Moonbabies that I've been raving about. The Orange Billboard. Haven't bought a real copy yet, but will before too much longer. That one would be a solid 4.5/5 for me. Love it.

sounds like someone my wife might enjoy (I mean that in the best possible sense, Dave).
She is a big KD Lang fan and I'm not (although I am warming up to the duet CD with Tony B.); but, I am a big fan of Tori Amos...so, Leona sounds like a perfect match.
thnx for the preview,
Bill

[Stone]

Pinback isn't instrumental. I don't know if it's Armistead Burwell Smith IV or Rob Crow on vocals, or maybe both. Good stuff. Did you get the Absolutely Kosher sampler with your copy of The Meadowlands? It has a Pinback song on it from the EP.

I did get that sampler, but I only listened to it once and I can't remember what Pinback sounded like. I'll have to pull that out and listen to it if I ever get to go home.

[Dusty Chalk]

I listened to the first two songs at their site and it sounds pretty good, kind of a slow Yo La Tengo sound with hint of Giant Sand, maybe? Not all that distinctive and kind of meandering without much payoff, though. What do you think? I'd rather hear YLT, but the personnel on board is kind of impressive, even if the music isn't. You should give a listen to that BHP & Solbakken song I mentioned above. It's very neato!

Well, I agree that it's no BHP, but I liked it better than the last BHP album. It wasn't everything that that album wasn't, but it was some of what that album wasn't. It resonated with me just a little bit more than average. I liked it more than Broken Social Scene, let's put it that way. Not a fair comparison, but still...

Yeah, I'm getting that In The Fishtank album as soon as I can.

[Davey]

Well, I agree that it's no BHP, but I liked it better than the last BHP album. It wasn't everything that that album wasn't, but it was some of what that album wasn't. It resonated with me just a little bit more than average. I liked it more than Broken Social Scene, let's put it that way. Not a fair comparison, but still...

Yeah, I'm getting that In The Fishtank album as soon as I can.

The two songs I listened to were "Dr. Said No" and "Drunk and Lighting Fires (A Waltz)". They have a bunch more at the site so maybe I'll give a listen to a couple more. That first one just didn't go anyplace for me and wasn't very interesting. It was also punctuated by some chirping sounds kind of like crickets that doesn't sound too cool on my cheapo notebook stereo. Probably sound a lot better on the little big rig. That second one was more interesting, especially after it started rocking out, but the vocal part was a bit weak. Que sera. I like the last BHP quite a lot. Not as much as 2 or 3, but a lot. "Why I Stay" is one of their best songs, I think. Some nice saw on that one. In fact, I think that whole middle section is outstanding. Maybe even their best group of songs. What a great band. Could've fit right at home style on 3. And of course, you already know that I like that Broken Social Scene a lot too. We get close at times...but it's funny how our tastes diverge at certain points

Did you have a chance yet to listen to the Kinski songs that close the Psychotropic Bliss version of my Fun in the Sun comp? Bet you like that, but don't think I'll put any big bucks on it just yet

Let me know if you score that In the Fishtank. It's high on my list too. Something about the description "Dutch prog rock" that makes me just a bit hesitant, though

[hifitommy]

with crazy horse, a cd/dvd combo for cheeeep.

its a story and you have to pay attention to the details. good music, typical young. the dvd is pretty much the same as the cd except with the visuals.

[Dusty Chalk]

We get close at times...but it's funny how our tastes diverge at certain points

So true.

Did you have a chance yet to listen to the Kinski songs that close the Psychotropic Bliss version of my Fun in the Sun comp?

Not yet.

Let me know if you score that In the Fishtank. It's high on my list too. Something about the description "Dutch prog rock" that makes me just a bit hesitant, though

Heh-heh, will do.

[DPM]

Those are some awesome prices on the DVD sets!! Lmk, if you get a moment, what the picture quality on that Season One Voyager is like..... audiobill

I haven't had a chance to watch the Voyager stuff yet, but there is a fairly descriptive review at digitalbits.com. You should check out that site.

Dave M

[Dusty Chalk]

Let me know if you score that In the Fishtank. It's high on my list too. Something about the description "Dutch prog rock" that makes me just a bit hesitant, though

I picked it up. It was pretty short (~34 minutes) but it was also pretty cheap (US$9). Track 5 alone was worth the price of entry for me. It's over 10 minutes of the sort of track I miss off of Amore del Tropico.

NP: Sibelius from Naxos (Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Petri Sakari boxset)

[Davey]

I picked it up. It was pretty short (~34 minutes) but it was also pretty cheap (US$9). Track 5 alone was worth the price of entry for me. It's over 10 minutes of the sort of track I miss off of Amore del Tropico.

Thanks for the info. Knew already that it was just an EP as are the others in the series, although the only other one I have is the Low + Dirty Three - In the Fishtank 7 which is about 30 minutes of excellence. So, do they stay pretty far away from that Dutch prog? Or is that what you like about the 10 minute song?

Hehehe, I'll have to check it out. I want it. You must have a pretty well stocked music hangout there.

NP: Goat by the Jesus Lizard (sounds kind of anti-Sibelius although it does have its symphonic moments)

[Dusty Chalk]

Knew already that it was just an EP as are the others in the series...

I didn't think the length mattered. It's whatever they come up with in two days, according to the back. I suppose if you had a really successful pairing, you could have several hours worth of good material. It's hard to come up with actual songs though, in that kind of timeframe, so I presume 30 minutes is about average.

So, do they stay pretty far away from that Dutch prog? Or is that what you like about the 10 minute song?

What I like about the 10 minute song is that it is pure, unadulterated, classic BHP.

There's nothing wrong with prog, you...you...critic, you. They also mention on the back that they pick what sound like to them good pairings (the radio station that sponsors this). I may have to check out Solbakken further.

You must have a pretty well stocked music hangout there.

I've actually been cutting back on the new acquisitions (yes, I know, me and everyone else on this board), but yes, even so, it's still pretty well-stocked. This one was hard to resist, though.

[Davey]

I've actually been cutting back on the new acquisitions, but yes, even so, it's still pretty well-stocked.

Actually, I was referring to the store where you bought it since I assumed it might be hard to find locally. Maybe not though. I haven't bought anything for a while myself but a good buddy here sent me a demo copy of the new Ghost - Hypnotic Underworld and I've been enjoying that one a lot, even if it does lean a bit heavily on jazz fusion and prog flavored psychedelia. Or maybe because it does. Gonna have to spring for the real deal before too much longer. Gotta support Drag City. Have you heard that one? Pretty darn cool.

NP: Goat is gone and Ghost is on

[Dusty Chalk]

No, it (BHP/S - ITF11) wasn't too hard to find, and no, I haven't heard that one (G - HU). I think I would like to hear it before I get it, as I got a little scared off by their previous one (no that's not a hint). I did end up liking it, so have to admit to being curious, but it took several listens. Which, in itself, is normally not a bad thing (some of my favourite albums take several listens), but I never warmed up to it more than "medium".