Taking bets - will this be the only post today?

[Davey]

Hehehe, kinda slow around here lately. We should have one of those big "pat everybody on the back" type of threads where we all pick our favorite Rave Recs discovery. Or maybe just ask if anyone here plans to pick up the new Beatles Box or the Live Aid concert or any of those other big pre-Xmas releases tomorrow at their favorite urban sprawling, ma & pa busting, big-box discounter?

Or just say hi

Listening to some Vetiver right now. Cool avant folk, aided by the seemingly everpresent curator of the avant folkie scene himself, Devendra Banhart.

PS: Do you like my new Roy Lichtenstein avatar?

[Mike]

Hehehe, kinda slow around here lately. We should have one of those big "pat everybody on the back" type of threads where we all pick our favorite Rave Recs discovery.

Not my discovery but the current fave rave of mine at the moment is Ray LaMontagne's - Trouble. Allmusic give it 4 and a bit stars and here's what they say about it

"The best songs on Trouble, the debut release from songwriter Ray LaMontagne, draw on deep wells of emotion, and with LaMontagne's sandpapery voice, which recalls a gruffer, more sedate version of Tim Buckley or an American version of Van Morrison, they seem to belie his years. The title tune, "Trouble," is an instant classic, sparse and maudlin (in the best sense), and songs like "Narrow Escape," a ragged, episodic waltz, are equally impressive, with careful, cinematic lyrics that tell believable stories"

Cheers
Mike

[mad rhetorik]

Got a couple of spins that are new to me:

Mastodon: Leviathon
Alright, for all those with even a slight interest in metal...RUN OUT AND BUY THIS. NOW. Probably the best all-around metal album since Master Of Puppets. Thrashing, 'Maiden-esque melodies, dirgy bits, mulitfaceted vocals (and a general avoidance of silly "Cookie Monster" vox), Neurosis-like atmospherics, mathy structures, killer drumming (Brann Dailor is a monster!).... it's all here. It's even got a loose concept theme going on (think Moby Dick). Excellent opener "Blood And Thunder" has already been nicked by Slosh for his year-end comp, so that still leaves "I Am Ahab," "Iron Tusk," "Seabeast," and "Megalodon" to use for my own upcoming Offend Yr. Parental Unit comp. Oh yes. And 13-minute epic "Hearts Alive" ownz. This album rules, I cannot stress that enough.

Madvillian: Madvillainy
I've had this on my list for a while, and wasn't dissappointed by it. Though it does seem kind of overhyped--definitely better than 95% of the hip-hop out there, but not a spot on Paul's Boutique, The Low End Theory, or It Takes A Nation... I like the Madlib production--jazzy vibes and dense, obscure samples abound. MF Doom's delivery and rapping are unique, kind of a laid-back drawl. Some ace lines dropped, and tracks like "America's Most Blunted" are absolutely hiliarious. A party album for sure, but the "bling and bitches" stuff isn't too prevalent. I'll have to listen to it a bit more.

Nice avatar BTW. ; P

NP: Songs:Ohia's "Farewell Transmission" (fourth time in a row)

[BillB]

I will not give Capitol Records my $$$ for repackaged dreck. The Beatles have the most successful catalog in musical history. The proper albums (UK versions as they themselves intended) deserve a proper remaster, on SACD or DVD-Audio.

To chose the 22 year old CD format and make us buy twice the number of albums for the same number of songs, bragging about "24-Bit remastering" and "in the running order baby boomers remember and love", is marketing nearly as good as Bose.

Big BOOOOO!!! from me for Capitol Records...no wonder Apple was so against this project.

Bill

[Davey]

NP: Songs:Ohia's "Farewell Transmission" (fourth time in a row)

Isn't that song just the greatest? I think I made a whole post once ust to extoll the virtues of that one song. Named it my song of the year too. Or maybe co-winner along with Califone's "Horoscopic.Amputation.Honey". Beautiful stuff. Love when he sings that final verse with such emotion and that quaver in his voice and those Crazy Horse guitars all around him ... quite a song :-)

Mama here comes midnight with the dead moon in its jaws
Must be the big star about to fall
Long dark blues
Will o the wisp
The big star is falling
Through the static and distance
A farewell transmission
Listen

[nobody]

Got a sorta random stuff thread here, huh?

OK, I’ll play.

Agree that Songs:Ohia is great. It’s something that I come back to time and again and imagine I will continue to pull that one out over the years.

Other recent stuff that seems to merit permanent revisiting would be Iran & Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days and The Streets: A Grand Don’t Come for Free from this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if the latest Social Distortion ends up being a long time favorite either.

I really like the new Libertines, but is it just me or is there way too much distortion on the bass especially. Sorry, I just don’t understand why a band can’t clean that sort of thing up. I’m not saying they need some overproduced, overblown monstrosity, just keep the levels right and don’t screw up simple things. I’ve seen plenty of drunken drug addled bands manage to at least get a clean recording. It’s not rocket science.

Speaking of the Libertines, what’s with Up the Bracket? I only listened to it once online and was not interested at all. Then, the one came out this year, and I liked it instantly. Are they that different, or was my mood just swinging wildly?

Shame to hear about ODB. Greatest nickname ever in my estimation, and that song where he goes “Oh baby, I like it raw” always made me laugh. Wu Tang is for the children.

Disappointed in the new Clash London Calling demo disc. Nothing too exciting there. I’ll probably just keep listening to my vinyl on that one, although Sandinista’s the one I’ve been playin’ a ton lately.

Anybody else think the 2 CD Who collection out nowadays is great? If I’m at home, I usually pull out Quadrophenia or somethin’, like last night, but for a portable stash of Who tunes, that collection kicks ass. Kudos to the wife for grabbing it!

Saw on a TV special that Rick James and Neil Young were once in a band together. That was just weird.

Anyone remember who sang the song I Like Drugs? I used to have it on a tape, but can’t remember.
ISAN’s Lucky Cat is one of the most wonderfully relaxing synth records ever and reminds me of Brian Eno.

That rap list that came out last week got it right when they listed OutKast’s Aquemini higher than any of the other OutKast records, although I would have probably put Public Enemy at the top instead of Eric B and Rakim.

Dresdenj Dolls show was indeed killer. That guy is one amazing drummer, and the chick was really cute walking around before the show in a Smiths: Queen is Dead T-Shirt.

OK…that’s about all the musical thoughts falling in and outta my head now……….

NEXT!

[Davey]

I really like the new Libertines, but is it just me or is there way too much distortion on the bass especially. Sorry, I just don’t understand why a band can’t clean that sort of thing up. I’m not saying they need some overproduced, overblown monstrosity, just keep the levels right and don’t screw up simple things. I’ve seen plenty of drunken drug addled bands manage to at least get a clean recording. It’s not rocket science.

Speaking of the Libertines, what’s with Up the Bracket? I only listened to it once online and was not interested at all. Then, the one came out this year, and I liked it instantly. Are they that different, or was my mood just swinging wildly?

Yeah, I wish Mick Jones really appreciated how great the production and engineering was on London Calling. So many great sounding albums used to be turned out even though that wasn't a priority. Nowadays you hear something that sounds good and you know it must've been by happy accident. I may be in the minority, but I still like Up The Bracket more than the new one. Not really all that different, though. At least not to me. Both very likeable but the debut has the level pushed way way too high as well.

[Stone]

Speaking of the Libertines, what?s with Up the Bracket? I only listened to it once online and was not interested at all. Then, the one came out this year, and I liked it instantly. Are they that different, or was my mood just swinging wildly?

Interesting; I had the exact opposite reaction. I really like Up the Bracket, and the new one to me sounds like they're just going through the motions (save for a couple of songs). I'm going to give it more of a chance, but it hasn't really kept my interest much yet.

[nobody]

Maybe I'll have to give Up the Bracket another chance.

Sounds like I may have just been having a bad day.

[Dusty Chalk]

Yo.

Did you see that TV On The Radio were on the Late Late Show last Friday? If you missed it, you didn't miss much, they just did a straight performance of "Staring at the Sun", which was good, but I'm getting a little tired of straightforward performances.

Unless, of course, there's a chick involved.

Bassist had his back to the camera the whole time. Token white guy on guitar kind of stood out on camera (read: overexposed).

Duran Duran were on the previous week. They did a new song and "Girls On Film".

[Slosh]

Mastodon: Leviathon
Alright, for all those with even a slight interest in metal...RUN OUT AND BUY THIS. NOW. Probably the best all-around metal album since Master Of Puppets. Thrashing, 'Maiden-esque melodies, dirgy bits, mulitfaceted vocals (and a general avoidance of silly "Cookie Monster" vox), Neurosis-like atmospherics, mathy structures, killer drumming (Brann Dailor is a monster!).... it's all here. It's even got a loose concept theme going on (think Moby Dick). Excellent opener "Blood And Thunder" has already been nicked by Slosh for his year-end comp, so that still leaves "I Am Ahab," "Iron Tusk," "Seabeast," and "Megalodon" to use for my own upcoming Offend Yr. Parental Unit comp. Oh yes. And 13-minute epic "Hearts Alive" ownz. This album rules, I cannot stress that enough.

Alright, now you need Remission! It's heavier, thrashier. At the time I called it the best metal album since Roots and I'll stick by that claim today.

[BillB]

Davey,

It's wierd, there've been a lot of bands I thought I would like but after the initial 2-3 listens don't get much play. Hot Hot Heat is just one of those bands.

In other news I'm enjoying the Clash Comp and Razorlight album from Mike H, protesting the Beatles Box set, and hoping Mrs. Clause will bring me a copy of Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker on MoFi SACD as well as The Verve's Singles album.

Not much out right at the moment that I'm in a rush to get...I may pick up Snow Patrol's album on SACD though...

Bill