Tuesday Thread / whatcha been lis'nen to?

[dean_martin]

That's one of my favorite late night discs of all time. Excellent choice.

jc

I've been looking for some late night music that's mellow but not too bland.

P.S. - Congrats on that new cdp!

[dean_martin]

Hmmm. I haven't heard this one. I have Source Tags & Codes and Worlds Apart. I really like them both, but I have to say that I prefer Worlds Apart. I find Words Apart is a little more accessable. Some people may see that as a bad thing. I like it.

Thanks for the suggestions, FA.

[3-LockBox]

James LaBrie - Elements of Persuasion

What's the Elements Of Persuasion like?

[MindGoneHaywire]

I just got the White Stripes album & I think it's their best. I didn't like Elephant as much as the two before it, never have heard the first one, but this grabbed me on first listen more than anything else I've heard from them, & it's not like I didn't like Elephant. I've seen some people--not here--dismiss this record, & they seemed serious, so I can't figure out why. I think it's fantastic.

Also got the new Rolling Stones. I can't remember what I thought the first time I've heard any of their painfully mediocre records over the past 20+ years. On this? Mostly positive, outside of the embarrassingly lame Sweet Neo Con. That's worse than Steve Earle's song about Condoleeza Rice...but this record I think could've been edited down to a pretty darned good album that's maybe 12 songs & 40 minutes. Instead it's what, an hour? I don't see why it needs to be. The acts that can put together a consistently good one hour record are on a very short list in this house, and the Rolling Stones aren't on it. I'll try to focus on the positives with this, but why they couldn't cut some of the filler is beyond me.

Listened to the Redwalls album again, a couple of songs are unimaginatively derivative, but otherwise I like it a lot, good Beatles/Big Star sound. Spun the first Specials album for the first time in awhle, not a bad song on that. Checked out some of the most recent Maria Muldaur album, nice acoustic blues with Taj Mahal guesting on some stuff. Tried to listen to a 2-CD live Derek Trucks CD, but no dice. I do have a Jerry Garcia Band live DVD I'm going to try to check out, if I get the chance. Not sure I will. Oh, another good blues rec, or at least there's some real good stuff on it, is the soundtrack to HBO's Lackawanna Blues. Mos Def sings the first cut, a cover of Caldonia? If that's really him, he can effin' sing, bub. Uh, tried to listen to a Paul Weller rec from 3 years ago--Illumination? Yuk. Couldn't hack it. Tried a couple of Six Degrees recs, a Latin Travels collection, & something from someone named Bob Holroyd. I love this label, but these recs didn't do it for me. The Holroyd reminded me of some Middle Eastern-flavored electronica--not DJ Cheb I Sabbah, someone else--that I liked a lot better. Can't remember who or what it was, though. Uh, Leon Redbone, live in Paris from 1992? I've never listened to one of his recs before. Me like. I knew he was bluesy, but I didn't realize how rootsy. A lot of stuff on that's way more old-timey sounding than I expected. Very, very good.

Not as good was another live rec, Swing Out Sister. Never heard them before. Well, I suspect I have, but I didn't know it. I don't mind straight-up pop (as loathsome as it is, I thought there was a tune or two on the Maroon 5 rec that worked well as pop songs, very catchy even if hopelessly cloying & commercial), but this was a bit too far in the smooth category for me. Sort of Sade-ish? Not my bag. Didn't get too far with that one. Ugh, I have the CD soundtrack to the Dylan docu sitting here, haven't gotten to it yet. Tomorrow...I sort of half-watched the Scorsese thing, I did tape it on VHS for future viewing, it looked EXCELLENT. Way more engaging than the Blues series from a year or two ago. Uh, I saw a couple of intriguing covers on the Desperate Housewives soundtrack, but most of what's on there I just couldn't stomach. Liz Phair doing the Rolling Stones' Mother's Little Helper is okay, but just okay. Tried to get through a couple of techno recs--Curse Of The Golden Vampire & Daedelus. No dice. Way funnier was something called "Crazy Frog Hits." They made an album out of something that was used for a ringtone & it became a hit? Haw haw haw. Well, it sucks, but the idea that it exists is sorta funny.

'twas a couple of weeks ago, I had a Mark Knopfler release of recent vintage, some kind of EP that came from some live session at a radio station? I've never gotten this guy & how people rave about how great a guitar player he is. There was maybe one or two Dire Straits songs that I thought were okay, but mostly I always found them to be pointless & boring. People still rave about this guy. I gave it a chance. I still don't get it. Hey, I don't get Richard Thompson either, for the most part. But I connect with his work on some level. This guy, no way.

Interesting Fountains of Wayne 2-CD rarities collection. Some good songs, but I didn't have time at the time, I'll have to get back to that. Pretty decent garage rec, by a band called the Forty-Fives. Oh, almost forgot, I did listen to the Death Cab For Cutie rec. I don't think I'll ever be a big fan, but I did like it more than the last one or whichever one it was that I'd previously heard. They're getting a big push w/this rec. Maybe they're thought of as being capable of breaking through commercially the way Wilco was once considered. Um, new Michelle Shocked, she put out 3 recs at once? I heard the one that's supposed to be most typical of what it was that she used to do, it was pretty good. I do want to hear the one with the Disney covers, sounds interesting.

Lastly, a Terry Reid collection. Very good on first listen. The guy who Jimmy Page wanted for Led Zeppelin? Interesting backstory. Good rec. Next up, the most recent Eric Clapton, and a name I saw on one of Davey's posts--something like Richmond Fontaine? It's laying around here someplace. I'll try to get to that one & see what's up w/it. Oh, and a reissue of some Pete Townshend collaboration with someone, a live show circa 1980 or thereabouts, looks reasonably interesting. Gotta hit the sack now, though.

[ForeverAutumn]

What's the Elements Of Persuasion like?

I've only given it one spin so far and it sounded like a bad Dream Theater album. I'll spin it a few more times to see if it gets any better but my first impression was that it was nothing special. I'll let you know if my opinion changes.

[BarryL]

Same thing with that Spoon disk that Davey (and others) keep touting. I don't suppose that you've picked that one up too? Probably too much to hope for.

Yep. Too much to hope for.

At least until I hear what Davey has to say about .

I can't get AMG for some reason on my Mac. It pisses me off. Forces me to go to Amazon for reviews.

[Stone]

This week:

[Jim Clark]

Hey, if anyone grabbed the new Calla CD I'd appreciate some thoughts on it.

jc

[Stone]

Hey, if anyone grabbed the new Calla CD I'd appreciate some thoughts on it.

jc

I have it, but haven't even got it out of the wrapper yet. Hopefully by this time next week I'll at least have some preliminary thoughts on it.

[Jim Clark]

I have it, but haven't even got it out of the wrapper yet. Hopefully by this time next week I'll at least have some preliminary thoughts on it.

I figured as much. It was your post that made me think about it 'cuz you have everything!.

Thanks,
jc

[Stone]

'cuz you have everything!.

Not true. I don't have this:

Hey, you going to be in Omaha over Thanksgiving? It looks like I'll be back for at least a few days and likely going to the Chiefs/Pats game on the 27th.

[newtrix1]

This one kept coming up as a favorite of people, and when Davey raved about the quality of the songwriting, I thought I'd look into it.

Also, any artist and title combination this good required a try (Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs).

I haven't had any time to investigate the lyrics, but the songs are catchy and innovative and folksy, and just offbeat enough to qualify as "art rock" in the vein of bands like XTC and Split Enz, but more folky and accoustic.

I'm not sure of what to make of it either, possible grower. It sure ain't no "Swimming Hour" though. Which, imo, is Andrew Birds best album by far.

[Davey]

It sure ain't no "Swimming Hour" though. Which, imo, is Andrew Birds best album by far.

That's what I thought on first listen too ... but even by the second listen I knew I was wrong, just like you

http://forums.audioreview.com/showth...4291#post74291

[newtrix1]

That's what I thought on first listen too ... but even by the second listen I knew I was wrong, just like you

http://forums.audioreview.com/showth...4291#post74291

That I might be wrong for the first time..........today, I'll have to listen to it again with headphones (first listen was on my pc speeks at low volume). However, me still thinks it would be a tough chore for this album to approach Swimming Hour.

NP: Mike's very cool Hedkandi Mix comp

[Jim Clark]

Not true. I don't have this:

Hey, you going to be in Omaha over Thanksgiving? It looks like I'll be back for at least a few days and likely going to the Chiefs/Pats game on the 27th.

I don't know about the Omaha deal yet - my guess is a definite maybe. I think it's our year to stay here in KC - hey, you could come over - but Susan's Dad is really ill and fighting a losing battle with cancer so we might end up going there. I'll be sure to stay in better contact as it gets closer.

jc

[Davey]

That I might be wrong for the first time..........today, I'll have to listen to it again with headphones (first listen was on my pc speeks at low volume). However, me still thinks it would be a tough chore for this album to approach Swimming Hour

Yeah, you may always like that one better. I do like Eggs better, but you know I was just kidding around. For me it really came together when I realized that it was almost a concept album, and the songs are linked together in some ways. Overall, it just has more depth and color than Swimming Hour, but you may still like the eclectic feel of that one more. This one feels a little less diverse on the surface, and I do honestly wish there were a couple more "Fake Palindromes" scattrered about, but I'm not disappointed in it at all.

[Slosh]

I've only given it one spin so far and it sounded like a bad Dream Theater album

How can you tell? Aren't they all bad?

NP: Mike's Shadow Of A Man comp. Wow, this is really, really good, Mike! And all but two songs are new-to-me. That Elbow track is very SFAish, me thinks. Thanks!

[Davey]

That Elbow track is very SFAish, me thinks.

Yeah, I've only given the new Elbow about once through between last night and this morning, but it struck me that it sounds a little like SFA this time out too, and I don't mean that just that because it's very mellow and lush and not too memorable on first listen like I reported the new SFA to be, but it has much more of the same sound to me than in the past. Guess Mike already picked up on this before since he was comparing Elbow to SFA and the Doves, whereas I've never compared them to SFA before. But I can hear it now. I actually made a similar comment at Head-Fi in the Elbow thread just a little while ago, before you mentioned this Slosh, which is actually kind of scary

[Slosh]

I think Rick had it nailed four years ago with those Super Furry Elbow references. Hmmm, and all this time I thought old Trickster was just making fun of their names

[Davey]

I think Rick had it nailed four years ago with those Super Furry Elbow references. Hmmm, and all this time I thought old Trickster was just making fun of their names

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while

[nobody]

Just a few things I wanna mention real quick...

Saw that Bob Dylan show on PBS and pulled out some stuff I hadn't listened to in a long while. Damn, I really love Highway 61 Revisited. Ballad of a Thin Man may just be my favorite Dylan song ,although I'll always have a soft spot for Positively 4th Street. Pulled out Blood on the Tracks on the way to work this morning too. I'm thinking Nashville Skyline is gonna figure somewhere tomorrow.

And, speaking of things Jim Clark wouldn't hate...I've been enjoying the new ones by Ladytron: Witching Hour and Fisherspooner: Odyssey. Both are synth driven electro pop with plenty of energy. Heard 'em both in a club a couple weeks back and had fun with their 80s synth pop vibe and they still seem to work even when sober.

Speaking of the 80s, I gave a listen to Sisters of Mercy: A Slight Case of Overbombing, an excellent compilation, featuring all of their pre-major label singles gathered on one disc. Some great stuff in their, including Temple of Love as well as covers of the Stones' Gimmie Shelter and the Stooges' 1969.

Still really digging The Hold Steady: Separation Sunday. Great solid rock record, heavy on good guitar riffs and organs singing in the background. Great lyrics in spots as well, although I could see the lead singer's Elvis Costello-ish nasal voice turning some people off.

Really like the recent remix album, Lyrics Born: Same Sht Different Day. Fun hip hop, party music. Funky, interesting and a nice listen from start to finish. Highlights include I'm Just Raw which entertains me through actually using the phrase Cauliflower Ear, and cribbing from Stuart Smalley. The remix of Stop Complainin' with Morcheeba is really good too.

Went back in time and listened to a pair of old dark/punk/goth things...45 Grave: Sleep in Safety and TSOL: Dance with Me. If ya like this sorta stuff...two absolute classics.

List is getting long for what I intended to be a quick post. Here's a few more...Muddy Waters: Brass and Blues, Odetta: Sings the Blues, and Soul Brothers, featuring Ray Charles with a rare turn on the sax.

Just wanna add, I agree that Avalon is about as good as you can get for late night listening. Thing sound great too, if you care about that....the vinyl anyway, never heard the CD version.

[Jim Clark]

Need to get that Ladytron album. keep forgetting. Didn't really get into Fischer Spooner this time around. Maybe I need to dust it off and try again.

jc

[Davey]

Yep. Too much to hope for.

At least until I hear what Davey has to say about .

Yeah, right, better be careful what you wish for cause I'm always blabbering around here about something that's got a hold on me, and it's not always pretty, and it's not always a long term relationship

http://members.mailaka.net/davey/rev..._Gimme_Fiction

BTW, you guys really need to hear the latest Elbow. Think it's out in the north country this week, along with their safe European home for the last few weeks, but maybe got delayed down here in the third world by what I've been hearing. Mike set me up and I'm really starting to feel it. One of the best bands of the last few years in that previously inimitable Peter Gabriel "Red Rain" style that we all love and cherish. Well maybe not your sister cause it don't always rock the rafters and shake the floorboards, but this one is feeling like a beautiful grower to me after only the first coupla three spins ... just ask Mikey!

[audiobill]

Hey Bill any big thump from the letter box yet?

Cheers
Mike

Hey, Mike. No big thump, yet.

I'm patiently waiting & I'll let ya know when it goes clunk.

Cheers,

Bill

[Mike]

BTW, you guys really need to hear the latest Elbow, this one is feeling like a beautiful grower to me after only the first coupla three spins ... just ask Mikey!

Glad you like it Dave, the previous one Cast Of Thousands is still my favourite but all three albums are good, they just have quality written all over them. The latest is still new to me but I'm learning to like it more and more.

This year so far has been a great year for new releases and it's still only September. So many albums have come my way I've kind of last track but highlights so far have been Elbow, Bloc Party, Super Furry Animals, Son Volt, Kaiserchiefs, Editors, Maximo Park, British Sea Power, Coldplay, Tori Amos, Spoon, Ryan Adams, Mountain Goats to name a few.

Cheers
Mike