Tunesday Time Again

[Olivertmc]

Hey, olivrtmc.

I really dig your weeks' worth of music.
That "A Night in San Francisco" is simply outstanding.
In fact, your post had me reaching for it, after I got in from work, today.

Thanks,
Bill aka audiobill

Bill:

Glad you like it! I've actually been listening to a lot of Drive-by Truckers a lot lately as well - I only have "Southern Rock Opera" but plan in picking up some others. As for "A Night in San Francisco," it is up there with my favorite live albums. Everytime I hear something amazing from one of the players, I start to say "wow" and the crowd beats me to it. Great interplay between artists and their audience. "The Guitar Trio" is also excellent, but I think it lacks a bit of the raw energy of San Francisco.

Are you enjoying From a Basement on a Hill? For some reason I just can't get into it, but in fairness I have not devoted a significant amount of time to checking it out.

- Olivertmc

[Olivertmc]

At the risk of getting bitten....
U2 "...atomic bomb"
Cocteau Twins "Milk and Kisses"
Johnny A "Get Inside"
Flower Kings "Adam & Eve"
String Cheese Incident "Untying the Knot"
Jethro Tull "Aqualung"
Phantom of the Opera soundtrack
Brian Wilson "SMiLE"
Porcupine Tree "In Absentia"
Phish "rift"

Rael: (solid name by the way - big Genesis fan)

Happy to see a little phish on the list. I am a strange fan in that I truly enjoy their studio work, and while I have a bunch of live performances, both from the Live Phish series and their other live releases, I still find myself reaching for the studio stuff. Rift happens to be one of my favorites, along with A Picture of Nectar.

What are the Flower Kings like?

As for the Phantom of the Opera, I literally just got back from Best Buy with the soundtrack in hand. My wife and I are seeing the later this month and she asked me to pick up the cd so she could listen on her way to work. I like Andrew Lloyd Weber and think that a lot of his stuff is amazing, particularly his inclusion of "rock sensibilities" to musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar.

- Olivertmc

[tentoze]

Goose Creek Symphony, Live At The Mountain Arts Center- Prestonburg, Kentucky June12,2004

[BradH]

Hey, Jim! Shoot me an e-mail about that B-52's soundboard. I've got a good one from 1982 recorded by the Grateful Dead roadcrew when the B-52's were in Jamaica at the Bob Marley festival. Here's the lineage: MSC(Sony TCD-5M) > CDDA > AIF > WAV > SHN.

I discarded the SHN files like a dork after burning the disc but maybe we can do some bidness.

Brad

bdkhncck(at)flash.net

[audiobill]

Hey Bill. I got an email from Edge 102 yesterday and Queens of the Stoneage are coming to town. March 30, I think. I'm on the wrong computer to look up the details, but email me if it interests you. I'm hoping that I've got the date wrong, 'cause a late show on a Wednesday night could lead to a painful Thursday.

Cheerio!

Hey, ForeverAutumn.

Couldn't help but notice that The Constantines & The Weakerthans are at Lee's Palace on April 8 & 9, Fri & Sat.. What do you think??

The date for the Queens does not work for us.

Lmk,
Bill

[ForeverAutumn]

Hey, ForeverAutumn.

Couldn't help but notice that The Constantines & The Weakerthans are at Lee's Palace on April 8 & 9, Fri & Sat.. What do you think??

The date for the Queens does not work for us.

Lmk,
Bill

I'm curious to see Lee's. Apparently they've renovated. I think that just means a fresh coat of black paint.

Let me pull out my Constantines disk and give it a spin this week. I bought it a while ago, but really never had the time to give it a proper chance. Although, I can tell you that I'm not a big fan of The Weakerthans. Let me get back to you.

[-Jar-]

Listening to a ton of U2;getting ready for the big show in April.
Getting Flaming Lips Zaireeka ready to roll for this weekend.Somethin cool about setting up 4 stereos to listen to a cd.

I've digitally merged several of the songs from this album, though I'm quite sure that it's nowhere near as fun as what you're going to do this weekend.

I always wanted to get a Zaireeka party together but just never got around to it..

-jar

[-Jar-]

Thanks Davey, even though I've never heard the bands that you have named. The explanation of "shoegazer" now makes some sense anyway.

I'm not sure if you dug my intro to Stoner Rock, but I sure could help you out with some Shoegazer..

My computer is down right now, hopefully not for the count. All those expecting some reggae, it might be a few more weeks. Things are really stressed around my house these days..

Been listening to some Mahler and Shostakovich, plus some Meshuggah thanks to M.R.

-jar

[Swish]

called by one reviewer that "greatest rock n' roll album of all time". I certainly like it, but not enough to agree with that kind of claim.

Anyway, I've had a little time to listen to mostly my newer acquisitions, such as:

The National - Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak (imported and really good!)
My Morning Jacket - Acoustic Citsuoca (live at the Startime Pavillion EP)
Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days (not really a new one, but I love this one)
Ray Lamontagne - Trouble
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Carina Round - The Disconnection
Pinback - Summer in Abaddon (also not so new but my #1 from 2004)

Swish

[Davey]

Nice reference to that great Tonio K record...called by one reviewer that "greatest rock n' roll album of all time".

That silly Steve Simels from Stereo Review. I wonder if anyone would've ever heard Life in the Foodchain without his lunatic ravings? The story goes that the following month Tonio K wrote in to tell Simels that the best album ever was "James Brown at the Apollo". And both are great albums! Too bad it was never quite as good after that, but Tonio did put out some decent records, especially the one right after Foodchain. And that cool EP, or whatever they called the short LPs back in the day. La Bomba I seem to remember reading that one of his long lost recordings that had been held back by the record company was finally released not too long ago. Or something like that. Guess there was some kind of reissue program since some of his stuff was oop but checked at amazon and it looks like most of it's available now, so maybe not. And he was on a religious bent for a while, I guess. Never got anything myself maybe past the first three? Oh wait, I did get one in the late 80s called "Notes From the Lost Civilization" that's good, but not great. But Life in the Foodchain is still great today!

Hey, Carina Round! How'd ya like that? I think you must be the only one to take the bait and fall for my ramblings about that album. I do really like it a lot. Got a bit of a commercial sound, but still very good music. At least I think so. And even on a major label too! I know, you guys all thought I was just a indie snob. But no, I like anything that doesn't sell!

[MindGoneHaywire]

Nothing really new this week as I'm in the process of moving & everything's packed up...I'll be moved this weekend & probably have some new stuff within a week or two. For now, though, it's heavy on that Beck album that was leaked. Could be my favorite Beck rec after Mutations. I went to Beck's site & saw the list of songs that will constitute the new album. If the list on the website was accurate as far as track order, then it's a bit different from what I have; and the titles don't exactly correspond. Guess I'll have a little detective project to amuse me when I have to take a break from unpacking over the next couple of weeks.

In addition to that I've thrown on a CDR I made that has every song the Beatles ever released, in order; Ray LaMontagne; Madeleine Peyroux; some old CDs I have of the Howard Stern show with Gilbert Gottfried; the Dickies; the Sonics (inspired by that car commercial with a Sonics tune); the Violent Femmes 1st album (new edition w/2nd disc, which is slightly better than the disappointing Vanilla disc that came with the new London Calling package, but only slightly), Nick Cave; and Tom Waits. Oh, and the Welfare Problems album by a band named Randy I've never heard of otherwise & have mentioned a few times here. Great great great punk rock sh*t.

Oh, yeah--I've read about Me First & The Gimme Gimmes for years & I saw them on television a couple of weeks ago, doing some kind of cheesy cover, I don't even remember what it was, but I wasn't impressed. The outfits were cute, but hardly enough irony to satisfy a jaded bastard like me. The Dickies were masters at covering tunes, bringing something really great to them ala Devo's version of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. All in all I think they may have been the best band in terms of doing covers (in a completely different category from bands like the Rolling Stones & even Led Zeppelin when it comes to blues & r&b covers, of course), from Silent Night Holy Night to Communication Breakdown, Nights In White Satin to Paranoid, She & Eve Of Destruction, every cover was a gem. These guys have a good idea, but the execution was mighty weak from what I could see. Hell, Social Distortion's cover of Ring Of Fire was relatively straightforward, but way more inspiring than this. Oh, well. Maybe they've done better on their records. Anyone have any of their stuff?

[Dave_G]

The Flower Kings are a band that most people who like Rush, Marillion, Yes, Genesis, and bands like that.

They have about 10 titles out and maybe one of us could do you up a Flower Kings comp to give you a taste.

I love them, but like any other stupid band, many do not like them.

Regards,

Dave

[Olivertmc]

Thanks Dave. What is a good disc of theirs to start with? I really have no exposure to more recent prog acts. I picked up a Mars Volta disc (not sure if it fits into this category) and while I am impressed by the musicianship, particularly that of the drummer, I think the lyrics are a bit too over the top. There are enough words in the English and other languages around the world that I don't really see the need to make them up!

- Olivertmc

[Dave_G]

I would start with a cd called "The Flower King", by Roine Stolt.

It's the first "Flower Kings" cd per se, although it's technically a "solo album".

If you like that then the rest of their releases can be "rated" for you.

Also great is "Stardust We are", a 2 cd set.

Or you can consider "Space Revolver".

Good luck.

If you want I can make you a cdr of a mix their stuff, contact me via private message.

Dave

[Stone]

Oh, yeah--I've read about Me First & The Gimme Gimmes for years & I saw them on television a couple of weeks ago, doing some kind of cheesy cover, I don't even remember what it was, but I wasn't impressed. The outfits were cute, but hardly enough irony to satisfy a jaded bastard like me. The Dickies were masters at covering tunes, bringing something really great to them ala Devo's version of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction. All in all I think they may have been the best band in terms of doing covers (in a completely different category from bands like the Rolling Stones & even Led Zeppelin when it comes to blues & r&b covers, of course), from Silent Night Holy Night to Communication Breakdown, Nights In White Satin to Paranoid, She & Eve Of Destruction, every cover was a gem. These guys have a good idea, but the execution was mighty weak from what I could see. Hell, Social Distortion's cover of Ring Of Fire was relatively straightforward, but way more inspiring than this. Oh, well. Maybe they've done better on their records. Anyone have any of their stuff?

Yeah, I have their first couple of albums and a couple of singles. I like them for what they are (basically a novelty act for members of other bands), and they're fun, but their appeal wore off for me after a bit. They only do covers, and they're almost all done in a straight ahead fashion, which is why the appeal wore off. I'd say they're not in the same league as the Dickies, but I don't think they're trying to be either. Instead, they're playing off on the goofiness of the songs they cover (a la the Circle Jerks), and don't play originals. Let me know if you'd like to hear more by them.

[Davey]

Hey, Davey, you know what you might like? Aqueduct. I was attracted to the cover, but musically, I lump them in with Arcade Fire/Autolux...you know, all that indie hipster stuff that I only sometimes get into.

Thanks for the rec, not that I really need any new ideas for artists and albums to check out! Just added a couple more to my wishlist this morning. Hey, glad to see someone commenting on the new Marianne Faithfull album. Sure seems to be getting some great reviews. Might just have to grab a copy for myself! Always amazed at how much you listen to and how varied it usually is. Lately I've only been listening to a few albums a week. This week it will probably be mostly Mercury Rev and Lockgroove, both seem to be kind of addictive

BTW, there is absolutely no musical connection that I've heard between Arcade Fire and Autolux, the latter being more like MBV and all those other shoegazers that ForeverAutumn is always talking about except with a well known and eclectic producer at the helm in T-Bone Burnett. But I guess they both do enjoy a certain amount of IHES status

[Swish]

That silly Steve Simels from Stereo Review. I wonder if anyone would've ever heard Life in the Foodchain without his lunatic ravings? The story goes that the following month Tonio K wrote in to tell Simels that the best album ever was "James Brown at the Apollo". And both are great albums! Too bad it was never quite as good after that, but Tonio did put out some decent records, especially the one right after Foodchain. And that cool EP, or whatever they called the short LPs back in the day. La Bomba I seem to remember reading that one of his long lost recordings that had been held back by the record company was finally released not too long ago. Or something like that. Guess there was some kind of reissue program since some of his stuff was oop but checked at amazon and it looks like most of it's available now, so maybe not. And he was on a religious bent for a while, I guess. Never got anything myself maybe past the first three? Oh wait, I did get one in the late 80s called "Notes From the Lost Civilization" that's good, but not great. But Life in the Foodchain is still great today!

Hey, Carina Round! How'd ya like that? I think you must be the only one to take the bait and fall for my ramblings about that album. I do really like it a lot. Got a bit of a commercial sound, but still very good music. At least I think so. And even on a major label too! I know, you guys all thought I was just a indie snob. But no, I like anything that doesn't sell!

to remember, but I forgot that you're smack dab in geezerville. Hey, I haven't read Stereo Review, er, I mean "Sound and Vision" in quite a long time, especially not for music reviews. I remember seeing a column a couple years back when they would print items from 5,10,15,20,and maybe 25 years ago. Anyway, it seems Rex Reed was one of their critics back then and he PUMMELLED Television's Marquee Moon. The nerve of that jackarse!

Hey, Life in the Foodchain is certainly a very good record, although I haven't played it in a coon's age. I'm sitting in a hotel in Portmouth, NH right now, so no music for me at the moment. Maybe I'll remember to pull that Tonio K out of my cd case and give it a fresh spin.

As for that Corina Round, it took me a few spins to warm up to it, and while it ain't my favorite 'o the month or anything, it sure has its merits. I often jot down record titles when you guys rave about them, but I don't always take the bait, as you put it. When I see several raves for the same record, I almost always order it, but rarely when only one person recommends do I order.

Regards,
Swish

[ForeverAutumn]

I'm not sure if you dug my intro to Stoner Rock, but I sure could help you out with some Shoegazer..

My computer is down right now, hopefully not for the count. All those expecting some reggae, it might be a few more weeks. Things are really stressed around my house these days..

Been listening to some Mahler and Shostakovich, plus some Meshuggah thanks to M.R.

-jar

I'm glad that you mentioned your Stoner Rock CD. I had actually forgotten about it and it got lost in the deep dark recesses under my passenger seat. So, I dug around under the empty water bottles and Tim Horton's coffee cups and rocked hard on the drive home from work today. YEAH! I like it a lot! I'm only sorry that I didn't get to it sooner. I've wasted a lot of time not listening to this disk.

If you would like to put together a Shoegazer disk for me, that would be very kindly of you. Maybe I'll finally be able to get that Davey guy off my back.

Here's hoping to a quick recovery of your computer.

[Dusty Chalk]

BTW, there is absolutely no musical connection that I've heard between Arcade Fire and Autolux, the latter being more like MBV and all those other shoegazers ...

Really? They must have played the wrong disc when I scanned it in, at Borders' listening station, because I heard something completely non-shoegazery. Are you sure about that? Great swirling layers of reverb-drenched oceans of distorted guitars? That is shoegazer. Autolux struck me more as a 'pond'. I mean, when was the last time you listened to Loveless? I said the same thing to myself when I heard the samples of Radio Dept....

Who enjoys making words up, like 'shoegazery' and 'magnififold'.

[Davey]

Really? They must have played the wrong disc when I scanned it in, at Borders' listening station, because I heard something completely non-shoegazery. Are you sure about that?

Well, I didn't mean to imply that it was just like MBV because it is something of a hybrid. But even our old DarkAngel friend from Head-Fi heard the MBV side of the band when he listened to some samples after my post about it over there, which I did jokingly title Autolux = My Bloody Valentine Version 2.0.0.4?.....so maybe we just have a broader definition of shoegazery than you

[Dusty Chalk]

Alright, I'll give it one more chance, but perhaps the listening station at Borders is not the best place to listen to it (I've already done that twice). I'll see if I can find someone who owns it, so that I can listen to it dedicatedly.

[Davey]

Alright, I'll give it one more chance, but perhaps the listening station at Borders is not the best place to listen to it (I've already done that twice). I'll see if I can find someone who owns it, so that I can listen to it dedicatedly.

Well, I didn't mean to imply that you missed anything or should feel obligated to give it another try. Only that they don't sound like Arcade Fire to me. But I'd be happy to comp you a copy. Got something else that I've been meaning to send you to check out so I'll throw in a copy of the Autolux CD and you can explore it again at your leisure. Do you have any interest in that recent (and supposedly final) Harold Budd 2-disc set that I talked some about in Demetrio's New Age thread? I know you indicated you were kind of over the Eno ambient thing, but this isn't really that. Very nice and reflective music. I ask mainly because I think it's only available here as an import and you might really like it, but probably too expensive to take a chance on. I got a pretty good deal on it though so it was just normal US price (about $15). Anybody else for that matter that wants to hear it just let me know. Maybe I'll include a copy of the latest from Hector Zazou that is so nice too.....but without the cool 100-page book, of course

'Strong Currents' is 13 tracks of pure elegance from Hector Zazou, featuring 12 female vocalist, plucked from an international musical playground. Teaming up with Giampiero Bigazzi, Zazou's latest craftsmenship begins with perhaps the most recognisable female vocalist of all, as Laurie Anderson records her characteristic spoken voice on the opening, 'Into Your Dreams'. 'Mmmh' swiftly follows - a laid back ethereal sounding slice of silky electronica, exquisitly performed by Melanie Gabriel.

Whilst 'Strong Currents' features not only a huge range of vocalists, it also includes an ecelectic portfolio of session musicians; who blend the organic sounds of flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpets and clarinet seamlessly into Zazou's elaborate layers of electronic sound and sampling. Look out for Ryuichi Sakamoto, who provides Piano on two tracks. But it's the vocalist's work that really shine through, a definite highlight being Nina Hymes near perfect impression of Bjork-inspired innocence on the throroughly enjoyable off-key 'Under My Wing'. There is not doubt that 'Strong Currents' is one of Zazou's finest works to date, a deeply romantic album, blending a huge array of vocal talents into a warm sea of undulating stings and classical themes, but with a strangely contemporary electronic edge. It also features a near-100-page book, featuring artwork and an exclusive interview with the man himself. A must for his legion of followers.

[audiobill]

Bill:

Are you enjoying From a Basement on a Hill? For some reason I just can't get into it, but in fairness I have not devoted a significant amount of time to checking it out.

- Olivertmc

It's funny you should ask about From a Basement on a Hill. My initial impression was that it is not as good as Smith's last three efforts. However, the more I listen to it, the more I like it. It seems to be more melodic, than his other albums.

For what it's worth,
Bill

[-Jar-]

to remember, but I forgot that you're smack dab in geezerville. Hey, I haven't read Stereo Review, er, I mean "Sound and Vision" in quite a long time, especially not for music reviews. I remember seeing a column a couple years back when they would print items from 5,10,15,20,and maybe 25 years ago. Anyway, it seems Rex Reed was one of their critics back then and he PUMMELLED Television's Marquee Moon. The nerve of that jackarse!

Regards,
Swish

I don't remember who wrote them, but I bought more than a few albums based on reviews I read in Stereo Review and/or High Fidelity.. though the SR ones were more memorable.

Violent Femmes - BLIND LEADING THE NAKED. Yes, this was the first Violent Femmes album I heard. I don't remember exactly when I bought it, but whent he guy described it as having a sensibility somewhat akin to The Replacements and the SST hardcore bands, I had to check 'em out.

The Replacements - TIM. I know I have the review somewhere. I don't remember what it said, but something about the review made me need to hear it. I actually kept it in the tape case for years before I finally bought the cd.

R.E.M. - FABLES OF THE RECONSTRUCTION. There came a time in my life when I basically said to myself.. "you should be listening to REM and not Judas Priest" - This was the first one I bought, based in part, on the review it got in SR.

Others I bought or searched out based in part, on what I read in Stereo Review: Sting NOTHING LIKE THE SUN, Smiths THE QUEEN IS DEAD. New Order BROTHERHOOD.. though, I have to admit, upon going back to read over those reviews after I got to know the albums, they didn't really know what to think of New Order, though the guy who did the Smiths reviews was spot on.

-jar

[Davey]

Anyway, it seems Rex Reed was one of their critics back then and he PUMMELLED Television's Marquee Moon. The nerve of that jackarse!

Hehehe, that's funny. Although I had long before moved on to Stereophile and other magazines like that as I moved into high end audio, I do remember seeing some really nice recognition in Stereo Review for the Television reunion in 1992. I think they awarded it a Record of the Year, so probably would've been in Jan or Feb of 1993. Wish I had a copy of it because I remember the little blurb they wrote to go along with it seemed to hit home so well with me. Something about magical, and that's just how I felt about it too. Lots of magic when they were together, and that is still one of my all time favorites (even if Jay does think it sounds like Dire Straits ). I know you love it too.