Albums Thread - 2016

[Machiavelli]

The Hope Six and the Algiers album are getting a lot of turntable time with me currently. It's difficul to say which PJ albums are her best as they're so varied but I am coming round to the idea this is hers. I also banged on about how Let England Shake was a complete work of art on all levels; this is next level. The stories about, and back lashes associated with, certain songs are interesting on their own.

I don't think the sheer brilliance of P J Harvey is sufficiently recognised. I know it wasn't an easy listen and wasn't widely received, but that White Chalk piano-led album she did really worked for me. Her entire output is extremely impressive, but I still remain incredibly attached to Rid of Me.

 

[Dave the OAP]

This is really aimed at the children of the 60's and 70's, but if you really are into the early music of Santana, Santana IV is on release and if you have apple music or some such service, I fully recommend it.

Carlos has gone back to his roots in late 60's rock and latin rock getting a lot of his old band back together and having one of the Isley Brothers as vocals on a couple of tracks. His playing is really back to his original style found on Abraxas and albums like that.

Have a listen and see what you think.

 

[Buzzer]

Surprised that you haven't heard Blackstar or The Hope Six Demolition Project. I suspect that the latter will be in an end of the year list for me, as will Anohni and, hopefully, Radiohead, although I'm yet to hear that yet.
I'd be interested to see your list, as you're a prodigious contributor to this thread, but the volume of your output doesn't chime with my listening and buying patterns.

I'm fortunate that I have a mate who lends me advance copies and so a lot of my music that I listen to is dictated by that but I do also spend a lot of time on Bandcamp. I'd sussed long ago that you and I had quite different musical tastes. Aphex Twin is a prime example - I just don't get what the fuss is about and I really wish I did. I'll get cracking on the list.

Quick review: the Mull Historical Society album 'Dear Satellite'. It's a pleasant enough album sort of starts similar to the Decemberists and then veers into Stornoway territory but it then loses its way a bit with indie-folk/pop by numbers but still worth a listen. This is my favourite track and I do like it a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qfk5LLYqyg

 

[Machiavelli]

I'm fortunate that I have a mate who lends me advance copies and so a lot of my music that I listen to is dictated by that but I do also spend a lot of time on Bandcamp. I'd sussed long ago that you and I had quite different musical tastes. Aphex Twin is a prime example - I just don't get what the fuss is about and I really wish I did. I'll get cracking on the list.

Quick review: the Mull Historical Society album 'Dear Satellite'. It's a pleasant enough album sort of starts similar to the Decemberists and then veers into Stornoway territory but it then loses its way a bit with indie-folk/pop by numbers but still worth a listen. This is my favourite track and I do like it a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qfk5LLYqyg

You've mentioned Aphex Twin before, and think you're looking into that too much. I have to read a lot for my work, and I find lyrics a distraction when reading, so favour instrumental music when working (when I probably listen to most music). That means I listen to too much post-rock, avant-garde jazz, electronica and sometimes classical (just stumbled across Arvo Part, who I really like). Aphex Twin wouldn't even come into my top ten instrumental performers, probably not even top 20.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I see Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) has an album out today which seemingly is just him and a piano. I am interested to hear it.

 

[Buzzer]

I see Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) has an album out today which seemingly is just him and a piano. I am interested to hear it.

I'm listening to it now. It's different, that's for sure. He's got a good voice, nothing special but good enough to carry off this project. There's a lot of covers in there, I'm guessing it's to grab people's interest, he even covers Hot Chip's So Much Further To Go. I can't see it being an album that I will return to often but it makes for nice background music whilst chilling out.

Here's one for you matey. Check out Nite Jewel - 'Liquid Cool'. Resident describe it as Janet Jackson meets Kraftwerk and I can easily see why. The synths and drums have a lovely 80s feels to it, quite lo-fi and a DIY-feel to it, a bit like Grimes first album or someone like Barbarossa. It's very cool.

https://soundcloud.com/nite-jewel/boo-hoo-2

 

[CHAPPERS]

I'm listening to it now. It's different, that's for sure. He's got a good voice, nothing special but good enough to carry off this project. There's a lot of covers in there, I'm guessing it's to grab people's interest, he even covers Hot Chip's So Much Further To Go. I can't see it being an album that I will return to often but it makes for nice background music whilst chilling out.

Here's one for you matey. Check out Nite Jewel - 'Liquid Cool'. Resident describe it as Janet Jackson meets Kraftwerk and I can easily see why. The synths and drums have a lovely 80s feels to it, quite lo-fi and a DIY-feel to it, a bit like Grimes first album or someone like Barbarossa. It's very cool.

https://soundcloud.com/nite-jewel/boo-hoo-2

Thanks for the review. I will probably not bother with the physical of that one.

Nite Jewel sounds right up my allley, will keepit a peep later.

Cheers!

 

[Ludensian Gull]

Thanks for the heads up on the Gold Panda, will check it out. I've been listening a lot to the Moonface and Siinai album - 'My Best Human Face' and loving every minute of it. They have a bit of an 80s vocals sound but to a heavy driving guitar sound, a bit difficult to describe especially his vocals - he does sound like someone but can't put my finger on it - but well worth a listen. This track especially is real "up and at 'em".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_77XUg95Q8

Listening to this album now, love it. Vocals remind me of Bryan Ferry to my untrained ear.

 

[Buzzer]

Cheers, I agree. Ferry is a good call.

I'm listening this morning to Mexrrissey - 'No Manchester'. Mexico's love affair with Morrissey writ large. I notice that the Mexican Institute of Sound people are partly behind this - and if you haven't heard of them I'd best describe them as a sort of Mexican Fat Boy Slim, they make the kind of dance music that puts a smile on your face and you're not too embarrassed to play to your mum and dad.

This is a lot of fun but I should imagine the joke wears thin very quickly. The album is a little light too, just six covers and then another 5 live versions of those 6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiCMGVApfI0

 

[HH Brighton]

Cheers, I agree. Ferry is a good call.

I'm listening this morning to Mexrrissey - 'No Manchester'. Mexico's love affair with Morrissey writ large. I notice that the Mexican Institute of Sound people are partly behind this - and if you haven't heard of them I'd best describe them as a sort of Mexican Fat Boy Slim, they make the kind of dance music that puts a smile on your face and you're not too embarrassed to play to your mum and dad.

This is a lot of fun but I should imagine the joke wears thin very quickly. The album is a little light too, just six covers and then another 5 live versions of those 6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiCMGVApfI0

I've seen them live and they are great fun, they play more tracks than appear on the album. Apparently Johnny Marr wouldn't allow The Smiths tracks on the album.

 

[spring hall convert]

His last two records have made my top 20 albums of the year and the new Steve Gunn album is absolutely lush. Seriously guys, getonboard. Now he's on Matador, hopefully he's going to get some long overdue commercial love

FFO: The War on Drugs, Neil Young, Wilco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W79x_WuvQ5Y

 

[Machiavelli]

His last two records have made my top 20 albums of the year and the new Steve Gunn album is absolutely lush. Seriously guys, getonboard. Now he's on Matador, hopefully he's going to get some long overdue commercial love

FFO: The War on Drugs, Neil Young, Wilco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W79x_WuvQ5Y

What of those Neil Young fans that think The War on Drugs sound like Mike & the Mechanics?

 

[spring hall convert]

What of those Neil Young fans that think The War on Drugs sound like Mike & the Mechanics?

Come on mate, that's a bit harsh on Mike and The Mechanics..... ;-)

There's a bit of late period Velvets in there n'all. The guitar work (as with everything he does) is exceptional.

 

[Prince Monolulu]

.....and RELAX.

 

[Theatre of Trees]

Cheers, I agree. Ferry is a good call.

I'm listening this morning to Mexrrissey - 'No Manchester'. Mexico's love affair with Morrissey writ large. I notice that the Mexican Institute of Sound people are partly behind this - and if you haven't heard of them I'd best describe them as a sort of Mexican Fat Boy Slim, they make the kind of dance music that puts a smile on your face and you're not too embarrassed to play to your mum and dad.

This is a lot of fun but I should imagine the joke wears thin very quickly. The album is a little light too, just six covers and then another 5 live versions of those 6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiCMGVApfI0

I refer the honorable gentleman to post 250
https://nortr3nixy.nimpr.uk/showthread.php?331860-Albums-Thread-2016/page13

Seems we agree.

 

[Buzzer]

Apologies, I hadn't seen that review. Yours is much better.

Another thumbs up to the Steve Gunn album. Some of the guitar playing reminds me of Daniel Lefkowitz/The Low Anthem and I can see the Neil Young, Wilco comparison but not really hearing the War On Drugs though but then again I've not given WoD much of a listen of late.

Two albums that I've had on rotate all last night and this morning:

Globelamp - 'The Orange Glow' Indie-folk singer-songwriter Elizabeth Le Fey has been getting a lot of attention ahead of this album and I'm really pleased that it more than matches the hype. She's very much in the same vein of lo-fi music as Frankie Cosmos and just as talented but there's far more of a dark edge. She has the acerbic wit of Courtney Barnett but the delivery and musical style reminds me most of Mirel Wagner - and for all those reasons I'm a big fan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC0kGFztNt0

Weval - 'Weval' - I reckon this will be right up [MENTION=409]Herr Tubthumper[/MENTION] or [MENTION=13]CHAPPERS[/MENTION] street. It's the new album from Dutch duo Weval who are signed to the ever-brilliant Kompakt Records and should give a clue to the type of music too. To my ears it sounds like Pantha Du Prince meets Art Department, it's understated, quirky without ever being w@nky, it's very listenable and works with either headphones on or blasting out of the speakers.

I can't find any video streams but there's a decent link to their stuff on Soundcloud. https://soundcloud.com/weval

 

[spring hall convert]

Another thumbs up to the Steve Gunn album. Some of the guitar playing reminds me of Daniel Lefkowitz/The Low Anthem and I can see the Neil Young, Wilco comparison but not really hearing the War On Drugs though but then again I've not given WoD much of a listen of late.

To be fair, this part of his ouevre isn't so WoD like. Early on in their careers he moved in the same circles as Adam Granduciel & Kurt Vile (think he might have played with WoD at one point, not totally sure.)

If you like this record - his last solo record (he does loads of collabs etc...) was the astonishing 'Way Out Weather.' Not a bad track on it. The title track below is beyond gorgeous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckSY12Dmw8Q

 

[Buzzer]

Cheers. I'll check him out.

 

[spring hall convert]

Just checked. Gunn was originally in Kurt Vile's backing band. Vile was in War of Drugs. Tough keeping up with this Philadelphia rock scene musical chairs.

 

[Buzzer]

2nd Avalanches singles to be released and it's a huge improvement on Frankie Sinatra. Nothing fancy or clever this time, just a dreamy pop tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=799I89T4OjE