standard topic #14937

[bloop]

So, what have you gotten lately?  Do you recommend it/them?

British Sea Power - The Decline of British Sea Power
decidedly indie-sounding music.  The vox remind me of David Bowie, and I personally like it more than the new Bowie album, actually.

OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
I [3 it.  Don't know much about hip-hop, but this is just good music.

Led Zeppelin - IV
already had it on CD, but I found a vinyl with no scratches for $1.95 at the local thrift store, so I just had to.

Sesame Street Live!
from the 70s, for my son.  I hope he likes it.

Louis Armstrong - Complete Hot Fives and Hot Sevens
just ordered it

The Wrens - The Meadowlands
I want to buy this soon.  I've downloaded it and I'm impressed.

[Escuchame]

Good list, bloop.

I'm intrigued by British Sea Power and The Wrens.  The Pitchfork people were pretty much fawning over the latter.

As far as my own list... you guys know (well... at least most of you) that I'm a new artist freak.... so I've been freaking out over these releases...

Sleeping At Last - Ghosts:  These three young and unassuming Christian boys were at The Metro checking out a Zwan gig last year, and they unabashedly went up to Billy Corgan after the show and passed him their indie debut "Capture."  The next day Corgan called them up and said if they'd be interested in a deal.... and well, the rest is history.  Very impressive debut, guys... the debut hits stores this Tuesday and it's gonna be dirt cheap... so pick it up!

Dave Matthews - Some Devil:  Truth be told, I've never been a DMB fan.  Beyond the singles, I'm not familiar with their repertoire, so I was intrigued by what its main driving force would come up with.   Man... this album...  It's blowing me away.  Tight instrumentation throughout and simple, yet revelatory lyrics from Mr. Matthews.

The Fire Theft - The Fire Theft:  Amazing, simply amazing.

Other assorted albums I've bought not too long ago are Jane's Addiction's Strays, John Mayer's Heavier Things, and Over The Rhine's Films for Radio.

Oh, bloop... I just noticed something: the new OutKast album could be considered two separate debut discs.  Hmmmmmm....

Peace out,
Andree

[bloop]

Oh, bloop... I just noticed something: the new OutKast album could be considered two separate debut discs.  Hmmmmmm....

Oh goodness.  If you want that one done, I think you should do it.  On the other hand, they still put it out under the OutKast name, so I'm not sure I'd want to review it as a debut album.  Would you want to review the first one Andre 3000 or Big Boi puts out without that name attached as their debuts? I'm asking this because I think I see them diverging in the next few years.

I thought another fun feature you could have is to backtrack.  Go back to, say, "Gish" by The Smashing Pumpkins, or some other debut disc from a now-established artist, and review it in terms of how it has aged and so forth.  I don't know what you think, but I think it could be beneficial.

Pitchfork is crazy about the Wrens, but I had to check it out because I generally want to check out things that get a good review from them.  They also recently reviewed British Sea Power's, and it did well for a debut album (high sevens = "very good" in their system).

[bloop]

I think of this thread as a giant list of music suggestions.  It would be really cool to have something like a club that all buys a particular CD in a month and then discusses it...maybe something off the beaten path a little bit.

My list of albums to check out (that are out or will be soon) is pretty large, and you just expanded on it, Andree.  Thanks a lot.

Jars of Clay
Broken Social Scene
Fire Theft
Sleeping at Last
Dave Matthews
Damien Rice
Mogwai
Wainwright
Four Tet
My Morning Jacket
The Decemberists
Need New Body
My Morning Jacket

[oneafroboy]

That sounds like a cool idea, bloop.  =D  Like a book club except with music. I don't know if I have the funds to keep up with such a group, however.  

I haven't really bought these albums...I'm borrowing them from my roomate....I made backup copies for him, except I kept them...  

Anyway.

Badly Drawn Boy's The Hour of Bewilderbeast (debut) and Have You Fed the Fish? (his newest one). It's a one act band: a British guy by the name of Damon Gough. Let me say, his music is amazing. He's great. I've really only listend to Bewilderbeast a good bit. I really like it. I've listened to Fish once and am listening to it now. Bewilderbeast is definitely the superior of the two, so if you have to choose one to buy or borrow, get that one. BDB is my favorite newly discovered (by me) modern artist at the moment. So, if you can, pick up something by him. You shan't be disappointed.

(Hey, is Outkast "Christian". I ask this because I want to know where I can pick up their double album. I didn't know if they had them at regular stores or at Christians stores or both.)

Edited: Oops. Ha, ha. After looking at their ablums and seeing "edited" versions of them, I highly doubt they would be sold in Christian stores.

[Brandon]

the last thing I bought was several months ago now.  It was Kings of Leon-Youth adn Young Manhood.
Great album. And I will be seeing them open for The Strokes next month in ATL.

[Josh]

New purchases:

Damien Rice- O (A-)
David Bowie- Reality (B-)

On my to-buy list:
Elvis Costello- North
The Innocence Mission- Befriended
Emmylou Harris- Stumble Into Grace, Red Dirt Girl, and Wrecking Ball
Rosie Thomas (per Matt's suggestion)
Sting- Sacred Love

[DvChWi]

I made a thread concerning my latest music purchase a short time ago.  From all those that I bought, I'm actually enjoying The Beautiful Letdown and Kind of Blue the best.  I reccomend them to everyone.

And, my wishlist.

[Josh]

For what its worth, Dv, here's how I'd rate the albums on your wishlist that I've heard:

Damien Rice- O: A-
U2- Pop: A
Over the Rhine- Ohio: A+
Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots: B
Zwan- Mary, Star of the Sea: B- or C+, probably, though I haven't heard it in months
The Innocence Mission- Bird of My Neighborhood: A+
Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: A
Starflyer 59- Old: B
Coldplay- Parachutes: A
Coldplay- A Rush of Blood to the Head: B
Radiohead- Hail to the Thief: A-
U2- All That You Can't Leave Behind: A+


 

[bloop]

How I would rate the same albums:

Damien Rice- O: have yet to hear
U2- Pop: B+
Over the Rhine- Ohio: A+
Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots: A
Zwan- Mary, Star of the Sea: B- (if every song was as good as "Jesus I", this would change radically)
The Innocence Mission- Bird of My Neighborhood: never heard it
Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: A
Starflyer 59- Old: B+
Coldplay- Parachutes: B
Coldplay- A Rush of Blood to the Head: B+
Radiohead- Hail to the Thief: A
U2- All That You Can't Leave Behind: A-
The White Stripes-Elephant:  B

My full list, as of right now (with a letter grade I could see myself giving each):
1  Over the Rhine - Ohio A+
2  The Wrens - The Meadowlands A+
3  Radiohead - Hail to the Thief A
4  OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below A
5  British Sea Power - The Decline of British Sea Power A-
6  Steven Delopoulos - Me Died Blue A-
7  Guided By Voices - Earthquake Glue A-
8  Starflyer 59 - Old B+
9  Cat Power - You Are Free B+
10 The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium B+
11 Blur - Think Tank B
12 Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power B
13 Spiritualized - Amazing Grace B
14 The Innocence Mission - Befriended B
15 The White Stripes - Elephant B
16 Derek Webb - She Must and Shall Go Free B
17 Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown B-
18 Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers B-
19 Zwan - Mary, Star of the Sea B-
20 Ben Folds - Speed Graphic/Sunny16 EPs C+
21 David Bowie - Reality C+
22 Microphones - Mount Eerie C
23 Wilco - Australian EP C

Yeah, this is about right.

[oneafroboy]

Bloop, or anyone else: Tell me more about Outkast. They sound cool. I think I might pick 'em. I'm just concerned about the content? Need I be? Or rather, what does it consist of (so I can make a personal judgment)? I tend to be pretty open, but I have lines for myself. So, if you could help me out, that'd be great.
 

[bloop]

I guess it's hard for me to say.  I'm not really offended by what's there, but there is at least one drug reference, some less than polite words, and plenty of sex on Andre 3000's disc.  Just try to dig up the lyrics somewhere . . . I'd imagine they're around.

[oneafroboy]

Ah okay.

Drug references aren't a big deal to me. "Less than polite words"--that just depends on their quantity. And the sex thing...well, I'll have to see about that. I'll dig up some lyrics. I don't know why I didn't think of that at first. My poor, poor brain...    

[MattK]

Just picked up mule variations by tom waits.....definitely an aquired taste if there ever was one....not sure what I think yet......the song georgia lee is definitely worth looking into

[bloop]

Tom Waits...hm.  I know he's really cool, but I personally haven't acquired a taste for his vocals.

[MattK]

yeah thats a big aquired taste (vocals) although I like his vocals on earlier work than the freaky stuff on his latest albums......however I would like to stress that people should at least listen to the song georgia lee....Im tempted to start a thread on that song alone

[RokrantheGreat]

My recent album purchases are "Human Clay" and "Weathered" by Creed. Yes, Harey has somehow tricked me into buying Creed cd's.    But they were used and only $6 each including shipping, so I guess its ok.

[oneafroboy]

Creed? Yuck. No it is not okay.    

[cbluejays]

CD's I've gotten recently

LA Symphony-Composition #1...I just got this one today, it's the first LA Symphony release.  LA Symphony was already my favorite artist/group in music, and this CD is no let down.  They do have a very different vibe on this one than CIWYW, though.  This is much more laid-back, more jazz-influenced, but still an excellent CD.  Those are just my first impressions.  

KJ52-It's Pronounced Five-Two...So, umm, if you want mediocre hip hop, this CD is the way to go.  Some of the beats are nice, but most of the lyrics are pretty weak and/or cheesy.  KJ also has some "clutch" words he seems to say over and over...for example, "Just" and "Now", which he uses to tie his rhymes together...his formula is easy to follow...for the goofy songs, use the first 2 verses to be goofy, and funny, whatever, then use the last verse to flip the focus back on God, and talk about what God's done in his life.  A noble intent, to be sure, but when it's done so many times, it loses effectiveness...It's amazing how easy it is to match songs (in regards to the song concept) from this album with Collaborations...let's see...

Dear Slim Pt. 2 = Dear Slim
Don't Go = Where Were You
Rock On = Rise Up
Check Yourself = Wait for You
Ya Bref Stank = Mullet Song
47 Pop Stars = 47 Emcees
Cartoon Network = Nursery Rhymes
Gimme Day = Coke, Fry, Cheesburger
So in Love with You  = Sonshine
Whoop Whoop = Do That

To make things worse, the songs that aren't necesarily the same concept as a song from his last album are also subject to biting (aka copying, for you non hip-hop heads..err...people)..."KJ Five Two" sounds a lot like Eminem's "My Name Is", "I'm Guilty" sounds like Nas' "One Mic",  "So in Love with You" sounds like the Snoop Dogg/Pharrell track "Beautiful" (thanks Andree, for that one    ).  "Pick Yourself Up" reminds me of some R&B song...maybe something by Ashanti or Amerie...I can't think of the exact song right now...or maybe it was that Fat Joe/Tamia song...I know I've heard a similar sounding sone before.  In fact, almost every beat on the album smacks of something I've heard before...ANd I even enjoyed, and still do enjoy, "Collaborations".  "Five Elements", "Nursery Rhymes", "Choice is Yours", and "Why" were all solid tracks.  But enough about unoriginal music.  Let's move on to...

Unoriginal, yet more enjoyable music.

Thousand Foot Krutch-Phenomenon...I do enjoy this CD, the lyrics aren't too great, the music is nothing special, but it is "fun" to listen to, so when I'm in the mood for music that doesn't require my thought, just music that pleases my ears, this album isn't too bad.

Outkast-Speakerboxxx/Love Below...I really enjoyed both of these CD"s, although I enjoyed Andree's just a bit more...The funky beats put together on Big Boi's side are excellent, but I kind the more creative side on Andree's CD, although it can get weird at times.  

Finally, MxPx-Before Everything and After...I've also thoroughly enjoyed this album.  Once again, it's not real original, (of course, it's also not anything close to the rip-off the entire KJ album was), but punk rock isn't known for it's creativity.  

So yeah...that's all for me.  I've been thinking about getting John Mayer-Heavier Things, as well as the Dave Matthews CD.  

 
 

[Skrappybiskit]

On Saturday:

The Foo Fighters "Last Thing Left to Lose" or something like that.
The White Stripes "White Blood Cells"
Wilco "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" but I'm not sure if I got that name right.

Skraps

[Guest]

Fuel - Natural Selection, just a good rock cd
Zoegirl - Different Kind of Free, standard CCM pop/rock but it's actually not bad
Seal(1994) - great, just great

[bloop]

I think the Foo Fighters record is "There's Nothing Left to Lose".  It has a picture of a guy's neck, right?

[Skrappybiskit]

I think the Foo Fighters record is "There's Nothing Left to Lose".  It has a picture of a guy's neck, right?

Actually, you're right now that I look at it. It had this cool fake transfer tattoo in it, too. It's good stuff. Pluis I picked it up for like $10 (which is like 6 or 7 american) so it's a good deal no matter how you look at it.

Skraps