June 30th 2012

James Taylor – Never Die Young (1988)

*** Three Stars

I listen to XRT Chicago at work, which is kind of like the alt rock/indie station but they do play allot of 80s stuff including tracks by this guy. So I got the CD for 50c, its not bad stuff to be honest. The title track I knew right away. Its very much 80s adult pop, very inoffensive. It sounds of its time,the sound has not age well at all. Think Steve Winwood, Huey Lewis et al. Not bad but not great!

Link: Official site

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June 29th 2012

Joe Cocker – Ultimate Collection (2004)

****Four Stars

File this one under ‘guilty pleasure’! Anyhow I love this guy’s voice, he’s got the cred from being at the original Woodstock way back when. We saw him live a couple years ago, he was brilliant then so we have tix to see him again later this year. This best of collection goes through all his best covers. The obvious ones are wonderful, from this one I hadn’t heard quite a few. I really enjoyed Too Many Rivers to Cross, but my favourite was his version of Sail Away, really well done. I look forward to seeing him live here this summer!

Link: Official site

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June 28th 2012

The Elwins – And I Thank You (2012)

**** Four stars

10 Beatlesque pop songs by this Canadian band. Some lovely instrumentation along with clever lyrics. It gets a bit folky towards the end, which I prefer best. I Miss You and I, and Propinquity are beautiful tracks, again they don’t hide their admiration for the Beatles. If you enjoy a bit of feel good jolly indie pop these guys are for you!

Link: Bandcamp

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June 27th 2012

Cookie Duster – When Flying Was Easy (2012)

***** Five stars

Cookie Duster features Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning. A band first conceived in the 90s, put on hold due in part t Canning’s work with BSS. With Broken Social Scene on a hiatus, Canning seems to have been given a new lease of life if this record is anything to go by. Its a brilliant record, packed full of hooks, crunch guitars and all round memorable tracks. The vocals (Jeen O’Brien) kind of reminds me of the Cardigans, in fact the album does have a 90s sound going on. Two Feet Stand Out is as good as any song you will hear this year .Canning sings on some of the tracks, Something Evil Again is particularly good.

I thoroughly enjoyed this album, really looking forward to hearing more from the BSS members.

Link: Official site

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June 26th 2012

Zammuto – Zammuto (2012)

***** Five stars

Zammuto is one half of the band the Books who apparently went their separate ways early this year. I can’t say I’d heard of the Book before so another band I need to be checking out. I saw Zammuto support Explosings in the Sky and they literally blew me away, they were stunning live. The visuals were done in a way I hadn’t seen before, but the music stood up too. Great catchy riffs and rhythm. The album I listened to after the gig, its got a more patchwork like sound to it, but its organic too. The track Groan Man, Don’t Cry really is the stuff of genius. If you enjoy challenging music, dig these guys out as they are superb.

Link: Official site

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June 25th 2012

John Hiatt – Slow Turning (1988)

*** Three stars

Struggling to wonder why I could not get into this, I was only able to listen to the album once so maybe its a slow burner. Though I was told I would love this album, sadly I did not. Anyhow I have the CD so will give it some more listens in the future, its possibly a headphone album? The song writing is obviously strong, I just need to connect with the album more.

 

Link: Official site

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June 24th 2012

Prince – Purple Rain (1984)

**** Four Stars

Love the title track so was really interested to finally hear the full soundtrack. Its a really vibrant album, even if it does sound a bit outdated on a couple tracks. That said this is a strong album, I really need to be checking out more Prince or whatever he calls himself these days!

Link: Fansite

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June 23rd 2012

Dead Meadow – Dead Meadow (2001)

*** Three Stars

Dead Meadow are a band from Washington DC, John Peel seemed to be a big fan or at least they certainly did a ton of sessions on his show. The album is good if not remarkable, its got that trippy 70s psychedelic sound going on. It could be early Pink Floyd. It starts off a bit rickety, maybe because they didn’t have much money to spend on the greatest recording studio equipment? I don’t know really. It picks up though. Rocky Mountain High is a stunning piece, makes me want to explore their later stuff.

Link: Official site

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June 22nd 2012

Dementio13 – El Lissitzky (2012)

***** Five Stars

Those of you who enjoyed our Echoes in the Alleyway: A Tribute to Doves record a few years ago may recall Dementio13, who opened the abum with his scintillating version of Firesuite.  El Lissitzky is an excellent album. The opening track reminds of the Prodigy a little bit. Second track Phallanx has a Pink Floyd vibe going on, I really enjoyed the acoustic element.

Collision Courses is one of the album highlights, with its hypnotic vocals with a really cool repetitive groove behind it, a thoroughly enjoyable 8 minutes. Fatty Pork his my favourite track, a catchy track with a really cool swagger to it. Love the sound, the attention to detail.

If you enjoy electronic music, I would thoroughly recommend you give this album a listen.

Link: Official site

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June 21st 2012

Liars – WIXIW (2012)

***** Five stars

A very special album by the most remarkable band. They do remind me a bit of Radiohead, the adventerious spirit, the amazing sconic sounds. Some lovely crispy but edgy synths fused with the most sutble but jaw dropping guitar riffs. If you enjoy the experimental side of Radiohead, you should love this album.

Link: Official site

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June 20th 2012

The Smashing Pumpkins – Oceania (2012)

**** Four Stars

Was a bit nervous about this album before hand, I wasn’t that keen on the last record. My wife and I saw the Pumpkins live here in Chicago late last year, a great show but the new stuff they played wasn’t memorable. The album is surprisingly good to be honest. There is no change in direction, this still sounds very much like a Smashing Pumkins album. Some sweet songs, Pinwheels especially. The title track is epic, guitar riffs and all. Pale Horse has a memorable chorus. All in all a great record!

Link: Official site

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June 19th 2012

Islet – Illuminated People (2012)

**** Four stars

I usually don’t have a problem rating albums, but this one has me torn. I love what Islet are did with this album, its adventurous even if it does sound very much like early Pink Floyd, complete with Syd Barrett. The opening track is mega, nine minutes probably doesn’t do it justice to be fair. Make no mistake this is an exciting record, I just can’t quite give it five stars but I do feel this band has a hell of a future ahead of them, I look forward to the next album.

Link: Official site

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June 18th 2012

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Mustt Mustt (1990)

***** Five Stars

As a huge Peter Gabriel fan, I have always been meaning t check out some of the recommended Real World label releases, This one is top of the list. What a brilliant album this is, Nothing Without You (Tery Bina) is spine tingling stuff. whilst the lyrics are not in English obviously, the music is very much recognizable. You can hear some of the influences that Peter Gabriel has taken from on the 80/early 90s work. The album even uses some Peter Gabriel synth sounds.. The Game makes use of the In Your Eyes keyboard and vibe. Tana Dery Na uses the In Your Eyes percussion and the Mercy Street synth sound.

This is a really enjoyable album, if you enjoy Peter Gabriel’s more earthy sounds or Paul Simon’s Graceland stuff then you should enjoy this album.

Link: Wiki

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June 17th

Victor Gagnon – Maybe Flowers and Six Feet Down (2011)

**** Four stars

So I Victor Gagnon play with Seven Nations, a celtic rock band at the Chicago Highland Games. The band were not that memorable in truth. Think Runrig meets Pearl Jam! But the fiddle player Victor Gagnon was excellent, he did remind me of a young Steve Wickham! So we grabbed his album after the set. Its good stuff, it starts off with the upbeat pop track Ten Some Years. Big Dinkiest follows which is fiddle rock at its best!

The tracks where he tries to be a pop star Living for Another Day, Baby Grand Piano are forgettable. He needs to stick to his strength the fiddle playing! Twenty-One Gun Salute is a beautiful track, as is Wish Book.

Link: MySpace / Album MySpace

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June 16th

Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells (1973)

***** Five stars

A bit ashamed to admit I have never listened to this in full before! I do own a Mike Oldfield best of, with the Tubular Bells title track on it. Glad I invested in this studio album, as its absolutly mind blowing! I probably cant say anything about this album that hasn’t already been said, the stuff of legend and quite rightly so. What a stunning piece of work, I really need to be checking out more of his stuff.

Link: Official site

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June 15th 2012

Jeanne Newhall – Novice (1987)

**** Four stars

A lovely solo piano album by this classically trained composer. It borders on pop & jazz, some of it has a real emotional feeling to it. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album, it keeps you hooked til the finish. I can’t think of much more to say about it, if you enjoy classical solo piano scores, you should enjoy this album.

Link: Official site

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June 14th 2012

Mark Isham – Tibet (1989)

**** Four Stars

A really interesting mix of ambient soundscapes with lovely touches of flutes, french horns & electric guitar. Its a soundtrack for a movie that never existed I believe, which makes sense, as it has a soundtrack feel to it. Its a new age record, very contemplative, that explores sounds of the East. Very intriguing, I really want to check out more of his stuff.

Link: Official site

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June 13th 2012

The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient (2011)

***** Five Stars

Awesome hypnotic all out rock album. The singer has a Mancunian snarl about him, even though he’s from the US. There is a great swagger about the music, think Wilco meets Bob Dylan. This is one of the finest guitar records I have heard in awhile. Its an adventurous album, the sonics are blistering, the lyrics are well written, it all just works really well. I look forward to checking out their debut album!

Link: Official site

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June 12th 2012

Ray Charles – Genius & Friends (2005)

*** Three stars

One of my favourite songs of all time is Ray Charles Come Live With Me. Sadly this album is not up to that standard, really they should have left it alone. I don’t really want to hear George Michael on a Ray Charles song! Its a nice album, but best left well alone if you are looking to check out Ray Charles for the first time. Three stars, its Ray Charles!

Link: Official site

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June 11th 2012

David Newman – Fire! (Live at the Village Vanguard) (2005)

** Two Stars

David Newman is a American jazz composer, I was told to check out some live jazz albums. Sadly this one probably wasn’t the best place to start. Its like music you w0uld hear at a restaurant, inoffensive but certainly lacking when it comes to being anything remotely creative. Its not bad, its just not memorable. Will try again sometime soon..

Link: Official site

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June 10th 2012

The Moody Blues – Days of Future Passed (1967)

*** Three Stars

Here’s a record recommended to me by my wife. Its not bad, its very Pink Floyd psychedelic rocks meets The Beatles pop. Its definitely a bit self indulgent, especially at the start with all the orchestra and mysterious sounding spoken word bits. I enjoyed the record somewhat, though I don’t see myself visiting more of their stuff. This record very much sounds of its time, it hasn’t aged that well but its worth a listen.

Link: Official site

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June 9th 2012

Metric – Synthetica (2012)

**** Four stars

Does exactly what it says on the tin, its Metric doing synth! Metric have been hit and miss for me over the years, however this album has them finally hitting the nail firmly on the head. Tons of lush contemporary synths, quick punchy hooks with some really witty lyrics, its a thorougly enjoyable lp. It all blends quite nicely, until the surprise inclusion of vocals by Lou Reed! It does sound a bit Killers like, but thankfully the ideas here are much better than anything by the Killers! Probably a good starting point for anyone wanting to check out Metric!

Link: Official site

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June 8th 2012

Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself (2012)

***** Five stars

Finally got around to listening to the American Andrew Bird, it was well worth the wait. This is a superb album, full of atmosphere & textures. I love the instrumental, atmospheric. His voice’s reminds of Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian, actually the production of this album also reminds me of them.

I loved this album so much I listened to another Andrew Bird album, Noble Beast which is equally as good. I’m def in the market for checking out more of his work.

Link: Official site

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June 7th 2012

Northwind – Fireshadows (1986)

***** Five Stars

This is a record I got given to me at work, what a brilliant uplifting instrumental album it is. Its all acoustic instruments, piano, violin, percussion, recorder & saxophone. The first track Expedition is a duel between the sax & violin, with the most simple but beautiful piano piece in between. Its a lovely piece and sets the album well. The album sets of from there with some jazz, new age ambient pieces.The Candle, and the Canvas is possibly the album highlight with its hauntingly beautiful piano throughout.

Its a stunning album, that probably was ahead of its time in 1986. Sadly time hasn’t been kind to Northwind as I can find nothing about them online. I think they were from Pennsylvania state USA. So here’s a shout out to Northwind’s members – Doro Reeves, Don V. Lax, Lorin Noller & Gary MacCready. A great album guys, would love to hear the other records if I can track them down.

Link: Nothing sadly

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June 6th 2012

Ed Harcourt – Lustre (2010)

***** Five Stars

An easy five stars this one, a brilliant album from the genius that is Ed Harcourt, Loved his first two albums, wasn’t so keen on Strangers. But this album is top notch, the song writing is classic Ed Harcourt, bittersweet, melodic with some really strong lyrics. Do As I say, Not As I Do is a stand out, but there isn’t really an obvious single I don’t think. This would be a great starting point for anyone wanting to check out his stuff, the best of too, which has the early ‘hit’ singles.

Link: Official site

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June 5th 2012

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Gold & Platinum (1990)

***** Five stars

I knew more songs than I realised! This is a great compilation of some rock’s best tracks, the singles are all just brilliant. I must admit I don’t quite get Freebird, which ever American who goes to a gig seems to have the urge to shout out for this song. Besides that this is Southern US rock at its best!

Link: Official site

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June 4th 2012

Leon Russell – Retrospective (1997)

**** Five stars

Another American singer/song writer, what a fun album this is! Again I was aware of Leon Russell’s work through Bruce Hornsby, but this was the first time I sat down and listened to his stuff – it wont be the last time. The varying styles he goes through on this disc is brilliant. He does country, folk, blues, rock, its all there. The songs are all solid. Fans of the hippy period of the late 60s/70s would most likely dig this I think. A unique artist, this is a very impressive best of. Look forward to checking out some of his studio albums.

Link: Official site

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June 3rd 2012

Don Henley – The End Of The Innocence (1989)

**** Four stars

Not really heard much of Don Henley’s stuff before, so this was a nice surprise. I was aware of the title track due to it being co-wrote with Bruce Hornsby, an artist I’m quite fond of. The album is really strong, full of I guess what you would call adult pop? I knew several of these songs without knowing it! Not a bad album, def sounds of its time the late 80s with the production but there isn’t anything wrong with that in my book. A solid American adult pop record

Link: Official site

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June 2nd 2012

 Luciano Pavarotti – Primo Tenore (1987)

***** Five stars

Wow what can I say about this guy? I actually wanted to see him live before he died without actually owning any of his music, I just love his voice. He played Edinburgh near where I lived but sadly I coudn’t get tickets as they were so expensive. I picked up this disc at work, back in the day before the dawn of the digital age, music like this was usually really expensive to buy. CDs would regular be 20-30 quid. Anyhow this album is simply amazing, how on earth can you not be moved by a voice like his? If A Te O Cara doesn’t move you, I doubt anything will. An easy five stars, really want to check out more of his work.

Link: Official site

 

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June 1st 2012

Ira Stein/Russel Walder – Elements (1982)

**** Four Stars

American Jazz piano/oboe duo. Ira Stein is the pianist, classically trained it would appear from the quality of this album. Its very much a jazz/new age from the early 80s. Recommended to me by a work college, I thoroughly enjoyed this recording. Minou’s Waltz is simply beautiful. I have another Ira Stein album titled In Transit which I can’t wait to listen to.

Link: Ira Stein bio