October 31st 2012

Jethro Tull – Thick As a Brick (1972)

***** Five stars

A big thanks again to Jim for this superb suggestion. Another one of those band’s I have always been aware of but never listened to. It reminds me a bit of Genesis. Love the rock, folk, jazz and classical elements that weave throughout the two tracks with that booming organ sound, that’s very 1970s. Though I believe this album is just one track, just spliced due the limitations of vinyl at the time. I love the flute especially. This is a grand climactic album, makes me want to check out more Jethro Tull.

Link: Official site

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October 30th 2012

Loretta Lynn – Van Lear Rose (2004)

***** Five stars

Another recommendation from my wife. Opening track is good country fair. The second track Portland, Oregon fuses what Jack White does best, with Lorretta Lynn’s stunning vocals. Probably the high point in this modern day country/rock experiment. I enjoy the fiddle on this album, very evocative, reminds me of Irish trad. The best ‘country’ track is High on a Mountain Top, foot tapping at its finest. A great album, a no brainer five stars.

Link: Official site

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October 29th 2012

Dolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors (1971)

**** Four stars

Coat of Many Colors is Dolly Parton’s eighth solo studio album. My wife told me to check out some country music, so here we go! First track is really good to be fair, very catchy. Its really what I was expecting, the usual country sounds. She has a great voice, she tells a good story in song which is part of the country appeal I think. Here I Am is a catchy tune. More country tomorrow!

Link: Official site

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October 28th 2012

Blouse – Blouse (2011)

**** Four stars

Blouse (terrible band name btw!) are from Portland, Oregon USA. They have a electronic pop sound with a ethereal feel to it. The opening track could be early Human League, but better! Love  the ice vocals, its nothing new but who cares when it sounds good.

Link: Bandcamp

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October 27th 2012

Mr Fingers – Amnesia (1989)

***** Five stars

Mr Fingers is Larry Heard of Chicago, another recommended album from the Chicago house scene. This album is mega, starting off with the truly infectious Can You Feel it. This album more than Virgo I feel takes more sounds from the European electronic artists. You cannot miss Kraftwerk’s influence. This album wears it on its sleeve, the tones and textures could have come from Trans-Europe Express. You can also hear the Chicago jazz influence Bye Bye. The stand out track is Stars, electronic music at its finest.

Link: MySpace

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October 26th 2012

Genesis – Invisable Touch (1986)

*** Three stars

I LOVE Genesis, but have never listened to any of their stuff post Peter Gabriel leaving in 1975ish.  I can’t stand Phil Collins, but I was dared to listened to a Phil Collins fronted Genesis album so here we go… You know what its not too bad actually. Its no Selling England by the Pound, Lamb etc but its not bad. The singles are catchy, even if Phil Collins sounds like a sheep when he sings! It surprised me with the more experimentalsh track Domino which is a track  I would glady listen to again. A decent album, not as bad as I feared, but I would always recommend you start with Peter Gabriel Genesis.

Link: Official site

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October 25th 2012

Virgo – Virgo (1989)

***** Five stars

The first of a string of ‘Chicago House’ albums I have lined up. Virgo is Marshall Jefferson, apparently this is the best house album ever. I don’t have anything to compare it to, but this shit is brilliant! So infectious, they obviously took so much from Kraftwerk and the whole Euro electronic scene of the late 70s/early 80s. Do You Know Who You Are is so catchy, what a tune. I can’t believe I have lived in Chicago for almost five years and not listened to this stuff. A great start, looking forward to the next house record.

Link: Official site

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October 24th 2012

Altered Images – Pinky Blue (1982)

***** Five Stars

Scottish post-punk group from the 1980s front by Clare Grogan. This album is brilliant, so inefctious. I have heard the big single Happy Birthday, her vocals kind of grated on that track but she sounds brilliant on this album.I Could Be Happy is early 80s jangly guitar at its best. A really strong album, if you enjoy the C86 stuff you should enjoy this album.

Link: Wiki

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October 23rd 2012

Bruce Cockburn – The Charity of Night (1996)

***** Five stars

A singer/songwriter from Toronto Canada, This is a beautiful intimate record. He combines folk/rock, with the most awe inspiring vocals. Not too dissimilar to Peter Gabriel! Live on my Mind, Birmingham Shadows & the opener Night Train all are album stand outs. If you enjoy the classic guitar music you should dig this just as I did.

Link: Official site

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October 22nd 2012

The Flying Burrito Brothers – The Best of (2001)

**** Four stars

An early American Country rock band. Loved the opener Christine, which has a great drive throughout. The songs on this collection are quite impressive, strong melodies, well written. This is quite simply an album of great music. I didn’t realise before listening its Gram Parsons of the Byrds!

Link: Wiki

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October 21st 2012

The Rolling Stones – Let it Bleed (1969)

***** Five stars

With all the talk recently about the Stones 50th anniversary, I realized I haven’t listened to any of their albums! So what an opportunity. The first track Gimme Shelter, is a corker! Love the female vocals, rock n roll at its finest. You can hear so much American blues, folk throughout the album, none more so than Honky Tonk! The album tracks are all really strong, it finishes off with the classic You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Most definitely a true classic.

Link: Official site

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October 20th 2012

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Self Titled (2011)

**** Four stars

A really solid album, which kind of surprised me in truth. I haven’t listened to an Oasis album since WTSMG, the rest didn’t really spark my interest, neither did their solo projects in truth. However I was told I had to listen to this one, glad I did as its really good. AKA… What a Life! is a brilliant tune, classic Noel Gallagher if I may?! Do I check out Beady Eye?!

Link: Official site

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October 19th 2012

Jennie Abrahamson – Lights (2007)

**** Four stars

I was very fortunate to see Jennie live recently, supporting Peter Gabriel here in Chicago at the United Center. She has the most beautiful voice. The album does not disappoint, its very proggy. Sonically its not too different to Peter Gabriel at times, which is a compliment. Kind of reminds me of  Enya, though her vocals are much more natural sounding than Enya! Beautifulelectronics full out the tracks, its a highly enjoyable album.

Link: Official site

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October 18th 2012

Bon Iver – Bon Iver (2012)

***** Five stars

I was turned onto Bon Iver thanks to hearing his brilliant cover of Peter Gabriel’s Come Talk To Me. This album is beyond amazing, I can’t believe its taken me this long to playing it. Its American folk, reminds me a bit of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Every track is a stand out. The last track Beth/Rest sounds very 1980s Bruce Hornsby like, with that cheesy piano vibe, its lovely though. Seriously, if you enjoy good music don’t even think twice about buying this record.

Link: Official site

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October 17th 2012

Codes in the Clouds (2011)

****** Five stars

Codes in the Clouds are an English post-rock band from Kent. The opening track Where Dirt Meets Water is beautiful, think Explosions in the Sky. The rest of the album follows in similar vein with beautiful melodic guitar instrumentals. Post-rock music is often politically charged, these tunes are just damn beautiful.

Link: Facebook

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October 16th 2012

David Rhodes – Bittersweet (2010)

***** Five stars

David Rhodes is probably best known for his work as Peter Gabriel’s guitarist and general collaboration in the studio. What’s canny is how similar his vocals are to Peter Gabriel! This is a great adult prog/pop record, not too dissimilar to Peter Gabriel’s work. I’d liken it allot to PG’s UP album. There is no mistaken the guitar work as David Rhodes.  The songs are all well done, very well produced. Hopefully we get to hear more of his work work in the future. A brilliant record really.

Link: Official site

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October 15th 2012

Miike Snow – Happy To You (2012)

**** Four stars

Miike Snow is a Swedish indie pop band. Pitchfolk rubbished this album and they couldn’t be so wrong if they tried. A good electro pop album, I love the sounds. They used a ton of fatty moog on the album, its an album full of simple electronic pop songs. Not the  best album you will hear this year, but I enjoyed it.

Link: Facebook

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October 14th 2012

Gotye – Making Mirrors (2011)

***** Five stars

Gotya is a multi-instrumental musician and singer-songwriter based out of Australia. This record is all over the place, its got everything from lovely synth lines, catchy guitar riffs, packed full of stand out sing along tunes. Its a record bursting with energy, I particularly like In Your Light, and Giving Me A Chance. In Your Light could have been a hit right out of the 80s! It reminds me a bit of a modern Peter Gabriel sound which is a compliment, so if you enjoy PG check out this record.

Link: Official site

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October 13th 2012

The Melvins – Freak Puke (2012)

**** Four stars

What a rip roaring guitar record this is! The Melvins are from LA I believe and have apparently been around for years. Think Led Zeppelin guitars! Its pretty experimental though, its not all gun slaying guitar riffs. There are some sweeter moments such as the last track Tommy Goes Beserk. A really enjoyable record, check out if you enjoy true guitar rock.

Link: Official site

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October 12th 2012

First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar (2012)

**** Four stars

First Aid Kit is a Swedish folk duo composed of two sisters. Recorded in Omaha Nebraska, the home of Bright Eyes. You can hear the influences on the record. Beautiful bittersweet harmonies. Lovely folk pop songs with an obvious Americana twist to them. If you enjoy Mumford & Sons, you should dig this record.

Link: Official site

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October 11th 2012

Tame Impala – Lonerism (2012)

*** Three stars

Tame Impala (great band name btw! ) are a Australian psychedelic rock band. This album is indeed a psychedelic trip, with hints of Americana, Britpop with layers upon layers of prog rock. Its a good listen, if it didn’t really blow me away so much. Some neat guitar work, the production is well done. A band worth keeping an eye on I think.

Link: Official site

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October 10th 2012

From Moment to Masses – From Moment to Masses (2011)

*** Three stars

A politically charged post-rock band from San Francisco. The sound and ideas behind it are quite similar to that of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. I have done allot of post-rock albums for this challenge and this album is no different from any of the others. Its good stuff but nothing earth shattering. Personally I would recommend you check out Godspeed or Explosions in the Sky first.

Link: Facebook

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October 9th 2012

Craft Spells – Idle Labor (2011)

***** Five stars

A band from Stockton California. The sound is very much of the C86 era, lots of atmosphere, jangly guitars, melodic vocals. This album does sound more carefree summer like than some of the original C86 bands. It could be more like Phoenix, with a more dance like sound. Great guitar sounds, lush synth lines its an instantly likeable album. All that said, the artwork was originally done by New Order on PCL!

Link: Facebook

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October 8th 2012

The Hudson Branch – World Kid (2012)

**** Four stars

Chicago based five piece, who I discovered as they are supporting New Order at an upcoming gig here in the Windy City next week. John McEntire (Tortoise) engineered the record, and its tells! A very well produced set of simple songs, almost campfire like sing alongs. Lots of lush melodies, fused together by some great guitar playing . Its all very pleasing on the ear, a thought evoking album. Insane is a beauty, my favourite track and is the standout.

Link: Official site

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October 7th 2012

Com Truise – In Decay (2012)

* One star

If you have been reading this challenge for any length of time you would know I particularly enjoy electronic music of all kinds. Sadly this album is as bad as it gets, the music sounds out of tune most of the time, its just very unlistenable to my ears I’m sorry to say. The best part was the last note, I haven’t been so relieved to finish an album in a long time. Not great sorry!

Link: Official site

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October 6th 2012

The New Division – Shadows (2011)

***** Five Stars

Indie synth group from California who say their main influences are Joy Division, New Order and Depeche Mode – I wouldn’t have guessed! This is a solid album, with some moments of sheer brilliance. Opening Opium really starts things off nicely and is a good gage for how the rest of the album sounds. Lots of catchy jangly keys, especially on tracks Soft and the quite brilliant Momento. The later has almost a Doves like melancholy going on. If you enjoy synth/guitars – New Order but with a more Postal Service feel you should enjoy this record.

Link: Bandcamp

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October 5th 2012

Grizzly Bear – Shields (2012)

*** Three stars

An indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York. They got a bit of folk rock going on, not quite Mumford & Sons musically but certainly the melodies and harmonies are very similar. The sound is allot more richer than M&S. The lead single Sleeping Ute is catchy enough, the rest of the album follows that formula and is at times a bit dull to be honest. I can’t say this record makes me want to check out more of their stuff. So moving on..

Link: Official site

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October 4th 2012

Locrian/Mamiffer – Bless Them That Curse You (2012)

**** Four stars

The music is constructed with metallic materials — distorted guitar, screamed vocals — but disregards the rigid structural form that defines metal – invisibleoranges.com

I was struggling to describe the record hence the use of the above quote. That description sums up the sound on this record perfect. Its wonderful experience, the screamed vocals really don’t come in until near the end of the record. Its a very dark haunting record, well worth a listen if you enjoy post-rock.

Link: Facebook

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October 3rd 2012

De Dannan – The Mist Covered Mountain(1980)

***** Five Stars

An Irish folk music group from Galway, Made famous by the opening track Mac’s Fancy. Its easy to see why, what an infectious tune! All the usual instruments sound wonderful but the banjo really sticks out on this record. The Banks of the Nile with the delicate vocals is my favourite track, what a beautiful piece of music.  Traditional Irish music performed at its very best, by some really top rate musicians.

Link: Wiki

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October 2nd 2012

Godspeed You! Black Emperor – ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! (2012)

***** Five stars

I had another album in mind for today, but the shock news of this sudden album release by GY!BE took priority. I do not download illegally for this challenge, I use Spotify, or CDs I find at stores. This is the one exception.. their first album in 10 years. Holy cow what a treasure it is too. The first piece Mladic starts off in typical Godspeed Fashion, but then veers off into really new territory. It sounds so angry, urgent all of those things and more. A band obviously re energized. The sound is almost bagpipes/accordion but I think its just some really thunderous guitar effects. Its spectacular. The drone is unlike any you will hear anywhere, the sound of legends at work. What they do best is the silence on the record, it is earth shattering almost.

There are no favorite tracks here, just 54 minutes of sheer joy. If you want to explore post-rock these guys should be top of your to-do list.  This is a welcome return, hopefully they don’t leave it another ten years for the next!

Link: Official site

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October 1st 2012

José González – In Our Nature (2007)

 **** Four stars

José González is a singer-songwriter from Sweden. This album is very stripped down, pretty much a solo acoustic guitar record. It immediately put me in mind of John Martyn’s Solid Air, which I reviewed early in the challenge. Beautiful songs, well arranged. A pretty good cover of Massive Attack’s Teardrop is very well done. The title track I enjoyed very much. Not quite a five star, but a very good listen and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the John Martyn record Solid Air.

Link: Official site