OT: New music discussion

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:02 pm

Boys:

I've recently got my mitts on a few new albums and a new single, and here are a few opinions after early listens:

Oasis: "Don't Believe the Truth" -- I'm a massive Oasis fan, but this band has clearly "jumped the shark," to use the term when a TV show no longer is any good. The band's last effort, "Heathen Chemistry," was a formulaic, going-through-the-motions effort, and this record isn't any better. It's Oasis' version of U2's last two records, with nowhere near the same effect. Liam and Noel Gallagher aren't anywhere near as smart as Bono, and the band isn't as talented musically as U2. This record reminds me of when Sting started making soft rock contemporary albums about 10 years ago. Sadly, Oasis will be known as a band that cranked out two killer opening records, a decent third effort and has faded badly since then.

Bruce Springsteen: "Devils and Dust" -- I'm not a big Springsteen fan. I think his 1970s work is terribly overwrought and overrated, except for "Nebraska," and "Born in the USA" is the most overrated album of the 1980s. But unlike Oasis, I do like the older, maturing Springsteen and have enjoyed all of his records since "Tunnel of Love." "Devils and Dust" is reminiscent of "Nebraska" and "The Ghost of Tom Joad" for its sparseness and folksy feel. I like this record.

Ryan Adams: "Cold Roses" -- OK, I'm a mega Ryan Adams fan. Loved Whiskeytown and have enjoyed all of Adams' solo work. That said, this double-disc is arguably Adams' best solo album because it's uncharacteristically focused for an Adams record. It doesn't veer from ballad to rocker to feedback and all over. It's tight, well-written and well-recorded alt-country rock, definitely with a Gram Parsons or Flying Burrito Brothers vibe. There are some simply beautiful songs on this record and some good upbeat numbers, too. This is the first of three releases scheduled this year for Adams. Talk about prolific!

Coldplay: "Speed of Sound" single -- I can't get this song out of my head. If you like Coldplay, especially the "Rush of Blood to the Head" album, then you'll love this single. If you don't like Coldplay, then this single isn't going to change your mind. If this single is any indication, Coldplay isn't taking too many risks with its upcoming album. Or maybe it is, and the record company wanted this song released as a palatable appetizer for the different stuff to come. Either way, this is a really good song. Exactly what you'd expect from a Coldplay tune -- like it or not.

I also got Beck's "Guero" but haven't listened to it yet. Eager to, though, as I find Beck one of the more interesting and daring rock musicians recording today.

Take care,
PK

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:12 pm

The new Nine Inch Nails CD is pretty damn good. I've never been a big fan of NIN, but this album has grabbed me for whatever reason.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:13 pm

I bought "Devils and Dust" when I was on the road and listened to it daily on the 30 minute one way commute from the hotel to my work site. I really enjoy it.

I am enjoying Nine Inch Nails "With Teeth." It's not as good or innovative as "The Downward Spiral", but it's solid.

I've heard the new Dave Matthews Band album a few times now. I think it may grow on me, but nothing really jumps out on the first few listens.

I have the new Garbage and Beck albums, but they haven't seen much action yet in the rotation.

I'm looking forward to the U2 concert in Philadelphia on Saturday!!!!!

Herbsinator · Post by **Herbsinator** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:20 pm

PK, I would really like to read your review on Beck's new album. I really liked some of Beck's older stuff, so I want to know if Beck is back or if it is more of the same crappy stuff.

Also, I just bought the Exodous special edition CD. It is a great, great listen. It is a two Cd set with the original Exodous songs, plus some really good live tracks, and some B-sides. I haven't taken it out of my CD player yet.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:23 pm

Herbs:

Will do, but I never thought Beck ever left. I liked "Sea Change."

What do you want, another "Odelay?" I don't. That's the one thing I like about Beck. He keeps trying to stretch the boundaries and do new things, and it always is interesting. It never feels formulaic or paint-by-numbers like the last three or four Oasis albums, especially this new one.

Take care,
PK

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:26 pm

Coldplay's "Green Eyes"....great great song

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:31 pm

Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
Solid album. Not as much emotion as previous Reznor albums but it still gets the job done.

System of a Down - Mezmerize
Absolutely awesome! It's a short album clocking in at just under 37 minutes but they will be releasing another album "Hypnotize" by the end of the year. This disc just leaves me wanting more, more, more. My first listen left me feeling as if the album was merely decent but this b*tch hasn't left my cd player since the second listen. Daron contributes more vocals on this album, Serj is in rare form, and the band itself is tight as hell. I can't say enough good things about this album.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:33 pm

Question about the new NIN album: Does Reznor break any new ground? Or is this just another nihilistic record in which Reznor sings about his pain and how f*cked up the world is, framed by industrial riffs, samples and rhythms?

I'm not looking for Trent Reznor's take on "The Best of Bread," but I don't want another "Downward Spiral," if you know what I mean.

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:38 pm

PK, thanks for the Ryan Adams mini-review. I'll have to give that one a listen. Our local fishwrap might have summed up his career well by saying he is one musician who could use an editor. I like his (somewhat uneven) stuff though.

I've listened to the new Beck a couple times through. Never a huge fan of his but it is a very listenable album. Someone described it as a return to his trashcan sound, if that makes sense.

One that has shocked me is the new Dave Matthews Band album, Stand Up. Gave it a whirl for the first time today and really enjoyed it. Haven't been into the group much since Before These Crowded Streets (not sure if it was due to the amount of chicks who loved his music or what

), so I wasn't expecting much.

Another one I'm still trying to measure up is Weezer's Make Believe. I like it, but so far it hasn't had a song like Dope Nose, American Gigolo, or Hash Pipe-like song that hits me on the first listen.

Hot, Hot, Heat's new one is good stuff as well. I have to thank EA for putting them on MVP Baseball's Trax.

PadresFan104 · Post by **PadresFan104** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:44 pm

pigpen81 wrote:Coldplay's "Green Eyes"....great great song

Agreed. My wife and I chose this song as our 1st dance at our wedding two years ago this August.

- Al

PadresFan104 · Post by **PadresFan104** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:47 pm

Lots of good new music lately, but the CD I can't stop playing is the latest from Garbage. Great musicianship on this one, especially the Blue Man Group inspired drums on a number of the tracks. Good production values as well.

- Al

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:49 pm

PadresFan104 wrote:
pigpen81 wrote:Coldplay's "Green Eyes"....great great song
Agreed. My wife and I chose this song as our 1st dance at our wedding two years ago this August.

- Al

Speaking of Coldplay..... I once shared the song Yellow with a very special friend....Music can touch the soul...and also bring back some sweet memories.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:50 pm

Definitely agree with PK's positive Ryan Adams review. I've had Cold Roses in my cd changer for a week now and can't get enough. Only one song (Beautiful Sorta) on 2 cds that I could do without. Great stuff, if you like that kind of music (which I do).

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Mon May 09, 2005 5:56 pm

I bought the new Aimee Mann cd after seeing her Directv free concert. I don't know if there are any Aimee Mann fans here and I sure wasn't until I heard her sing. For those of you that don't know or aren't old enough she used to be the lead singer in a band called Til Tuesday back in the 80's.

Tim

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Mon May 09, 2005 6:02 pm

Ha, didn't know Green Eyes was 2 years old.

A station here in San Diego, FM 94.9 has an awesome show from 10 PM to 2 AM 5 days a week called "Big Sonic Chill". Extremely mellow alternative music.

You can get the playlists here:

http://www.fm949sd.com/station/chill.cfm

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon May 09, 2005 6:05 pm

Let's see

I quite like Aimee Mann - got 'I'm with Stupid' and another one (tries to remember name..got a dodo on the front.

Oasis - always been shite, always will be. Lowest common denominator dad-rock.

Quite like Bruce Springsteen's lower-key albums (Nebraska, Tom Joad), so will pick new one up.

New ones I've bought

British Sea Power - Open Season

Some Kraftwerk concert bootlegs

and picked up some Faust and Van der Graaf Generator, but they aren't exactly new...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 09, 2005 6:19 pm

GTHobbes wrote:Definitely agree with PK's positive Ryan Adams review. I've had Cold Roses in my cd changer for a week now and can't get enough. Only one song (Beautiful Sorta) on 2 cds that I could do without. Great stuff, if you like that kind of music (which I do).

Agree on "Beautiful Sorta," GT. A weak track. But the beauty of "Sweet Illusions" and "When Will You Come Back Home" more than make up for it.

Take care,
PK

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon May 09, 2005 7:47 pm

I love Dave Matthews Band. I didn't know they had a new one out. I'll definitely have to check it out.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Mon May 09, 2005 7:48 pm

Dave wrote:Another one I'm still trying to measure up is Weezer's Make Believe. I like it, but so far it hasn't had a song like Dope Nose, American Gigolo, or Hash Pipe-like song that hits me on the first listen.

Just got hold of it today, listened to it once with a big daft grin on my face. It sounds like a Weezer album*, where the last two efforts, and Maladroit in particular, could have been just about anyone.

OK, there's not anything on the level of Buddy Holly, Holiday, El Scorcho and so on, but that I tried to compare the new album to songs like that rather than Hash Pipe, Photograph or anything like that says to me that the band is back on track. Having said that, much as I didn't agree with Rivers Cuomo's change of musical direction on albums 3 and 4, I'll allow him this - Keep Fishin', in album form, was bloody marvellous.

Pondering the new Ryan Adams and Garbage albums but I'd need to hear more on them both first.

Cheers,
Simo

*Edit - that is to say that it's recognisably Weezer, not necessarily a band at its peak or anything. In point of fact, their peak came and went in 1996 but the general slump might be done with at last.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon May 09, 2005 9:19 pm

pk500 wrote:Question about the new NIN album: Does Reznor break any new ground? Or is this just another nihilistic record in which Reznor sings about his pain and how f*cked up the world is, framed by industrial riffs, samples and rhythms?

It is a cross between Pretty Hate Machine and The Downward Spiral IMO. Less Industrial "noise" than TDS and more melody. I like the music (my wife HATES it though). I think the lyrics on most tracks are pretty weak (the Rolling Stone review said that he works 4 years 364 days+ on the music and 15 minutes on the lyrics and gets some ideas for lyrics off of fan message boards...LOL) and mostly negative. You won't hear him screaming "Kill me" too often, but there is the obligatory mention of "scabs."

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 09, 2005 9:41 pm

Thanks for the info., Leebo.

My musical tastes have changed or evolved to the point where the grunge and industrial I found exciting 10 years ago is somewhat dull now. Classic jazz and techno/trance/progressive house are my main areas of musical exploration these days, but I may give NIN's new record a listen anyways.

Take care,
PK

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue May 10, 2005 10:08 am

Good thread. I've heard lots of positive things about the Ryan Adams disc, I'll have to check that out. Some new stuff I've been enjoying:

Bloc Party, Silent Alarm: Like someone took everything I liked about 80s new wave and threw it on one disc. Jittery, urgent vocals, guitars that alternate between chiming and slashing, and a rhythm section that can go nuts without losing the beat. Haven't been this blown away by a record since The Wrens' Meadowlands.

The Decemberists, Picaresque: A very clever, catchy, quirky album. It's almost like folk prog, with intricate story lyrics laid atop great acoustic music. "The Sporting Life" is especially witty and memorable.

Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning: Didn't really grab me at first, but I'm starting to warm up. Classic folkie record with country influence. Sometimes tries to hard to be Bob Dylan, but doesn't every singer-songwriter?

Wife got the new Aimee Mann, but I haven't heard it yet. I'm expecting to be disappointed given what I've read -- she's hit a point, after five terrific albums (last two Til Tuesday albums, first three solo albums) where she's starting to rip off herself.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Tue May 10, 2005 11:08 am

I agree with Brando's summation of The Decemberists' new album. Excellent stuff there.

I haven't really been listening to much new stuff as of late but more of listening to music that's a year or two old (kind of working my way back in some artists' discographies, I suppose).

The 13 & God CD (collaboration between the Notwist and Themselves) seems to be quite nice after a few listens. Maintains a nice Notwist feel. "Men of Station" would probably be a good song to check out to get a feel for it. This CD just actually came out in the US but I believe has been out in Europe for a month or two now.

Iron & Wine's "Woman King EP" is just phenomenal, in my opinion. If you've listened to any other Iron & Wine songs these ones are just a bit heavier as far as instrumentation is concerned. Beam maintains his soft voice though.

I've also really been into Cursive's "Domestica" and "The Ugly Organ." Both of those albums are excellent. They're on the same label as Bright Eyes (Saddle Creek) and they maintain excellent lyrics but with a much heavier sound. Obviously both of these CDs are a bit older though.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Tue May 10, 2005 11:14 am

Allow me to regurgitate some praise here for the new Ryan Adams disc, the Decembrists and Bright Eyes. Any of you guys who like Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown owe it to yourselves to search out the Decembrists "Picaresque" and any of Bright Eyes last three efforts ("I'm Wide Awake It's Morning", "Digital Ash...", "Lifted...").

Similar in a genre sense is Josh Rouse, whose latest "Nashville" is another outstanding record. His last three (the afforementioned "Nashville", "1972", and "Under the Cold Blue Stars") are incredible.

And while I'm at it I'll throw out two others. The Old 97's latest effort ("Drag It Up" released late last summer) is pretty mellow for them. Has some great stuff on it, but isn't as good as some others they've done. But it's still better than a lot of stuff being released.

And lastly, I urge people to find a way to hear "Exploration" by Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. She is Woody's granddaughter (Arlo's daughter) and he is her husband. Together they put out a great record with great harmonies that remind me of the Jayhawks in their prime. Can't recommend it highly enough.

I love these threads.