OT: New Music?

[fanatic]

I've been listening to the Smith Westerns a lot over the past few weeks...Brando described them very well. Catchy guitar hooks throughout...what more can I ask for.

[F308GTB]

New Lucinda Williams ("Blessed") is pretty good. Much prefer the 2 CD version of the release with the bonus disc being her singing with just the guitar and called the "kitchen tapes".

[pk500]

Good Lord, a strange sensation is occuring in my ear canals and brains: The more I listen to the new Radiohead album, the more I like it. Odd, as I've appreciated the unique sounds of the band's past work but never really liked it.

[ScoopBrady]

Good Lord, a strange sensation is occuring in my ear canals and brains: The more I listen to the new Radiohead album, the more I like it. Odd, as I've appreciated the unique sounds of the band's past work but never really liked it.

I feel the same way and I never really liked them either. The only thing I can think of is that this album is a nice hybrid of trance and jazz and it works in a big way. I don't find it inaccessible at all.

[F308GTB]

Good Lord, a strange sensation is occuring in my ear canals and brains: The more I listen to the new Radiohead album, the more I like it. Odd, as I've appreciated the unique sounds of the band's past work but never really liked it.

Took a listen, and while I thought it was good, I certainly didn't think it was their best.

[pk500]

Good Lord, a strange sensation is occuring in my ear canals and brains: The more I listen to the new Radiohead album, the more I like it. Odd, as I've appreciated the unique sounds of the band's past work but never really liked it.

I feel the same way and I never really liked them either. The only thing I can think of is that this album is a nice hybrid of trance and jazz and it works in a big way. I don't find it inaccessible at all.

I think you've nailed it, Scoop. There definitely are elements of free jazz and trance in this record, two styles of music I really dig.

[Pete]

New REM is out tomorrow. Can listen to it here....

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/01/133998085 ... e-into-now

After first listen, may have to pick it up.

[greggsand]

New REM is out tomorrow. Can listen to it here....

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/01/133998085 ... e-into-now

After first listen, may have to pick it up.

I'm such a sucker for REM albums. Even when I know I'll ultimately be let down, I'm still in. That said, Accelerate was a very nice surprise.

[pk500]

New Lucinda Williams ("Blessed") is pretty good. Much prefer the 2 CD version of the release with the bonus disc being her singing with just the guitar and called the "kitchen tapes".

Finally listened to this tonight. Superb record upon the first listen. Maybe not quite to the level of "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road," but much better than her most recent "West" and "Little Honey," both of which I thought were weak.

Normally I'm not into the "basement tapes" add-ons that comprise a bonus disc, but these "kitchen tapes" because Lucinda is so raw even when produced. Her stripped-down stuff is even more stark. I dig it.

[EZSnappin]

Picked up a couple of albums today. First was a long overdue reissue: Neil Diamond - The Bang Years. He's only ever allowed 10 of these 23 cuts to be reissued, and only then in fake 80s stereo. These are in glorious mono and sound amazing.

Second record is an early contender for record of the year: the absurd battle metal of Turisas - Stand Up and Fight. If you ever wondered what Queen would sound like as a Viking Power Metal band, here's your chance. So incredibly over the top that a critic friend of mind said he can't give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down, but instead would give it a facepalm. Power metal is usually far from my wheel house but this left me stunned, laughing and fist-pumping in equal measure. Also a contender for cover of the year:

[AJColossal]

New REM is out tomorrow. Can listen to it here....

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/01/133998085 ... e-into-now

After first listen, may have to pick it up.

I'm such a sucker for REM albums. Even when I know I'll ultimately be let down, I'm still in. That said, Accelerate was a very nice surprise.

I was the biggest REM fan in the world, but was just so let down really ever since Berry left.

I think I like the new one, but after really growing to dislike them, it's hard for me to be objective.

[Brando70]

Second record is an early contender for record of the year: the absurd battle metal of Turisas - Stand Up and Fight. If you ever wondered what Queen would sound like as a Viking Power Metal band, here's your chance. So incredibly over the top that a critic friend of mind said he can't give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down, but instead would give it a facepalm. Power metal is usually far from my wheel house but this left me stunned, laughing and fist-pumping in equal measure. Also a contender for cover of the year:

I think I played that adventure in D&D when I was 12

Listened to the title track. It is kind of absurdly catchy, but I almost wanted it to either go balls-out steroid-fueled hair-twirl like Amon Amarth or balls-out loincloth Spinal Tap awfulness like Manowar.

[EZSnappin]

I know what you mean - it isn't actually laugh-at stupid like Manowar, nor the death metal machismo of Amon Amarth (whose upcoming album Surter Rising is, by all accounts, a real cracker). It's a soundtrack to a musical that only exists in their heads. I mean, check this one out - "Hunting Pirates":



or listen to the Supernaut cover that's on the deluxe import - it quotes "Ghostbusters" on the accordion in the solo. They're mental, and reveling in it.

I love it despite myself.

[pk500]

Jay-zus, E, that sounds like the Dropkick Murphys transplanted into the Middle Ages!

[EZSnappin]

Jay-zus, E, that sounds like the Dropkick Murphys transplanted into the Middle Ages!

They quote the score to Monty Python & The Holy Grail at one point. It's truly loopy.

[pk500]

OK, I'll admit it: I never had heard of Kurt Vile before this week. But his new record, "Smoke Ring for My Halo," received very good reviews at Pitchfork and Allmusic.com, so I checked it out.

What a terrific album! Really good guitar melodies that are definitely lo-fi, but not Bon Iver alone in a cabin. World-weary lyrics without an overdose of angst. I dig it.

The last month has been an embarrassment of riches for new releases. The new albums from Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Radiohead, North Mississippi Allstars, Social Distortion, Toro Y Moi and Yuck are getting serious spins on my hard drive.

Perhaps the only blemish is the new release from one of my favorite bands, Elbow. The Mancunians have migrated from sweet pop to more bluesier numbers, always with pointed nods toward prog rock, on their previous records. The new album, "Build A Rocket Boys!," strips away pop and blues influences and drifts straight toward prog rock. I hear strong influences from Gabriel-era Genesis underneath this record, and I'm not sure if I like it after one listen.

I knew Elbow loved prog rock, but if I wanted to listen to "Wind and Wuthering," I'd find it in my MP3 collection. More listens are needed.

[GTHobbes]

Just read a 4 star review of Kurt Vile earlier today at RS...I never heard of him before either but am downloading now and will give it a shot, being the sucker for good singer/songwriters that I am. Pitchfork liking him is the only turn-off for me.

[pk500]

New REM is out tomorrow. Can listen to it here....

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/01/133998085 ... e-into-now

After first listen, may have to pick it up.

I'm such a sucker for REM albums. Even when I know I'll ultimately be let down, I'm still in. That said, Accelerate was a very nice surprise.

I was the biggest REM fan in the world, but was just so let down really ever since Berry left.

I think I like the new one, but after really growing to dislike them, it's hard for me to be objective.

Got my mitts on the new R.E.M. album, and it's OK. It doesn't sound fresh, almost as if the band is trying too hard to reach back into the time tunnel to cover its songs. This record almost sounds like a mash-up of R.E.M.'s records of the last 20 years. I hear some "Monster," I hear a smidge of "Automatic for the People," and I hear some "Accelerate."

The record is decent. But it's not grabbing me because I get the feeling I've heard all of this before. Probably because I have.

[greggsand]

I was the biggest REM fan in the world, but was just so let down really ever since Berry left.

I think I like the new one, but after really growing to dislike them, it's hard for me to be objective.

Got my mitts on the new R.E.M. album, and it's OK. It doesn't sound fresh, almost as if the band is trying too hard to reach back into the time tunnel to cover its songs. This record almost sounds like a mash-up of R.E.M.'s records of the last 20 years. I hear some "Monster," I hear a smidge of "Automatic for the People," and I hear some "Accelerate."

The record is decent. But it's not grabbing me because I get the feeling I've heard all of this before. Probably because I have.

Yeah, that's the thing with rem albums in the last decade. They sound like rem. Tough to be around so long & keep it fresh. I think the new album is probably exactly what the fans want, yet others will feel it's "been there done that". I kind of lump rem releases with morrissey releases in that I know exactly what I'm getting, but I can't help but give it more spins than it probably deserves.

[ScoopBrady]

I like the Turisas album but the best D&D metal to come out in a while for me was Equilibrium's Rekreatur from the end of last year. It's more along the lines of Amon Amarth but with a twinge of European power metal. Check it out:

[EZSnappin]

That's a good track Scoop. I'll have to check it out.

Speaking of Eurometal, anyone else like Korpiklaani? I love their new record. Great party record, even if you don't speak Finnish. Jump around, drink a lot, fall over. Repeat.

[pk500]

Second record is an early contender for record of the year: the absurd battle metal of Turisas - Stand Up and Fight. If you ever wondered what Queen would sound like as a Viking Power Metal band, here's your chance. So incredibly over the top that a critic friend of mind said he can't give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down, but instead would give it a facepalm. Power metal is usually far from my wheel house but this left me stunned, laughing and fist-pumping in equal measure. Also a contender for cover of the year:

This album is absolutely EPIC. There's no way in hell I ever would have grabbed this record without that video. Even a vivid description wouldn't turn me on. But hearing is believing.

I find myself cracking up at most of it because it's so over-the-top and campy. But these mofos can flat-out play. Such a fun record!

[EZSnappin]

I'm so glad you like that record PK! I can't stop playing it. Apparently they tear it up live as well. I wish they had toured with someone I liked more than Cradle of Filth this year.

[pk500]

Forgot to say thanks for the tip about the Turisas record, E!

[XXXIV]

Forgot to say thanks for the tip about the Turisas record, E!

Me too!

I Zune Passed it. Great with WoW