OT: New music discussion

[GTHobbes]

get the new Collective Soul CD "Youth"!

Ok, so they are my favorite band, but it's still a good comeback release for them. Not as good as their "self titled" CD or "Dosage" but good nontheless. Standout tracks are the beautiful accoustic "Satellite", the catchy poppy "Better Now", the hook-laden "Home" and the guitar riff driven "Counting The Days".

Jack, thought I remembered you saying that CS would be having a live DVD coming out. Have you heard anything else about this?

[wco81]

Sleater-Kinney have been around for awhile. Sounds like they're geting a wider release. No they're not lookers (although there is a pic of the drummer in the SJ Mercury which doesn't look bad) and I would guess the themes in their music would not appeal to many, especially those of a conservative bent. They're not as outspoken as the Dixie Chicks but probably would have similar political views, if not more liberal.

What is the deal with German electronic music and Brits? I heard this bit of a tune which is supposedly number one over there right now. Like the sounds of ducks quacking to a beat.

[Brando70]

Oh, and Brando, I believe that the female from Stars (or maybe both of them) is included in the collective that is Broken Social Scene, so if you haven't checked them out already (which I'm quite sure you probably have) be sure to; You Forgot It In People is an amazing pop album. In any case, hurray for Canadian music that doesn't include rakish French women or manufactured r0ck punk0rs.

Yeah, I have You Forgot It in People, really great record. I was always amazed the way that CD crosses genres on nearly every song.

There is a lot of really good music coming out of Canada right now. I think The Stills get slapped with the manufactured label by some, but I like their album as well, especially "Of Montreal," the kind of heavy, soaring slow slong that I'm always a sucker for.

Then again, my love of a certain progressive rock trio has always biased me toward Canadian rock.

[wco81]

I'm digging old Ry Cooder but Talking Timbuktu is over ten years old so it doesn't belong here. Next purchase is going to be The Decemberists: Picaresque on iTunes.

I like the Buena Vista Social Club soundtrack that Ry Cooder did.

It's new to me.

Now got to catch the movie some time.

[Brando70]

Sleater-Kinney have been around for awhile. Sounds like they're geting a wider release. No they're not lookers (although there is a pic of the drummer in the SJ Mercury which doesn't look bad) and I would guess the themes in their music would not appeal to many, especially those of a conservative bent. They're not as outspoken as the Dixie Chicks but probably would have similar political views, if not more liberal.

This album is not nearly as political as One Beat, which is one of the most political I've heard in quite some time. The social comment is more Townsend-ian, not focused on any particular person or party. The most lyrically scathing is "Entertain," which is really focused more on the entertainment biz.

I have liked their last couple CDs a lot, but The Woods is exceptional in that it feels very loose and messy, in addition to being loud and ballsy. I read someone comparing it to Live at Leeds, and it does have the kind of improvised feel of good 60s and 70s live albums.

2005 has gotten off to a really strong start for music. And there's still a couple new discs I haven't grabbed yet that I really want (new Steven Malkmus and The Hold Steady).

[Airdog]

If you guys are interested in listening to the new Spoon album and don't feel like buying it just yet or messing around with file sharing, check out:

http://www.mergerecords.com

There's a link on the main page that will enable you to stream the entire album in fantastic quality. I don't believe that there's any foul type language on the album either so it should be quite safe for work. "I Turn My Camera On" is the type of jam that'll get you tapping your toes, amongst other body parts, for quite awhile, or at least until the song runs to completion.

Merge Radio, which is also linked on the main page, is also quite nice and merges many more artists who are in the Merge Records family (which also includes Arcade Fire, Dinosaur Jr., amongst others).

Oh, and the entire thing seems to be running off of a Macromedia Flash applet so there's no need for Windows Media or Real Player.

Damn, I've been posting a lot today.

[Badgun]

Has anyone heard the new Better Than Ezra cd? I see it came out this week and I have heard nothing about it. I like a lot of their stuff so I may pick it up without hearing it

Couple of other killer cds that I have been listening to are

Citizen Cope - The Clarence Greenwood Sessions
John Butler Trio - Sunrise Over Sea

Both are outstanding recordings...some of the best music I've heard this year. Also the Bottle Rockets - Songs of Sahm is fantastic as well even though it's not new.

[Brando70]

I picked up The Hold Steady's Separation Sunday. Incredible disc. It's kind of like a mix of 70s Springsteen character sketches, AC/DC riffs, and boozy Replacements charisma. The lead singer has this speak-sing delivery that will drive some people nuts, but I think complements the lyrics. The whole album is like a bar rock novella. Well worth investigating, and try "Your Little Hoodrat Friend" and "Banging Camp."

[davet010]

What is the deal with German electronic music and Brits? I heard this bit of a tune which is supposedly number one over there right now. Like the sounds of ducks quacking to a beat.

That ain't German electronic music - it's a bastardised version of Harold Faltermeyer's 'Axel F' (from Beverly Hills Cop), remixed as a f**king ring tone - I s*** you not.

Bottom line - only u-16s buy singles anymore, so any old shite is top of the singles chart. We even had Tony Christie showing us the way to Amarillo at the top in May, on the back of being in a beer advert.