night falls over kortedala (jens lekman)
This is a fun album. Very lush. Overall I'd say the positives and the negatives both come out of the syrupyness of this record- incredibly sweet, lush melodies and confessional, emotionally expressive lyrics- but sometimes pushing the envelope, a little too sweet, a little too busy. Jens has a fun sound on this record, a sort of 1970s European/Disco retro sound- flutes, strings, high brass- with that perfectly clear, warm voice.
The second half of the record is charming and okay, but the first half really unleashes a powerful string of fun, poppy, successful songs, rich with sound. After a pleasant but imposingly melodramatic first track, the meat of the album follows- "Sipping on the Sweet Nectar," a fun, upbeat track driven by the brass; "The Opposite of Hallelujah," perfectly charming; "A Postcard to Nina," a cute track with a lovely balance of romantic ballad, comedy, and the upbeat swing of a brassy chorus; "Into Eternity," a sweet, lovely, fun ballad; and "I'm Leaving You Because I Don't Love You," perhaps my favorite track on the album, very pretty, that dancingly upbeat piano, a striking contrast to the vocals. “I'm so sorry I couldn't love you enough…" damn.
After that row the songs maintain their lushness and general tenor, but they just don't engage me at quite the same level. I did enjoy the late track, "Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig," fun vocal styles, a fun beat, altogether just arranged well.
Although the busy, upbeat tracks are a lot of fun, there's something about the slightly simpler, melodic sadness of "I am Leaving You…" and "…Hallelujah" that appeals to me, and I recall hearing at least one other Lekman song in that vein, and I'd be interested to hear if he's made other records that approach more of that sound.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
album #86
led zeppelin iv (led zeppelin)
Funny thing about this record- many months ago I wrote a pretty smart, interesting review, which I lost because of an internet flub, which made me so furious that I ended up (accidentally) breaking my computer. It's not like this has left any lingering emotional issue, but it has put me in the mood to not write or think about this album for very long. A neutral negative vibe.
The first half are mostly pretty huge, famous songs, but I generally preferred the second half. I like their heavy, loud sound. This is a group that really thrives on rhythm- often the sounds of the drum and the bass are just as interesting to listen to as the vocals or the guitars. Generally I'd say the vocals are my least favorite aspect of the work, but I'm okay with them because they fit the tenor of the music. That's probably the main thing about Zeppelin, as far as I understand them- that harmony of the individual parts, the nice unity of the various elements.
Favorite tracks: the chain-gang heaviness of "When the Levee Breaks"- damn, that's a dusty song. "Misty Mountain Hop" and "Four Sticks" both have a good sound to them, the former more upbeat, the latter more driven. "Rock & Roll" is a fun one too, and of course "Stairway to Heaven" has a good sound to it. But my favorites are really those first three.
Good, heavy, rhythmic sound. I wouldn't mind hearing more of their work.
Funny thing about this record- many months ago I wrote a pretty smart, interesting review, which I lost because of an internet flub, which made me so furious that I ended up (accidentally) breaking my computer. It's not like this has left any lingering emotional issue, but it has put me in the mood to not write or think about this album for very long. A neutral negative vibe.
The first half are mostly pretty huge, famous songs, but I generally preferred the second half. I like their heavy, loud sound. This is a group that really thrives on rhythm- often the sounds of the drum and the bass are just as interesting to listen to as the vocals or the guitars. Generally I'd say the vocals are my least favorite aspect of the work, but I'm okay with them because they fit the tenor of the music. That's probably the main thing about Zeppelin, as far as I understand them- that harmony of the individual parts, the nice unity of the various elements.
Favorite tracks: the chain-gang heaviness of "When the Levee Breaks"- damn, that's a dusty song. "Misty Mountain Hop" and "Four Sticks" both have a good sound to them, the former more upbeat, the latter more driven. "Rock & Roll" is a fun one too, and of course "Stairway to Heaven" has a good sound to it. But my favorites are really those first three.
Good, heavy, rhythmic sound. I wouldn't mind hearing more of their work.
album #85
everybody (the sea and cake)
I instantly loved this album. So many great melodies, in that casually sweet Sea and Cake style. Pleasant, pretty listening, but there's still a punch to a lot of it, it feels more direct somehow than The Fawn, in a way that I like.
"Up On Crutches" opens the album with a great surge of dramatic pop energy- about as dramatic as this sighing, mellow band gets. "Too Strong" immediately follows, probably my favorite song on the record. A jangling, glowing stroll of a song, great melody. I still enjoy "Coconut," a sweetly calm, driven, chill song that takes me back to the '08 campaign season- the song that made me get the album. In fact, this qualifies as a successful example of a record that I really enjoy beyond my initial favorite track- I haven't always been so lucky this year.
The second half of the record is a little less distinct, but still has some winners. "Exact to Me" is just plain good, and "Introducting" wins me over with just the slightest, sweetest shrug of a guitar riff.
Altogether this is totally my type of band and I'll probably check out at least one or two more of their records.
I instantly loved this album. So many great melodies, in that casually sweet Sea and Cake style. Pleasant, pretty listening, but there's still a punch to a lot of it, it feels more direct somehow than The Fawn, in a way that I like.
"Up On Crutches" opens the album with a great surge of dramatic pop energy- about as dramatic as this sighing, mellow band gets. "Too Strong" immediately follows, probably my favorite song on the record. A jangling, glowing stroll of a song, great melody. I still enjoy "Coconut," a sweetly calm, driven, chill song that takes me back to the '08 campaign season- the song that made me get the album. In fact, this qualifies as a successful example of a record that I really enjoy beyond my initial favorite track- I haven't always been so lucky this year.
The second half of the record is a little less distinct, but still has some winners. "Exact to Me" is just plain good, and "Introducting" wins me over with just the slightest, sweetest shrug of a guitar riff.
Altogether this is totally my type of band and I'll probably check out at least one or two more of their records.
Friday, October 23, 2009
album #84
the fawn (the sea and cake)
I like these guys, a good deal. Very chill music… sweetly melodic, laid back, interior pop with a touch of jazz. They're jams, really. Subdued, melodic jams. Sometimes they blur together a little- there is such a consistent, subdued tone that one has to really focus in and listen to recognize the lovely, intricate differences from piece to piece- without that focus, the album flows together as nondescript, pleasant background music.
About half the tracks, after several listens, have still not ascended from the level of nondescript and pleasant… there are songs that I simply don't remember how they sound, they're just nice. In general, the tracks I enjoyed maintained that gently driven, rhythmic, melodic pace, but they found a hook or a movement to take things to a really nice place… for instance, "Sporting Life" has this endearing touch of high synth to really lock a nice sound into place (really reminds me of the Postal Service), and "Bird and Flag" is driven by a nice, crisp, light guitar (at the start, it really sounds like the Smiths). My very favorites are "The Ravine," this beautifully relaxed yet driven song, a quiet sense of magic or discovery in the movement of the music; and "Civilise," which somehow carries in its sound the plaintive warmth of a 90's love song, with a rich jazz influence.
I like these guys, a good deal. Very chill music… sweetly melodic, laid back, interior pop with a touch of jazz. They're jams, really. Subdued, melodic jams. Sometimes they blur together a little- there is such a consistent, subdued tone that one has to really focus in and listen to recognize the lovely, intricate differences from piece to piece- without that focus, the album flows together as nondescript, pleasant background music.
About half the tracks, after several listens, have still not ascended from the level of nondescript and pleasant… there are songs that I simply don't remember how they sound, they're just nice. In general, the tracks I enjoyed maintained that gently driven, rhythmic, melodic pace, but they found a hook or a movement to take things to a really nice place… for instance, "Sporting Life" has this endearing touch of high synth to really lock a nice sound into place (really reminds me of the Postal Service), and "Bird and Flag" is driven by a nice, crisp, light guitar (at the start, it really sounds like the Smiths). My very favorites are "The Ravine," this beautifully relaxed yet driven song, a quiet sense of magic or discovery in the movement of the music; and "Civilise," which somehow carries in its sound the plaintive warmth of a 90's love song, with a rich jazz influence.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
album #83
never for ever (kate bush)
I really liked this one a lot. Certainly more than Hounds of Love, and possibly more than The Kick Inside.
The songs can get startlingly dark- two of my favorites, "Babooshka" and "The Wedding List" deal with infidelity and a pretty intense revenge killing, respectively. In addition to those two, my favorites: the gentle, dreamy ramble of "Delius," the musicalesque "Blow Away (for Bill)," and perhaps my favorite Kate Bush song, the wistful, slow-yet-catchy "Army Dreamers."
It's altogether that classic Kate Bush formula- dreamy, melodramatic, nice intersections of pop and a vaguely operatic frailty. Her music always makes me picture a foggy English dreamworld. And her best stuff is invariably pretty darn catchy. In my year-long search for 'my' Kate Bush album, this probably will stand as the winner.
I really liked this one a lot. Certainly more than Hounds of Love, and possibly more than The Kick Inside.
The songs can get startlingly dark- two of my favorites, "Babooshka" and "The Wedding List" deal with infidelity and a pretty intense revenge killing, respectively. In addition to those two, my favorites: the gentle, dreamy ramble of "Delius," the musicalesque "Blow Away (for Bill)," and perhaps my favorite Kate Bush song, the wistful, slow-yet-catchy "Army Dreamers."
It's altogether that classic Kate Bush formula- dreamy, melodramatic, nice intersections of pop and a vaguely operatic frailty. Her music always makes me picture a foggy English dreamworld. And her best stuff is invariably pretty darn catchy. In my year-long search for 'my' Kate Bush album, this probably will stand as the winner.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
album #82
sky blue sky (wilco)
This is a pleasant album. Chill. There's a real bluesy energy to it as well- a nice mix of mellow, melodic songs, and more searing, bluesy laments ("You Are My Face," "Side With The Seeds," "Hate it Here.") Everything is generally good, but I'm not in love with much of it. There's a nice, throwback vibe to it, something '70s about that low key, folk rock sound.
Two standout tracks: "Impossible Germany," with a very sweet, tight, melodic guitar driving a generally nice, low key, lovely song. And my favorite, "Leave Me (Like You Found Me)," a really beautiful, sad, sweet song, driven by lovely piano and a light, mournful twinge of guitar.
Philosophically it was interesting album as well. Near the end I liked these lyrics: "And if the whole world’s singing your songs/ And all of your paintings have been hung/ Just remember what was yours is everyone’s from now on"- the self aware dilemma of the artist giving his product to the world… truly a fascinating and difficult issue, the personal becoming the public.
This is a pleasant album. Chill. There's a real bluesy energy to it as well- a nice mix of mellow, melodic songs, and more searing, bluesy laments ("You Are My Face," "Side With The Seeds," "Hate it Here.") Everything is generally good, but I'm not in love with much of it. There's a nice, throwback vibe to it, something '70s about that low key, folk rock sound.
Two standout tracks: "Impossible Germany," with a very sweet, tight, melodic guitar driving a generally nice, low key, lovely song. And my favorite, "Leave Me (Like You Found Me)," a really beautiful, sad, sweet song, driven by lovely piano and a light, mournful twinge of guitar.
Philosophically it was interesting album as well. Near the end I liked these lyrics: "And if the whole world’s singing your songs/ And all of your paintings have been hung/ Just remember what was yours is everyone’s from now on"- the self aware dilemma of the artist giving his product to the world… truly a fascinating and difficult issue, the personal becoming the public.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
album #81
red, yellow and blue (born ruffians)
This is a really good album. These guys have a great energy and a sound that feels both unique and vintage. Their signature traits, as I see it, are those tight, rocky, rhythmic strikes of the guitar; the chanting interplay of the vocals. This album really reminds me of those punk/new wave bands of the late 70s, early 80s, like Blondie and Television. The jagged, creative guitars, the nasally vocals, a style that feels somewhat minimalistic but still creative and ambitious.
A lot of good ones on this record. I love the rollicking, sea-chantyesque energy of "Barnacle Goose," the upbeat, straightforward classic rock/bass pulse of "Hummingbird," the lovely vocal interplay in the latter half of "Little GarŸon," the fantastic pulse- slinging, clanging, controlled yet driven- of "Badonkadonkey," the Weezeresque clanging, vaguely subdued, romantic jam of "Foxes Mate for Life," and the inviting, energetic refrain of the finale, "Kurt Vonnegut."
Good listening. Quick, rhythmic, spare but engaging. Fun stuff.
This is a really good album. These guys have a great energy and a sound that feels both unique and vintage. Their signature traits, as I see it, are those tight, rocky, rhythmic strikes of the guitar; the chanting interplay of the vocals. This album really reminds me of those punk/new wave bands of the late 70s, early 80s, like Blondie and Television. The jagged, creative guitars, the nasally vocals, a style that feels somewhat minimalistic but still creative and ambitious.
A lot of good ones on this record. I love the rollicking, sea-chantyesque energy of "Barnacle Goose," the upbeat, straightforward classic rock/bass pulse of "Hummingbird," the lovely vocal interplay in the latter half of "Little GarŸon," the fantastic pulse- slinging, clanging, controlled yet driven- of "Badonkadonkey," the Weezeresque clanging, vaguely subdued, romantic jam of "Foxes Mate for Life," and the inviting, energetic refrain of the finale, "Kurt Vonnegut."
Good listening. Quick, rhythmic, spare but engaging. Fun stuff.
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