segunda-feira, novembro 27, 2006

560. Beck - midnite vultures


I forgot how good this album was... Midnite Vultures is a solid, worthy follow up to "Odelay", it was also one of Beck's most soulful, goofy and consistent albums. I can't remember why it didn't do so well when released, but the disc bursts with Beck's traditional sonic layering, often bringing out the smallest of details to the forefront, then throwing you back into the mix. If you're a Beck fan don't overlook this gem.

8.6 out of 10

domingo, novembro 19, 2006

559. Beck - mutations


This was the first proper Beck cd I got, recorded in three days (or five) with Nigel Godrich. The disc sounds like a mix between 'Odelay' and 'Sea Change', with slow somber songs ("Nobody's Fault But my Own"), more upbeat fare ("Tropicalia"), and his typical cut and paste samples ("Static"). What it was more importantly though, was an opportunity for Beck to show a different side that was both more melodic and songwriter focused. The result is an uneven but important disc.

7.3 out of 10

558. Beck - odelay


This was Beck's "Paul's Boutique", not only because it was produced by the Dust Brothers, but also because it was an album that branded his sound if you will, or simply showed what he was capable of as an artist. The record in its entirety plays very well, flowing seamlessly through different breaks, screams, rhymes and strums.

9 out of 10

557. Beck - mellow gold


Everybody knows this album from 'Loser' of course, but the record had a much greater impact than that single ever could have. A true indie, do it yourself artist had released a album on a major label - on Gn'R's label! Granted Sonic Youth, Nirvana and Weezer were on DGC too but still, Beck was the first of his kind to take bedroom made songs onto a major label - and have it work. Now this probably didn't open all the major labels to signing more artists like Beck, but he did inspire and motivate others to try what he was doing at home. Quite the loser.

6.8 out of 10

sábado, novembro 18, 2006

556. Tim Fite - gone ain't gone


You always take a chance with music. The disc you pick up could suck beyond belief or it could be exactly what you are looking for. Blogs tend to pick promotional copies of cds for free much like record stores do. I heard one of Tim's songs on a blog and thought it was decent, actually more than decent since I ended up putting it on my mix (listen below). The track was good. Solid and interesting. I came across the album (a promotional copy in the used bin as well for $6.99) and took a chance. Sadly it sucked. Tim Fite is a less creative Beck. His songs don't really get past the expected. A shame.

4.1 out of 10

Forty-Five Remedies

555. Dios - dios


This album will always remind me of summer 2004, figuring things out about myself and others, appreciating the long lasting clarity of summer days... granted summer ended and I probably wasn't any further along than when I started, but I did have this album. Ellen and I were supposed to see these guys at CMJ that year but she failed to get tickets... failed I said. Back to the record. There's a laid back genius to these guys - their stuff sounds like it's easy to play yet you're constantly surprised and caught off guard by how good it sounds... I had high hopes for the follow up which I confess I've never picked up based on the reviews that came out, maybe I should look into it again.

7.9 out of 10

Nobody's Perfect

554. Dios - los arboles


Dios eventually became Dios (malos) because Dio sued them - apparently Ronnie had nothing better to do. But before the suits Dios released this ep. Much of the band's promise that you heard on their proper debut can also be heard on this disc. Pop, psychedelia, and folk are layered on top of each other producing a light, great summertime ep.

6.9 out of 10

segunda-feira, novembro 13, 2006

553. The Flaming Lips - yoshimi wins live


The back of this cd reads "Thank your lucky stars! You hold in your hands one limited-edition, highly-collectible, extra-special collection of songs performed by the one and only Flaming Lips! Recorded live across the country, these stripped-down radio sessions provide for absolute aural pleasure. Turn it on! Turn it up!"
Well it is highly-collectible but not extra special. I heard the entire KCRW performance and it seems like they picked the weakest versions of these songs to go on here. Still it's interesting to hear the Lips' take.

7 out of 10

Knives Out

quarta-feira, novembro 08, 2006

552. The Flaming Lips - yoshimi battles the pink robots


I tried to avoid getting this album for a very long time. A lot of the songs had been overplayed in the office, on tv, on the radio... it seemed like everyone was singing "Her name is Yoshimi - she's a black belt in karate", and it became sort of annoying... but I finally heard/bought the album and while it's not as ambitious as Zaireeka, or as perfectly buttoned together as The Soft Bulletin, it does have its moments. Unfortunately some of the lesser moments are drowned in synthetic beats, half thought orchestrations and karate. Still, when you hear Wayne sing "Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face" you know he's being sincere and that's a rarity in a pop song.

8.1 out of 10