What Are You Listening To?

[Tiggi]

Probably one of their most accessible releases.

Unique album from a unique band.

[Tiggi]

This hasn't impressed me greatly when played before, but everyting has slotted into place now.

The Hours plough a similar musical furrow as bands like coldplay, but are more impassioned, and more energetic than most.

The songs sound as if they've been written with the burgeoning festival scene firmly in mind.

Good stuff.

[Music Head]

from my library (cd)



One hit wonder at this point, with You're Beautiful, and it was a good one, along with the entire album. Both were grammy nominated, although failing to pull it down. I actually prefer the follow up single of Goodbye My Lover. Love this guys voice. This was his debut. He has had one other one which I haven't heard. This one topped the charts in the U.K. and hit #2 in the U.S, as well as the best selling album of the decade in the U.K. Not a bad song on here, with some excellent live clips.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Out Of My Mind

Best Track - Tears And Rain

How I wish I could surrender my soul;
Shed the clothes that become my skin;
See the liar that burns within my needing.
How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold.
How I wish I had screamed out loud,
Instead I've found no meaning.

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind;
Hold memory close at hand,
Help me understand the years.
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell.
How I wish I would save my soul.
I'm so cold from fear.

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
Far, far away; find comfort in pain.
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

Tears and Rain.

Tears and Rain.

Far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

1) High - *** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rJTbJOeFMA
2) You're Beautiful - *** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oofSnsGkops
3) Wisemen - ** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cueB7j4ZGrM
4) Goodbye My Lover - *** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVyggTKDcOE
5) Tears And Rain - *** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaBDomg9a8U
6) Out Of My Mind - ** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLEBVSimRCA
7) So Long Jimmy - *** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUqqXf_AvQE
8) Billy - ** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkfjLSPdtPM
9) Cry - ** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpuYmrD69-0
10) No Bravery - ** - live

Rating - 2.5

[JonG]

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - L'Estat (Acc. To The Widow's Maid) from Before Today [4AD, 2010]

[Music Head]

listened online



Australian band formed in 1999, out with their fifth album. First for me. Numerous styles show up here which held my interest. Horns are a nice touch adding some ska sounds on certain tracks. Nothing on here I can say was bad. First single is Feelings Gone.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - The Heart Is A Cannibal

Best Track - Reasonably Fine

I lost my shoes I lost my wife
I lost my keys I lost my kite
And though I'm young at heart I'm so much older

Subway eyes and banked up skies
And violent towns and frozen pies
And all them football crowds who lost are cold now

But you're the same as you and I'm the same as me
And hopefully we can find ways to let us be reasonably fine
Reasonably fine, at least to beat my drums in time

Suddenly I've realised
That I won't be here when I die
And life upon this plain is somehow fleeting

Time and all it's precious wine
Is somehow primed to make us whine
And fret even then when we should be sleeping

But you're the same as you and I'm the same as me
And hopefully we can find ways to let us be reasonably fine,
Reasonably fine, at least to play my pretty chimes

Empty cries and hollow toots
And all the signs that have no use
And fingers point accusingly are sinning

Humourless hypocrisy
And all the crimes we didn't see
The sigh that knows the devil might be winning

But you're the same as you and I'm the same as me
And hopefully we can find ways to let us be reasonably fine,
Reasonably fine, at least to let my music shine

And maybe it's the greatest test
A man's surrounded by his death
But reaches out and tastes the sweetest honey

That's how you make me feel
I love you more than death is real
It's sad but in the end it might be funny

That you're the same as you and I'm the same as me
And hopefully we can find ways to let us be reasonably fine,
Reasonably fine, at least to leave an open mind

1) Waiting - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYQFVjA7U4E
2) Falling - 1.5 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuw6CK6aOWM
3) Feelings Gone - 2.0 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCsca45wiFQ
4) Only Light - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kwZFNI6rOc
5) All Hell - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djR-MEB6foE
6) Shoulders - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CKhBoVXST8
7) The Heart Is A Cannibal - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ADIJ4y7JqA
8) Reasonably Fine - 2.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFryWWBbzgo
9) Call Me Home - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fj4jVI6NuM
10) On My Way - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEBcfChvoYM
11) Beyond All - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs5h4GmEjR4

Average Rating - 1.9

[Tiggi]

Notorious "official" live bootleg. Sounds crap, but it's quite an exciting album...

&

Panda Bear - Person Pitch



Solo album from Animal Collective member.

Contemporary music-making built on a foundation of Beach Boys vocal harmonies. Very nice.

&

Death in Vegas - The Contino Sessions



Future-Goth (think I've just invented a new genre, although I'm sure someone else probably got there first...).

Features the wonderful song Dirge, which is a very apt description. Assorted guest vocalists (Bobby Gillespie, Iggy Pop, Dot Allison, & Jim Read) make some minimal vocal contributions.

[Music Head]

listened online



Brit band formed in 2000 out with their fourth album. First for me. A little too electro for my taste. Some Hot Chip light comes to mind.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Nevertheless, The Chap

Best Track - We Work In Bars

1) We'll See To Your Breakdown - 1.0 - audio
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Chap/_/We%2...+Breakdown
2) Even Your Friend - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06I_p5Oj7yE
3) We Work In Bars - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSt630WOOWo
4) Obviously - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mhrAezxxDc
5) Gimme Legs - 1.0 - audio
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Chap/Well+D...Gimme+Legs
6) Well Done You - 1.5
7) Nevertheless, The Chap - 1.0
8) Pain Fun - 1.0
9) Torpor - 1.5
10) Moroccan Nights - 1.0
11) Few Horoscope - 1.0
12) Chalet Chalet - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q80E3Eq7M2A

Average Rating- 1.2

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



Certainly better than that new one they just came out with. This is their fifth album. Even though they were getting into the synth sound by now, and this doesn't stand up to the first few, I still like most of this album. Never one to pass up a good gimmick, the spuds began on this one, with plenty of novelty songs. Produced by Roy Thomas Baker which had to help. It only reached #47 on the U.S. charts.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Patterns

Best Track - That's Good

1) Time Out For Fun - *** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZUQ59UjCR0
2) Peek-A-Boo - *** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue_fIIfqV...re=related
3) Out Of Sync - **
4) Explosions - ** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfySddblb2Y
5) That's Good - *** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGdCTy-Vm7o
6) Patterns - * - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSMDcLRWQkg
7) Big Mess - ** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_8NwQFkuqg
8) Speed Racer - * - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWlA2CLRSY
9) What I Must Do - * - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RxZsC9xolY
10) I Desire - **
11) Deep Sleep - ** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prlnoPUp1EM

Rating - 2.0

[Justme]

Ida Maria - Louie

I love her voice!

[Music Head]

listened online



Debut album from this Danish band that has relocated to the big apple to attempt a score after being signed by RCA. Sounds pretty good to me. This singer guy seems to go a little crazy when performing, and he likes to stand on his head. Not many clips available, and of course none for my favorite.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Burn

Best Track - My Love

1) Yeah Yeah Yeah - 2.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7RCQhuRdhw
2) Dignity - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp6bOkfxbYQ
3) Give Me Hope - 1.5 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7_e6dhpOSA
4) Love Is A Drug - 2.0
5) Nuclear War - 1.5
6) Burn - 1.0
7) My Love - 2.5
8) We Are The Radio - 2.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-H0a_4hbF8
9) Die For You - 1.5
10) New Generation - 2.0

Average Rating - 1.8