What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

from my library (cd)



Sometimes my own albums surprise me. That's what happens when you give them a spin as seldom as I do, and that's
what keeps it interesting. In this case I would have guessed this album to come out a lot better. It just scrapes
by into the like range. Nothing I love and four I don't like at all. Certainly no In My Tribe which I think was the
groups best. And I do love Natalie, who has a way of turning beautiful prose into songs. The music here just seems
to over power her voice, burying the lyrics. I love the strings, the horns, not so much. This is the groups fifth
album and the last before Natalie went off on her own. They replaced her and carried on. High praise for Natalie's
swan song, but the public was not so kind trailing off from the bands previous effort at #28, still better than
anything to follow without her. Singles of These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants and Few And Far Between, none of
which even cracked the top 40.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - I'm Not The Man

Best Track - These Are Days

These are the days
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

1) Noah's Dove **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy4PHgEo-zg
2) These Are Days **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toVY75PQomE
3) Eden *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlaxHTPnaGI
4) Few And Far Between *
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We2ppmhWh6Q
5) Stockton Gala Days **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2A00YbGWNo
6) Gold Rush Brides **
7) Jezebel *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsiE_rzzafE&feature=fvst
8) How You've Grown **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AejaNIOYcNs
9) Candy Everybody Wants **
video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M9ncAkKSNM&ob=av2e
10) Tolerance **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVAANV5H6EQ
11) Circle Dream **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_deHRDRPA
12) If You Intend **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTkxfot2ziI
13) I'm Not The Man *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3qHkJnYK4E

3's - 0
2's - 9
1's - 4

Grade - 1.7

so many albums, so little time

[SteveO]

I noticed a vast difference in Natalie Merchant's music from 10,000 Maniacs to her solo career ....Motherland album is brilliant by her !!!!

from my library (cd)



Sometimes my own albums surprise me. That's what happens when you give them a spin as seldom as I do, and that's
what keeps it interesting. In this case I would have guessed this album to come out a lot better. It just scrapes
by into the like range. Nothing I love and four I don't like at all. Certainly no In My Tribe which I think was the
groups best. And I do love Natalie, who has a way of turning beautiful prose into songs. The music here just seems
to over power her voice, burying the lyrics. I love the strings, the horns, not so much. This is the groups fifth
album and the last before Natalie went off on her own. They replaced her and carried on. High praise for Natalie's
swan song, but the public was not so kind trailing off from the bands previous effort at #28, still better than
anything to follow without her. Singles of These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants and Few And Far Between, none of
which even cracked the top 40.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - I'm Not The Man

Best Track - These Are Days

These are the days
These are days you’ll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you

These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you

These are days
These are the days you might fill
With laughter until you break
These days you might feel
A shaft of light
Make its way across your face
And when you do
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
See the signs and know their meaning
It's true
Then you’ll know how it was meant to be
Hear the signs and know they’re speaking
To you, to you

1) Noah's Dove **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy4PHgEo-zg
2) These Are Days **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toVY75PQomE
3) Eden *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlaxHTPnaGI
4) Few And Far Between *
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We2ppmhWh6Q
5) Stockton Gala Days **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2A00YbGWNo
6) Gold Rush Brides **
7) Jezebel *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsiE_rzzafE&feature=fvst
8) How You've Grown **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AejaNIOYcNs
9) Candy Everybody Wants **
video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M9ncAkKSNM&ob=av2e
10) Tolerance **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVAANV5H6EQ
11) Circle Dream **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_deHRDRPA
12) If You Intend **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTkxfot2ziI
13) I'm Not The Man *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3qHkJnYK4E

3's - 0
2's - 9
1's - 4

Grade - 1.7

so many albums, so little time

[CRAZY-HORSE]

THE SUNNYBOYS "the sunnyboys,plays the best" cd,1991.

Aussie outfit from the period 1980-84, had a lot in common with the sound of The Church from the same era and like the Church recieved very little mainstream success on the charts, but unlike The Church they never fully developed their sound,instead got stuck in a groove and couldnt get out of it, thus ended up disbanding after only a handful of years on the charts, only one song hits the love button for me...the very Church sounding "alone with you", followed closely with another Churchy sounding song "love in a box".
the rest of the like tracks are nothing special at all, simply nice songs. i cant recall if these guys ever went on to feature in other bands, i guess they must of at some point, but obviously nothing of note or importance.
all-up though, not a bad collection of songs, and one i enjoy listening to when it comes out in the rotation...

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

worst track: gone
best track: alone with you

tracks:

1. happy man **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3drdluoYiE video
2. it comes as no surprise to me **
3. you need a friend **
4. gone *
5. love in a box **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Mn4-SD2U8 video
6. show me some discipline **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2qLrPQBmcI video
7. thrill **
8. alone with you ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpJrtCmcoq0 live
9. safe life **
10.trouble in my brain **
11.strange cohesion *
12.the stooge **
13.let you go **
14.its a sunny day **
15.days are gone **
16.the idealist **

3s=1
2s=13
1s=2

rating: 1.9

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



One of those whim purchases, el cheapo from the cut-out bin. Same way I came across Cohen's Songs Of Love And Hate.
Never heard of this guy before or after but damn, he made a fine album here. Sort of a Randy Newman sound, both
music and voice, until he hits those falsetto notes. Great lyrics, music, delivery, four love tracks and nothing I
don't like. Surprised to see allmusic gives this 4 1/2 stars, saying it is "one of the best singer/songwriter
albums of the 1970s", so I'm not alone in my assessment. One notable guest spot, with Cissy Houston doing backing
vocals on a few tracks. Mostly piano based tunes with some very nice strings sparingly used. All original material
except the cover of the Chiffons One Fine Day which gets a mellow interpretation. Think I watched for a follow up
from David Forman that never came. Sure hate to wait seven years to hear this again. In the meantime, put the
headphones on, light one up, close your eyes, and listen to Rosalie and Dream Of A Child. Hope to see you when you
come down.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Endless Waters

Best Track - Rosalie

1) Dream Of A Child ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zleohn6L3ZA
2) Treachery **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-ENyKh9G6I
3) If It Take All Night **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihjYilv8ldA
4) Smokey China Tea ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSKPDksOFIc
5) Endless Waters **
6) Rosalie ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OC8v749fJo
7) One Fine Day **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGKAWYSFWMI
8) When The Comet Comes **
9) Winnsboro, Louisiana ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40YViJWKPng
10) The Seven Sisters **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkgYwh6Q9LE
11) The Marriage Of Napoleon **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6xDHVr0XY4

3's - 4
2's - 7
1's - 0

Grade - 2.4

so many albums, so little time

[SteveO]

ARCADE FIRE discography

Funeral (2004) ...All Music rating ...5/5

Neon Bible (2007) ...Robert Christgau reknown music critic - A+

The Suburbs (2010)...BBC Music ...5/5

One of my very favorite ensembles .....from Montreal...an outstanding orchestral indie rock band !

Absolutely fabulous to watch live and no weak songs on either one of their three albums !

In 2010, Arcade Fire pretty much cleaned up on all the major music awards !:canada:

[Music Head]

^^
The ep was awesome too
Woodlands National Anthem, superb

[Music Head]

from my library (cd)



This was released after the groups second and best charting album of Blind Mans Zoo. It consists of all of the
tracks from their first full album, Secrets Of The I Ching, and an ep, Human Conflict Number Five. In this case
there is a reason those two releases never sold, they suck for the most part. I guess the bottom line on these guys
for me is that In My Tribe is the only album I really care for. Don't have any of Natalies solo work so I'm not
judging that. Out of the 14 tracks on this mess, only 6 I can stretch to a like. Even the lyrics don't work. Just
seems like a bunch of words/lines were pulled out of a hat at random. Maybe I'm just in a foul mood this morning. I
still love watching Natalie sway to the music. Nothing can make that look bad. Gotta be a diehard fan to give this
a good score.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Death Of Manolete

Best Track - My Mother The War

She borders the pavement
Flanks avenues
Parades pass white glove attended by
My mother the war

She'll raise a shaft
Lift a banner
Toss a rose
My mother the war

She's made every effort
To salvage the few
Bought fourteen liberty bonds
My mother the war

Mother the war

She knows every neighbor
Chats at their doors
Compare econosize electric appliances
My mother the war

Share tea and a seat
By my cradle with
My mother the war

Mother the war

Caressing the globe
Touch on his isle
She wrings hands in pensive waiting
My mother the war

Haunts her doorway
Begs her postman
Is there word for
My mother the war

Momentos of distant vigil
Three years each tour
"hands of god enfold him" prayed
My mother the war

Mother the war

In bitter defiance
She's spitting the corps
She's wet a brood short league for combat
My mother the war

Well acquainted with sorrow
Left millions in grief
My mother the war

Fold
Laced
Carrion
Blood
Soaked
Robes

Mother the war

1) Planned Obsolescence *
2) The Latin One *
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOEcl-9yNhg
3) Katrina's Fair **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz35CXDm9ZA
4) Poor De Chicero *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1f12Ilcmw8
5) Grey Victory **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euv5cj04ebE
6) National Education Week **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwxD7rMZYw
7) Death Of Manolete *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgFU3ZDM5Bg
8) Orange *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p9FH_fueYM
9) Tension *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KceYe4Dedbg
10) Anthem For Doomed Youth **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SIRaFekzUA
11) Daktari *
12) Groove Dub *
13) Pit Viper **
14) My Mother The War **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7WCpMThejA

3's - 0
2's - 6
1's - 8

Grade - 1.4

so many albums, so little time

[CRAZY-HORSE]

never cared for these guys at all... and ive only heard Natalie's solo stuff as part of the Billy Bragg/Wilco "mermaid avenue" albums, pleasant enough voice but not enough for me to seek out here solo material....

[SteveO]

Thanks Music Head ..I'll have to track down the EP !...glad you enjoy Arcade Fire !

^^
The ep was awesome too
Woodlands National Anthem, superb

[CRAZY-HORSE]

NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS "tender prey" cd,1988.

this is The Bad Seeds sixth studio album

nothing to say except what i say for every Caveman album...you either love or loathe him and what he does, me, i love the guy and almost everything he has released, but this to me, is one of his not so great albums...only three great tracks on here, and also a track i do not like(which is unusual for me!)...
the lead off track "the mercy seat" still gets a "***" rating from me, but after Johnny Cash covered it on his Rick Rubin "american" albums, the song is now his, for he took it to deeper,darker depths than Cave could have envisioned IMO(much the same as what he did with NiN's "hurt").
allmusic rate this one a converted 2.7, but honestly, i cannot see where they can get that rating from, as even after i wrote down my scores i listened to bits of each song again to see where the pro's and i differ, and i just couldnt justify a score higher than the 2.2 i originally gave it! so the rating remains!

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

worst track: mercy
best track: up jumped the devil

tracks:

1. the mercy seat ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpFgkiAPwgE audio
2. up jumped the devil ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IPmZQLJBag audio
3. deanna ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxORulyOXs8&ob=av3e audio
4. watching alice **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0EJvMSqK48 audio
5. mercy *
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQM8G2ZjP...re=related audio
6. city of refuge **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q52tV4l1XAQ audio
7. slowly goes the night **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8-DeEQEO...re=related audio
8. sunday's slave **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwPxsHK-U7w audio
9. sugar sugar sugar **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGs0Bd-co...re=related audio
10.new morning **
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUBLfV5flnY audio

3s=3
2s=6
1s=1

rating: 2.2