Hi everyone! Sorry that I've not been posting much, but new responsibilities at work have managed to suck away the spare time it takes me to think of things to say. You know, because you guys deserve to not have to read something tossed-off, just so I can say that I posted something.
The last two days, in order to try to shake the musical doldrums some more, I've made an effort to listen to albums that I've gotten based on MOGgers' recommendations, but haven't given a full spin. For the most part, it's been a very pleasant experience. Here are some of the albums that I've dug into only now. And please, don't hate me or pity me, there's just so much good new music, it's impossible to listen to it all.
The Black Angels - Passover I loved the song "The Prodigal Son", even including it on my Halloween mix. I was delighted to hear that the same dark smoky atmosphere permeates all the tracks on the album. The only slightly off-putting thing is the taste of Gene Loves Jezebel I get from the vocals, but that's likely just me. :)
Low - Drums And Guns I think I backed off this album because I have to be in a very particular mood to do slow-core, and it's not a mood I'm in often when listening to music. Imagine my self-disappointment when I put this album on and realized that it's not very slowcore at all, just deliciously forceful and evocative. I could see getting into this album big-time with more spins.
The Jessica Fletchers - More Sophistication After all that heavy fare, I was ready for something light and frothy. When Erin shared this album with me, I got it, but set it aside for far too long. This is fun music that brought a smile to my face, even if I had to interrupt my work to check song titles. Great fun.
Hot Chip - Made In The Dark Wonder, fun electro-pop, but then again, I'm sure most of you knew that. The sampled computerized voices in multiple tracks got annoying quickly, though. They can retire that trick anytime, you know?
Billy Bragg - Back To Basics I remember a couple of songs by Billy Bragg from my early days of staying up late to watch 120 Minutes. I did not, however, have a good primer of his early years until this album. Despite its technical limitations, I fell in love with his voice. It just feels real, as it's quite clear AutoTune was never used (granted that it wasn't available back then, but you know what I mean). A true voice of the working-class Englishman.
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good choices all around but I definitely love the Black Angels I got introduced to the by seeng them live on a smaller stage at Lollapalooza and wow they rocked, they were amazing so I'm glad to see you are enjoying them too
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Good to see you giving the Low album a shot...it's all dark and brooding on the outside, but full of interesting treasures.
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"I had to interrupt my work to check song titles" - always a good sign I think. I must give Jessica Fletchers a spin. Ta for the round-up.
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Already on board with the Jessica Fletchers and DJ favorite Hot Chip. But unfamiliar with those Black Angels - and they titillated me, man! T'anks!
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The Black Angels were one of my favorite finds this last year (and they would have been on my year-end list, if 'Passover' hadn't come out in '06). "The First Vietnamese War" is my favourite track. I made a point of seeing them at Lolla along with Blair, Amber and Mike (where was Beth!), and our ears were nearly melted into the ground. The Jessica Fletchers are fun, aren't they? Almost too bubbly for my taste normally, but it's really a good album. And I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know you've been enjoying the Bragg ... I have many favourites on that compilation. As for me, I need to spend more time with that Low album as well, I've heard so much good about it. Cheers bro! :)
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"You know, because you guys deserve to not have to read something tossed-off, just so I can say that I posted something."
Dale, is this a bad thing? I think you have just summed up my entire existence at MOG.
Nice to see Billy Bragg up there, though.
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Okay, I swear when I posted that comment the whole thing showed up at first. Anyway, it said "I love Hot Chip
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I love Hot Chip. Lot of others up there too. The Jessica Fletchers intrigues me. Don't worry about not posting so much. Mog can't possibly forget you.
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Definitely have a lot of praise for The Black Angels. They were loud at Lolla. I saw them again when they opened for QOTSA. Unfortunately, the venue didn't do much for their sound. It echoed the drone too much and drowned out everything else.
I liked that BB album too. I haven't really spun it as much as I should though. I'm thinking of seeing him when I'm in Amsterdam. I'll have to look up the other bands.
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I'm with Erin and Mike on the Black Angels...actually I was with Erin and Mike for The Black Angels at Lolla last summer and really enjoyed them. Haven't followed that up with a hard listen to the album (which I bought as soon as I got home). I'll put that on my "to do" list.
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Hello again everyone, and thanks for dropping by. Let me take a minute to respond while I'm stuck on a conference call. This new job (and other things) is sucking away my joy.
I am so jealous that Beth, Mike, Erin, and Amber all got to see Black Angels live. To hear that they're good live as well is great news. I'll have to see them live sometime. I like "Black Grease", but my fave track right now is "Manipulation". Pretty happy that Mike is also coming on board.
Ty, I promise that Erin and I will give it more of a listen. :)
Colin, definitely check out the Jessica Fletchers, it's charming and good fun. See, Erin likes them, so you know it's good music. ;)
No surprise that Mike, Andrea (however abortive the message) and Sam are down with Hot Chip.
Jenny, I've never thought of your reviews or posts as tossed-off, not sure why you think that. And thanks for sharing the Billy Bragg love, and Erin and Mike too!
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I'm catching up too!
Lovely cut up you have here...and I'm into this track you posted! Thanks for the details!
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Certainly! :)