Acquiescing to Rolling Stone’s demands, I listened to the new Peter Bjorn & John disc.
No.
Wtf? How is this “good”? I mean, it’s some guys making music but..is there something interesting about this music I’m just missing? It’s not bad by any stretch, but is it good? I…I don’t think so. Sure “Old Folks” or “Young Folks”, whatever it was, was a great, catchy pop song BUT this album sounds nothing like that, so it’s not going to please that audience. What audience IS it going to please?
Not this one. Next!
I tried to listen to it again and just can’t. It’s too damn boring. And not boring in a good way like the National or Starflyer or something.
Their 2005 disc seems to be better so far, but still not nearly enough to make me listen to it again, let alone buy it.
WTF is up with the new Common album? I tried to listen to it again, skipped the first three songs, then went to something else entirely different. The beats really annoy me, and the songs seem especially trivial. There are some good rhymes in there but..ugg. “Sex 4 Suga”. Really? Is he becoming more like H.E.R.? I just went back again and went through the whole thing again. “Changes” is ok. Maybe I just like “happy Common”. Definitely not big on “horny Common”.
The new Killers album is actually pretty good. I like it. They do pretension with just enough sincerity and youthful exuberance that I buy it. Most of the time.
The new Springsteen was NOT a 5 star album. Same with the new U2. I dunno what the fuck RS has been smoking (maybe the section?) for the last few years, but they are way too generous with some of their reviews. Springsteen’s was good – although seriously marred by the dopey intro song (no that’s not an official video!). It would have worked much better on one of his folkey projects, I really don’t like it in this album’s context. In general, I don’t like songs where the chorus is someone telling you their name. It rarely works. I’d say it was 3.5-4 stars. His work is almost always quality, but it’s not always solid gold! Grow a pair RS! I need to listen to the U2 one a bit more, but it does nothing for me (yet) so it’s hard to get up the muster.
Airborne Toxic Event album is good. I think I mentioned this already.
New Morrissey seems pretty good so far.
I like the new Bon Voyage too. Not so much on the new Starflyer sadly. It just doesn’t grab me. Jason’s weakest effort to date imho. Still not bad, but just..just not anything really.
I like the new Q-Tip.
Not so much the Dandy Warhols. Nothing sticks out, not worth getting. Have they have finally choked on their own cock of pure metaphorical pretension? You decide!
I do like the Vampire Weekend album. I really didn’t want to. I still don’t. But hey, I like Graceland, and it’s Graceland light in indie shoes. No diamonds.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Fine Young Cannibals lately. I love the dude’s voice. Here’s a track from them you may not be familiar with. I wish they had put out a few more albums.
Also Stevie Wonder. I have a soft spot for this song. And I’m ok with it.
Jawbreaker. Man am I late on this boat. I was wondering why his voice sounded so much like the Jets to Brazil guy….DUH. I knew that Ataris song (wow, that’s a big dude) was too good for them! Love his voice.
Thanks to Wayne for reminding me to listen to Okkerville River. Good shit. I still have to check out most of the other stuff on his list. Another very distinctive voice. It must be distinctive voice night! I heard/read someone somewhere recently remarking that rock music was more about having a distinctive voice than it was about being able to sing well. I strongly concur. Chops don’t hurt though.
OH, and I just found out about Skunk Anansie. I don’t even remember how. But hit them up on youtube. Good shit. I love finding good dead bands so I don’t have to go through the trouble of keeping up with their new stuff. I know, I’m old and cranky and boring. It seems like they got mellower with the later album (s). Now I just have to track down actual copies or digitals of the albums. Next time I hit the used bins – top of my list!
Here’s a sample to close things out:
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