As promised, more 2014 music.
In case you missed Part I, this is just a quick look at the music I
found last year that I at one point or another liked enough to save
to my Spotify 2014 playlist. So naturally, most of it I will give
positive reviews, but not all of them.
Disclaimer: My listening habits have
really changed with older age and newer technology. Instead of
absorbing most albums as a hole unit, most of my listening has been
collecting large amount of music together and hitting random. This
is especially true since circumstances have dictated that I just
haven't been able to buy music like I used to, thus the Spotify
account. This means that I haven't really had a chance to absorb most of these albums as albums. I am going back to them as I write these blurbs, thus the idea of the "Instant Rating".
Jack White – Lazaretto
Really, what can I possibly say to make
you check this out if you haven't already? I'm a HUGE Jack White fan,
and have found that nearly every album he's been a creative part of
is better than the last. I have no idea if I'm in the minority or
not with that opinion. I'm just aware of the celebrity scene enough
to know that Jack has made a bit of a name for himself, and if you
were interested you would already have given it a spin.
That said, I'm really enjoying his solo
work. I feel that Mr White is maturing as a musician as I'm maturing
as a person. He has always showed a deep love and understanding of
Rock music, and it's older cousin, the Blues. But now, with just his
name on the cover, he seems to feel more free to explore the
nooks and crannies of Pop/Rock. There is no real
“concept” behind the project, where as the White Stripes, the
Raconteurs, and the Dead Weather all seemed to be about specific
musical identities. As a solo artist, he is free to hire different
musicians for different musical topographies, so his albums sound
just a bit less coherent, but also a bit more adventurous.
There really isn't a single song on
Lazaretto to sum up the entire thing, but the video for the
instrumental High Ball Stepper is kick ass, so enjoy some eye candy
and a pretty solid song as well. And then if you're not already a
fan, go and listen to the rest of the album in the back ground a few
times over the next month or so, and see if maybe you like Jack White
after all.
Instant Rating: 7 out of 10
Phish – Fuego
Another legacy band. Chances are
pretty decent that you have at least heard of Phish and that you
already have made up your mind about them. Maybe you think they're
just a jam band, one to see live after you've smoked enough weed to
alter the local weather patterns, but that their studio records suck.
Certainly many, many Phish-heads would agree with such a statement.
But I submit to you that that concept is only half right.
In truth, Phish is two bands, the live
jam band where no two shows are alike, and the studio recording band,
that has now recorded 12 full LP's. For me, it's a little too soon
to say just how good this album is, but it is damn solid! I really
thought that Trey and the boys had a major misstep with The Round
Room but rebounded a bit with Undermind. 2009's Joy never really
caught my attention, either. But Fuego feels a bit more solid. It's not a return to form, as it sounds
nothing like the early proggy records, nor the funky Story of the
Ghost or even Farmhouse. I'm not even sure I would call it catchy,
but every time one of the tracks comes around I find I am just
enjoying the experience of listening to it.
I once said that it was impossible to
listen to Phish music for more than 20 minutes and not be in a
better mood. And I think I will stand by that statement for Fuego.
There's nothing deep being said, lyrically or even musically, other
than the expression of the joy of playing music. And really, that's all one
ever needs.
Instant Raiting: 7 out of 10. This is
subject to change (as are all of my ratings) as I absorb it more as a
unit and not as separate tracks.
Pat Mastelotto & Tobias Ralph – To Pa Ra Ma
Before I say anything else, I just want
to say that the music on this album is AMAZING!
There, that said, you are probably
asking yourself, who the fuck are Mastelotto and Ralph? Well, to
star with, they are both drummers. Mastelotto has simply played with
everbody, including Patti LaBelle, Al Jarreau, XTC, Hall & Oats and
Robyn Hitchcock. He was the drummer of Mr Mister, but don't that
against him. He first came to my attention when he joined King
Crimson in 94. As far as Ralph goes, I have no idea who he is, as
Wikipedia doesn't even have a page for him, and the To Pa Ra Ma page
just says he is a member of Adrian Belew's band.
Now that we got our introductions out
of the way, how is the music? I'm surprised you asked that, cause I
already told you its AMAZING. That said, it really won't be for
everybody. It is certainly percussion heavy, as you should expect
from two drummers. But is isn't really a show off piece. Other
instruments are used as well, and the over all effect is that of a
Jazz album, but only in the sense that Medeski Martin and Wood put
out Jazz albums. It's a combination of electronic sounds and samples
and acoustic instruments. In fact, a lot of the sounds that you
might think were electronic drums are probably acoustic.
Bottom line is, if you like your music
to be catchy with a “hook”, actual verses and choruses, and
lyrics you can sing along with, then this probably isn't for you.
But, if you like MUSIC, maybe something a bit on the avant garde side
of things, then this just might be for you.
Instant Rating: 8.5 out of 10
The Strypes – Snapshot
However, if catchy hooks, verses and
choruses, and sing along lyrics are your thing after all, this is the
damn album for YOU! The Strypes are four kids (lads?) from Ireland.
Somewhere along the line, they raided their grandparent's record
collection and wardrobe and decided to start a band. They are retro
almost to the point of feeling contrived. But thankfully, it
actually feels like they really understand the original British
invasion bands and what made them so effing terrific.
I just love the garage band blues
inflected music of 65-68 from both sides of the pond. I think that
was the height of the innocence of Rock and Roll, before things got so heavy and serious. (mind you, I also love that heaviness and seriousness, too) Rock was just
maturing enough to have some teeth, but still young enough to be
exuberant and playful. This is the exact era that The Strypes are
trying to emulate, and they do it damn well.
The music on Snapshot is mostly
originals, but I think they would have climbed up the charts in 66.
Today, I'm afraid, they are a curiosity at best. The oldest member
of the band will turn 20 this year, so they are cute kids playing at
being mods or rockers right now. If they were 10 years older nobody
would have paid the least bit of attention to them. (I can think of
at least two local bands in the last ten years that would prove that
point.) But what they are doing is real, not just imitation and
nostalgia. They have gone to the past to capture the raw energy of
youth that is sadly missing from much of today's music. All the
modern acts feel so serious and humorless next to these young men
that are just out there seemingly having a damn good time.
Instant Rating: 7 out of 10
Okay, four seems like enough for now.
I just looked at my 2014 playlist, and we are not quite half way
through it so far. I think I will do two more post with 5 reviews
each in them, and that should wind it all up. Thanks again for
reading, and please leave a comment.
Also, if you are from outside the USA,
I especially invite you to comment. My trackers say that I have at
least one reader in Canada (Brent?), Ireland, the UK, Belgium
(Derek?) and maybe even some from Eastern Europe and Russia. So, if
you are from there, or any other nation, just drop a quick note
simply saying where you are reading from (or more, if you want to).
And if you have some great music from the past few years that isn't
known to most people, share that too.
Ciao for now!
A bonus tune from the Strypes covering Rollin and Tumblin.
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