Arcade Fire - Astral Weeks

Arcade Fire by Arcade Fire
It's almost amazing that this band evolved into the one that made Funeral. It's a bit sloppy - the production is very low-fi, the songs are mostly unremarkable, both lyrically and in composition. The real gem, though, at least in retrospect, is the original version of "No Cars Go". The version from Neon Bible is shorter, and cleaner, but the ending of this version has context - "I don't want any pushing, and I don't want any shoving. We're gonna do this in an orderly manner. Women and children! Women and children! Women and children, let's go! Old folks, let's go! Babies needing cribs, let's go!". Maybe not the better version, but it makes the rerecorded version more enjoyable at the very least, in addition to being a damn fine song in its own right.

The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monae
Fun, fun album. The music Miss Monae makes - I hesitate to categorize it - is so welcome to the landscape of popular music. She is so energetic, so quirky, and her voice is magnificent. The Metropolis-inspired concept doesn't quite jive with me that well, but it's also not that prevalent, so it's not a huge detraction. I am very interested in seeing how she does once she finishes Metropolis Suite IV.

Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
This is an undisputed classic. Top to bottom, truly a great album from three brilliantly talented musicians. It's a shame that Hendrix never made 30, and that Mitchell (perhaps the greatest rock drummers ever, in my estimation) and Redding never had any success after Jimi's passing. "Manic Depression" and "Red House" are among my all-time favorite songs. If you don't have this album, you don't have any reason to be reading this blog. But you should keep reading this blog even if you don't, because if you don't have this, you're probably missing a lot of other great things!


Are You Shpongled? by Shpongle
Great music to completely disconnect from the world to. Put this on, tune out the world. Come back some time later, feel refreshed. Not a whole lot to say here (partially because this sort of music is not my forte, but eh).

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? by The Like
Surprisingly adept pop rock from a trio of young ladies. Great melodies, strong percussion, courtesy of Tennessee Thomas, daughter of Elvis Costello's long, long-time drummer Pete Thomas. I understand that they have had a dramatic lineup shift and a change in sound since Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?, but I'm hoping it's not too different, because this is a very enjoyable rock record.

Arm's Way by Islands
It'll be a long time before I get to either of the other Islands albums I have, so let me get this out here now - this album is long, meandering, and sloppy and does not really compare well to their other works. Somehow, though, it is still a decent album that is carried mainly by the band's ability to get a little something stuck in your head.

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello's first three albums might be the single greatest stretch of music that any artist has put out in the age of popular music. Armed Forces was the third of these. It's not the best of the three, I don't think, but it is still an undeniable classic. Most artists don't have one classic, much less three. Costello's cover of Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" has the Attractions at their most inspired. Elvis's lyrics are as sharp, as verbose, as intelligent as ever, and he bounces from syllable to syllable, word to word effortlessly. It is an album that leaves me short on words to describe just how excellent it truly is. If you have any interest in lyricism, punk, new wave, intelligence... hell, if you have an interest in music, pick this up.

Around the Fur by Deftones
There are few albums I enjoy as much as Around the Fur... when the situation is right. For me, the situation tends to be when I'm in a foul mood, or when I am stressed out. There's just a... harshness to their sound; the guitar and the bass explode from the speakers, the vocals are abrasive. It just diffuses anger, stress, whatever. I often put "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" on my running mixes. So good.

Arular by M.I.A.
M.I.A. is one crazy lady. I'm not a huge fan, but I have recently come around on this particular entry in her discography. She has this bizarre knack for making a pretty good pop song out of loud, junky sounds. It's almost uncanny how she takes things that would just annoy you on their own and turns them into a great hook or a great beat. As an album, this is probably her best, though she has, as you likely are aware, made better individual tracks than anything on this particular disc.

Astral Weeks by Van Morrison
This is, I think, the greatest album I have listened to thus far. It is so heartfelt, so introspective, but at the same time, so simple. It's like as beautiful as a stained glass window, and no less delicate. I'm not sure I know anyone who has heard this album and not connected with it in some fashion. There is a reason that Astral Weeks is often considered one of the greatest albums ever. I'm not sure I can fully grasp it. I'm not sure I ever will. All I know is that at the age I am now, Van Morrison wrote some of the most profoundly brilliant music not only of his career, but perhaps ever. And this isn't even my favorite album of his.

...And Justice for All - Aquemini

...And Justice for All by Metallica
I'm not a huge fan of metal, really. It's not that it's a bad genre or anything, it just generally does not appeal to me, mostly from a lyrical viewpoint. This album is one of few where the lyrics are at least serviceable (and sometimes better than that) and the instrumental side is excellent, as is usually the case with Metallica. "One", of course, is a classic, but I think the highlight of the album for me is the opener, "Blackened". Someone needs to use that in a movie, for a chase scene or something.

...And Out Come the Wolves by Rancid
I will always have a soft spot for this one. It reminds me of my youth, spent laying in bed, listening to the radio at night when I was supposed to be sleeping, hearing "Time Bomb" and "Ruby Soho" playing seemingly every hour of the mid-90s. "Maxwell Murder" boasts one of the best basslines I have ever heard. ...And Out Come the Wolves is a great punk album with pop hooks, and it still feels fresh every time I hear it. I personally hope that it continues to for many more years.




Angel Dust by Faith No More
I don't even know what to write about this album. Faith No More is just hard to put into words. It seems to me that people either know if they like FNM or not. I do like them, and this album, to be sure, but it's very difficult to write about. Check it out. Or don't.

Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black by Public Enemy
This is almost certainly the worst Public Enemy album. It has two, count 'em two, good songs. One is the metal-tinged version of "Bring the Noise", featuring Anthrax, which, while good, is still a rerecording. The other song is the magnificent "By the Time I Get to Arizona". The beat on that one is just out of this world. It might be my favorite Public Enemy song ever - Chuck D just kills it and Flavor Flav is virtually nonexistent. Unfortunately, the rest of the album lacks both the fire and the production quality of Arizona, and the album suffers.

Apollo Kids by Ghostface Killah
This album isn't even technically out yet, I think. Pretty sure it comes out tomorrow. After Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City, this is very welcome, even if it's not quite one of Ghost's top tier releases. The production, despite being from a bunch of guys I've never heard of (one unremarkable track by The Hitmen excepted), is very solid, and does a good job of approximating the traditional Wu sound. Ghost, as usual, is on his game - raspy, urgent and smart. The problem I take with this album is that the guest spots are mostly uninspired. Do we need two guest verses from Cappadonna? No, of course not. With the exception of Raekwon and Black Thought, that same question and answer could be applied with the guest in question in place of Cap. Fortunately, Ghostface still carries the album, making for an ultimately enjoyable listen.

Apollo Sunshine by Apollo Sunshine
Continuing the trend of albums by local artists that the "A" albums, we have the middle album by Apollo Sunshine. It is a fantastic indie pop album that often flies in the face of convention, incorporating country twang, psychedelia and punk sensibilities in the span of less than 40 minutes. They really seem capable, at least on this album, of writing a great pop song in whatever subgenre of rock they feel like playing. The album is chaotic, it's fun, and it's bordering on genius. Shame they haven't followed it up with something of the same caliber. Please, do yourself a favor, and get this.


Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
Oh Wolf Parade. I have tried to like you. I truly have. I gave you second and third chances because my girlfriend loves you. Sadly, I cannot reconcile the vocals. They are just awful. Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug both manage to have singing styles that make me want to do horrible things. It's a shame, because the rest of it isn't bad.

Apparatus by subtractiveLAD
Within a few minutes of putting this on, I found myself spacing out, staring into nothing in particular. Apparatus has a very entrancing quality to it, but it only works for a limited amount of time, at least on me. Some time around the 35 minute mark, the magic starts to wear off. The problem is that the album is about 60 minutes long. This left me almost too aware of the last 20 minutes, and when you become aware of it, it's actually really boring. Weird.

Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses
Oh come on now, you've heard this. I don't need to write about this. (It would be better without "Think About You" and "You're Crazy", though.)

Aquemini by OutKast
I think this is my favorite OutKast album. It's not easy to pick, they really have never made a bad album. Aquemini is a bit long, but Big Boi and Andre3000, along with their guests, turn in excellent verse after excellent verse. Production, handled by a pair of OKs - OutKast themselves and Organized Konfusion - is the quintessential southern rap soundscape, I think. Distinctly "dirty", but not as over-the-top as the early 2000s southern rap boom. It's a definite classic, and a must-have for any hip hop fan.

Alligator - Amputechture

Alligator by The National
I don't really enjoy The National much. They are musically talented, and I appreciate that, but Matt Berninger's voice is just too syrupy for my tastes. His voice makes it hard for me to hone in on the lyrics very well, to the point where I don't immediately recall lyrics to any National song. Instrumentally, they're a great group, on Alligator especially. Their drummer is fantastic, but it's harder to enjoy it when Berninger is singing. I know a lot of people love this one though, so don't let me dissuade you from giving it a go.

Alone in a Crowd by Catch 22
A nice solid ska album. Not nearly as good as their debut, Keasbey Nights, but for their first album without Thomas Kalnoky, it's a very nice effort. Their cover of the Beach Boys' "Sloop John B.", "Wreck of the Sloop John B," is a very different take, but a great interpretation. Not a lot else to say about this one. Pick it up if you like ska or punk, see what you think.

Alright, Still by Lily Allen
As female pop stars go, Lily Allen is my favorite. I realize that's not saying a whole lot, considering how vapid most of them are. Allen is different though, at least on record. She is acerbic, she is mean, she is what she feels like being. She doesn't cutesy things up for radio play. Her lyrics are subversive, and they are backed with some of the most lush pop instrumentation in recent memory. "LDN" is so fantastically upbeat, yet the lyrics show the very unglamorous side of London. It's this juxtaposition that makes Alright, Still fun to listen to, even now, almost 5 years later. I have a feeling this will still sound great in 5 more years, if not longer.

Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series by The Decemberists
People who love the Decemberists always know what they are getting from a new release, and this is no exception. Released over a period of months as three 12" singles, Always the Bridesmaid bridged the gap between The Crane Wife and The Hazards of Love, and did so in a lovely fashion. The first volume - "Valerie Plame" and "O New England", is undeniably the strongest pair of songs, but the whole package is very solid. I think it would be a bit better without both versions of "Days of Elaine" - either the short or the long should go, I don't really care which - but I still greatly enjoy it as a short album / EP.

Aman Iman by Tinariwen
I don't partake in any sort of recreational drugs, but this music gives me the distinct feeling that it would be great to listen to if you were completely stoned. Even sober, I can put it on and just sort of let it ride, and enjoy it without really paying direct attention to it. And it's not like there's a lot to pay attention to - the lyrics are in Arabic (I believe). The instrumentation is somewhat sparse and winding, and it lends itself well to relaxation and clearing out your mind.

Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on Her Magical Ukulele by Amanda Palmer
I don't believe I mentioned it in the writeup for A is for Accident, but Amanda Palmer is the voice of the Dresden Dolls, for those of you who aren't aware. She has developed a successful solo career over the last few years, and this is her most recent release - an EP of her covering Radiohead songs on ukulele. It is surprisingly good. Her voice is well-suited to the songs she selected, particularly "No Surprises" and "Exit Music (For a Film)". Some tracks mix in piano along with the uke, but they all sound excellent. 

American Gangster by Jay-Z
There is a distinct possibility that this will go down as the last great Jay-Z album. It's well over three years old now, The Blueprint 3 has come and gone, and it was lackluster at best. American Gangster, inspired loosely by the film of the same name, is back to basics mafioso rap from one of the guys who has done it best. He goes light on the guest spots - there are only really 3 - and the production from Diddy and the Hitmen is both soulful and bombastic in equal measure. I won't go so far as to say that it's the best album Hova has ever released, but damn, sometimes it feels like it might be. And no lie, "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)" might be my favorite Jay-Z single ever. That brass section...! Fantastic.

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted by Ice Cube
It's hard to believe Ice Cube used to be this good. He goes so hard on every single track here, it's ridiculous. I can't even imagine where that fire went, or how it turned into shit like "Are We There Yet?" or whatever terrible PG comedy he's doing these days. Shameful. Production on this was handled by Public Enemy's Bomb Squad, and they came up with some of the best work they've ever done. There are beats on here that people will recognize without ever having heard an Ice Cube song, I think. Come back, Cube!

Amnesiac by Radiohead
Not including Pablo Honey, which I don't even have any more, this is probably my least favorite Radiohead record. There are certainly some great tracks - "Like Spinning Plates" and "Pyramid Song chief among them - but the songs in between just... don't do anything for me, as a listener. I feel mostly disengaged from the music when I listen to Amnesiac, like the songs between the high points are only there because they have to be there. The whole experience just feels dull too often.

Amputechture by The Mars Volta
Not one of the better Mars Volta albums, by any means. It's not out and out bad, but it's not something I would listen to regularly. "Viscera Eyes" is a great track (and remains the only Mars Volta song I've ever heard on commercial radio), but there's both not enough and too much going on in this album for it to be good cover to cover. I did do math better when listening to it, though, so there's that.