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.
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 CostelloElvis 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.
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.
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