What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

from my library (digital)



Starting to really like these guys. Recently listened to the new album, but only once, and it was ok. This previous effort, which is their third, has benn on heavy rotation all week, and was really sinking in. Craig Finns lyrics and phrasing are excellent. This was the first album to chart (U.K. - #84, U.S. - #24). Chips Ahoy and Stuck Between Stations were singles. Love them backing vocals on Chillout Tent and First Night is just an awesome song, headphones, a joint, I melted.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - South Town Girls

Best Track - First Night

Charlemagne shakes in the streets
Gideon makes love to the suites
and Holly's not invincible
in fact she's in the hospital
not far from that bar where we met
on that first night

Charlemagne pulls street corner scams
and Gideon's got a popcap
from a Pringles can
Holly's insatiable, she still looks incredible
But she don't look like
that same girl we met
on that first night
She was golden with floorlight and beer
on that first night
she slept like she'd never been scared

And then last night
She said "Words so long
never could save us."
And then last night
She cried and she told us about Jesus

Holly's inconsolable
Unhinged and uncontrollable
'Cause we can't get as high as we got
on that first night

Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America
Boys and girls in America

Don't bother talking to the guys
with their hot soft eyes
you know they're already taken
Don't even speak to all those sequencer and beats boys
when they kiss they spit white noise
when they kiss they spit white noise
when they kiss they spit white noise
when they kiss they spit white noise
yeah, when they kiss they spit white noise
now when they kiss they spit white noise
when they kiss they spit white noise

1) Stuck Between Stations - *** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isvn_Dsj2bA
2) Chips Ahoy - ** - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCZB3nSoNbU
3) Hot Soft Light - ** - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-cjElnd_Fk
4) Same Kooks - * - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbBt7GtGt78
5) First Night - *** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeLnY35hOX4
6) Party Pit - **
7) You Can Make Him Like You - ** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdbjfJxlz18
8) Massive Nights - **
9) Citrus - ** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6-EQzvn4BU
10) Chill Out Tent - *** - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdT8tIrfEU
11) Southtown Girls - *

Rating - 2.1

[Tiggi]

Hardly anything about Dury is Punk, except maybe an attitude, but he certainly surfed the Punk wave.

The music plunders many genres - Music Hall, Funk, Rock & Roll, and a smattering of Punkishness - and The Blockheads were on top form here, but the main attraction for me would be Dury's lyrics. Often daft & humorous, but equally capable of tugging at the heart-strings.

All delivered in ID's glorious London slang, by his not so glorious voice.

Great album.

[techman]

Rage against the machine - Killing in the name

[Music Head]

listened online



Washington band formed in the early 80's that I never could get into. Just a little too hard core for me. Out there with Dead Kennedys on ludes or Black Flag. This was a little tamer than I expected, but it still didn't work. Had no idea they had 18 albums. The Who cover was totally unnecessary.

I DO NOT LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - My Generation

Best Track - Evil New War God

1) The Water Glass - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZaPDhhrdaY
2) Evil New War God - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmZLv74qQDo
3) Pig House - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_EuuhvMB-k
4) I'll Finish You Off - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqXtNpsobUQ
5) Electric Flower - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myPvDXym-dE
6) Hospital Up - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXxEbuxLTwI
7) Inhumanity And Death - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71AdABWtUxQ
8) My Generation - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lZx4B1w6Wo
9) P.G. X 3 - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22eK8oE5YYk

Average Rating - 1.1

[Music Head]

listened online



Never was a big Jam fan (preferred Style Council years), which is the roots of Mr Weller, who is out with his 10th solo album. Paul has always been a much more popular artist across the pond than here.
To remain relevant after this many years in the biz deserves some recognition, and he's done that. This album features contributions from fellow Jam band member Bruce Foxton. The album barely gets a passing grade from me, with a few good tracks.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - In Amsterdam

Best Track - Find The Torch, Burn The Plans

1) Moonshine - 1.5 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEYK73ogxug
2) Wake Up The Nation - 2.5 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HykV37M67MI
3) No Tears To Cry - 2.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnTHBNGTz-0
4) Fast Car/Slow Traffic - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxdLSv_Xbbg
5) Andromeda - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wi4HUmKE64
6) In Amsterdam - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxOQeYBZKaw
7) She Speaks - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsx8TTtp7J4
8) Find The Torch, Burn The Plans - 2.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PSpe82U1_k
9) Aim High - 2.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vThRXJtv4
10) Trees - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bq-_cTFr3I
11) Grasp & Still Connect - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8AOlqmKEXc
12) Whatever Next - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80acT5PcmeI
13) 7 & 3 Is The Strikers Name - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGMNkTEJhm8
14) Up The Dosage - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nln2dRvPWQU
15) Pieces Of A Dream - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsDJvFqUB60
16) Two Fat Ladies - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd7UUTnBvzE

Average Rating - 1.7

[Music Head]

listened online



English band gigged for a few years before landing a contract in 2004. Four albums later they are still trying to crack that U.S. market, after doing so in the homeland. Have toured with Franz Ferdinand, Pixies, Oasis and Foo Fighter. This album is said to be more ambitious than previous efforts. I wouldn't know. These guys remind me of a lot of groups, Maximo Park, Cribs and some Devo. The first single is Struck Dumb. Sun Goes Down really grabbed me.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Jupiter

Best Track - Sun Goes Down

The sun goes down and the colours are replaced
In the darkness I await your invisible embrace
I lead a double life, secretive ways
We're following the lights but we're lost in the haze
Sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins

I drive through the trees to the hiss of your name
I'll meet you in the moonlight to experience again
Nothing lasts forever but we don't need much
To take us to the sun is just a midnight touch
Sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins

The sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins.
It's a one way ticket to the city of sin
The sun goes down and the double life begins.

I'm thinking of the night through the middle of the day,
I'm dying to escape and I just can't wait
Love is replaced by a bright burning light
It's pulling me in to the city tonight
The sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins.

The sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins.
It's a one way ticket to the city of sin
The sun goes down and the double life begins.

The sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins.
It's a one way ticket to the city of sin
The sun goes down and the double life begins.

Double life begins
We don't care, we don't sleep, we don't think, we don't feel
We don't dream, we don't hide, we don't cheat, we don't lie
We don't care, we don't sleep, we don't think, we don't feel
We don't dream, we don't hide, we don't cheat, we don't lie
The sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins.
It's a one way ticket to the city of sin
The sun goes down and the double life begins.

The sun goes down and the double life begins,
Sun goes down and the double life begins.
It's a one way ticket to the city of sin
The sun goes down and the double life begins.

Double life begins

1) The Chaos - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXlKF0vVUvw
2) Struck Dumb - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shCuQaNH0is
3) Heartbeat Song - 1.5 - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saYWZ837FeA
4) Stop The Noise - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsCaogb9o7I
5) The Connector - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nhnZtBVcnY
6) I Can Do That - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-HVBnDEjb0
7) Sun Goes Down - 2.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qOs1aOOiuE
8) This Is The Life - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JryTxqwuRyw
9) The Baron - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKl5yx4DfcI
10) Dart In The Map - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJRuc5Uc69A
11) Jupiter - 1.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgug5YOetCw

Average Rating - 1.7

[Tiggi]

As reviewed by Music Head in November.

Ed originally put me onto this lot, and I bought the I And Love And You disc, which i lent to Robbie at work. Robbie's now lent me this one, and it's a lovely album.

Strong vocals, and fine songs of love, loss, sprituality, & regret make for a great Alt-Americana effort.

Banjotastic...

[Music Head]

^^

Yes it is..

[Music Head]

listened online



Debut album from these English indie girls. Have toured with Kate Nash, Maccabees and Mumford & Sons. Behind the band is Rosa Slade and Katy Young. The music could be considered folk, but fits nicely here too. Love the harmonies.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Careless Talk Costs Lives

Best Track - The Shape We Made

1) Long Division Blues - 1.5
2) Yo Mama - 2.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rn0hMEFJdM
3) I Read It In The Paper - 2.0
4) Green Grow The Rushes - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r542PM8u-Es
5) Watchman - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDTtWVy9I5E
6) She Called - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO3GuqfSt3c
7) Careless Talk Costs Less - 1.0
8) The Remainder - 2.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOAw8ke_3N4
9) Matilda - 1.5
10) February Snow - 2.5 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQN7kGO9xdI
11) Fossils - 2.5
12) The Shape We Made - 2.5 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkmaN9zNgtw

Average Rating - 2.0

[Music Head]

listened online



Not very often I come across a 3.0 song on first listen, but that happened on this album. First track, I was swept in. And not a bad track on it. Think this is my highest rated album (first listen) in awhile. Canadian band out with their fourth album, first for me. Don't know much about 'em, but I like 'em. Nominated for a Juno in 2008. Opened for McCartney when he played their area last year.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Terrible Man

Best Track - Experience The Jewel

What would you do?
What would you do,
If desperation called for you?
What would you do?

A big black cloud of smoke
You can't crimp it by the jackal throat
You can't sing it like a song you wrote
It's bigger than you

Call you up at 3am
You think you really got it bad?
You think you really do, do you?
You think you really do?

It's bigger than you
It's bigger than you
If you ever make it through
What would you do?

Experience the jewel
Experience the jewel, my friend
A preconditioned argument
Nobody's winning it
You gasp it like a dying breath
Black petal from a wet black sand
How you gonna nurture it?
How you gonna feed it?

It's bigger than you
It's bigger than you
If you ever make it through
What would you do?

It's bigger than you
It's bigger than you
If you ever make it through
What would you do?

1) Experience The Jewel - 3.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDLUOBvJDao
2) Encyclopedia - 2.0 - live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMw0YUkBE9c
3) Blood Collection - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF5EwldRavE
4) New Inheritors - 2.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_adcGm4RB9A
5) Black Camera - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXn9Zj7x_dk
6) Trace Decay - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC9fWxrRMMk
7) Mausoleum - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JmS9dN717k
8) Echolocation - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JJL8So0f5Y
9) Terrible Man - 1.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcKoxJ3fWFc
10) Preservation - 2.5 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Y1lAA6ENA
11) Mirror Matter - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvlCZkGbS80
12) Baltic - 2.0 - audio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf90MR8pVGg

Average Rating - 2.1