So, today I have some moderate excitement about some new stuff and some exuberance over some not-so-new stuff.
First up, the new: The Prodigy. Invaders Must Die is the new album, and it's a fun one....if you like The Prodigy. Basically, I'm not disappointed that I own the album, but I'm not jumping up and down the way I was in my last entry. If you already like The Prodigy you'll like Invaders Must Die. It's essentially the same vibe as Fat of the Land infused with older-style (eg, Music for the Jilted Generation) samples and synths. For staying awake while driving or for getting pumped up for a night on the town it's at least as good as anything else they have released. For intrigue, creativity, and caché...don't get Invaders Must Die. Instead get.....
CROSS! This album by Justice was released a year ago, but it blows my mind so much that I just had to mention it here. I had heard several Justice songs in various DJ mixes (in fact, I mentioned them in a blog entry several months ago), but I hadn't yet gotten this album for myself until recently. I have been listening to it a little every day since then, and I'm still not tired of it. You may recognize the introductory track from some recent car commercials, and you may recognize a few of the later tracks from some recent films and TV shows. However, the songs that aren't commercial enough for movies and TV are the ones that really leave a mark. Each of their songs evokes thoughts and emotions so strongly that I swear they are speaking directly to my mind. Sometimes the message is a little disturbing and I have to put it down for a little while, but often I just can't resist the smile or violent headbang that their music elicits. I hope to catch these guys live some time, since previews of their live concert DVD Across the Universe seems to indicate that they rock as hard as any rock 'n' roll band both on and off stage.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Happy Day
At the risk of sounding like a fanboy sycophant I feel I must shout from the rooftops my joy at the new U2 album No Line on the Horizon! I can't remember the last time I was more enthralled when listening to an album the first time through. Oh, wait, now I remember, it was when Achtung Baby came out!
Seriously, as most of you know, U2 is my all time greatest guilty pleasure. The rebel in me hates that I love a band that is so commercial and popular, but I just can't stop. With this album in particular my joy is complete. With How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and All That You Can't Leave Behind I was actually starting to think that the band was settling into late-career mode. You know, the period where they all look at each other and say, "You know what? We're old. Let's just write some pretty songs and put out an album to prove we can still play our instruments." However, it is my great pleasure to announce that this seems NOT to be the case with U2. As they have done over and over in the past they have reinvented themselves in a way that is familiar and yet new and exciting.
I'm particularly enthusiastic about Brian Eno's involvement in the album. His influence can clearly be heard (by those with discerning ears) in the strange but lilting organs and blips and beeps that pervade but never dominate the production. While Bono's voice has indeed lost a little of the dynamic intensity that his youth afforded, it has been replaced with the emotional intensity of maturity. Here is a man who makes clear through his lyrics that he has traveled the world, lived the high life as a pop star and yet spent countless hours working for and in behalf of the underprivileged, the wrongfully accused, and the starving and orphaned.
Go buy this album!
Seriously, as most of you know, U2 is my all time greatest guilty pleasure. The rebel in me hates that I love a band that is so commercial and popular, but I just can't stop. With this album in particular my joy is complete. With How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and All That You Can't Leave Behind I was actually starting to think that the band was settling into late-career mode. You know, the period where they all look at each other and say, "You know what? We're old. Let's just write some pretty songs and put out an album to prove we can still play our instruments." However, it is my great pleasure to announce that this seems NOT to be the case with U2. As they have done over and over in the past they have reinvented themselves in a way that is familiar and yet new and exciting.
I'm particularly enthusiastic about Brian Eno's involvement in the album. His influence can clearly be heard (by those with discerning ears) in the strange but lilting organs and blips and beeps that pervade but never dominate the production. While Bono's voice has indeed lost a little of the dynamic intensity that his youth afforded, it has been replaced with the emotional intensity of maturity. Here is a man who makes clear through his lyrics that he has traveled the world, lived the high life as a pop star and yet spent countless hours working for and in behalf of the underprivileged, the wrongfully accused, and the starving and orphaned.
Go buy this album!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Still going
I realized the other day that it's been eons since I posted anything here, and I almost decided to delete the blog. However, I've really enjoyed having a reason to listen to and think about new music, so I'm going to pick it up once more.
Anyone here a fan of My Morning Jacket? I have just recently started to get into them. I haven't decided which album to buy on my limited budget. Any suggestions?
In terms of recent music I feel like I have to comment on The Killers' "Day and Age". I have been surprised at how much I like this poppy-sounding album. I don't know if it's the lyrics or the voice or just everything, but I'm really enjoying it. I don't laud it among the best of the best, but I think I might actually buy the album.
Anyone here a fan of My Morning Jacket? I have just recently started to get into them. I haven't decided which album to buy on my limited budget. Any suggestions?
In terms of recent music I feel like I have to comment on The Killers' "Day and Age". I have been surprised at how much I like this poppy-sounding album. I don't know if it's the lyrics or the voice or just everything, but I'm really enjoying it. I don't laud it among the best of the best, but I think I might actually buy the album.
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