RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
I think we are close to being sorted now, but thanks anyway benny.
(Also, see above post).
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The Album Review Club - Week #196 (page 1316) - Aja - Steely Dan
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
(Also, see above post).
@BlueHammer85
I'll follow up on our ongoing conversations on this. In doing the thread page search, stumbled across a post that had the full CL list plus the RS one. Was finally able to see it for myself. Again, my own views and maybe more of an explanation why I'm not as involved on the thread, and not in any way a negative aimed at it.
I'm not sure it is really much richer in terms of variety of genres and types. The list has a lot of the same bands and genres. It has almost the entire works of the Beatles for example, a lot of the Smiths. Hardly an example of variety. Sure there are lots to pick from, but only because of the sheer volume of over 1000 albums.
I had said earlier, for me to want to engage with that list, I'd need at least some albums dear to me to be part of it. And having looked at it, out of what I'd say are my favourite 20ish albums (I don't say top, I appreciate there are better albums, just more for me), there are 2 that appear on there. Better than nothing. There are plenty of albums on it that I consider great and like a lot. And was partly surprised at how many I had listened to.
Both the albums above were on my long list to consider nominating here anyway, so that may we be my next one then. And it would cover a pick from the CL list you can tick off, and possibly wouldn't have selected yourself. How does that sound?
I'll follow up on our ongoing conversations on this. In doing the thread page search, stumbled across a post that had the full CL list plus the RS one. Was finally able to see it for myself. Again, my own views and maybe more of an explanation why I'm not as involved on the thread, and not in any way a negative aimed at it.
I'm not sure it is really much richer in terms of variety of genres and types. The list has a lot of the same bands and genres. It has almost the entire works of the Beatles for example, a lot of the Smiths. Hardly an example of variety. Sure there are lots to pick from, but only because of the sheer volume of over 1000 albums.
I had said earlier, for me to want to engage with that list, I'd need at least some albums dear to me to be part of it. And having looked at it, out of what I'd say are my favourite 20ish albums (I don't say top, I appreciate there are better albums, just more for me), there are 2 that appear on there. Better than nothing. There are plenty of albums on it that I consider great and like a lot. And was partly surprised at how many I had listened to.
Both the albums above were on my long list to consider nominating here anyway, so that may we be my next one then. And it would cover a pick from the CL list you can tick off, and possibly wouldn't have selected yourself. How does that sound?
BlueHammer85
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 13 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 40,961
@BlueHammer85
I'll follow up on our ongoing conversations on this. In doing the thread page search, stumbled across a post that had the full CL list plus the RS one. Was finally able to see it for myself. Again, my own views and maybe more of an explanation why I'm not as involved on the thread, and not in any way a negative aimed at it.
I'm not sure it is really much richer in terms of variety of genres and types. The list has a lot of the same bands and genres. It has almost the entire works of the Beatles for example, a lot of the Smiths. Hardly an example of variety. Sure there are lots to pick from, but only because of the sheer volume of over 1000 albums.
I had said earlier, for me to want to engage with that list, I'd need at least some albums dear to me to be part of it. And having looked at it, out of what I'd say are my favourite 20ish albums (I don't say top, I appreciate there are better albums, just more for me), there are 2 that appear on there. Better than nothing. There are plenty of albums on it that I consider great and like a lot. And was partly surprised at how many I had listened to.
Both the albums above were on my long list to consider nominating here anyway, so that may we be my next one then. And it would cover a pick from the CL list you can tick off, and possibly wouldn't have selected yourself. How does that sound?
No biggie mate. Both threads offer an Album to listen too so I’m not fussed either way. Every now and then someone will put an album of here that’s in the CL list anyway and I can tick that off (like this Pixies nomination)
I might do a CL album nomination once a month or something - should get 10 votes or more in that time aswell - but no pressure for anyone to listen/review, I barely have the time myself nowadays anyway
BimboBob
Well-Known Member
The Pixies.
Grunge, grunge lite, indie whatever you want to call it it left me a bit cold. Sure his voice is fucking annoying but if the music was standout-ish then I could, and I mean could, have got past it. But it wasn't and I can't. I'd never really listened to the Pixies before and in my head they were the pre-runners to grunge, the band they all looked up to. Genesis so to speak. But no, it's all very very bland topped up by any annoying singer who I can't work out if he's taking the piss or not.
At some points in my week I spend a lot of time in bed, listening to music, podcasts, audio books etc etc. I fell asleep to The Pixies at 10am. This was after a full nights sleep.
Not for me. Can't really see the appeal.
3/10
Grunge, grunge lite, indie whatever you want to call it it left me a bit cold. Sure his voice is fucking annoying but if the music was standout-ish then I could, and I mean could, have got past it. But it wasn't and I can't. I'd never really listened to the Pixies before and in my head they were the pre-runners to grunge, the band they all looked up to. Genesis so to speak. But no, it's all very very bland topped up by any annoying singer who I can't work out if he's taking the piss or not.
At some points in my week I spend a lot of time in bed, listening to music, podcasts, audio books etc etc. I fell asleep to The Pixies at 10am. This was after a full nights sleep.
Not for me. Can't really see the appeal.
3/10
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
I'm suddenly worried about nominating tomorrow now and running into "Angry Bob" :)The Pixies.
Grunge, grunge lite, indie whatever you want to call it it left me a bit cold. Sure his voice is fucking annoying but if the music was standout-ish then I could, and I mean could, have got past it. But it wasn't and I can't. I'd never really listened to the Pixies before and in my head they were the pre-runners to grunge, the band they all looked up to. Genesis so to speak. But no, it's all very very bland topped up by any annoying singer who I can't work out if he's taking the piss or not.
At some points in my week I spend a lot of time in bed, listening to music, podcasts, audio books etc etc. I fell asleep to The Pixies at 10am. This was after a full nights sleep.
Not for me. Can't really see the appeal.
3/10
Even though I rated it a bit higher, I agree about the voice.
journolud
Well-Known Member
An easier job than listening to the Pixies...I’ve started on my list. Easier than I thought, should have it done later today
31- 356
32- 177
33- 287
34- 449
35- 247
36- 226
37- 667
38- 364
39- 463
40- 525
41- 621
42- 323
43- 425
44- 188 (what a great pick that was..)
45- 485
Now what am I going to do on my night shift Thursday?
BlueHammer85
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 13 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 40,961
An easier job than listening to the Pixies...
31- 356
32- 177
33- 287
34- 449
35- 247
36- 226
37- 667
38- 364
39- 463
40- 525
41- 621
42- 323
43- 425
44- 188 (what a great pick that was..)
45- 485
Now what am I going to do on my night shift Thursday?
Do the same for the Top 1100 thread
Cheers :)
journolud
Well-Known Member
Lol! Never say neverDo the same for the Top 1100 thread
Cheers :)
journolud
Well-Known Member
The Pixies were a bit of a struggle and I wouldn't say I needed help but I did enlist my wife who declares herself as having been a fan back in the day. It's fair to say that I've kept up with my musical history more than she has but she is by no means a philistine, even if Adele and Coldplay are apparently good according to her...
Interesting that at the same time this was nominated I'd revisited the Dead Kennedys, a band I did like back in the day. I'm not saying there are direct comparisons apart from both can be noisy and to the unresponsive ear lack tunefulness. I think it is previous familiarity with the DKs that made them easier for me to listen to and pick out the "tunes".
My wife commented about the Pixies that "maybe you have to be younger to like them". She certainly was younger once, weren't we all. And although she had declared this their best album she also found it didn't hold her like it used to. She went on to say she preferred the Breeders, not that she was backtracking or anything.
It wasn't all bad, nothing is. Even Adele and Coldplay. I'd mentioned on my first comments about it that there are some really good tunes, some of it is immediate but the album could be summed up by the first 30 seconds or so. A great musical intro and then vocals trashing all over it. I'm not a purist by any means but I did find the vocals for the most part off putting.
As others have mentioned there are clear contrasts between the good and the bad although everyone seems to have a different view about what are the more palatable bits. Well, Here Comes Your Man is an example of that to be fair. A relatively straightforward delivery, a great hook. But that's pretty much in the minority.
To be fair it will be a while before I listen to the DKs again. Will be longer before I listen to the Pixies. Unless my wife wants a go at playing something and it's a toss up between these and Coldplay.
A 5 from me.
Interesting that at the same time this was nominated I'd revisited the Dead Kennedys, a band I did like back in the day. I'm not saying there are direct comparisons apart from both can be noisy and to the unresponsive ear lack tunefulness. I think it is previous familiarity with the DKs that made them easier for me to listen to and pick out the "tunes".
My wife commented about the Pixies that "maybe you have to be younger to like them". She certainly was younger once, weren't we all. And although she had declared this their best album she also found it didn't hold her like it used to. She went on to say she preferred the Breeders, not that she was backtracking or anything.
It wasn't all bad, nothing is. Even Adele and Coldplay. I'd mentioned on my first comments about it that there are some really good tunes, some of it is immediate but the album could be summed up by the first 30 seconds or so. A great musical intro and then vocals trashing all over it. I'm not a purist by any means but I did find the vocals for the most part off putting.
As others have mentioned there are clear contrasts between the good and the bad although everyone seems to have a different view about what are the more palatable bits. Well, Here Comes Your Man is an example of that to be fair. A relatively straightforward delivery, a great hook. But that's pretty much in the minority.
To be fair it will be a while before I listen to the DKs again. Will be longer before I listen to the Pixies. Unless my wife wants a go at playing something and it's a toss up between these and Coldplay.
A 5 from me.
FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
And yet this is gonna end up scoring higher than The Breeders (I think). I think the best Breeders songs are better than the best Pixies songs, but The Breeders flights of fancy can be a little more misguided too, albeit there are fewer of them.The Pixies were a bit of a struggle and I wouldn't say I needed help but I did enlist my wife who declares herself as having been a fan back in the day. It's fair to say that I've kept up with my musical history more than she has but she is by no means a philistine, even if Adele and Coldplay are apparently good according to her...
Interesting that at the same time this was nominated I'd revisited the Dead Kennedys, a band I did like back in the day. I'm not saying there are direct comparisons apart from both can be noisy and to the unresponsive ear lack tunefulness. I think it is previous familiarity with the DKs that made them easier for me to listen to and pick out the "tunes".
My wife commented about the Pixies that "maybe you have to be younger to like them". She certainly was younger once, weren't we all. And although she had declared this their best album she also found it didn't hold her like it used to. She went on to say she preferred the Breeders, not that she was backtracking or anything.
It wasn't all bad, nothing is. Even Adele and Coldplay. I'd mentioned on my first comments about it that there are some really good tunes, some of it is immediate but the album could be summed up by the first 30 seconds or so. A great musical intro and then vocals trashing all over it. I'm not a purist by any means but I did find the vocals for the most part off putting.
As others have mentioned there are clear contrasts between the good and the bad although everyone seems to have a different view about what are the more palatable bits. Well, Here Comes Your Man is an example of that to be fair. A relatively straightforward delivery, a great hook. But that's pretty much in the minority.
To be fair it will be a while before I listen to the DKs again. Will be longer before I listen to the Pixies. Unless my wife wants a go at playing something and it's a toss up between these and Coldplay.
A 5 from me.
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
I know I prefer The Breeders but can’t remember what score I gave them.And yet this is gonna end up scoring higher than The Breeders (I think). I think the best Breeders songs are better than the best Pixies songs, but The Breeders flights of fancy can be a little more misguided too, albeit there are fewer of them.
It would be interesting to see a spreadsheet of all our voting histories.
RobMCFC you’re doing nothing at the moment! ;-)
Now what am I going to do on my night shift Thursday?
Listen to Pixies?
Mancitydoogle
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 7 Aug 2017
- Messages
- 1,841
Doolittle
I’m going against the last few reviews, especially as I own this album.
I bought it on the back of the singles ‘Here comes your man’ and ‘Monkey gone to Heaven’ which I still really like.I skipped a number of tracks back then so it’s been useful to be ‘forced’ to listen to the whole album, and I now find I like a lot of those other tracks.I think they are influenced not only by the Velvets and the MC5 but also a number of Garage bands like’ The Replacements’. I’m not sure I agree that they were a pre curser to grunge although I believe Curt Cobain was a fan.
I’m one of the voice police’ yet I don’t mind Black Francis voice on this album I feel it suits the music or the music suits his voice.I really like the simplicity of Kim Deal’s bass playing, I see she reprisedthe riff on ‘ I bleed ‘ for ‘Cannonball’.
I saw Black Francis as Frank Black live in Nashville just after he released his country album Honeycomb , which is worth a listen as he sounds very different and he can sing to a limited extent.
All in all a great pick @GornikDaze
A strong 7/10 and I’m going to revisit Surfer Rosa next.
I’m going against the last few reviews, especially as I own this album.
I bought it on the back of the singles ‘Here comes your man’ and ‘Monkey gone to Heaven’ which I still really like.I skipped a number of tracks back then so it’s been useful to be ‘forced’ to listen to the whole album, and I now find I like a lot of those other tracks.I think they are influenced not only by the Velvets and the MC5 but also a number of Garage bands like’ The Replacements’. I’m not sure I agree that they were a pre curser to grunge although I believe Curt Cobain was a fan.
I’m one of the voice police’ yet I don’t mind Black Francis voice on this album I feel it suits the music or the music suits his voice.I really like the simplicity of Kim Deal’s bass playing, I see she reprisedthe riff on ‘ I bleed ‘ for ‘Cannonball’.
I saw Black Francis as Frank Black live in Nashville just after he released his country album Honeycomb , which is worth a listen as he sounds very different and he can sing to a limited extent.
All in all a great pick @GornikDaze
A strong 7/10 and I’m going to revisit Surfer Rosa next.
I can't for the life of me figure out why people like Here Comes Your Man as a song. I get why they'd like Pixies as a band, and this as an album. But as a song, to me, it just sounds like it is from another album by another band from another era.
A strong 7/10 and I’m going to revisit Surfer Rosa next.
Listened to Surfer Rosa a near enough 3 times as well now. This one has certainly prompted visits and revisits to other albums, that doesn't happen that often or at least not at that scale for me.
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
Yeah. Van Morrison. Here Comes The Night. I might have mentioned it.I can't for the life of me figure out why people like Here Comes Your Man as a song. I get why they'd like Pixies as a band, and this as an album. But as a song, to me, it just sounds like it is from another album by another band from another era.
Here comes your man, is one of the better songs. If it’s out of keeping with the rest of the album then my opinion would be, the album suffers as a result.
Yeah. Van Morrison. Here Comes The Night. I might have mentioned it.
Here comes your man, is one of the better songs. If it’s out of keeping with the rest of the album then my opinion would be, the album suffers as a result.
So you have, and you are right.
Part of that is my point, not bothered by it sounding similar to something else. Musicians rip others off all the time. Nirvana ripped off plenty but managed to make them sound like themselves. This one for me doesn't, it sounds a different style. Whether it is better or worse, down to taste, but in my opinion, it doesn't belong on the album. Which is why I find it strange that it has come to almost represent it.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your input.An easier job than listening to the Pixies...
31- 356
32- 177
33- 287
34- 449
35- 247
36- 226
37- 667
38- 364
39- 463
40- 525
41- 621
42- 323
43- 425
44- 188 (what a great pick that was..)
45- 485
Now what am I going to do on my night shift Thursday?
When I do the updated table tomorrow, there will be a new column filled with page numbers.
This makes it easy for me to rip off everybody's fantastic introductions to their album choices, put them in a book and make a fortune selling it on Amazon. "Rob's 100 Albums That Changed The World." Just another 40 or so to go and I'll have enough :)
BlueHammer85
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 13 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 40,961
I can't for the life of me figure out why people like Here Comes Your Man as a song. I get why they'd like Pixies as a band, and this as an album. But as a song, to me, it just sounds like it is from another album by another band from another era.
It’s one of my favourites on here
It’s just a really good ‘Pop’ song , a nice break from the grunge/rock
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
You could be onto something there.Thanks for your input.
When I do the updated table tomorrow, there will be a new column filled with page numbers.
This makes it easy for me to rip off everybody's fantastic introductions to their album choices, put them in a book and make a fortune selling it on Amazon. "Rob's 100 Albums That Changed The World." Just another 40 or so to go and I'll have enough :)