Knopfler?
I know he's a Geordie but what crime against humanity has he committed?
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The Album Review Club - Week #191 (page 1286) - Harlequin Dream - Boy & Bear
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
I know he's a Geordie but what crime against humanity has he committed?
mrbelfry
Well-Known Member
I don't think that's super unreasonable. I know little about Lauper though. What's she done to upset you?I think I have a difficult time liking music by people I don't like. It's obviously not always true. But it is sometimes true. Thom Yorke, Billy Joel, Mark Knopfler, Marilyn Manson, Cyndi Lauper, e.g.
BlueHammer85
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- 13 Oct 2010
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If anyone stuck on their nomination then i'll spin the wheel from the Larkin list :)
FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
I'm not upset, but she blamed her label for screwing her career up, instead of her bad songs, and then blamed her producer (also her boyfriend) for her fading career.I don't think that's super unreasonable. I know little about Lauper though. What's she done to upset you?
mrbelfry
Well-Known Member
You're a gentThat’ll do, cheers, will add.
FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
I don't want to revisit this topic again because we went over it some years ago and not everyone agrees, but he has a few songs I think are homophobic. Also, his music is pretentious, albeit he's talented, and his soulless pop move drove me batty.Knopfler?
I know he's a Geordie but what crime against humanity has he committed?
Ah.I don't want to revisit this topic again because we went over it some years ago and not everyone agrees, but he has a few songs I think are homophobic. Also, his music is pretentious, albeit he's talented, and his soulless pop move drove me batty.
Faggots are not just a old fashioned dinner option.
Understandable.
10/10?All right Senor Grumpus, if you look at that list, do you see any 10/10s or 9/10s? Just trying to benchmark you! It sounds like not enough techno/dance perhaps? I for one would welcome more. Might have to go that route when I do my next pick in 2028 :)
No. Closest would be SAW but 8 haven't heard a fair chunk of the other albums.
Some comments on stuff I see that I do like:
Revolver (Not a huge Beatles fan though)
Ten (magnificent one hit wonder album)
Lexicon: Smooth 80's nirvana
RATM: Best US album in decades
Ok computer: Magnificent
Orbison: Mother's favourite. I Never listened to an album but "In dreams" was her funeral song (my pick). Outstanding artist.
WOTW: Seriously, Just top drawer.
SAW: Defined a genre
I'm a fan of Ferry but never heard Siren (Avalon ftw)
Genesis: TLLDOB would be my obvious pick. I'll admit to liking the PC stuff later on. (!)
Pixies: I hade a mate called Geoffrey lol. (Two F's)
Clearly, Pickers are asking reviewers to go off the beaten path a little.
Big names listed but lesser known albums.
I like that. I could bore you all day about shit I listen to on repeat. It's the unexpected surprises we are perhaps trying to find for others in this thread.
Not enough electronic music.
Not enough classical.
Not enough modern stuff.
To much country and western though.
One hit wonder.I don't think that's super unreasonable. I know little about Lauper though.
Goes in the same bin as Whiney.
Shrieking, yelling mentalist.
FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
Struggling a bit with the acronyms -- SAW? Got the rest.10/10?
No. Closest would be SAW but 8 haven't heard a fair chunk of the other albums.
Some comments on stuff I see that I do like:
Revolver (Not a huge Beatles fan though)
Ten (magnificent one hit wonder album)
Lexicon: Smooth 80's nirvana
RATM: Best US album in decades
Ok computer: Magnificent
Orbison: Mother's favourite. I Never listened to an album but "In dreams" was her funeral song (my pick). Outstanding artist.
WOTW: Seriously, Just top drawer.
SAW: Defined a genre
I'm a fan of Ferry but never heard Siren (Avalon ftw)
Genesis: TLLDOB would be my obvious pick. I'll admit to liking the PC stuff later on. (!)
Pixies: I hade a mate called Geoffrey lol. (Two F's)
Clearly, Pickers are asking reviewers to go off the beaten path a little.
Big names listed but lesser known albums.
I like that. I could bore you all day about shit I listen to on repeat. It's the unexpected surprises we are perhaps trying to find for others in this thread.
Not enough electronic music.
Not enough classical.
Not enough modern stuff.
To much country and western though.
Agree on Genesis (Lamb, and then later stuff). Duke is a guilty pleasure.
The unexpected surprises are why I'm here, and we've had plenty. It's a great group of nominators -- top drawer.
But clearly you and I are gonna have some tussles :)
Also agree on a bit too much C&W but that is our esteemed leader's lean so I am okay with that. Hoping for more electronic too. Classical (like jazz) I struggle a bit to rate.
BlueHammer85
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Not enough electronic music.
Tough crowd on that front, I chucked in Chem Brothers and The Midnight - both got pretty panned.
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
Ok computer: Magnificent
Yeah, I caught it too. There, There. ;-)But clearly you and I are gonna have some tussles :)
That about sums it up. No Surprises we are not, and the best finds that we recently weighed in on was lots of fun and encouraged even more music exploration on our last break.The unexpected surprises are why I'm here, and we've had plenty. It's a great group of nominators -- top drawer.
I wouldn't just pin that on Rob either. For the record, our C&W as is being termed has touched a good portion of Americana, southern rock, and today's Nashville. One of those made my Top 5 best finds, and I'll continue to stand by that too.Also agree on a bit too much C&W but that is our esteemed leader's lean so I am okay with that.
mrbelfry
Well-Known Member
Mr Grumpy and Fog getting Knives Out.
BlueHammer85
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Is Mr Grumpy .. BimboBob ?
FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
100%, and it's not a criticism, as we can all post what we want -- I think about the southern roots of the Drive-By Truckers, or Lucinda Williams -- both wonderful records IMO, and among my favo(u)rite discoveries here. I was thinking more in terms of "balance" compared with other genres.I wouldn't just pin that on Rob either. For the record, our C&W as is being termed has touched a good portion of Americana, southern rock, and today's Nashville. One of those made my Top 5 best finds, and I'll continue to stand by that too.
That said, we are missing some awfully big 60-80s "classic rock" bands nearly three years in. No one has nominated a Who or Clash record. No Beach Boys. No Pink Floyd, U2, REM or Doors. No Fleetwood Mac. No AC/DC. No Eagles (thank CHRIST for that). No Hendrix, no Grateful Dead. Not to mention dozens and dozens of other artists of somewhat less prominence.
It's still a field of unpicked flowers, this thread. Here's to the next three years!
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
There's hardly any country and western.To much country and western though.
Americana, alt-country, roots rock, folk yes. But straight-up C & W? I don't think so.
Nice of you to say so, but I think I've gone on record as saying that I don't like straight-up C & W or even straight-up country. Or even straight-up blues, it all gets a bit boring after a bit.Also agree on a bit too much C&W but that is our esteemed leader's lean so I am okay with that.
What really makes Americana stand out is when somebody takes the basic approach and instruments and mixes it up a bit, although preferably without any rapping, shouting or beat boxes.
GornikDaze
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- 9 Jul 2012
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Amen!! :)10/10?
No. Closest would be SAW but 8 haven't heard a fair chunk of the other albums.
Some comments on stuff I see that I do like:
Revolver (Not a huge Beatles fan though)
Ten (magnificent one hit wonder album)
Lexicon: Smooth 80's nirvana
RATM: Best US album in decades
Ok computer: Magnificent
Orbison: Mother's favourite. I Never listened to an album but "In dreams" was her funeral song (my pick). Outstanding artist.
WOTW: Seriously, Just top drawer.
SAW: Defined a genre
I'm a fan of Ferry but never heard Siren (Avalon ftw)
Genesis: TLLDOB would be my obvious pick. I'll admit to liking the PC stuff later on. (!)
Pixies: I hade a mate called Geoffrey lol. (Two F's)
Clearly, Pickers are asking reviewers to go off the beaten path a little.
Big names listed but lesser known albums.
I like that. I could bore you all day about shit I listen to on repeat. It's the unexpected surprises we are perhaps trying to find for others in this thread.
Not enough electronic music.
Not enough classical.
Not enough modern stuff.
To much country and western though.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Is This It – The Strokes
Before I start the review, I’d like to admit that I was wrong in saying that this is “just indie 101”. I think the buzzing guitar sound on this album is influenced by earlier eras more than you’d hear on most “indie” (which I’m using here as a catch-all term for music that doesn’t fit in the metal, hard-rock, grunge, AOR, classic rock genres).
The title track that opens the album is slow and stodgy, and I was immediately puzzled by Foggy’s claims regarding feet and cement. However, “The Modern Age” is immediately better, with its staccato guitar throughout. “Barely Legal” has a good bit of pace about it and “Alone Together” features some terrific guitar work in the coda. “Last Nite” even has a short but sweet guitar solo.
It does all begin to sound like one song with 3-second gaps as the album progresses, and whilst Julian Casablancas’ singing does grate after a bit, at least he’s giving it bit of snarl rather than whining, so it’s definitely not indie 101 :)
You can definitely hear the influence of late-70s bands such as Television. The sound also reminds me of Franz Ferdinand, but obviously they came a little later and if this album is as influential as claimed, maybe that’s where FF got their sound from. Funnily enough, this nomination got me listening to FF’s You Could Have It So Much Better, which I bought when it came out but haven’t listened to for years.
I agree with the idea that the words are largely irrelevant here – if you like an album like this, it’s for the sound and the attitude.
Whether they were something new, or at least new for the decade, or were just a variant of what else was going on at the time will be interesting to listen out for on the Rock Evolution thread as we move through the late 90s.
On balance, I prefer a buzzing guitar sound to a jangly guitar sound that goes nowhere, so it’s a 7/10.
Before I start the review, I’d like to admit that I was wrong in saying that this is “just indie 101”. I think the buzzing guitar sound on this album is influenced by earlier eras more than you’d hear on most “indie” (which I’m using here as a catch-all term for music that doesn’t fit in the metal, hard-rock, grunge, AOR, classic rock genres).
The title track that opens the album is slow and stodgy, and I was immediately puzzled by Foggy’s claims regarding feet and cement. However, “The Modern Age” is immediately better, with its staccato guitar throughout. “Barely Legal” has a good bit of pace about it and “Alone Together” features some terrific guitar work in the coda. “Last Nite” even has a short but sweet guitar solo.
It does all begin to sound like one song with 3-second gaps as the album progresses, and whilst Julian Casablancas’ singing does grate after a bit, at least he’s giving it bit of snarl rather than whining, so it’s definitely not indie 101 :)
You can definitely hear the influence of late-70s bands such as Television. The sound also reminds me of Franz Ferdinand, but obviously they came a little later and if this album is as influential as claimed, maybe that’s where FF got their sound from. Funnily enough, this nomination got me listening to FF’s You Could Have It So Much Better, which I bought when it came out but haven’t listened to for years.
I agree with the idea that the words are largely irrelevant here – if you like an album like this, it’s for the sound and the attitude.
Whether they were something new, or at least new for the decade, or were just a variant of what else was going on at the time will be interesting to listen out for on the Rock Evolution thread as we move through the late 90s.
On balance, I prefer a buzzing guitar sound to a jangly guitar sound that goes nowhere, so it’s a 7/10.
aka blue jambo
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- 2 Nov 2008
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- 6,387
I remember the first time I heard them
We were going to see Goldfrapp in Edinburgh .. guest list as my pal was actually doing her hair.
Anyway we are in the car and he had the latest NME free cassette and they were one of the featured bands.
It was honestly the best song I had heard for years .. I think we sat and played it about 20 times.
We were late for our audience with Alison who had a real strop.
Great days
We were going to see Goldfrapp in Edinburgh .. guest list as my pal was actually doing her hair.
Anyway we are in the car and he had the latest NME free cassette and they were one of the featured bands.
It was honestly the best song I had heard for years .. I think we sat and played it about 20 times.
We were late for our audience with Alison who had a real strop.
Great days