Album of the Year Thread - 2022 - Winner - For the Sake of Bethel Woods - Midlake

[bennyboy]

Since moving from Spotify to Tidal last month I seem to get a much wider list of new albums to listen to, a good few dozen weekly from Americana to classical to alt-country, like this one from Orville Peck - Bronco, which I'd rate a HIT on the basis of the epic soundscape and voice.

Listening to this now.
Hopefully the rest of the album as good as the first track.

 

[Coatigan]

Bit of quiet week, so I'll put one forward.

Placebo - Never Let Me go

Bullseye for me. Not exactly a musical masterpiece nor anything particularly groundbreaking about it, but a basic album well produced and put together, with the songs in the right order to prompt a bit of excitement and emotion. Some of it feels very current and of the times. Find it quite good to work to.


I've been meaning to put another album forward, but the more I've listened to it the less convinced I am by it. Feels odd to suggest something that is a miss, eventhough I think others may be less harsh on it. Maybe if there is another quiet spell.

 

[RobMCFC]

I've nominated River Fools and Mountain Saints by Ian Noe and marked it as a HIT. Could go up to the full bullseye in time.

He released his debut album, Between the Country, in 2019. This album included "Letter to Madeline", perhaps the best story-song I've heard in years that featured a cornered bank robber. The new album also features a fantastic batch of story-songs and the "sonic palette" on this album it brilliant, mixing sprightly old-time guitar/fiddle/mandolin country sound with some CCR-inspired rockier elements.

It's not for everyone, but if you like this kind of stuff, you may well think it's very good.

 

[BedsBlue68]

Ah, that’s one I’ve not listened to yet… that’s on my to do list for tomorrow! Thanks for the reminder

Have Yard Act got one out?!? Saw them live - Amazing performance

 

[Mancitydoogle]

I've nominated River Fools and Mountain Saints by Ian Noe and marked it as a HIT. Could go up to the full bullseye in time.

He released his debut album, Between the Country, in 2019. This album included "Letter to Madeline", perhaps the best story-song I've heard in years that featured a cornered bank robber. The new album also features a fantastic batch of story-songs and the "sonic palette" on this album it brilliant, mixing sprightly old-time guitar/fiddle/mandolin country sound with some CCR-inspired rockier elements.

It's not for everyone, but if you like this kind of stuff, you may well think it's very good.

You recommended IN to me last year on another thread.Right up my street,I’ve been listening to tracks of this new album and so far it’s a definite Hit, as you say maybe even a Bullseye.

 

[RobMCFC]

You recommended IN to me last year on another thread.Right up my street,I’ve been listening to tracks of this new album and so far it’s a definite Hit, as you say maybe even a Bullseye.

Yes, I think it's definitely that type of album that can get better with each listen. There's so much story in there that it can be too much to take in on the first couple of listens.

 

[RobMCFC]

I'm not finding much to my liking this week, three misses, I'm afraid.

Tones of the Sparrow by The Asteroid No. 4 - I think this is "psych" rock, isn't it? I feel like the guitars and keyboards all blend together and I can't hear what's going on with the individual instruments. The tracks I did like were "Surrounded" and "Transmission" where can hear a bit of something (plus clearer vocals) above the mix.

Never Let Me Go by Placebo. I do like some British bands that came out of the 90s, but they tend to be the ones that play 60s/70s-influenced music, and I don't really like the industrial/mechanical/cold sound like on this album. There's a bit too many pointless F-bombs on here as well. But again, I did find a few I enjoyed - the strings on "The Prodigal" plus "This is What You Wanted" and "Went Missing" were a decent listen.

Warm Chris by Aldous Harding. I'm sure the artist is toying with me here. I quite liked some of the melodies and arrangements on offer, particularly "Tick Tock" and "Fever", but my God, some of these vocals! It must be an acquired taste because she seems to go from a comedy German accent on "Passion Babe" to a slowed-down Bob Marley tribute on "Leathery Whip" - then she does a fair impression of a chipmunk on the same track!

But once again, I enjoyed the experience of trying some new things out and hopefully I'll get some hits from you guys further down the line. Still really enjoying Troika by D'Virgillo, Morse and Jennings.

 

[journolud]

I'm not finding much to my liking this week, three misses, I'm afraid.

Tones of the Sparrow by The Asteroid No. 4 - I think this is "psych" rock, isn't it? I feel like the guitars and keyboards all blend together and I can't hear what's going on with the individual instruments. The tracks I did like were "Surrounded" and "Transmission" where can hear a bit of something (plus clearer vocals) above the mix.

Never Let Me Go by Placebo. I do like some British bands that came out of the 90s, but they tend to be the ones that play 60s/70s-influenced music, and I don't really like the industrial/mechanical/cold sound like on this album. There's a bit too many pointless F-bombs on here as well. But again, I did find a few I enjoyed - the strings on "The Prodigal" plus "This is What You Wanted" and "Went Missing" were a decent listen.

Warm Chris by Aldous Harding. I'm sure the artist is toying with me here. I quite liked some of the melodies and arrangements on offer, particularly "Tick Tock" and "Fever", but my God, some of these vocals! It must be an acquired taste because she seems to go from a comedy German accent on "Passion Babe" to a slowed-down Bob Marley tribute on "Leathery Whip" - then she does a fair impression of a chipmunk on the same track!

But once again, I enjoyed the experience of trying some new things out and hopefully I'll get some hits from you guys further down the line. Still really enjoying Troika by D'Virgillo, Morse and Jennings.

Two out of those three I bought on vinyl at weekend on a trip to Manchester. I do think that Aldous could tone down the vocal gymnastics a bit, her last album Designer was her "straightest". Much to like about Warm Chris though in my opinion you won't be surprised to hear.

I'm not familiar with Placebo as a band at all but given how we differ on the other two albums here I guess I should give it a go as I will probably like it.

 

[Coatigan]

I'm not finding much to my liking this week, three misses, I'm afraid.

Tones of the Sparrow by The Asteroid No. 4 - I think this is "psych" rock, isn't it? I feel like the guitars and keyboards all blend together and I can't hear what's going on with the individual instruments. The tracks I did like were "Surrounded" and "Transmission" where can hear a bit of something (plus clearer vocals) above the mix.

Never Let Me Go by Placebo. I do like some British bands that came out of the 90s, but they tend to be the ones that play 60s/70s-influenced music, and I don't really like the industrial/mechanical/cold sound like on this album. There's a bit too many pointless F-bombs on here as well. But again, I did find a few I enjoyed - the strings on "The Prodigal" plus "This is What You Wanted" and "Went Missing" were a decent listen.

Warm Chris by Aldous Harding. I'm sure the artist is toying with me here. I quite liked some of the melodies and arrangements on offer, particularly "Tick Tock" and "Fever", but my God, some of these vocals! It must be an acquired taste because she seems to go from a comedy German accent on "Passion Babe" to a slowed-down Bob Marley tribute on "Leathery Whip" - then she does a fair impression of a chipmunk on the same track!

But once again, I enjoyed the experience of trying some new things out and hopefully I'll get some hits from you guys further down the line. Still really enjoying Troika by D'Virgillo, Morse and Jennings.

Interesting describing the sound of never let me go as cold. I described it as feeling of the times, current. Does have a coldness to it. I think as soon as an album commits to a tone, it narrows down to a time and place to listen to it and be in the right mood. The songs that have stood out to you are quite similar, different ones to what I'm drawn to. As i said before, basic pop-rock album though.

I'll put Tones of the Sparrow as a hit. Quite enjoying it, not a band I've known of before. Whoever put it forward, worth looking up Turnover's album Peripheral Vision.

Edit. @Psychedelic Casual re above, having checked back who put it forward.

 

[journolud]

Listened to the Placebo. Found it a bit overwrought and clunky in a couple of places but overall liked it and will listen again so a hit.

One review I read said it’s a departure from their usual style, be interesting to know what long time fans of the group think and what of their earlier stuff they’d recommend