The Album Review Club - Christmas Break Until 8th January

[RobMCFC]

Both straightjackets and handbrakes have significant parts in society.

I think it is completely fair not to find anything interesting in one or the or the other. But to describe one as having something the other doesn't is not imo. Myself included. There is a different kind of intensity, emotion, and excitement to it, but it IS there. I've been fortunate enough to be able to get carried away and invested in both the obvious with full pn energy, and the subtle with a different kind of energy.

I'm not denying that those albums are lacking in the kind of emotions that you describe, but objectively, they do not contain the kind of hair-raising guitar parts that the Pink Floyd songs I mention have.

I've used guitar by way of example, but substitute keyboard, banjo, clavinet as appropriate.

Anyway, onto a different subject: I suspect everybody had missed my earlier post, or maybe they are quietly contemplating what it means ............

 

[threespires]

Both straightjackets and handbrakes have significant parts in society.

I think it is completely fair not to find anything interesting in one or the or the other. But to describe one as having something the other doesn't is not imo. Myself included. There is a different kind of intensity, emotion, and excitement to it, but it IS there. I've been fortunate enough to be able to get carried away and invested in both the obvious with full pn energy, and the subtle with a different kind of energy.

I think there's a subtlety in this type of music that is really hard to do well and plenty of bands/albums don't manage it but this does. I would argue it's harder to 'get right' this type of album than lots of other styles. TBF I don't need a mass of music of this type but when done well as imo it is here, I get a lot from it.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

I'm not denying that those albums are lacking in the kind of emotions that you describe, but objectively, they do not contain the kind of hair-raising guitar parts that the Pink Floyd songs I mention have.

I've used guitar by way of example, but substitute keyboard, banjo, clavinet as appropriate.

Anyway, onto a different subject: I suspect everybody had missed my earlier post, or maybe they are quietly contemplating what it means ............

Well, I don’t understand what “Editor’s Choice” means for the record today, but based on your, errr, subtle clues, no doubt it will be one that stirs controversy and seething invectives from some. As such, it seems this can only be one of two artists: a certain lanky Mancunian’s solo effort or some miserable dronings from five black-clad, pasty-faced English school chums.

 

[Coatigan]

Are we finally getting an enforced radiohead album week?

 

[BlueHammer85]

Are we finally getting an enforced radiohead album week?

Surely and about time!

 

[BimboBob]

Surely and about time!

Lovely band...as long as it's one of their first ones.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Lovely band...as long as it's one of their first ones.

Agreed. But then I’ve never given much go of there later stuff. So be happy either way.

 

[BimboBob]

Agreed. But then I’ve never given much go of there later stuff. So be happy either way.

Just had a look at my vinyl, I only have The Bends and Ok Computer. Like you, I've not given them much thought after that.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Sigh. Well, if it's Dick . . . errrr, I mean Radiohead, that'll be just what we need after the spate of fields of grain waving in the wind records we've had recently.

It used to be a Black Flag or a Captain Beefheart or a Slipknot or an NWA record would engender controversy.

Now it's these overrated down-in-the-mouth merchants, the demon-spawn of Bono Vox and Elvira.

Well, if it is to be so, I shall endeavo(u)r to listen with all the objectivity I can muster.

Again -- I don't hate their music per se, I just think their position as "world's greatest band" is an absolute joke, and frankly insulting to the hundreds if not thousands of better artists who are more deserving of that title and their millions.

I should also note that if such a choice is made, the gloves will be off when it comes to my selection . . . .

Of course if it's Morrissey, I've no dog in the fight and can listen pleasantly and watch the fracas whilst on the sofa with my popcorn.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Manchester Orchestra - A Black Mile To The Surface

Unfortunately this Indie/Rock genre doesn't tend to fair well on here - which is a shame.

It's a shame this doesn't touch the soul for some and whilst many would consider these songs 'depressing' or 'boring' I find them uplifting and stirring at such a deeper level.
Certainly one of the best bands/Albums i've heard from in recent years.

Appreciate the feedback and other than the guest posts coming in, if it reaches someone who hadn't yet had the time to listen, then that's a win for me and all that matters. And besides, I owed you one for Endless Summer! :-)

Both straightjackets and handbrakes have significant parts in society.

I think it is completely fair not to find anything interesting in one or the or the other. But to describe one as having something the other doesn't is not imo. Myself included. There is a different kind of intensity, emotion, and excitement to it, but it IS there. I've been fortunate enough to be able to get carried away and invested in both the obvious with full on energy, and the subtle with a different kind of energy.

Well said.

There's plenty of intensity in this album, "even in the quietest of moments" as a band I'm fond of would say. For those note hearing the release or feeling too restrained, I'd argue it is there in many of the songs, including "The Moth", "Lead, SD", "The Mistake", and even in the first song off of this that I heard that allowed me to dive in - "The Gold".

I don't see how you go full on release when setting up the initial structure of the song and where it is going.

"You don't open your eyes for a while, you just breathe that moment down".

Wise words when listening to this entire piece. And it was the music that let me in before I was able to get the entirety of what was being presented here. I suppose it either does or it doesn't.

"I want to feel the way our fathers felt when it swept them off their feet. I want to know about that higher love you saw that can't be seen. The only obvious equation, you believe it or you don't."