The Album Review Club - End of Round #9 Break (page 1904)

[journolud]

Trophy Eyes - American Dream

Could be a good bit of sleuthing that. Or is it in your collection?

 

[BlueHammer85]

Could be a good bit of sleuthing that. Or is it in your collection?

Never heard of them.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

I doubt anyone would get this nomination. I promise for the next round, I'll pick something a bit more classic :)

We've had some belting albums nominated with plenty of styles. I've really enjoyed listening to them all and I hope you enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed yours! :)

Now the nights are getting brighter, the temperatures are edging up and we're getting closer to summer I find my musical tastes change a little. When it's cold and dark then slower music, blues, classic rock and acoustic songs just 'feel' better. A few beers in a candlelit room with rain beating on the windows and Steely Dan playing is just perfect. I can't explain why, it's just how the weather makes me feel I guess.

However, when it gets a bit warmer I want something upbeat and sunny on.

I don't remember exactly how I found this album, but it was through the "similar artists" on Spotify. I don't know where I started or how I got to it, but I think this is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. It's a perfect summers day album which harks back to the 60s, 70s and 80s with great pop songs. They are from Australia, a place which has produced some great bands in recent years like Tame Impala, Pond, King Gizzard etc. Whilst these bands carry on the traditions of the 60s and 70s, this band carry them on from the 70s and 80s but still produce great music.

I also thought it would be good to nominate a more recent album - it was released in 2015. I thought it would be interesting to nominate this album as I like it when we have something a bit different as it forces you to listen to something you'd normally not bother with. I'd also be interested to know if other people think this album is as good as I think it is.

My nomination is "All Possible Futures" by Miami Horror. It is available on Spotify.

This is the album I put on when it's in the 80s and we're just relaxing in the back garden. Close your eyes and you could easily be on a beach somewhere, it's got that "holiday" vibe running right through it.

What I like about this album is that it's just an easy listen - there's nothing to 'get'. There's no challenging lyrics, you don't have to try to understand or interpret them. The songs are catchy and fairly simple and as much as I love a Joni Mitchell song, sometimes you just want something simple and uncomplicated. It's the kind of music you hear when you're on holiday, it's 90 degrees and you've just sipped that first cold beer and put the music on. I find it's an album just to enjoy, loudly, in summer.

It's quite hard to pick out a favourite song on the album, but I'd suggest "Love like mine", "Out of sight", "Stranger" or "Forever Ever?".

The whole album is a joyous set of brilliant pop songs. Sometimes you just want to have fun with your music and "All Possible Futures" is that.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

 

[BimboBob]

I doubt anyone would get this nomination. I promise for the next round, I'll pick something a bit more classic :)

We've had some belting albums nominated with plenty of styles. I've really enjoyed listening to them all and I hope you enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed yours! :)

Now the nights are getting brighter, the temperatures are edging up and we're getting closer to summer I find my musical tastes change a little. When it's cold and dark then slower music, blues, classic rock and acoustic songs just 'feel' better. A few beers in a candlelit room with rain beating on the windows and Steely Dan playing is just perfect. I can't explain why, it's just how the weather makes me feel I guess.

However, when it gets a bit warmer I want something upbeat and sunny on.

I don't remember exactly how I found this album, but it was through the "similar artists" on Spotify. I don't know where I started or how I got to it, but I think this is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. It's a perfect summers day album which harks back to the 60s, 70s and 80s with great pop songs. They are from Australia, a place which has produced some great bands in recent years like Tame Impala, Pond, King Gizzard etc. Whilst these bands carry on the traditions of the 60s and 70s, this band carry them on from the 70s and 80s but still produce great music.

I also thought it would be good to nominate a more recent album - it was released in 2015. I thought it would be interesting to nominate this album as I like it when we have something a bit different as it forces you to listen to something you'd normally not bother with. I'd also be interested to know if other people think this album is as good as I think it is.

My nomination is "All Possible Futures" by Miami Horror. It is available on Spotify.

This is the album I put on when it's in the 80s and we're just relaxing in the back garden. Close your eyes and you could easily be on a beach somewhere, it's got that "holiday" vibe running right through it.

What I like about this album is that it's just an easy listen - there's nothing to 'get'. There's no challenging lyrics, you don't have to try to understand or interpret them. The songs are catchy and fairly simple and as much as I love a Joni Mitchell song, sometimes you just want something simple and uncomplicated. It's the kind of music you hear when you're on holiday, it's 90 degrees and you've just sipped that first cold beer and put the music on. I find it's an album just to enjoy, loudly, in summer.

It's quite hard to pick out a favourite song on the album, but I'd suggest "Love like mine", "Out of sight", "Stranger" or "Forever Ever?".

The whole album is a joyous set of brilliant pop songs. Sometimes you just want to have fun with your music and "All Possible Futures" is that.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

So I was half right...

Kylie!

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Well done chaps.

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

I doubt anyone would get this nomination. I promise for the next round, I'll pick something a bit more classic :)

We've had some belting albums nominated with plenty of styles. I've really enjoyed listening to them all and I hope you enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed yours! :)

Now the nights are getting brighter, the temperatures are edging up and we're getting closer to summer I find my musical tastes change a little. When it's cold and dark then slower music, blues, classic rock and acoustic songs just 'feel' better. A few beers in a candlelit room with rain beating on the windows and Steely Dan playing is just perfect. I can't explain why, it's just how the weather makes me feel I guess.

However, when it gets a bit warmer I want something upbeat and sunny on.

I don't remember exactly how I found this album, but it was through the "similar artists" on Spotify. I don't know where I started or how I got to it, but I think this is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. It's a perfect summers day album which harks back to the 60s, 70s and 80s with great pop songs. They are from Australia, a place which has produced some great bands in recent years like Tame Impala, Pond, King Gizzard etc. Whilst these bands carry on the traditions of the 60s and 70s, this band carry them on from the 70s and 80s but still produce great music.

I also thought it would be good to nominate a more recent album - it was released in 2015. I thought it would be interesting to nominate this album as I like it when we have something a bit different as it forces you to listen to something you'd normally not bother with. I'd also be interested to know if other people think this album is as good as I think it is.

My nomination is "All Possible Futures" by Miami Horror. It is available on Spotify.

This is the album I put on when it's in the 80s and we're just relaxing in the back garden. Close your eyes and you could easily be on a beach somewhere, it's got that "holiday" vibe running right through it.

What I like about this album is that it's just an easy listen - there's nothing to 'get'. There's no challenging lyrics, you don't have to try to understand or interpret them. The songs are catchy and fairly simple and as much as I love a Joni Mitchell song, sometimes you just want something simple and uncomplicated. It's the kind of music you hear when you're on holiday, it's 90 degrees and you've just sipped that first cold beer and put the music on. I find it's an album just to enjoy, loudly, in summer.

It's quite hard to pick out a favourite song on the album, but I'd suggest "Love like mine", "Out of sight", "Stranger" or "Forever Ever?".

The whole album is a joyous set of brilliant pop songs. Sometimes you just want to have fun with your music and "All Possible Futures" is that.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

And I was listening to Blue all afternoon in anticipation. ;-)

 

[mancity1]

I doubt anyone would get this nomination. I promise for the next round, I'll pick something a bit more classic :)

We've had some belting albums nominated with plenty of styles. I've really enjoyed listening to them all and I hope you enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed yours! :)

Now the nights are getting brighter, the temperatures are edging up and we're getting closer to summer I find my musical tastes change a little. When it's cold and dark then slower music, blues, classic rock and acoustic songs just 'feel' better. A few beers in a candlelit room with rain beating on the windows and Steely Dan playing is just perfect. I can't explain why, it's just how the weather makes me feel I guess.

However, when it gets a bit warmer I want something upbeat and sunny on.

I don't remember exactly how I found this album, but it was through the "similar artists" on Spotify. I don't know where I started or how I got to it, but I think this is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. It's a perfect summers day album which harks back to the 60s, 70s and 80s with great pop songs. They are from Australia, a place which has produced some great bands in recent years like Tame Impala, Pond, King Gizzard etc. Whilst these bands carry on the traditions of the 60s and 70s, this band carry them on from the 70s and 80s but still produce great music.

I also thought it would be good to nominate a more recent album - it was released in 2015. I thought it would be interesting to nominate this album as I like it when we have something a bit different as it forces you to listen to something you'd normally not bother with. I'd also be interested to know if other people think this album is as good as I think it is.

My nomination is "All Possible Futures" by Miami Horror. It is available on Spotify.

This is the album I put on when it's in the 80s and we're just relaxing in the back garden. Close your eyes and you could easily be on a beach somewhere, it's got that "holiday" vibe running right through it.

What I like about this album is that it's just an easy listen - there's nothing to 'get'. There's no challenging lyrics, you don't have to try to understand or interpret them. The songs are catchy and fairly simple and as much as I love a Joni Mitchell song, sometimes you just want something simple and uncomplicated. It's the kind of music you hear when you're on holiday, it's 90 degrees and you've just sipped that first cold beer and put the music on. I find it's an album just to enjoy, loudly, in summer.

It's quite hard to pick out a favourite song on the album, but I'd suggest "Love like mine", "Out of sight", "Stranger" or "Forever Ever?".

The whole album is a joyous set of brilliant pop songs. Sometimes you just want to have fun with your music and "All Possible Futures" is that.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Was just watching the official video of Real Slow just the other night so looking forward to listening the the full set.

 

[OB1]

And I was listening to Blue all afternoon in anticipation. ;-)

That's very apposite because Miami Horror sound like something of the X Factor that makes music for 12 year old girls. That's not necessarily a bad thing but it's not my thing.

This album was by no means intolerable and the first three tracks were very sunny and upbeat. "Love Like Mine" reminded me of Jacko at the start but minus the benefits of (most of) Toto and Quncy Jones.

"Out of Sight" was low rent Chic.

"Stranger" had an 80's synth pop vibe I quite liked and "Who is Gonna Save Us?" was pleasingly mellow.

It's competent but derivative, and not something I would buy, so cannot warrant more than 4/10.

 

[RobMCFC]

All Possible Futures – Miami Horror

I can point to two very specific reasons why this is not my thing. Firstly, it’s OTT in-yer-face happy, which when I analyse my collection, is not something I really like. @GoatersLeftShin did say he wanted to pick something different that you can play and enjoy in the summer, and I’d say that’s exactly what we’ve got, so fair enough.

Now, when I say that it’s not my thing, I’d like to compare this to two upbeat albums I’ve listened to in the last few months that I do like. Firstly, there was the Fountains of Wayne album we had on here – generally upbeat pop songs, but superbly played on guitars, piano keyboards etc. Secondly, there’s the superb Troika (by D'Virgillo, Morse and Jennings) nominated by @blueparrot on the Album of the Year thread. Again, upbeat, well-produced songs with some brilliant close vocal harmonies. Very upbeat, very real feeling, nice electric and acoustic instruments and in “Julia”, possibly the best new song I’ve heard this year. For me, the fact that you can hear individual instruments instead of a melange of electronics makes all the difference to the listening experience.

The second reason is that it sounds like it was made by what I like to refer to as a “knob twiddler” (stop that laughter at the back, not that kind of knob!). Beck does a lot of this kind of stuff – he’s an incredible artist who writes fantastic songs and makes diverse albums, but the general quality of his output is in inverse proportion to the amount of studio gimmickry and said knob twiddling (although I must confess, I did enjoy Hyperspace despite its spaciness).

All that said, I thought that All Possible Futures improved in it’s last third. The first 9 or 10 tracks all sounded plasticy and uninteresting to me. I’m sure there are some very capable musicians playing here, but you can’t hear them underneath all the gloss and sanitised keyboards. But starting with “Stranger”, the last five tracks appealed to me slightly more than what had gone before. It’s a little new wavey, but I could hear some instruments. Best of all is “Another Rise, Another Fall”, which has a nice melody, features an unexpected chord change and a bit of wah-wah guitar and rides out on some nice harmony vocals.

Pleasant enough, a massive improvement on last week, but nothing to draw me back in – 5/10.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

One thing I forgot to say @RobMCFC is that the album is a mixed bag. It's not very "together" and doesn't tell a story. It mixes 60s psychedelia with 80s synth pop. Normally I'd punish an album for it, but in a way I also like it because it's like a Greatest Hits haha!

All fair point from you and @OB1 though!