I think this is our best playlist, certainly in terms of being consistently listenable. Short on stand out tracks but nothing horrible either. A few that have had me exploring further, with mixed results.
1. The HU - Yuve Yuve Yu -Enjoyable opener, they sound like they're having a good time.
2. T.Rex - Life’s A Gas -I only really know T-Rex from singles, never felt the need to explore more but this song has some substance and I will probably see what else they have to offer
3. Kevin Morby - This is a Photograph II- I've heard some very good Morby songs but ultimately he doesn't stand out as a singer songwriter for me in what is a bit of a packed field. This song is OK
4. The Be Good Tanyas - Draft Daughter’s Blues aka Ootischenia- not what I would usually listen to but enjoyed this, country I can tolerate.
5. Washed Out - All I Know- Loved this, despite as someone has already mentioned the repetitive and slightly overused twiddly bit. Like the apprentice had found a sound and someone had complimented him on it so he's flogged it to death. I listened to the album which I also enjoyed on the whole
6. Tasmin Archer - Sleeping Satellite- There's no denying this is a great track and one I'll be adding to my playlist of random one-offs tracks. I was hoping for more of the same from the album but it didn't sustain these heights for me
7. Woods - Light of Day- the vocal here won't be to everyone's taste but I didn't have a problem with them, listened to this album as well, a pretty unique sound, I can't think of a comparison but I did listen to
@Coatigan suggestions of Local Natives and Portugal.The Man on the back of this. Three fairly big back catalogues that could keep me busy.
8. Avishai Cohen - Remembering- Already mentioned this as being quite intriguing. I'm no expert and like Einaudi's La Onde of which this reminded me. Einaudi seems to get slated by "serious" classical music fans. I don't think there is a direct comparison but the piano here is of a similar style. I suspect that Cohen is better thought of. I did find the (his) bass a bit too busy here and having explored his back catalogue a bit can't see me becoming a fan as it's more jazz than anything else but this track is very good.
9. Joe Walsh - Life’s Been Good- the four minute single version would probably have been enough for me on this one, good track but didn't need the 8 minute version.
10. Aimee Mann - I Should've Known-
11. Latin Quarter - America For Beginners- this song sounder familiar but I remember it having a faster tempo. Probably just my imagination, anyway it's fine as it is. Haven't explored these further but may well do
12. Welshly Arms - Legendary- Also familiar although I've never heard of the band. Good track
13. The Walkmen - The Rat- great attitude on this one. I listened to some more of the Walkmen but didn't here anything as good as this.
14. Off With Their Heads - Clear The Air- never heard of these, sounds a bit like the likes of Blink 182 and some of the other powerpop bands we've had on the album thread. Got a certain something about it but also has that feel of trying to appeal to a particular audience, of which I'm not a member.
15. Strange Powers - The Magnetic Fields- This one got me bopping, in that slightly strangulated way I have once I've checked no-one could possibly see me. Great song. Going to have to check these out as well.
16. James McMurtry - Just us Kids- repeated listens to this and his other track has seen him the surprise grower. Already been pointed out the similarity to Lou Reed in his voice, lyrically not too far away either. Been reading about his political song writing which might be dated now but I think I'll have to check out. The two tracks here though light touch and pretty amusing to be fair. Think I prefer this of the two but it's close.
17. Latto - Big Energy- ah right fair enough, not something I would usually listen to and it led to me being ridiculed by my son when he heard it. Of it's style it's better than most but not really my cup of tea...
18. Black Sabbath - The Wizard- ...And nor is this really but the hokum lyrics were a decent enough distraction and well it was OK. I'm afraid that I'm one of those who is never going to go further than Paranoid when it comes to Black Sabbath although I vaguely remember an album called Technical Ecstacy, or something like that, being a bit different
19. Kiki Dee - Amoureuse- a pleasant surprise, quite sensual, she has got a good voice
20. Bob Marley - No Woman, No Cry (live)- Obviously familiar, it's classic, fair enough.
21. Noel Gallagher - Live Forever (live acoustic)- great song but disappointing version. Much prefer the original.
22. Cactus - Parchman Farm- Not for me this one.
23. Family of the Year - The Stairs- Lovely tune with brilliantly subversive lyrics. Another one that I'll need to earmark for further listening
24. King Crimson - Three Of A Perfect Pair- KIng Crimson can be a frustrating listen, some of my favourite all time tracks are by them but then they can also churn out some unlistenable meandering stodge. That is probably why my interest in them has never gone beyond their first phase which ended with Red. So this was interesting. Love this track, listened to the album which true to form was the archetypal Crimson mixed bag. I will be exploring that era a bit more though.
25. James McMurty - Ft. Walton Wake-up Call- see my previous comments. Almost a parody feel about the lyrics on this one t let's be honest, who amongst us (of a certain age anyway) can't empathise with refrain?
26. Bjork - Big Time Sensuality- I've never really liked anything of Bjork's but I did like this. Assuming the album it's from is her debut then maybe she hadn't got too quirky by this point. Listened to some of the album this morning. I'm not likely to become a fan but some of it, this track included is very good.
27. In Tua Nua - Don't Fear Me Now- Got a nice easy going feel to it. Damning with feint praise a bit but this is decent.
28. The Handsome Family - Weightless Again- superb! Near the end of the list and could have been flagging but this is great. Coincidentally they have an album reviewed in the most recent copy of Uncut (which also has an article on Warren Zevon for those who might be interested). Been listening to a bit more of these. Probably going to listen to a lot more.
29. Frank Zappa - Peaches En Regalia- Not a fan of Zappa but this was listenable. Very listenable Didn't stop me wanting to listen to Weightless Again again though.
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30. Steve Forbert - Heartstrings (** YouTube ** only)- something a bit melancholy about watching and listening to this. I've never heard of Steve Forbert but can see he's got quite a catalogue behind him. Would be interested in hearing an original version of this, here he seems to be straining and it's got the feel of someone bringing the curtains down on his career. A downbeat end to the playlist.
So, there you have it. As usual am in the dark about most of the nominations but got a few ideas. More importantly some more musical rabbit holes to go down.
