The Album Review Club - Week #147 - (page 1942) - Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Just back from The Christie after my brachytherapy session yesterday. Overall it wasn’t too bad. Lots of waiting around. I had a general anaesthetic so was out for it all, and then I was wheeled back to my private room with a catheter. I wasn’t in any pain but I hardly slept because with the catheter and saline drip attached, side-sleeping wasn’t a realistic option. So I just lay propped up listening to music for about 5 hours!

CT scan this week to be followed by three weeks of radiotherapy in a couple of weeks.

All the best, and glad to hear yesterday went well. And 5 hours of uninterrupted music? Well done!

I learned how to sleep on my back after last year's hip replacement. I didn't think I could adjust to it, but it surprisingly wasn't that hard afterwards. It appears I'll need to relearn it again too, but overall that will be a good thing.

 

[threespires]

Just back from The Christie after my brachytherapy session yesterday. Overall it wasn’t too bad. Lots of waiting around. I had a general anaesthetic so was out for it all, and then I was wheeled back to my private room with a catheter. I wasn’t in any pain but I hardly slept because with the catheter and saline drip attached, side-sleeping wasn’t a realistic option. So I just lay propped up listening to music for about 5 hours!

CT scan this week to be followed by three weeks of radiotherapy in a couple of weeks.

Rob, good to 'see' you back on the thread so quickly and to hear it hopefully went as planned. What was on the overnight playlist?

 

[RobMCFC]

Electric Lovers by Electric Lovers

This has been a hard album to review as whenever I'm not listening to it I immediately forget what I heard. It's like when you're driving down the motorway and you suddenly realise you've no recollection of the last 45 minutes.

Electric Lovers - Electric Lovers

A very astute observation that is the sound of a nail being whacked firmly on the head. Fine whilst you are listening to it but there is nothing to draw you back in. There’s a lot of studio work to lay down something for her to sing over but little thought for crafting a song that has any memorable parts.

There are very few albums that I can enjoy if there aren’t either some good instrumental passages or some interesting instruments in the sonic palette, but this album is not one of those.

Nothing terrible but just nothing I’d be bothered going back to. 5/10.

 

[RobMCFC]

Rob, good to 'see' you back on the thread so quickly and to hear it hopefully went as planned. What was on the overnight playlist?

Billy Strings’ new album Highway Prayers - pretty good. It was only out yesterday so I downloaded it before I left for the hospital. A bit long but perfect for yesterday’s situation.

Parts of two albums I’m considering for my next pick - a 70s album I recently became aware of through these threads and one from the 90s that plenty will probably know that I’ve always enjoyed.

Then I did some random background listening in preparation for a certain upcoming thread :)

 

[Coatigan]

When was the last time I went into a music shop, just for a wee peruse, or maybe to see what was on the 'staff recommend' list that week. And while being there something caught my ear, and I went and asked what it was, and just bought it there and then on a whim.

Fuck knows. Used to do it a lot. Might be close to a decade though.

That's what this album reminded me of. Had I heard it in such circumstances, probably would have bought it.

I think people have been a bit harsh on this. There is an instant intrigue to it. It promises a lot. It has a quirkyness, it is poppy but not overly catchy, slightly rough around the edges, but not heavy. The instruments are well played, the vocals well sung. It isn't particularly unique, but it is also not a total borrowing. There is an indie feel to it. It is pleasant.

It could do with 3 or 4 songs less though. It all gets a bit repetitive, and that quick attention grab wears off. After that, what you are left with is, it is fine. A few songs that are quite good, and the rest fills the album. A few of the songs have a bit of 'a development' to them, it is just a shame they couldn't carry that across the album. But they are still good songs, and I would return to them or add them to a playlist.

The thing is, the bar for this genre, really isn't that high. Is it really particularly worse than others like it? Not really. Not even ones I like more for multiple other reasons. Feels I should judge it partly relative to that.

It is not particularly ground breaking. But, I liked some of it, didn't mind the rest, explored the band further, enjoyed the experience of finding something new, being a bit excited about it, and remembering what that feels like. A 6.5.

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

Just back from The Christie after my brachytherapy session yesterday. Overall it wasn’t too bad. Lots of waiting around. I had a general anaesthetic so was out for it all, and then I was wheeled back to my private room with a catheter. I wasn’t in any pain but I hardly slept because with the catheter and saline drip attached, side-sleeping wasn’t a realistic option. So I just lay propped up listening to music for about 5 hours!

CT scan this week to be followed by three weeks of radiotherapy in a couple of weeks.

Had to reread that.
For a minute there I thought you were due three weeks of Radiohead.
I was going to say, expect the sympathy to roll in any minute.
Get well soon mate.

 

[OB1]

Electric Lovers - Electric Lovers

A very astute observation that is the sound of a nail being whacked firmly on the head. Fine whilst you are listening to it but there is nothing to draw you back in. There’s a lot of studio work to lay down something for her to sing over but little thought for crafting a song that has any memorable parts.

There are very few albums that I can enjoy if there aren’t either some good instrumental passages or some interesting instruments in the sonic palette, but this album is not one of those.

Nothing terrible but just nothing I’d be bothered going back to. 5/10.

Agree.

Pleasant enough. Reminded me of a few different things but rather forgettable overall and doesn’t draw you back. So 5/10.

 

[RobMCFC]

Had to reread that.
For a minute there I thought you were due three weeks of Radiohead.
I was going to say, expect the sympathy to roll in any minute.
Get well soon mate.

Ha ha. That’s made me laugh. How many people would walk out of the specialist’s office in terror if they were told they had to endure three weeks of Radiohead?!

 

[journolud]

Ha ha. That’s made me laugh. How many people would walk out of the specialist’s office in terror if they were told they had to endure three weeks of Radiohead?!

Still better than the alternative, the Chemocal Brothers.

Not really something to joke about but what can you do? My wife has just, in the last few weeks been diagnosed with breast cancer, a few weeks after her sister was. Now in the waiting stage for treatment plan.

Wishing you all the best Rob. We take consolation currently in the excellent treatment available and being in Macclesfield having the newest branch of Christies on our doorstep

 

[RobMCFC]

Still better than the alternative, the Chemocal Brothers.

Not really something to joke about but what can you do? My wife has just, in the last few weeks been diagnosed with breast cancer, a few weeks after her sister was. Now in the waiting stage for treatment plan.

Wishing you all the best Rob. We take consolation currently in the excellent treatment available and being in Macclesfield having the newest branch of Christies on our doorstep

I’ve found that good humour and carrying on doing the things you enjoy have helped immensely, including the discussion on these treads. You are all helping me a lot, so thanks to you and everybody else.

Sorry to hear about your wife and sister-in-law, and I hope the treatment plan is something that means there will be a positive outcome. My brief experience with The Christie is very good so I am sure that she is in good hands.