The Album Review Club - Week #196 (page 1316) - Aja - Steely Dan

[threespires]

I’m listening to The Burrian whilst looking over towards the frozen fields of the Trent Valley, it’s taken me to a specific place and made me think of a comparison and contrast with a previous nomination.

When we reviewed Curtains by Tindersticks I said it was highly evocative, I think I suggested the imagery of a car sweeping across desolate moorland. The Burrian is taking me on a superficially similar evocative journey but with a very different feel. Tindersticks was cinematic, it evoked the feeling of being at slight remove, swooping above the moorland looking down at the speeding car; there was, in a good way, a degree of artifice.

Here we are sweeping through the countryside again, but the feeling is quite different. There is no artifice or removal; it’s very immediate and we are part of the journey not observing it. It’s not a car, it’s a train; moreover, the train is a singular thing, it’s moving parts and its passengers melded into a single entity, a seamless combination of the organic and mechanical. There are times in this track where it seems like it might devolve into a minimalism that lets the mechanical take over and let in the cold but then the fires catch again and it propels itself forward generating a warmth that shields its passengers from a cold winter day outside.

Good choice this.

 

[Coatigan]

Not my cup of tea at all.
Nothing in it at all for me.Will try a few more listens tomorrow on the bus back up north ,
The way I feel though after a couple of listens it would be unfair of me to score as from the very first track I had the feeling of not my scene type of music.

Totally get that. Said as much in the write up, you won't be alone. Rather than giving the whole album any more listens, just give the song horizontigo a full proper listen, and I am more than happy with that.

 

[threespires]

What you talkin’ ‘bout Willis?

If you are questioning what's this got to do with the pick then nothing (other than responding to coatigan's comments) but in my defence my next post is back on topic so as thread milk monitor I humbly request that you don't deny me my bottle especially as today its sufficiently cold that the fact it's been sat on the classroom window sill for ages means it will be refreshing rather than rank :-)

 

[Coatigan]

I’m listening to The Burrian whilst looking over towards the frozen fields of the Trent Valley, it’s taken me to a specific place and made me think of a comparison and contrast with a previous nomination.

When we reviewed Curtains by Tindersticks I said it was highly evocative, I think I suggested the imagery of a car sweeping across desolate moorland. The Burrian is taking me on a superficially similar evocative journey but with a very different feel. Tindersticks was cinematic, it evoked the feeling of being at slight remove, swooping above the moorland looking down at the speeding car; there was, in a good way, a degree of artifice.

Here we are sweeping through the countryside again, but the feeling is quite different. There is no artifice or removal; it’s very immediate and we are part of the journey not observing it. It’s not a car, it’s a train; moreover, the train is a singular thing, it’s moving parts and its passengers melded into a single entity, a seamless combination of the organic and mechanical. There are times in this track where it seems like it might devolve into a minimalism that lets the mechanical take over and let in the cold but then the fires catch again and it propels itself forward generating a warmth that shields its passengers from a cold winter day outside.

Good choice this.

You know, I am glad you say this, so that I don't feel alone in finding it evocative or allowing it to take me to various settings.

Horizontigo has me in a calm wee boat on a still loch. Surrounded by mountains with some snow on them. The kind ironically that Scotland doesnt have, so I guess a lake then. Salty Boys has me battering my way through the wind driven horizontal rain on a rugged coast, and stephens i see myself chasing a hare through moorlands. There, I said it, and I feel no less hard (belfry reference not mine).

 

[BlueHammer85]

I’m listening to The Burrian whilst looking over towards the frozen fields of the Trent Valley, it’s taken me to a specific place and made me think of a comparison and contrast with a previous nomination.

When we reviewed Curtains by Tindersticks I said it was highly evocative, I think I suggested the imagery of a car sweeping across desolate moorland. The Burrian is taking me on a superficially similar evocative journey but with a very different feel. Tindersticks was cinematic, it evoked the feeling of being at slight remove, swooping above the moorland looking down at the speeding car; there was, in a good way, a degree of artifice.

Here we are sweeping through the countryside again, but the feeling is quite different. There is no artifice or removal; it’s very immediate and we are part of the journey not observing it. It’s not a car, it’s a train; moreover, the train is a singular thing, it’s moving parts and its passengers melded into a single entity, a seamless combination of the organic and mechanical. There are times in this track where it seems like it might devolve into a minimalism that lets the mechanical take over and let in the cold but then the fires catch again and it propels itself forward generating a warmth that shields its passengers from a cold winter day outside.

Good choice this.

That Tindersticks album was very good.

 

[Out on blue 6]

That Tindersticks album was very good.

Tindersticks are a very fine band. Anyone with a spare hour could do worse than listen to last year's Soft Tissue album.

 

[threespires]

You know, I am glad you say this, so that I don't feel alone in finding it evocative or allowing it to take me to various settings.

Horizontigo has me in a calm wee boat on a still loch. Surrounded by mountains with some snow on them. The kind ironically that Scotland doesnt have, so I guess a lake then. Salty Boys has me battering my way through the wind driven horizontal rain on a rugged coast, and stephens i see myself chasing a hare through moorlands. There, I said it, and I feel no less hard (belfry reference not mine).

As someone who has absolutely zero hardman image to protect (be it in Belfry's or anyone else's head) I feel free to say...

Salty Boys, I've arrived at the coast but at a town with a small harbour, per your original review comments the town is awakening a bit in early spring and by the 4 minute mark a young girl is dancing round her dad on the front excitedly badgering him to let her have something.

Stephen's is a bit more grounded in reality - it brings to mind, in a slightly unsettling way, a time I got lost whilst out running one morning in what was effectively bogland near Galway. I was having a lovely time until I realised I wasn't sure where I was, I panicked for a bit then gathered myself, was reasonably sure I was back on the right track but still quite nervous then once I'd found my bearings the adrenaline rush facilitated a swift return home.

Horizontigo I can't discuss for spoiler reasons.

Edit: To be honest I find it hard to understand how music like this isn't at least in some way shape or form evocative for people.

 

[threespires]

Tindersticks are a very fine band. Anyone with a spare hour could do worse than listen to last year's Soft Tissue album.

Soft Tissue was just outside my top 10 of 2024 albums but on reflection was probably better than at least 2 of my eventual choices.

 

[Coatigan]

Tindersticks are a very fine band. Anyone with a spare hour could do worse than listen to last year's Soft Tissue album.

I'll stick it on my 2024 missed albums list. Where there alre already a few of yours on there.

You giving this one a wee go?

 

[mrbelfry]

I'm about to dump a big review but you're making it hard for me to not have another listen with my eyes closed and see what comes to mind. It's an album for me that definitely rewards multiple listens - not because it makes the bits I didn't like more palatable but because i was able to focus more on the bits I did.

My top 4 hard guys in this thread are
1) Coatigan (wears shorts all year round)
2) LGWIO (chesire lad so will know several gangsters bankers)
3) Saddleworthblue2 (although I imagine he's a bit old I bet he has tattoos)
4) FogBlueInFranSan (definitely wouldn't make him angry)

 

[mrbelfry]

Arc Light by Lau
There are some genres that require more effort than others. At the top of that list (at least of popular music) I would place jazz and folk. There are traditions, song books, moods and progressions which you need to know in order to understand what you are listening. Pop is by comparison simple and easy and like rock and dance is heard on tv, radio and movies more frequently. Unless you’re watching something with heaving bosoms, pirates or dragons you don’t often hear folk. And even if you did folk music in its genesis and development is music that is ideally listened to live and with other people.

I don’t listen too much folk music. This makes it difficult for me to assess this album. It’s like I’m stood outside the Tate Gallery trying to look at the Mona Lisa through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars with my eyes closed and being asked what I think. Probably best to stick with Coatigans post where he nominates it as he does accurately describe it as being a perfect album for winter and snow but the promise of spring.

From my place of perfect ignorance this is ok. When I read reviews and opinions saying what’s great about it - the dissonance, the tempo changes, the vocals etc - it requires me to know what is normal for folk so that I can perceive where it is different and admirable. I don’t have the context to see where it is daring and revolutionary I just hear folk and the things I do like about it (like the occasional dissonance and the drone of the accordion etc) still sound like folk. That’s not the fault of Lau though who I think are working hard and coming up with some good stuff within the self imposed limits.

There are no real low lights on the album. I sometimes think the violin is being played too aggressively and speed is substituting skill like someone smashing all the buttons on a game controller and beating you at Street Fighter. My favourite moments then are all the times the violin player stops playing like a sugared up toddler. The Burrian probably best demonstrates this best for me and I endure the first 2 and a half minutes until the violin player goes for a lie down. Then we are left with some nice and interesting atmospheric moments which I feel has some heavy similarities with War of the Worlds.

Winter Moon is the first track of three with vocals which I saw being described as powerful in one review. Maybe this is true in this genre but I found it slightly nasal and a little lacking in personality. It’s a nice little tune though. Of the tracks with vocals The Master is probably close to being my favourite and I have found myself waking up with the song on my mind. It does also ironically have a technoish kick pattern playing occasionally very faintly in the background so maybe the album art isn’t as misconceived as I like to think. The transition from The Master into Frank and Flo’s is very nice also and in my head I like to think of them as one song but again I could do with a less busy violin part.

Banks of Marble is a song that initially captured me. I can definitely hear in an alternative universe someone adding drums to this song, swapping some of the violin parts for an electric guitar and then getting Ian Brown to sing it. I think I like it a little less every time I hear it though.

Ultimately what this does well for me are the moments of atmosphere and dissonance. I want this album to be much darker, I want more of the drone and noise it occasionally does but I can hear that done to more of my preference in other stuff. If the album was more like the intro for The Master I’d be a big fan but it isn’t doing that enough. Those moments where I need to listen and figure out what I’m hearing are well done but not consistent enough throughout the album. There is 20% I quite enjoy and 80% where I expect to catch scurvy. Those moments I like are probably are when it’s at its least folksy. If I feel like I want to hear something like I enjoy in this album I’d probably listen to Wovenhand or Godspeed You! Black Emperor although it should be noted I’m not often in that mood.

So in summary. I’m quite glad I heard this album and I think I will occasionally return to it just not often enough to justify anything more than a happy 6.

 

[Out on blue 6]

I'll stick it on my 2024 missed albums list. Where there alre already a few of yours on there.

You giving this one a wee go?

Not too sure the patrons of the Crown and Anchor in the Northern Quarter would appreciate me whacking it on pre match but I did have a quick listen to a couple of songs. Don't think I will have to time to give it a proper listen which it probably deserves.
One thing I will as someone may know is this similar to Lankum? A music monthlies buzz band I never got round to listening to.
My only real folk go to is Richard Dawson and he's quite a bit a difficult listen at times

 

[threespires]

Arc Light by Lau
There are some genres that require more effort than others. At the top of that list (at least of popular music) I would place jazz and folk. There are traditions, song books, moods and progressions which you need to know in order to understand what you are listening. Pop is by comparison simple and easy and like rock and dance is heard on tv, radio and movies more frequently. Unless you’re watching something with heaving bosoms, pirates or dragons you don’t often hear folk. And even if you did folk music in its genesis and development is music that is ideally listened to live and with other people.

I don’t listen too much folk music. This makes it difficult for me to assess this album. It’s like I’m stood outside the Tate Gallery trying to look at the Mona Lisa through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars with my eyes closed and being asked what I think. Probably best to stick with Coatigans post where he nominates it as he does accurately describe it as being a perfect album for winter and snow but the promise of spring.

From my place of perfect ignorance this is ok. When I read reviews and opinions saying what’s great about it - the dissonance, the tempo changes, the vocals etc - it requires me to know what is normal for folk so that I can perceive where it is different and admirable. I don’t have the context to see where it is daring and revolutionary I just hear folk and the things I do like about it (like the occasional dissonance and the drone of the accordion etc) still sound like folk. That’s not the fault of Lau though who I think are working hard and coming up with some good stuff within the self imposed limits.

There are no real low lights on the album. I sometimes think the violin is being played too aggressively and speed is substituting skill like someone smashing all the buttons on a game controller and beating you at Street Fighter. My favourite moments then are all the times the violin player stops playing like a sugared up toddler. The Burrian probably best demonstrates this best for me and I endure the first 2 and a half minutes until the violin player goes for a lie down. Then we are left with some nice and interesting atmospheric moments which I feel has some heavy similarities with War of the Worlds.

Winter Moon is the first track of three with vocals which I saw being described as powerful in one review. Maybe this is true in this genre but I found it slightly nasal and a little lacking in personality. It’s a nice little tune though. Of the tracks with vocals The Master is probably close to being my favourite and I have found myself waking up with the song on my mind. It does also ironically have a technoish kick pattern playing occasionally very faintly in the background so maybe the album art isn’t as misconceived as I like to think. The transition from The Master into Frank and Flo’s is very nice also and in my head I like to think of them as one song but again I could do with a less busy violin part.

Banks of Marble is a song that initially captured me. I can definitely hear in an alternative universe someone adding drums to this song, swapping some of the violin parts for an electric guitar and then getting Ian Brown to sing it. I think I like it a little less every time I hear it though.

Ultimately what this does well for me are the moments of atmosphere and dissonance. I want this album to be much darker, I want more of the drone and noise it occasionally does but I can hear that done to more of my preference in other stuff. If the album was more like the intro for The Master I’d be a big fan but it isn’t doing that enough. Those moments where I need to listen and figure out what I’m hearing are well done but not consistent enough throughout the album. There is 20% I quite enjoy and 80% where I expect to catch scurvy. Those moments I like are probably are when it’s at its least folksy. If I feel like I want to hear something like I enjoy in this album I’d probably listen to Wovenhand or Godspeed You! Black Emperor although it should be noted I’m not often in that mood.

So in summary. I’m quite glad I heard this album and I think I will occasionally return to it just not often enough to justify anything more than a happy 6.

As ever a considered and enjoyable review but I couldn't disagree with you more about Aiden O'Rourke's playing.

 

[mrbelfry]

As ever a considered and enjoyable review but I couldn't disagree with you more about Aiden O'Rourke's playing.

I think this is partly a genre thing as it was highly praised in lots of reviews and it's partly a me thing. If violin is normally played much slower and you know that then hearing someone shredding on it is fun. The less he's doing the more I enjoy what he's doing typically.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I'm about to dump a big review but you're making it hard for me to not have another listen with my eyes closed and see what comes to mind. It's an album for me that definitely rewards multiple listens - not because it makes the bits I didn't like more palatable but because i was able to focus more on the bits I did.

My top 4 hard guys in this thread are
1) Coatigan (wears shorts all year round)
2) LGWIO (scouser so will know several gangsters and stops at Knutsford services just for fun)
3) Saddleworthblue2 (although I imagine he's a bit old I bet he has tattoos)
4) FogBlueInFranSan (definitely wouldn't make him angry)

Old? come here and say that pal.
Tattoos? My guns are that big I have life size images of Kate Bush on both biceps (and jolly nice she looks too, especially when I flex them)
Hard? Fucking right - so just be veeeeerrry careful. I'm from Forfar ye ken.

:-).

 

[Coatigan]

Arc Light by Lau
There are some genres that require more effort than others. At the top of that list (at least of popular music) I would place jazz and folk. There are traditions, song books, moods and progressions which you need to know in order to understand what you are listening. Pop is by comparison simple and easy and like rock and dance is heard on tv, radio and movies more frequently. Unless you’re watching something with heaving bosoms, pirates or dragons you don’t often hear folk. And even if you did folk music in its genesis and development is music that is ideally listened to live and with other people.

I don’t listen too much folk music. This makes it difficult for me to assess this album. It’s like I’m stood outside the Tate Gallery trying to look at the Mona Lisa through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars with my eyes closed and being asked what I think. Probably best to stick with Coatigans post where he nominates it as he does accurately describe it as being a perfect album for winter and snow but the promise of spring.

From my place of perfect ignorance this is ok. When I read reviews and opinions saying what’s great about it - the dissonance, the tempo changes, the vocals etc - it requires me to know what is normal for folk so that I can perceive where it is different and admirable. I don’t have the context to see where it is daring and revolutionary I just hear folk and the things I do like about it (like the occasional dissonance and the drone of the accordion etc) still sound like folk. That’s not the fault of Lau though who I think are working hard and coming up with some good stuff within the self imposed limits.

There are no real low lights on the album. I sometimes think the violin is being played too aggressively and speed is substituting skill like someone smashing all the buttons on a game controller and beating you at Street Fighter. My favourite moments then are all the times the violin player stops playing like a sugared up toddler. The Burrian probably best demonstrates this best for me and I endure the first 2 and a half minutes until the violin player goes for a lie down. Then we are left with some nice and interesting atmospheric moments which I feel has some heavy similarities with War of the Worlds.

Winter Moon is the first track of three with vocals which I saw being described as powerful in one review. Maybe this is true in this genre but I found it slightly nasal and a little lacking in personality. It’s a nice little tune though. Of the tracks with vocals The Master is probably close to being my favourite and I have found myself waking up with the song on my mind. It does also ironically have a technoish kick pattern playing occasionally very faintly in the background so maybe the album art isn’t as misconceived as I like to think. The transition from The Master into Frank and Flo’s is very nice also and in my head I like to think of them as one song but again I could do with a less busy violin part.

Banks of Marble is a song that initially captured me. I can definitely hear in an alternative universe someone adding drums to this song, swapping some of the violin parts for an electric guitar and then getting Ian Brown to sing it. I think I like it a little less every time I hear it though.

Ultimately what this does well for me are the moments of atmosphere and dissonance. I want this album to be much darker, I want more of the drone and noise it occasionally does but I can hear that done to more of my preference in other stuff. If the album was more like the intro for The Master I’d be a big fan but it isn’t doing that enough. Those moments where I need to listen and figure out what I’m hearing are well done but not consistent enough throughout the album. There is 20% I quite enjoy and 80% where I expect to catch scurvy. Those moments I like are probably are when it’s at its least folksy. If I feel like I want to hear something like I enjoy in this album I’d probably listen to Wovenhand or Godspeed You! Black Emperor although it should be noted I’m not often in that mood.

So in summary. I’m quite glad I heard this album and I think I will occasionally return to it just not often enough to justify anything more than a happy 6.

I enjoyed reading that. Don't agree on the fiddle playing, but granted I may be applying the context of their other albums, his solo work and things he has been a part of. The rest, I can see, and I thoroughly enjoy your metaphors regardless.

Before your time, but sounds like as far as predominantly instrumental soundscape albums go, The Budos Band would have been more up your strasse.

 

[mrbelfry]

I enjoyed reading that. Don't agree on the fiddle playing, but granted I may be applying the context of their other albums, his solo work and things he has been a part of. The rest, I can see, and I thoroughly enjoy your metaphors regardless.

Before your time, but sounds like as far as predominantly instrumental soundscape albums go, The Budos Band would have been more up your strasse.

There are so many bits I really enjoyed on the album. I can definitely see the appeal and I think live the songs may hit different because the dynamics and rests will get a but more emphasis. I suspect with the fiddle I'll be a bit of an outlier

The Budos Band were mentioned just before Christmas right? I think I checked out the song from then on the playlist and enjoyed it from memory

 

[Coatigan]

There are so many bits I really enjoyed on the album. I can definitely see the appeal and I think live the songs may hit different because the dynamics and rests will get a but more emphasis. I suspect with the fiddle I'll be a bit of an outlier

The Budos Band were mentioned just before Christmas right? I think I checked out the song from then on the playlist and enjoyed it from memory

Tail end of '23, we had the V album. Has some similar qualities and intentions as this one, but completely different instruments, genre and style.

Anyway, glad you got something out of this, and your reviews are always fun. The scurvy line in particular cracked me up.

 

[LGWIO]

I'm about to dump a big review but you're making it hard for me to not have another listen with my eyes closed and see what comes to mind. It's an album for me that definitely rewards multiple listens - not because it makes the bits I didn't like more palatable but because i was able to focus more on the bits I did.

My top 4 hard guys in this thread are
1) Coatigan (wears shorts all year round)
2) LGWIO (scouser so will know several gangsters and stops at Knutsford services just for fun)
3) Saddleworthblue2 (although I imagine he's a bit old I bet he has tattoos)
4) FogBlueInFranSan (definitely wouldn't make him angry)

?????????
I'm from Cheshire thank you very much and have perhaps come into contact with more "gangsters" or "connected people" since being over here than ever I did back in "the Port".
And as for Knutsford, I'm afraid it was always too close to home to stop at and so it was usually Keele.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

I'm about to dump a big review but you're making it hard for me to not have another listen with my eyes closed and see what comes to mind. It's an album for me that definitely rewards multiple listens - not because it makes the bits I didn't like more palatable but because i was able to focus more on the bits I did.

My top 4 hard guys in this thread are
1) Coatigan (wears shorts all year round)
2) LGWIO (chesire lad so will know several gangsters bankers)
3) Saddleworthblue2 (although I imagine he's a bit old I bet he has tattoos)
4) FogBlueInFranSan (definitely wouldn't make him angry)

Yeah yeah yeah... but what about the children?