The Leisure Society (The Sleeper) reviewed, the importance of CDs, and we're almost halfway through the week!

I was planning to review the reissue of Madness' One Step Beyond, but it is not on spotify yet. So, instead, I have had a listen to a local band hitting the big time - The Leisure Society, and their early reissue of this year's album - The Sleeper.


Comparing this band to Fleet Foxes (as Q magazine have done, see November 2009 issue) is fair, but there is a bit more to this band. Orchestration, sweet guitar riffs (see A Short Weekend Begins With Longing), and heart-warming vocals (We Were Wasted) a-plenty!

I definitely think this album is worth a good listen - it's a friendly album, welcoming you in with open arms. If you're a fan of this folk-indie cross over, you will definitely find a song or two on here for you.

I had a very interesting discussion last night about the importance of listening to CDs themselves, more. Have I embraced the digital revolution a little too much (adoring spotify, and owning three iPods)? Have I forgotten the magic of putting a CD in a CD player and listening to ensuing liquor of sound? I admit that I wasn't terribly proud of myself to say such things as "I couldn't remember the last time I played a CD in a CD player" - now that is pretty poor!!!

But, without spotify, I wouldn't be able to do this blog! Yes, I buy a fair amount (I estimate around 7-12 CDs per month enter these premises, much to my wife's frustration), but I couldn't buy everything I like or listen to - I'd be bankrupt within a couple of months! Spotify allows me a huge amount of freedom to listen to music as it is released, the artist is still paid as I listen, and I'm committed to acting like the kind of consumer they want - I listen on spotify, and if I like it, I buy or download it!

But, today, I'm going to put a CD in a proper CD player and listen for the difference. Play a CD from start to finish on my stereo downstairs, and let the music flow over me. Mmm, but what to listen to? I'm thinking classics, guitar, harmonies. I'll fill you in tomorrow.

So, we're almost halfway through the week - had a nice trip to London yesterday with the iPod on shuffle, but also listened to Muse's new album - The Resistance - and thoroughly enjoyed that!

I hope the week is going well for you - let music mould it a little, at least!

All the very best - Menace2Music
menace2music@googlemail.com
http://twitter.com/menace2music
http://open.spotify.com/user/menoir16/playlist/1j3HXNYIHuGDfW7aLh5OlL