Lets kick off with the album of the week - I'm going to review three very quickly, as (a) I couldn't decide which to review, and (b) we have so much else to go over today, including a number of other new albums of 2009 (Q's TOP 50 albums of 2009, starting with 50-41), and a look at some great songs to drive to (as we've all probably some Christmas drives ahead of us!).
The three albums of the week are:
Port O'Brien - Threadbare
The Unthanks - Here's The Tender Coming
McAlmont and Nyman - The Glare
Threadbare stood out immediately - the vocals are strong, over the top of the folk-indie roots. The only criticism I have is an old one. We seem to be inundated with bands that are pretty similar - it's almost like the Fleet Foxes were the new beginning of a folk rock revolution. A poor critique, to be honest, when you'll get a lot out of Port O'Brien's warmth and funky acoustic guitar playing.
I'd be interested to breakdown my CD collection to find out how many I have with female vocals over male - I would say, although the bands I'm featuring on ARTIST Day (every Thursday) tend to have male vocals, I have a lot of CDs by female artists. The Unthanks blend and harmonise two sisters vocals, and it makes a splendid sound across the whole album. The blend of piano, guitar and orchestration across the album is fantastic.
Lastly, The Glare is an acquired taste - lyrics have been placed over a number of Nyman's beautiful pieces of movie score. Much of it works, but the odd track lets this album down (for instance, In Loas works, but City of Turin sounds a little too messy).
DOWNLOAD:
Port O'Brien – Calm Me Down
The Unthanks – Annachie Gordon
McAlmont and Nyman – In Laos
Remember, everything reviewed (where possible) features in the Menace2Music playlist on SPOTIFY:
Menace2Music
Q's TOP 50 albums of 2009
Today, we're looking at 50-41 - what I plan to do is break this down in 10's, and then look to go into more detail on the TOP 10 as I get closer over the weekend! For all of you readers, I am putting all of the albums (as they're available) in a SPOTIFY collab playlist:
Menace2Music - Q's albums of 2009
Unfortunately, 3 of the first 10 I am looking at are not fully available:
50. Further Complications - Jarvis Cocker*
49. Together Through Life - Bob Dylan (NOT on SPOTIFY)
48. My Way - Ian Brown
47. The Liberty of Norton Folgate - Madness (only a teaser available on SPOTIFY)
46. True Romance - Golden Silvers*@
45. Outer South - Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band*@
44. Which Bitch? - The View*@
43. Imidiwan: Companions - Tinariwen (NOT on SPOTIFY)
42. El Bronx - Mariachi El Bronx
41. Two Dancers - Wild Beasts*
Menace2Music STATS to date:
a) albums I have listened to before this week: 5 out of 10 (marked with a *)
b) albums I have previously liked, and considered buying in 2009: 3 (marked with a @)
c) albums I own to date: 0
Interesting ten albums this, as I don't own any of them (the first album in the TOP 50 that I own is Primary Colours, by The Horrors, at #39). However, I have listened to a few over the last 12 months. The stand out album of this ten is definitely Golden Silvers' True Romance (check out songs like Arrows of Eros - you don't know whether to rock or dance: Golden Silvers – Arrows Of Eros). However, I will say that on a further listen, Which Bitch? by The View has got better and better. Gem of a Bird is an awesome track (The View – Gem Of A Bird).
Menace2Music Driving Classics - baby, will you drive my car?
I've put 24 tracks together in a SPOTIFY playlist already (Menace2Music - baby, will you drive my car?), but will really welcome some thoughts from others on GREAT SONGS TO DRIVE TO???
I hit shuffle on the playlist, and the first three I hit were:
Driving Home for Christmas - Chris Rea
Well, this is why I put this feature together (honestly, this was the first that came up) - a lot of us are going to be in the car over Christmas! And, there is always the need for music on journeys, however short or long! Not sure I'd have this one playing, though?! There are a few better tracks by the Rea-meister than this one!!!?
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
A great song to drive along to, and sing out loud - who here hasn't sung this out in a car:
I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva
I'm gonna go go go
There's no stopping me
If this is the case, do it tomorrow!!!!!!! It's also a terrific song for the harmonies and backing vocals of the passengers:
Don't stop me now I'm having such a good time
I'm having a ball don't stop me now
If you wanna have a good time
Just give me a call
Don't stop me now ('Cause I'm having a good time)
Don't stop me now (Yes I'm having a good time)
I don't wanna stop at all
Love it!
Run To You - Bryan Adams
I think this song works, like Don't Stop Me Now, as it builds, and is another song that is pretty easy to sing along to in the car! The lyrics aren't as long, or as involved, as Queen:
I'm gonna run to you
I'm gonna run to you
cause when the feelin's right I'm gonna run all night
I'm gonna run to you
Right, that's about it for today - lots more to come tomorrow!!!
Take care, and all the very best, Menace2Music
menace2music@googlemail.com
http://twitter.com/menace2music
Menace2Music collab playlist - check it out @ Menace2Music
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