David Bowie - Hunky Dory - The only song I really knew from this one was "Changes", so I didn't really know what to expect from the rest of it. I'd heard his early stuff was folky, singer-songwritery, so I kindof thought it would be low-key and not really Ziggy-esque. Well, surprize! It sounds pretty much exactly like Ziggy, but with the strut and swagger turned down a couple of notches. So, that's cool. I finally got to hear the original "Quicksand", which I'd only known from Dinosaur Jr's (excellent) cover - which also incorporates the flamenco guitar bit from Hunky Dory's "Andy Warhol" as the intro. Also cool. I like it. It's nice to hear something that sounds like Ziggy without having to listen to the great, but overplayed, Ziggy again.
Three laquos: «««
Neil Young - Le Noise. This is a recording made by someone who loves the sound of electric guitars. There are a couple of acoustic things, but most of the songs sound like he plugged his guitar into a fuzz box then plugged that straight into the recorder - a huge, dry, chunky roar. Sometimes he adds some phase effects, or a chorus or whatever. And over that, he sings about war, drugs, how the White Man killed everything, etc. - stuff he often sings about. But it's just vocals and guitars. And it sounds like he probably recorded it quickly, without a big studio - a basement recording maybe. The electric playing is loose and spontaneous, the guitar sounds are raw, the mixes are funky, demo-quality. It's like hearing Neil's version of the kind of thing amateur musicians all over the world do all the time. A couple of the songs are pretty good, especially the acoustic "Love And War". But mostly it's just interesting, to me.
Two laquos: ««
Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer. I bought it on great reviews, but aside from that hyper-catchy "Fuck You" song and maybe the 70's-throwback "Satisfied", it's just not my thing. I'm just not a fan of the modern R&B.
One laquos: «
Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out Of Season. Beth Gibbons is the distinctively witchy voiced singer for the trip-hop group Portishead, and she did this record back in 02, while Portishead was on hiatus. Here, instead of doing the beat-based, electronic thing, she went for more traditional styles: jazz standards, Nick Drake-ish folk, R&B. Still, Gibbons' voice and the darkness of the songs (lots of hushed, slow, minor key things) and their arrangements keep things solidly on the eerie side.
Three laquos: «««
Stereolab - Not Music. I like Stereolab, but I honestly can't tell their albums apart. Except for "Dots And Loops", which was the first one I ever bought, they all just blend together. At best, I can distinguish their early stuff (which rocked a bit) from their later stuff (which is much smoother). And this could be any of their later records. Though I know it just came out, it feels like I might already own this. I can't tell.
Two laquos: ««
Deerhunter - Halcyon Days. Thank you, commenters, for alerting me to this band. Within 30 seconds, I was thinking that this was the sound I wish Rogue Wave had evolved into. Take the psych-folk that RW used to have and break it down a bit, add more space, add some effects and a touch of electronics, but don't add any sugar. Take away sweetness, in fact. Love it.
Four laquos: «««
3 thoughts on “Listening To...”
MikeJ
I really like Le Noise, just as I tend to like damn near everything Daniel Lanois touches.
Rob Caldecott
I bloody love these posts.
Hunky Dory is a fantastic album and I’ve tried (and pretty much failed) to learn any of the guitar parts from Andy Warhol over the years. And it’s got Starman, Bewlay Brothers, Queen Bitch and the awesomeLife on Mars on it! Guess who plays the piano on Life on Mars? Rick Wakeman from ‘Yes’ – the band whose prog rock noodlings spawned the Sex Pistols. ha ha. Glad you’ve discovered what a gem this record is as I’d be hard pushed to choose between it and the more bombastic Ziggy.
Talking of Beth Gibbons, I’ve been listening to lots of Portishead this week – have you got their last album, ‘Third’? I’d be interested to know what you think of it.
I’m not Neal Young’s biggest fan but I know a few who are and they all agree that Le Noise really is something very special indeed.
Still getting into Halcyon Days myself but it’s starting to worm its way in. That Frightened Rabbit album is also starting to sink in. Neither of these records would be in my collection if it wasn’t for this blog.
Hunky Dory is my favorite early Bowie. I didn’t appreciate early Bowie until I was older since I was completely enamored of his Eno period, particularly Heroes (still my all time favorite single).
Hadn’t heard the new Neal Young, but I will now after a couple of YouTube vids. And I’ll agree with MikeJ that anything Lanois touches is gold.
That Fuck You song is fun, but totally not my thing otherwise.
I couldn’t tell you what song goes on what Stereolab album either. They are good, and I like them, but they are rather samey sounding. I can grab one at random when I am in the mood and whatever it is works.
I really like Le Noise, just as I tend to like damn near everything Daniel Lanois touches.
I bloody love these posts.
Hunky Dory is a fantastic album and I’ve tried (and pretty much failed) to learn any of the guitar parts from Andy Warhol over the years. And it’s got Starman, Bewlay Brothers, Queen Bitch and the awesomeLife on Mars on it! Guess who plays the piano on Life on Mars? Rick Wakeman from ‘Yes’ – the band whose prog rock noodlings spawned the Sex Pistols. ha ha. Glad you’ve discovered what a gem this record is as I’d be hard pushed to choose between it and the more bombastic Ziggy.
Talking of Beth Gibbons, I’ve been listening to lots of Portishead this week – have you got their last album, ‘Third’? I’d be interested to know what you think of it.
I’m not Neal Young’s biggest fan but I know a few who are and they all agree that Le Noise really is something very special indeed.
Still getting into Halcyon Days myself but it’s starting to worm its way in. That Frightened Rabbit album is also starting to sink in. Neither of these records would be in my collection if it wasn’t for this blog.
Hunky Dory is my favorite early Bowie. I didn’t appreciate early Bowie until I was older since I was completely enamored of his Eno period, particularly Heroes (still my all time favorite single).
Hadn’t heard the new Neal Young, but I will now after a couple of YouTube vids. And I’ll agree with MikeJ that anything Lanois touches is gold.
That Fuck You song is fun, but totally not my thing otherwise.
I couldn’t tell you what song goes on what Stereolab album either. They are good, and I like them, but they are rather samey sounding. I can grab one at random when I am in the mood and whatever it is works.
That Deerhunter album is terrific.