|
Post by Mr Kite on Dec 22, 2021 17:26:57 GMT
Thanks for the list and recommendations Pothos ! I will get down to it and as the year is slowly coming to an end I will pull my x mas socks up !
Have to get this one out of the way first . It`s our ol` friend Neil Young . Now I`m guessing but I reckon this his 1000 th album !
Barn - Neil Young , Crazy Horse (2021) Spotify
Love Young . Love the fact he did`nt really care about the gravy train and I always think he did`nt care about his fans so much . It was like "Don`t like it don`t buy it " kinda deal as they would say in Fargo . So I never bought anything from ... Landing On Water or was it Arc ..
But I have bought his Archives from when he kinda ruled the world when it came to unique song writing . Think you`ve just come out of the rain into a bar and Young and his Horse are playing in the corner playing these songs and I bet you would drink up quick and chance not getting wet . This is what I felt listening to this album . Canerican . I`m sure this is probably the most cringy song he`s ever wrote
Maybe it`s a grower , I mean who didn`t love Old Ways after a bit ? (Nor I ) It has some slow acoustic and the trad Crazy Horse rockers that are really like tribute tracks to Rust . He`s done a hell of a lot worse , but I wont be buying this one . Stand Out Track Human Race ( A crakin rocker that stands out from a below par album .
21
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Dec 22, 2021 18:37:38 GMT
The Seeds Of Love - Tears For Fears (1989) Spotify (Super Deluxe)
By the request of Pothos !
Not my cuppa but I`m sure it wont be too bad , as we all know they did some good tunes back in the day .
The opener I remember and I probably never even thought about who sang it and it`s a cracker Woman In Chains Superb ! Bad Man`s Song . Yep , its another tune and what a guitar solo and Funky! And again I`m sure heard it before Sowing in The Seeds Of Love . Yep , the I am walrus vibe one and yeh, a good song indeed Advice For The Young At Heart Again I`m sure I`ve heard this before . Not feeling this one so much , it has that 80`s feel and that`s not a good advice in my heart Standing On The Corner Of The World . Lots of jazzy bass , is all that I can say about this one Swords And Knives . Again nothing to rave about Year Of The Knife . Knives again , starts off with a crowd cheering which makes you think it`s a live track . Famous Last Words Last track and a smoochy one . Overall a very well produced album and I can see how they had a good run in the 80`s they can write and play I guess that helps . Not going to be on my play list on Spoty , but I did enjoy the first 2 tracks ! Stand Out Track Woman In Chains .
20
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Dec 24, 2021 0:07:41 GMT
ABBA - The Visitors
My all time favourite LP. Here is why
Track 1 The Visitors. The subject is all about a disadent sat in his/her flat waiting for a knock at the door from the Police. Thunderous drums, howling synths and Frida singing like an angel trapped in hell. Happy clappy ABBA it is not and you can hear the Led Zeppelin influence as both bands were mates a the time. Track Two Head Over Heals - I think this is the weakest track. All about a women who cannot be tamed and flies about town like some gadabout. Track 3 - When All is Said and Done. If The Winner takes it all is about the demise of Bjorn and Agnetha marraige then this is all about the failure of Frida and Benny relationship. Funny loving and contains the great line and not too old for sex. Brilliant Track 4 - Soldiers - Seems to be a hymn to the suffering of all wars. Again thunderous and strong. Track 5 - I Let the Music Speak. It seems to be about how an artist can be totally consumed by the creation of music. Operatic a sort of three act piece and Frida's vocal is amazing. Track 6 - One of Us - A great lament to failed love this is the begining of their dark period and boy it still sounds amazing 40 years on. Track 7 - Two for the Price of One - The theme is of a man finding an advert for a threesome (I kid you not) and what happens when he answers it. I swear when I first heard this as a teen I laughed. Utterly brilliant, very funny and weird. Track 8 - Slipping through my Fingers. - How sending your young child to school for the first time breaks your heart. One of the best songs they ever wrote. Track 9 - Like an Angel Passing through my Room - I am convinced it is about the angel of death.
This is ABBA at their most strange. Led Zep must have had an influence on the drum sound. Pop has never felt so dark and twisted.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Dec 25, 2021 0:00:38 GMT
Nice one Pothos , love it !
Merry Christmas everyone !
|
|
|
Post by ROCKY on Dec 25, 2021 2:05:17 GMT
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Dec 25, 2021 10:46:25 GMT
Happy Christmas.
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Dec 25, 2021 23:46:18 GMT
On The Visitors by ABBA. There were various extra's added to the CD release.
Different tracks appeared over the years.
Should I laugh or Cry (b side to One of Us added to the CD) A wonderful song focusing on a crumbling relationship with the woman (Frida) narrating how her partner is an academic of some standing but an utter fool. She mentions how his pyjama bottoms are far too short for him with such spite it takes your breath away.
The Day Before you Came - Their Magnus Opus with Angetha musing on the day in detail before her lover walked into her life. Easily one of their best ever tracks and adored for pushing their sound and subject matter on. Again a favourite of mine.
Under Attack - Lightweight but interesting not a success and feels odd when placed against the heavier epics which I prefer.
You Owe Me One - A real step back not a great song but the lasses sing well origionally a B side of Under Attack. Not their A grade work.
Cassandra - (B side to The Day Before you Came) A very strong song. Themeatically it is about the Trojan War. Focussing on Cassandra the sister of Hector. Cassandra as a prophetess is ignored and well we know how it all ends.
So why do I enjoy this LP. Well Bjorn as the lyicist had really upped his game and writing remarkably strange, complex and dark lyrics. Frida and Agnetha were singing out of their skins beautifilly fluid, confident and the depth of emotion is staggering. Benny as always is a powerhouse musically and again is in top form.
The singles from and after this LP did not sell well. This and their failing marraiges led to the hiatus. I love Abba and late Abba is something to behold. John Lennon and David Bowie both admired SOS. I think their first truly majestic dark song and this LP spoke to my dark teenage self. It still sounds sublime 40 years on.
You can hear the Zep influence on the drumming and the wider deeper tone suited them. To me The Visitors is their best studio Lp but even ABBA fans don't agree on that.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Dec 27, 2021 15:39:10 GMT
Great stuff Pothos !
I can never get passed ABBA as nothing but a good pop single band and never dreamed of listening to an album . Seems I was missing out . Don`t know if you have heard Steven Wilson`s cover of The Day Before You Came . Very good , and I say that as I don`t even remember hearing the original .
Deep Fried Grandeur - Ryley Walker & Kikagaku (2021) Via You Tube
This popped up on my suggestions list , so I jumped in . It`s a 2 track psychedelic Rock album 18 minute tracks that don`t really kick in until its coming to the end of the track . Shame really, it did`nt get me hooked as there was nothing that original to get hooked on Much more better out there and if you want to get into this stuff try Can .
19
Raise The Roof - Robert Plant & Alison Kruass (2021 ) Spotify
The second installment from this duo and as the first one it`s a good album . It`s crazy went you think about it (I do) that Bob was in the greatest Rock band that as ever walked this planet and I guess it will stay that way for a very long time . But as he went on his merry way in his solo career , which even though it was the 80`s when music lost all its soul and Rock was at it`s knees Bob still came good with 2 great debut albums and he did manage keep he head above the water and in his last 20 years still brought out some good albums . This album though is again a good album and Alison seems to be more of the upfront singer . It really had some good songs on it and I guess more listens would be a must . But as album go this is just a good album . Stand Out Track Can`t Let Go
18
Death By Rock and Roll - The Pretty Reckless (2021) Spotify
I recently discovered these and I thought I must do an album ! And heck , I have to say I enjoyed it !. It`s doe`s what it says on the tin I guess , hard rock , grunge , alt. rock . Has all that a good voice which is always a winner for me . Sounds like the wonderful Alison Mosshart from The Kills and Dead Weather . And dare I say it Very Joan Jett ! Yep , I`m in . Stand Out Track Only love Can Save Me Now (And many more !) 17
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Dec 27, 2021 23:49:33 GMT
Bought the Robert Plant/Allison Krause LP
Great Music.
Will Check out the Steven Wilson version when I get time. The Visitors is just such an odd LP prog pop with weird themes and it works as an Lp. ABBA The Album from 1977 is another great Abba lp but much lighter in tone. I really enjoyed Robert Plants solo stuff and the work he has done with other artists over the years.
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Dec 29, 2021 11:22:18 GMT
Just listened to the Steven Wilson cover of The Day Before you Came. Brilliant version, love his vocal very minimal and the song suits his voice. I wish more artists would cover ABBA to this standard.
Benny and Bjorn's writing was of an epic level at this point.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Dec 29, 2021 18:29:24 GMT
Just listened to the Steven Wilson cover of The Day Before you Came. Brilliant version, love his vocal very minimal and the song suits his voice. I wish more artists would cover ABBA to this standard. Benny and Bjorn's writing was of an epic level at this point. Nice one Pothos ! Mr Wilson always tells about his youth growing up to Dark Side Of The Moon and ABBA He turned up at the Prog awards with a ABBA T Shirt on !
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Dec 29, 2021 23:22:24 GMT
How cool was that. I think it is a great cover because he understands the track so well. Great voice. Let me know what you think of the LP one day MR Kite.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Jan 1, 2022 13:22:45 GMT
Hello and Happy New Year !
Listened to ABBA, The Day Before You Came Blimey ! 1982 ! ,and a video and I really don`t remember it at all ! Very weird video , is it the android ABBA ?! Laughing Out Loud as you do
Well folks I sat on my laptop 4 years ago today , in fact round about now and I came up with crazy idea . What I thought would be a walk in the park and it wasn`t , in fact it was a mount Everest , but I`m now on the last ledge and I missed out on the finishing line , but I will carry on regardless and change the title to 22 .
Anyway , I`m off with a banger as the kids would say today.
Angry Young Them - Them (1965) You Tube
Popped up on my You Tube recommendations and I do love Them and Van the man .
What a great album ! It really has that Please Please Me album feel Lots of covers that are not really standards I guess for the time mixed in with a few penned Van Morrison songs that are just as good along side the covers . It has the classic Gloria on the album which I`m sure it was the song that kicked started their career and everyone knows very well It really has a great tempo which flags on the last few tracks , but I really enjoyed the album and I even started to look for it on E Bay ! Nice unearthed gem in my humble Stand Out Track If You And I Could Be Two
16
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Jan 1, 2022 14:40:29 GMT
Well never seen that Abba appearance before. Ah well I will remain alone in my love of their work.
Happy New Year to you all.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Jan 2, 2022 18:23:41 GMT
I don`t think your alone when it comes to loving ABBA Pothos
Thought I`d try an old acquaintance , that since the 70`s I`ve never got into this album in fact I`ve bought it and sold it more than once . It`s from a band that was one that I absolutely loved up till 1980 and they went all to pot . It`s their debut
The Electric Light Orchestra - Electric Light Orchestra
When you have listened to this you can probably see why Roy Wood walked away from the band that he more or less created . He did turn up for the second album which he only played Cello . But heck the album starts off with a cracker with the 10538 Overture that Paul Weller loved so much he just changed the lyrics and made his own take on it and I guess Jeff didn`t get any loyalties Look At Me Now and Nellie Takes A Bow are just very basic songs but then we get the Battle Of Marston Moor It`s bloody awful and it`s long ! Then The 1st Movement an instrumental and that`s bloody awful , both penned by Roy Wood Mr Radio is the way forward for Jeff Lynne as this would be the embryo of masterpiece Mr. Blue Sky. Three more songs that wouldn`t save it from drowning if it was stood in a puddle Manhattan Rumble is another one that sounds like the Cello`s have purposely been untuned to give it that nails down a blackboard effect The last 2 songs don`t even have anything going for them and thank the lord that`s it . I can see why I never loved this album and I hate to call anything that Mr Lynne has done . But this is a bad one . Stand Out Track . 10538 Overture
Next up is the brand new album from the Rock Legends ..Deep Purple ! Fingers crossed !
15
|
|
|
Post by pothos on Jan 2, 2022 23:17:52 GMT
ELO were always a bit hit and miss. I agree about the Paul Weller nod. I think I have a best of cd somewhere but never listened to any of their studio LP's but always taken by their artwork.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Jan 3, 2022 17:03:15 GMT
Check out A New World Record Pothos , it`s a masterpiece in my humble ( I`m sure I reviewed it ?!) or Out Of The Blue also a masterpiece . Here as promised D.P. And not what I expected ! Turning To Crime - Deep Purple (2021) What a shock it was when I put this on ! It`s a full album of covers ! I guess it`s not a shock that the album is ... Fantastic !! It comes across like the band loved making this album and Ian Gillian sounds ... Fantastic ! Apart from Steve Morse and Don Airey we have the classic Purple line up of Gillan , Glover and Paice ! With Steve Morse being the baby of the band at 67 and the rest of them well into their 70`s they don`t half put some energy into it . I`ve just recently listening to Neil Young`s latest , it really is a different feel than the plod of The Crazy Ol` Horse With covers of Dylan , Little Feat , Love, Cream (White Room !!) and Bob Seger and The Yardbirds it keeps you interested Apart from The Battle Of New Orleans which is bonkers they are great rockin` tunes and Morse plays some great solo`s all over this album. Then they finish the album off with a medley of rock classic`s Going Down , Dazed And Confused and Gimme Me Some Lovin Quality stuff ! As Ian sings "It doesn`t matter if your young or old , let the good times roll Lookin forward to see Deep Purple this year, as before this I wasn`t really a 100% sure Stand Out Track Oh Well 14
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Mar 22, 2022 21:18:19 GMT
Finally !
Ok , I`ll get straight on with it . Bought a Mag (It had on Kate the front ) Uncut and they reviewed an album and gave it 10/10 and that had me interested and of course it wasn`t out yet , so I went for their last album and popped on Spotify and halfway through the first track I was in for the evening .. 3 weeks on and I`ve seen the band , bought 3 albums and now I`m going to review that album that kicked it all off
Ignorance - The Weather Station (2021)
1. Robber . What can I say about this track ! Just from the off , it`s got that silky smooth jazz feel that reminded me right away of Bowie`s Blackstar album title track . Very tantalizing lyrics and very soft vocals that has you almost sat up taking in the story of how she doesn`t believe in the Robber . Apparently not actually about a breaking through your window robber .
2. Atlantic . Another wonderful track and I guess it`s very much about the plight of climate change . Not fully into the lyrics but according to Tamara`s interviews this the theme of the album .
3. I Tried To Tell You. Not quite got into this song yet, seems about a break up , but it`s no less a good song .
4. Parking Lot . Love this one , again it`s about the plight of nature and a song about a bird ! Became an ear worm song for me over the past week .
5. Loss This one hasn`t got into my bloodstream yet , but it really has a wonderful "fill" if that`s the correct term
6. Separated This one is one that stood out for me when I saw them last week . Lots of lush strings in this ditty Love it !
7. Wear . Love this one ! Kinda reminded me of Alanis Morissette
8. Trust Again a wonderful song and it`s tricky to put down the vibe of the song , but it`s like Mad World by Micheal Andrews ( Donnie Darko ) Very much Piano up front .
9. Heart . Once again ... Wonderful !
10. Subdivisons . Beautiful song and maybe the closest to Joni Mitchell vibe which has the obvious connections to the singer and song writer of the band with being a fellow Canadian . A perfect end to a perfect album .
Stand Out Track . Robber .
13 .
|
|
|
Post by ROCKY on Mar 23, 2022 13:52:55 GMT
Great review Mr. K ! But I count they have 6 Cd's out + The Line which came out in 2009. It was a six song special CD. Good luck trying to find that one!
|
|
|
Post by Mr Kite on Mar 23, 2022 15:11:47 GMT
Great review Mr. K ! But I count they have 6 Cd's out + The Line which came out in 2009. It was a six song special CD. Good luck trying to find that one! Thank you Rocky ! Yes, I have 3 to go , The Line is going to a tricky one . 😄 They only had Ignorance & How is it ...on Cd , The rest was Vynil , and it's a long night holding an album I bought the self titled when I went to Manchester 2 weeks ago. I'm down there again and I'm on the hunt !
|
|