Showing posts with label RCA Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RCA Records. Show all posts

Friday, July 15, 2016

Low - David Bowie

Yes, the time has come for me to review his "master work". The album considered by many as one of the best albums ever. Now when I say this, I'm referring to the 11th studio album by David Bowie. Now I personally love the hell out of this album, cover :D. This is supposed to be based off a promo poster for the movie he was in "The Man Who Fell To Earth". There's pretty much where The Thin White Duke is from (the film). This album is the first in the Berlin Trilogy, all of which were made with Brian Eno. I've actually enjoyed this thing from the first time I listened to it, but it wasn't until he passed that I really could say there was a connection with me and that record. Maybe I know what it was like to be at a low, there was other stuff besides just his passing going on. I mean life gets you there from time to time, but you learn and grow. One thing for sure I can disclose right now is, I can't say how many times I listened to the first half (or the entire thing as a whole) in the car while I drove to and from school. It's like a lot. So without further a due, does this live up to the hype? Is it a bunch of hipster bullshit that is buying in to a subpar record? Is Eno responsible for its level of brilliance? Am I qualified to review albums? This and many more will all be revealed to you below. So please feel free to say I'm full of shit, as I delve into this master piece of ambient/avant-pop/.
  1. Speed of Life: This opens the album and sort of takes you to another place entirely. Like really, even though Bowie has since said (paraphrased) "Station to Station is just a rock version of what we were trying to do on Low", it still sounds pretty different. I guess I can see that comparison, but this is so different at the same time. The textures here are gorgeous, so are on the others, but this really just makes me want to dance. There are rarely instrumental intros that get me pumped and basically an immediate feel to sit through it, once it clicks. It just works so well as this albums opener I don't really know what to say. I love the dance feeling to the track and I love those icy synths that send shivers down my spine. The player are really doing something here that and I really just wanna re-listen to it once it's over. It also have a feeling of driving, like a broken up car is speeding down a highway or something. At least in my mind.
  2. Breaking Glass: Where the last track was sort of bittersweet, there was a joy but it was mind of damaged, this is more of the damaged man trying to find joy. But he is sort of disillusioned by his fears and anxiety. Now I'm not saying that what it's about, that's what I'm saying it sounds like. This is also more "jagged" and abrupt and loud. I mean this isn't Merzbow territory or Boredoms but this definitely is less poppy than say some of his other stuff. Though I still love it.
  3. What In The World: What do you expect when you get Iggy to contribute harmonies on this. I've heard this song at least 20 times and I still can't figure out that like Mario sound in the beginning. This track is another fast track, but I really like Pop's echoed backing vocals. I also really like the harpsichord sounding synth on the track. The textures on this thing, and whole album are great but still. I also really like the chaotic feeling and almost disoriented feeling you get towards the ending of the track. I think it's pretty damn good.
  4. Sound And Vision: This is my favorite track off this album. This is also the track that I think is key to understanding this album as a whole. It's quite literal, it's not cryptic, it's like about as straight forward as you could possibly lyrically without taking the time to explain it in the song. This is both upbeat, but the way it's sung makes it haunting. It's happy, but it's also kind of down. It also has some great synths, very poppy feeling and that sigh in the beginning is so fucking great. Also I couldn't not mention that lead guitar playing the melody, fucking great shit. Mary Visconti, or Hopkins, comes in and is the female backing vocalist on this track. I really like her little thing she does and then Bowie comes and there's this vocal, then distorted vocal, I don't know if that's just on the CD or if it's also on the vinyl. Fucking phenomenal. Plus that saxophone, damn.
  5. Always Crashing in the Same Car: A favorite of mine, its so smooth and chill. Very laid back and fun. The more I listen the more I love this thing. There is the obvious literal interpretation of him  crashing the same car continuously. This song also has meaning to me, because while it's about literally crashing a car over and over, I still cry when I go.... wow I'm doing the same shit over and over again. There is also a mellow feeling to the track that is almost deceiving. Well not almost, it is deceiving. There is also a top notch solo on this track that thank God for Carlos.
  6. Be My Wife: This was to Angela, his wife, the two of which were going through problems. I guess he left America then went to France, or Switzerland, and one live in one place and the other... I don't exactly remember but there was just shit going down I guess. This song was looked at as his final plea to keep his marriage alive. Sadly they were divorced by 1980. But as for the song it's much more of a rock song and is pretty straight forward, hahah. No it's not to crazy or complex, though I do loves me some four on the floor. There is great playing from everyone once again and it's a great tune.
  7. A New Career In A New Town: This is a great tune to close side 1 and is just fun. There really is a feeling that its like going through somewhere for the first time and feeling that feeling of a new beginning. I love the distant synth and that drum beat keeping time. It's so fucking good, and it's just like once it starts and that harmonica comes in.... I can imagine exactly what the title suggests. A hopeful song, but also shy and unsure of itself. The playing here again, thought much better than the last track, is still amazing.
  8. Warszawa: Opening side two we get something entirely new for him. Nothing on any of his prior albums remotely resembled this. Eno is supposedly responsible for the chords to the track, but damn if this isn't barren. I mean I could see if Chernobyl happened in the 70's this song being written about and for that. Don't get me wrong this is amazing and can send chills down your spine, but its also gorgeous at the same time. There is a haunting beauty to the chord progression, the sounds, the textures and the everything basically. This could be the most realized song of the style on this album. Like the albums masterpiece, which isn't something new. It's crazy to think the only things used were a minimoog, piano and Chamberlain played by Eno, and of course David's vocals. I guess the lyrics were based on the recording of Helokanie by "Polish folk choir" Śląsk. I still love the fuck out of this and also this kick the shit out of anything John Carpenter could even try to do. That being said, this was written by Eno with the vocal stuff from Bowie. Also the 8 minutes don't drag on at all, honestly, they are well earned.
  9. Art Decade: I like the little electronic flares that pop up in the beginning. This feels almost like its underwater and really has some amazing textures. There are these like sleigh bell things and then these little flashes that sounds like something darting by. The title is a play on the words "Art Decayed" and I assume "Art Deco". I could be wrong, but I doubt its "Decade" as in 10 years. I don't have a ton to say about this track but I really is hypnotic and relaxing. Not as much on edge as the last.
  10. Weeping Wall: This is basically a variation on the song Scarborough Fair, which that kind of does bother me a bit but I guess it makes sense. I mean I love this instrumental none the less, but that does deduct some points there. I personally love percussion, especially pitched percussion. I wonder if Reich inspired this track, if not for the lead synth I'd say this is very minimalist. It is very repetitious, but I still love it. I also love what I'm assuming is treated guitars. This is also very hypnotic, and I'm kinda waiting to ear the song progressively disintegrate as Come Up to Show Them Does.
  11. Subterraneans: Closing we get the whole band back together. I really like the bass in the beginning and this very much feels like a Residents track. This is very quiet and I almost feel like was supposed to have strings. There is a ending feeling of this and that saxophone kinda of reminds me of 80's music, but not like in a bad way. It feels very sad and this feels just distant. I would like to see the track get nice and confident and grow, but this is more realistic. You don't just get out of it right away, even once you've accepted it. It takes time to heal and this is the ending. I also smile when I hear echoes of futures songs and ideas on later records by him in this.
Overall I have to give this album a 10/10. Okay, do I think this is the masterpiece everyone else seems to claim it is.... I mean if you mean in terms of nothing wrong, then yes. I mean the more I listen to this the less I find error. I have to actively seek out negative aspects in the songs. There really is nothing wrong with this album. Sadly I have to say I agree with this being one of the best albums ever. I think part of what the appeal of the record lives in the fact he was at the lowest point in his life. While that might be lower than I'll ever sink, everything is relative, you can probably relate using your lowest point. A drug addiction for someone may be rock bottom, where as depression may be for another or divorce even cheating. All those and many more it just varies from person to person. The fragmented and broken lyrics and music on side A are very transparently relate-able. A broken man trying to write and basically get his life together. There is a comfort knowing that you yourself, regardless of the dilemma, are not alone. When I listened to this record I sort of got a sense of comradely (hopefully that's spelled right) in Bowie. As much as the world sucks and is really pointless (outside of music) there is a sense of peace that once it clicks you feel. I can kind of understand why people hold this in such high regard. I don't think it's the best record ever, as with his other material during his prime it is amazing none the less, but it's not far from it. I also want to say, along with that comfort, there is a sense of hope in these songs. This really is great. 

Friday, January 15, 2016

Aladdin Sane - David Bowie

The last memorial album I did didn't go over so well, so why not review an album that I consider one of my all time favorites. It is in, some what, continuous play on my iPod/Spotify/iTunes/Anything Really. And as much as it sucks he's gone, let's hope this review is positive enough, though I'm not going to lie to you, I know it'll be a fitting goodbye to one of my heroes. In past reviews I've mentioned how much he means to me as a musican/writer and there is no way I'd ever be able to pay him back, and since I need more time to dissect Blackstar, Aladdin Sane is the natural choice for this (if not counting the ones I've done and not Lodger). But anyway, here are the facts, this is album number six. This was the first of two albums released in 1973, the other the covers album Pin Ups. This was released in April of 1973 and was mainly written while David was on his American tour for Ziggy. This is looked at as Ziggy in America, and that's a great way to look at it.
  1. Watch That Man: maybe not the best song here but damn is it a solid glam rocker. From the hard rock guitar and the piano and the nice ass drum beat. This song is a terrific opener. Like I said this is pretty straight forward tine, one listen basically gives you everything there. You might pick up on that piano later, but it's still a nice rocker.  Actually the backing vocals are awesome and that piano reminds me a bit of that live performance of Search and Destroy on the Legacy Edition of Raw Power
  2. Aladdin Sane (1917-1939-197?): So we opened with a rocker, a straight forward tune. The following track couldn't be more different. With a title that hints WWIII could happen sometime in the 70's this odd European tune is one of the things I love about this album. It kind of throws left hooks. This song has some gorgeous piano from one Mike Garrison. The chorus here is as catchy as any of his other, more poppy songs. That guitar riff, and that tone (esp. During the verses, Damn!). I love the sort of freak out with the saxophone backing up the insane, almost mad man playing of the piano. I mean yes there is logic to it, but to a regular person.... WTF. I'm serious if I played the solo section for someone out of context they'd most likely be confused. This song is great and I couldn't ask for something else for this spot here. And that ending :)
  3. Drive-In Saturday: A classic, and by that I'm serious. I guess this is about people in post apocalyptic.... just look it up. It's kind of interesting. Plot aside, this has a doo-wop sort of vibe to it. It isn't straight doo-wop though, like some of his best tunes.... It has this weird atmosphere to it. Seriously, I mean it almost makes no sense, but it's a solid ass fucking song. I love every second from the sax to the vocals to those backing harmonies. Plus the lyrics are pretty funny, in a kooky way. 
  4. Panic In Detroit: Another rocker, though this is more of a hard rocker. I can't recall if this is about anything, like a real riot in Detroit, or whatever but I honestly don't care at the moment. This song is much better than the meaning and it doesn't need a meaning to make it good. There's a reason he played this live in the years to follow. It's a great rocker that is probably the closest The Spiders would get to TMWSTW. There are actually riffs where it sounds like it could go into the extended solos on that record. Even the opening just shouts rock and roll. I mean really. Also I should mention, this sonically sounds different from the other tracks, but not enough to not fit on this mixed bag of rock and roll tunes. I love the backing singers here too and we get to hear Mick just rip.
  5. Cracked Actor: This is the only song I can say that I don't either Love. I mean it isn't bad, but compared to the other tracks I don't think it's as strong. You can almost look at this as a rewrite of Jean Genie. I mean this is a good glam rock tune, I just don't Love it you know. 
  6. Time: This song starts out with a piano that is avant-gardeish. There is this vaudeville feeling to this track. I feel like this could be a cabaret number. It's very odd, there is a type of closure you get with this song.... now at least. It's got everything here that makes this album great, vocals, I love the guitar when the song gets more intense. I love how it goes back to the beginning and just feels like odd, even thought in reality it isn't the odd. Mick has some great guitar parts here that just add and, he's fucking an amazing arranger period Those backing vocals are great. I mean in reality most of what makes these songs great is on each song. The only thing is they all are different enough, to where you could call this a mixed bag of songs.
  7. The Prettiest Star: A rerecorded version of the 1969 single, written about Angie Bowie. On the original Marc Bolan played lead, and Mick tried to replicate that guitar on this recording. This is a happy song, and I mean I feel like it's sort of heartfelt. It sort of reminds me a bit of Kooks or Soul Love or just a number that may not necessarily be the "insane genius theorist" he is elsewhere. I like songs that show another side to a guy, this is one of those. Nice saxophones by the way :)
  8. Let's Spend The Night Together: The only cover on this album, it was originally released as a single by The Rolling Stones in 1967. Opening with a sort of weird heavy psych, feed back and then what I can describe as atonal piano hits. The songs rushes into a performance, and damn this thing fly's by. To be honest, the best performance of the song. This almost sounds like the original, but better heavier and more rockin'. 
  9. The Jean Genie: What can I say about this track. It feels like a pirate is playing this. Seriously, I much prefer to think the Rebel Rebel video Bowie is singing this. This riff is just one of those, and yes you can hear it towards the ending of Width of a Circle, but here it's just so oddly perfect. I can kind of imagine people in the 70's going... what the fuck, this is really good, but still what is this. There is a reason this is as famous a song as it is. It's classic. Go Mickey Go!
  10. Lady Grinning Soul: Argue with me all you will, but I believe this to be the most romantic track to ever be written... ever. You can't top this, not Marvin not Smokey, not Ole Blue Eyes nor anyone else. Keep on listing songs, you'll never change my mind. From Mr. Garrison's opening piano rolls, to David's sole vocal introduction. Listen to this thing, I mean really. Everything here sounds so damn good, and just the playing is so tight. I really can't find anything wrong here. I love the saxophones, I love the Spanish solo. The piano and guitar duet, Mick you are a genius. This word is almost too good for words, every time I listen to this I cry a bit. This song is perfect.
Overall I have to give this a 9/10. This s very much an Americanized version of Ziggy. On top of that its a great fucking album, there isn't much to complain about here. I mean really, every songs is unique, and they are all solid performances. I guess you could complain there's a cover, but that's just nit picking. Bowie my friend, you may be gone, but I know you're one of the few people to make a string, constantly great to amazing albums, from 1969 to 1980. Though I may never be able to tell you, or thank you for everything you done for me I also don't think I'd be able to either. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. I'm gonna miss you.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

At.Long.Last.A$AP - A$AP Rocky

This should be quick, I mean what do i really have to say other than 2016 will be the year of I listen first, then decide if to review or not. This is the second album by A$AP Rocky, it follows up Long.Live.A$AP and Live.Love.A$AP mixtape. I first hear him from friends in High School my Senior year, thus leading me to buy and review his debut album. Now I may have not listened to him that much after High School, but I want to note something. 1Train and Fuckin Problems still rock to this day, and they are two of my favorite hip hop songs ever. Note: I may list the features and producers in the beginning, so skip a sentence to get to the songs.
  1. Holy Ghost: This track features Joe Fox and was produced by Danger Mouse. And honestly, this has a very uncanny resemblance to Action Bronson's far superior The Symbol. Hell the guitar sounds kind of like a knock or Flying riff covered or performed by Turn Blue era Black Keys. Actually the backing vocals sound to me like The Keys on the song, which I was gonna most compare it to, Weight of Love. I mean this isn't bad, it also kind of reminds me of Baddest Man Alive at parts. But again, I mean, I don't think I'll ever revisit this outside of this review.
  2. Canal Street: This track features Bones. And to be honest this is a little uneventful. It has a sort of acoustic/nylon string guitar sample in the beginning. It's kind of okay, minimal, but it kind of gets old. Also I think all the scratches and noises are supposed to get your mind off the fact it just loops. This isn't terrible, but there isn't anything that makes me want to listen to it again.
  3. Fine Whine: This track features Future, Joe Fox and MIA. I am not even somewhat feeling this. There is a sort of feeling I am getting, like one of the atmospheric tracks from the last album, but this..... Certain things happening should appeal to me, but I don't like it. Also, M.I.A. not a fan of your verse. I mean I like her voice and all, but not the words coming out of it. 
  4. L$D: Which stands for "Love Sex Dreams", but I think it's kind of a stupid attention grabbing title. It's like naming a song "Grab My Tits", what's the real purpose. This opens better than I think it'd be based off the title. The guitar is kind of nice, but the bass..... not feeling that. And the vocals are not something I'm on board with either.
  5. Excuse Me: This is an okay track, but this doesn't really do much for me. It kind of sounds like, the backing vocals and what not, like he sampled Coldplay. The music makes me think it was Mylo Xyloto or more likely Ghost Stories. I know that they didn't and the song sampled was Come Home For Chirstmas by The Platters, but still.
  6. JD: For a loving tribute to James Dean, the porn star, this track doesn't really mention him at all. That "interview field recording" wasn't that bad, but the rap shut my ears off. The second it started I lost interest. I came back to it, but still, not feeling it.
  7. Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 (LPFJ2): If I'm being completely honest I didn't care for the track. Now I mean the name is an interesting name, and I made me want to check it out. The fact that it was a single help solidify in my mind it might be one of the better tracks, possibly something in like with the last albums singles. But the actual track is very uneventful, boring and lame. 
  8. Electric Body: This track features Schoolboy Q and three producers, one being Danger Mouse. The other two producers I never heard of, this opens kind of okay, but the sample is not something I really like. I appreciate the dark feeling here, like on a lot of songs here, but that doesn't mean I like it. This just doesn't appeal to me.
  9. Jukebox Joints: This track featues Joe Fox, once again, and Kanye West. Now Yeezy also produced it with che pope.  This isn't that bad, a little Little B ish. I like the backing track the best, it's peaceful. This has some really good soul samples going on in the track. :) I enjoy each person's verse, though maybe this track is a bit long, its better than most of this. I also think the best part is the beat/sample behind Kanye.
  10. Max B: This track features Joe Fox. This track isn't horrible, but I mean I'm not in love with it. I think it's kind of a hard hitter, but I still feel like something is missing. It's better than what I've been hearing on the rest of this, bust it is just not perfect. 
  11. Pharsyde: Another track featuring Joe Fox and produced by Danger Mouse. This opens with a sample (it's not one actually that I can find) that isn't half bad, from the track. The only problem is am I hearing this right, its phasing in and out. I mean that is kind of a big problem, I thought something was wrong with my speakers. I like this song, but that phasing is hurting the track fro me.
  12. Wavybone: Juicy J and UGK are featured in this track. This is nice, but I think I've heard this before. This sounds similar to what I just heard. You know, in the last track. I mean it might not be, but for all I know it is. To be honest, once the guest comes in I checked out.
  13. West Side Highway: This track features James Fauntleroy. When Bernstein meets Deep Purple.... I wish, but who knows. This is juist okay.
  14. Better Things: At this point this whole feeling and atmosphere has kind of grown old. It's not interesting anymore. Do something else, at the moment I'm bored.
  15. M'$: This track features Lil Wayne. Something I thought was funny was both Kanye and Wayne were on this, A$AP Rocky's new album, and on Tyler The Creator's new album. I think that's funny because I got into them at the same time in High School, or rather I was into them. Ehhh.
  16. Dreams (Interlude):  At 2:16 this is pretty damn long for an interlude. 
  17. Everyday: This track features an odd number of people, or an odd group rather. Rock singer then solo pop artist Rod Stewart, Miguel, and that guy who made that shitty The Time rip off Mark Ronson. The thing for me is just about ever other song here is either boring or awful. So My biggest problem is does this song hold up on it's own, like is it actually good or is it just good compared to the rest of the album. And upon multiple listens I have to say it's actually a good track, but I'm not so sure this will be as good as I think two years from now. I mean I still think the last album was solid, and the best tracks are still awesome. I like the whole introspective feeling I get when I listen. Like I feel like this would be great for a movie and it's when the guy either looks back on choices, or on his past. This might sound odd, but this tracks instrumental reminds me of Soldier of Fortune by Deep Purple off the "controversial" Stormbringer. And also upon revisiting the song I have to say the only great part, or the only part I really enjoy, is that refrain.
  18. Back Home: Featuring Mos Def and Acyde. I know Mos Def, I do not know Acyde. This isn't terrible, but for an ending it really doesn't feel like an ending. Like there is no satisfaction from this track. the last track would have been a better ending.
Overall I have to give this album a 4/10. This is far too long for what little it has to offer. Now I know you shouldn't compare past work to present, but there was a thing. Well like, I didn't really even know of this rap until I heard the mixtape and album. And the album made me thirst for all rap period. I've learned most current rap is not good, but the thing is this guy along with someother artists, gave me the shot of heroin that made me a rap addict in HS. The guys before opened the floodgates, this A$AP, OF, Lil B and The Weeknd among others tore the gate doors off. Sadly as mentioned earlier this lead to a lust for all rap, and that over exposure lead to disaster. It lead to many a boring, uninteresting, pointless pop radio bullshit that had nothing interesting at all to say. Honestly..... I'd fit this album into the upper middle crust of that whole slew of shit. And that's really all I can say, minus maybe Everyday and a few tracka here and there. So I'm very disappointed. Also what the hells up with all the 2010's samples galore.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Déjà-Vu - Giorgio Moroder

Finally deciding to review this, and to save myself from a terrible review of Underworld, I finished this up. Besides it's four and I'll just watch Caligula tomorrow.This is the 19th, or so, studio album by Giorgio Moroder. It is also his first since 1992's Forever Dancing. Now I can't say that what I've heard by Giorgio as a solo artist has blown me away, he's a much better producer in my opinion. On that front he's made some of the greatest disco tracks with Donna Summers to ever exist. So I was kind of looking forward to this album, when I heard it was announced. After hearing the first track to drop I quickly lost faith in the album, and the only thing that kept my interest alive was the features. I was curious. I didn't expect to like it, I just wanted to listen out of curiosity. Also I am working on the B.B. review just haven't finished it yet. Note: I need to mention that I listened to the commentary album that was on Spotify. It helped me a little I think. And it's kinda like the intro to Giorgio.
  1. 4 U With Love: This opens the album with something that reminds me of whats current. This sounds like something that I'd hear being promoted in dance music on a Spotify commercial. I can't say I'm a nut about those tracks, but I do enjoy them while they last. This track I love the little wood block thing sound, or at least it sounds like the wood block or wood log setting on my keyboard. Not as strong I think as the others, it's just an interlude, but still pretty solid and gets you pumped to hear the rest of the album. The only real complaint is it doesn't segue into the following track. The U is his wife, according to the commentary.
  2. Déjà Vu: This is the title track and features Sia and damnit.... I heard it the day the album dropped and shit. I genuinely dig this. I mean I have heard her hits, and I thought his gimmick was bullshit because she doesn't want to show her face on her. My complaint about Sia is the pre-chorus, where she sounds like.... I don't know. But the chorus, where you understand even less, is fine by me. The music really has a great disco vibe to it. This is so damn happy, I feel like you could play this for someone who may be sad, and it'll cheer them up. Hell I feel great when I listen to that track. Hopefully it isn't like most bubble gum pop though, and fade quickly. I really want to listen to this three years from now and if not like it as much, like it more. And after the initial happiness wore off, I"m still digging this thing.
  3. Diamonds: This track features on Charlie XCX. This is another surprisingly great track. I mean I don't care for Charlie, outside of her physical appearance, but here she sound great adding to this being another solid track. I can hear the more current EDM sounds here. I'm not as in love with it upon re visitation, but it's still pretty solid. I mean I could careless about the lyrics. The thing is this sounds like an older song. The lyrics and the vocals, sounds like they were taken from the 60's. If not inspired by, maybe sampled. Hell I could see this being a cover of a 60's song. A song like The Supremes or another girl group would do.
  4. Don't Let GoMikky Ekko is the feature on this track, and I can't quite pin it down but the intro reminds me of something. At first it was Paradise by Coldplay, but I don't think that's it. I've never heard of this guy before, but I think his voice is pretty good here. The strings more than anything remind me of that song. The keys, I can't quite pin down. I like that little click that comes in during the second verse. This doesn't drag me off my feet like track two, but hey it's still pretty damn solid.
  5. Right Here, Right Now: Featuring Kylie Minogue, and it's great. The song has this bassy, vocoded voice (vocoded something). This reminds me of 90's music and I have a deep love for cheesy 90's house music. I also dig this sound presented here. The bass in the background reminds me of Daft Punk's older non RAM stuff. This song makes me kinda wanna dance. This is another track that doesn't sweep me off my feet like the first time. But still solid and upon revisitation I can say is probably my favorite track here.
  6. Tempted: "By the fruit of another, Tempted but the truth is discovered". This track features Matthew Koma. This is very sweet sounding, and very easy to listen to. But Mat reminds me a ton of a mix of a few different people at parts. First someone I can't think of, but then at other parts reminds me of Andrew VanWyngarden and then at other parts a higher pitched Adam Levine. The thing is there isn't much to complain about here, I mean it reminds me a little of one to the remixes of Get Lucky, but this proves the album came out at the perfect time. Summer. Also I swear they sampled a song for this track. It's uncannily similar to another track that I can't think of. 
  7. 74 is the New 24: The first single, and to be honest...... I lost faith in the album. But the thing is upon revisiting this with hearing the other tracks.... it's not that bad. I'm digging the Get Lucky guitars, the piano break, and even that techno "drop". This title is taken from the fact that he noticed there were young people in his crowd.
  8. Tom's Dinner: This track features Britney Spears. Seeing how the others went over so well I can't wait to hear his track. This samples a track I can't think of, Its in the Hooked on Polkas or Polka Power. I think it's a pretty decent track, and doesn't has Britney really singing. She's most talking in a hushed voice. This is actually completely different than the rest of the album, it's not that it sticks out like a sore thumb. I just don't think it's a good as some of the others. But I do like that it does change pace, rather than giving us similar sounding stuff. It is a actually a cover of Tom's Dinner which was from 1990 by DNA featuring Suzanne Vega (Originally just by Suzanne from 1987), and was featured in the Polka Your Eyes Out.
  9. Wildstar: This track features Foxes. Sonically this reminds me of the other tracks, but the voice reminds me of Eisley at parts. Of which Rising Fawn has a new album coming next month on the 28th.
  10. Back and Forth: This features someone I don't know Kelis. I was feeling the intro, but when the vocals came in I was really feeling it that much.
  11. I Do This for You: This track features Marlene ∞, someone whom I don't know. Another song that really has little to no impact on me. 
  12. La Disco: This opening grabs my attention, especially the guitar in the song. Not as exciting as I'd wanted, mostly because the instrumental exciting parts kinda of sound similar elsewhere, but hey this is still a solid record.
Overall I have to give this album a 6.5/10. I need to be honest, of all the Giorgio stuff I've heard, as a whole this is my favorite album of his. This is quick, easy to listen to and just all together fun. This kind of reminds me of Random Access Memory. Like his last album was released in 1992 and this might be the album that was written back in the 90s and he was waiting to record. But this sounds like it's just updated version of an older, possibly retro, style. I may not be blown away by its genius, but I'm blown away that I dig this so much. I read somewhere this combines disco and EDM, I guess it does. I mean I don't listen to EDM, so I wouldn't know. Maybe in a year from now I'll be going to EDM festivals, hell if "EDM" sounded like this I'd have not problem. The thing is though towards the end it gets very tiring listening to the same exact thing over and over. I wish he would have played with the whole Britney song or the pacing of that song more. Like adding more variety outside of the vocals. Needless to say, this will be in my CD collection by the end of the year. And I can see myself coming back for multiple listen front to back. Now I need one more review to keep up with my two per month. Or to equal rather :) Also Sirens sucks. Hopefully his follow up will be this fun.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Mandatory Fun - "Weird Al" Yankovic

This is the latest ALbum.... get it? Well this features 12 new tracks that I was hoping that would blow Alpocylapse out of the water. Overall it wasn't a terrible album, but way to underwhelming considering, while 2006's Straight Outta Lynnwood was just sub-par (for me), I've dug further and 2003's Poodle Hat is fricken' awesome, at parts, setting a bar for post 90's Al. In fact I've both warmed up to that album, 2011's, and (for lack of a vast vocabulary) repulsed by it at the same time. Now repulsed is a strong word, but where repulsed is a 8/10 or higher on the scale of pushed way, I'd say I'm more of a 5/10 for my stay away-ness. But I really hope this is great. Let's just say it's better that I expected it to be. A LOT!
  1. Handy: The album kicks off with a parody, far superior than, of that Fancy song. I really don't listen to the radio, so I heard this first. Still, this is funny and better in general. Though this song don't grow on me after a while, it doesn't quite fade. It may with more time, but I still think it's far superior to the original.
  2. Lame Claim to Fame: This is a style parody of some group I never heard of until today, July 14th 2014. That group being Southern Culture on the Skids. I looked them up on Spotify and they look like people from MST3K. But I like this song, and think it's pretty good.
  3. Foil: This is a parody of Royals. I think it's funny but I wonder if its a satire about conspiracy theorists or a real statement done humorously. Every time I hear this I laugh.
  4. Sports Song: This is one of, no more than two or so, songs that I don't care for here. While I think it's funny, and great and kind of a song I'm glad was written, but I don't care for "band" music. Obviously it wouldn't be as funny without it, but I'm just not that into the music on this track. 
  5. Word Crimes: This is second only to Got To Give It Up by Marvin. And unless you lived under a rock you heard of the law suit. Regardless of anything, Thicke's song was over glorified and Gaye's song was also kind of making fun of disco. That's another story, but this is a hilarious song. It's kind of like a sequel, in a way, to White & Nerdy. It's kind of a stretch, but look at this. It's kind of like a nerdy song about the Internet. Not that he didn't have nerdy songs before that, but in the age of Internet I think it fits. The reason i cant give those people crap is because I do that sometimes. I try not to, and after listening I want to learn proper English. And I love the "Nevermind I give up" line. {8/10}
  6. My Own Eyes: This is a style parody of an overrated band, I think, Foo Fighters. It's not that their not talented or they suck, I just haven't really heard any songs that I've either liked at all or for longer than a few listens. This is the other song that I am not huge on. The riff later sounds just like Slither. But if this is an edificational track the I know I'd go "insane" if I saw half of this stuff. 
  7. NOW That’s What I Call Polka!: The saving grace of every ALbum is his polka songs.Well with a few exceptions, the Bohemian one and Hot Rocks one. The only one that I though was bad was Polkarama!. And Damn, this is as good as the best track on Alpoclypse, Polka Face. And something I need to say is that "this is really awesome". I really don't know how not to look up to him. Not as a religious figure, but as a hero. The track begins with the best version ive ever heard of Wrecking Ball. This is followed by the best version of Pumped Up Kicks. The sad thing is that "self awareness" and "humor" in pop songs aren't really that funny. Why? Well those songs are by people who don't have any sense of humor, nor do the artists. But I laughed at that One Direction part where he makes the sounds. I mean he does literally a 1000000000x better job than they could ever at making that a joke. Al is, at the end after this it's followed by Polka Gagnam Style, Call Me Maybe, Scream & Shout, Somebody I Used To Know, Timber, I'm Sexy And I Know It, Thrift Shop and Get Lucky. This truly shows why Al is above anyone who has ever made a humorous song. He uses no profanity and he makes better and far superior versions of tracks than the originals. These last two polka tracks are fricken great.  
  8. Mission Statement: This is a style parody of Crosby, Stills & Nash. I'm not familiar with the group very well outside of a few Déjà Vu and Woodstock. The back words guitar, or back-masked sounding guitar reminds me a ton of I'm Only Sleeping, a favorite of mine off Revolver and my favorite part of the track. Either that or the "do do do do" part. I'm not laughing, but I mean seriously with other great tracks not everything is on the same level. 
  9. Inactive: This is a parody of a song that until this parody I couldn't sit through. It was boring and to radio pointless for my ears. This is great and is a sister track, of sorts, to Couch Potato. And in many ways this is a far superior track. Actually in just about every aspect it's better. 
  10. First World Problems: This is a style parody of Pixies. There is a girl voice who I think may be Popeli.  I love how it pokes fun of the "poor me, I can't get the new iPhone" people who are like teens. I mean come on, I "literally" want to "smash a crow bar against your head". 
  11. Tacky: This is a far superior parody of Happy. Where the originals happy and upbeat, it is truly kind of "tacky" and "cheesy". Not in a, funny/enjoyable unintentional way, but in a you were of RAM so he kept up that 70's sound. Hilarious in every aspect. 
  12. Jackson Park Express: This is a style parody of Cat Stevens. I believe this is the 3rd longest song he's released at 9 minutes, the 1st being Albuquerque at 11:23 and Trapped in the Drive Thu at 10:55. I feel this will progressively became a favorite among the ranks of Buy Me A Condo, Albuquerque amoung others. Actually the morbidity of the latter is present here. And it just gives me the chuckles. I think that this guy would Creep Me Out instead of the other guy. I also fantasize about things, not to his extent, but I do about my future. And just everything in this song, minus the morbidity, can directly relate to me at one point or another. The only problem I have is its 9 minutes and when I drive it takes up most of my driving time. But really, that's not a real complaint. Just looking for something to say negative about the track. Why? Too much good here to find anything else wrong. I'd like to note that, this is possibly the greatest style parody Al ever made.
Overall I have to give this album a 8.5/10. I honestly, in my life, have not really heard a new Al song in my life and actually laughed. Usually it's either I enjoy it or a chuckle, even some of his older stuff I don't LOL. But gosh, I laughed over this album, but kept it in so I could hear it all. Another thing I want to give him credit for is he did every album track gets a video in 2011, Blue Ivy's mom did it over two years later. Also I should mention that anther thing I didn't like his last album was that it had 5 tracks released on an EP two years before AP. I think that's just kind of lazy on his part. But he definitely stepped it up on this album. The promotion of this album was perfect, no singles so you hear the album all at once. PS Beyoncé didn't invent that, look at Death Grips last few albums, they popped out of nowhere. Hell, Government Plates was released out of the blue the same year as Beys self titled, but a month before (and had a music video for every song come out the day of). Lets just hope if Al sees this review, there aren't any grammatical errors within the post. I've listened to this album a bunch of times in the course of three days. By far the best album since Running With Scissors. Also do you know why Al's still making worth while music, he writes his songs. There aren't outside song doctors. All lyrics are by him, half of the music is by him. Minus the parodies

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Lou Reed

In the wake of this whole Lou Reed thing I decided to do a review in memory of him. I'm not a huge fan, but you know, why not to remember him. But Bowie loved him, he collaborated with Metallica, he made fucking Metal Machine Music, and he sang Perfect Day. Those are huge accomplishments in my book. So in honor of the litta' bastard from Brooklyn I decided to review an album I've been wanting to do, but was to lazy to, but now have an excuse. But seriously at the end of the day, if you could be half as important to music as Lou Reed then I salute you. Now enought talking and let's get down to the review.
  1. I Can't Stand It: This song is pretty solid to start off the album. I like the women backing singers. This song appeared on The Velvet Underground's live album 1969. I like this version more then the VU version from the outtakes LP released in '85. This is a fun and good way to start out an album. The drums in the beginning remind me of the drum intro to the David Bowie song from 1970 The Supermen. This is in the same vein as Vicious but that doesn't make it bad. This version has more soul to it. The solo's also pretty solid for the track. The tone is great and I like it overall. This is the best version.
  2. Going Down: In essence this is a ballad. This is a pretty good song, the only complaint it that I can't really hear Lou and the song drowns him. Other than that it's a great song. This song is really upbeat and is a fun short listen.
  3. Walk and Talk It: This riff reminds me of BTO or another riff driven classic rock band. This song has a classic riff leading it and has those female backing singers again. This is a good song. When you compare it to the VU version it's faster and more exciting. It is a demo but more in the vein of the Grateful Dead or The Rolling Stones. This is the superior version.
  4. Lisa Says: This song has that soul vibe to it that the rest of the album has. It's a pretty good song, but I'm starting to run out of other words to say for these songs. I hope that changes a little. The song seems to change after a drum "fill"  into Goodnight Ladies. Not lyrically, but musically. Minus the horns. It's a pretty great song to dance to. For me to dance to at least. Then repeats to the beginning of the song until the end. It's long, but it's length is justified.
  5. Berlin: Later rerecorded as the title track for his 1973 album, this originally appeared here. On this version it's longer, by like two minutes. The version on Berlin is kind of like a piano/vocal sole song. It's got an avant-garde feel to it there. This version has more of a jazz feel to it. This song feels like it might be played in a jazz club. This is a pretty relaxing song. This is a pretty great ballad, and is better than the titular track version. Damn, this is another great solo that fits the song.
  6. I Love You: This sounds like Never Going Back Again. That song didn't come out until 1977 on Fleetwood Mac's classic Rumours. There is a country vibe to this song that is just missing the twang. But I like that there isn't a twang. That'd kind of be overkill.
  7. Wild Child: This is song reminds me a ton of Let Me Sleep Beside You. That's an unreleased, at the time, song by David Bowie from 1968. It's very eerie how similar they are. The pre-choruses melodies are very similar. You need to listen to them back to back and then tell me what you think. This is a good song, but I kind of like the "Bowie" version more. The bass line in this song though is sick. I like the gallop of it. 
  8. Love Makes You Feel: This is a love song. I don't think it's amazing, but I do like the drums in the chorus. This is a fun song, but it's not the best on the album. I also like the acoustic guitars at the end.
  9. Ride into the Sun: This has a funky intro, and kicks the Velvets demos ass. This is a pretty great song that would probably be fun to play. The song kind of goes down hill for me, but the solos good. Maybe it's because I'm tired, but still.
  10. Ocean: This track was another outtake from Loaded that Reed reused. The outtake isn't that bad. If you have to compare it to the official version its not as powerful. This track closes Reed's first solo album. This is a pretty song and its pretty tough. It doesn't seem like it's gonna pussy out on you. The piano sounds sick and the arpeggios in there. This kind of paints a picture of an ocean with the sounds. Great ending for the album and kind of makes me want to listen to Transformer in whole. This has an epic finish feeling to it. I also like the outro of the song. You'll have to see yourself.
Overall this album gets a 7.4/10. What do I think about reusing outtakes for solo albums, well The Beatles did it. Not Guilty, Teddy Boy, Jealous Guy, Circles, All Things Must Pass, and more than just that. So yes, it's kind of cheap, but if it's good, it's good. Also how could you say no to that cute little bird on the cover. Yes this isn't as good as Transformer, but it is essentially a first solo album. Starting his own thing, but also taking use of his past to try and make himself. If we can learn anything from Lou it's that "your going to reap just what you sow". So all I can say to that is Goodnight Ladies, Goodnight Lou, Goodnight world. Lets look forward to a better tomorrow. :)

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Station to Station - David Bowie

FINALLY, HERES A NEW REVIEW. This is the 10th studio album by one of my favorites, David Bowie. This is the album where he was at the height of his cocaine addiction. This is the album before the legendary Bowie/Eno Berlin Trilogy. This album was produced by Bowie and Harry Maslin. I have noticed an almost universal love for this album I like the album too, but not as much as everyone else does. It has grown on me 
  1. Station to Station: This song is one of my favorite Bowie songs and one of, in my opinion, the best songs ever made. This is, in theory, kind of like Bowie's own Stairway. But this song kicks the crap out of Stairway in everything, except a complex guitar solo. At the end of the day though, you don't need to have a Jimmy Page solo to be a good solo. Look at Coffee & TV by blur. That solo fits the song, and this solo fits this song. This song is kind of a build up. It starts with a 1 or 2 minute intro of what sounds like trains chugging. I love the way the piano sounds when it kind of breaks the train off. Then after that it goes into a guitar riff that replicates, more or less, the rhythm of the train in the beginning. Then when the vocals come in this guitar arpeggios? is playing "The return of the Thin White Duke, Throwing darts in lovers eyes". I love that line of the song. The lyrics of this song are just so sick. This is one of the fastest 10 minutes of my life. The cream of the crop comes thought at about 5:15ish when there is a drum interlude for about a second or so and then "Once there were mountains". I love that part. I can't tell you how much I love it. It's a completely different song after that point. It's almost like they were written as two different songs squashed together, but it worked perfect. Kind of like Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. The former ended in the same key as the latter started in, so he put them together. "The European Cannon is here". Damn, this is an amazing song! I just love the lyrics; but one of my favorites, and stand out for me, is "Have you sought fortune evasive and shy". I could take that more than one way. But my way of interpreting that specific line is, have you gone after fame evasive and trying to hide and sneak around people. This is nothing short of epic. I think they double tracked his vocals, but one is higher pitched. So rather than reverb it's like two different people singing. I love they way that people do this trick. And David was able to sing different enough to make it sound right. The guitar riff is kind if like a horse Gallup, at the "Have you sought fortune and fame". The bass is pretty sick to play too. I can play this song, I love jamming and playing along with it. I could go on forever about this song, but I should probably stop. {100/10}
  2. Golden Years: This is a good song. Not great, but it's a quality song. This is just an odd song. It has a weird feeling to it. I know it's kind of like a song that is like a ballad, but it's just somewhat weird. Maybe it's weird chords, but I love the idea of this song. Like, a ballad with "indian chords". I know they didn't use "indian chords", but the idea of making a pretty song with odd sounds. I looked it up, it's F# to E. that's awesome. {8.1/10}
  3. Word On A Wing: This is a pretty romantic song. Kind of like some of the romantic songs on Young Americans. I actually could almost see this song being on that album. According to he VH1 Storytellers he said this was written as kind of a way to cope with the darkest time of his life. There is also a theme of religion in this song he touches upon. This is a pretty touching song. You can kind of tell there is some emotions that go into this song. I didn't like it much at first, but with more listens its become a song I love to hear. This is a song I would check out if you haven't heard it before. I also like the choir thing at the ending. {9.2/10}
  4. TVC 15: This is supposedly inspired when David Bowie saw Iggy Pop's wife get eaten by a TV. I don't know what that is supposed to mean, but this song is a decent song. I don't really know much about what to say. I could see, in an odd way, this being a song you can dance too. I like the "dance hall?" flavor in the beginning. I think that's the right word. The chorus part I'd just sick. It feels pretty epic and big. I also like the sax there. It's harder to hear, but if you listen you can hear it. 
  5. Stay: This is another song that is a little different. Not what I expected. I do like the chorus. This is a song that reminds me of Young Americans. This is a pretty damn good song. I like the way he sings in the chorus. I also like the solo. It's more of like a guitar fill. It's not overly complex. It somewhat reminds me of, at parts, of Georgie's playing. That's probably my favorite part. 
  6. Wild Is The Wind: Though I love the dozen or so Nina Simone songs I've heard, especially Save Me, I think David does it better. This is a pretty romantic song. I like that this is the ending. It fits the album perfect. It's like the book closer. This feels like a song where you'd take the woman under your sheets and just make sweet love to her. I like the acoustic guitar a lot also. Excluding YA album this is probably the most romantic he gets. I also kind of laugh at the way some of the words sound funny. Then I remember Nina's songs. I love where it starts to pick up. The sound of acoustic guitar on this song is my favorite sound. Like the "distortion?". That's not the right word, but I hope you get the point ;)
Overall I have  to give this album a 8.5/10. All the songs on this album are quality songs. No single song on this album isn't good, but they aren't like the songs on Ziggy or Space Oddity or even Diamond Dogs. The album though, I think, isn't mind blowing. As time has gone on, and this album has sat with me, I like it more and more. But you know, I know this is an important period in his career, but that doesn't make a good album. Also, I'ven't heard all of Low or Lodger yet, so I can't judge them yet. All these songs are fun to sing alone with, and the lyrics aren't that hard to remember. If you think about it Space Oddity had its parts where it was psychedelic and it's parts where it would fit on a glam album. This album is kind of like that. 

Addition 7/28/13: This album, with more listens is a damn great album. That's why I'll award it a 9/10. And it is one of my favorite Bowie albums, and is definatly the slickest album I've ever heard. I wouldn't be surprised if that 9 turns to a 10 by the end of the year. Damn! David also said something, which I could never really think of how to say it or what it was, but said this is a "dark album". Look at this Richard Corey was everyone's idol and they loved him. But he obviously was troubled and had some darkness there. Lots of times everyone's heroes have more troubles than we think. Comedians usually have some type of problem, not all, but lots historically have. 

Saturday, March 9, 2013

The Rise and Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars - David Bowie

This is, though it came out in June, my review for this album. I figure with The Next Day on the trail only 3 days away why the fuck not review one of my Favorite albums ever. I could go on forever about Bowie and how him, and this album especially, helped influence my taste and songwriting. I wrote out an album, that was scraped, but was heavily Ziggy-era Bowie influenced. Frankly I want to start this review, so here is a quick factual bio. Released June 6th, 1972. First to feature Ziggy persona. Album number 5. Possibly his most famous album.
  1. Five Years: This song starts out with a fade in of drums. Then guitar and Davie and piano comes in. This song is an awesome tone setter for the rest of the album. The chorus on this song, and the entire album, are so damn amazing. The piano in this song is very pretty. And when the strings come in and get louder. This song kind of "fades in" throughout the entire song. As the song progressively gets louder and everything comes in for the chorus.
  2. Soul Love: I like the way this song starts out kind of slower. There is sax in the song. I like that this is different than the last song. It isn't completely repetitive like other albums by some bands. I'll leave that up for your interpretation. I like the way that David sings this one. The sax in this song is kind of "sexy"? I hope that makes sense. I could see someone dancing to this at a wedding. "Sexy" might not be the right word, but I still think that is could be considered "Romantic" sounding. I love the moans in the background. Then I love it how the song goes into more of a Ziggy sound. This song is a pretty cool, sick, smooth second track.
  3. Moonage Daydream: I was reading that this is, story line wise, one of the most important songs. The guitar in this song is sick and the drum fills in between the "Moonage Daydream". UGH! The woodwind solo there is awesome. I think that the strings too. There is also a sick echo in this song. The solo pretty much blows my mind. The way the guitar in the solo is, it reminds me of something Pink Floyd might have done for the song Comfortably Numb or any song post Dark Side.
  4. Starman: This song is more of an eargasm. Now I don't really know if I can tell you how much I love this song. The song is such a build up. This is one epic song. The guitar right after the chorus is awesome. I also think the chorus in the song is so..... YES!. The piano in between the verses and chrous that gives you a little suspense right before the chorus begins.
  5. It Ain't Easy: It kind of bugs me when people cover songs for a concept album. Ah-la Eyesight To The Blind on the 1969 Who classic Tommy. It's a good song, but that's just my view on it. None the less, this is an awesome song. This song, along with the other songs, has such an epic chorus. The harpsichord in the verses and the stringsplosion that shows up in the chorus. Damn! 
  6. Lady Stardust: Now, this is the only spot on the album where, in the beginning, kind of has a little dent. I think that this song is pretty sick, but it's probably my least favorite song. I know this sounds bad, but this is probably my only problem with this album. But, I don't think it would be the same without it. This song is more of a ballad and doesn't have that epicnessness to it. The piano is awesome in the song, but it doesn't really go anywhere.
  7. Star: I don't know why he used the word star so many times in the tracklisting. None the less, this song is a pretty cool song. It isn't a Rock 'N' Roll Suicide but it's an awesome song. I like the instruments and the way they all play. I think the ending of the song is pretty sick, not quite "epic" but sick.
  8. Hang On To Yourself: Here's an upbeat song. By that I mean it's more dance-able than the last two. This is a total song that I imagine Ziggy playing. This song is also super catchy. The bass line in this and the guitar solo that kind go hand and hand. It's sick. The band that David was using for this album is just a gift from God.
  9. Ziggy Stardust: This song, instrumentally, is just so different, for me. I heard this, then was reintroduced to it in Guitar Hero. I think that this isn't quite a "ballad" but it isn't weird. It is just different type of "ballad". The refrains in this song are amazing. The slight "uh" during the refrains are pretty funny, but I think add to the song. The ending of this song is an awesome finish and perfect.
  10. Suffragette City: I could kind of see T. Rex playing this song. They style, not the specific song. This song is a fun song. You can dance to this. The guitars tone in the solo is awesome. I love it so much. The piano in the background is pretty cool to. I love it so much.
  11. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide: I don't know why, but I never really thought about this song being this song. I knew this song and thought it was awesome, but didn't realize it was Rock 'N' Roll Suicide. You know what I mean. This song is so epic. The way it starts out very calm and quiet after the last song, which was a pretty fast "exciting" song. The build in this song is just like, for me, Life On Mars? off 1971's Hunky Dory. The strings, by Mick Ronson?, are so Damn beautiful for both songs. I love the way the bass sounds in the 2012 Remaster. And the strings at the end. I would make love to this song playing in the background. This song is truly "Wonderful". 
Overall I have to give this album a 9.7/10. I love it. This has, not just memories, but an awe to it. I don't know how to explain it enough unless you experience this album. Damn, this 2012 Remaster is better than the dumb 'ole 1999 Version I got off iTunes 4 years ago. Part of what I think makes this album so awesome is every song on the album is epic. From the build ups to the strings to the choruses. I tip my hat to you Bowie in making one damn amazing album. I don't know enough descriptive words to explain how awesome this is. That's part of the reason I don't review Jazz, sorry Miles. If you want to make a decent album or make a decent song visit this album a few times first.

Monday, January 21, 2013

LONG.LIVE.A$AP (Deluxe Edition) - A$AP Rocky

I bought this CD yesterday. I had listened to A$AP Rocky's 2011 Live. Love. A$AP about a week or so ago. I was going to buy this the day it came out, but I was sick and didn't go to school. So I didn't go to the CD store. I also picked up Frail Words Collapse, the 2009 Abbey Road reissue CD, and the Avenged Sevenfold All Excess DVD. But anyway, I had to review this because I knew it'd be quick since I have listened to it yesterday. So why not get this review going, I can't wait.
  1. Long Live A$AP: I don't think that this is that good as some of the other tracks on the album. I think it's cool, but I don't like it as much as the others.
  2. Goldie: This song is also another song that I think it Ok. I like the way it sounds, but it isn't as good as some of the later songs
  3. PMW (All I Really Need): The song has Schoolboy Q in it. I haven't listened to any Schoolboy Q outside of the one song he did with A$AP. This is a decent song. I think this it's kind of funny "Pussy, Money, Weed, All A Nigga Need". I don't know, I just think it's kind of funny. I like Schoolboy on this. I should probably checkout his album after this album.
  4. LVL: This song is another song that is pretty good.
  5. Hell: I don't think that I've ever heard of Santigold before. This is where the album kind of starts to pick up. It begins to get some momentum, at least for me, here. Santigold kind of seems a little eerie to me in this song. This isn't a scary song, but I think it kind of makes it eerie. I could see here doing a song and having her voice been like a ghost or something to make a scary song. It kind of reminds me of the female voices in God In Three Persons by The Residents.
  6. Pain: I've never heard of OverDoz. either. This songs reminds me a little of OF. I can't think of the track exactly but it's one of the ones with Frank or Hodgy off OF Tape Vol. 2. This also reminds me a little of Under 2 off MellowHype's newest album Numbers. I actually think this is kind of a good track to go before Fuckin' Problems.
  7. Fuckin' Problems: This song is awesome. I think 2 Chains is Ok by himself, but I think he's hard on this. This song is also the first time I think I've listened to Kendrick Lamar. The very beginning of this song is sick. It's kind of like, this is a stretch, but Kanye's 2010 song POWER. You know, I don't know why, but Drake's rapping voice isn't really something that I really love. But I can tolerate it, especially since this song is so sick. I kind of think that Kendrick is pretty cool sounding. I think I heard him on Conan, but I am pretty sure this is the first album listen I've done that he has done. There isn't anything that I can say bad about this song. I really like the ''dual'' voices of Drake and 2 Chains in the hook.
  8. Wild For The Night: This is an Ok song, outside of Skrillex. I don't really care for dubstep that much. I've never heard of Birdy Nam Nam. There are a lot of artists that I've never heard of on this. I do like this song, I do though have to be a little patient. I don't really like Skrillex's music, so this song drags a little, but it's worth it to get to the next song. I really like A$AP's flow on this song.
  9. 1 Train: SHIT! I have less problems with this song than Fuckin' Problems. The strings make this song 's 6 minutes an entire 6 minutes I want to keep playing over and over and over. Kendrick is sick. I've never really listened to Joey Bada$$ before but he was pretty sick. I really like YelaWolf. Then my boy Danny Brown takes the mic right after that. I could kind of see this being like a Wu-Tang track. The reason is because they all go so hard and just flow. Actually Action Bronson's voice reminded me of Ghostface the first time I heard it on this album. For a first time of hearing K.R.I.T. I am going to listen to 4eva Na Day and maybe Live From The Underground right after this album is over.
  10. Fashion Killa: This song is like FUCK! I can't exactly describe it, but I love this song. I just think that the whole entire beat in the background is so sick. It kind of reminds me a little of I Will's off XXX. You know with how its like the little voices. The lyrics remind me a little of Steven Tyler because he rhymes so much? Whatever, all I know is that Hot Damn!
  11. Phoenix: I don't really like this song. I don't know why, maybe cuz it's after one of my favorite songs, but still. I honestly could have done without this song. Maybe it'll grow on me in the future, but I don't really see that happening.
  12. Suddenly: You know, this is an Ok song. I'm not huge on it, but I don't hate it. This song is ok
These are the bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition of the CD.
  1. Jodye: This song is Ok. I think that it's a decent song. But I'm not huge on it.
  2. Ghetto Symphony: This song has Gunplay and A$AP Ferg. I should probably check out Lord$ Never Worry. I do really like the little sample in the beginning of the song. It reminds me a little of Lil B's Gods Father mixtape. This songs title first it. It kind of seems like a symphony. I wish that this was switched this with like the first track or something like that. Thats would be a good intro track, at least I think.
  3. Angels: My only real problem with this song is the dial up at the beginning. I don't know why, but I feel like he didn't have to put that in there. Beside that thought, it's an awesome song. I with they switched this with Phoenix on the album.
  4. I Come Apart: This song has Florence from Florence and the Machine on it. This song is a pretty epic feeling to it. There is like a kind of guitar sounding thing. I don't know, but it's kind of like a more ''full blown'' version, in a sense, of Hell. This is a pretty sick songs thought. His voice actually does reminds me a little of Lil B on this track.
Overall I have to give this a 8.1/10. I was suprised that I liked this song much. The one thing that is bad is that it doesn't get ''AMAZING'' until about track 7 and stays that way until track 10. I actually have a shit load of albums/mixtapes to check since listening to this. Like 4eva Na Day, Live From The Underground, Rare Chandeliers, finish up Trunk Musik. there are a bunch of others I have to checkout, but those are just some. I am also looking forward to WolfDoris

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane

This is the sophmore album by psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane. I love this album cover. I think it's cooler in person seeing it on vinyl. Obviously the beautiful Grace Slicks is on the cover. I think that this is a good. And from what I've already heard, this is a good album. I haven't heard the whole thing, but what I have, I think is pretty solid.
  1. She Has Funny Cars: I am kind of wondering if this song title was conceived from a "trip". This is a slow song. Not like slow slow, more like a trippy song. It actually reminds me of Simon & Garfunkel 1966 album Sound of Silence. The fact seems more trying with just about everything going on in the song. Minus the psych vibe.
  2. Somebody to Love: This is probably, most likely, their best known song. I really like this song and think that it's pretty catchy. I like the way it sounds on vinyl than on that damn Forrest Gump soundtrack. I don't know how old this is, there isn't a bar code on the cover, but it's probably at least 30 years old. It sounds damn good. I think that the solo sounds really sick and a lot better with the vinyl crackles.
  3. My Best Friend: This seems like any old 60's "summer of love" love song. I don't think this is that special. Like Herman and The Hermits or Simon & Garfunkel. I do like like Simon & Garfunkel though. I don't get anything special from this song.
  4. Today: The beginning of this song reminds me of the beginning of the 1971 song Bargin off the classic Who's Next album by one of my favorites The Who. But the it goes into more of a harmony voice. One of the vocalist really sounds like Paul Simon. Idk. It's got a mellow folky feeling to it.
  5. Comin' Back To Me: This is the longest song on the album and has an intro that could be somewhat compared to Stairway. The fact that there is an acoustic guitar arpeggios and a recorder. That the beginning of that sing. The one thing is that It also reminds me of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme album. This is a mellow song that I think you have to be in the mood for.
  6. 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds: This is what I needed to keep my interest. The album was kind of putting me to sleep before this. This has more of an up beat feeling that the last sing in side 1. This is a good way to start side 2. It has a psychedelic feeling I've been dying to hear from this bitch. I think if you like psychedelic music you'll like this song.
  7. D.C.B.A. - 25: The bass in the beginning brought my hopes up, but then the song came in. I don't know why but I don't care for this that much.
  8. How Do You Feel: This beginning reminded me if The Stones for some reason. It only lasted so long. But now that's over and I can't pay much attention.
  9. Embryonic Journey: This could be a Simon & Garfunkel cover almost. I do like that it's instrumental. A good break from everyone's voice. I only like Grace's voice.
  10. White Rabbit: The last song was a good interlude to this song. I like how it's kind of a break and then it comes back to this song. I love this song. This is a good song. I like how there are Alice in Wonderland references. I really think this sounds cool and so does the singer.
  11. Plastic Fantastic Lover: this song is ok but. Here is the thing. Damn, Grace please sing lead. Please... PLEASE!
Overall I have to give this a 6.4/10. It's got it's moments, some more quiet than others. I did not expect this much quietness to it. I think that it was ok, but wished for more moments like Somebody to Love or White Rabbit. If I was younger and more close minded musically then I'd be in love with these songs. I'm not even that old. But thats how I feel now. Even the beautiful Grace couldn't make me love this album.