Monthly Archives: September 2013

Uncategorized

Cool Guardian article about British songwriters

Isle of Noises, Daniel Rachel
Cool cover design.
Like the headline says, I'm just sharing a cool article from the Guardian. A few really interesting insights about songwriting with Ray Davies, John Lydon, Mick Jones, Paul Weller, Andy Partridge, Sting, Annie Lennox, Johnny Marr and many slightly older British musician people.  Excerpts from this book, Isle of Noises: Conversations with great British songwriters by Daniel Rachel: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/sep/05/british-songwriter-interviews-secrets
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #471: Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

#471

Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
What font is that?
Release Date: 1974
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions:  I only know of Richard Thompson vaguely from years of listening to WXRT, but I won't hold that against him. I've never ran into this album. Let's put it on. Holy cow, "When I Get To The Border" is an awesome opener! Doomed optimism. Stellar guitar work. Big, crisp, drum work. Well used accordion. Lyrics like "If you see a box … Continue Reading ››
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #473: George Michael – Faith

"A quick sniff test will determine if I need a little Speed Stick."
#473

George Michael, Faith

Release Date: 1987
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions:  After being subjected to way too much Wham! on the radio/MTV,  I mostly passed on George Michael's solo career at the time.  I don't actively hate him, but I'm not coming at this album as a fan.  Let's get this over with...."Faith"  is a snappy Bo-Diddley/Elvis pop confection that is actually not bad. Actually kind of promising start. Then, we get "Father Figure," it features lots of "production." Same with "I Want … Continue Reading ››
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #473: The Smiths -The Smiths

#473

The Smiths, The Smiths

Release Date: 1984
Previously Owned: Yes
Even the model in the album cover is super depressed.
Impressions: Let's get this out of the way immediately: Morrissey isn't everyone's taste. I'm not even sure he's my taste, but I do love The Smiths. There's something about the sweet-and-sour balance of Johnny Marr's casual guitar brillance and Morrissey's literate moaning that works for me. Their consistent catalog and somehow side stepping of the dreaded '80s sound (probably by avoiding keyboards and dated references) further seals the deal. Their songs come out as timeless, … Continue Reading ››
Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #474: Manu Chao, Proxima Estacion: Esperanza

Manu Chao, Proxima Estacion: Esperanza
He's trying to woo the birds with his sweet, sweet guitar.
#474

Manu Chao, Proxima Estacion: Esperanza

Release Date: 2001
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions:  At first, this album came off as generic worldbeat, but with samples ("Merry Blues,") but sort of warmed up and seemed to cover a lot of stylistic ground (reggae, jazz, rock, latin, etc)--albeit in a loping way, low-key way. So, sort of like Joe Strummer and the Mescalaros minus Strummer. Sometimes it sounded like a leaner version of The Clash's "Sandanista." Some of it seems sort-of-political also, but … Continue Reading ››