Music for the Week of August 15, 2010

About a year or so ago, my fiancée and I found ourselves in possession of over 1,000 LP's, mostly releases from the '60's and '70's.  Thanks to the show Hoarding: Buried Alive, and my own compulsive need to alphabetize everything, I finally found the motivation to start sorting these relics for sale, donation, or otherwise.

Fortunately, nothing helps a mundane task more than an appropriate soundtrack, so here's what I have spinning in the background for the week:

1) ABBA - Ring Ring - 1973 - This group was recommended to me by my brother. As picky as he is about music, he somehow found the strength to extend forgiveness to a select echelon of bands, one of which is ABBA.  All I knew going into this week was that this was the band that heralded personal favorites of mine such as 'Take a Chance on Me' and 'S.O.S.' They've also kind of remind me of a proto-Ace of Base.

Then...                                                                   ...Now

2) Fang Island - Fang Island - 2010 - I know absolutely nothing about this band, but that's usually the point when selecting an album released during the current year.  Think pop / metal / mostly instrumental / high-five party.  From what I've gleaned so far, it's going to be a pretty fun album, and it's a nice break from the general onslaught of what's out there in today's music.

3) Medeski, Martin and Wood - Combustication - 1998 - This week's Doom Guild pick is brought to us by Good Jeff. I've heard a couple of their albums, but have never dived  all that deep into their catalog.  Another coincidentally instrumental album for this week, and by the sound of of it, a pretty good album to spin in the background at a casual get-together or on a Sunday morning.

 

4) The Who - Quadrophenia (Part Two) - 1973 - This album picks up where I left off from last week's list, so I do not have much in the way of a fully developed opinion just yet. However, it definitely sounds like The Who, each member gets a chance to sing a song on the album, and I'm pretty sure that Green Day owes this band a great deal of rock opera gratitude.

Should be fun. Wish me luck.

-A

Music for the Week of August 8, 2010

OMG fact for the day?  On we encountered 5:06:07 pm, on 8.9.2010.  If that made you smile, you're in luck, because it's National Smile Week.  This is also the week in which the country will celebrate National Lazy Day (August 10...if they get around to it), National Middle Child's Day (August 12...not that anyone's paying any attention), and National Blame Someone Else Day (August 13...but you didn't hear that from me.)

In celebration, or in absence thereof, I will be spinning the following:

1) Missy Elliott - Supa Dupa Fly - 1997 - my familiarity with Missy is purely through her singles, but I'm intrigued enough to go on a journey with my girl, and see how exactly Ms. Elliott puts her thing down, flips it, and reverses it.

2) Titus Andronicus - The Monitor - 2010 - I know nothing about this band, but the album is supposed to be 'Civil War themed,' and from what I've heard so far, I'm excited. With as much music as I listen to, I very rarely get pumped after the first listen, but I am in love after one spin, and I can't wait to see how the album grows on my the end of the week. Potential Doom Guild pick. Potential 'Among the Best of 2010' pick. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

3) Tori Amos - Boys for Pele - 1996 - this was recommended to Doom Guild by Jake Martin. My predominant memory of Tori Amos was actually from the time period in which this album was released - angry piano-playing redhead with the tormented heart of a poet and apparently compassionate enough to let a piglet suck on her titty. (See below).

4) The Who - Quadrophenia (Part One) - 1973 - Came on to this one through scouring various 'Best of' lists.  It's The Who's second rock opera after Tommy. Plus, it's a double album. My rule on double albums is as follows: Unless it is named London Calling or The Beatles, your band probably shouldn't bother. Nonetheless, Quadrophenia is not without its fanfare, so I am splitting this album over this week and the next to mitigate the inevitable fatigue that comes with double album efforts. At this point, I'm only familiar with Who's next, and I have yet to check out Tommy, so I feel grateful to be approaching this album with a clean slate. We shall see...

Reviews to come, mix cd playlists as well.  

Kisses,

-A

Music for the Week of August 1, 2010

Wow.

It's been a few weeks since I've checked in, but I have my reasons.  Since my last post, I went to Tennessee, Houston, New Jersey (along with associated trips to Philly and Brooklyn), I developed bronchitis, my fiancee' developed pneumonia, and I still have a wedding that is way behind in planning.

Even though the blog went on break, the Project never stopped, and I've had some pretty good weeks of listening this summer.  More on that later.

I'm also thinking of ways to improve the blog.  More on that later, too.

For now, here's what I'm spinning this week:

1)  Big Audio Dynamite - This is Big Audio Dynamite - 1985 - recommended to me by one of my best friends, I'm guessing in part because it's a guilty pleasure of his, and I've shared a few of mine with him over the years (Reel Big Fish, 311, The Presidents of the United States of America...I know, shut up).

2)  Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record - 2010 - I heard a couple of songs off of this album over the last few months, liked what I heard, and took the leap.

3)  Radiohead - The Bends - 1995 - One of my favorite albums of all time, and one that my fiancee' knows very little about.  For her, school is in session.  For me, I can't help but reflect on the fact that the first time I ever had a panic attack, I was listening to Radiohead.

4)  UFO - Lights Out - 1977 - My fiancee's best friend's husband (friend-in-law?) recommended one UFO song to us, 'Love to Love.'  Coincidentally, one of my musical heroes, Metallica's Kirk Hammett, lists UFO as one of his all-tome favorite bands.  I guess it's time to see what all the fuss is about.

As Jim Morrison once said, 'Summer's Almost Gone.'  In the meantime, here's to a good week.