Decade Look: Part 9 - Air's Talkie Walkie

I mentioned in my best of 2009 list that Air could make the same music for the next 10 years and I'd still be interested. I think part of the reason I said that is because I am still hopeful that they will release something as classic as 2004's "Talkie Walkie". To be quite frank it's because of this album that I still listen to Air at all, nothing else they have done comes close to it. The album's acoustic guitar and piano driven songs are perfectly mixed with soft pad synths and vocals. There is also something about the music that stirs up nostalgic feelings from around that time; nothing particularly memorable or noteworthy but nevertheless there (if that makes sense). "Talkie Walkie" starts off nicely but it isn't until third and fourth tracks "Run" and "Universal Traveler" that the album really starts to take off. "Run" is perhaps the best song Air have ever made with it's almost hypnotic chorus and little squelching synth hits. I can almost guarantee you that you will be whistling along to "Alpha Beta Gaga" by the second or third playing; it's beyond infectious. Many people will probably recognize final track "Alone in Kyoto" from the movie "Lost in Translation". It's up there with "Run" in terms of quality; the chorus consists of a looped backing of "boops" and a "do" followed by a single xylophone note. Minimal but effective.

On a side note, that album cover has to be one of the worst ever. Agreed?



Standout tracks: Run, Universal Traveler, Surfing on a Rocket, Alpha Beta Gaga, Alone in Kyoto

Decade Look: Part 8 - My Morning Jacket's Evil Urges

Add this to the ever growing list of albums that are reviewed as "shit" or "not worth hearing" (or as Pitchfork would tell you to "listen to Animal Collective instead") yet I find amazing. Such is music. My Morning Jacket have released good albums in the past, like the highly reviewed "At Dawn", but it wasn't until "Evil Urges" that I became truly interested. With this album, My Morning Jacket found their true identity which is something they struggled with in the past. "At Dawn" is a nice enough listen, it just sounded to me like they were trying too hard whilst "Z", their album previous to "Evil Urges", was close to attaining that sound but was just a little bit too scatterbrain. This album saw contributions from other band members on backing vocals which was perhaps the key to it all. "Highly Suspicious" is a good example, the backing vocals make the song, and it's the type of sound the band would've never achieved without those contributions. Which brings me to the crème de la crème of the album, fourth track "I'm Amazed", one of my favorite ever rock songs. A great chorus, shredding guitar solo and fantastic vocals from Jim James make it an instant classic. The following track, "Thank You Too", is one of the finer moments on the album as well as it showcases Jim James' lyrical prowess. "Smokin' From Shootin'" begins the massive ending of the album with a bang (ha!) before smoothly transitioning into the second part of "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream", an eight minute behemoth (my new word instead of "epic"). Keep an eye out for live shows as well, they are not to be missed (so I've heard). Fingers crossed that they have a new album in 2010 and then a tour. Please, let it be so.



Standout tracks: Touch Me I'm Going to Scream (Part 1 & 2), I'm Amazed, Thank You Too, Librarian, Smokin' From Shootin'

Decade Look: Part 7 - The Walkmen's You & Me

This album is a behemoth. The overuse of the word epic nowadays has diluted it's meaning and rendered it useless as a descriptive word for an album of such magnitude. As I come back to it now for this post, I find comfort in the familiarity of the music; it is a trait that all classic albums have. The opening crash of "Dónde Está la Playa" immediately brings me back to the first time I heard the album and stirs up memories of the live show that has had such a lasting impression on me. The band as a whole have a unique sound, their preference of vintage instruments makes them "old" yet at the same time refreshing. Lead singer Hamilton Leithauser has one of the more unique voices in music. When I saw him live I couldn't help but think he looked like he was in pain, his yell/sing is amazing. As far as songs on the album go, "On the Water" is one of my favorites; the whistling at the end gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. "In the New Year" showcases that yell/sing I was talking about and the opening guitar bit is classic. Quieter moments such as "Red Moon" and "Long Time Ahead of Us" are reminiscent of the early works of Leonard Cohen, which comes as no surprise as The Walkmen have covered him in the past. Taken as a whole "You & Me" never meanders, never strays, it stays it's course, and it's a ride I will continue to take for many years to come.



Standout tracks: On the Water, In the New Year, Red Moon, Canadian Girl, New Country

The Peddlers - Walk on the Wild Side

I don't usually agree with the statement made by some people that they just don't make 'em like they used to, but in this case, I'm inclined to agree:

New Gorillaz Album Out March 2010

The virtual band make their return this March with "Plastic Beach" and, as it has been in the past, the album will feature some interesting guest appearances. Confirmed guests include Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Bobby Womack and Barry Gibb. A collaboration with Barry Gibb is enough to make me want to listen, a strange choice indeed. On the other hand, it couldn't be any stranger than this:

Sir Jarlsberg

Last week I posted about someone's combination of Zelda music and rap music and it was enjoyable at the time. Only just now I discovered something even better, nay, way way better. Sir Jarlsberg, who is from medieval times, gives accounts of his travels in rap and these tales are enthralling. There is one about his pony, one about his travels to Canterbury and one about a gnome. It really must be heard to be believed but be wary, 'tis infectious, hark thou!

Another Blog to Check Out

Sorry to mention his name again but Blockhead has a new blog running over here that has some interesting and fairly amusing posts. He has song of the day posts and a particularly hilarious January 13th entry about the various go-getter types he has met. At the very least you need to check it out.

Quick question for y'all: New layout, yay or nay? Leave your comments please.