Best Ever Albums

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

baystateoftheart — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 00:05:34 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 07/20/2020 04:05

Ancestral Recall defeats When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? 13-10 to advance to the sweet sixteen.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

cestuneblague — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 01:04:21 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 07/17/2020 05:04

LedZep wrote:

She IS an industry plant though, it's not nonsense. Doesn't mean her music is bad, I might end up voting for her, even though Christian Scott is a nice discovery (thanks mecca). What I really like is her originality, at least in the mainstream. Can you think of another pop star with almost whispering vocals, very low key music and dark sound being this popular? If you told me like 5 years ago that'd be the next big thing in pop...

Yeah I guess I meant the "Industry Plant" label can be applied to so many artists it's a silly criticism of any popular star, I mean it would be an accurate label for Lorde or even the Strokes. And isn't "Low-key" sound (or I guess more semi-restrained) kind of the soup de jour these days, not only the influence of trap and various "---"-waves but also the kind of drowsy early 00s r&b sound and slinky, sinewy beats of electropop and pop-friendly hip hop- that briefly ruled before "Crazy in Love" ushered back in pop maximilism- has made a bit of a comeback? (I guess I don't also find this sound dark at all but since my most listened to album of the year was Uboa that's grading on a very steep curve). Again, my take on Eilish is it's all more about what will be, rather than what's come out now, I think it's the kind of music that can work on a single but the more apparent flaws or irritating tics can be exposed on a long player, I can see why so many are excited about her but I think that's what's led to massive overpraise. Then again I'm an out-of-touch old fart so take all that with a grain of iodized salt

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

baystateoftheart — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 20:24:40 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 07/17/2020 00:24

Ancestral Recall is an enjoyable album and a skillful performance, but not a particularly interesting one. Most of the vocals are not value-added, and the instrumentals don't exactly set the world on fire. However, it easily gets my vote here.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

Skinny — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 09:10:13 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 07/15/2020 13:10

I find Christian Scott in general, not just here, to be a little fussy and polished - never bad, but rarely capable of something I actively enjoy rather than simply appreciate or admire. That said, I have a similar reaction to Eilish, so I'mma sit this one out.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

BozoTyrannus — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 08:40:43 GMT

Author: BozoTyrannus

Posted: 07/15/2020 12:40

Finally one I can participate in.

Honestly, Billie Eilish is fine. Considering the nominees at the Grammys last year, I was fully in support of her winning.

However, the last few years have had one of the biggest sparks of creativity in jazz I've ever witnessed (basing this on my limited knowledge of jazz, however) and Christian Scott is definitely a contributor to that. Voting Scott.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

mickilennial — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:55:17 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 07/15/2020 01:55

baystateoftheart wrote:

Just listened to Billie Eilish's album and I was surprised by how mediocre it was. Not bad, just persistently mid. Vocals, production, songwriting, the whole shebang. No real standout tracks imo. I'm puzzled as to why it's so acclaimed on this website (and I say that as someone who loves a good pop album, mainstream or less so), but different strokes for different folks. Will check out the Christian Scott album soon so I can cast my final vote of round one.

youre the bad guy

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

baystateoftheart — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:54:37 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 07/15/2020 00:54

Just listened to Billie Eilish's album and I was surprised by how mediocre it was. Not bad, just persistently mid. Vocals, production, songwriting, the whole shebang. No real standout tracks imo. I'm puzzled as to why it's so acclaimed on this website (and I say that as someone who loves a good pop album, mainstream or less so), but different strokes for different folks. Will check out the Christian Scott album soon so I can cast my final vote of round one.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

Anonymous — Mon, 6 Jul 2020 12:44:44 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 07/06/2020 16:44

Eilish for me, narrowly. It's a very good pop album. I think she has a bit to improve as a songwriter still but I do like her voice, the production and her overall style and energy.

Ancestral recall I found very lush in the soundscapes but not so emotionally engaging (after just a couple of listens so I might change my mind on this). Still, it is impressive sounding so wouldn't mind it progressing.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

dihansse — Thu, 2 Jul 2020 16:03:14 GMT

Author: dihansse

Posted: 07/02/2020 20:03

Ancestral Recall was actually quite good

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

Purplepash — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 22:10:33 GMT

Author: Purplepash

Posted: 06/27/2020 02:10

Definitely Billie for me. Her album was a favourite in my family. One of those rare albums where all five of us with differing musical tastes can appreciate together.
Enjoyed the Christian Scott album though, especially the first half, but it started to drag a bit towards the end.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

mickilennial — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:47:39 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 06/24/2020 12:47

Duh.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

LedZep — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:01:26 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 06/24/2020 12:01

CryingGameDahlin wrote:

Ok I guess I probably sounded too harsh on Eilish in the original post. I'm not saying at all she lacks talent or charisma, nor am I'm getting behind the nonsense of the "Industry Plant!" backlash ...

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

cestuneblague — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 22:21:24 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 06/24/2020 02:21

Ok I guess I probably sounded too harsh on Eilish in the original post. I'm not saying at all she lacks talent or charisma, nor am I'm getting behind the nonsense of the "Industry Plant!" backlash and yes I acknowledge the generation gap here (OK elder millenial). But for me, what matters is the actual music, not her general vibe/image or place in culture which I feel has overtaken much of the discussion of the actual album- and when listening to a lot of the music I just think "Oh, why isn't this by X artist song", a production that sounds pretty attractive and engaging but then just feels flat and monochromatic after a few songs, some really cringe-y attempts at being ironic and funny that mess up the general tone of the album, and overall a bit too much deadpan arty posing in the performance rather than feeling geniunely sincere. But the handful of songs that actually hit hard do show that there is definite potential, and using another 2019 artist Lana (ok, maybe not the greatest indivual to use atm, but I digress) is a good example of opinion turning around drastically and how it can take awhile to truly reach the vast potential of their sound and not just stay a one-trick pony. She's young and obviously started when she was still a musical novice, so it's more than understandable there's plenty of room for growth here. But again, potential is potential, it's not the music she's already made. And when pushing away all the outside noise and just comparing the music on both of the albums, that makes it an easy choice for Scott.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

pa — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 11:44:20 GMT

Author: pa

Posted: 06/23/2020 15:44

I totally agree with Repo, Billie is awesome and talented

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

Repo — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 09:18:43 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 06/23/2020 13:18

CryingGameDahlin wrote:

What is the big fucking deal with Billie Eilish?

OMG! You're just getting old, CGD! lol. I never ever thought I would see a take like this from you ever about a new charismatic pop phenom! lol.

Billie Eilish is awesome! My kids flat out worship her, and they are well versed in the pop music of the past decade plus.

Will give Christian Scott a go, but Eilish definitely belongs in the conversation!

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

RockyRaccoon — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:04:56 GMT

Author: RockyRaccoon

Posted: 06/23/2020 12:04

Generally speaking I'll defend Billie Eilish because I think she's a pretty talented and interesting pop singer, but for this, I've gotta go with Scott. That album was just too good

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

craola — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 12:53:22 GMT

Author: craola

Posted: 06/22/2020 16:53

Scott.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

Hayden — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 12:28:21 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 06/22/2020 16:28

Scott for me as well.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

Fischman — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 12:23:12 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 06/22/2020 16:23

Probably the easiest vote in the first round. Mr. Christian by light years.

Re: Round 1: Billie Eilish v. Christian Scott

cestuneblague — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 23:17:46 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 06/22/2020 03:17

What is the big fucking deal with Billie Eilish? Those going on how this is somehow the most creative or visionary pop of recent times, have they not listened to music in the past 25 years? This is merely a well-polished frankenmonster. And really that's perfectly fine for now, she's young and still has time to find her voice, but it seems like hype alone is enough to put someone in the hall of fame these days. I do legitimately like a couple songs on here quite a bit and think there's definitely future potential (she certainly has the drive and social-media savvy for sustained success), but I would personally file this as one of the most overpraised albums of the decade.

Christian Scott is not earth-shattering but I like his cereberal if sometimes fairly slick jazz fusion enough to easily get my vote here.