Best Ever Albums

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Sun, 3 May 2015 07:50:50 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/03/2015 11:50

Much more consistent this year for me, had a blast; all on Secretdad now.

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Sat, 2 May 2015 18:25:24 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/02/2015 22:25

Saturday, May 2nd
Session 14: The Last Ride

Last bits before Secretdad takes over.

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Kokuhaku by Chatmonchy

Not too different from Seimeiryoku, Kokuhaku expands little on the Chatmonchy formula as the trio is far more concerned about making the best songs out of their formula rather than maturing or evolving (which would come later), and whilst it is less “bouncy” than its predecessor it holds a well-executed album that is my second favorite by the band. However one of my favorite songs in their career is on this record too: “Last Love Letter” which is a jangly indie rock masterpiece by my definition.

Link

Recommended for: RepoMan, Fans of Sleater-Kinney.

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Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys

The soundtrack to my childhood was the music of the golden standards of pop music and for a long time it took me awhile to really appreciate Brian Wilson’s labor of love that he poured his heart and soul into. Now, I had always loved the Beach Boys since I heard the very first collection of songs that left the car radio and entered my ears. I’m not sure what exactly captured my imagination at the time but the important fact of the matter is it did. The car radio was where I learned everything about what music could be and The Beach Boys were in great company as I experienced music that was grounded in melody and harmony which up until I was fourteen believed to be the utter objective definition of music. The Beach Boys stuck with me the most out of all of those musicians and songwriters however and it was also one of the few bands both of my parents seemed to be on the same page about—my mother loved the melodies and harmonies, my father enjoyed the baroque pop arrangements and compositional merits; it was very much a case of different cause but same effect.

Pet Sounds is a very popular record for great reasons, and believe it or not I had a lot of trouble dealing with how Pet Sounds seemed to be the only thing Brian Wilson wrote that people even remotely cared about to the point there was this short period of my life where I wrote it off as a sort of a boring record that the critics liked for abstract reasons that were irrelevant. Of course all of this has changed as I sit here with Pet Sounds as my number one record of all time and I feel it’s this timeless sort of transcendent piece of art. I can’t imagine why or how I could ever write this record off.

Recommended for: For Fans of- oh shut up, you know what this is.

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Sat, 2 May 2015 05:47:22 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/02/2015 09:47

Saturday, May 2nd
Session 13: The Final Dawn

Thanks Norm! I still need to update some thoughts, but I'm just trying to put out a quality read here.

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Pika Pika Fantajin by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

The energy of performer Kiriko Takemura and the genius of producer Yasutaka Nakata hits, in my opinion, its apex after only three years of producing albums that have garnered not only local acclaim in native Japan but also internationally (Katy Perry is apparently a fan, for example). For me, this contains the same kitsch charm and ridiculous energy but packages it into what I would say is the most “subtle” of the three releases which gives it this sort of flare of maturity and well-paced journey through the mind of Kiriko and her nonsensical approach to Japanese pop music, to which she has been blatantly honest with in various interviews who is astounded by the crossover appeal of her music. The first tracks are some of the finest contemporary Japanese pop around and that consistency isn’t completely lost by the second half of the record. Don’t avoid this record, okay?

Recommended for: The regulars who like contemporary pop will probably love this.

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Parts Of Speech by Dessa

Dessa minimalizes her rapping and focuses on her singing and storytelling abilities (though there is still stellar hip-hop songs on here like “Fighting Fish”, and “Warsaw”) as she takes a more alternative-meets-art pop direction that is exceptional as all hell – I imagine some might disagree though. I love Dessa’s bite, lyrics, and fluidity in the mechanics of her rapping though she’s hardly brilliant at spitting but I do think she emotes it very well (hence me liking her bite) with a staunch sense of emotion and bitter commentary on her life. Production is about the same as her debut record and I like it all around.

Recommended for: dividesbyzero (perhaps) and Precedent; fans of alternative hip-hop or the midwest hip-hop scene in general.

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The Only Place by Best Coast

Part of my “essential summer music” and probably one of the more “moody” of the supposed music I associate with the season. The sloshy production trips me over in waves as Bethany Cosentino’s vocals really takes me into her world and whilst my peers have called Best Coast lyrically mediocre and forgettable overall I would have to say I strongly disagree. There is just something here that appeals to me and I don’t hear the mediocrity or lack of memorable music but rather the opposite especially since Best Coast has sort of set a standard alongside Tennis and Makthaverskan with this type of slosh indie pop and I absolutely love it. There is just something so bluntly honest about the angsty songwriting that is waves better than the teen angst anthems of the 1990s and 1980s to me.

Recommended for: If you are interested in sloshy yet bluntly honest indie pop.

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Hello World by Scandal

Scandal grows up into a cohesive and very mature pop-rock outfit that fleshes out their sensibilities with vocal melodies and instrumental tightness within a pop-rock landscape. Songs such as “Yoake no Ryuuseigun” show what Scandal has become which has come a long way from their more rebellious sort of vigor that was seen on songs like “Shunkan Sentimental” and “Doll”. Their pop artistry has improved immensely and their playing has only gotten tighter and more cohesive as they have gone from teenagers to young adults. Worth your attention if you are curious about the pop-rock scene in Japan or if you like bands like Silent Siren who owe a lot to their peers.

Recommended for: If you like pop-rock and such.

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Babymetal by Babymetal

All you need to know about Babymetal:

Link

Yeah, that’s Japan deciding to mix idol industry pop music with death metal, trance synths, crunk/pop-rap verses, and just a lot of energetic “what the hell is this oh god give me more now”.

Re: ULL: Gowi

Norman Bates — Sat, 2 May 2015 03:09:12 GMT

Author: Norman Bates

Posted: 05/02/2015 07:09

Hayden wrote:

The xx's self-titled is so easily one of the best albums ever made. Such a breathe of fresh air too.

That's interesting - I mean the 'fresh air' bit, as I have always thought of this record as suffocating. Maybe I need another decade to appreciate it.

Hayden wrote:

Loving the log so far though Gowi, looking forward to the rest.

Late at the party (I was away for a week, on the French Riviera of all places!), but I must say this is a very good ULL indeed. Very nice, Gowi.

Re: ULL: Gowi

Norman Bates — Sat, 2 May 2015 03:04:52 GMT

Author: Norman Bates

Posted: 05/02/2015 07:04

Gowi wrote:

Untethered Moon (...)
People are calling it kind of a misstep but I don’t see it. Ignore the internet critics or whatever, it’s worth a look.

Totally with you on this. It's utterly charming if not revolutionary at all.

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Fri, 1 May 2015 18:44:24 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/01/2015 22:44

Friday, May 1st
Session 12: Ponyfinder

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Wild Peace by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Japan’s definitive third wave ska band that proves you don’t need pop-punk power chords to be a third wave ska band at all. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra are a ska-jazz ensemble that occasionally dip into pop crossover stylings but in a masterful and concise way. I think they are utterly brilliant and up there with Eastern Standard Time and the Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation as some of the most essential ska masterworks even though I am a total scrub in anything beyond two-tone and even then my exposure is rather limited. TSPO are also crazy influential in Japan as they’ve gone on to influence a whole generation and scene from Pistol Valve, Oreskaband, and countless others. If you like ska or jazz it’s definitely worth your time and it would make me happy. This album is pretty much TSPO being TSPO, rather consistent with what you expect out of their records - it is also one of their most consistent so a great entry point if you have not done so already.

Recommended for: noWaxJim.

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Far Cry: Blood Dragon by Powerglove

A huge homage to 1980s sci-fi/action scores. It's cheezy, hokey, and cool as all hell.

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Fri, 1 May 2015 05:15:35 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/01/2015 09:15

Friday, May 1st
Session 11: The Distant Morning

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At the Expense of Humanity by Judicator

Progressive Metal with introspective lyrics that I have called “Progressive Metal’s ‘Hospice’ “ in the sense of its subject matter as well as how well written the lyrics themselves are. Probably some of the most emotional and utterly non-theatrical of all of the progressive power metal releases in the last half-decade. The instrumentation is pretty typical from the Judicator camp as it doesn’t sound too dissimilar from the likes of Symphony X or other contemporaries – but even with the masterful lyric writing the instrumentation is not mediocre or lacking as there are some cool changes and guitar patterns. But once again, the emotional and lyrical depth is what makes this stand out with melodic but sorrowful cries and harsh death metal-influenced growls depicting anger and grief. High concept, high quality.

Recommended for: RepoMan, High concept power/prog metal that is maybe transcendent.

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The Black Halo by Kamelot

Kamelot’s best record and Roy Khan’s best performances throughout his entire career as a high caliber vocalist. The Dark Halo is about love and loss with genuine strengths of Khan’s ability to vocalize his emotion so utterly flawlessly. Perhaps The Dark Halo can seem a bit melodramatic, but in comparison to their power metal contemporaries of the time they were far more authentic and sincere than the true melodramatic cheese that was their peers. Some of my favorite moments in power metal are on this record like on “Soul Society” where it is pondered of celestial morality on such lines like: ‘How can I be condemned for the things I’ve done, if my intentions were good?’. It doesn’t end there with other songs reeking of sheer brilliance such as “Memento Mori” where Ariel breaks free of Mephisto as he realizes it is he who controls his own destiny and not the demon thus destroying whatever control Mephisto’s strings have on Ariel. Kamelot write very strong songs with questions about humanity, destiny, and introspection. In terms of the band's compositions, it is also Kamelot at their best; taking their orchestral influences in their brand of symphonic power metal and taking them to a new level—a level which Dark Moor would follow in their stead in years to come. Wonderful.

Recommended for: RepoMan (maybe?), High concept power metal that is as well emoted as it is written.

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Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb by Tripping Daisy

Lying somewhere between Shudder to Think and Superchunk exists Tripping Daisy, which is one of the few alternative rock bands I never hear people talking about ever. Which is odd to say considering they have the same perfect dynamics (especially on this record) as their contemporaries. “Field Day Jitters” and " Geeareohdoubleyou” give me the same feeling that a song like “Hyper Enough” or “Shake Your Halo Down” does and it is such a shame they aren’t as more well-known (at least on BEA) as they deserve. A great listen for those who like that alternative rock of the 90s.

Recommended for: If you like alternative rock, right?

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:21:02 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/01/2015 03:21

I am familiar with Superchunk and Witchcraft; ought to show my love to both of them more often.

Re: ULL: Gowi

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:06:34 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/01/2015 02:06

Ok, clearly Cuba's got this stage of the BYT in the bag, so here are some customized recs for ya. If you've already heard sth, obviously just let me know. I still owe you one more, but I think you'll def dig all these & didn't see them in your charts...

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Bashed Out by This Is The Kit

Gowi CR1 - 2015 Folkish Indie Pop

Foolish by Superchunk

Gowi CR2/ Frogger CR1: Classic 90s Indie Rock (equally good is On the Mouth)

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Mind Control by Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats

Gowi CR3: 2010s Doom Metal

Witchcraft by Witchcraft

Gowi CR4: 2004 Doom Metal that sounds like it was recorded in the early 70s.

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 20:41:15 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 05/01/2015 00:41

Thursday, April 30th
Session 10: Long Night

Busy day, so the ULL for Thursday is going to be kind of minimal.

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299792458 by Mariko Gotō

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Summer Sun by Yo La Tengo

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The Score by Fugees

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Here's Where The Strings Come In by Superchunk

My favorite Superchunk record, probably. Though I would say that isn’t a too easy choice as I absolutely love so much of their discography. Indie Rock bliss and I can never quite get enough of songs like “Hyper Enough”, “Detroit has a Skyline”, and “Animated Airplanes over Germany”. If I made an ‘alternative & indie’ sort of chart these guys would surely be on it and fairly high alongside favorites like Pixies, Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, Sebadoh, and so forth. Great sense of rhythmic instrumentation and I can listen to the drumming as well as the guitar lines in this all day.

Re: ULL: Gowi

shoopadoowop — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 12:22:12 GMT

Author: shoopadoowop

Posted: 04/30/2015 16:22

RockyRaccoon wrote:

users will create their own threads (use heading BEA ULL [insert username]). Ideally, threads should be updated every day to provide that day's listening log, but if you've got some "real" things to do just play catch up later. Logs should span seven full days. Users can choose whether this means a calendar day or their waking hours (e.g. deciding to put an album you listened to past midnight as a listen for the previous calendar day or the next calendar day). For our Aussie/NZ friends living in the future, your threads will overlap a day with the non-savage users.

At the minimum, logs should include the musician name, the album/song name, some brief thoughts on the album, and the starting time of your listen. I think it would be more fruitful to include other information, like year released, your personal rating, album running time, how many times you've listened to the album/song, how you found the album/song (especially if it's new to you), etc. It might be best for the first few users to set the precedent on what's included. Be creative.

Ah, thanks! 😁

Re: ULL: Gowi

meccalecca — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 12:05:35 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 04/30/2015 16:05

Incredible ULL Gowi. You're setting a new precedent. Really informative posts about every record.

Re: ULL: Gowi

RockyRaccoon — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 11:39:30 GMT

Author: RockyRaccoon

Posted: 04/30/2015 15:39

shoopadoowop wrote:

I'm not sure I completely understand what this thread is.

Kool Keith Sweat, in the original post wrote:

Re: ULL: Gowi

shoopadoowop — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 11:37:38 GMT

Author: shoopadoowop

Posted: 04/30/2015 15:37

I'm not sure I completely understand what this thread is.

Re: ULL: Gowi

RockyRaccoon — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 08:26:48 GMT

Author: RockyRaccoon

Posted: 04/30/2015 12:26

Gowi wrote:

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Trouble by Ray LaMontagne

At times reminds me of a modern sort of Henry Nilsson or Cat Stevens, LaMontagne is an emotive songwriter who leans on soulful melodies and the acoustic lines of the singer/songwriter movement of the 1970’s. Looking back at 2004’s Trouble... it is a bit interesting how LaMontagne would evolve over the years as he dabbled in more influences and admiration of musical idols. Trouble is more “raw” and driven than his more immaculately produced records and it is with that rawness (though it is by no means lo-fi) that probably makes it stand out the most of his discography. “Trouble”, “Jolene”, and “Forever My Friend” probably are the most essential here and prove it’s worth a look if it’s only a brief moment of your time.

Recommended for: Fans of emotional, yet sincere singer/songwriter-esque pop music.

That man's voice is fantastic, always loved his stuff

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 04:44:34 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 04/30/2015 08:44

Thursday, April 30th
Session 9: Something about the Dawn

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Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 19:04:30 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 04/29/2015 23:04

Wednesday, April 29th
Session 8: The Setting Sun

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Bug by Dinosaur Jr.

There used to be a guy on my old forum who was THE alternative rock regular who absolutely sported Dinosaur Jr (amongst other noisy alternative) with a no-nonsense attitude that was pretty awesome to come across in a post. That person was why I originally explored Dinosaur Jr as well as other bands (Sonic Youth, Drive Like Jehu, Sebadoh, etc). In the present I’m glad that happened because there are all sounds that in time I have all taken to quite well. The music is the perfect alternative rock vacation as it swirls itself in noisy guitar lines but never quite losing themselves in the madness of those swirls outside of maybe “Don’t” which is still utterly awe-inspiring for me (it was one of the songs that inspired me to start writing noise music) and there is loads of janglely rock here to really appreciate.

Recommended for: Fans of Husker Du and The Replacements.

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Aden by Aden

A sad introspective interpretation of indie pop at the turn of the century, Aden is a group that took the slowcore lyrical conventions but in a different soundscape. Aden’s guitarist, Kevin Barker later went on to show his influence from American Primitivism and Avant-Folk to record as Currituck County where he would collaborate with individuals such as Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart and bands like Vetiver. It certainly is strange how such a low key indie pop group could hold a folk talent like Barker but perhaps it’s not as strange as it seems on paper. Regardless, Aden’s self-titled has a perfect collection of melancholy indie pop as it reflects on relationships, life, and so forth – in a way it’s not dissimilar to the approach Ben Gibbard would take with Death Cab for Cutie later on but in many ways Aden’s self-titled is just as good as DCFC’s Transatlanticism. “Scooby Doo” is heck of a song.

Recommended for: Fans of melancholic indie pop.

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The Mystery Of Time by Avantasia

One of the greatest power metal records of the 21st century. Tobias Sammet’s high concept project of Avantasia creates an opus of the genre after years of making solid and consistent records. Embracing the neo-classical and orchestral influences of years past, Sammet’s ‘metal opera’ comes to life in some of the most well-written and beautifully composed work in the entire history of power metal. With musical guests such as Michael Kiske (Helloween) topping the list of collaborators there was no doubt in my mind going in that this was going to be an “all or nothing” approach and fortunately for the efforts of the musicians here the execution has not been stifled. I might even put this in the 10 metal records of the 21st century in general and with strong musicianship alongside powerful vocal melodies & harmonies there is little to ignore here.

Recommended for: RepoMan, High concept power/heavy metal.

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Combinations by Eisley

Pretty standardized indie pop with baroque pop touches; though it is most certainly much better live than on record as I can attest to. Still really dreamy production that I still most certainly like even if I don’t listen to it all too often. “Invasion” is still my jam.

Recommended for: if you like dreamy pop music.

Re: ULL: Gowi

alelsupreme — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:48:16 GMT

Author: alelsupreme

Posted: 04/29/2015 15:48

Always nice to see some First Aid Kit love, theirs is a simple sound but it is a lovely one.

Re: ULL: Gowi

RockyRaccoon — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 08:51:44 GMT

Author: RockyRaccoon

Posted: 04/29/2015 12:51

Oooo the two recs you sent my way look cool. I'm aware of Symphony X, though I haven't listened to them. I'll definitely check it out!

Re: ULL: Gowi

mickilennial — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 06:25:26 GMT

Author: mickilennial

Posted: 04/29/2015 10:25

pa wrote:

I've finally listened to Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins' album! I really like it, it's a smooth, well-tuned and fun album, I think that my favorite songs are "You are what u love" and "Happy".
And wow, dude, you like Ojos De Brujo !!
I have almost their full discography in original copy, they're amazing rumba /flamenco fusion players; I noticed that u rated Aocana, Techarì and Bari, I would recommend u their first album "Vengue", it's an interesting record too.

Not sure if I’ve heard Vengue or not, but if it’s even half as good as Bari then it’ll be a good visit. I like Ojos de Brujo and I really wish their later records were as good as Bari which imo is the only one that really stands out as really cohesive and high quality.

It's a morning. Think I will start with some indie pop.

Wednesday, April 29th
Session 7: Sword of the Morning

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Monarch (Lay Your Jewelled Head Down) by Feist

Feist finding Feist. Not as vibrant as her later releases and certainly more moody, Monarch shows us the Feist that was moving forward after learning a lot by working as a collaborator in By Divine Right. Still this is what you expect of Feist’s brand of indie pop and it makes you think that she was a decade ahead of her contemporaries in 1999 when it came to her pop music. Can’t imagine why this one is lacking exposure after her success as a crossover artist in the present day.

Recommended for: Goodsir, Fans of indie pop.

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The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit

I’m not going to pretend this is an innovative or creatively progressive indie folk/pop record; but a lot of people who criticize this for being generic have forgotten that music doesn’t have to be ‘original’ to have heart or have a good sense of musicianship. “Emmylou” is a splendid example of a song with good sense of melody, heart, and emotion. I don’t care if I’ve heard this “sound” before, it is a wonderful sound as far as I’m concerned. I will tell you that specific song I had on repeat for about three or four listens before I carried on this morning and I could hear myself losing myself to the hokey heartfelt storytelling present here. Generic yes, bad/forgettable/shallow no.

Recommended for: Mercury, Fans of indie folk.