Man, I'm just killing it with my own picks lately. 😁
I figured that Musette was just the artist name, but that's also the genre of music they play as well. So, how does a Swedish artist interpret traditional French music? It turns out well. Very well, in fact. Perfect for the morning or the evening when you're feeling contemplative or playful. (Versatile emotionally) Doesn't have an ounce of pretension. (The whistling may be a little bit, but I'm not going to say so because I like Andrew Bird, and he's a whistlin' fool.)
Luigii, Houdini is unlike anything else you've listened to at this point, so give it a go.
Il Baricentro - Sconcerto
Violent Onsen Geisha - Excrete Music
Silvio Rodriguez-Al final de este viaje
Anubi- Kai Pilnaties Akis Uzmerks Mirtis
Emmanuelle Parrenin – Maison Ros
Mo*Te ~ Life in a Peaceful New World
Sasha & Digweed-Northern Exposure
Spirit Agent - Depth Perception
Charalambides- Joy Shapes
Derrick Carter - The Many Shades of Cajual
baystateoftheartNeil Young as a butternut squashProfile Massachusetts
Honestly, this wasn't as bad as I feared it would be. The highlight is definitely the funky, groovy instrumentals. Blowfly is a pretty average rapper for 1980, so not great by today's standards. This album is energetic and never dull. Predictably, the biggest issue is lyrics. It may be comedy rap, but it's not very funny. I didn't laugh and smiled maybe twice. He goes all-in on edgy and vulgar as expected. Sometimes, this is done in fairly clever ways that minimize the eye-roll factor. But more frequently, it's lowest common denominator scatological and sexual humor (often simultaneously). I imagine a lot of middle-schoolers would enjoy this record, but as expected I'm not a fan. That said, at least it did outperform my rock-bottom expectations. 2/5.
~~~~~
2. We all could use life in a peaceful new world.
~~~~~
3. Hip-Hop Medalists
1981 gold: Live Convention 81 - Various Artists
1982 silver: Live Convention 82 - Various Artists
1983 bronze: Players - Too $hort
1984 silver: Escape - Whodini
1985 silver: The Album - Mantronix
1987 silver: Criminal Minded - Boogie Down Productions
1989 bronze: No One Can Do It Better - The D.O.C.
1990 bronze: The Geto Boys - The Geto Boys
2002 gold: Nada Como Um Dia Após O Outro Dia - Racionais MC’s
2003 gold: Bir Pesimistin Gözyaşları - Sagopa Kajmer _________________ Join us in the canon game :) / Add me on RYM
Blowout Comb by Digable Planets
YES. Ever since I've heard Reachin' some 3-4 months ago, I've been waiting for the right occasion to hear the more revered follow up from Digable Planets. I must've played Reachin' at least 10 times since then (which happens very rarely nowadays, I have only a handful of albums each year with 10+ listens). It's become one of my all time favourite hip hop albums in a span of months. On the other hand, I was a bit worried because I've hyped myself way too much. But there was no reason to worry, since Butterfly, Doodlebug and Ladybug Mecca expand on their style with longer, more detailed and equally well written songs. Several songs exceed the 5 minute mark, I don't think a single song on their last effort did that. The production is more ambitious, even slicker and more groovy (if that's even possible), the instrumentals honestly blow my mind. I don't think I've heard a better collection of rap beats apart from maybe The Cold Vein or Madvillainy. I cannot stress enough just how good this album sounds. Jazzy, funky and lofi, it's so damn great. Possibly the only negative I can find with the songwriting here is that the hooks could've been catchier at times (on songs that actually have hooks, that is), Reachin' wasn't perfect in that department either, but it was better. Now onto the rapping. Much of the same themes from the predecessor are present here, with a stronger emphasis on racial issues and conscious side of rap. There's numerous shoutouts to jazz greats again, which I loved. The chemistry between the MCs is on another level, they sound smooth and complement each other extremely well. The flows too, every time I hear Ladybug's chill, easygoing flow I'm sold on the verse, no matter the lyrics. Lyrically, perhaps it's not one of the best albums I've heard, but I'm more of a "sounds over lyrics" guy anyway. And don't get me wrong, the lyricism is excellent, just maybe not like all time top 10 great. There's still some compelling stories, sick one liners and interesting topics.
"Brooklyn, Brooklyn, big borough with teeth
But everything in Brooklyn ain't always what it seems
You might get hurt if you come from out of town
But down by lord that's word" - all 3 (these lines are taken from a Grandmaster Flash song and changed, New York -> Brooklyn, dreams -> teeth, fooled -> hurt, down by law -> down by lord, or so claims Genius)
"I got Harlem on my mind, Devil on my back
Brooklyn in my blood and Butter's on the track
I got insect thoughts, catch the cool ways
Clouds of purple haze keep me in a daze
The jazz, the jive, the poetry
The style, the lingo, the bags of equality" - Doodlebug
"I cannot answer for my damages due to layin soul type sentences
I prepare time for and sisters fought passage in the tactic front style
Warfare for the projects
I live" - Ladybug
"Brothers with the blowouts develop your envelopes
Stamp it, amp it, raise your razor blade
Found downtown in the land of crooks
My pops say books, I say sneaks and name buckles
Pigs say "Freeze boy," shit, I just chuckles" - Butterfly
And these incredible lines from The Art Of Easing
"[Doodlebug]
The feeling's right
The music's tight
Departing out of Crooklyn, type Saturday night
The gear the god was rocking type way out of sight
Limping past the projects
See my man, a'ight
[Butterfly]
When the mic check counts
My amounts is cash
I don't shoot out
I get that loot out cause I'm fresh
Hit you with the gold front grin, with diamond look
Muhammad made em, Nikki paid him
I was shook
I tell an emcee in a eye blink
That you wack as crack
Cee-know got my back
And we both can laugh
[Ladybug]
And for example, we swift this
Lifted up on luck
And for complexing, like brass and brown skin
We of this, built this with south boogie down"
I've heard it 3 times now, and if it had a good, catchy single or two it would've been easily better than Reachin', but even like this it's probably slightly cooler and a top 5 hip hop album for me. Although the album ends as strong any album I've ever heard tbh, For Corners might be the best song on the whole thing. It's honestly amazing how I've never tackled Digable Planets before. 9.5 or 10/10
Kasai Allstars - In The 7th Moon, The Chief Turned Into A Swimming Fish And Ate The Head Of His Enemy By Magic
Boubacar Traoré - Mariama
Oidupaa Vladimir Oiun - Divine Music From A Jail
Rokia Traoré - Bowmboï
Sun City Girls - Torch Of The Mystics
Jimmy Lee Williams - Hoot Your Belly
Soungalo Coulibaly - Dengo
Various Artists - The Roots Of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias From Peru
--------------------------------------
The Magnetic Fields - The Wayward Bus
Kanye West - Late Registration
Kanye West - The College Dropout _________________ Overall chart Fake overall chart
Blowout Comb by Digable Planets
YES. Ever since I've heard Reachin' some 3-4 months ago, I've been waiting for the right occasion to hear the more revered follow up from Digable Planets. I must've played Reachin' at least 10 times since then (which happens very rarely nowadays, I have only a handful of albums each year with 10+ listens). It's become one of my all time favourite hip hop albums in a span of months. On the other hand, I was a bit worried because I've hyped myself way too much. But there was no reason to worry, since Butterfly, Doodlebug and Ladybug Mecca expand on their style with longer, more detailed and equally well written songs. Several songs exceed the 5 minute mark, I don't think a single song on their last effort did that. The production is more ambitious, even slicker and more groovy (if that's even possible), the instrumentals honestly blow my mind. I don't think I've heard a better collection of rap beats apart from maybe The Cold Vein or Madvillainy. I cannot stress enough just how good this album sounds. Jazzy, funky and lofi, it's so damn great. Possibly the only negative I can find with the songwriting here is that the hooks could've been catchier at times (on songs that actually have hooks, that is), Reachin' wasn't perfect in that department either, but it was better. Now onto the rapping. Much of the same themes from the predecessor are present here, with a stronger emphasis on racial issues and conscious side of rap. There's numerous shoutouts to jazz greats again, which I loved. The chemistry between the MCs is on another level, they sound smooth and complement each other extremely well. The flows too, every time I hear Ladybug's chill, easygoing flow I'm sold on the verse, no matter the lyrics. Lyrically, perhaps it's not one of the best albums I've heard, but I'm more of a "sounds over lyrics" guy anyway. And don't get me wrong, the lyricism is excellent, just maybe not like all time top 10 great. There's still some compelling stories, sick one liners and interesting topics.
"Brooklyn, Brooklyn, big borough with teeth
But everything in Brooklyn ain't always what it seems
You might get hurt if you come from out of town
But down by lord that's word" - all 3 (these lines are taken from a Grandmaster Flash song and changed, New York -> Brooklyn, dreams -> teeth, fooled -> hurt, down by law -> down by lord, or so claims Genius)
"I got Harlem on my mind, Devil on my back
Brooklyn in my blood and Butter's on the track
I got insect thoughts, catch the cool ways
Clouds of purple haze keep me in a daze
The jazz, the jive, the poetry
The style, the lingo, the bags of equality" - Doodlebug
"I cannot answer for my damages due to layin soul type sentences
I prepare time for and sisters fought passage in the tactic front style
Warfare for the projects
I live" - Ladybug
"Brothers with the blowouts develop your envelopes
Stamp it, amp it, raise your razor blade
Found downtown in the land of crooks
My pops say books, I say sneaks and name buckles
Pigs say "Freeze boy," shit, I just chuckles" - Butterfly
And these incredible lines from The Art Of Easing
"[Doodlebug]
The feeling's right
The music's tight
Departing out of Crooklyn, type Saturday night
The gear the god was rocking type way out of sight
Limping past the projects
See my man, a'ight
[Butterfly]
When the mic check counts
My amounts is cash
I don't shoot out
I get that loot out cause I'm fresh
Hit you with the gold front grin, with diamond look
Muhammad made em, Nikki paid him
I was shook
I tell an emcee in a eye blink
That you wack as crack
Cee-know got my back
And we both can laugh
[Ladybug]
And for example, we swift this
Lifted up on luck
And for complexing, like brass and brown skin
We of this, built this with south boogie down"
I've heard it 3 times now, and if it had a good, catchy single or two it would've been easily better than Reachin', but even like this it's probably slightly cooler and a top 5 hip hop album for me. Although the album ends as strong any album I've ever heard tbh, For Corners might be the best song on the whole thing. It's honestly amazing how I've never tackled Digable Planets before. 9.5 or 10/10
Man, I'm just killing it with my own picks lately. 😁
I figured that Musette was just the artist name, but that's also the genre of music they play as well. So, how does a Swedish artist interpret traditional French music? It turns out well. Very well, in fact. Perfect for the morning or the evening when you're feeling contemplative or playful. (Versatile emotionally) Doesn't have an ounce of pretension. (The whistling may be a little bit, but I'm not going to say so because I like Andrew Bird, and he's a whistlin' fool.)
After coming back to 9 hours of work as well as running on fumes having to wake up for work, decided to listen to this album. And I do think this is a good album. Hell there is an argument that this is a great album, but there is stuff that is preventing me from being head over heels for this record. I would say the best part of this album would be from Night Goat all the way till Joan of Arc. There is something about the brooding nature of the instrumentation to the vocal delivery where I have to sit down, and grin while listening to this. Kind of has that junkyard feeling of not giving a fuck. With that set as well Copache, I was having this feeling that this was be a solid to strong 8. Around the 85 range. But the other four tracks just either leave me hanging or somewhat annoys me. If you wonder what track annoyed me, it was Teet with the wailing guitar tone near the back end of the track. Which is unfortunate because the core track is good. But I think my main issue comes to the last two tracks. The former Pearl Bomb while has that somewhat electronic repetitive drum line is intoxicating to me, I wished that track had a pay off that made me enjoyed it. While the closer has that problem but it's worse since that track never goes anywhere. I could argue it sounds cool. Sounds like a set up to something grand and would end up pummeling me in sound form, but it never gets there. The only other thing that I would mention, and I kind of feel like this might linger in my head on future listens, would be while the sound is quite brooding, will I find it lethargic and repetitive? Maybe this album might be one of those mood albums that I have to pit a feeling of just not bother me at all.
Grade: There are points I could see this an 75 or 85 but I'll give this a 80. In certain cases, this is better than Undertow. And sometimes it's a bit worse.
(2)
Glad you love Blowout Comb. Don't think this is the first time you gave a 10/10 for this game. Or am I wrong? But my choice is Jimmy Lee Williams
(3)
BEA: Top 100 of 1993
(13) Blur-Modern Life Is Rubbish
(17) Depeche Mode-Songs of Faith and Devotion
(23) U2-Zooropa (R)
(29) The Cranberries-Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
(31) The Flaming Lips-Transmissions From The Satellite Heart
(32) Aerosmith-Get A Grip
(33) Crowded House-Together Alone
(34) Paul Weller-Wild Wood
(35) James-Laid
38 Sting-Ten Summoner's Tales
Last edited by Luigii on 11/27/2020 23:37; edited 1 time in total
MercuryTurn your back on the pay-you-back last callProfile St. Louis
As I said earlier, this is the coolest album ever based on name of Band, name of album, cover art, genre and release date, etc. Like, is there a more badass album in these regards ever? I think not.
Now that I'm actually listening to the album I am really liking it. The arrangements are simple but there are enough cool little details mixed in in the form of ear-catching bass grooves, jangly and gorgeous guitar parts, and there are some change ups i don't expect and crescendos etc that keep the whole album fresh and moving. The vocalist is not really noteworthy, but I find that there are few vocalists I love from this era of punk/post punk. He isn't a detriment and indeed his style seems to be influential on Post Punk revival bands - especially Interpol.
Generally I grow tired quickly of albums that don't have many sharp lines and edges but instead cover up the corners with a general gauzy, echoey "atmosphere" - this is another album which does that. This album does this better than most and the general emphasis on gauzy atmosphere isn't nearly as irksome as it would be in most people's hands. This maybe is what has kept me an arms length from genres such as Shoegaze, dream pop, post punk of this sort, and some other forms of post 1970s rock music - in that I do tend to want clear melodic sounds, i tend to want a clear distinction between the instruments and the vocalists, i like solos damn it! sue me.
Anyway, i digress, this is a style of rock which is draped in atmosphere and yet it works throughout and the epic moments of catharsis really work! I won't say this is now tops in my mind of albums of the era or of postpunk in general. Again, I like the clear lines and somewhat anti-dreaminess of Unknown Pleasures, Metal Box, Chairs Missing, Entertainment!, or Remain In Light much much more. But as far as somber, dreamy, punky rock of the time this is just about as beautifully realized as anything I've heard.
Anyway, maybe somewhere down the line this album will come up in a tournament here on BEA or maybe I'll do a deep dive into post punk or something and I'll listen again, when that day comes maybe I'll appreciate this beautiful album even more. For now I think its superb rock music in a style and atmosphere I don't generally love. I give this a 3.5/5 and I move forth to other things!
------------------------------------------
2.
Luigii, listen toThe Cranberries-Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
I'll switch to the the boring list of the top 10 albums off of rate your music's best albums of all time that I either haven't heard or don't remember shit about from the one or 2 times I did hear it - NOTE that i remove all forms of classical music, soundtracks for games or shows or films and I don't wanna listen to an album approcahing 2 hours so i took Swans off as well.
1. The Glow Pt 2 by The Microphones (#56)
2. Aquemini by Outkast (#75)
3. Hunky Dory by David Bowie (#81)
4. Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus (#107)
5. Ege Bamyasi by Can (#120)
6. Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#144)
7. Powerslave by Iron Maiden (#176)
8. Mm...Food by MF Doom (#185)
9. Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age (#192)
10. Deceit by This Heat (#200) _________________ -Ryan
Oh yeah, this is right up my alley. I didn't know of The Feelies until I started seeing this album regularly on people's decade and yearly charts, and quite often in the top 10 of the yearly charts, and now I understand that, because what do you know - this will be in my top 10 for the year too. Fitting right in musically with the NY post-punk/ art rock/ new wave scene of the time alongside bands such as Television and Talking Heads etc, but this album has it's own personality to it too. Jangly post-punk with a nervous energy I think it's personality mainly comes from it's crazy rhythms and noticeable percussion combined with it's DIY feel. I get a controlled unhinged vibe from it, where it seems like it may all come apart at any time, but somehow never does. The opening and closing tracks were the highlights. 8.5/10, 9/46 for 1980, and 88/100 for the '80s.
So many great choices again...it's hard for me to go past Bowie, Can is a fascinating listen, and CCR is always cool, but considering The Glow Pt 2 is coincidentally today's album of the day I'm choosing that.
Top 15 Music Albums of 1980 by Jameth (2 picks left)
1. Les Dragons by Ninki-Nanka
5. The Expanding Universe by Laurie Spiegel
8. Solid Pleasure by Yello
10. Telekon by Gary Numan
12. Haul Ar Yr Eira by Pererin
14. Não Me Lembre Demais, Nem Me Esqueça by Junia Horta
15. Catching The Sun by Spyro Gyra
26. Ambient 3: Day Of Radiance by Laraaji (from Baystate's best of the '80s)
4. Killing Joke by Killing Joke (from Rocka's 1980 chart)
7. Gyrate by Pylon (from Rocka's 1980 chart)
MercuryTurn your back on the pay-you-back last callProfile St. Louis
I don't know how I feel about this album. Part of me fucking hates it in all its somber sad sack lo fi indecisiveness. Part of me respects it at an arms length because it is incredibly unique and clearly is one of the better so-intimate-its-uncomfortable albums i've heard. Part of me hates his vocals because they are so weak and brittle and part of me likes them because again they are unique and they convey the internal thoughts and feewings so well. Throughout I was reminded of Daniel Johnston and NMH a lot and those are solid touchstones and so I should be looking at this album with huge respect. But also a lot of the time I was just a little put off by how amateur and ugly the instrumentation was.
I have been in a musical state of mind to love this album in the past, a few years ago I am pretty sure I would hear all these awesome details and this seemingly sloppy musical touches mixed with droney introversion and I would have busted an earnut. When I was really in to NMH and Grouper and Johnston. Right now it catches me 1. when I have a headache and a bad fucking mood and 2. I have a strong interest in musical virtuosity and production clarity. This album is the opposite of some recent albums I've been digging such as Steve McQueen and Leviathan - those are musically rich and detailed and immaculately produced pieces of studio wizardry. This is something I could imagine a substantially more talented version of myself making in my bedroom. Which is kind of the point, right?
Lyrically I only heard clearly snippets and it seems a bit up and down but some lines are gorgeous. I'll give the laddie that. He can write some good sad bastard lines.
I am listening to this album for a second time as I write these notes and my attitude is evolving. I am trying to understand why this album which most of the time would be up my alley is leaving me cold. Why is this so adored? What is wrong with me for kinda being meh about it?
I guess it goes right along with what I said for that chameleons album, I tend to want straight lines, angularity, clear melodic themes, some instrumental clarity and virtuosity, some clear poetic statements, stories, structures, etc. I am not in the mood for vagueness and obscurity and drones and rattles and feedbacky explosions, and rhythms which lose themselves, etc. So, while I recognize this is a statement of magnitude within the lo fi and bedroom folk, indie folk scene, It isn't touching me.
I have owned this CD for 8 years, Ive seen it on lists for 10 years at least, I have for some reason never really listened to it closely despite having dozens of times when I was close to pushing play. I always felt a little bit withdrawn from its aesthetic. Now that I have jumped in and done some close listening, I can move on. I understand the love for the album. But as of now, its not quite my tempo.
2.5/5
------------------------------------------
2.
Purplepash, listen to Killing Joke.
------------------------
3.
I'll stick to the the list of the top 10 albums off of rate your music's best albums of all time that I either haven't heard or don't remember shit about from the one or 2 times I did hear it - NOTE that i remove all forms of classical music, soundtracks for games or shows or films and I don't wanna listen to an album approaching or exceeding 2 hours so i took Swans off and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass as well. Also, I am just breaking rules left and right, cuz where there are several albums by an artist that come up I am picking the highest ranked one that way I don't have 10 choices composed of 4 or 5 artists. I'll note in parentheses next to the albums what other albums are not included by same artist/band)
1. Aquemini by Outkast (#75) ---> (also, ATLiens-#126)
2. Hunky Dory by David Bowie (#81) ---> (also, Station to Station-#86-, which I own and have heard several times but don't remember much about.)
3. Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus (#107) ---> (also Blues and Roots-#161)
4. Ege Bamyasi by Can (#120)
5. Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#144)
6. Powerslave by Iron Maiden (#176) ---> (Also Seventh Son of a Seventh Son-#219)
7. Mm...Food by MF Doom (#185)
8. Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age (#192)
9. Deceit by This Heat (#200)
10. Discipline by King Crimson (#220) _________________ -Ryan
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Tha1ChiefRocka
baystateoftheart
LedZep
Repo
Mercury
Purplepash
