Human Canon Ball Relaunched: A Trip Through Time

[baystateoftheart]

I'm on furlough this week, so in theory I should be able to listen to more music than usual before I go back next week. Will I have time/energy to write anything of substance here? As usual, probably not. However, I want to note that this transcendent album has just broken into my top 20:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

New Age Of Earth by Ashra

Side A is perfect, and Side B is not far behind at all. Highly recommend if you like electronic music and/or need a gorgeous and relaxing album to try. It has grown on me with every listen.

I am a bit surprised that no one has it ranked higher than me. It's not even in the top 50 for 1977 yet!
_________________
Add me on RYM

[baystateoftheart]

I gave this album another try yesterday:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles

And while I continue to regard it as very good, I remain confused by its relative level of acclaim among their discography and among albums in general. There are a bunch of great tracks, but there is also so much filler! I consider 5 out of 13 tracks to be relatively disposable, and I'd much rather listen to Magical Mystery Tour. And while it is an excellent song, A Day In The Life is not close to perfect. The song structure ideas are great, but the musicality of the sections that are stitched together is not much better than a replacement-level Beatles track. Although I can't agree with its #1 ranking here, it is definitely better than the next five tracks in the list, so that's something. Score: 74.8
_________________
Add me on RYM

[LedZep]

[baystateoftheart]

[Repo]

[Repo]

[baystateoftheart]

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Journey In Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane

An album I've loved for years, but have only now given the close listen it needed to break into my overall chart. As might be expected, Pharoah Sanders is excellent, but this is a rare album in which his playing is not the highlight. Instead, it is the swirling harp of album mastermind Alice Coltrane that defines the album. The first two tracks are especially excellent, and my favorite on the album is Shiva-Loka (because I prefer Tulsi's tambura tone here to track one). After a couple somewhat more subdued and piano-driven tracks, the electrifying live recording Isis And Osiris is a fitting finale, featuring great contributions from new additions Charlie Haden and Vishnu Wood. Score: 88.4
_________________
Add me on RYM

[baystateoftheart]

Another furlough this week, with a third to follow later in the semester. Think I'm going to score some albums for one of my three genre charts that have been in progress forever. Which would be more interesting to people? The options are hip-hop, r&b, and indie/jangle/twee.
_________________
Add me on RYM

[RoundTheBend]

Hip/Hop & R&B... soul?

[Repo]

Whatever your feeling! All three sound good to me!