The Decemberists - The King Is Dead (2011)

The Decemberists - The King Is Dead, EMI Records (2011)

  After their huge concept album I was worried that the famous "Third album syndrome" might just settle in, BUT I am pleased to say that it has not !   The King Is Dead is a much more relaxed and incredibly less progressive recording than its predecessor and I guarantee will fetch lots of medicore reviews but not from me.  I love this album and have been spinning it for the past weeks with each listen drawing me in closer to its beauty.  Without a question Colin Meloy is a genius and a singer songwriter who knows how to create energy in music.   This time Colin and Co. are joined by Peter Buck of REM fame and one of my favs Gillian Welch.   Mostly laid back soft tones and fitting for the Pandarvis ranch !   If you are going to buy this release make sure you get the CD & DVD set as the 35 mins Pendarvis Video is a great view. 

Imogen Heap - Speak For Yourself (2005)

Imogen Heap - Speak For Yourself , Megaphonic Records  (2005)
 
  And while I am on the electronic kick I should mention another album that I really gravitated towards and keep coming back to is England's art-electonic singer/songwriter named Imogen Heap.  I actually had to import this CD back in 2005 when released and did so based only on one track "Just for now" and a song from Frou Frou (her previous band) "Let Go" that appeared in one of my favourite movies Garden State which I heard and fell in love with. 
   "Speak For Yourself" is a great album from start to finish and even has a guest appearance by friend Jeff Beck.  And of course there is the highly inspirational song "Hide and Seek" which now has over like 100 Youtube interpretations.....wow talk about a huge success......If you dont have this album then it would make a perfect gift anytime to yourself...........

Human League - Dare (1981)

The Human League - A&M Records (1981)

   UUUUgh..........You're kidding right ?    Nope !   I have always been a fan of this 80's rigid and cold electronic album...yes that same album that brought you that massive dance hit  "Dont You Want Me" .  Fan or not, there is little room to really argue that DARE was one of the most influential electronic pop albums of all time and in many ways The Human League were one of the more innovative bands of the 80's....an era that produced a lot of garbage music but also some get gems....one of which is in review.   Outside of "Dont You Want me" is where this album really shines and is actually filled with lots of emotion, electronic warmth and lots of post-punk rock influences.  100% art rock of a different form.           

The Knack - Get The Knack (1979)

The Knack - Get The Knack, Capitol Records (1979)

  Who could ever forget the unforgettable hits "My Sharona" and "Good Girls Don't."right ?.....but this album is so much more than just a 2 hit wonder album.   Power-pop masterpiece "Get The Knack" has 10 other very catchy songs and lots of guitar, bass and drum to keep your motor running.  I guess you would categorize this one as one of my many "Guilty Pleasures" and although the world has made fun of My Sharona it still holds up as a great driving power-pop song. 
   If you have not heard this album beyond the hits then you have really missed out.  For those who have it still in your collection ....go play this one again!

Television - Marquee Moon (1977)

Television - Marquee Moon, Elektra Records (1977)

 Marquee Moon is one of those album that I will admit that I didn't appreciate at the time of it's release and remember hearing this album and having it not grab me.   Then years later I re-heard it thanks to my friend Bob and ran out to pick it up.   This album is unquestionably a guitar rock album but does straddle perfectly the punk- power-pop line in the sand.  Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd create a never ending driving wall of Fender guitar interplay.  Not a bad cut on this album and if you can hunt down the Rhino remaster (2003) then you will get some quality bonus cuts and a great sound.  It is hard to believe but this album is 34 years old now.......wow ...where has time gone ?....I.....I See...I See No.....I See No Evil !      

Patterson Hood - Murdering Oscar (2009)

Patterson Hood -  Murdering Oscar, Ruth St. Records (2009)

  My good friend Doug put me on to this solo release from the Drive-By Truckers songwriter Patterson Hood .  Patterson is joined by DBT drummer Brad Morgan , Scott Danbom and Will Johnson from Centro-Matic as well as father David Hood.  This album shares many similarities to the deep south rock vibes of the DBT's, but has a personality and feel that sets it apart.  The sound quality of this recording is deep and rich and on a good stereo will sound raw and alive.  All 13 songs are excellent and this album was a great discovery.   

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (deluxe edition), Island Records (1984)

  In high School this album was one of the top spins on my turntable and remains to this day still a wonderful album.  I also loved the EP albums released to compliment this album i think it was called Pride In The Name Of Love and one called the Unforgettable Fire EP. In 2009 I patiently waited for The Unforgettable Fire Deluxe Edition to be released with it's dual CD covering the original album plus all the EP tracks (which in many ways is some of my favourite U2 songs)..........Love Come Tumbling .....The 3 Sunrises.....Boomerang 1 and 2 and of course Pride.......A Sort of Homecoming (one of my all time favourite songs) and BAD.....just a huge album and truely a landmark album. 

Harmonia - Musik von Harmonia (1974)

Harmonia - Musik von Harmonia , Brain Records (1974)

  Harmonia were the electronic genius combo of Michael Rother (Neu!), Dieter Moebius (Cluster) and Hans-Joachim Roedelius (Cluster) and this debut album is an absolute masterpiece!  A tad minimalistic...a tad spacial...a tad beeps and blips.....a tad hypnotic....but way more than a tad amazing!  Fans of Neu! and Kraftwerk and Cluster will likely love this album.  10000% electronic Krautrock at its finest.

Derek And The Dominos - Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

Derek & The Dominos - Layla , Polydor Music (1970)

  Needing a bit of a leave from the demands of touring and working with Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton began stretching out on his own working with Delaney and Bonnie as well as releasing his debut album.  Amongst all this turmoil Capton joined forces with Duane Allman , Jim Gordon , Carl Radle and Bobby Whitlock calling themselves Derek & The Dominos.  The album was released on Sept 10th 1970 and received a very cold reception........and of course now it is considered on of the great rock albums of our time.  

The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)

The Beatles - Rubber Soul, Apple Records (1965)

  `baby you can drive my car......yes I`m gonna be a star``........

Wow what a band and what an album......I am sure there are not too many people out there that do not own this classic bit of English pop history !   This album is just a real dooozie....and really showed a whole new side of the Beatles and signalled the change for the 4 mop tops.   Rubber Soul was one of the BIG albums for me growing up and songs like ``Nowhere Man and ``In My Life`` were then and are now a part of my life.   Mr Lennon I miss you terribly and thank you for the music of a lifetime!

Billy Cobham - Total Eclipse (1974)

Billy Cobham - Total Eclipse, Atlantic Records (1974)

  Although for many his prized album was Spectrum (1973), ``Total Eclipse` would be a toss up for me personally.  Having grown up again under the influence of Miles Davis and a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Cobham has clearly emerged as one of the great fusion drummers with his power and technical virtuosity.  Total Eclipse is really a space fusion funk album like you have never heard before.  The Epic suite `Solarization`is just simply unforgettable as is the fine guitar work of John Abercrombie , with the combined talents of the Brecker Brothers.   Simply a killer album for the fusion lovers out there.

David Bowie - Scary Monsters (1980)

David Bowie - Scary Monsters , EMI Music 1980 

  Scary Monsters is one of my personal favourite David Robert Jones (Bowie) albums mixing a wonderful chunk of punk, rock and pop genres.  This album came out to end to the 70's and welcome in the 80's and in my  humble opinion is the last great Bowie album and what a gift .   Even New York punker Tom Verlaine (Television) gets a rather interesting ode and then Robert Fripp of King Crimson fame (get it...Fame) gets the spotlight throughout.   Bowie is at the top of his game with punchy lyrics and heavy messages.  One of my favourite all time songs is the drug-oriented "Ashes to Ashes" where we hear Bowie confesses that Major Tom was a junky.  Scary Monsters also has the smash hit "Fashion" which took aim at its very subject.  Absolutely creative and pure genius and if you dont have this one in your collection you need to get it !   

Herbie Hancock - Crossings (1972)

Herbie Hancock - Crossings, Warner Bros Records (1972)

  For many their only exposure to the great Herbie Hancock was the 1980's hit "Rockit" but it was his early jazz and fusion days where you really see just how talented and creative this guy was.   Crossings was released right afterthe critically acclaimed  Mwandishi (1971) which really was the effect of having spent a lot of time under the guidance of Miles Davis.  Best to describe this album as space fusion with its electronic jazz vibes and cerebral focus.   Typical of this era there are 2 epic tracks (Sleeping Giant - 25 mins and Water Torture (14 Mins)  and give Hancock and his space-jazz troubadors lots of room to explore the outer reaches of music.  In many ways these next 3 albums in this trilogy for Hancock remind me of classic 70`s Sun Ra. 

The Millennium - Begin (1968)

The Millennium - Begin  Sundazed Records (1968)

  This was one of the albums that blew the mind of Beach Boy Brian Wilson acccording to the history books.  Of course i think other things also contributed to Brian's brain being frazzled but lets not go there right now.  The Millennium is from a time when sunshine psych-pop kept people high and their pupils slightly dilated.  This album is full of rich harmonies and symphonic psych-pop melodies that will bring you back in time.  The band were a seven piece ensemble but perhaps the best known  were Lee Mallory (West Coast Pop Art Experimental  Band), Joey Stec (Crabby Appleton)  and LA based producer Curt Boettcher (who would go on to produce bands like The Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac and others).  "Begin" was also another Gary Usher project and this album holds up as strong as the marvelous "Sagittarius" album.   Man they dont make albums like this anymore

Brother Jack McDuff - Moon Rappin' (1969)

Brother Jack McDuff - Moon Rappin' ,Blue Note Records - (1969)

  Organ driven space funk at it's finest ! "This is a goose bumpin thumpin tune in classic B3 Hammond jazz style" for sure.  Get ready to tap your toes and air drum all night long casue it's time to "Moon Rap" kids !   Moon Rappin' is another in the series of rare jazz grooves by Blue Note carefully remastered in 24 bit high def sound enabling the best sound you can get off these old acetates. 

LAGQ - Guitar Heroes (2004)

LAGQ  - Guitar Heroes, Telarc Records (2004)

  LA's Guitar Quartet are something of a marvel.....wow imagine 4 of the most talented and inspired guitarists playing music that influenced them in an acoustic manner.  Guitar Heroes is aply titled record features 13 odes to some of the great guitarists of our time....Steve Howe (Yes), Frank Zappa, Ralph Towner, Pat Metheny, Michael Hedges and Chat Atkins to name six of the 13.  Each song is an ode in some way and i love the acoustic wall of sound and energy these guys create.   Telarc have done an amazing mastering job on this recording and on a good stereo it will sound like there are 4 guitarists in your living room.  The four guitarists are Andrew York, John Dearman, Scott Tennant and William Kanengiser.

Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express (1977)

Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express, Capitol Records (1977)

  My friend Erik and I used to sit in my room and watch this little red light on my stereo blink as we listened to the electronic space music of Kraftwerk and actually termed this "doing one in".  Years and years later guess what I still like to "Do one in"...what ever the heck this meant....but the music of Kraftwerk still lives on in my life and the 2009 Remastered version by Astralwerks is just amazing.

Raspberries (1972)

The Raspberries - Raspberries, Capitol Records (1972)

  The debut album by the Raspberries is just one of those magical albums for me and runs from start to end with perfection.   Great songs and great vocals with some great instrumentation....makes for a great album.   Songs like "I Saw The Light" and "Waiting" and "I Can Remember" make this an album you will never forget.  Of course The Raspberries were born out of the ashes of the Choir and managed to release 4 excellent albums as the Raspberries.  In truth the writing combo of Eric Carmen and Wally Bryson is one you cant beat and was really something special !    If you have not heard this album then you have missed out for sure on a real classic album.  

Ry Cooder - My Name Is Buddy (2007)

Ry Cooder - My Name Is Buddy , Nonesuch Records, 2007

 Ry accompanied by Mike & Pete Seeger, Roland White, Van Dyke Parks, Paddy Moloney, Flaco Jiminez, Stefon Harris, Joachim Cooder and Jon Hassell. Cover drawing and interior illustrations by Vincent Valdez.

Virgil Fox - Heavy Organ - Live at Winterland San Francisco (1971)

Virgil Fox - Bach Live At Winterland (1971)

  Imagine a huge concert hall filled with hippies all tuning in to the live organ vibes of Bach skillfully played and narrated by my all time fav organist Virgil Fox.  The back of the vinyl album is worth noting with it's oil blobbed Pablo Light Show that apparently illuminated the walls while Virgil played.   I own 2 vinyl copies and the remastered CD version of this great live album and would recommend this album to everyone...yes even you !  Sinfonia (Cantana No. 29) is for me the highlight of this album which soars to the heavens and i think goes someone that we will never know........at least not yet !   Played on a good stereo the bass pedal work will hit you right in the gut and you will never forget this gem !    

Jazz At The Pawnshop (1976)

Jazz At The Pawnshop , First Impression Music (1976)

  Audiophiles consider this album to be the holy grail of live sound reproduction!  Skillfully recorded by Gert Palmcrantz in 1976 in a tiny little smoke filled bar in Sweden this album does live up to all its hype !  Whether you play the SACD or HDCD or even RBCD version this album will please every ounce of your ear drums.  But enough of the audio analysis and lets talk a bit about the musicians and the music of course.   This 2 disc set is really an excellent album full of great piano, drum, bass and sax work by 5 totally unknown to me jazz musicians.  The crazy thing about this album is that it all really works for me..the music..the interpretations and the sound.... truely is a magical album that i would highly recommend to all lovers of jazz !

William Orbit - Hello Waveforms (2006)

William Orbit - Hello Waveforms, Sanctuary Records (2006)

    Ambient pioneer, studio master, and dance remixer William Orbit caught my ears back in 2000 with "Pieces in a modern style" album that has had a constant spin on my CD player for the past 11 years.  Orbit took a six-year hiatus from releasing albums and I was thrilled to hear this album when it came out.  

   Orbit's signature sound is all over this album with it's progressive house-ambient-ethereal  atmospheric style.   Opening this album is chilled-out electronic soundscape "Sea Green" which warmly starts things off and begins our journey into Orbit's new world . I can't listen to this album without thinking of my early days of loving German pioneers Kraftwerk and their great early albums.

Gillian Welch - Soul Journey (2003)

Gillian Welch - Soul Journey, Stony Plain Records,  (2003)

  If you are not familiar with the soulful and expressive voice of Gillain Welch then you need to be !  Soul Journey is the 4th album by this folk-country singer songwriter and is an album I just can't stop playing.    Songs like "I Had a Real good mother and father" simply makes me stop in my tracks.   Producer David Rawlings is the other part of this genius and patnership.  For me one of the things I really find really interesting is the parallel to the early music of Neil Young with acoustic guitars and soul driven vocals.  "I Made A Lovers Prayer" is one of the most personal songs I have heard in a long time.  No question this is a very special album deserving your attention. 

The Hollies - Distant Light (1971)

The Hollies - Distant Light, Epic Records  (1971)

  Distant Light was one of the albums that i have never gotten over!  I have loved this album for far too long and from their entire collection  of albums it is this one that still does it for me . 

The Smoke (1968)

The Smoke, Kismet Records,  (1968)

  There are few bands by the name of The Smoke and if you could imagine 2 of the more popular ones were both psychedelic in style.  This "The Smoke" only released one album in their lifetime and is one of the GREAT psych albums of the 60's IMHO.  Totally unrecognized and virtually left off all essential lists of the 60's this album delivers the pop sensitivities of the Beatles with the Psych of the Doors !  

 

Herbie Hancock - Flood (Live)

Herbie Hancock - Flood , Sony / BMG Japan (1975) SACD

  I must admit that I still love fusion rock and funk and Hancock's "Flood Live" gives us a lot of both !  With heavy emphasis on "Thrust" and a bit of "Head Hunters" Hancock and his crew deliver a live album of epic magnitude !  I have always loved both Head Hunters and Thrust but clearly this live album takes us into a whole different world and makes these songs come to life in a very different way .   Opening the album is the sole piano solo of Herbie and his opus "Maiden Voyage" which then switches to the funk space fusion material and where we really take off.