Donnerstag, 30. Nov 2006, 15:11

I'm gonna include the albums I got for X-Mas 2005, because, honestly, it's the new year by the time you get to know the music on those albums anyway.

X-Mas 2005 Haul
Witching Hour - An satisfying, atmospheric listening experience. A very cold, wintery album, but still catchy and dance-able. Destroy Everything You Touch, International Dateline, and Soft Power are the highlights for me, and the fact that they come one-after-the other makes for one of the best 3-song sequences ever. 9/10

Demon Days - A great, smart, successful pop album. I'm shocked DARE wasn't a mainstream hit in North America — it was huge in Europe, but when I came home no one knew it. It's probably the best pop song of the last 18 months, in my opinion. This album's musical experimentation, layering, and smart ear for melody and rhythm gives this album a good, long shelf life. El Manana, Kids With Guns, Dirty Harry are all highlights. 8.5/10

Get Behind Me Satan - Honestly, I was disappointed. Blue Orchid and The Denial Twist are fantastic, but most of the rest of the album left me cold and passed me by. It sits on the shelf, gathering dust now. I guess The White Stripes aren't for me, beyond their usually-good singles. 5/10

Infiltrate Destroy Rebuild - An unsolicited gift from my brother, inspired by offhand comments like "I like this!" and "this is good!" that I'd make when overhearing the music he'd play. This music is inventive and never stays the same for too long; the riffs are nice and unusual (lots of triplets and syncopated rhythms), the light keyboard touches are well appreciated by a piano/electro freak like me, and the melodies are catchy. This is great running music. 8/10

—– 2006 PROPER ——-

Wind in the Wires. What a glorious, heartfelt, beautiful album. It feels like his music was tailor-made for my relationship with my Newfoundland home. Lots of walks on sea cliffs and wind and birds and storms and harbour towns that shut down when the tourists leave in autumn. Teignmouth is one of the most moving musical experiences that I know of. 9.25/10

OK Computer - OK, so, if a band or artist is hyped too strongly, I tend to avoid them. I know this is illogical. Hype has nothing to do with how good or bad something is, and often things are hyped because they are actually amazing. Being in high school during the Kid A / Amnesiac era meant that I was sick to DEATH of people sloppily fellating Radiohead. I say now what I said then: they are not the second coming. They are an above-average rock band, nothing more. But you know what? I really like 6 or 7 tracks on OK Computer, and I'm pleased that I finally got off my high horse and bought it. Best album of all time? Hardly. Best album of the 90's? Maybe it's in the Top 100. A good, interesting album? Definently. 9/10

Employment - this album is so, so dumb. But you know, it's catchy as hell, and those choruses were just made for shouting along. Great mix CD fodder. 7.5/10

Wet From Birth - One look at my comprehensive stats will tell you what I think of this album, the only one by
The Faint that I own. Again, it isn't the smartest album in the world, but it's just so much fun. It's sexy, catchy, shimmery, bass-heavy electro-rock — in short, it's my perfect party CD. 8/10

Yes Virginia - I was a moderate Dolls fan based on the strength of their self-titled album. Songs like Half Jack and Truce were amazing, but the album felt spotty. Yes Virginia is much better produced and maintains a high standard of quality through. From Sex Changes to Mandy Goes to Med School, this album is smart, aggressive, and wild, at turns hilarious and heartbreaking. Amanda Palmer plays piano like she's not afraid she'll break it; such a refreshing change from dainty girly piano or clompy Coldplay style Keyboards-For-Dummies. 9.75/10 (points deducted for otherwise perfect score for the self-indulgent Me and the Minibar and the sorta trite, formulaic Sing)

Illinois - Remember what I said about Radiohead, up above? Ditto for Sufjan. I was so sick of hearing indie kids lose their shit about this stupid Sufjan Stevens! But then, I heard UFO Sighting and They are Night Zombies and was absolutely blown away by their beauty and goodness. I got this album shortly thereafter, and despite some of the filler and self-indulgence, I am so happy I did. It is glorious. 9.25/10

Out - Gabriela should be an indie darling, if not a global superstar, a Polish Kate Bush for the 21st century. Equal parts cabaret and Danny Elfman, all with a heady sense of the dramatic, its on this album that I feel Ms. Kulka has arrived. Give Death Won't Save the Day or In the Lens and see if you don't agree. 9.5/10

Black Holes and Revelations - See my previous journal entry for more detailed thoughts on this. In essence, one excellent song, maybe 3 good songs, another 3 mediocre songs, and the rest dire. 6.75/10

Origin of Symmetry - Now THIS is what I want in a Muse album. It's not all excellent, but it'sallgood, and most of it is great. So gloriously OTT! 8.75/10