Since everyone else is doing it, I've been considering my favourite records of the 2000s. Over the coming weeks I will be writing about each one before coming up with a final list, so here in no particular order, are my favourite ten records of the 2000s....and believe me, even getting to this stage wasn't easy and I should say that Songs:Ohia's 'Magnolia Electric Co', Arcade Fire's 'Funeral' and Tindersticks' 'Waiting For The Moon' were about as close as it is possible to get to making the final ten. I may even expand the list to 20 at some point.
American Music Club' Love Songs For Patriots'
The Innocence Mission 'Befriended'
The Innocence Mission 'We Walked In Song'
Joanna Newson 'Ys
Low 'Trust'
Radiohead 'In Rainbows'
Sun Kil Moon 'Ghosts of the Great Highway'
Tindersticks 'Can Our Love'
Tindersticks 'The Hungry Saw'
Wilco 'A Ghost Is Born'
Showing posts with label american music club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label american music club. Show all posts
Friday, 20 November 2009
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Top 10 Albums of the Year
here at last are the T&G top 10 records of the year....and after all the stuff written on here about American bands, the top 3 albums this year are from English, Scottish and Irish artists...
1- Tindersticks ‘The Hungry Saw’
What can I say about this album that I haven’t said already? A creative, vibrant record that is more than a match for any of their wonderful previous albums. In ‘Mother Dear’ it has the most atmospheric, tension filled ballad they have ever written and in ‘Boobar’, the most magical, Spector-ish pop song. Just fantastic. And album of the year.
2- The Twilight Sad ‘Here It Never Snowed, Afterwards It Did’
How do you top making one of the albums of 2007? If you’re the Twilight Sad, you make a mini-album featuring complete re-workings of several songs from that album. ‘Here It Never Snowed…’ took away much of the noise and the pace from the songs, stripping them down and highlighting James Graham’s amazing vocals. Both sounds work equally well and the band are now combining the two sounds at live shows. The album also featured a new song, plus a cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Some Things Last A Long Time’. The best new British band to emerge for a decade.
3- The Sleeping Years ‘We’re Becoming Islands, One By One’
Ex-Catchers singer/songwriter Dale Grundle returned in 2008 with this quietly triumphant set of songs about home, memories and heritage. It didn’t get a tenth of the attention it deserved but these are wonderful songs, held together by Grundle’s soothing voice. ‘Macosquin, Coleraine' is one of the songs of the year, a simple arrangement with acousic guitar and handclaps, I can’t stop playing it!
4- Fleet Foxes ‘Fleet Foxes’
A grower. Initially pleasant but unremarkable (the instantly catchy ‘White Winter Hymnal’ apart), the melodies creep up on you and you finding yourself singing them and then wondering what they are. Gorgeous harmonies mixed with old fashioned guitar sounds and of course Robin Pecknold is an amazing singer. How do they top this though?
5- Beck ‘Modern Guilt’
A 33 minute collection of short, sharp bursts of energy. This is a really exciting record that sounds great from start to finish. Highlight is ‘Chemtrails’ which is perhaps the single of the year and sounds amazing played loudly through headphones!
6- Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks ‘Real Emotional Trash’
Most pleasing post-Pavement album from Malkmus. Stunning guitar jams, especially on the title track, which is a complete tour-de-force.
7- The Mountain Goats ‘Heretic Pride’
Really consistent album from John Darnielle and more up-beat than previous offerings. ‘Lovecraft in Brooklyn’ and ‘Sax Rohmer’ are two of the best TMG rockers to date. As ever, lyrically supreme.
8- Jenny Lewis ‘Acid Tongue’
Beautifully produced with plenty of space for each instrument, this is a great old-fashioned sounding record with some gorgeous ballads. Highlight though is the thrilling duet with Elvis Costello.
9- The Dodos ‘Visitor’
Innovative sounds, great use of rhythm and simply some great sing-along songs.
10- American Music Club ‘The Golden Age’
New line-up, a lighter touch and a couple of bona-fide AMC classics (‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Dance). A couple of filler tracks too though but this is still more gold from Eitzel.
1- Tindersticks ‘The Hungry Saw’
What can I say about this album that I haven’t said already? A creative, vibrant record that is more than a match for any of their wonderful previous albums. In ‘Mother Dear’ it has the most atmospheric, tension filled ballad they have ever written and in ‘Boobar’, the most magical, Spector-ish pop song. Just fantastic. And album of the year.
2- The Twilight Sad ‘Here It Never Snowed, Afterwards It Did’
How do you top making one of the albums of 2007? If you’re the Twilight Sad, you make a mini-album featuring complete re-workings of several songs from that album. ‘Here It Never Snowed…’ took away much of the noise and the pace from the songs, stripping them down and highlighting James Graham’s amazing vocals. Both sounds work equally well and the band are now combining the two sounds at live shows. The album also featured a new song, plus a cover of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Some Things Last A Long Time’. The best new British band to emerge for a decade.
3- The Sleeping Years ‘We’re Becoming Islands, One By One’
Ex-Catchers singer/songwriter Dale Grundle returned in 2008 with this quietly triumphant set of songs about home, memories and heritage. It didn’t get a tenth of the attention it deserved but these are wonderful songs, held together by Grundle’s soothing voice. ‘Macosquin, Coleraine' is one of the songs of the year, a simple arrangement with acousic guitar and handclaps, I can’t stop playing it!
4- Fleet Foxes ‘Fleet Foxes’
A grower. Initially pleasant but unremarkable (the instantly catchy ‘White Winter Hymnal’ apart), the melodies creep up on you and you finding yourself singing them and then wondering what they are. Gorgeous harmonies mixed with old fashioned guitar sounds and of course Robin Pecknold is an amazing singer. How do they top this though?
5- Beck ‘Modern Guilt’
A 33 minute collection of short, sharp bursts of energy. This is a really exciting record that sounds great from start to finish. Highlight is ‘Chemtrails’ which is perhaps the single of the year and sounds amazing played loudly through headphones!
6- Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks ‘Real Emotional Trash’
Most pleasing post-Pavement album from Malkmus. Stunning guitar jams, especially on the title track, which is a complete tour-de-force.
7- The Mountain Goats ‘Heretic Pride’
Really consistent album from John Darnielle and more up-beat than previous offerings. ‘Lovecraft in Brooklyn’ and ‘Sax Rohmer’ are two of the best TMG rockers to date. As ever, lyrically supreme.
8- Jenny Lewis ‘Acid Tongue’
Beautifully produced with plenty of space for each instrument, this is a great old-fashioned sounding record with some gorgeous ballads. Highlight though is the thrilling duet with Elvis Costello.
9- The Dodos ‘Visitor’
Innovative sounds, great use of rhythm and simply some great sing-along songs.
10- American Music Club ‘The Golden Age’
New line-up, a lighter touch and a couple of bona-fide AMC classics (‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘The Dance). A couple of filler tracks too though but this is still more gold from Eitzel.
Friday, 7 November 2008
The T&G 11
TracksandGigs is preparing its 'Album of The Year' list. In advance of this, it has nominated eleven albums to form the 'album of the year' shortlist. Each of these records has given T&G an enormous amount of pleasure this year. The list, in alphabetical order, is...
American Music Club 'The Golden Age'
A few weak tracks here but many strong ones and it features one of Eitzel's most beautiful songs, the incredibly visual and moving 'Sleeping Beauty'
Beck 'Modern Guilt'
Short and sweet, his most cohesive record to date. An exciting, tremendously alive set of songs.
Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes'
Deserving of all the hype. A delicious mix of country, soul, pop and folk. Gorgeous harmonies and a great Summer record.
Jenny Lewis 'Acid Tongue'
Unfairly slated by some, this is a luxurious, rewarding album to listen to. It is also a lovely recording with plenty of space allowed and each instrument given room to breathe.
Micah P Hinson 'Red Empire..'
A warm and inviting country-noir album that is all the better for Hinson finally sounding happy and content.
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks 'Real Emotional Trash'
Just about his best since Pavement. A guitar masterclass and some great songs too.
The Dodos 'Visitor'
Sweet ballads, innovative percussion and great songs. This came from nowhere but will stand the test of time.
The Mountain Goats 'Heretic Pride'
An album of horror, monsters, death and fun from John Darnielle. Some of his best 'loud' songs for years. A really consistent album too.
The Sleeping Years 'We're Becoming Islands, One By One'
Tindersticks 'The Hungry Saw'
Unconcerned with the past, this is a fresh, vibrant piece of music that has formed the centre-piece of the band's shows this year. It has left the band rejuvinated and open to all possibilities for the future. A near-perfect 45 minutes.
Full list soon.
American Music Club 'The Golden Age'
A few weak tracks here but many strong ones and it features one of Eitzel's most beautiful songs, the incredibly visual and moving 'Sleeping Beauty'
Beck 'Modern Guilt'
Short and sweet, his most cohesive record to date. An exciting, tremendously alive set of songs.
Fleet Foxes 'Fleet Foxes'
Deserving of all the hype. A delicious mix of country, soul, pop and folk. Gorgeous harmonies and a great Summer record.
Jenny Lewis 'Acid Tongue'
Unfairly slated by some, this is a luxurious, rewarding album to listen to. It is also a lovely recording with plenty of space allowed and each instrument given room to breathe.
Micah P Hinson 'Red Empire..'
A warm and inviting country-noir album that is all the better for Hinson finally sounding happy and content.
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks 'Real Emotional Trash'
Just about his best since Pavement. A guitar masterclass and some great songs too.
The Dodos 'Visitor'
Sweet ballads, innovative percussion and great songs. This came from nowhere but will stand the test of time.
The Mountain Goats 'Heretic Pride'
An album of horror, monsters, death and fun from John Darnielle. Some of his best 'loud' songs for years. A really consistent album too.
The Sleeping Years 'We're Becoming Islands, One By One'
Quietly beautiful folk/pop songs from ex-Catchers frontman Dale Grundle.
The Twilight Sad 'Here It Never Snowed...'
Atmospheric mini-album with the band playing in a completely different style from their debut LP. Including a stunning Daniel Johnston cover.
Tindersticks 'The Hungry Saw'
Unconcerned with the past, this is a fresh, vibrant piece of music that has formed the centre-piece of the band's shows this year. It has left the band rejuvinated and open to all possibilities for the future. A near-perfect 45 minutes.
Full list soon.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
American Music Club 'Mercury demos'
1991's 'Everclear' seems to have been pretty much universally accepted as the classic AMC album, but some fans have held the belief that the follow up album 'Mercury' contains the better songs. To these ears anyway, that album had huge potential but was dragged down by Mitchell Froom's stodgy production which now makes the record sound ridiculously dated since it is only 15 years old.
This collection of demos for 'Mercury', available at shows and via AMC's website, lets us hear how it could have sounded and the results are stunning. Without Froom's fussy production the songs can breathe and in some cases sound as good as the live versions Eitzel has been playing for years. 'Apology For An Accident' is absolutely sensationalwith a gripping, edgy vocal performance from Eitzel and a terrific guitar break, 'What Godzilla Said To God...' is lighter than the album version, sounding more like Eitzel's solo recording from 'Songs of Love Live' and 'Gratitude Walks' reminds me of the way they played it at the 2004 reunion shows.
As if this wasn't enough there are some songs that didn't make it on the album. Some have already appeared as b sides but 'Crystal Always Knows' is, to me at least, completely new and a great addition to AMC's cannon. The only gripe with this is that there is no demo of 'Johnny Mathis' Feet', one of Eitzel's finest songs and one of the highlights of 'Mercury', but I guess that is because it was written late.
This is not really an unbiased review as I am an AMC fan, but if you are remotely interested in Eitzel, AMC or discovering the work of one of the World's greatest songwriters, you should buy this.
9.0
['Mercury Demos' are out now via Decor Records in the UK]
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
American Music Club 'All The Lost Souls Welcome You To San Francisco'
Singles. Back in the day, they were exciting previews of albums to come or a chance for collectors to pick up some unreleased b-sides. Now, any tracks that don't make the cut on albums seem to end up as bonus tracks on the record itself and rarely do bands release singles before the album itself is out. Its a shame.
Apparently, radio stations won't actually play songs sent to them as promos unless the track is released commercially in some form. AMC wanted some promotion for their UK tour and so, 'All The Lost Souls...' is releaed as a digital only single. The song itself is a good choice, being one of the more upbeat and memorable songs from 'The Golden Age', although not in the same classic league as 'Sleeping Beauty' or 'The Dance'. The 'b sides' (such as they are) are demos of 'Stars' and 'Who You Are'. Both are nice enough, just Eitzel singing and playing acoustic guitar. In the case of 'The Stars', it just leaves you wanting to listen again to the superb fuzzy distortion on the LP version, but 'Who You Are' is actually an improvement on the album version; delicate and sad whereas the 'Golden Age' offering is upbeat in a forced way and a touch repetitve. Probably the weakest track on a great album.
So, if you're a fan its probably worth a couple of quid as you'll probably listen to the demos a couple of times. Its sad though that singles have come to this point- fans buying mp3 files with a couple of clicks of the mouse just to hear a couple of demos, so that a radio station will give a song a few spins.
Single of the year so far incidentally, and a sign that the old days haven't gone completely, is Beck's 'Chemtrails'. A stunning single even out of the context of the album with a brand new unreleased song as the b side....and available on vinyl!
Apparently, radio stations won't actually play songs sent to them as promos unless the track is released commercially in some form. AMC wanted some promotion for their UK tour and so, 'All The Lost Souls...' is releaed as a digital only single. The song itself is a good choice, being one of the more upbeat and memorable songs from 'The Golden Age', although not in the same classic league as 'Sleeping Beauty' or 'The Dance'. The 'b sides' (such as they are) are demos of 'Stars' and 'Who You Are'. Both are nice enough, just Eitzel singing and playing acoustic guitar. In the case of 'The Stars', it just leaves you wanting to listen again to the superb fuzzy distortion on the LP version, but 'Who You Are' is actually an improvement on the album version; delicate and sad whereas the 'Golden Age' offering is upbeat in a forced way and a touch repetitve. Probably the weakest track on a great album.
So, if you're a fan its probably worth a couple of quid as you'll probably listen to the demos a couple of times. Its sad though that singles have come to this point- fans buying mp3 files with a couple of clicks of the mouse just to hear a couple of demos, so that a radio station will give a song a few spins.
Single of the year so far incidentally, and a sign that the old days haven't gone completely, is Beck's 'Chemtrails'. A stunning single even out of the context of the album with a brand new unreleased song as the b side....and available on vinyl!
Friday, 29 August 2008
Mark Eitzel 'Demos Before Love Songs'
Not in any way a new recording or a new release, this has been available on limited edition cd for a while but is now available for all via itunes.
'Demos..' was recorded in 2003 with Jay Bennett (formerly of Wilco) and Eitzel's solo tour band at the time. Shortly afterwards Eitzel reformed American Music Club and many of these songs appeared on their reunion album 'Love Songs For Patriots'. These songs capture Eitzel at a career crossroads. At this point he hadn't released a new set of songs for over two years and had just released an album of his own songs recorded with Greek musicians. His solo shows were either incredibly magical or shambolic. I saw him play live in London in 2002 and it was an utterly spellbinding show, one of the best shows I have ever attended.
A couple of these songs were played then and it was clear that Eitzel had written some of the strongest material of his career. The brutal version of 'Patriots Heart' here is a much more raw performance than the one recorded for LSFP. 'Freedom' is an early version of 'Another Morning', a song directed at Eitzel himself and his failings. 'Bookstore' is 'Myopic Books' in demo form, one of Eitzel's warmest and simplest sentiments and a lovely song.
There are a couple of unreleased songs and any would have sat easily on LSFP.
These songs work well as a document of where Eitzel was at the time. It is easy to imagine how he could have recorded these as a stripped down solo album had the AMC reunion not happened. If you are a fan, this is an essential purchase, not least for the stunning version of 'Home', one of the most passionate songs Eitzel has ever written.
8.1
['Demos Before Love Songs' is available to buy at http://americanmusicclub.com/ and available to download on itunes. AMC tour the UK in September]
'Demos..' was recorded in 2003 with Jay Bennett (formerly of Wilco) and Eitzel's solo tour band at the time. Shortly afterwards Eitzel reformed American Music Club and many of these songs appeared on their reunion album 'Love Songs For Patriots'. These songs capture Eitzel at a career crossroads. At this point he hadn't released a new set of songs for over two years and had just released an album of his own songs recorded with Greek musicians. His solo shows were either incredibly magical or shambolic. I saw him play live in London in 2002 and it was an utterly spellbinding show, one of the best shows I have ever attended.
A couple of these songs were played then and it was clear that Eitzel had written some of the strongest material of his career. The brutal version of 'Patriots Heart' here is a much more raw performance than the one recorded for LSFP. 'Freedom' is an early version of 'Another Morning', a song directed at Eitzel himself and his failings. 'Bookstore' is 'Myopic Books' in demo form, one of Eitzel's warmest and simplest sentiments and a lovely song.
There are a couple of unreleased songs and any would have sat easily on LSFP.
These songs work well as a document of where Eitzel was at the time. It is easy to imagine how he could have recorded these as a stripped down solo album had the AMC reunion not happened. If you are a fan, this is an essential purchase, not least for the stunning version of 'Home', one of the most passionate songs Eitzel has ever written.
8.1
['Demos Before Love Songs' is available to buy at http://americanmusicclub.com/ and available to download on itunes. AMC tour the UK in September]
Saturday, 28 June 2008
songs of the year so far
'Albums of the year' lists should only be produced in December when there has been time for records to sink in and 'mature'. Some records are Summer albums and some are perfect for Winter (such as most Innocence Mission albums), so there will be no decision made on an album of the year here until December and there will be no '....so far' list. However, it seems perfectly fine to do a 'top 5 songs of the year so far' list so here are the five songs that have most pleased TracksandGigs this year. This is of course a personal selection and I would welcome any other picks, just leave a comment...
1. American Music Club 'Sleeping Beauty'
Every new AMC/Eitzel album seems to bring at least one brand new Mark Eitzel classic. 'The Golden Age' contains two or three, but best of all is 'Sleeping Beauty', a song on a par with classics like 'Western Sky' and 'Blue and Grey Shirt'. It takes a special songwriter to write a song this visual and vivid, so that it is impossible to listen to without a picture of the scene forming in your mind. The lyric is heartbreaking and the music fits the words perfectly, building in the right places and the "fly in a jar.." finish where the music builds to almost drown out Eitzel is brilliant. Just superb and the most perfect piece of music TracksandGigs has heard in 2008 so far.
2. Tindersticks 'Boobar'
There are some great songs on the new Tindersticks album but 'Boobar' is just about the best and one of the best things they have ever recorded. Written about searching for something that is lost, Stuart Staples sings this so well, Neil Fraser plays great guitar and is at last at the centre of the song after years of being drowned out by Dickon Hinchcliffe's violin and the Spector-ish call and response vocals are magical.
3. The Sleeping Years 'Macosquin, Coleraine'
It had been too long to wait for a new Dale Grundle record and 'We're Becoming Islands One By One' was worth the wait. This track is the highlight, like many on the album it is a song about home. A simple arrangement, acoustic guitar, handclaps and vocals and a beautiful song.
4. The Twilight Sad 'Some Things Last A Long Time'
The band who can currently do no wrong here recorded this Daniel Johnston cover for their new EP. Stripping the song right down makes James Gordon's vocal sound unbelievably powerful and raw. Powerful and haunting.
5. The Dodos 'Fools'
The Dodos album is a really enjoyable listen. Lots of strumming, harmonies and great percussion. This is the highlight and will probably be used on some advert or BBC intro by the end of the year. Catchy and exciting.
Here's to the second half of 2008 being as good as the first.
1. American Music Club 'Sleeping Beauty'
Every new AMC/Eitzel album seems to bring at least one brand new Mark Eitzel classic. 'The Golden Age' contains two or three, but best of all is 'Sleeping Beauty', a song on a par with classics like 'Western Sky' and 'Blue and Grey Shirt'. It takes a special songwriter to write a song this visual and vivid, so that it is impossible to listen to without a picture of the scene forming in your mind. The lyric is heartbreaking and the music fits the words perfectly, building in the right places and the "fly in a jar.." finish where the music builds to almost drown out Eitzel is brilliant. Just superb and the most perfect piece of music TracksandGigs has heard in 2008 so far.
2. Tindersticks 'Boobar'
There are some great songs on the new Tindersticks album but 'Boobar' is just about the best and one of the best things they have ever recorded. Written about searching for something that is lost, Stuart Staples sings this so well, Neil Fraser plays great guitar and is at last at the centre of the song after years of being drowned out by Dickon Hinchcliffe's violin and the Spector-ish call and response vocals are magical.
3. The Sleeping Years 'Macosquin, Coleraine'
It had been too long to wait for a new Dale Grundle record and 'We're Becoming Islands One By One' was worth the wait. This track is the highlight, like many on the album it is a song about home. A simple arrangement, acoustic guitar, handclaps and vocals and a beautiful song.
4. The Twilight Sad 'Some Things Last A Long Time'
The band who can currently do no wrong here recorded this Daniel Johnston cover for their new EP. Stripping the song right down makes James Gordon's vocal sound unbelievably powerful and raw. Powerful and haunting.
5. The Dodos 'Fools'
The Dodos album is a really enjoyable listen. Lots of strumming, harmonies and great percussion. This is the highlight and will probably be used on some advert or BBC intro by the end of the year. Catchy and exciting.
Here's to the second half of 2008 being as good as the first.
Friday, 8 February 2008
this and that
Up early on Saturday morning, listening to England lose in the cricket.
I have much to ponder. Had some bad news this week and I now have to make a big decision re: work. I have to make it by Friday. Thing is, I am seeing American Music Club on Wednesday night and that is likely to become the focus of my week to the extent that I will most likely end up making a fast decision on Thursday morning based on what Mark Eitzel's mood was the previous evening and whether or not he played 'Take Courage'.
I have seen Eitzel/AMC live three times and two of those shows would feature in my top 10 gigs of all time list. I saw Mark play live solo at Dingwalls in 2002 and it was just incredible. There were mood swings, guitar changes etc et, it frequently looked as if he could walk off at any moment but when he played and sang......well, no-one else could come close. I remember he played 'Take Courage' that night and I think he did 'Blue and Grey Shirt' and it was just spellbinding and real.
I saw AMC for the first time in 2004. I had the flu and really shouldn't have been there, but it was a great gig. Obviously very different to Mark solo, more professional and more like a 'normal' gig but I'm not saying that means I prefer it. They played 'Gary's Song' which I loved for obvious reasons and I remember realising that night what an amazing song 'Patriot's Heart' is.
So, this Wednesday I am excited to see him again and desperate to hear him play 'Sleeping Beauty' which is my song of the year so far.
On an unrelated note we saw 'Juno' yesterday. What a lovely film. If you need cheering up, go and see it, it will restore your faith in humanity. It also has a marvellous, lo-fi soundtrack and I am now going to have to check out the work of Kimya Dawson, whom spookily, my friend Amber recommended to me the day before we went to see the film.
Anyway, I suppose I should switch off the radio and start the day.
I have much to ponder. Had some bad news this week and I now have to make a big decision re: work. I have to make it by Friday. Thing is, I am seeing American Music Club on Wednesday night and that is likely to become the focus of my week to the extent that I will most likely end up making a fast decision on Thursday morning based on what Mark Eitzel's mood was the previous evening and whether or not he played 'Take Courage'.
I have seen Eitzel/AMC live three times and two of those shows would feature in my top 10 gigs of all time list. I saw Mark play live solo at Dingwalls in 2002 and it was just incredible. There were mood swings, guitar changes etc et, it frequently looked as if he could walk off at any moment but when he played and sang......well, no-one else could come close. I remember he played 'Take Courage' that night and I think he did 'Blue and Grey Shirt' and it was just spellbinding and real.
I saw AMC for the first time in 2004. I had the flu and really shouldn't have been there, but it was a great gig. Obviously very different to Mark solo, more professional and more like a 'normal' gig but I'm not saying that means I prefer it. They played 'Gary's Song' which I loved for obvious reasons and I remember realising that night what an amazing song 'Patriot's Heart' is.
So, this Wednesday I am excited to see him again and desperate to hear him play 'Sleeping Beauty' which is my song of the year so far.
On an unrelated note we saw 'Juno' yesterday. What a lovely film. If you need cheering up, go and see it, it will restore your faith in humanity. It also has a marvellous, lo-fi soundtrack and I am now going to have to check out the work of Kimya Dawson, whom spookily, my friend Amber recommended to me the day before we went to see the film.
Anyway, I suppose I should switch off the radio and start the day.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
American Music Club- The Golden Age
Some albums hit you right between the ears on first listen and become instant favourites, whereas some creep up on you slowly and you become hooked over time. I always find the latter scenario more rewarding.
AMC's brilliant last album 'Love Songs For Patriots' was immediate and unusually (for them) upbeat. Songs like the anthemic 'Home' and the sprawling epic 'Patriot's Heart' became instant AMC classics and the album remains one of my all time favourites. The first couple of times I listened to 'The Golden Age', which was recorded with an almost entirely new band - only Mark and Vudi remain, I felt slightly disappointed. It sounded nice enough but there were no really catchy numbers and nothing immediately stuck.
It is only after playing the album for a week or so that I have come to understand what a wonderful record this is.
Without a doubt it is a change in style. The music is generally softer and so are Eitzel's vocals, rarely does he even raise his voice. There is less anger than on 'Love Songs For Patriots' and the songs are more reflective. Opener 'All My Love' is very pretty indeed, with lots of gentle acoustic guitar touches and whispered vocals. The third track 'Decibels and the Little Pills' is where things really take off. A witty lyric about rock n roll excess and a beautiful melody with feedback at the end that reminds me of Wilco circa Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
'Sleeping Beauty' which follows raises the bar even higher. Originally recorded for Eitzel's 'Candy Ass' album, it is rightly reworked here to give it the larger audience it deserves. It is a autumnal love song with incredibly vivid imagery
"As I drove away
Over the dead leaves....
in the mirror I saw you wave....
I thought oh well, this could be the last time I see
your beautiful hands
your frozen hands"
To my ears it is one of Eitzel's greatest ever songs, on a par with 'Firefly' and 'Western Sky'. 'Beautiful' is an overused word in this badly written blog but it is a seriously beautiful song and I can't stop listening to it at the moment.
Elsewhere, other highlights include the upbeat, jaunty 'All The Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco' and 'The Dance' a strange song which appears to tell a girl meets boy story with the quirk being the fact that the boy is a cop who has just been given his first gun. That's how it sounds to me anyway, it is an affecting and empathetic tale with another nice melody. Along with 'Sleeping Beauty' the other major standout track is 'The Windows of the World', a spoken word (well he kind of half sings and half speaks) about meeting a friend in New York- it may well touch on 9/11 too. Its an interesting song and the Wilco-style feedback ending makes a welcome return.
There is so much to discover in this album that I just can't stop playing it at the moment. It reveals itself to you slowly and you gradually find yourself hooked. I can't really compare it to any other AMC album, I suppose the most similar is 'California' but really this one has a sound all of it's own.
It is early days but this might just be my favourite AMC album yet. Can't wait to hear these songs played live in February.
9.6
AMC's brilliant last album 'Love Songs For Patriots' was immediate and unusually (for them) upbeat. Songs like the anthemic 'Home' and the sprawling epic 'Patriot's Heart' became instant AMC classics and the album remains one of my all time favourites. The first couple of times I listened to 'The Golden Age', which was recorded with an almost entirely new band - only Mark and Vudi remain, I felt slightly disappointed. It sounded nice enough but there were no really catchy numbers and nothing immediately stuck.
It is only after playing the album for a week or so that I have come to understand what a wonderful record this is.
Without a doubt it is a change in style. The music is generally softer and so are Eitzel's vocals, rarely does he even raise his voice. There is less anger than on 'Love Songs For Patriots' and the songs are more reflective. Opener 'All My Love' is very pretty indeed, with lots of gentle acoustic guitar touches and whispered vocals. The third track 'Decibels and the Little Pills' is where things really take off. A witty lyric about rock n roll excess and a beautiful melody with feedback at the end that reminds me of Wilco circa Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
'Sleeping Beauty' which follows raises the bar even higher. Originally recorded for Eitzel's 'Candy Ass' album, it is rightly reworked here to give it the larger audience it deserves. It is a autumnal love song with incredibly vivid imagery
"As I drove away
Over the dead leaves....
in the mirror I saw you wave....
I thought oh well, this could be the last time I see
your beautiful hands
your frozen hands"
To my ears it is one of Eitzel's greatest ever songs, on a par with 'Firefly' and 'Western Sky'. 'Beautiful' is an overused word in this badly written blog but it is a seriously beautiful song and I can't stop listening to it at the moment.
Elsewhere, other highlights include the upbeat, jaunty 'All The Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco' and 'The Dance' a strange song which appears to tell a girl meets boy story with the quirk being the fact that the boy is a cop who has just been given his first gun. That's how it sounds to me anyway, it is an affecting and empathetic tale with another nice melody. Along with 'Sleeping Beauty' the other major standout track is 'The Windows of the World', a spoken word (well he kind of half sings and half speaks) about meeting a friend in New York- it may well touch on 9/11 too. Its an interesting song and the Wilco-style feedback ending makes a welcome return.
There is so much to discover in this album that I just can't stop playing it at the moment. It reveals itself to you slowly and you gradually find yourself hooked. I can't really compare it to any other AMC album, I suppose the most similar is 'California' but really this one has a sound all of it's own.
It is early days but this might just be my favourite AMC album yet. Can't wait to hear these songs played live in February.
9.6
Monday, 7 January 2008
new year [same] old music
Happy New Year to any regular or (more likely) accidental readers of this blog.
I am writing this in my local library as I am off sick from work due to having the cold, chest thing that EVERYONE in the country has had (its official, we've all had it. if you haven't had it, go and see your GP....now!) and we have still not managed to get ourselves organised enough to go and buy a laptop. When we do, you'll be sick of hearing from me.
I am aware that I have not yet posted my top 25 LPs of 2007 list. The list is done, I will post it in full soon. Innocence Mission's 'We Walked In Song' was the narrow winner, with 'Boys and Girls in America' by The Hold Steady in second and 'In Rainbows' by some band called Radiohead third.
This year I have so far been mostly listening to Art Brut's 'Its A Bit Complicated' album, which I bought on a whim with a festive giftcard. It hasn't disappointed, as it is a heady mix of literate indie-rock, sounding something like a cross between Pulp and The Hold Steady if that is in any way possible. We are going to see Art Brut in London in a few weeks' time so that should be ace. In other gig-going news, I am seeing Low on a boat in Bristol in April.
I have managed to get a promo copy of the new American Music Club album 'The Golden Age'. I am extremely excited about this and I gave it a listen today. On first listen, it is very good. Much more mellow than 2004's 'Love Songs For Patriots', more like a cross between 'California' and an Eitzel solo album. It will inevitably take a few listens to get used to all the songs, but I think it is safe to say that if you are an AMC fan worried by the line-up change....don't fret, you won't be disappointed. Full review soon.
Lastly, my tip for 2008....Emmy The Great. Household name by the end of the year. Hope so anyway.
I am writing this in my local library as I am off sick from work due to having the cold, chest thing that EVERYONE in the country has had (its official, we've all had it. if you haven't had it, go and see your GP....now!) and we have still not managed to get ourselves organised enough to go and buy a laptop. When we do, you'll be sick of hearing from me.
I am aware that I have not yet posted my top 25 LPs of 2007 list. The list is done, I will post it in full soon. Innocence Mission's 'We Walked In Song' was the narrow winner, with 'Boys and Girls in America' by The Hold Steady in second and 'In Rainbows' by some band called Radiohead third.
This year I have so far been mostly listening to Art Brut's 'Its A Bit Complicated' album, which I bought on a whim with a festive giftcard. It hasn't disappointed, as it is a heady mix of literate indie-rock, sounding something like a cross between Pulp and The Hold Steady if that is in any way possible. We are going to see Art Brut in London in a few weeks' time so that should be ace. In other gig-going news, I am seeing Low on a boat in Bristol in April.
I have managed to get a promo copy of the new American Music Club album 'The Golden Age'. I am extremely excited about this and I gave it a listen today. On first listen, it is very good. Much more mellow than 2004's 'Love Songs For Patriots', more like a cross between 'California' and an Eitzel solo album. It will inevitably take a few listens to get used to all the songs, but I think it is safe to say that if you are an AMC fan worried by the line-up change....don't fret, you won't be disappointed. Full review soon.
Lastly, my tip for 2008....Emmy The Great. Household name by the end of the year. Hope so anyway.
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