It's the curse of the second album. The first was a huge commercial success, I liked parts of it. But 'all the lost souls' really just "back to bedlam" redux. It might just be my preference for the followup album to be different and the artist to take risks with something that deviates from the formula of the last cd.
Or maybe I'm just being pretentious. I was sent the first album from a friend in the UK before it hit New Zealand, so approached it with open ears and no preconceptions. And I really enjoyed it. But then he became "the next big thing" and was everywhere on the radio and tv. I never want to hear the song You're beautiful ever again
And 'All the Lost Souls' although it has highlights like '1973', 'same mistake' and the catchy 'give me some love' (reminiscent of the catchy 'so long jimmy'), everything just seems a bit boring and the same as the last. There are some way better male singer/songwriters who I'd rather spend my time listening to.
I'm not anti - commercial top 40 stuff, but I think my future in that 'genre' will be one of picking individual tracks off itunes. I'll save my limited $ to spend on CDs that are a little bit different. More of Mr Glen Phillips maybe ;)
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
15. All of Our Names - Sarah Harmer
Original Release Date: March 23, 2004
The fourth album that I listened to on Tuesday. From Sum41 straight on to Sarah Harmer is a bit of shock. But I do really like this album, bought on the recommendation from someone on the fte list. That was a good bunch of cds that I bought back in early 2004 when the $NZ went over 60cents against the $US. Unfortunately I had a listen or two in the car, liked it, then put in the next cd I'd bought - 'this business of art' and was hooked on t&s and kind of forgot about all other music for a while there (I went on to buy 'if it was you' immediately, and preordered 'so jealous' which was released later in the year).
Sarah Harmer is another in the long line of Canadian singers or bands that I seem to really like. And wouldn't have discovered if I hadn't been a fan of Sarah McLachlan. It seems a lot of the music I listen to now is all Canadian.
There isn't one song on the cd that stands out too much, it's a good album to have on in the evenings or a lazy sunday afternoon when it's wet and grey outside.
But if you are interested, check out "Greeting Card Aisle". It's a good song.
The fourth album that I listened to on Tuesday. From Sum41 straight on to Sarah Harmer is a bit of shock. But I do really like this album, bought on the recommendation from someone on the fte list. That was a good bunch of cds that I bought back in early 2004 when the $NZ went over 60cents against the $US. Unfortunately I had a listen or two in the car, liked it, then put in the next cd I'd bought - 'this business of art' and was hooked on t&s and kind of forgot about all other music for a while there (I went on to buy 'if it was you' immediately, and preordered 'so jealous' which was released later in the year).
Sarah Harmer is another in the long line of Canadian singers or bands that I seem to really like. And wouldn't have discovered if I hadn't been a fan of Sarah McLachlan. It seems a lot of the music I listen to now is all Canadian.
There isn't one song on the cd that stands out too much, it's a good album to have on in the evenings or a lazy sunday afternoon when it's wet and grey outside.
But if you are interested, check out "Greeting Card Aisle". It's a good song.
14. All Killer, No Filler - Sum 41
Original Release Date: May 8, 2001
To sum up - Blink 182 wannabes with moments of the beastie boys on a couple of songs. I haven't followed their career since, so don't know if they deviated from the formula later on. Other than that I still quite like them and this album! I'm now over thirty but I still enjoy this light loud stuff some days and it is a bit of a relief after listening to 90s pop Alishas attic style. (yes, had a bit of time to myself at work the other day and managed to get through about four albums on my list)
'Fat lip' is a favourite, as is 'Motivation'. From memory I bought the cd for that song back in 2001, and it was good music to listen to when trying to keep myself awake on a boring evening shift.
Don't know whether the title 'All Killer, No Filler' as some of the songs sound a bit
too much like each other. It is an album I can listen too right through without fastforwarding as long as I don't think about it too much and decide to listen to Blink 182 instead....
To sum up - Blink 182 wannabes with moments of the beastie boys on a couple of songs. I haven't followed their career since, so don't know if they deviated from the formula later on. Other than that I still quite like them and this album! I'm now over thirty but I still enjoy this light loud stuff some days and it is a bit of a relief after listening to 90s pop Alishas attic style. (yes, had a bit of time to myself at work the other day and managed to get through about four albums on my list)
'Fat lip' is a favourite, as is 'Motivation'. From memory I bought the cd for that song back in 2001, and it was good music to listen to when trying to keep myself awake on a boring evening shift.
Don't know whether the title 'All Killer, No Filler' as some of the songs sound a bit
too much like each other. It is an album I can listen too right through without fastforwarding as long as I don't think about it too much and decide to listen to Blink 182 instead....
Thursday, August 28, 2008
13. Alisha Rules the World - Alisha's Attic
Release Date - haven't been able to really track this one down - it is listed as 1996 and 1997
I'm in two minds about this one. I still like "I am, I feel" but then that was the only song off this album that I heard in the 90s and I still like it now. But not sure if that is more because it was a favourite for a few months back then or if is a good song that has stands up ten years later.
I did notice that the rest of the album it kind of reminds me in places of "hormonally yours" by Shakespears Sister. Overall it is pretty good but definitively 90s. I found it pretty hard to listen to all of it, there were parts that I would really have loved to have fast forwarded through, and I probably will never listen to the full album again, although I'll probably add "I am I feel" or "Indestructable" to a playlist every now and then. If you are a fan of this style of '90s girl pop music, you'd probably like it - it's certainly better than B'witched!
I'm in two minds about this one. I still like "I am, I feel" but then that was the only song off this album that I heard in the 90s and I still like it now. But not sure if that is more because it was a favourite for a few months back then or if is a good song that has stands up ten years later.
I did notice that the rest of the album it kind of reminds me in places of "hormonally yours" by Shakespears Sister. Overall it is pretty good but definitively 90s. I found it pretty hard to listen to all of it, there were parts that I would really have loved to have fast forwarded through, and I probably will never listen to the full album again, although I'll probably add "I am I feel" or "Indestructable" to a playlist every now and then. If you are a fan of this style of '90s girl pop music, you'd probably like it - it's certainly better than B'witched!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
back to #2..
I blogged about REMs 'Accelerate' right back when I bought it. Just thought I'd mention that it turns out that I adore it, and I'd say it's one of my favourites. The songs I thought I wouldn't like grew on me, and I wouldn't be able to tell you what songs are my fav's as I love them all.
12. Alex Lloyd - Alex Lloyd
Original Release Date: October 2005
Unfortunately whenever I decide to listen to Alex Lloyd on my ipod, or even on CD in the car, I always end up choosing "Where Angels Mend". This is a bit of a disservice to this album, as I discovered while listening yesterday. It's a pretty good disc. I was listening at work, and didn't manage to note down any thing that stood out - so I suppose there wasn't anything really memorable, but I enjoyed it and will very likely be playing this one again very soon...
So, think this is the first album I've found so far in my collection that I hadn't taken the time to enjoy, but I'll certainly be taking the time to listen again.
Unfortunately whenever I decide to listen to Alex Lloyd on my ipod, or even on CD in the car, I always end up choosing "Where Angels Mend". This is a bit of a disservice to this album, as I discovered while listening yesterday. It's a pretty good disc. I was listening at work, and didn't manage to note down any thing that stood out - so I suppose there wasn't anything really memorable, but I enjoyed it and will very likely be playing this one again very soon...
So, think this is the first album I've found so far in my collection that I hadn't taken the time to enjoy, but I'll certainly be taking the time to listen again.
Monday, July 14, 2008
11. Albertine - Brooke Fraser
RELEASED: 2006 (late 2006 I think)
So the first local (New Zealand) CD :) Of course, the singles off this cd are the songs I know and have grown to like, seeing they get a lot of airplay on the radio and tv here. Otherwise I don't think I've listened to this CD in the year or so that I've owned it. I know, very slack, but even though I haven't bought a huge amount of cds since the beginning of 2007, there were two or three that hogged all my listening time.
The whole album I'd describe as 'nice'. I still wish Brooke Fraser would remove the damn tounge piercing - you can hear it inhibit her pronounciation quite clearly. It's annoyed me since I caught her live in 2003. But other than that one annoyance, it is a pretty strong album and her voice sounds good. Two or three standout tracks, and otherwise just a solid bunch on songs. The songwriting has matured since her first album but it's pretty typical of the type of music she sings - it's not up there with some of the great female musicians, but I'd rate her up there with Bic Runga - it is reminiscent of early Bic (before she veared off into what I now consider to be some of the most boring music I own)
Favourite Track/s - C.S Lewis Song
So the first local (New Zealand) CD :) Of course, the singles off this cd are the songs I know and have grown to like, seeing they get a lot of airplay on the radio and tv here. Otherwise I don't think I've listened to this CD in the year or so that I've owned it. I know, very slack, but even though I haven't bought a huge amount of cds since the beginning of 2007, there were two or three that hogged all my listening time.
The whole album I'd describe as 'nice'. I still wish Brooke Fraser would remove the damn tounge piercing - you can hear it inhibit her pronounciation quite clearly. It's annoyed me since I caught her live in 2003. But other than that one annoyance, it is a pretty strong album and her voice sounds good. Two or three standout tracks, and otherwise just a solid bunch on songs. The songwriting has matured since her first album but it's pretty typical of the type of music she sings - it's not up there with some of the great female musicians, but I'd rate her up there with Bic Runga - it is reminiscent of early Bic (before she veared off into what I now consider to be some of the most boring music I own)
Favourite Track/s - C.S Lewis Song
Sunday, July 13, 2008
10. Ain't Nuthin' but a she thing - Various
Original Release Date: October 24, 1995
I'd say this is the first time I've ever listened to this cd. I only bought it for the great cover of "The Weakness in Me" by Melissa Etheridge. And yes, I would recommend tracking this cd down just for that one song. So the rest of this entry really relates to all the other songs....
Overall, I'm sure it's an ok CD if you like a few of the other artists on it, but I'm finding most of the tracks unbelievably boring and kinda painful to sit through. It sounds a bit dated listening over 10 years after release - maybe if I was listening mid-90s I might form a different opinion, but I know I was listening to very different music at that time so probably not.
I doubt I'll ever listen to any of the other tracks on this ever again, they just aren't my thing. I've never enjoyed Annie Lennox's solo work (while I do enjoy a lot of the early Eurythmics stuff) and most of the other songs fall into a similar style. The only two other tracks I'd consider not skipping past would be "Ain't Nuthin' but a She Thing" by Salt-n-Pepa, and "Cimarron" by Come - but that would only be if was otherwise occupied and couldn't be bothered finding the fast forward button.
amazon link
I'd say this is the first time I've ever listened to this cd. I only bought it for the great cover of "The Weakness in Me" by Melissa Etheridge. And yes, I would recommend tracking this cd down just for that one song. So the rest of this entry really relates to all the other songs....
Overall, I'm sure it's an ok CD if you like a few of the other artists on it, but I'm finding most of the tracks unbelievably boring and kinda painful to sit through. It sounds a bit dated listening over 10 years after release - maybe if I was listening mid-90s I might form a different opinion, but I know I was listening to very different music at that time so probably not.
I doubt I'll ever listen to any of the other tracks on this ever again, they just aren't my thing. I've never enjoyed Annie Lennox's solo work (while I do enjoy a lot of the early Eurythmics stuff) and most of the other songs fall into a similar style. The only two other tracks I'd consider not skipping past would be "Ain't Nuthin' but a She Thing" by Salt-n-Pepa, and "Cimarron" by Come - but that would only be if was otherwise occupied and couldn't be bothered finding the fast forward button.
amazon link
Saturday, July 12, 2008
8 & 9 - Afterglow / Afterglow Live - Sarah McLachlan
If I agree well its just to appease you cause I dont remember what we were fighting for8. Afterglow
Original Release Date: November 4, 2003
I waited a long time for this album...new Sarah songs! It seems a long time ago now. I haven't listened to it right through for a long time, but listening with no hopes and expectations turn it into a different cd. When I got it, I'd heard the first few songs, and loved them, but I was a bit disappointed. I suppose, as a fumbler, I'm a bit of a fan - and there is always that faint hope that a new Sarah McLachlan album will reach the heights of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. And that usually leads to a slight disappointment when it just falls a bit short.
Not that it isn't a great album. I love all the tracks, and one or two are right up there in my top 10 McLachlan song list...
If I was introducing someone to Ms McLachlans music, I probably wouldn't choose this one, but I'd recommend it to anyone who already likes her tunes :)
On the other hand...
9. Afterglow Live
Original Release Date: November 23, 2004
The third?? live album released...there is also FTE Live (on DVD/VHS) and Mirrorball (CD, DVD) and afterglow. Of course I love the other two live cds...but I went to 3 concerts of the Afterglow tour so when I watch the dvd or listen to this album, it reminds me of the awesomeness of Sarah McLachlan live and it just adds that extra to the experience. Being at the first Wellington, NZ concert on the first leg of the tour, and hearing Sarah absolutely nail the high notes in Fear is something I will never forget - and I've never been at a concert in which a crowd gives a standing ovation mid song. That whole concert was one of the best I've ever been too - not just the performance but the fact that I think by about a third of the way into the concert, the whole crowd had fallen in love with Sarah. Of course it helps that it's little old NZ and our concert venues for things like this are pretty small & intimate by world standards.
Overall, its' a pretty good setlist on this album/dvd - unfortunately she chose not to play songs from the earlier albums (arrgh, no "terms":( ) but I can overlook that. It's not like there is any filler crap...it's a solid bunch of songs, and it shows off what a great voice the woman has...not many 'pop' singers sound as perfect live as they do on cd...Sarah McLachlan certainly does.
ok, I think I've gushed enough!
Afterglow
Afterglow Live
Friday, July 11, 2008
7. After Silence - Jessica Weiser
Haven't listened to this one in a while. Well, not the whole album anyway - track 6 "indifference" is a song that is on a couple of the mix cds in my car, and I listen to it on my ipod often. I do love that song quite a lot.
I happened to pick this cd up off cdbaby a few years back when I was buying something else (don't remember what it was, maybe Cory Sipper?), as it came recommended by a few people on FTE...of course, seeing Jessica Weiser was also on the list.
Overall, it is a reasonably strong album, I can listen to the whole thing without skipping a track, although I do admit I often get to "indifference" and listen to that three or four times in a row before carrying on to the next track. Sticking to my 'rules' this time and listening right through in order and not repeating or skipping any....
I'd recommend this cd to anyone that likes female singer songwriters - it might take a few listens to really appreciate it, but there are a few gems on the disc that make it worthwhile. You can still get the CD through CD baby, and it's widely available in MP3 form on the internet (iTunes included as well I think)
http://cdbaby.com/cd/weiser2
I happened to pick this cd up off cdbaby a few years back when I was buying something else (don't remember what it was, maybe Cory Sipper?), as it came recommended by a few people on FTE...of course, seeing Jessica Weiser was also on the list.
Overall, it is a reasonably strong album, I can listen to the whole thing without skipping a track, although I do admit I often get to "indifference" and listen to that three or four times in a row before carrying on to the next track. Sticking to my 'rules' this time and listening right through in order and not repeating or skipping any....
I'd recommend this cd to anyone that likes female singer songwriters - it might take a few listens to really appreciate it, but there are a few gems on the disc that make it worthwhile. You can still get the CD through CD baby, and it's widely available in MP3 form on the internet (iTunes included as well I think)
http://cdbaby.com/cd/weiser2
Friday, May 2, 2008
6. Aerial - Kate Bush
and all your shirts and jeans and things
And put them in the new washing machine
Background music. That is how I will sum up this album. I kinda like it, but it has never been able to hold my attention. I can listen objectively to it and respect the interesting arrangements, the singing and the composition of the songs. As someone who enjoys music, I feel I should like it but there is something missing and it doesn't exactly inspire me. Maybe I'm just not in the right space to understand or connect with it. But there are a few songs where I love the piano bits, and I really do enjoy "kinf of the mountain" and I wouldn't be suprised if in 10 or 20 years I pick out this album and find that I love it.
I'm currently finding listening to the whole album at once a bit of a mission. Each song seems so long - and there are 16 of them. The album is made up of 2 discs, which may change the listening experience - but I tend to do most of my listening now via my pc and ipod, and in my library the album is sorted as one.
Kate Bush still intrigues me though - it's that kind of ethereal voice...a bit weird - a bit 'off' the mainstream sound. maybe a bit experimental.
favourite track - none of the songs would ever make my top 100 (or 1000 even) but I rather like "king of the mountain". "how to be invisible" is also quite listenable.
Skippable song - not sure. there is no one song that immediately has me reaching for the fast forward
Original Release Date: November 8, 2005
a feeling...
I've got that feeling that I want to discover and listen to new music. I'm currently surfing around itunes, just bought a couple of singles - the new Death Cab for Cutie single, and finger eleven "paralyzer"/
But, I'm not going to buy any full albums - as I could probably discover something "new" in amongst all my old cds...
off to listen to the next cd on the list...
But, I'm not going to buy any full albums - as I could probably discover something "new" in amongst all my old cds...
off to listen to the next cd on the list...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
5. Soundtrack - Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert
I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me
after ten or fifteen years of scorning my parents collection of Abba and other assorted 70s tapes, I arrived home from university with this soundtrack in my collection. And spent a summer blasting all those songs that my parents knew and liked (except when I was listening to Weezer - they weren't so keen on that).
Yes, I did enjoy the movie. Then a year or three later I bought the soundtrack. Probably on special at the warehouse. It was that mid-ninties period where disco and abba become vaguely cool again. Not that I care about that now, and I can just enjoy the music without cringing.
It's a pretty good collection of songs, a bit of abba, a few obscure songs I'd never previously heard of and a few that I don't like at all. But a solid soundtrack anyway.
favourite song - I will survive - Gloria Gaynor
skippable song - Can't help loving that man - Trudy Richards
Original Release Date: August 23, 1994
Friday, April 11, 2008
4. Across a Wire - Live in New York City - Counting Crows
I was lucky enough to see counting crows live a few years ago on the Hard Candy tour. This double live album is from a few years prior to that - at a guess, sometime after Recovering the Satellites. I quite like listening to Counting Crows live when I'm in the right mood. The songs are never go quite how you expect them too. I've listened to a few bootlegs and they never seem to sound quite the same each time.
The track lists of the two CDs have a couple of the same songs, but otherwise cover a good portion of the two Counting Crows albums that I suppose most people know best.
Two live cds of two concerts might seem a bit strange (why not just one?) but they are very different. I think the VH1 disc is my favourite but that may be because it is late at night as I listen, so I preferred the quiet more acoustic versions of the vh1 concert. Whereas the MTV concert is, well, louder and would be better for blasting in the car on a road trip.
I think I only paid $17 second hand for this cd a couple of years back but it is worth owning or buying the MP3s if you like the Counting Crows. If you were just going to own 1 counting crows cd I'd still recommend august and everything after (even though I think I prefer their later music).
Favourite song - Mtv - 'A Murder of One',VH1 - 'Rain King'
Skippable song - 'Chelsea' (its a but too jazz for my taste) and also 'round here' (mtv version - I like it but at 10 minutes its a bit long)
Release Date - July 14 1998
v
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
3. Acoustic Dance Party - Toad the Wet Sprocket
According to Amazon.com, I purchased this EP on March 28, 2000. Which would mean it was my first ever online purchase with my first ever paycheck from my first ever job after I finished university. Fitting that it was a Toad cd, seeing that they provided a constant soundtrack through my five years at uni.
I cant be expected to be objective at all about toad the wet sprocket
acoustic dance party contains 5 songs off the albums dulcinea & fear performed live unplugged.
sometimes I forget why I lived for toad back in the 90s but listening to this cd reminds me and they once again afirm they have a spot in my top 5 if not claim the title of all time favourite music artists
heh I was hoping I could rationally evaluate the albums in my collection but find it is impossible. many of them were a huge part of my life at one time or another and I can't separate the music from the feelings they invoke
ah well, no matter what this ep is a classic example of 90s acoustic rock.
favourite song - somethings always wrong
song I'll skip - none, I love every track on this cd
Released : December 13, 1994
I cant be expected to be objective at all about toad the wet sprocket
acoustic dance party contains 5 songs off the albums dulcinea & fear performed live unplugged.
sometimes I forget why I lived for toad back in the 90s but listening to this cd reminds me and they once again afirm they have a spot in my top 5 if not claim the title of all time favourite music artists
heh I was hoping I could rationally evaluate the albums in my collection but find it is impossible. many of them were a huge part of my life at one time or another and I can't separate the music from the feelings they invoke
ah well, no matter what this ep is a classic example of 90s acoustic rock.
favourite song - somethings always wrong
song I'll skip - none, I love every track on this cd
Released : December 13, 1994
Saturday, April 5, 2008
2 - Accelerate - R.E.M.
This is only the second time I've listened to this cd as it was only released this week. But since it is R.E.M. I had to get it the day it came out.
Unlike the last few R.E.M. cds I didn't fall in love with the first single on first listen but I downloaded it off itunes a few weeks ago and it has really grown on me.
What can I say about this cd, R.E.M. have been a constant favourite of mine since 1994 and they have yet to disappoint me. Track 5 "houston" reminds me a little of Automatic for the People yet would sound completely out of place on that album.
Its too early for me to say how I'd rate Accelerate in amongst the R.E.M. albums of the past 20 years but I do like it a lot even after only a few listens.
Favourite track - to early to pick but either "man-sized wreath", "supernatural superserious" or "living well is the best revenge"
song most likely to be played loudly on repeat loudly in the car - "I'm gonna dj" or one of the 'favourites' I mentioned above
Song I'll probably skip - "sing for the submarine"
www.remhq.com
release date - 1 April 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
1. Abulum - Glen Phillips
First up is Abulum by Glen Phillips. It has the distinction of containing the first song that I ever downloaded as an mp3 and yes it was a legal download. Train Wreck. I haven't really listened to this cd in a couple of years, I've played the odd track and listened to live versions of the songs.
I really do like glen phillips though I can hear how much his music has changed since this first solo album but I still really like that slight darkness and overall mood of the songs.
I don't know why I don't listen to it more often.
Favourite track - Train Wreck
most depressing track - Darkest Hour.
most skippable song - Maya. sometimes I love it, sometimes I skip right past it.
www.glenphillips.com
Release Date - Amazon lists it as April 10, 2001. That was the Brick Red version in a jewel case with the song "Sleep of the Blessed" added. Not sure of the initial release date, but I know I ordered in late 2000 and had it in my possession in January 2001 at the latest.
the project
My 60gb ipod told me it was full the other day. No matter what other people tell me or what I try to convince myself of, I am a girl go must have all her music on her ipod. Why I don't know, but god forbid that I decide to listen to a song and find that it isn't there.
I know by some standards 10452 songs isn't much but itunes tells me that I could listen for about 29 days. I think it's going to take me way longer than 29 days to listen to all the albums I own.
Another thing I know is that many of those songs and cds have never been listened to and the only time they have been touched is when I transferred them from cd to mp3. The real groovy sale bins and cheap cds at the warehouse really have a lot to answer for. And my pre itunes store and emusic habit of buying whole cds just for one song didn't help.
So my mission starting tonight is to listen to every complete album in my collection in alphabetical order since it seems more adventurous that way! But it also means getting to start with an easy one.
I'll be subjecting myself to at least one cd every night -well most nights unless I can't be bothered.
I know by some standards 10452 songs isn't much but itunes tells me that I could listen for about 29 days. I think it's going to take me way longer than 29 days to listen to all the albums I own.
Another thing I know is that many of those songs and cds have never been listened to and the only time they have been touched is when I transferred them from cd to mp3. The real groovy sale bins and cheap cds at the warehouse really have a lot to answer for. And my pre itunes store and emusic habit of buying whole cds just for one song didn't help.
So my mission starting tonight is to listen to every complete album in my collection in alphabetical order since it seems more adventurous that way! But it also means getting to start with an easy one.
I'll be subjecting myself to at least one cd every night -well most nights unless I can't be bothered.
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