Comus

I love this thread, and can almost relate, having lost my music collection 4 times now, last being a few weeks ago. My version of this thread is basically my 1001 Albums thread, to a certain extent. Next time, please don't take as long between reviews, you're worse than me! This thread just keeps reminding me what I need, and Donovan is certainly one of them, great review.

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last.fm

Son of JayJamJah

Thanks Comus; I should be a lot more active now then I was the past four months or so, hope you keep enjoying the thread.

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Me, Myself and I United as One

If you're posting in the music forums make sure to be thoughtful and expressive, if you're posting in the lounge ask yourself "is this something that adds to the conversation?" It's important to remember that a lot of people use each thread. You're probably not as funny or clever as you think, I know I'm not.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread

Son of JayJamJah

Album #12: For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
Bon Iver
Genre: Folk Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Jackhammer


The first few notes of “Flume”…

No matter how many times I hear it, it instigates the same reaction, I can’t help but be seduced the simplicity of music and the complexity of the atmosphere. This dichotomy or whatever else set of subjective circumstances led to this being a mostly positively received debut effort for Wisconsin’s Justin Vernon, in cases glowing received and reviewed. Detractors of the album sight the simplicity and frailty of the lyrics, but I’ve always thought only fools let lyrics get in the way of the music. Words, like music have subjective meaning when they are not arranged the manner we are accustomed to. One mans pallid hefty bag is another’s unrefined Caucasian…so to speak. To,two and too maybe a better example.
C’mon Skinny Love indeed, the key transition within this opus is not chord to chord but soft to strong, the tempo, timing and general experience of the song change at the will of it’s creator, music theory be damned score one for team emotion. Maybe my favorite quality of this album is the inherent reality and reliability of the artist’s plight. The valley that lay below this peak, the end of one chapter gave accidental birth to the album and the beginning of another. Intended hibernation turned into For Emma, Forever Ago. “Blindsided”, aptly name feels like a gust of wind strong enough to press your heart against your throat. The pulsating rhythm and the bouncing melody give way to isolated invocation and eventually coming full circle before it can finish “falling down”.
Perhaps this music is too somber for some and to bland for others; its production and audio quality have also been called into question. I’ve always found the simplest musical construct combined with the purest intentions and motivations, relatable to me, make the most beautiful music. It’s not that complex can’t be great, it’s that great doesn’t have to be complex. “Creature Fear” captures the two strongest musical elements of the album nicely alternating from a whisper to a roar a stroll to a gallop and without ever missing a step. There is a lot of evidence that actually supports the simple and possible sloppy recording decision. The Horn’s in “For Emma” are the most poignant moment of the album for me. Something so ethereal and raw about the song and it’s every sound that is just overwhelming to me. It’s not often I find myself so in lockstep with the hipsters and especially the 20 something’s of that demographic but I love this album and am thankful to Music Banter without which I may never have found it.

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Me, Myself and I United as One

If you're posting in the music forums make sure to be thoughtful and expressive, if you're posting in the lounge ask yourself "is this something that adds to the conversation?" It's important to remember that a lot of people use each thread. You're probably not as funny or clever as you think, I know I'm not.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread

jackhammer

I've said it before and I will say it again. Sometimes all an artist needs is a guitar, a touch of melancholy and a great voice. It's music at it's most fragile but filled with honesty.

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coryallen2

Good music! I gotta look more into this stuff.

Son of JayJamJah

Album #13: Paris 1919 (1973)
John Cale
Genre: Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: 4ZZZ

1. "Child's Christmas in Wales"
2. "Hanky Panky Nohow"
3. "The Endless Plain of Fortune"
4. "Andalucia"
5. "Macbeth"
6. "Paris 1919"
7. "Graham Greene"
8. "Half Past France"
9. "Antarctica Starts Here"

After splitting from the Velvet Underground Cale became a prolific solo artist displaying his vast musical talents in arrangement, instrumentation and song writing. The opening notes are a prototype for attention grabbing; from there Cale enchants the listener with a discipline serine harmony. The album is a traditionalist album, set in a style that works in any era and fits the template of many a great soft rock standards. This may seem a departure from the avant-garde roots of this precocious performer, but the era called for this type of daring return to roots. The 1960’s pushed us through Psychedelia, Flower Power and the popularization of the synthesizer and distortion as Rock & Roll principles.
Imagine the life of a guy like Cale at this point, you’ve wrapped yourself up a window dressing for the maniacal and flamboyant Andy Warhol, played along side the hippest cat of the era in Lou Reed and been exposed as a musical sage of the abstract and for your third album you decide to focus on classical literature and traditional arrangement of what in retrospect feels like contemporary rock. Still despite this all, it’s endured as one of Cale’s finest works and most popular albums.
Only so much I can say that hasn’t been better said prior on this site by 4ZZZ who I dedicate this review to, check out this link for his review. I believe he already mentioned that the title track steals the show and oh how right he is. An absolute gem of a song I recommend as many of you with access to the net and a computer reading this…err…yeah…Google it kids if you haven’t heard it. "Graham Greene" is another particularly fun song and along with the opener and the title track my favorite highlights of the compilation. What I like best about Cale is his willingness to simply say “**** it” and just do exactly what he wants, cronies, critics and counterparts be damned. This is my favorite album of his with Slow Dazzle a close second.

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Me, Myself and I United as One

If you're posting in the music forums make sure to be thoughtful and expressive, if you're posting in the lounge ask yourself "is this something that adds to the conversation?" It's important to remember that a lot of people use each thread. You're probably not as funny or clever as you think, I know I'm not.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread

Son of JayJamJah

Album #14: Transformer(1972)
Lou Reed
Genre: Glam Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Right Track

Side one
1. "Vicious"
2. "Andy's Chest"
3. "Perfect Day"
4. "Hangin' 'Round"
5. "Walk on the Wild Side"

Side two
6. "Make Up"
7. "Satellite of Love"
8. "Wagon Wheel"
9. "New York Telephone Conversation"
10. "I'm So Free"
11. "Goodnight Ladies"

”Vicious, you want me to hit you with a stick. But all I’ve gots a guitar pick, baby you’re so vicious.” Sometimes you just have to let the lyrics speak for themselves. These Andy Warhol inspired leftovers are typical of those found on Reed’s most notorious solo album. Lou Reed was never one to spend too much time concerning himself with lyrics, he was too busy being cool. The entire Transformer album is filled with absurd senseless lyrics delivered by Reed in that sort of “toss it aside” manner he was so notorious during his days with the VU. “Andy’s Chest”, originally recorded with the VU before the breakup, is one of the albums highlights, featuring those trademark lyrics and a ghastly chorus.
Side one closes with “Walk on the Wild Side”, perhaps the song Reed is best known for today by casual fans. David Bowie, who co-produced the album pegged it as a hit from the starting citing its interesting and macabre lyrics and the smooth slow infectious bass line. This is how Reed related to his listeners; story telling in a song and keeping the listening attention means the lyrics have to be delivered first in manner that transcends the music and also grabs the listeners’ attention. “Satellite of Love” another, though less through the years, popular song from the album, features a softer more melodic piano driven rhythm and really has a Bowie influence to it. Especially the fantastic bridge\outro portion of the song.
A n overall fantastic album that may now be underrated because it had for so long been overrated, if that makes any sense. A personal favorite of mine is the unreasonable “Wagon Wheel” which is as fun as any song and includes the line “…just kick her in the head and rearrange her…” The guitar work on this album by co-producer Mick Ronson, while typically subtle, is on point throughout. Bowie does limited backing vocals for the album as well. Every song is interesting and individual and you’d expect nothing less from Reed. It’s his signature voice that ties them together of course along with the just right backing vocals and the evocative early 70’s guitar sound. “I’m so Free” is another favorite of mine. The poppy penultimate track paves the way for the appropriately bizarre finale a midway promenade inspired arrangement of “Goodnight Ladies” that is as charming as it is alarming. Thanks to Right-Track for starting the Velvet Underground thread.

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Me, Myself and I United as One

If you're posting in the music forums make sure to be thoughtful and expressive, if you're posting in the lounge ask yourself "is this something that adds to the conversation?" It's important to remember that a lot of people use each thread. You're probably not as funny or clever as you think, I know I'm not.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread

jackhammer

It's quite surprising the gaps in my music knowledge as I have never heard this album although I will admit to not liking Walk On The Wild Side too much.

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Son of JayJamJah

My entire life music and discovering new music has been one of my foremost passions and since I joined this site two years ago, I've find more wholes in my minds musical library then I'd ever thought were possible.

I learn of a new band every day I take the time to find and read a new thread. You as much as many if not any have consistently broadened my horizons with your thoughful posts displaying your passion for music and it's makers.

Thanks for following the thread and all you do to maintain and enhance the site.

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Me, Myself and I United as One

If you're posting in the music forums make sure to be thoughtful and expressive, if you're posting in the lounge ask yourself "is this something that adds to the conversation?" It's important to remember that a lot of people use each thread. You're probably not as funny or clever as you think, I know I'm not.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread

sidewinder

I didn't discover the album until a year or so ago...it is wonderful. I knew a few songs, of course, but didn't realize how good the album would be.

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I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.