Album: 1. Kate Bush – The Kick Inside
Year: 1978
Genre: Pop/Rock
By this modern day and age we are almost all aware of the name Kate Bush, but that is generally for her hit “Wuthering Heights,” and known as a one-hit wonder by most of my community, which is what inspired me to feature her this week in my albums. The Kick Inside, could easily crack into the top tier of my favourite albums. Her distinct voice could be picked out individually from a pool of thousands, is only one aspect to be focused on during your experience, others include: Catchy rhythms, powerful lyrics, and I will leave the rest up to you. The music you encounter on this album is mesmerising too, considering she was only 19 years old when the album was released and arguably one of the greatest albums by a women/debutant/singer-songwriter/under 20…
Highlight: Wuthering Heights, A Kick Inside
Album: 2. At The Drive-In – Vaya EP
Year: 1999
Genre: Post-Hardcore
After receiving all of ATDI’s albums and EP’s over a week ago, barring “Relationship Command,” which I have had for a few months, they have quickly jumped up my overall standings and one of my preferred bands and for good reasons. For those who don’t know who they are, which is almost impossible seeing how much mention they get around here, ATDI was the project that Cedric and Omar, know known as The Mars Volta were involved with.
The Vaya EP is a collection of their tracks that were produced in the lead up to “Relationship Command” and following “In/Casino/Out,” which contains only one of seven tracks that never made it onto an official studio album. The class of ATDI’s raw power prevails as it did throughout the albums previously and the ones to follow, and for songs of such caliber to not make an album, is another positive.
As it has only had a couple listens, there is not much insight into the music, but more to say that anyone who has not picked up any of their stuff, or were lingering onto “Relationship Command” as it seems is the prized album, you certainly can’t go wrong with this little EP.
Highlight: Metronome Arthritis
Album: 3. Melody Gardot – My One And Only Thrill
Year: 2009
Genre: Jazz
Melody Gardot is an American jazz singer, and a very inspirational and talented one at that. After being paralysed at 19, she attended ‘Music Therapy’ classes and refers to the title of the album as her thoughts on music. Although she does battle to sit down to play the piano, and has to use a walking stick, she gets around and is making some fine music.
A soothing voice, lovely orchestral pieces and never knowing what is going to come next, are the attributes that make this album a real belter. Melody draws on many different ranges of music and styles such as Samba, and a range of vocals that can be so sweet one minute and the next so powerful. If that wasn’t enough, we are even treated to a delightful track sung in French “Les Etoiles.”
Highlight: Les Etoiles
Quote:
Originally Posted by jackhammer
I have a lot of respect for Welcome To Jamrock introducing many people to Reggae but all told it's a pretty poor example of Jamacian music and the RnB elements really jar with me. The title track is damn good though as is 'All night' although the drum sample used is very old hat.
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Well it is not in the same tone as a Burning Spear record or Culture, but as you said, it is a really good record to intoduce people to reggae with. Case proven: most of my friends listen to the stuff on the radio, so I have this playing one day when they come over, I found out a couple days later all three of them went out and bought the album. And one of them took it upon themselves to get a couple other reggae albums. Success! Title track and Road to Zion are two steller tracks.