Schizotypic

Top review Bulldog. I thought for sure Costello (if he did any 2000's work, which I'm assuming he has) would be before Bowie, but alas here it is. Interesting question: Bowie>Costello? Actually I've never much been in to Bowie except for the songs I hear the first time and they stand out, though I have spun several albums of his. For a bit I was going to sit down and give Let's Dance a good listen with lyrics and all, but sometimes I get distracted with other stuff/school/music. Heathan sounds pretty rad though so maybe when I get the chance I'll start there.

Zarko, the list is fine and all should be included, looking forward to it and keep up the awesome thread. When I have the time I think I'll go check out some more of your member journal via those links, I'm expecting to find some cool stuff.

Bulldog

Fortunately, my list isn't in order Although I could order it all chronologically, in which case the Bowie album would come before the Costello one I have in mind...possibly. To be honest I've only got a very rough list of the other 9 which I managed to lose somewhere in the labyrinthine mess that is my flat. As for Let's Dance, it's the definitive album of two halves for me - first 4 songs are immense, the rest of them I don't really care for myself. Now that I think of it, Heathen there's probably the best place to start with Bowie - it's full of all sorts of allusions to the man's for famous, 70s work which I (in my admittedly slightly half-arsed post) didn't really elaborate on with the review. Never really thought about who's the better out of the two of them though - it's a bit of a toughie that one.

But, yeah, my next post here's gonna be a regular heads-up like the rest of the reviews I've done here - the list's probably gonna be something I add to between reviews.

Zarko

This is the first of the albums that take an award in a particular category from this decade. Juba Dance’s Orange takes the cake when it comes to simply being a fun album that sometimes falls into the guilty pleasure category. I will admit that sometimes a lot of my music can come across and dark or overly ‘intellectual’ for the sake of it. Sometimes as a music listener you just need something that cheers you up or puts you in a good mood. We all know jackhammer loves his Fat Freddy’s Drop, and I think this is an apt comparison on a personal level.

Juba Dance is a project headed by Chicagoan Ben Lamar, and I guess you can loosely fit ‘Dance’ into the category of hip hop, however in the same vein it manages to be so much more. The project draws in aspect of electro, funky goodness, as well as afro-beat sounds from South America. All the while Lamar offers his vocals to help push the thing along, but more often than not it’s about the overall picture rather than any single factor that makes the music good.


So how does the music actually measure up? Well, the opening track, Tomorrow, is a fair indication of the overall charm of the album. It is downright funky, and in the best possible way. Lamar soothing vocals add a nice flair, and the overall laid back tempo gives an allusion to a sunny, vibrant world and lifestyle. The groove is down right infectious after just one listen. This is followed up superbly by Union Hall, a jump-back of sorts to the heavily synth beats of 80’s dancehall. To this, modern elements are added, such as a more prevalent electronic tone, but nonetheless it still feels old school. Everything still feels placid, but in a very cool way.



Double Dutch Hymns presents the group at their most hip hop in the most recognised sense of the word. The first song to really involve rapping, it’s done fairly well, even if it doesn’t aspire to be anything technically amazing. The bass tones are nice, and the flow works in the context provided. Fisherman’s Jig is probably the biggest change style wise as of yet, the track a quiet and minimalistic latin jazz piece, led by serene trumpeting with some later vocal overlay. It’s a nice reflective piece, and offers a bit of respite to the normal going-on’s through the album so far. The calmness doesn’t last long though, as Favourite Words breaks back into the jazzy hip hop tones with some docile rapping (First time I have ever had those words together I am sure) in an short track that I have come to quite enjoy.

Cachaca follows suit, a deep bass line and spaced out electro beats effectively melding in with Lamar’s vocals. Willow Blues is exactly what the name suggests; a minimalistic blues track, led by a slow picking acoustic guitar with some solemn, field recording singing. Hecky Naw, on the other hand, is a tongue-in-cheek effort that just can’t be taken too seriously with its content matter in a track that is simply smooth in every sense of the word.


You know what… Despite the fact that there is another 5 tracks on the album after Hecky Naw, I am just too relaxed to continue this review. I need a margarita of some sorts. Luckily its summer over here, walk down to the sunny beach with a towel and just let the music seep in. Screw having to think about it – Pump it up and simply enjoy.

Schizotypic

Why would this ever be a guilty pleasure? It sounds great, definitely going to get this album. Also Fat Freddy's Drop is one of my favorite albums, I like to listen to it the same reason I like AIR or Boards Of Canada... doesn't really strike me as a fun album though. It depends on your definition, I think Nick Cave is fun because I can get up and dance and sing to some really great atmosphere and crazy-ass lyrics... but my girlfriend will only sing to like Lady Ga Ga- which I admit is fun too. Anyway this seems more, like, relaxed to me then fun. To each is own though, and good review too.

Zarko

Yeah, I really meant its just meant to be enjoyed, relaxed as you say, rather than attacked analytically. Same deal either way.
Not to mention the fact that I'm the only one in my 'group' that listens to anything like this, or hip hop even. So when I put it on I get a few stares

And the FFD comparison was not actually comparing sounds/styles just how it fits in my music collection overall.

Schizotypic

Yeah I kind of got that idea, sorry if I came off a bit harsh, definitely wasn't trying to be. Your friends sound like they probably need to learn to relax a bit though.

Zarko

They most certainly do.

Bulldog

Another bunch I've never heard of - you're on form sir Loved those video tracks too, especially the Tomorrow one. I like how, to me at least, it makes something quite out of the ordinary from a lyric and vocal performance that'd make it over the top of any more commercial track, what with how it uses those skewiff, African kinda polyrhythms and all. That's what I got out of it anyway. Either way, definitely something I'm gonna have to hunt down myself soon.

Should be getting my next review up over the weekend. I'll just have a quick think what it's gonna be of in the mean time...

Zarko

Had a feeling you would enjoy. Need a link, just holler.

jackhammer

I gave the Juba Dance vids a listen but they didn't do anything nothing for me I'm afraid.

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