Yes- it's my list of favourite albums thread (lyrics, ambient)

Bulldog · 11-13-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Einsturzende Neubauten- Kollaps (1981)

EN (easier to bloody type) are (along with Throbbing Gristle) one of the forerunners of Industrial Music. Todays Industrial is far removed from many of it's origins with guitar riffs or techno based keyboard riffs the order of the day. EN are that type of industrial, they literally are a band that utilises Industrial hardware and incorporate it into the music. This album (their debut) is less defined and less cohesive than their subsequent releases, as the band were experimenting with sounds and textures but that is why I appreciate it more. Electric drills, sanders, upturned tables and steel pipes are just some of the paraphenalia used. Over these sounds you have vocalist Blixa Bargeld using his voice in every way imaginable EXCEPT singing (although the title track employs a more melodious tone). He whispers, screams, rants, whoops and sighs all over proceedings. Guess what though? It works damn it. Of course it's not an album I play frequently but it is incredibly cohesive and eminently listenable. Every time you listen to it, you hear something new.

Music as an experiment is something that should be applauded, not derided and even though it wont be to many peoples tastes, I urge many of you to at least listen to it once and appreciate the sheer wild abandon of non conformity.

Ah, so THAT'S the album I need

These guys are officially on my ever-growing to-download list - cheers for the pointer

jackhammer · 11-13-2008, 04:06 PM

Echo upon first listen may seem unremarkable but the more you listen to them, the more you realise how damn good they were (and I will whisper it)-I think they were better than The Smiths. They never tried to outdo themselves. They played to their strengths.

As for EN-Kollaps is definitely NOT an easy listen but I appreciate it's value and originality so much.

WaspStar · 11-13-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Echo upon first listen may seem unremarkable but the more you listen to them, the more you realise how damn good they were (and I will whisper it)-I think they were better than The Smiths. They never tried to outdo themselves. They played to their strengths.

Why whisper it? The Smiths are a good band, but the Bunnymen are incredible. The diversity of moods they explored is breathtaking. There's the paranoia of Porcupine, the romance of Ocean Rain, the anthems on the first two albums...the Smiths weren't nearly as interesting.

jackhammer · 11-13-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaspStar

Why whisper it? The Smiths are a good band, but the Bunnymen are incredible. The diversity of moods they explored is breathtaking. There's the paranoia of Porcupine, the romance of Ocean Rain, the anthems on the first two albums...the Smiths weren't nearly as interesting.

Lot's of Smiths fanboys on here and I don't want the thread to descend into a versus thread, although I do like The Smiths as well.

jackhammer · 11-15-2008, 01:16 PM

Eloy-Oceans (1978)

I am relatively new to this album but I am such a big fan of it already and as the letter 'E' takes up a small space in my collection, I have no reservations about putting this in.

First off it's Prog Rock. It's a concept album. It has plenty of Moog action. It has the requisite 15 minute plus song. It has dated badly. Exactly why I like it. It has everything that I could hope for in a 70's Prog Rock album. What I also like though is the fact that it does'nt disappear up it's own arse. I love Prog when it just sort of 'floats' with extended keyboard ambience and gentle tempos. When it turns into 'how many time changes and band solo's can I cram into this track' then it completely turns me off. I just want decent, well played Rock with a few musical peaks and troughs.

The keyboard work at times reminds me of Tangerine Dream and as they are both German they probably must have had a little influence on each others. The vocal phrasing is funny at times as the English is heavily accented but it adds to the charm.

If you have never got into Prog but are put off by 20 minutes solo's then this could be a great entry point.

jackhammer · 11-15-2008, 01:45 PM

Everything But The Girl- Temperamental (1999)

I bought this album when it came out and nine years later it still remains one of my very favourite albums. EBTG peddled a gentle Jazz/Folk sound but when one of their tracks 'Missing' got a dance remix the duo changed their style and became a Dance/ Downbeat combo and released 'Walking Wounded' and this 3 years later.

The transition was highly effective and not merely because of adding Electronic beats. The band has in Tracey Thorn a superb lyricist and a voice imbued with melancholia. This made the combination highly effective garnering fans from the Trip Hop brigade too. Indeed Thorn was the vocalist for Massive Attack's 'Protection' a couple of years earlier.

The music on show here ranges from quality dance (their collab with Deep Dish-The Future Of The Future) to Drum and Bass and downbeat Jazz inflected grooves. What really makes this album for me though is Thorn. There is no doubt that Ben Watt as chief songwriter is a talented guy and knows his keys well but Thorn holds it all together with her bittersweet laments and melancholia.

This is the sort of album that you can listen to on your headphones late at night in quiet contemplation whilst waliking the rain sodden streets. It just has that vibe, that mood that immediately grabbed me and sucked me in. Once again I don't think many would dig this but that's what this list is about. It is about me, the music I love and not what I think everybody else should love. If you like Massive Attack et al then maybe you will like this:

Bulldog · 11-15-2008, 01:56 PM

I'll definitely be giving that EBTG album a listen soonish - sounds very interesting. Great reviews man, keep 'em coming

Anteater · 11-15-2008, 10:35 PM

All very nice picks thusfar Jack. I'll have to check out EBTG too, as they look really interesting.

PS: Camel and Goblin kicks Eloy's ass.

Demonoid · 11-16-2008, 05:35 AM

The Everything But The Girl track sounds interesting. I've got my list of 'late night' music myself and this might just add to it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

PS: Camel and Goblin kicks Eloy's ass.

That seemed kinda pointless. What's the connection?

Anteater · 11-16-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonoid

That seemed kinda pointless. What's the connection?

We anteaters know our prog. rock. Eloy is underrated for a damn good reason, even though Ocean and Planets were, admittedly, solid works. There were just better groups doing better albums 2-3 years before Ocean (Camel and Mahavishnu Orchestra come immediately to mind) who "didn't disappear up their own arses".

Well whatever, its only my opinion. Jack could've put Starcastle or Boston instead, so no harm done.

11-13-2008, 04:06 PM	#62 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Echo upon first listen may seem unremarkable but the more you listen to them, the more you realise how damn good they were (and I will whisper it)-I think they were better than The Smiths. They never tried to outdo themselves. They played to their strengths. As for EN-Kollaps is definitely NOT an easy listen but I appreciate it's value and originality so much. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

11-15-2008, 01:16 PM	#65 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Eloy-Oceans (1978) I am relatively new to this album but I am such a big fan of it already and as the letter 'E' takes up a small space in my collection, I have no reservations about putting this in. First off it's Prog Rock. It's a concept album. It has plenty of Moog action. It has the requisite 15 minute plus song. It has dated badly. Exactly why I like it. It has everything that I could hope for in a 70's Prog Rock album. What I also like though is the fact that it does'nt disappear up it's own arse. I love Prog when it just sort of 'floats' with extended keyboard ambience and gentle tempos. When it turns into 'how many time changes and band solo's can I cram into this track' then it completely turns me off. I just want decent, well played Rock with a few musical peaks and troughs. The keyboard work at times reminds me of Tangerine Dream and as they are both German they probably must have had a little influence on each others. The vocal phrasing is funny at times as the English is heavily accented but it adds to the charm. If you have never got into Prog but are put off by 20 minutes solo's then this could be a great entry point. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

11-15-2008, 01:45 PM	#66 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Everything But The Girl- Temperamental (1999) I bought this album when it came out and nine years later it still remains one of my very favourite albums. EBTG peddled a gentle Jazz/Folk sound but when one of their tracks 'Missing' got a dance remix the duo changed their style and became a Dance/ Downbeat combo and released 'Walking Wounded' and this 3 years later. The transition was highly effective and not merely because of adding Electronic beats. The band has in Tracey Thorn a superb lyricist and a voice imbued with melancholia. This made the combination highly effective garnering fans from the Trip Hop brigade too. Indeed Thorn was the vocalist for Massive Attack's 'Protection' a couple of years earlier. The music on show here ranges from quality dance (their collab with Deep Dish-The Future Of The Future) to Drum and Bass and downbeat Jazz inflected grooves. What really makes this album for me though is Thorn. There is no doubt that Ben Watt as chief songwriter is a talented guy and knows his keys well but Thorn holds it all together with her bittersweet laments and melancholia. This is the sort of album that you can listen to on your headphones late at night in quiet contemplation whilst waliking the rain sodden streets. It just has that vibe, that mood that immediately grabbed me and sucked me in. Once again I don't think many would dig this but that's what this list is about. It is about me, the music I love and not what I think everybody else should love. If you like Massive Attack et al then maybe you will like this: __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

11-15-2008, 01:56 PM	#67 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	I'll definitely be giving that EBTG album a listen soonish - sounds very interesting. Great reviews man, keep 'em coming