101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life But I Really Like and You Might Too

Aden · 04-23-2010, 01:31 PM

I haven't gone through this whole thread, so I apologize if it's been mentioned... But I gotta give Nevermind by Nirvana a nod.
Beautifully brilliant.

+81 · 04-23-2010, 01:38 PM

Nod at it all you want, it's still not the point of the thread.

LoathsomePete · 04-23-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

I couldn't get into Angles at first but with each listen I got into it more and more and it's unique enough to not borrow from a lot of American hip Hop and make it's own sound although they are both from Essex which is not far from London and Scroobius Pip raps in the regional dialect of the area which is a little similar to a broad London accent.

Their second album came out in march which i'm going to hunt down right now.

Seek it out for a listen, but don't expect it to be anywhere near as good as the first one. A few killer tracks on it but for the most part just a crapload of filler.

LoathsomePete · 04-24-2010, 12:20 AM

89. Kyprios - Say Something (2008)
Genre: Hip-Hop

Track Listing

01. "Hold Your Soul"
02. "Root Of All Evil"
03. "Sex"
04. "This Is My Hit"
05. "Carousel"
06. "Prayer For the Living"
07. "One Day"
08. "Lovesick Blues"
09. "Main Titles"
10. "Never Say Goodbye"
11. "Feels So Good"
12. "Seasons Change"
13. "On the Road"
14. "Hate"

Kyprios is a Canadian emcee hailing from my hometown of Vancouver, Canada. He is a member of the Vancouver hip-hop collective Sweatshop Union and in 2008 put out his much anticipated solo debut. Now I know some people may think I am being biased towards Canadian musicians, with the inclusion of 4 artists within the first 11 entries, and those thoughts do hold some merit. Perhaps I am a little biased to the Canadian musicians who do not have the same prestige or luxury of time on Much Music, but this list is not going to be exclusively Canadian musicians.

Say Something is one of the more intelligent hip hop albums with each song taking on a specific subject matter. While all the songs have a point to make, Kyprios does so in a respectful and open-minded matter. Even the more left leaning songs like "Root of All Evil" which talks about the evils that money makes men do, but at the same time realizing that it is a necessary evil in the world, that cannot be ridded of so easily. The third track "Sex", details the Western World's obsession with sex and the immense power it has over the minds of both men and women, but perhaps what is most surprising is that it's a hip hop song that does not glorify it. I know that is a bit of a generalized statement, but finding a hip hop song that can talk about sex in an open minded and diligent way is quite rare.

Beat wise the album can be a little lacking in some areas, but with the budget it was recorded on I cannot expect it to sound as professional as other albums. However there are some good beats on the album and Kyprios rides the beat , making the most of what is given to him. My only other complaint on the album is that some of the songs feel a little short, or a little rushed. None of the songs last longer than around 4 minutes, with an average song time of around 3 1/2 minutes. Besides these two minor complaints the album is a quite amazing piece of literary word play.

The greatest part of the album is that Kyprios knows how to end the album with a spoken word piece entitled "Hate". The piece works its way through different race and prejudices experienced by those races until finally coming to an end with racism itself goading how we are too stupid to stop racism because of our petty differences. An astounding album from start to finish with some of the most intelligent rhymes and flowing delivery, with each song bringing insight into the social complexities that inhabit our daily lives.

LoathsomePete · 04-25-2010, 04:42 PM

88. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)
Genre: Acoustic Instrumental/ Flamenco

Track List
01. Tamacum
02. Diablo Rojo
03. Vikingman
04. Satori
05. Lxtapa
06. Stairway to Heaven
07. Orion
08. Juan Loco
09. PPA

Rodrigo y Gabriela are one of the most amazing instrumental duos that create far more sounds that one would think two musicians were possible of making. Their music is energetic, engaging, and insanely catchy that will burrow its way into your ears and stay there indefinitely.

Instrumental albums are always hard to review because they are predominately used for background music. Without the inclusion of lyrics it can be very hard to identify with the message that the musicians are trying to get across to the listener. Music may be a universal language, but it is an ambiguous one that is interchangeable between the listeners. It is because of this fact that musicians tend to go for a grander theme if they’re attempting to convey a message, or in the case of Rodrigo y Gabriela just playing some amazingly complex acoustic music, with the ferocity of a full band.

The two songs that stand out the most on the album are the covers of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Metallica’s instrumental “Orion”. It is always interesting to watch a band of a different genre covering a popular song, especially when it is a vastly different version. If you were not aware of what Metallica’s “Orion” sounded like, then it is completely feasible that you would think that the song is an original done by the duo.

As I said earlier, instrumental albums are always challenging to review because it is hard to critique an album without the lyrics present. Both Rodrigo and Gabriela are incredibly accomplished musicians, never missing a beat, note or chord. Rodrigo y Gabriela is a perfect album to throw on and create a festive atmosphere, or just something to listen to when lying down. Beautifully crafted musicianship by two incredibly talented individuals who are rapidly rising in fame in the music industry and can potentially bridge the gap between independent music fans and mainstream fans.

Zer0 · 04-25-2010, 04:58 PM

Rodrigo y Gabriela are incredible. They're better live than on record though, i was lucky to see them at a festival 4 years ago and they were just magical. Even though they don't have lyrics they still connect brilliantly with the crowd, one of the best gigs of my life. Their cover of Orion is pretty awesome though.

LoathsomePete · 04-26-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero1986

Rodrigo y Gabriela are incredible. They're better live than on record though, i was lucky to see them at a festival 4 years ago and they were just magical. Even though they don't have lyrics they still connect brilliantly with the crowd, one of the best gigs of my life. Their cover of Orion is pretty awesome though.

I've missed seeing them twice now

lene · 04-29-2010, 07:59 AM

Wow. Rodrigo y Gabriela sounds amazing! Just what I needed for my iPod for a hot day when I'm lying in the grass...

LoathsomePete · 05-01-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lene

Wow. Rodrigo y Gabriela sounds amazing! Just what I needed for my iPod for a hot day when I'm lying in the grass...

Yeah they were my beach music for one summer. They put out an album last year entitled 11:11 which was all original material and just as catchy as their self titled one.

I will resume this after next week when my finals are completed and I have a spare moment to write and sit down to critically analyze the albums I post.

jacklovezhimself · 05-01-2010, 02:09 PM

I can't tell you how much I appreciated the Rodrigo y Gabriela review. I watched the youtube video of them playing "Tamacun" and I immediately downloaded the album. After listening to it today, I'm just completely amazed with the talent they have and how their music never really has any dull or uninteresting moments. You mentioned their album 11:11, is there anything else you recommend from them?

04-23-2010, 01:38 PM	#62 (permalink)
+81 Rats off to ya! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: House of the Ju-Ju Queen Posts: 1,609	Nod at it all you want, it's still not the point of the thread. __________________ My Music on: Facebook Last.fm My Last.fm My Poor Ol' Neglected Journal

04-24-2010, 12:20 AM	#64 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	89. Kyprios - Say Something (2008) Genre: Hip-Hop Track Listing 01. "Hold Your Soul" 02. "Root Of All Evil" 03. "Sex" 04. "This Is My Hit" 05. "Carousel" 06. "Prayer For the Living" 07. "One Day" 08. "Lovesick Blues" 09. "Main Titles" 10. "Never Say Goodbye" 11. "Feels So Good" 12. "Seasons Change" 13. "On the Road" 14. "Hate" Kyprios is a Canadian emcee hailing from my hometown of Vancouver, Canada. He is a member of the Vancouver hip-hop collective Sweatshop Union and in 2008 put out his much anticipated solo debut. Now I know some people may think I am being biased towards Canadian musicians, with the inclusion of 4 artists within the first 11 entries, and those thoughts do hold some merit. Perhaps I am a little biased to the Canadian musicians who do not have the same prestige or luxury of time on Much Music, but this list is not going to be exclusively Canadian musicians. Say Something is one of the more intelligent hip hop albums with each song taking on a specific subject matter. While all the songs have a point to make, Kyprios does so in a respectful and open-minded matter. Even the more left leaning songs like "Root of All Evil" which talks about the evils that money makes men do, but at the same time realizing that it is a necessary evil in the world, that cannot be ridded of so easily. The third track "Sex", details the Western World's obsession with sex and the immense power it has over the minds of both men and women, but perhaps what is most surprising is that it's a hip hop song that does not glorify it. I know that is a bit of a generalized statement, but finding a hip hop song that can talk about sex in an open minded and diligent way is quite rare. Beat wise the album can be a little lacking in some areas, but with the budget it was recorded on I cannot expect it to sound as professional as other albums. However there are some good beats on the album and Kyprios rides the beat , making the most of what is given to him. My only other complaint on the album is that some of the songs feel a little short, or a little rushed. None of the songs last longer than around 4 minutes, with an average song time of around 3 1/2 minutes. Besides these two minor complaints the album is a quite amazing piece of literary word play. The greatest part of the album is that Kyprios knows how to end the album with a spoken word piece entitled "Hate". The piece works its way through different race and prejudices experienced by those races until finally coming to an end with racism itself goading how we are too stupid to stop racism because of our petty differences. An astounding album from start to finish with some of the most intelligent rhymes and flowing delivery, with each song bringing insight into the social complexities that inhabit our daily lives. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

04-25-2010, 04:42 PM	#65 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	88. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006) Genre: Acoustic Instrumental/ Flamenco Track List 01. Tamacum 02. Diablo Rojo 03. Vikingman 04. Satori 05. Lxtapa 06. Stairway to Heaven 07. Orion 08. Juan Loco 09. PPA Rodrigo y Gabriela are one of the most amazing instrumental duos that create far more sounds that one would think two musicians were possible of making. Their music is energetic, engaging, and insanely catchy that will burrow its way into your ears and stay there indefinitely. Instrumental albums are always hard to review because they are predominately used for background music. Without the inclusion of lyrics it can be very hard to identify with the message that the musicians are trying to get across to the listener. Music may be a universal language, but it is an ambiguous one that is interchangeable between the listeners. It is because of this fact that musicians tend to go for a grander theme if they’re attempting to convey a message, or in the case of Rodrigo y Gabriela just playing some amazingly complex acoustic music, with the ferocity of a full band. The two songs that stand out the most on the album are the covers of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Metallica’s instrumental “Orion”. It is always interesting to watch a band of a different genre covering a popular song, especially when it is a vastly different version. If you were not aware of what Metallica’s “Orion” sounded like, then it is completely feasible that you would think that the song is an original done by the duo. As I said earlier, instrumental albums are always challenging to review because it is hard to critique an album without the lyrics present. Both Rodrigo and Gabriela are incredibly accomplished musicians, never missing a beat, note or chord. Rodrigo y Gabriela is a perfect album to throw on and create a festive atmosphere, or just something to listen to when lying down. Beautifully crafted musicianship by two incredibly talented individuals who are rapidly rising in fame in the music industry and can potentially bridge the gap between independent music fans and mainstream fans. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

04-25-2010, 04:58 PM	#66 (permalink)
Zer0 ∞ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,792	Rodrigo y Gabriela are incredible. They're better live than on record though, i was lucky to see them at a festival 4 years ago and they were just magical. Even though they don't have lyrics they still connect brilliantly with the crowd, one of the best gigs of my life. Their cover of Orion is pretty awesome though. __________________ Last FM \| RYM \| The Final Sound

05-01-2010, 02:09 PM	#70 (permalink)
jacklovezhimself five years Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,248	I can't tell you how much I appreciated the Rodrigo y Gabriela review. I watched the youtube video of them playing "Tamacun" and I immediately downloaded the album. After listening to it today, I'm just completely amazed with the talent they have and how their music never really has any dull or uninteresting moments. You mentioned their album 11:11, is there anything else you recommend from them? __________________

04-23-2010, 01:31 PM	#61 (permalink)
Aden Groupie Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 47	I haven't gone through this whole thread, so I apologize if it's been mentioned... But I gotta give Nevermind by Nirvana a nod. Beautifully brilliant.

04-29-2010, 07:59 AM	#68 (permalink)
lene Groupie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Denmark Posts: 36	Wow. Rodrigo y Gabriela sounds amazing! Just what I needed for my iPod for a hot day when I'm lying in the grass...