MB Album Club 2022

rubber soul · 01-18-2023, 12:47 PM

We usually review an album every two weeks so I think we have a week to go with this one

Trollheart · 01-18-2023, 02:21 PM

Well actually, considering how before the break everyone was having a problem getting their reviews in by two weeks, we extended it to a month. I can dial it back if everyone thinks they can work with that, but the evidence is that few of us do, that a month is a better timeframe people can work within. Let me know what you want to do. On the new rule, this album would continue to the end of the month. On the old, we'd likely be looking at next Monday as the start date for the next album.

SGR · 01-18-2023, 03:07 PM

I'd prefer two weeks again. But I'll defer to the majority if they'd rather do a month. I think before the break, we were all getting busy with the holidays and the break was needed.

Trollheart · 01-18-2023, 06:36 PM

I'm okay with two weeks, as long as everyone can get their review in by that time, or close enough to it. We'll go with it for now, and see how it works. So that means there are four more days to get your reviews of The Donkeys in, folks. What do you mean, where's mine? Oops! Better get working on that then, hadn't I?

Lisnaholic · 01-20-2023, 05:04 PM

With my first listen to the first song, Sunny Daze I thought the singer's voice was rather weak, and I never heard anything to change that opinion.

I though the title track was a bit better, with an interesting start, a relaxed beat and some nice fuzzy guitar in the chorus. But most of the songs, to me, followed the pattern of the Bahamas song; they start well, they are OK in the middle, but I found myself losing interest before they drifted on to their predictable conclusions.
Negative impressions: Blues In The Afternoon was v short, and unwisely calls attention to a genre they can't or won't deliver: the blues. Your Love Shines is about as banal a line as you can come up with and doesn't merit the repetition it gets in this song. (Sorry, Mindfulness.)

There may be nuances to this album that only reveal themselves over time, there may be moods in which you feel this is just the thing you want to hear, but I was unimpressed overall. I was reminded of a criticism that used to be levelled at The Eagles: that they sounded old-fashioned and unexciting, and I'd say that applies in spades to this band. They achieve pleasantness and no more, whereas I prefer artists with a bit more ambition.

4/10

Trollheart · 01-21-2023, 01:50 PM

You can all suck it; I think this is a great album.

Ride the Black Wave - The Donkeys

There's something I can only describe as a full or solid sound about the opener, "Sunny Daze" and an infectious sense of optimism that just pulls me in right away. The second track is a superb instrumental that somehow conjures up empty, windblasted beaches, while "Nothing" has a sort of Beatles feel to it. Unfortunately these guys are another band who, though they have a website, neglect to include a bio or any band information, so I can't tell you anything about them other than that they're from San Diego and twice were nominated for that state's music awards, winning on one of the occasions.

They have been compared to CSNY and the Grateful Dead, and with the sound of accordion, electric piano and booming organ in their songs, I can see why. Their vocal harmonies are gently beautiful while yet being powerful, and there's a folk sentimentality to their music which is quite rare these days. In fact, did I not know better I might have thought this was a band from the sixties. The title track is just immense. Love this. "Blues in the Afternoon" is even better, just makes you want to relax and chill. And then there's "Bahamas". Good lord, can this get any better?

Rating: 9/10 (I repeat, suck it)

Rest assured, I shall have my revenge! Oh, Beastie Boys! Woe is ye! I shall rend ye track from track... What? Haven't you heard the old proverb, revenge is a dish best served while in a sulk?

Trollheart · 01-21-2023, 02:39 PM

Yeah I don't take too much notice if people hate or are meh about an album I love. I certainly don't change my mind about it, and I think this is a great album. I'll have my revenge.

Oh you'll pay. Don't think you won't all pay....

SGR · 01-21-2023, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Rest assured, I shall have my revenge! Oh, Beastie Boys! Woe is ye! I shall rend ye track from track... What? Haven't you heard the old proverb, revenge is a dish best served while in a sulk?

If you go into it with an open mind, you might be surprised. It definitely has a lot of samples that you'll undoubtedly recognize.

rubber soul · 01-22-2023, 05:38 AM

Honestly, I only noticed one sample I recognized. Bet you can't guess which one.

Trollheart · 01-22-2023, 09:55 AM

I'll give ya a sample!

01-18-2023, 02:21 PM	#612 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Well actually, considering how before the break everyone was having a problem getting their reviews in by two weeks, we extended it to a month. I can dial it back if everyone thinks they can work with that, but the evidence is that few of us do, that a month is a better timeframe people can work within. Let me know what you want to do. On the new rule, this album would continue to the end of the month. On the old, we'd likely be looking at next Monday as the start date for the next album. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-18-2023, 06:36 PM	#614 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	I'm okay with two weeks, as long as everyone can get their review in by that time, or close enough to it. We'll go with it for now, and see how it works. So that means there are four more days to get your reviews of The Donkeys in, folks. What do you mean, where's mine? Oops! Better get working on that then, hadn't I? __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-20-2023, 05:04 PM	#615 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	With my first listen to the first song, Sunny Daze I thought the singer's voice was rather weak, and I never heard anything to change that opinion. I though the title track was a bit better, with an interesting start, a relaxed beat and some nice fuzzy guitar in the chorus. But most of the songs, to me, followed the pattern of the Bahamas song; they start well, they are OK in the middle, but I found myself losing interest before they drifted on to their predictable conclusions. Negative impressions: Blues In The Afternoon was v short, and unwisely calls attention to a genre they can't or won't deliver: the blues. Your Love Shines is about as banal a line as you can come up with and doesn't merit the repetition it gets in this song. (Sorry, Mindfulness.) There may be nuances to this album that only reveal themselves over time, there may be moods in which you feel this is just the thing you want to hear, but I was unimpressed overall. I was reminded of a criticism that used to be levelled at The Eagles: that they sounded old-fashioned and unexciting, and I'd say that applies in spades to this band. They achieve pleasantness and no more, whereas I prefer artists with a bit more ambition. 4/10 __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

01-21-2023, 01:50 PM	#616 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	You can all suck it; I think this is a great album. Ride the Black Wave - The Donkeys There's something I can only describe as a full or solid sound about the opener, "Sunny Daze" and an infectious sense of optimism that just pulls me in right away. The second track is a superb instrumental that somehow conjures up empty, windblasted beaches, while "Nothing" has a sort of Beatles feel to it. Unfortunately these guys are another band who, though they have a website, neglect to include a bio or any band information, so I can't tell you anything about them other than that they're from San Diego and twice were nominated for that state's music awards, winning on one of the occasions. They have been compared to CSNY and the Grateful Dead, and with the sound of accordion, electric piano and booming organ in their songs, I can see why. Their vocal harmonies are gently beautiful while yet being powerful, and there's a folk sentimentality to their music which is quite rare these days. In fact, did I not know better I might have thought this was a band from the sixties. The title track is just immense. Love this. "Blues in the Afternoon" is even better, just makes you want to relax and chill. And then there's "Bahamas". Good lord, can this get any better? Rating: 9/10 (I repeat, suck it) Rest assured, I shall have my revenge! Oh, Beastie Boys! Woe is ye! I shall rend ye track from track... What? Haven't you heard the old proverb, revenge is a dish best served while in a sulk? __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-21-2023, 02:39 PM	#617 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Yeah I don't take too much notice if people hate or are meh about an album I love. I certainly don't change my mind about it, and I think this is a great album. I'll have my revenge. Oh you'll pay. Don't think you won't all pay.... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-18-2023, 03:07 PM	#613 (permalink)
SGR No Ice In My Bourbon Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: /dev/null Posts: 4,327	I'd prefer two weeks again. But I'll defer to the majority if they'd rather do a month. I think before the break, we were all getting busy with the holidays and the break was needed.

01-22-2023, 09:55 AM	#620 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	I'll give ya a sample! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018