Pearl Jam, The XX, Thom Yorke, MIKA
Hey everyone!
Another Tuesday is upon us and I have quite a few reviews today. I've been listening to a bunch of new albums and feel I need to share my opinion, which really means nothing, but it's fun anyway.
The first album, Backspacer, is... not as predictable as I thought it would be.
I have been a fan of Pearl Jam since the late 90s, around the time when I really started to get my own ear for music. I will admit, I've thought they're kinda overrated, but have always been able to write a good rock song, the kind that make you want to roll the windows down in your car and sing along. As this could describe most of their albums, this is one of the few that seems to be aiming to be different, if not adventurous, this late in the game. You still get the usual "riff-rock" if you will, but Eddie Vedder delivers some of his most progressive music to date.
Just Breathe might be one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs to date, with its softer and melodic sound, it brings out a gentler side of Vedder that I haven't heard since Vitalogy. The lyric, Under everything, just another human being, is just a real sentiment and something I think the band could do a lot more of.
Choice Tracks: Just Breathe, Amongst the Waves, and The Fixer
The second album, The xx is... random.
I had no idea who the hell this band was for the longest time. Like, no clue. I knew one song by the band, but didn't know it was them until about two weeks ago when a friend let me borrow his album. And I have to say, I really liked it. I wish I knew more about this band, seeing as, like no one really does. I usually hear something about them, but I didn't even hear much about them until I read a few reviews. In truth, I thought the album was from X, a punk rock band of the late 80s that made such songs as Los Angeles and thought it was an album I had overlooked since I own most of their work. But what I got in return was so legitimately sex-infused pop muisc, the best kind if you ask me. I mean, these kids love sex, to the extent that I laughed through most of the album. It's witty and sincere at the same time, which is rare and refreshing to hear.
The song I think that took me by surprise the most was Heart Skipped a Beat, which seemed more like a ballad than the rest of the album, providing an amazing bassline without being too heavy-handed. Also, I have been humming this song off and on the past week, making me believe the inevitable... I'm the hipster scum I've been so prone to deny. Just yeah, thanks to some Londoners, I have to face the truth. Oy. But it's a good album, nonetheless.
Choice Tracks:Crystallized, Heart Skipped a Beat, and Islands
The third album, Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses/The Hollow Earth, was... a bit of a disappointment.
I have to say, I REALLY like the original version of the song, Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses. It was so many things before it was this one. It was originally referred to as the original Reckoner, not the one everyone heard on In Rainbows, but a far more guitar driven song that was resonate to Electioneering from OK Computer. Than it gotten the name present name, but was cut down even shorter, reminding me of some early Beatles two-minute songs, riff-heavy as always. Than we got the Reckoner, but still nothing from the original song. Now, we have this version, which is much longer, clocking in at nearly seven minutes, and a much darker affair.
What I can say about this single release from Yorke is that this has given him an outlet to create his more avant-garde work on his solo projects, leaving the more organic sounds to the band, Radiohead. While I enjoyed the songs, I will admit I prefer the original. But than again, it took me a while to love The Eraser, which I do now profoundly, so we'll see.
Choice Tracks: It's a single. There's only two songs. Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses and The Hollow Earth
The fourth album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, is essential MIKA, if you like that sort of thing.
And I do. His music makes me happy and dance, which is something I don't do too often. And with his latest release, he brings a lot to the table, dabbling in several genre from syrupy-sweet pop to disco-esque tunes to folk-pop, each with outstanding harmonies that are just as addictive as you'd expect from his albums.
We Are Golden reminds me of Radiohead and Pink Floyd with the use of the children's choir, accessible on a level that only few can dream of with his eclectic stylings. And despite it all, his songwriting is probably his greatest attribute. He can spin a song and I'll always be a willing listener.
Choice Tracks: We Are Golden, Touches You, Good Gone Girl
Have a great day!!!
Another Tuesday is upon us and I have quite a few reviews today. I've been listening to a bunch of new albums and feel I need to share my opinion, which really means nothing, but it's fun anyway.
The first album, Backspacer, is... not as predictable as I thought it would be.
I have been a fan of Pearl Jam since the late 90s, around the time when I really started to get my own ear for music. I will admit, I've thought they're kinda overrated, but have always been able to write a good rock song, the kind that make you want to roll the windows down in your car and sing along. As this could describe most of their albums, this is one of the few that seems to be aiming to be different, if not adventurous, this late in the game. You still get the usual "riff-rock" if you will, but Eddie Vedder delivers some of his most progressive music to date.
Just Breathe might be one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs to date, with its softer and melodic sound, it brings out a gentler side of Vedder that I haven't heard since Vitalogy. The lyric, Under everything, just another human being, is just a real sentiment and something I think the band could do a lot more of.
Choice Tracks: Just Breathe, Amongst the Waves, and The Fixer
The second album, The xx is... random.
I had no idea who the hell this band was for the longest time. Like, no clue. I knew one song by the band, but didn't know it was them until about two weeks ago when a friend let me borrow his album. And I have to say, I really liked it. I wish I knew more about this band, seeing as, like no one really does. I usually hear something about them, but I didn't even hear much about them until I read a few reviews. In truth, I thought the album was from X, a punk rock band of the late 80s that made such songs as Los Angeles and thought it was an album I had overlooked since I own most of their work. But what I got in return was so legitimately sex-infused pop muisc, the best kind if you ask me. I mean, these kids love sex, to the extent that I laughed through most of the album. It's witty and sincere at the same time, which is rare and refreshing to hear.
The song I think that took me by surprise the most was Heart Skipped a Beat, which seemed more like a ballad than the rest of the album, providing an amazing bassline without being too heavy-handed. Also, I have been humming this song off and on the past week, making me believe the inevitable... I'm the hipster scum I've been so prone to deny. Just yeah, thanks to some Londoners, I have to face the truth. Oy. But it's a good album, nonetheless.
Choice Tracks:Crystallized, Heart Skipped a Beat, and Islands
The third album, Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses/The Hollow Earth, was... a bit of a disappointment.
I have to say, I REALLY like the original version of the song, Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses. It was so many things before it was this one. It was originally referred to as the original Reckoner, not the one everyone heard on In Rainbows, but a far more guitar driven song that was resonate to Electioneering from OK Computer. Than it gotten the name present name, but was cut down even shorter, reminding me of some early Beatles two-minute songs, riff-heavy as always. Than we got the Reckoner, but still nothing from the original song. Now, we have this version, which is much longer, clocking in at nearly seven minutes, and a much darker affair.
What I can say about this single release from Yorke is that this has given him an outlet to create his more avant-garde work on his solo projects, leaving the more organic sounds to the band, Radiohead. While I enjoyed the songs, I will admit I prefer the original. But than again, it took me a while to love The Eraser, which I do now profoundly, so we'll see.
Choice Tracks: It's a single. There's only two songs. Feeling Pulled Apart By Horses and The Hollow Earth
The fourth album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, is essential MIKA, if you like that sort of thing.
And I do. His music makes me happy and dance, which is something I don't do too often. And with his latest release, he brings a lot to the table, dabbling in several genre from syrupy-sweet pop to disco-esque tunes to folk-pop, each with outstanding harmonies that are just as addictive as you'd expect from his albums.
We Are Golden reminds me of Radiohead and Pink Floyd with the use of the children's choir, accessible on a level that only few can dream of with his eclectic stylings. And despite it all, his songwriting is probably his greatest attribute. He can spin a song and I'll always be a willing listener.
Choice Tracks: We Are Golden, Touches You, Good Gone Girl
Have a great day!!!