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The Special Edition- Music

post #1 of 82
9/21/10 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
Figured I might try to give the music section of CHUD's Special Edition column a little more exposure, since we don't get much in the way of response (and not just in the music section). Honestly, given the hours that go into listening to and writing about a dozen or more new releases in a variety of genres, every week, I wouldn't mind a bit of feedback. Though I do understand that the talkback mechanism is spotty, at best. Hopefully, whether you comment or not, you'll enjoy reading.

This week's features include the new album of soul covers from John Legend and The Roots, Maroon 5, a "solo" album from TV On The Radio's David Sitek, and Carlos Santana kicking your ass at Guitar Hero.

Anyway, enjoy The Special Edition.
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post #2 of 82
9/21/10 at 8:57pm
Great job as always, Jeb! I've been indifferent to John Legend as well, but with all the good buzz --and since the song choices/idea itself is right up my alley and it's a team up with the motherfunkin' Roots-- I'll have to pick up thi new joint.

I'm not quite sold on the Santana CD, but if the arrangements are as loony as you say, I'll def give it a listen.
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post #3 of 82
9/21/10 at 9:33pm
I got John Legend's first album and thought it was decent enough, him teaming up with The Roots sounds like a far more interesting collaboration than what Santana is doing.
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post #4 of 82
9/22/10 at 4:00am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanW View Post
I got John Legend's first album and thought it was decent enough, him teaming up with The Roots sounds like a far more interesting collaboration than what Santana is doing.
For myself, I agree, but I'm not particularly an axe junkie. For folks that are, the Santana album should work just fine.

For that matter, axe junkies shouldn't overlook Black Country Communion, nor should anyone with a taste for 70's style retro metal.
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post #5 of 82
9/22/10 at 5:37am
I'm definitely an axe junkie but the songs Santana decided to cover just seem really uninspired.

I'll check out Black Country Communion, I really need to listen to Joe Bonamassa one of these days.
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post #6 of 82
9/22/10 at 1:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanW View Post

I'll check out Black Country Communion, I really need to listen to Joe Bonamassa one of these days.
I find him kinda faceless (though undeniably talented); the addition of Hughes and Bonham brings a bit of personality to the music, retro though it might be.
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post #7 of 82
9/22/10 at 6:41pm
Great work, as always, Jeb. I can't imagine how busy you must have been for last week's column, what with all the new releases. But it was as detailed as the rest of the weeks.
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post #8 of 82
9/22/10 at 6:43pm
I love this section, but I would ask that a little emphasis on jazz and comedy be given, since those are my two primary genres.
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post #9 of 82
9/22/10 at 6:51pm
Thread Starter 
I'll see what we can do-- a lot depends on what I can get to hear in advance. But I'll keep an ear out. And thanks for the words of support.
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post #10 of 82
9/28/10 at 1:21pm
Thread Starter 
This week, we've got dinosaurs walking the earth (Messers Clapton and Young); a retro-soul man who takes his inspiration from Superfly while covering The Velvet Underground; some jazz, some power pop; and the haunting sound of Stratocasters in the desert. Plus, there's new releases from several bands that you probably thought were long gone, and believe it or not, the oldest of the bunch is not OMD.
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post #11 of 82
9/28/10 at 9:23pm
Nice work! I had no idea Aloe Black had a new album, and it sounds pretty interesting. I'm going to check that out, for sure.
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post #12 of 82
9/28/10 at 9:44pm
Awesome stuff, Jeb, and I love this article, and would love to get in on it sometime. I really want to hear that Deerhunter album now.
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post #13 of 82
10/4/10 at 1:09pm
Thread Starter 
This week, we have new music from 33.333% of Sleater-Kinney, lots of Lennon, and a female jazz guitarist you absolutely have to hear to believe. Plus, we get live with the Avetts, nostalgic with Baker, busted with Bruno, Microscopic with the music of Monk, and much more.
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post #14 of 82
10/4/10 at 11:18pm
Another great piece, Jeb.

Fyi, the other 66.7% of Sleater-Kinney is in the newly-formed Wild Flag. They're working on an album right now, so really looking forward to that.
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post #15 of 82
10/5/10 at 12:38am
Adding more love. Great, high quality stuff, Jeb.
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post #16 of 82
10/7/10 at 12:24pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks much for the feedback, guys. Next week, I'll be adding a new section devoted to the flood of Christmas product that's already begun emanating from the various labels... oy vey, so to speak.
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post #17 of 82
10/11/10 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
Join us this week for a huge indie release (including Belle and Sebastian, Antony and the Johnsons, and Sufjan Stevens), as well as the amazing debut of the Secret Sisters, soundtrack goodness from Trent Reznor, and our rundown of new holiday releases that runs from James Brown to Olivia Newton-John (!) and all points in between.
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post #18 of 82
10/19/10 at 2:05am
Thread Starter 
This week, we have an album that isn't exactly The Mountain Goats, but isn't exactly not The Mountain Goats. Plus, a couple of old dudes pound their pianos, another old dude continues to empty his cupboard, and there's some other stuff, at least some of which is listenable, and some of which is just fucking depressing.
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post #19 of 82
10/19/10 at 2:18am
Too bad you're still not feeling anything for Funstyle. I thought by this point I'd have fallen out of love with it, but it has yet to happen. Then again, even in her worst moments I've found something to enjoy. Just love the essence of her songwriting and the way she works in the studio. I already own all of the Girlysound demos, but still curious to hear how the officially-released tunes sound in comparison.
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post #20 of 82
10/25/10 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
This week's Special Edition poses the question: "What do David Gilmour, Groove Armada, and the Scissor Sisters have in common?" The answer is that they're all lurking on Bryan Ferry 's new album. We also have the first Scottish actor-singer-songwriter to perform his impressions of both Christy Moore and Herb Alpert on the same album, post-psychedelic la-de-da from a Beatle's kid and his hot girlfriend, as well as previously unreleased Ray Charles and Jimi Hendrix.
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post #21 of 82
10/26/10 at 10:20am
As an honorable mention to an EP released yesterday, here is some info about the TRIPTYKON album SHATTER featuring the former Celtic Frost and Hellhammer frontman Tom Gabriel Warrior:

At a playing time of approximately 28 minutes, the "Shatter" EP will consist almost entirely of previously unreleased music. The EP's track listing is as follows:

1. Shatter
2. I Am The Twilight
3. Crucifixus
4. Circle Of The Tyrants (Live)
5. Dethroned Emperor (Live)

Tracks 1, 2 and 3 were recorded during the "Eparistera Daimones" album sessions in 2009. "Crucifixus" appears in a newly mixed and mastered version. Tracks 4 and 5 are cover versions of Celtic Frost songs, recorded live during Triptykon's headliner performance at the Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on April 16, 2010. "Dethroned Emperor" features guest lead vocals by Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone/Sarke
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post #22 of 82
11/1/10 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
In this week's Special Edition, Daniel Lanois wakes up enough to bring us the debut of a stunning new female singer, Elvis Costello steals the nation (sort of), Brian Eno sets out to sea (kind of), and Afro-Cuban crossover is a recipe for delicious. In addition, there are useless covers albums from Huey ("Hey, I'm still alive") Lewis and Neil ("No, really, I AM still alive!") Diamond, reissues aimed at the unsuspecting wallets of Beatle and Stones fans, a new album of old Weezer, funky Deadheads and Nevilles, and an off-the-wall Halloween collection of trash, bash, and punk that will, frankly, sound just fine at your Thanksgiving party.
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post #23 of 82
11/1/10 at 5:27pm
That new Brian Eno is all kinds of good. I especially like that bookending melody that boasts an almost dreamlike quality. The tones in the album get pretty heavy at times and the end result is a journey well taken through the audio landscapes of a master craftsman. It's good stuff.
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post #24 of 82
11/9/10 at 3:15am
Thread Starter 
You don't need this week's Special Edition to tell you about Cee-Lo Green, but he's there anyway, along with a new release from an Irish lass with a big voice and a bigger bodhran, and a wonderful album saluting the work of Brazil's original psychedelic rockers, Os Mutantes. Plus, there's some boring metal, Cirque Du Soleil carnally violating Elvis, a fascinating song cycle from Robert Wyatt, and a skinny blond girl who may not actually be Rory Gallagher's illegitimate daughter (granddaughter?), but I'd need to see the proof. Oh, and a link to Amazon's current assortment of $5 album downloads.
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post #25 of 82
11/9/10 at 7:40am
I think I might be the only one who really likes Jamiroquai's new album.
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post #26 of 82
11/9/10 at 10:06am
I liked listening to EL JUSTICIERO, CHA, CHA, CHA. I am not familiar with OS MUTANTES and this album makes me want to hear their original work. The music itself seemed energetic and fun. I can see how it can be interpreted as forced and sterile because it is a tribute album and at it's core the artists involved are just performing covers. Gotta agree that this one stands well on it's own regardless.

Two reviews that caught my attention:
Gwar, Bloody Pit of Horror. Grrr. Arrrgh.
Cradle Of Filth, Darkly Darkly Venus Aversa. Says here that COF "have continually refused to bow to convention or to conform to prevalent trends and fads." Well, sure, no one else out there is playing metal with dark themes of blood, death and sexual excess.

GWAR and Cradle of Filth. Not a good time to be mediocre. These bands are supposed to intimidate the audience. That's what they're paid to do.
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post #27 of 82
11/9/10 at 12:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanW View Post
I think I might be the only one who really likes Jamiroquai's new album.
I like it quite a bit, actually. If I'd had more time to listen to it before the deadline, it might have been one of the "feature" titles.
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post #28 of 82
11/9/10 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewhawkins View Post
GWAR and Cradle of Filth. Not a good time to be mediocre. These bands are supposed to intimidate the audience. That's what they're paid to do.
As a general rule, musicians are among the least intimidating people I've ever know.
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post #29 of 82
11/9/10 at 2:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeb View Post
As a general rule, musicians are among the least intimidating people I've ever know.
I look at the on stage personas of the band GWAR and they're great. Having seen them twice I can saw that they are intense live. I don't wanna see them pushing new music that gets swept under the rug for whatever reason. I've had Oderus Urungus roar in my face and while it may not have been intimidating, it certainly was thrilling. I'm sure that if I met Dave Brockie under the right terms, it would be a different story. GWAR is a brutal band when they're not on TV.

As for Cradle of Filth, fuck. That band has been a mixed bag of meh for me since I ran with a goth group in the late nineties who had a real love for CoF's brand of entertainment. I like them on some levels and don't on others. They have a great guitar and drum sound these days, but sometimes their vocals just suck and the song structures are garbage. The female vocals they use work rarely and the themes behind the music seem to get played out. Yeah sure they're not the only ones out there is playing metal with dark themes of blood, death and sexual excess, but sometimes they do it right and it works. There were some really good songs on Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder, but everything I've heard so far from Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa seems bland and unappealing. Just sayin'.

I really think that extreme artists who put on an intimidating persona should be intense on stage. Otherwise it's just phony and weak.
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post #30 of 82
11/10/10 at 11:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeb View Post
I like it quite a bit, actually. If I'd had more time to listen to it before the deadline, it might have been one of the "feature" titles.
It's really grown on me, I'd like to know what you thought of it now that you've had more time to listen to it.
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post #31 of 82
11/15/10 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
In this week's Special Edition, The Boss keeps a Promise, Stereolab keeps on keepin' on, Kid Rock is the new Bob Seger, and Dave Brubeck is cooler at 90 than you or I were at 21. Plus, Norah Jones annoys a bunch of fellow musicians, there's a whole lotta live stuff from Leeds, and Christmas music pervades.
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post #32 of 82
11/15/10 at 4:25pm
Another nice write up, Jeb. I knew about the Boss, but The Who news is a cool surprise.
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post #33 of 82
11/15/10 at 8:15pm
Have you listened to the other Live releases The Doors have put out Jeb?
The Live in Boston performance is pretty amazing.
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post #34 of 82
11/16/10 at 3:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanW View Post
Have you listened to the other Live releases The Doors have put out Jeb?
Going back to buying Absolutely Live on vinyl when it came out, actually. I have to admit that after all these years, they tend to run together in my mind (between Rhapsody and the public libraries, I'm pretty sure I've heard all of them), but I particularly enjoyed the raw freshness of the recent Live At The Matrix release.
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post #35 of 82
11/23/10 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 
In this week's Special Edition, the architect of The Umbrella Academy returns to his day job, a metal punchline is delivered after twenty-eight years, and those trying to define "hipster" will find one of the true originals of the form. Plus, we have guitars loud, soft, and vintage, politically-charged music from Latin America, reissues and new music in pretty boxes, and the latest from a blond dancefloor thrush who can't even make a song called "Blow" worth your time.
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post #36 of 82
11/29/10 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
In this week's column, we pose the musical question: ARE the Black Eyed Peas, in fact, the most annoying thing on the pop scene today? The answer MAY surprise you...

Also, the mastermind of The Dream Syndicate continues coming up with new excuses to imitate Lou Reed, some quirky Canadians deliver quirk, and we get early recordings from a pivotal figure in the transformation of black pop music from jazz to R & B.

Plus, two soundtracks, one of which is likely to be genius (hint: not the one that involves Christina Aguilera), soul grooves young and old, and reissues angelic, Satanic, and downright Fug-ly.
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post #37 of 82
11/29/10 at 4:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeb View Post
In this week's column, we pose the musical question: ARE the Black Eyed Peas, in fact, the most annoying thing on the pop scene today?
A: Yes. Yes they are.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeb View Post
Plus, two soundtracks, one of which is likely to be genius (hint: not the one that involves Christina Aguilera)
Black Swan Soundtrack. Darren Aronofsky, hot ballet babes and cold, cruel death... clearly a job for Clint Mansell.
I am very eager to hear this soundtrack. Would you recommend the album for someone who has not seen the film yet?
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post #38 of 82
11/29/10 at 6:25pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewhawkins View Post
I am very eager to hear this soundtrack. Would you recommend the album for someone who has not seen the film yet?
Not having seen Black Swan yet myself, that's hard to say. I was only able to hear the soundtrack once, so a lot of it will still be pretty fresh to my ears when I see the film.

Actually, you could do worse than starting by listening to a recording of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake first; much of Mansell's score is built around it.
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post #39 of 82
12/6/10 at 5:30pm
Thread Starter 
In this week's Special Edition, Daft Punk sort of returns, as does Duffy, as does one small fraction of The Gap Band. On t'other hand, Charlie Haden continues to be the go-to collaborator of 2010 with what might be the best jazz album of the year... and there's a bunch of other new releases that are mostly boring and/or derivative, though axe junkies are directed toward the new Eric Johnson and Robin Trower albums (in that order), and goofy types like me can giggle over a retrospective from Einsturzende Neubauten and an album of covers from Al Jourgensen.
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post #40 of 82
12/6/10 at 5:38pm
Thanks for the tip on Robin Trower. I had no idea that he had a new album coming out.
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post #41 of 82
12/6/10 at 6:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeb View Post
In this week's Special Edition, Daft Punk sort of returns and goofy types like me can giggle over a retrospective from Einsturzende Neubauten and an album of covers from Al Jourgensen.
[edit]

3 1/2 Questions:

Does the TRON Legacy DAFT PUNK soundtrack work if listened to while running or playing sports?

Are you a Blixa Bargeld fan and how would you describe the appeal of Strategies Against Architecture IV to a conservative grandmother?

Is Undercover more of the same MINISTRY we've been hearing since ANIMOSITISOMINA?

I'm listening to Swan Lake before I get a chance to see BLACK SWAN and hear the Clint Mansell score. Thanks for the heads up.
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post #42 of 82
12/7/10 at 1:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewhawkins View Post

3 1/2 Questions:

Does the TRON Legacy DAFT PUNK soundtrack work if listened to while running or playing sports?
No clue. I tend to work out listening to podcasts of "Car Talk."

Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewhawkins View Post

Are you a Blixa Bargeld fan
He seems pretty entertaining; I like what I've heard of his work with Cave, and find Einstürzende Neubauten to be generally a real hoot.

Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewhawkins View Post
how would you describe the appeal of Strategies Against Architecture IV to a conservative grandmother?
I can't even imagine trying to do so. My grandmother was suspicious enough of The Beatles.

Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewhawkins View Post

Is Undercover more of the same MINISTRY we've been hearing since ANIMOSITISOMINA?
Not really a big Ministry fan, so I don't think I can answer that satisfactorily; I just thought the covers were a riot.
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post #43 of 82
12/7/10 at 2:39pm
Not a question, so much as a statement. Duffy's hot. Duffy's really fucking hot. That is all.
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post #44 of 82
12/7/10 at 4:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeb View Post
Car Talk/work with Cave/a real hoot/Not really a big Ministry fan
Very cool. Car Talk's all kinds of a good time. I broke my foot running to ALIVE 2007 by DAFT PUNK so hopefully TRON Legacy won't kill me. That album is very entertaining so far and I'm still looking forward to the movie.

When it comes to Blixa and Nick Cave, The Weeping Song video says it all. The record store I lived near in Deutschland had some Einstürzende Neubauten EPs and I don't think I'll be busting them out at the family XMAS dinner this year.

MINISTRY has done good influencing bands like NINE INCH NAILS and RAMMSTEIN and I give em credit. I think their political edge was well rounded when Paul Barker was in the group. These days the sound is less experimental and more tight knit metal.

Thanks for the answers and I look forward to next week's Special Ed. especially since MICHAEL will be coming out.
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post #45 of 82
12/7/10 at 5:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anderson View Post
Not a question, so much as a statement. Duffy's hot. Duffy's really fucking hot. That is all.
Wait'll you see who's lined up for next week...
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post #46 of 82
12/14/10 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 
In this week's Special Edition, we've got a dead guy, a smart guy, a hot gal, and... Spider-Man? Plus some funk, some jamming, a bunch of live goodies, and gems are defended.
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post #47 of 82
12/14/10 at 7:39pm
I never realized Roy Lee Johnson wrote Mr. Moonlight, I have a compilation with Patch it Up and The Dryer on it, he could really belt it out.
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post #48 of 82
12/20/10 at 4:18pm
I sampled KEPLER and what I heard sounded good. I like Glass and know him best for his Qatsi works, MISHIMA, CANDYMAN and his DRACULA score with KRONOS QUARTET.

The BLACK SWAN score is amazing and complements Tchaikovsky's work brilliantly. Jeb, any idea where to find the 3 new tracks arranged by The Chemical Brothers specifically for the film (Electric Hands, Danka Jane and The Nina Frequency)?
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post #49 of 82
12/20/10 at 9:44pm
Thread Starter 
I dunno, but I'll see what I can find out.
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post #50 of 82
12/21/10 at 2:02pm
Quote:
True Grit is classically evocative of the rich heritage of Western film scores, shot through with unique contemporary touches, and suggests that the movie it accompanies will be among the Coens' best.
It is.
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