Ryan Bingham's Junky Star is FANTASTIC!!
If you like the album Nebraska by the Boss, I think you will love this album. |
Les Paul and Friends
excellent recording |
From the "Good Things Come In 3s" Dep't:
For those who liked the 60s blues rock feel of Tom Petty's latest and Los Lobos "Tin Can Trust", here comes....
Ronnie Wood "I Feel Like Playing". It sounds like he does feel like playing, too, as the second half of the CD (it starts off a bit rough) features some great guitar work.
Honestly, I think "Mumford and Sons" takes the best of 2010 in a walk, but this one has a lot going for it, too - in a very different way. Call it "Top Ten"
Marty |
The more I listen to it the more I think Widespread Panic - Dirty Side Down, is the best I have heard. Great album. |
Energizer,
What era are you stuck in to write, "there are no great rock bands anymore"? Do you shopping at Best Buy? Maybe one of those mall stores? |
I keep coming back to The Arcade Fire---Suburbs. Just a superb piece of music (wish it wasn't so compressed though). |
I love how the Suburbs just unfolds, with each song informing the next. All the great albums have this quality, the Beatles: White Album, Rolling Stone's Exile.
While not in their direct stature, I think the Suburbs will be viewed as one of the masterpieces of this decade. |
Another fan of The Suburbs. As Keithr and Bongofury suggest, it's really an amazing album. As for the compression issue, it really opened up for me when I changed my speakers (from Dynaudio X12s to Snell K/IIs). |
Holy crap! I can't believe I haven't mentioned Tame Impala earlier. Innerspeaker is one incredible album and may end up as my pick for the year. You guys who think "they don't make good music anymore" might actually even like this one. Sounds like Lennon, Harrison, Dungen and the production style of The Flaming Lips in a blender. |
Martykl, thanks I wasn't aware of Ron Wood soloing again. However notwithstanding nostalgia "I Feel Like Playing" is lackluster. Nothing from him really hits the mark since "I've Got My Own Album to Do" and "Now Look"-- IMO both of which surpass the Stones during those years.
Yep, Mumford & Arcade Fire are among the best of 2010. The Arcade Fire LP doesn't sound compressed, though there is a bit of wall of sound going on there. |
Dgarretson,
I really like the second half of Wood's "I Feel Like Playing" - a lot! The first handful of tunes almost put me off, but on repeat visits the last 7 tracks are very good - IMHO. You might want to spin it up one more time. If it still doesn't move you, we'll chalk it up to "different strokes".
Marty |
Marty, perhaps you're right. My reaction on first pass was the same as with Elton John on the Leon Russell duet album. Through aging or booze, both are so down in vocal range as to be unrecognizable and drained of energy. Maybe the compression on Napster has something to do with it, or my expectations being frozen in the past. |
The Elton John/Leon Russell is a major bummer. I had HIGH hopes, but....
As to Wood's new one , think of the boozy "Exile" vibe. Less polished than Petty's "Mojo" (Wood doesn't really have that pop instinct) but similarly evocative of that specific era in R'n'R - for me, anyway. The first several tracks are just too lazy, but the record gains momentum as it moves along. By the end, there's some GITAR pickin' goin' on!
Probably not for every taste, but I find myself going back for more.
Marty |
Listened thru the whole Ron Wood on the way in to work, today. Even the first few tracks are starting to grow on me - maybe like fungus.
This is one of those loose, relaxed, bloosy things where the songs just meander for a while before they heat up - usually due to some smoking leads.
Again, not for every taste, and it might take more than one listen, but rewarding for those who dig this kind of thing.
Marty |
I have really been diggin Avalon by Sully Erna. Laid back, unlike what you might expect |
I've been enjoying Justin Townes Earle's "Harlem River Blues" of late as well. |
Sleigh Bells: Treats
Titus Andronicus: The Monitor
James Blakes' EPs
Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest (even better than Microcastle)
Tame Impalas: Innerspeaker
Laura Marling: I Speak Because I Can (rockin' folk music)
There were some decent releases by older rockers, but I prefer to listen to classical music rather than dad rock these days. And I'm old. |
Soldersplatter...That Lara Marling is a great album. She is quite the talent and a perfect match for Mumford and Sons. I think it is a special one that many folks missed. |
Second the Laura Mauling album. Great soundstage and recording sonics. One of the absolute best. Also like Florence + The Machine. |
Adding Junip "Fields" to this list. Can't get this one off my system these days. Fans of Jose Gonzalez "Veneer" + "In Our Nature" may enjoy this more elaborate side of him. Still sparse and unmistakable...adding and organ player, bass and drums, evolves his stuff and adds intensity. Love this record. |
Watch the Grammys and let the pros decide ....... |
"Watch the Grammys and let the pros decide ......."
Ha! Too funny... |
I am really enjoying the album I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers !! |
1 more to add here, I think thats 3 on the list from me....
Deer Tick "The Black Dirt Sessions" (Partisan Records)
More Rootsy, Americana, Alt Country with heart, soul and swag. If you aren't drawn in and moved by track 3 please check your pulse! John McCauley is one of my favorite young songwriters. If you have not heard him, please give him a go. The first track on "War Elephant", Ashamed (2007 Partisan Records) is a classic, a great place to start. |
Tony Harnell & The Mercury Train-Round Trip(acoustic rock)
Accept-Blood of the Nations(hard rock) |
Broken Bells is AWESOME!! |
