Variety folks, it's all about variety : )
Skyclad: Irrational Anthems
Even though they are one of my favorite bands with about 10 - 12 albums out, they are virtually unknown over here and their discs are VERY hard to get in America. Kind of a cross between traditional Celtic music mixed with hard rock / metal. Heavy commentary on politics, religion, society, etc.... i.e. "angry lyrics" with an upbeat tempo. Has some cool "fiddle playin'" (courtesy of a girl named "George") along with the standard guitars, drums, etc... Not necessarily a "great recording", just a good time with a lot of "flavour".
Loreena McKennitt: The Mask and Mirror
While the whole disc is excellent, the first tune is quite possibly the most "engulfing", "deep" and "airy" tune that i have ever heard. If you have a good system, the sound literally floats around you. Hearing this on a pair of well set up E-stats, Planars or omnidirectional speakers will make you want to throw your "boxes" out... I would love to hear this on Albert's SoundLab's : ) Macm is right though. Loreena's discs (this disc / performance in specific) makes any Enya disc sound "lo-fi".
David Johansen and the Harry Smiths
Didn't know what to expect from this one other than a "great recording" courtesy of Chesky. Didn't get it in my opinion. Some of the songs have a completely different feel than others i.e. a throw back to "old timey" blues recordings. Also has a somewhat strange selection of songs in my opinion. Nonetheless, a disc that kind of snuck up on me. David's voice is still as identifiable as ever and plenty strong. I just never pictured him "singing the blues". Then again, i never pictured him as "Buster Poindexter" either : )
Pink Floyd: The Division Bell
I like this album. A LOT. Too bad i never see it mentioned by "fans of Floyd". Even though it lacks a lot of the "flash" and "effects" that made Waters and Gilmour famous, there is something about this disc that i find lacking from other Floyd efforts.
Antony Michaelson: Mozart Clarinet Concerto K622 in A Major
Courtesy of Audio Advisor, the President of Musical Fidelity "cranks out" some nice "tunes". A VERY short but VERY listenable disc. Good enough that i'd like to hear more from him on a regular basis.
Wire: Pink Flag / Chairs Missing / 154
Their first three albums. You can't have one without the other two. Best to listen to them in the order that they were released so that you can follow the progression / transition a little easier. While they wanted to hang out with the Sex Pistols initially, it's pretty obvious that these guys also listened to Floyd and Hawkwind. While the first album (Pink Flag ) is much faster / rawer / harder / shorter (even though it had 21 songs on it) than any of their others, you still get a glimpse of the "damaged art" that was soon to follow. Some critics even referred to them as "the Pink Floyd of Punk Rock", as they slowed down quite a bit and ventured into various "imagery". I might even venture to say that they "inspired" some of the very early and original "industrial" bands. Not only did Steve Simels' love them, Wire was the band that inspired Michael Stipe (REM) to want to be in a band ( his own words ). Colin Newman (lead singer) later went on to record a couple of discs supported by a small orchestra that are also worth checking out.
Sean
>
Skyclad: Irrational Anthems
Even though they are one of my favorite bands with about 10 - 12 albums out, they are virtually unknown over here and their discs are VERY hard to get in America. Kind of a cross between traditional Celtic music mixed with hard rock / metal. Heavy commentary on politics, religion, society, etc.... i.e. "angry lyrics" with an upbeat tempo. Has some cool "fiddle playin'" (courtesy of a girl named "George") along with the standard guitars, drums, etc... Not necessarily a "great recording", just a good time with a lot of "flavour".
Loreena McKennitt: The Mask and Mirror
While the whole disc is excellent, the first tune is quite possibly the most "engulfing", "deep" and "airy" tune that i have ever heard. If you have a good system, the sound literally floats around you. Hearing this on a pair of well set up E-stats, Planars or omnidirectional speakers will make you want to throw your "boxes" out... I would love to hear this on Albert's SoundLab's : ) Macm is right though. Loreena's discs (this disc / performance in specific) makes any Enya disc sound "lo-fi".
David Johansen and the Harry Smiths
Didn't know what to expect from this one other than a "great recording" courtesy of Chesky. Didn't get it in my opinion. Some of the songs have a completely different feel than others i.e. a throw back to "old timey" blues recordings. Also has a somewhat strange selection of songs in my opinion. Nonetheless, a disc that kind of snuck up on me. David's voice is still as identifiable as ever and plenty strong. I just never pictured him "singing the blues". Then again, i never pictured him as "Buster Poindexter" either : )
Pink Floyd: The Division Bell
I like this album. A LOT. Too bad i never see it mentioned by "fans of Floyd". Even though it lacks a lot of the "flash" and "effects" that made Waters and Gilmour famous, there is something about this disc that i find lacking from other Floyd efforts.
Antony Michaelson: Mozart Clarinet Concerto K622 in A Major
Courtesy of Audio Advisor, the President of Musical Fidelity "cranks out" some nice "tunes". A VERY short but VERY listenable disc. Good enough that i'd like to hear more from him on a regular basis.
Wire: Pink Flag / Chairs Missing / 154
Their first three albums. You can't have one without the other two. Best to listen to them in the order that they were released so that you can follow the progression / transition a little easier. While they wanted to hang out with the Sex Pistols initially, it's pretty obvious that these guys also listened to Floyd and Hawkwind. While the first album (Pink Flag ) is much faster / rawer / harder / shorter (even though it had 21 songs on it) than any of their others, you still get a glimpse of the "damaged art" that was soon to follow. Some critics even referred to them as "the Pink Floyd of Punk Rock", as they slowed down quite a bit and ventured into various "imagery". I might even venture to say that they "inspired" some of the very early and original "industrial" bands. Not only did Steve Simels' love them, Wire was the band that inspired Michael Stipe (REM) to want to be in a band ( his own words ). Colin Newman (lead singer) later went on to record a couple of discs supported by a small orchestra that are also worth checking out.
Sean
>
