So something not about sickness and death

[crankyoldman]

How about some commentary on some of the newer albums I've gotten recently? Good music makes me happy and since I can focus on writing text again (hey, sleeping all day clearly helped somewhat!). I'd work on my poem, but eh, not coming to me. Need happy boost.

So on with the show.


Tori Amos, American Doll Posse

I know, this has been out for a while, but I just got it not too long ago. XD

I'm always a tad shy when an artist describes a concept album as "political". I don't know what it is about that, but that usually is a deal breaker with me and music. It tends towards the hokey and obvious. Sure, a lot of my favorite artists have political songs within their discography, and that's fine. But this is Tori Amos, and generally, she can pull some random shit. So I gave it a try.

Oh god, it was good.

Even the little device where it's basically different aspects of herself singing, basically. It worked! The whole "the political is personal" thing came out very well, without being preachy... it was like, "there is something that unsettles me about what I see, here, let me show it to you". Even the "warrior woman" songs were abrasive, but personally so, in a way that made you empathize more than be annoyed. The instrumentation was a real surprise too, as I was used to Tori's kind of spare girl-and-piano style, and I have to say, I like what she's moving towards.

Examples:
Body and Soul
Dark Side of the Sun


Jake Shimabukuro, Gently Weeps

UKULELE! I've had one song of his for a while, but I finally got the entire album. He's got FAST FINGERS omg. I love instruments being used in atypical ways. Like hard rock violin and the like. This is just a fun album full of awesome ukelele.

Example:
Grandma's Groove


Blonde Redhead, Misery is a Butterfly

So I got curious about this group because of the movie Hard Candy, and their song "Elephant Woman" is in the credit music. The album isn't really actually entirely depressing as it may seem, it's kind of... quirkily morbid in places, and full of strange dream images. Apparently it was written dealing with the fact that one of the singers (the female one) almost got trampled by a horse.

Well, crazy shit like that makes for interesting music. It alternates between a girl and a guy singer, and they both have odd voices that actually work, in my opinion. Especially the girl's, it's such a frail and haunting voice.

Example:
Melody


She & Him, Volume One

I mentioned this little duet before, but I'd only had one song and listened to a couple others. It's very... old school. Kind of Nancy Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney feeling. Which is kind of awesome. I love Zooey Deschanel's voice, and M. Ward provided accompaniments that really suited her style. I only wish all the songs weren't about love, but this is a first effort. It's like how a lot of poets start out. And she does make it sound lovely.

Example:
I Was Made For You


Sneaker Pimps, Bloodsport

I know, I should have had this album years ago. I was a little stuck on Sneaker Pimps with chick, but I think this is actually my favorite overall. I've had a few of the songs from this, but the way it OPENS to the song "The Fuel" which makes me want to write REALLY CRAZYFUCK FICTION... I love love love it. There's nothing more I can really say.

Example:
Small Town Witch


Venetian Snares, Detrimentalist!

So much fun. From this crazy Canadian that has a full beard and knows his breaks. Lord does he know his breaks. I love it when unusual time signatures are used, since I'm kind of into jazz and all. But that's where the comparison stops. This is mostly really geeky sounding stuff you play when you're imaging fight scenes while walking to class. Really.

Example:
Circle Pit (SUPER NINJA)