...and I'll do it the best way I know how. As most of you readers here know, I've started a fairly consistent album review email list, tossing music new and old to friends around the internet. Generally I focus on new albums that just came out (or at least just leaked out), but sometimes I delve deep into my digital collections for some classics.
Since I've been berated by the boys of S&P for the past few weeks for not dedicating myself to the ÜBER-SITE / WORLD DOMINATION movement we're going for, I'll post a series of goodies for y'all to enjoy.
I'll take down the sound files after some time, so hurry up and listen in. If you own the copyrights to any of these, please let me know if you want them removed before suing my ass. Thanks for the cooperation.
If you really dig the music and want more, lemme know. There's plenty more where this came from.
Here are the basic album reviews I've written for a couple discs of various genres recently. You probably won't find any negative reviews on here (why would i share shitty music with you?!), so don't call me a suck-up. And no, I don't like EVERYTHING...but I can definitely appreciate a whole lot.
Since today's my last day at my job before moving on to bigger and better things, I'm gonna be nice and generous. Hell, i might even post twice today. Without further ado, dig some tunage:
Manu Chao - La Radiolina [buy it!]
New Manu Chao album. It's awesome. After just a couple listens, I'm tempted to say I think it's his best yet. The songs have a greater urgency and politically-reflective bent, helping the album to seem less like a novelty to my whitebread American ears (like Bongo Bong for instance), and more like a cohesive, globally rhythmic rock album. There's no lack of energy or movement from the opener (the driving, thumping "13 Días") to the closer (the laid-back, swaying "Amalucada Vida"). Some standouts include "Politik Kills" (with it's straight-to-the-point English-language chants over spaghetti-western guitar riffs and trumpet runs), the mariachi-guitar-filled "Me Llaman Calle" (which is supposedly a beautiful song about the dreams of girls relegated to prostitution, but I don't speak nearly enough Spanish anymore to know that on my own), and the string of 1-minute interludes on the second half of the disc that bounce through emotional sonatas to driving rock stomps. He glides through languages and sound effects effortlessly throughout, with all of it complementing the already-complex rhythms well. All in all, it's a great album.
If you're not familiar with Manu Chao, it will take a few listens to wrap your head around his style, but it's definitely worth the effort.
Manu Chao - Amalucada Vida.mp3
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals - Lifeline [buy it!]
This is the new Ben Harper album that came out last week; his best release in years. In my opinion, he's faded a lot over his past couple albums...he's been too prolific even, trying to play every style of music and kind of sounding like a hack with most of it. This album is much more mature, coherent and focused, and really highlights his songwriting abilities and musicianship. Very laid back, mellow acoustic soul-rock, with the Innocent Criminals sounding better than ever. He flexes a little muscle with his voice a couple times, but for the most part, stays on the quiet side, so don't expect to rock out too hard, but you'll enjoy every tune. Definitely a great disc from start to finish. These two tracks show him harnessing his desires to spread into other territories, successfully incorporating country and gospel sounds into his own brand of folk.
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals - Fool For A Lonesome Train.mp3
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals - Say You Will
Okkervil River - The Stage Names [buy it!]
For anyone that knows this group, Okkervil River's latest album is leaps-and-bounds better than anything they've done. I'd never gotten into anything they'd done in the past because it was all just too depressing, too whiny and smack dab in the middle of that boring grey space between alt-country and indie rock. Something clicked on this record, however, and i'm just plain smitten. Frontman Will Sheff harnesses the power of his formerly annoying voice, finally using it for something better than pretending he's Bright Eyes or Win Butler, instead using it to tell his ridiculous stories in a much stronger, unrestrained yowl. The whole band sounds much more lively and creative, venturing into areas far beyond that comfortable acoustic-indie-rock territory. AND, just when you think it might start to really drag near the end of the disc, they knock your fucking socks off by slowly sneaking in with the most surprising and over-the-top tribute sample ever ("John Allyn Smith Sails"). Seriously, listen to that track. Do it now.
Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe.mp3
Okkervil River - John Allyn Smith Sails.mp3
Sam Cooke - Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963 [buy it!]
This one's an older album, but one of my all time favorites. Some of the greatest classic soul you'll ever hear. This includes my two favorite versions of "Cupid" and "Bring It On Home," and you'll know most of the songs even if its because of other artists. Sam Cooke does them better. Download and listen to it nice and loud a couple times...I guarantee happiness.
Sam Cooke - Medley: It's All Right/For Sentimental Reasons.mp3
That's all for now. Check back in soon. I might get on a roll.
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