söndag 17 Dec 2006, 0:33
Just a review of my aural year.
Talk Talk 79 plays - Relatively not a large number, but these guys are the most recent group I've started playing. My appreciation for this group stems from that of Porcupine Tree. You can definitely find a Talk Talk influence if you listen to Porcupine Tree's earlier albums like Up the Downstair and Recordings. However, the most interesting thing about Talk Talk is how they managed to completely overhaul their sound from album to album. From the new wave album It's My Life to the ambient and jazzy post-rock Spirit of Eden. Overall, I find their sound goes extremely well with the winter months.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqkN0KqXL7Q
The Psychic Paramount 87 Plays - Ah, there's nothing like a band that you can E-mail and get personally written responses back. Sure 87 is a small number as well, but this is from one album with only five tracks on it. I planned to see them on the 2nd, but that gig was unfortunately cancelled. Hopefully I can go if they reschedule. What can I say about the Psychic Paramount? Hmmmmmm, if you like to play Jimi Hendrix on fast-forward after stabbing some of your speakers with a butter knife, this band is for you. Except they have no vocals.
Mad Season 93 Plays - Its a shame that there's only one official album by this hypergroup. Yeah that’s right, they're like a supergroup but BETTAR! I recently bought their concert video Live at the Moore, which is nothing but bliss. These musicians of sporadic bands really show they're proficiency in this video. Especially Mike McCready, whose name I did not know before watching the concert. The true highlight of the video is the twelve minute rendition of November Hotel, one of my most favorite tracks ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsgQaaqJBTY
Melvins 99 Plays - Ummmmm………I like the noise they make.
Nine Inch Nails 115 Plays - All of those plays are from the early part of this year. I haven't played any of his music since I came upon a post by him on the NIN website that basically spoiled the ending to Million Dollar Baby. To his defense it was an uncalled for response to his latest album being leaked, and its only one infliction, but this really shows how little he respects his fan base. So, I've officially stopped playing all of his music, and sold some of the albums.
Mother Love Bone 133 Plays - One of the happiest bands I listen to. Andrew Wood was so energetic, he's a mix of James Brown and Axl Rose. Great music for when you just feel great about yourself. "Love rock awaits you people."
Soundgarden 135 Plays - Everyone knows why Soundgaden is great. Bought their Louder than Love album with the money I got from my NIN albums (lol pwn). Some of my more recent favorites by them are "Gun" and "Big Dumb Sex". Yeah, Big Dumb Sex cracks me up. I plan to pick up Ultramega OK sometime in the future.
Mitch Hedberg 137 Plays - This guy was a genius, the most amiable stand-up comic. It really is a tragedy he passed away. RIP Mitch Hedberg.
Stone Temple Pilots 302 Plays - Ah my staple, of course. I've been listening to them for so long, there's nothing I can say that hasn't been said already. I just wish that they were still making music. All these new supergroups just can't fill the void.
Oceansize 309 Plays - Been playing them consistently throughout the year. I maintain that Effloresce is my favorite album so far. Everyone Into Position isn't bad either, but what I've recently become attached to is their Music for Nurses EP. This album at points rivals Tool as far as the heaviness goes. The track "As the Smoke Clears" reminded me of Tool's "Triad". Mark Heron must be one of them most skilled drummers in the world, and I'm not exaggerating or delusional.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8OzPvNrzP4
Tool 470 Plays - During the months prior to the release of 10,000 days, I wasn't listening to much Tool at all. The hype must've gotten me back into the vibe. I'm glad I eventually did buy that album. Rosetta Stoned basically became the theme of my summer. I don't listen to Tool that much over the winter, don't know why.
Alice in Chains 506 Plays - As close to flawless as a band can get. Seriously, who can say anything bad about them? Ironically their most popular album is the one I listen to least. I like to stick to Facelift and Tripod. The latest album I got by AiC is their Live album. I think its a better example of Layne Staley's voice than the unplugged live. Live really exposes Layne Staley when he was in his prime.
Porcupine Tree 1117 Plays (lol) - Their sound has been coming out of my speakers non-stop since December last year. They have such a huge repertoire, its really hard to find a time when I'm not in the mood for some PT. These past few months I've shifted to the earlier albums. I bought the re-release of Stupid Dream with the DVD.
Recordings is a masterpiece, I think its cruel that its a limited edition. The definite highlight of my year was getting them to play Buying New Soul at the concert I went to in October. I yelled out "Buying New Soul!", to which SW replied: "To those of you yelling out our song names, you can go home and listen to them." (Something like that, I didn't hear him clearly.) Surely enough, after playing the new material in the first half, PT came out of intermission with Buying New Soul. Sure it can be a mere coincidence, but I like to live with satisfaction of the pretense. In the future, I definitely see PT surpassing as #1.