i meant every stripes album has been my favorite by them....not all time. But I love them. "In Rainbows" is astounding too. I'm glad Radiohead finally shifted directions emotionally a bit

Interesting responses there, . I actually agree with a lot of what you say.

quote:

Originally posted by smileyface:
Funny, after my first listen I never thought I'd say it, but "Icky Thump" would be my pick for best album of the year. At one time or another, every 'Stripes album has been my favorite, but at first, "Icky Thump" felt like a let-down. It sure does grow though, I think it's a modern masterpiece. I love every song. I also love Radiohead's "in Rainbows", Spoon's "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga", the Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible, and the National's "Boxer". However, Jack White made another great album. I think every White Stripes album has been better than the last actually. Jack White, along with Thom Yorke and Bry Webb, is the songwriter of our time.

I'd have to agree with the Radiohead, but (don't be mean to me) I think that Rufus Wainwright is better than Spoon (all I've heard is Ga) and Jack White. My opinion. Maybe if Rufus would tone down his production, he could be appreciated by the masses more freely, but if Mozart toned down his arrangements, then where would Music be now?

(And no, I'm not saying Rufus is comparable to Mozart.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pianofaerie: solid brass. ring it!,

I'm not an expert on this, but Wolfie seems to have more melodies than Rufie.

Like I said, Rufus is by no means near Wolfgang (that's what I meant in that last post). However, Rufus is a modern anomaly. His talent is so immense it makes me sick. I just wish that the crowd here could appreciate, or at least mention, his well-composed (and arranged) American songwriting, even if it does tend to be over-the-top. And I'm not meaning to knock anyone here. So again, no mean comments, please.

I just love my Rufie.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pianofaerie: solid brass. ring it!,

And so you should.

Glad to hear it.

(Didn't mean to preach in that last post.)

pianofaerie, I can say my likelihood of setting aside some time to listen to Wainwright's new one has been exponentially increased by your strong recommendation. And that's the beauty of this forum.

Well, don't go into it expecting to be blown away immediately. Like all of his Music for me, it took me several listens before I understood it. Of course, I'm something of a fan boy for him. I think my love of the album is increased by the love I have for the rest of his catalogue.

And yeah, if it weren't for my recently joining this forum, I'd still be in the dark about a few bands that I'm already growing to love (Joanna Newsom, Spoon, Sunset Rubdown, Of Montreal, etc.).

I dunno about you, pianofaerie, but "Do I Disappoint You" knocked me on my ass the first time I listened to it. The rest of the album is definitely solid, though, and is gunning for a spot in my year-end top 20.

quote:

Originally posted by pianofaerie: solid brass. ring it!:
I'd have to agree with the Thom Yorke, but (don't be mean to me) I think that Rufus Wainwright is better than Spoon (all I've heard is Ga) and Jack White. My opinion. Maybe if Rufus would tone down his production, he could be appreciated by the masses more freely, but if Mozart toned down his arrangements, then where would Music be now?

(And no, I'm not saying Rufus is comparable to Mozart.)

I’d have to say multiple things here but I shall go in order:
1. You need to check out Spoon’s back catalog. This will do yourself a favor and you will be happy for doing it. If you like Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga then I promise you will like their previous stuff even more—that’s a guarantee.
2. I’ll say that although I do like Rufus Wainwright, his dad is still making better music than his son. That’s just my opinion but like mark said, you should love what you love.
3. Thom Yorke does not do all of the songwriting for Radiohead. I have said this plenty of times before but Yorke does not equal Radiohead. They truly work as one entity and together.
4. I would agree with smiley about Jack White. He truly is a talent unlike many others and his methods of making music really work. He is of the notion that the more quantity you make, the better the quality. This is evident in his music because it is top-notch quality, all of it.

1. I can't wait to check out Spoon's back catalogue. I love Ga.
2. I've never heard Loudon's stuff, so I can't pass judgment there.
3. I didn't mean to equate Thom with Radiohead. I know the difference, and simply presented my agreement incorrectly. I've amended the post to say "Radiohead" instead of "Thom Yorke".
4. Don't get me wrong--I love Jack White. I saw The White Stripes live a couple of years ago and was astounded. I also have their albums. However, I like Rufus more. It's just a matter of personal taste.

I suppose I should have written "I like Rufus Wainwright more than..." rather than "Rufus Wainwright is better than...". I really didn't mean to pass judgment on whom is better than whom.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pianofaerie: solid brass. ring it!,

quote:

Originally posted by smileyface:
Funny, after my first listen I never thought I'd say it, but "Icky Thump" would be my pick for best album of the year.

Icky Thump kicks everything else on Stylus' list square in the ass by a pretty impressive margin.

I'm hedging on calling "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" the best Spoon album. I just can't really say one way or the other - they're all of roughly equivalent quality.

quote:

Originally posted by The Texas Chamberk Massacre:
I'm hedging on calling "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" the best Spoon album. I just can't really say one way or the other - they're all of roughly equivalent quality.

I've said before that one of the tell tale signs that Spoon is a great band is that no one can agree on their best album. They're pretty much all great.

I would have to agree with you on that. I'd also extend that to say that the sign of a great album is that no one can agree on the best song.
It's kind of funny, because before I saw the Frankenstein's Mixtape thread, I thought that the consensus best song on Ga was "The Underdog", but... apparently not.

I picked Spoon. "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" is a great album. No albums from my top ten are on there. I like folk music. They don't.

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:

quote:

Originally posted by smileyface:
Funny, after my first listen I never thought I'd say it, but "Icky Thump" would be my pick for best album of the year.

Icky Thump kicks everything else on Stylus' list square in the ass by a pretty impressive margin.

No, no it doesn't. Not everything on the list anyway.

My favorite, the latest Okkervil River release wasn't one of the ten, so I voted for my #2, Kala.

Analysis:

In Rainbows - Much more consistent than their last two albums, but still way behind the strongest pack this year. Seems more like a tribute to Radiohead's past than a bold new direction.

From Here We Go Sublime - One of my favorites of this year, the beeps and bloops are nothing but euphoric.

Kala - Nearly tops her debut and it's certainly more self assured. The references to indie gods of yore help bring everything full circle.

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga - More from one of the decade's most consistent groups. Rarely ever possessing the standout album, they continue to slowly branch out from their meat-and-potatoes formula that's still quite successful artistically. Loved their "secret" show in SF, btw.

Graduation - I liked this better than most, it's more streamlined than the other two and has some of his finest moments. A top ten contender for me.

Boxer - LOVED Alligator, quite liked Cherry Tree...but Boxer is a plodding bore. Not that I don't think they're trying, but The National are at their best when they're upfront not turning into a lounge act.

Lil Wayne - Banal. Derivative. Cliched.

Panda Bear - WAY too high although I was wooed by it. Love how it sounds like it was recorded in an empty swimming pool.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - ZZZZZZZZZ

Sound Of Silver - Gr-eat! But I don't see how it's more of a genre statement than the two disc debut. Some of it feels like a retread, some of it moves forward from the past, but overall it's slightly underwhelming compared to one of the decade's greatest triumphs.

I may actually type a retort to your last post when I stop biting my tongue, but I probably won't since I loved what you said about Boxer.