quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
I don't get Vitalic - OK Cowboy. I only gave it two listens, but it didn't strike me as an album that would reveal much more after repeated listens. I've never listened to much electro stuff before (I've never heard any Daft Punk, for instance), so maybe it's just the whole genre I don't like. It kinda reminds me of listening to Autechre, only not as interesting.

I don't know about the Autechre comparison, but I hear you on OK Cowboy. The beginning and end are midly compelling — at least in the car — but there's a half-hour in the middle I could have done without. Overall I find critically acclaimed dance music repetitive and forgettable, if not totally derivative (Junior Boys, Laurent Garnier), so I don't know why I still bother.

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Hmm..Infanta is one of my two or three favorites on the album, actually...

I understand the kind of sound they're trying to pull off with that song (a kind of epic, dramatic feel), and I really like that kind of thing, but I just don't think they quite pull it off. It just keeps repeating that melody line ("Here she comes, in her palanquin") that just seems really lame to me.

quote:

Originally posted by m.leland:


I don't know about the Autechre comparison, but I hear you on OK Cowboy. The beginning and end are midly compelling — at least in the car — but there's a half-hour in the middle I could have done without. Overall I find critically acclaimed dance music repetitive and forgettable, if not totally derivative (Junior Boys, Laurent Garnier), so I don't know why I still bother.

You must not be listening then man.You are really digging deep into the genre by stating the junior boys and laurent garnier.2 artists who have a pretty strong reputation in their specific sound.
What and Who are the junior boys or laurent garnier derivative of?Garnier's new stuff is basically crap.Some of his older stuff is very diverse.He is still an excellent dj...probabbly one of the best around overall.

Gee, I must not be listening, because I see it this way: It's one thing to find influence in the past — Spoon sounds like The Beatles without actually sounding like them — it's another to epitomize it. Last Exit is a memory quilt, just a bunch of little reminders, not much more than a testament to techno's boom in the 80s. I'll take Haujobb's similarly minimal, five years older Ninetynine (download "Less" or "X-Flow") over Last Exit any day. Do we really need more homages to the 80s?

np: The Hold Steady, "Hornets! Hornets!"

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Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
Where did you see that Microphones/Flaming Lips comparison, headinsand? That's gotta be the most absurd thing I've ever heard.

I think I actually read the Microphones/Flaming Lips comparison somewhere on Pitchfork, although my memory may be playing up...

*yeah, thinking about it, I don't think it was. But I definitely heard the comparison somewhere notable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: headinsand,

I've listened to the new Damien Jurado 4 times now. It's definitely his weakest yet. I just don't hear any good melodies. I think the concept was kind of stupid too. Wasn't it supposed to be songs on jealousy (or maybe it was envy)? Who wants to hear songs about jealousy? He occasionally hits the mark, like on "Fuel" and "I Am the Mountain." For the most part, though, a major disappointment.

quote:

Originally posted by m.leland:
Gee, I must not be listening, because I see it this way: It's one thing to find influence in the past — Spoon sounds like The Beatles without actually sounding like them — it's another to epitomize it. Last Exit is a memory quilt, just a bunch of little reminders, not much more than a testament to techno's boom in the 80s. I'll take Haujobb's similarly minimal, five years older Ninetynine (download "Less" or "X-Flow") over Last Exit any day. Do we really need more homages to the 80s?

I really do not see where you are coming from on the junior boys.I can see you not liking it or liking it for your reasons.But the whole 80's reference on that album, I dont get.Is it because they are singing pop songs over drum machines and synthesizers.If that was the case would all electonic-pop be considered a throwback to 80's pop.
Yes there was alot of pop music made in the 80's with synthesizers and drum machines, but to group those artists in with the junior boys or whoever it may be is stupid.The differences in the music is extremelt evident.There is hardly an album from the 80's that is as skittery as this.The beats and music are completely unique to themselves.

They may have influences from the 80's electronic pop explosion, but i don tthink this album is nostalgic at all.I looked for a good review to help argue my point and this one is probabbly the best.

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They may have influences from the 80's electronic pop explosion, but i don tthink this album is nostalgic at all.I looked for a good review to help argue my point and this one is probabbly the best.

I'll go back and try the album one more time. You know I like a lot of electronic stuff, but Last Exit just strikes me as "been there, done that." You could very easily call me a hypocrite given the fact Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's been hanging around my top 15-20 for the last several weeks, and they're not much more than an 80s revival act. That said, however, I think my argument is in response to the general notion (by critics) Last Exit is an essential disc and one of techno's best offerings, and it's anything but. Good? I guess. Necessary? No. Original? Hardly.

I do think Junior Boys is too soft and some of the lyrics are kind of cheesy.Along with the postal service...they are both like the perfect soundtrack for the soft sensative misunderstood wuss that everyone knows.No offense.

I still like it though.Alot.

What makes something necessary.I mean you could argue for and against the necessity of any album.Does pear pressure make it necessary or critical acclaim or maybe a wicked high metascore?

For me i think 'last exit' is necessary.It brings out some emotion in me that alot of other albums do not.It reminds me of every girlfriend i have ever had and the best moment in each and every relationship.But, that is just me.It could mean a totally different thing for you or someone else.

If i was forced to pick 25 albums out of my collection and the rest would be burned.I think i would take 'last exit'.Mainly because it is an emotional album for me.It brings me back to crushes and certain times.So in that way it is nostalgic for me.The music is not nostalgic though.

I just dont agree with the 80's reference.

'Under the Sun' on Last Exit was one of my fav tracks last year. I don't know about all the touchy/emotional stuff, but the CD was a good listen front to back...good drifting music. Top 25, nah, but I could see it on someone's top 25 list. In my top 10(#10) last year.

I tried...again. I only reached "Bellona" before boredom grew to agitation, and I had to shut it off. Maybe I'll go back to Last Exit in a few years and something'll click, but, for now, I'm stickin' to my guns; it's just a boring homage.

Based on Imprezu's love for them, I just listened to Last Exit for the first time. After one listen I think it sounds really good, though there was one song early in the album that I thought was awful. I'm glad I looked into this one.

EDIT: While Last Exit will definitely make my top albums of 2004 list, it won't be too terribly high because tracks 2 and 3 are horrid and "Under the Sun" is a bit boring and too repetitive. Other than that, though, it is outstanding.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RavingLunatic,

I've listened to the Chad VanGaalen album released on Sub Pop, and have decided that all the hype is unmerited. A few good songs surrounded by mediocrity. I really don't like his voice either. It's too bad, I was really expecting big things out of it.

MIA - Arular

I don't get the hype ... at all

Animal Collective - Feels

I think I've gotten to the point where I can say that the freak-folk movement is not for me. I really don't like Animal Collective much, even though they are imaginitive and unique. The only person I'm gonna keep an eye from now on from the whole freak-folk movement is Devendra Banhart just because I find some of his less freaky songs to be really good.

Also

John Vanderslice - Pixel Revolt

I didn't like Time Travel Is Lonely, but I thought Cellar Door had some pretty good stuff on it, though nothing outstanding. I really can't find anything to like from this new one.

The general critic response to the newest Four Tet has been tepid, but I really like it.

Erin McKeown has been kind of ignored for "We Will Become Like Birds," but I've loved everything she does.

Cephallic Carnage is pretty much always good, but the summary of reviews for "Anamolies" has mostly bee: "Good at what it does, but it gets old." I like that kind of abrasive, tech-metal shit, though-- to each their own.

Portastatic's newest has gotten tepid responses, but I think it's good stuff.

Gave the new Royksopp a listen. Too dated and not for me. Some reviews on this group always sound more interesting than the actual product. Oh well, saved some cash.

I've heard the leak of the new Rogue Wave album and I'm slightly disappointed. It's decent enough, but it doesn't measure up to their debut. Overall, it's a much louder, bombastic affair than Out of the Shadow and I just don't think it works as well. Of course, I usually don't like that kind of music quite as much, so take it for what it's worth. Some of the more simple songs such as "Salesman at the Day of Parade" are very good. I don't think I'll be listening to this one again, though; just too many songs I don't like.

I know I posted this in another thread, but...

What's up with the hatin' on "I Am A Bird Now?"

I listened 2 or 3 times to that Okay - High Road/Low Road album someone mentioned a while back. It was all right. There were definitely some good songs, and his croaking voice didn't bother me at all. It just all seemed too plain and nondescript for me though. Probably not worth the time I spent listening to it.