m20gull
Well-known member
I was too upset to be chilled-out by a CD, especially with the A23 closed as well
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NSC Easter Bunny CD 2015
- Thread starter Albumen
- Start date
First go round on my CD2 was interesting. There was a lot there I liked but a fair bit that challenged me. At least two more listens needed before I even start to review.
OK, another 'out loud' listen last night and two in the headphones today (it's been a lazy day at Guinness Towers) and I have written up my CD2 notes. Here they are:
CD2 by [MENTION=13836]deletebeepbeepbeep[/MENTION]
Adult Diversion – Alvvays: CD2 is off to a rip roaring start. This is a band I have been meaning to check for a while but never got round to it. Classic girl voiced indie. Joy Division bassline. Guitar to die for. Should have checked them out earlier!
Dancehall Domine – The New Porno: This is quite poppy in a cool sort of way. I could imagine it on a Christmas Top of the Pops or a seedy club after midnight. That’s a compliment.
My My – Reigning Sound: Ohhhh! An organ (stop it at the back). This is a straight out American Road Trip theme tune. There are influences from everywhere from seventies rock to Eels to something like Springsteen. Yet it doesn’t really sound like any of them at all. It is of itself. In modern parlance this is aceballs.
Heart Tattoo – Joyce Manor: Another band I have never heard of or from. This is driving garage punk but what you really need to know is that the guitarist is called Chase Knobbe. Beat that fact other reviewers.
Warning – Cymbals Eat Guitars: Pogoing again here. Fast paced rock that I could probably work out to if I were to ever start working out, which I won’t. It’s no Swans but it’ll do.
The Things They Do To Me – A Sunny Day In Glasgow: Did I mention my Santa’s artistic ability? Well there are a couple of times on the track listing where the name of the artist is truncated. This is one. So I had to look them up, given that, again, I have never heard of them. They are not from Scotland at all but a collaboration between US and Sydney based musicians that have only really ever had one constant. Wiki describes them as dream pop and this is exactly what they are. Interstellar (if you remember them) with much grindier guitars. Another track I could play over and over again on repeat.
Our Love – Caribou: I have the first Caribou album but not the latest which is where I presume this comes from. This just shows I have been remiss in not getting it yet because it is perfect. I love a bit of electro, house, techno and dub and this mashes those four things up nicely. There’s a lovely nod to Inner City’s Good Life towards the end and I can imagine Derrick May weaving a whole set sequence around dropping that part in a loop.
Strandbar – Todd Terje: The first track on this CD that I own. Flashy electro house, a track to dance to. House nerds may well know that one of house’s early pioneers was called Todd Terry and this guy’s stage name is a homage to him. He chose well as this is a literal evolution from early house. There’s also an Italian House piano loop for those who love these things, which I do.
minipops 67 (120.2) (source field mix) – Aphex Twin. Another one where Santa made me research the artist except IN YOUR FACE SANTA I already knew. Richard D James was making tunes with names exactly like this when I was a serious clubber, a seriously long time ago. Like Todd Terry’s name he’s evolved but I can’t help but think he would have made this perfectly decent slab of electro back in 1996 had he had today’s kit.
Two Weeks – FKA Twigs: Sparse, slow electro with a pleading female vocal that I can’t help think sounds like it was honed on the X Factor. The backing track is marvellous but the voice is so David Guetta it’s killing me. Don’t play this in front of your kids (note mainly for my wife).
Never Catch Me – Flying Lotus: Flying Lotus are one of those THINGS that I have individual tracks of on Spotify lists without having ever bought an album. Sadly for Santa this hasn’t changed my mind. It’s horribly confused. Part jazz, part electro, part rap and part drum and bass it’s the aural equivalent of one of Sami’s midfields.
Red Sex – Vessel: A massive bass drum beat that starts off like it’s in the wrong place before the rest of the track builds around it. A couple of synth loops join it. Then all of a sudden there’s a lot more than you realised, until it ends up like early tribal house – say Soundclash Republic era Fabi Paras. The way it’s layered is similar to how I described Swans on CD1. It’s an electro mille feuille. And it’s well titled for good cooking is often likened to good love making (or rather I once read Bourdain claim a bad chef cooked like he’d never been properly f****d). It might be a little experimental for some but not me. A great, great track. But for those who don’t know Soundclash Republic era Fabi Paras....
Yangye The Evil Leopard – Kasai Allstars: Thank you Santa! Thank you . World music and particular African music is a big, recently discovered favourite of mine. I’ve been building up a small collection and I have no Kasai Allstars – yet. That will be rectified very shortly. If you start with the guitar sound from Gracelands and then imagine more tribal rhythms, a chant and instruments I can’t quite place weaving all the way round it until the guitar all but disappears. I like guessing what these sorts of tracks are about as well. I’m going to guess this one is about an evil leopard called Yangye. See how CLEVER I am? He must be a VERY naughty leopard though as, at the start of the track the chanting of his name provides part of the rhythm.
Ellipsis – Mirel Wagner: Just a girl and her guitar doing another sad country / folk number. Again this is new to me. Whereas Sun Kil Moon hooked me immediately this may need a lot more work. It’s not bad but after three listens it hasn’t remotely connected.
Lateness of Dancers – Eliss Golden: Swap the girl voice in the previous track for a guy and I could give it the same review. That said I have come to love both Nick Drake and Elliot Smith but the courtship with both was long and, at times, hard work.
Red Fox – James Yorkston: This on the other hand, while similarly paced and acoustic, grabbed my attention absolutely immediately. It is gorgeously beautiful. A very clear male voice with unique and clever lyrics and a bit more going on other than the acoustic guitar. The previous two tracks, on reflection, feel like someone was singing at me in a folk club. This on the other hand feels like it’s been produced, which I prefer.
Black Lake – Jenny Hval and Susanna: Nope, never hear of these either. I don’t know if I’m not working hard enough at music collection or my taste has naturally gone more mainstream with age. There’s nothing commercial about this but it is very musical and a tad over experimental. The start is hymnal, a piano almost crying under female vocals before it goes all electric and distorted and the piano disappears. This is modern art, This is marmite. I think I’m on the “hate” side.
Riding Bikes – Shellac: One of those lead guitar is the bass and the bass is the lead, spoken word experimental tracks that is once again likely to split the jury right down the middle. I say “one of those” but this is actually pretty unique which is in its favour. I’m going to come down on the “love” side of the Marmite scale. Plus when I played it out loud people went “what is THIS?” which is the reaction I think they were after. Love or hate? Here it is for the NSC nerds to decide.
CD2 by [MENTION=13836]deletebeepbeepbeep[/MENTION]
Adult Diversion – Alvvays: CD2 is off to a rip roaring start. This is a band I have been meaning to check for a while but never got round to it. Classic girl voiced indie. Joy Division bassline. Guitar to die for. Should have checked them out earlier!
Dancehall Domine – The New Porno: This is quite poppy in a cool sort of way. I could imagine it on a Christmas Top of the Pops or a seedy club after midnight. That’s a compliment.
My My – Reigning Sound: Ohhhh! An organ (stop it at the back). This is a straight out American Road Trip theme tune. There are influences from everywhere from seventies rock to Eels to something like Springsteen. Yet it doesn’t really sound like any of them at all. It is of itself. In modern parlance this is aceballs.
Heart Tattoo – Joyce Manor: Another band I have never heard of or from. This is driving garage punk but what you really need to know is that the guitarist is called Chase Knobbe. Beat that fact other reviewers.
Warning – Cymbals Eat Guitars: Pogoing again here. Fast paced rock that I could probably work out to if I were to ever start working out, which I won’t. It’s no Swans but it’ll do.
The Things They Do To Me – A Sunny Day In Glasgow: Did I mention my Santa’s artistic ability? Well there are a couple of times on the track listing where the name of the artist is truncated. This is one. So I had to look them up, given that, again, I have never heard of them. They are not from Scotland at all but a collaboration between US and Sydney based musicians that have only really ever had one constant. Wiki describes them as dream pop and this is exactly what they are. Interstellar (if you remember them) with much grindier guitars. Another track I could play over and over again on repeat.
Our Love – Caribou: I have the first Caribou album but not the latest which is where I presume this comes from. This just shows I have been remiss in not getting it yet because it is perfect. I love a bit of electro, house, techno and dub and this mashes those four things up nicely. There’s a lovely nod to Inner City’s Good Life towards the end and I can imagine Derrick May weaving a whole set sequence around dropping that part in a loop.
Strandbar – Todd Terje: The first track on this CD that I own. Flashy electro house, a track to dance to. House nerds may well know that one of house’s early pioneers was called Todd Terry and this guy’s stage name is a homage to him. He chose well as this is a literal evolution from early house. There’s also an Italian House piano loop for those who love these things, which I do.
minipops 67 (120.2) (source field mix) – Aphex Twin. Another one where Santa made me research the artist except IN YOUR FACE SANTA I already knew. Richard D James was making tunes with names exactly like this when I was a serious clubber, a seriously long time ago. Like Todd Terry’s name he’s evolved but I can’t help but think he would have made this perfectly decent slab of electro back in 1996 had he had today’s kit.
Two Weeks – FKA Twigs: Sparse, slow electro with a pleading female vocal that I can’t help think sounds like it was honed on the X Factor. The backing track is marvellous but the voice is so David Guetta it’s killing me. Don’t play this in front of your kids (note mainly for my wife).
Never Catch Me – Flying Lotus: Flying Lotus are one of those THINGS that I have individual tracks of on Spotify lists without having ever bought an album. Sadly for Santa this hasn’t changed my mind. It’s horribly confused. Part jazz, part electro, part rap and part drum and bass it’s the aural equivalent of one of Sami’s midfields.
Red Sex – Vessel: A massive bass drum beat that starts off like it’s in the wrong place before the rest of the track builds around it. A couple of synth loops join it. Then all of a sudden there’s a lot more than you realised, until it ends up like early tribal house – say Soundclash Republic era Fabi Paras. The way it’s layered is similar to how I described Swans on CD1. It’s an electro mille feuille. And it’s well titled for good cooking is often likened to good love making (or rather I once read Bourdain claim a bad chef cooked like he’d never been properly f****d). It might be a little experimental for some but not me. A great, great track. But for those who don’t know Soundclash Republic era Fabi Paras....
Yangye The Evil Leopard – Kasai Allstars: Thank you Santa! Thank you . World music and particular African music is a big, recently discovered favourite of mine. I’ve been building up a small collection and I have no Kasai Allstars – yet. That will be rectified very shortly. If you start with the guitar sound from Gracelands and then imagine more tribal rhythms, a chant and instruments I can’t quite place weaving all the way round it until the guitar all but disappears. I like guessing what these sorts of tracks are about as well. I’m going to guess this one is about an evil leopard called Yangye. See how CLEVER I am? He must be a VERY naughty leopard though as, at the start of the track the chanting of his name provides part of the rhythm.
Ellipsis – Mirel Wagner: Just a girl and her guitar doing another sad country / folk number. Again this is new to me. Whereas Sun Kil Moon hooked me immediately this may need a lot more work. It’s not bad but after three listens it hasn’t remotely connected.
Lateness of Dancers – Eliss Golden: Swap the girl voice in the previous track for a guy and I could give it the same review. That said I have come to love both Nick Drake and Elliot Smith but the courtship with both was long and, at times, hard work.
Red Fox – James Yorkston: This on the other hand, while similarly paced and acoustic, grabbed my attention absolutely immediately. It is gorgeously beautiful. A very clear male voice with unique and clever lyrics and a bit more going on other than the acoustic guitar. The previous two tracks, on reflection, feel like someone was singing at me in a folk club. This on the other hand feels like it’s been produced, which I prefer.
Black Lake – Jenny Hval and Susanna: Nope, never hear of these either. I don’t know if I’m not working hard enough at music collection or my taste has naturally gone more mainstream with age. There’s nothing commercial about this but it is very musical and a tad over experimental. The start is hymnal, a piano almost crying under female vocals before it goes all electric and distorted and the piano disappears. This is modern art, This is marmite. I think I’m on the “hate” side.
Riding Bikes – Shellac: One of those lead guitar is the bass and the bass is the lead, spoken word experimental tracks that is once again likely to split the jury right down the middle. I say “one of those” but this is actually pretty unique which is in its favour. I’m going to come down on the “love” side of the Marmite scale. Plus when I played it out loud people went “what is THIS?” which is the reaction I think they were after. Love or hate? Here it is for the NSC nerds to decide.
Overall I have to say to my Santa thank you so, so very much. The sleeve work is, well, "simple" but I would much rather have something that sounds good and this does. I haven't liked everything and I think I've been honest about that but I have LOVED the majority of it. I have a shopping list ready for Christmas and it's quite long. I like that this has been well curated and a mixture of some of the albums that have been discussed on NSC and some very obscure stuff. I like that the track order has been very carefully thought about and that there is a good variety of genres. I like that I have some of the tracks already as it makes me feel comfortable about my taste but also that I have never hear the majority of it before.
You have done a fantastic job sir. Take a bow.
You have done a fantastic job sir. Take a bow.
Theatre of Trees
Well-known member
This weeks round up.
So far:
Received, reviewed (Correctly guessed sender)
[MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION] (Theatre of Trees)
[MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] (deletebeepbeepbeep)
Received, reviewed, not yet guessed
[MENTION=19671]CorgiRegisteredFriend[/MENTION]
Received but yet to review
[MENTION=13836]deletebeepbeepbeep[/MENTION]
[MENTION=21578]Worthingite[/MENTION]
[MENTION=15464]DavePage[/MENTION]
[MENTION=19864]Flex Your Head[/MENTION]
[MENTION=468]somerset[/MENTION]
[MENTION=2351]m20gull[/MENTION]
[MENTION=14921]spring hall convert[/MENTION]
Status unknown - yet to receive
[MENTION=26695]Mowgli37[/MENTION]
[MENTION=12196]tinycowboy[/MENTION]
[MENTION=17286]Gordon Bennett[/MENTION]
[MENTION=13947]happypig[/MENTION] *I have been informed this has been posted
[MENTION=2040]Staly[/MENTION]
[MENTION=1131]Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo[/MENTION]
[MENTION=21502]Razzoo[/MENTION]
[MENTION=15311]The Buttery Biscuit Base[/MENTION]
[MENTION=260]sully[/MENTION]
[MENTION=27736]SouthCoastOwl[/MENTION]
Last full week before Christmas.
So far:
Received, reviewed (Correctly guessed sender)
[MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION] (Theatre of Trees)
[MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] (deletebeepbeepbeep)
Received, reviewed, not yet guessed
[MENTION=19671]CorgiRegisteredFriend[/MENTION]
Received but yet to review
[MENTION=13836]deletebeepbeepbeep[/MENTION]
[MENTION=21578]Worthingite[/MENTION]
[MENTION=15464]DavePage[/MENTION]
[MENTION=19864]Flex Your Head[/MENTION]
[MENTION=468]somerset[/MENTION]
[MENTION=2351]m20gull[/MENTION]
[MENTION=14921]spring hall convert[/MENTION]
Status unknown - yet to receive
[MENTION=26695]Mowgli37[/MENTION]
[MENTION=12196]tinycowboy[/MENTION]
[MENTION=17286]Gordon Bennett[/MENTION]
[MENTION=13947]happypig[/MENTION] *I have been informed this has been posted
[MENTION=2040]Staly[/MENTION]
[MENTION=1131]Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo[/MENTION]
[MENTION=21502]Razzoo[/MENTION]
[MENTION=15311]The Buttery Biscuit Base[/MENTION]
[MENTION=260]sully[/MENTION]
[MENTION=27736]SouthCoastOwl[/MENTION]
Last full week before Christmas.
deletebeepbeepbeep
Well-known member
- May 12, 2009
- 20,947
Thanks for the great write-up Guinness Boy, you have obviously thought about it a great deal so thanks for that! If you like World Music, I would also suggest a band called The Very Best - they verge on the pop side and western influenced however, there last album is a few years old not but I believe they have a new album due for release next year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFzwBIRp2rY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFzwBIRp2rY
CorgiRegisteredFriend
Well-known member
Going to second guess mine now and go for [MENTION=15464]DavePage[/MENTION]
DavePage
Well-known member
or is it your first guess?
CorgiRegisteredFriend
Well-known member
Ok. You are a firm guess.
DavePage
Well-known member
I know were in the same industry, but you’ll have to wait and see. Canada post is no quicker than Royal mail
deletebeepbeepbeep
Well-known member
- May 12, 2009
- 20,947
Okay, thanks to my santa - whoever you are - this album has more jangly guitars on it you can shake a stick at. Lots of twee and shoegaze. I recognise a few of the bands, Magnetic Fields are one of my favourite bands and I have every sinlge one of their albums, and there are other bands that I recognise but have never listened to a lot of - Eels, Beth Orton, Primal Scream, Goldfrapp, Camera Obscura. Overall, I really enjoyed it - I liked mostly all of it and there are a few tracks I really really like (Groove Farm, June Brides and The Smittens in particular).
Album Artwork:
(I have no idea who this handsome chap on the front of the CD Cover is (sorry))
Brilliant Corners - Emily
I really like this, lots of energy, jangly guitar shoegaze, nice hook and a lot of noise - good opener.
Eeels - Parallels
There's something really comforting about the Eels, I haven't listened to a lot of thier music but it's all familiar. This seems a bit more toned down then their other tracks, it's a good un.
Groove Farm - Captain Fantastic
Another messy jangly indie-pop song really, really like this one - my favourite track on the CD.
Sisters of Mercy - 1959
Not a fan of this, can't get into the heavy dramatic effect on the vocals. Sorry.
Sea Urchins - Pristine Christine
Another slice of jangly guitar pop, lots of really interesting guitar work on this one, a toe tapper. Probably my second favourite track on the CD.
June Brides - Sunday to Saturday
I think this is my favourite track on the CD, messy indie rock, a lot of rough edges, really good lyrics - really up my street.
Hundreds - Foam Born
A nice change from what has gone before, a sweet piano based female sisinger songwriter - not really my thing but nice enough, good chorus.
Beth Orton - Whenever
Again, not really my thing - doesn't really do anything for me this one, sorry!
Magnetic Fields - 100,000 Fireflies
Love this track and love the Magnetic Fields.
Primal Scream - Leaves
This doesn't sound like the Primal Scream that I remember, hadn't realised they'd made some jaunty brit-pop songs - this is okay, I think they were right to leave this phase behind them though.
Betty & the Werewolves - David Cassidy
This is probably my third favourite song on the CD, have a thing about shout along choruses and snarky clever lyrics. It's incredibly twee, reminds me of Los Campesinos!
http://youtu.be/Nj6SO_yKMe8
Veronica Falls - Wedding Day
Some more jaunty indie-pop with a good hook and sing along vocals.
t'Good t'Bad & t'Queen - Green Fields
This phase of Damon Albarn's career had totally passed me by for one reason or another- a lot moodier and darker than the rest of the CD. A good track though, I'll add the album to Spotify.
Jesus & Mary Chain - Sometimes Always
It's probably sacrilige to say that I haven't listened to any Jesus & March Chain right? Lots of droning guitars, great duo, the female singer has an amazingly sultry voice, this song has proper attitude.
Razorcuts - Sorry to Embaress You
Another really nice indie pop song, chiming guitars, personal lyrics, slightly awkward sounding singing. A really nice indie-pop song but it does little to excite me.
The Smittens - Summer Sunshine
This song is a bit of a delight, more sing along choruses and jaunty lyrics - painfully twee, luckily I'm a fan of that.
Goldfrapp - Drew
Very slow synth based music is not really my thing - sorry! File this under Beth Orton.
Camera Obscura - Happy New Year
This reminds me a lot of Belle & Sebastien, well structured and charming folky country pop great melodies laced with melancholy.
Thanks for the CD Santa, I have added sea urchins, camera obscura, the smittens, june brides, betty and the wearwolves and T'good, T'bad & T'queen to my Spotify. Overall, the whole CD felt like a tour through 80s indie guitar music in England, which is no bad thing. I would feel nostalgic if I hadn't been too young to really follow the scene first time round.
As for who sent me this, I have no idea, can anyone else hazard a guess? They have a penchant for 80s - 90s english shoegaze / indie pop / indie rock?
Album Artwork:
(I have no idea who this handsome chap on the front of the CD Cover is (sorry))
Brilliant Corners - Emily
I really like this, lots of energy, jangly guitar shoegaze, nice hook and a lot of noise - good opener.
Eeels - Parallels
There's something really comforting about the Eels, I haven't listened to a lot of thier music but it's all familiar. This seems a bit more toned down then their other tracks, it's a good un.
Groove Farm - Captain Fantastic
Another messy jangly indie-pop song really, really like this one - my favourite track on the CD.
Sisters of Mercy - 1959
Not a fan of this, can't get into the heavy dramatic effect on the vocals. Sorry.
Sea Urchins - Pristine Christine
Another slice of jangly guitar pop, lots of really interesting guitar work on this one, a toe tapper. Probably my second favourite track on the CD.
June Brides - Sunday to Saturday
I think this is my favourite track on the CD, messy indie rock, a lot of rough edges, really good lyrics - really up my street.
Hundreds - Foam Born
A nice change from what has gone before, a sweet piano based female sisinger songwriter - not really my thing but nice enough, good chorus.
Beth Orton - Whenever
Again, not really my thing - doesn't really do anything for me this one, sorry!
Magnetic Fields - 100,000 Fireflies
Love this track and love the Magnetic Fields.
Primal Scream - Leaves
This doesn't sound like the Primal Scream that I remember, hadn't realised they'd made some jaunty brit-pop songs - this is okay, I think they were right to leave this phase behind them though.
Betty & the Werewolves - David Cassidy
This is probably my third favourite song on the CD, have a thing about shout along choruses and snarky clever lyrics. It's incredibly twee, reminds me of Los Campesinos!
http://youtu.be/Nj6SO_yKMe8
Veronica Falls - Wedding Day
Some more jaunty indie-pop with a good hook and sing along vocals.
t'Good t'Bad & t'Queen - Green Fields
This phase of Damon Albarn's career had totally passed me by for one reason or another- a lot moodier and darker than the rest of the CD. A good track though, I'll add the album to Spotify.
Jesus & Mary Chain - Sometimes Always
It's probably sacrilige to say that I haven't listened to any Jesus & March Chain right? Lots of droning guitars, great duo, the female singer has an amazingly sultry voice, this song has proper attitude.
Razorcuts - Sorry to Embaress You
Another really nice indie pop song, chiming guitars, personal lyrics, slightly awkward sounding singing. A really nice indie-pop song but it does little to excite me.
The Smittens - Summer Sunshine
This song is a bit of a delight, more sing along choruses and jaunty lyrics - painfully twee, luckily I'm a fan of that.
Goldfrapp - Drew
Very slow synth based music is not really my thing - sorry! File this under Beth Orton.
Camera Obscura - Happy New Year
This reminds me a lot of Belle & Sebastien, well structured and charming folky country pop great melodies laced with melancholy.
Thanks for the CD Santa, I have added sea urchins, camera obscura, the smittens, june brides, betty and the wearwolves and T'good, T'bad & T'queen to my Spotify. Overall, the whole CD felt like a tour through 80s indie guitar music in England, which is no bad thing. I would feel nostalgic if I hadn't been too young to really follow the scene first time round.
As for who sent me this, I have no idea, can anyone else hazard a guess? They have a penchant for 80s - 90s english shoegaze / indie pop / indie rock?
CorgiRegisteredFriend
Well-known member
Oh it's not you. Just seen your location!
DavePage
Well-known member
Why not?
DavePage
Well-known member
Not enough Bryan Adams and Rush for ya?
CorgiRegisteredFriend
Well-known member
The stamp is definitely from these waters.
m20gull
Well-known member
The Bin's Festival
Many thanks to my Santa for a double CD of delights, most of them new to me. So here is my review. Some of these will definitely be appearing in more detail on my iPod. Classic of course.
CD1 - The Bin’s Night Out
1 Here we go – Mr Scruff. Great opener – I am convinced I recognise the sample (funky horns) but cannot place it.
2 Rainy Night in Georgia (Boozoo Bajou Dub) – Tony Joe White. Would never have recognised the song. Cunningly a collaborative rework of a song by the writer rather than the artists that made it famous. Trippy soul music.
3 Fight Them Back – Steve Mason. Apart from calling this pop I am struggling to describe it. Aggressive lyrics that would not sound out of place on some hardcore albums but sung in a pop song with strings and backing singers. Like.
4 Dubbing in a Africa – Augustus Pablo. As it says on the tin: “dub”, African-style, and none the worse for that. From a guy who went on to work with my favourite dubster, King Tubby.
5 Ndakhumudwa - Malawi Mouse Boys. African, but sounds Cajun, and with the forgotten skill of whistling. Infectious and cheerful.
6 African Airways – Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. More from Africa, this time in English (at least partially). Lots of horns, good-time music that I could not help but dance to.
7 Lady Day & John Coltrane – Gil Scott-Heron. Great Jazz fashioned after the blues
8 Live Wire – the Meters. Instrumental funk. What’s not to like?
9 Pushin’ On – Alice Russell. Pleasing soul song
10 Ali Maula (Simon and Diamond Remix) – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Middle Eastern dance music
11 The 911 Curry – Cornershop. Classic Cornershop pop with Indian lyrics. Lively, very poppy.
12 Ska’d for Life (Instrumental Mix) – Orbital. Ska does not feature a lot, OK not at all, in my music collection. This is an Orbitalised instrumental ska tune, so electronic rhythms with an overlaid ska beat and a hint of Guns of Navarone (I think).
13 One Touch – LCD Soundsystem. Dance music that sounds very ‘80s but isn’t, something to do with the vocal style.
14 Baptism - Crystal Castles. Europop (ish), but not European after all! Sadly not named after the very fine arcade game though using some effects that sound straight out of an arcade. Oh don’t get me wrong. I like Europop.
15 The Bells (Blue Potential Version) – Jeff Mills with Montpellier Philarmonic Orchestra. Odd combination of lively classical orchestra with an electronic beat. And bells. Works for me.
CD2 – The Bin’s Chill Out
1 Fix the Blame – Terry Callier. Lovely folk-blues protest song, kind of reminiscent of Jack Bruce. Definitely will be acquiring some.
2 Black Swan – Thom Yorke. I should have paid attention to the lyrics when I was driving home after Millwall (“… this is f 'ed up..”), I could have sung along. Loudly.
3 In all the wrong places – Ulrich Schnauss. Gentle German electronica. Would have preferred a harder edge (think early Tangs) but this is a chill out.
4 Biscuits – Fink. Just the sort of thing I like. Quirky and personal. Wistful lyrics over a very sparse tune. Found myself humming this one while I was out.
5 Daffodils – The Aliens. Nice psychy sixties vibe. Could have done with a bit more!
6 The Projects (Pjays) – Handsome Boy Modelling School. Tuneful hip-hop, angry but mellow and perfect in chill-out.
7 Charge - Elbow. First artist on this side I have actually heard of (though I have since found out that Thom Yorke is in Radiohead). Straight-up piece of beauty with lots of feeling and strings.
8 Suffering – War on Drugs. At last a song I have! Another relaxation; dreamy and ideal Sunday morning.
9 P___ing in the Wind – Badly Drawn Boy. Wave your arms in the air and sing along, uplifting.
10 Billy in the Lowground – Goldheart Assembly. Festival music. Sit down on the grass in the sunshine.
11 Harper Lee – Little Green Cars. Ditto. Not my sort of thing, but I can see why people in their thousands like it. Well written
12 Comeback (Light Theory) – Josh Rouse. Funky, foot-tapping and soulful.
13 Someday We’ll All Be Free – Donny Hathaway. Proper 70’s soul. A fine message to all of us …
Overall a bouncy feel to CD1, a chillier groove to CD2 (as expected).
No idea of the Santa's true identity. A wide range of sounds from 70's to recent. Could be anyone!
Many thanks to my Santa for a double CD of delights, most of them new to me. So here is my review. Some of these will definitely be appearing in more detail on my iPod. Classic of course.
CD1 - The Bin’s Night Out
1 Here we go – Mr Scruff. Great opener – I am convinced I recognise the sample (funky horns) but cannot place it.
2 Rainy Night in Georgia (Boozoo Bajou Dub) – Tony Joe White. Would never have recognised the song. Cunningly a collaborative rework of a song by the writer rather than the artists that made it famous. Trippy soul music.
3 Fight Them Back – Steve Mason. Apart from calling this pop I am struggling to describe it. Aggressive lyrics that would not sound out of place on some hardcore albums but sung in a pop song with strings and backing singers. Like.
4 Dubbing in a Africa – Augustus Pablo. As it says on the tin: “dub”, African-style, and none the worse for that. From a guy who went on to work with my favourite dubster, King Tubby.
5 Ndakhumudwa - Malawi Mouse Boys. African, but sounds Cajun, and with the forgotten skill of whistling. Infectious and cheerful.
6 African Airways – Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. More from Africa, this time in English (at least partially). Lots of horns, good-time music that I could not help but dance to.
7 Lady Day & John Coltrane – Gil Scott-Heron. Great Jazz fashioned after the blues
8 Live Wire – the Meters. Instrumental funk. What’s not to like?
9 Pushin’ On – Alice Russell. Pleasing soul song
10 Ali Maula (Simon and Diamond Remix) – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Middle Eastern dance music
11 The 911 Curry – Cornershop. Classic Cornershop pop with Indian lyrics. Lively, very poppy.
12 Ska’d for Life (Instrumental Mix) – Orbital. Ska does not feature a lot, OK not at all, in my music collection. This is an Orbitalised instrumental ska tune, so electronic rhythms with an overlaid ska beat and a hint of Guns of Navarone (I think).
13 One Touch – LCD Soundsystem. Dance music that sounds very ‘80s but isn’t, something to do with the vocal style.
14 Baptism - Crystal Castles. Europop (ish), but not European after all! Sadly not named after the very fine arcade game though using some effects that sound straight out of an arcade. Oh don’t get me wrong. I like Europop.
15 The Bells (Blue Potential Version) – Jeff Mills with Montpellier Philarmonic Orchestra. Odd combination of lively classical orchestra with an electronic beat. And bells. Works for me.
CD2 – The Bin’s Chill Out
1 Fix the Blame – Terry Callier. Lovely folk-blues protest song, kind of reminiscent of Jack Bruce. Definitely will be acquiring some.
2 Black Swan – Thom Yorke. I should have paid attention to the lyrics when I was driving home after Millwall (“… this is f 'ed up..”), I could have sung along. Loudly.
3 In all the wrong places – Ulrich Schnauss. Gentle German electronica. Would have preferred a harder edge (think early Tangs) but this is a chill out.
4 Biscuits – Fink. Just the sort of thing I like. Quirky and personal. Wistful lyrics over a very sparse tune. Found myself humming this one while I was out.
5 Daffodils – The Aliens. Nice psychy sixties vibe. Could have done with a bit more!
6 The Projects (Pjays) – Handsome Boy Modelling School. Tuneful hip-hop, angry but mellow and perfect in chill-out.
7 Charge - Elbow. First artist on this side I have actually heard of (though I have since found out that Thom Yorke is in Radiohead). Straight-up piece of beauty with lots of feeling and strings.
8 Suffering – War on Drugs. At last a song I have! Another relaxation; dreamy and ideal Sunday morning.
9 P___ing in the Wind – Badly Drawn Boy. Wave your arms in the air and sing along, uplifting.
10 Billy in the Lowground – Goldheart Assembly. Festival music. Sit down on the grass in the sunshine.
11 Harper Lee – Little Green Cars. Ditto. Not my sort of thing, but I can see why people in their thousands like it. Well written
12 Comeback (Light Theory) – Josh Rouse. Funky, foot-tapping and soulful.
13 Someday We’ll All Be Free – Donny Hathaway. Proper 70’s soul. A fine message to all of us …
Overall a bouncy feel to CD1, a chillier groove to CD2 (as expected).
No idea of the Santa's true identity. A wide range of sounds from 70's to recent. Could be anyone!
There's a generational thing going on here. I have heard of EVERY band whereas I'd heard of a fraction of yours. My guess is this stinks of [MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION]
m20gull
Well-known member
Can't find the edit button. I am going to hazard a guess as Flex Your Head.
And many thanks to Theatre of Trees for organising.
Right. Why does this post have an "Edit Post" button, but not my previous one?
The edit facility times out after a while to stop people completely changing posts during binfests. See "The Truth"