I Just Picked Up...

[Beantown]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

yeah dood, i'm seeing him here in phoenix on feb 4th.. he is awesome, really spiritual no matter what relgion you are. also try downloading other songs that aren't live, they're really good and sound different of course.

Yeah, he's got so much vocal talent it's amazing. And his beat-boxing...wow.

[Silverstring]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

The reviews are mixed, so were the reviews for "Room on Fire." Just too much hype after their debut, no way they will have another album praised as much as that one.

I have listened a couple more times to it, I like it, but it isn't spectacular. Just can't help feeling like they could have made a much better album. It's not bad by any means, it is about on the level of Room on Fire(which I do like), but it just isn't spectacular at all. Maybe it will grow on me.

The song "Razorblade" stole it's hook from some old song I can't remember the name of. All I remember is that on the Simpsons when Homer was almost cheating or something in Las Vegas(maybe?) at the end he sings "Oh Marge, you came and you found me a turkey...." The chorus of "Razorblade" is a straight rip-off of whatever song Homer was mocking in that episode. Hard to even listen to the song really.

Ok, let me switch into Music Critic Pretentious Mode(forgive me):

I like the album a ton, but I don't "respect" it.

I have to agree with the criticisms. I love the Strokes "sound", the incredible "tightness" of the band, I'm just a big fan. That said, when I try to listen objectively, I hear a band in cruise control. Call me a music snob, but when I don't hear a band "progressing", especially in their first few albums, it's hard to put up with it for too long(Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, and maybe it has spoiled me....I don't expect Bends/OK Computer/Kid A type shifts from every band, but come on...).

Also, the song-writing, especially lyrically, is beginning to become exposed. What the hell is a song like "Ask Me Anything" doing on an album? It sounds like nothing more like a "in-joke" demo to me that never should've gotten past that stage.

Maybe, like CM and the critics, I just expect MORE from THIS band. The first album did curse them in this way. They have potential, but seem too comfortable.

DAMN YOU for pointing out that about "Razorblade". I liked the song, but that similarity passed under my radar. Now, of course, I cant get it out of my head. Still the musical component of that song is excellent. Those two guitar players are just phenomenal in terms of complementing each other with their phrasing.

On a side, semi-related note, I get so annoyed at the music press and PR departments. EVERY album from an established band is ALWAYS touted as one of two things 1) A radical "new direction" or 2) A "return to form". Of course, it ends up being neither of these things and mostly more of the same(in a bad way). The Strokes, U2, Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton have been some of the recent offenders(not that the albums are all bad, but I have been misled, and annoyed, by the "spin").

[Silverstring]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan - In Session
SRV playing with one of his biggest influences. Great album for anyone who is a fan of: guitar, the blues, rock, SRV, or Albert King. SRV and Albert King sound fantastic together, however, its not a collaborative effort ala Riding With The King - Albert King takes over the session and shows why he's one of the Kings of the Blues - Great guitar playing, great vocals and tons of emotion.

Hadn't heard about this, but I'm SOLD. Blues is my favorite music genre(well, maybe 1A and 1B with punk), and I have to get everything SRV puts out(not that Albert King is any slouch himself).

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

On a side, semi-related note, I get so annoyed at the music press and PR departments. EVERY album from an established band is ALWAYS touted as one of two things 1) A radical "new direction" or 2) A "return to form". Of course, it ends up being neither of these things and mostly more of the same(in a bad way). The Strokes, U2, Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton have been some of the recent offenders(not that the albums are all bad, but I have been misled, and annoyed, by the "spin").

I'm not sure where U2 have gone, but I think they're anchoring where they are, which sounds more crafted with the top 40 in mind rather than their experimental sound of old. Its not that its bad, like you said, but the fire is gone, IMO.

Rolling Stones - I haven't listened to their new album, with the exception of the single, so I don't know how it is. Whenever I pick it, I won't expect it to be on par with Exile on Main Street, Sticky Fingers, or Beggars Banquet, but I hope its something more than what they went towards at the end of the 70s and into the 90s.

And Eric Clapton. I think he's always suffered from just relaxing entirely too much and just coasting and every single review that I've read on his solo and live albums reflect that characteristic. The man needs to be challenged. Hell, he's a guitar god for crying out loud. His best work rarely comes from playing by himself. His solo career, IMO, is what happens when you take a rocket scientist away from a team, such as NASA, and place them on another project by themselves. The scientist, while still producing good work, doesn't produce his best work and needs the competition aspect of the team to produce better. This is what Clapton has always needed - another musician to push Clapton to his limits. You hear it in Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominos, and his collaboration with BB King. There have been strong solo efforts from the man, but he isn't consistent unless he's with other superstar musicians. Its not that his solo career is bad (well not all of it), but he either needs an emotion basis (returning from rehab, death of his son) or another musician pushing Clapton to his limit to be the best EC can be. And I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but I can still dream about EC teaming up with other living legends in the future.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Hadn't heard about this, but I'm SOLD. Blues is my favorite music genre(well, maybe 1A and 1B with punk), and I have to get everything SRV puts out(not that Albert King is any slouch himself).

I didn't know about it until two or three weeks ago when I found it on a CD queue website and I immediately put it on order - too bad it was backordered. Then I just happen to stroll past the very small selection of blues albums at my local Circuit City and the album was there, so I picked it up and went straight to the register and have been loving it ever since.

[CM1847]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Ok, let me switch into Music Critic Pretentious Mode(forgive me):

I like the album a ton, but I don't "respect" it.

I have to agree with the criticisms. I love the Strokes "sound", the incredible "tightness" of the band, I'm just a big fan. That said, when I try to listen objectively, I hear a band in cruise control. Call me a music snob, but when I don't hear a band "progressing", especially in their first few albums, it's hard to put up with it for too long(Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, and maybe it has spoiled me....I don't expect Bends/OK Computer/Kid A type shifts from every band, but come on...).

Also, the song-writing, especially lyrically, is beginning to become exposed. What the hell is a song like "Ask Me Anything" doing on an album? It sounds like nothing more like a "in-joke" demo to me that never should've gotten past that stage.

Maybe, like CM and the critics, I just expect MORE from THIS band. The first album did curse them in this way. They have potential, but seem too comfortable.

DAMN YOU for pointing out that about "Razorblade". I liked the song, but that similarity passed under my radar. Now, of course, I cant get it out of my head. Still the musical component of that song is excellent. Those two guitar players are just phenomenal in terms of complementing each other with their phrasing.

On a side, semi-related note, I get so annoyed at the music press and PR departments. EVERY album from an established band is ALWAYS touted as one of two things 1) A radical "new direction" or 2) A "return to form". Of course, it ends up being neither of these things and mostly more of the same(in a bad way). The Strokes, U2, Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton have been some of the recent offenders(not that the albums are all bad, but I have been misled, and annoyed, by the "spin").

All very well said. Their "change" on the new album seems forced and it shows. Some of the songs work, I think "You Only Live Once" is one of the best songs they have ever done, but most of the other songs end up falling short of their potential. I agree about "Ask Me Anything", it reminds me a lot of "You Talk Way Too Much" from Room On Fire. Those types of annoyingly-repetative songs shouldn't have a place on albums from such an obviously talented band. I think you put it perfectly calling it a "in-joke demo." B-side at best.

A random comparison, but the last two Strokes albums remind me a LOT of Weezer's Green and Maladriot albums. I can go through them and find a decent number of songs I really enjoy, but as overall albums, both fall short of their previous works. If the two were combined into one album MAYBE it would reach the heights of their previous work(s), but as two separate albums there is just too much filler on them. Nothing musical in common between Weezer & The Strokes, but the overall feeling I get from the albums is the same. I will most likely end up ripping a handful of songs from this new Strokes album to my computer and rarely ever listen to the whole album all the way through.

Haha, sorry about "Razorblade," it was just so obvious to me. The second I heard it I began singing "Oh Margie you came and you found me a turkey...." haha.

[shon]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

The "new" John5 album. If you don't know who he is, the lead guitarist for marylin manson.

It is an instrumental album with 2 country songs. It is really good and something you would not expect if you have only heard his Manson stuff.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Madvillain
Madvillainy


Metal Fingers
Special Herbs Vols. 5&6

[Husker_OS]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Technically..I just picked up Gasoline by Theory Of A Deadman. I bought it when it came out but it was stolen before I could get a good listen to it(I bought it with a bunch of other CDs...they got stolen at school a week later )

so..I'll give my favorite songs off of it..

1. Say Goodbye- Good intro. Good chorus. Love the lyrics. Classic Theory of a Deadman.

2. Santa Monica- The slow song of the album. Done very nicely. Close 2nd behind Say Goodbye.

3. No Surprise- Excellent lyrics. Makes me laugh everytime. And a good song to get stuck in your head.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Metal Fingers
Special Herbs Vol. 9+0

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

I picked up Spoon's Gimme Fiction yesterday.

This week I've bought Brendan Benson's One Mississippi/Wellfed Boy EP and Lapalco, along with Gimme Fiction. Happy happy joy joy. That's all I have to say. Brendan Benson is like the Paul McCartney of modern rock.

[Hooe]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

I got a buncha Led Zeppelin CDs (II, III, IV, Physical Graffiti, Houses of the Holy, In Through The Out Door) and Yellowcard's new disc, Lights and Sounds.

No need to go over the LZ discs, they speak for themselves. The new Yellowcard album, however: it's different; it's not as much, for lack of a better term, "bubble-gum punk" as their last one was. Granted, it still sounds like Yellowcard, but there's a slight redefinition in how they sound; particularly on the tracks "Two Weeks From Twenty", "City Of Devils", and "How I Go". The album runs a bit long though, and two of tracks in particular I don't really like ("Grey", "Words, Hands, Hearts"); they seem like filler.

For the most part, it's not as radio-friendly as Ocean Avenue, but overall a better album than it, IMO.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Krioniq - Do you have How the West Was Won by Led Zeppelin?

[Hooe]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Krioniq - Do you have How the West Was Won by Led Zeppelin?

Actually, I don't; I was just curious about them and so I went out and got a few of their albums that either (A) my friends suggested, or (B) my friends loaned to me. How does it compare with the ones I have?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: I Just Picked Up...

Actually, I don't; I was just curious about them and so I went out and got a few of their albums that either (A) my friends suggested, or (B) my friends loaned to me. How does it compare with the ones I have?

It pretty much encompasses all of their albums prior to Houses of the Holy. It is a three disc set of selections from four concerts from California: The Forum, Long Beach Arena, and two LA shows. Its a great set to buy, especially once you get into the albums you purchased. Dazed and Confused transforms into a 25 minute guitar session with Jimmy Page and Moby Dick extends to nearly 20 minutes with John Bonham going absolutely crazy. I also recommend the DVD set, which has both Dazed And Confused and Moby Dick, among all their other "classics."
Tip: Watching Jimmy Page play his guitar with a violin bow is unreal.