Thread to Rate Al***s Using Nick Lees Head as a Quality Index
Posted by: matthewr on 05 June 2003
It has occured that the admirable Nick Lees is the archtypal Music Room poster -- he has excellent taste, a huge record collection and perhaps most importantly bridges the gap between the 60s/70s classics/traditionalists and the sort of utlra-fashionable hipsters like myself who listen to impossibly cool records only available from an obscure record shop in Norway.
Therefore, and in an effort to reinvigorate our Music Room which we still do way better than the varuous other forums I would like to introduce a new standardised and highly objective system for rating albums by positioning a picture of Nick on a special designed rating thermometer. And then optionally adding a suitable summary comment for quoting on one of those annoying stickers that record companies like to put on the front of CD cases.
e.g.
"Destined to be bought by the bass players Mum, people who shop while drunk and Mick Parry"
"these people should be boiled in oil for making this"
"for dedicated fans and completists only"
"... monumental... a staggering achievement"
"... an instant classic and potential Album of the Year"
To this end I present a brief review of one of my favourite discs this year:
Matthew
Therefore, and in an effort to reinvigorate our Music Room which we still do way better than the varuous other forums I would like to introduce a new standardised and highly objective system for rating albums by positioning a picture of Nick on a special designed rating thermometer. And then optionally adding a suitable summary comment for quoting on one of those annoying stickers that record companies like to put on the front of CD cases.
e.g.
"Destined to be bought by the bass players Mum, people who shop while drunk and Mick Parry"
"these people should be boiled in oil for making this"
"for dedicated fans and completists only"
"... monumental... a staggering achievement"
"... an instant classic and potential Album of the Year"
To this end I present a brief review of one of my favourite discs this year:
Matthew
M. Ward -- "The Transfiguration of Vincent" [Merge; 2003]
I have been listening for this for several weeks and I just like it more and more. Superficially its an album of singer/songwriter songs in a variety of styles -- alt.country, delta blues, bluegrass (ish) -- but the songs are universally excellent, well put together and played and never less than oddly affecting and frequently quite moving.
Ward, well suported by his excellent band, knocks out some classy acoustic guitar work and tops it all off with his idosyncratic but quite wonderful singing. One of those albums that is truly greater than the sum of its parts and a definite recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in alt.country, country blues, and the like. Ends with a cracking cover of "Lets Dance".
Well recieved in Wire this month and at http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/w/ward_m/transfiguration-of-vincent.shtml
"A beautiful and hugely enjoyable album packed with great music"
Odd Nosdam - No More Wig For Ohio
This is one for anyone who likes messed up instrumental hip hop. Actually, even if the only hip hop you ever liked was 3ft High and Rising, this one is for you. It's got elements of the usual Odd Nosdam production, but it's way better focussed that say THE SPLIT EP!. It's packed full of jarring basslines, and tight beats. It starts off overlayed with what sounds like weird 50's US sitcom dialogue, childrens rhymes, broken pianos, and rich horns, and progresses into a gritter sound that he usually has. Some of it reminds me of sixtoo, even RJD2. Way tighter than some of the more off-beat anticon product.
I rate it just a little less than...
Excellent effort chaps. Although, and not wishing to prejudge Opeth, I hope Mr Toon hasn't shot his bolt by giving a maximum stright away.
"Thinking About Myself" -- most apt Nick
Matthew
"Thinking About Myself" -- most apt Nick
Matthew
The Long Winters When I Pretend To Fall (Barsuk Records)
Lollipop rock with very original songwriting and drive a bit reminiscent of Superchunk (to me anyway), but with some nifty guitar tinkering and occassional violin, cello, and other strings in the mix. Just a fun album for summer. The smiley lyrics make it that way. Not as nerdy as They Might Be Giants, though.
I would actually rate this album 3.5 Nh (Nick heads)...
"Fun rock with a truly original twist"
Matthew's review of M. Ward, this review, and the new New Pornographers album remind me that I need to get out to see my local acts. Great stuff in my own backyard.
[This message was edited by Ludwig on FRIDAY 06 June 2003 at 05:47.]
Lollipop rock with very original songwriting and drive a bit reminiscent of Superchunk (to me anyway), but with some nifty guitar tinkering and occassional violin, cello, and other strings in the mix. Just a fun album for summer. The smiley lyrics make it that way. Not as nerdy as They Might Be Giants, though.
I would actually rate this album 3.5 Nh (Nick heads)...
"Fun rock with a truly original twist"
Matthew's review of M. Ward, this review, and the new New Pornographers album remind me that I need to get out to see my local acts. Great stuff in my own backyard.
[This message was edited by Ludwig on FRIDAY 06 June 2003 at 05:47.]
{img}http://comedylimp.com/images/nick1.jpg{/img}
{b}"Pithy Quote"{/b}
But replace the curly braces with square brackets and the 1 in nick1 with your favoured score. There is no need to attach the image.
BTW I am thinking extending the range below zero for truly dire records. I beleive at -273 degrees a recrod becomes so awful that Nick will turn into Mick Parry
Orchidas or Curve doesn't sound like me but as an indie-pop stalwart you will almost certainly love:
Basically 20+ indie-pop gems from the God of Indie Pop Stewart Anderson.
Review here
"4.5 Nh for fans; 3Nh for everyone else"
PS The correct term is "Nickometer" I believe.
{b}"Pithy Quote"{/b}
But replace the curly braces with square brackets and the 1 in nick1 with your favoured score. There is no need to attach the image.
BTW I am thinking extending the range below zero for truly dire records. I beleive at -273 degrees a recrod becomes so awful that Nick will turn into Mick Parry
Orchidas or Curve doesn't sound like me but as an indie-pop stalwart you will almost certainly love:
Basically 20+ indie-pop gems from the God of Indie Pop Stewart Anderson.
Review here
"4.5 Nh for fans; 3Nh for everyone else"
PS The correct term is "Nickometer" I believe.
Mr. Lif: I Phantom
Mr Lif's been getting more press than usual lately, due to being namechecked by Howard Zinn. However, non-ZNet readers won't be too alienated. The production duties are handled by the usual Def Jukies, plus Edan. Stand-outs for me are New Man Theme and Success. Despite it being new to me, I am still playing Emergency Rations more. Solid lyrics, but nothing in the production will suprise anyone.
Anti wage slavery lyrics with standard Def Jux beats
Sting - Dream of the Blue Turtles
Head of the turtle more like!!
No pun intended!
Buck 65 - Man Overboard
One of my favourites of last year, Man Overboard has just been rereleased following his signing by Warner. It's a good job, as Buck's follow-up to Vertex doesn't get the props it deserves. Like everything Sole has done since Bottle of Humans, it suffers because the 'classic' release was so innovative. Still, it should not be overlooked, as the beats here are utterly dope. Buck admits to being a geek when it comes to sound quality, and it shows in the quality of the production. Everything is tight, and the sparsness of the sound gives Buck space to drop his rhymes. However, his delivery is an aquired taste. His delivery is deliberate, pedestrian compared to the gymnastics of APC. However, it undoubtably works. I don't think there's a single duff track on here.
Top shelf Canuck hip hop
New Pornographers Electric Version (Matador Records)
Nick, I can relate to your issue with Neko's album. It took a few weeks for me to warm up to it. Then I bought this album and I'm finding that I prefer Neko The Pop Singer over Neko The Folk Singer. Sophomore efforts are usually a letdown, but this one can stand on its own. A great upbeat summertime pop record. (My listening tastes are seasonal- dreary and more folkish, also trip-hop, in the rainy winter; pop and rap in the summer sun.)
Super sophomore effort by Canuck powerpop'ers
Nick, I can relate to your issue with Neko's album. It took a few weeks for me to warm up to it. Then I bought this album and I'm finding that I prefer Neko The Pop Singer over Neko The Folk Singer. Sophomore efforts are usually a letdown, but this one can stand on its own. A great upbeat summertime pop record. (My listening tastes are seasonal- dreary and more folkish, also trip-hop, in the rainy winter; pop and rap in the summer sun.)
Super sophomore effort by Canuck powerpop'ers
Mass Romantic would max out the Nickometer. 
The Paybacks: Knock Loud
Rippingly loud rocker that took a few listens to sink in. I didn't fully realize (accept?) that it was a chick singing on this -- think Chrssy Hynde, except about one octave lower. Yikes!
Fine Detroit rock in the MC5 tradition, except with a female Rob Tyner!
Rippingly loud rocker that took a few listens to sink in. I didn't fully realize (accept?) that it was a chick singing on this -- think Chrssy Hynde, except about one octave lower. Yikes!
Fine Detroit rock in the MC5 tradition, except with a female Rob Tyner!
Swirlies: Cats of the Wild, vol. 2
Gentle boy/girl duets over screeching, hissing guitars in the tradition of Quasi and the Delgados (I admit to a weakness for this, so caveat emptor). The first five tracks are terrific, after that it takes a nasty dive to the bottom.
Think of this as a great EP at LP prices
Gentle boy/girl duets over screeching, hissing guitars in the tradition of Quasi and the Delgados (I admit to a weakness for this, so caveat emptor). The first five tracks are terrific, after that it takes a nasty dive to the bottom.
Think of this as a great EP at LP prices
Bonnie Prince Billy - Master and Everyone
First of all, stop sniggering.
This album really is so much more than the sum of it's parts because it's parts are pretty scantily clad to say the least. I was doing the "have you heard this" thing with a friend a few weeks ago and after trawling through this one with the next button and failing to find an adequate demo track I had to just assure him that it was actually rather good.
I don't know much about William Oldham. I think that Lambchop had something to do with the production. What I do know is that it's simple, intimate, haunting music. Play it at dusk on a rainy day when the house is empty and feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
If you hate Gillian Welsh you will hate this even more