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
Why?: Oaklandazulasylum
Why? is one third of Ninja-tune avant-hop supergroup cLOUDDEAD, but he's always been the least well known, rarely stepping out of the shadow of Dose One when it comes to rhymes, or Odd Nosdam when it comes to beats. This album is his debut solo album, with Odd Nosdam only briefly stepping on for production duties on a track or two.
So, the usual 'is this hip hop?' question gets raised, and most people skirt it, feigning boredom. Well, not me. This isn't hip hop. God knows what it is. It's somewhere between Money Mark and Scott Herren's folktronica. It's nearest reference point is anticon friend Andrew Broder's Fog project, but this is a darker, more twisted sound. I imagine it's what MTVHits would sound like a quad drop of double dipped purple aums. It's all a bit odd, but it's hella entertaining. Why? does a solid job, bringing a bunch of new ideas to the table.
I've already seen a review pinning it as album of the year. Well, I don't think it'll be mine, but it's certainly the best bad-acid folk-hop album I've heard so far!
Weirdo beats cooked with lighter gas in a confined space
Stefano di Battista - Round about Roma
If you know Vince Mendoza's work, either on his own albums or as arranger for recent efforts by Joni Mitchell, you already have a pretty good idea of what this is going to sound like. Stefano does a good job on sax and Eric Legnini likewise on Piano, but it's the Symphonic orchestra "Les Archets de Paris" and Vince's arrangements that keep me coming back for more. More tone poetry than jazz.
Stefano, shmeshano. This is a Vinnies baby.
The Mars Volta: De-Loused in the Comatorium
The high expectations (in certain circles) surrounding this album have been met with a lukewarm reception. The complaint has been that the album's too complex and in need of editing, and it is indeed dense and a bit overwrought. Still, with the density comes a good measure of richness and experimentation. I happen to like the (quite obvious) Santana and Led Zep. references, filtered as they are through a haze of synths and guitars reminiscent of Dntel or Dismemberment Plan. (Fans of these latter two bands will probably enjoy this, fans of the former two may not.)
I want to give this a Nickhead4 rating, in part to brake the bandwagon knocking this album. But realistically, I must admit that it's only on the high end of:
Like a Schwartzwalder Kirschtorte; it tastes great at first, but is a bit rich after a few bites.
The high expectations (in certain circles) surrounding this album have been met with a lukewarm reception. The complaint has been that the album's too complex and in need of editing, and it is indeed dense and a bit overwrought. Still, with the density comes a good measure of richness and experimentation. I happen to like the (quite obvious) Santana and Led Zep. references, filtered as they are through a haze of synths and guitars reminiscent of Dntel or Dismemberment Plan. (Fans of these latter two bands will probably enjoy this, fans of the former two may not.)
I want to give this a Nickhead4 rating, in part to brake the bandwagon knocking this album. But realistically, I must admit that it's only on the high end of:
Like a Schwartzwalder Kirschtorte; it tastes great at first, but is a bit rich after a few bites.
Bullfrog: Bullfrog
Bullfrog are Eric 'Kid Koala' San's live band, and were used on his awesome Ninjatune album 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' (a must buy!). Apparently these guys put on an incredible live show. Sadly, unlike Breakestra, who also throw a great turntablist meets live funk band gig, their energy hasn't fully translated into an album. It's fun to listen to, but there's little here that stands out. It lacks the drive and sweat that marks out a great funk workout. It sounds like they were tired, or something. Still, there's some fun stuff to be heard (e.g. Alright). Overall though, wait 'til you find it cheap.
Dammit, I paid too much for this.
Bullfrog are Eric 'Kid Koala' San's live band, and were used on his awesome Ninjatune album 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome' (a must buy!). Apparently these guys put on an incredible live show. Sadly, unlike Breakestra, who also throw a great turntablist meets live funk band gig, their energy hasn't fully translated into an album. It's fun to listen to, but there's little here that stands out. It lacks the drive and sweat that marks out a great funk workout. It sounds like they were tired, or something. Still, there's some fun stuff to be heard (e.g. Alright). Overall though, wait 'til you find it cheap.
Dammit, I paid too much for this.
Akrobatik Balance (Coup D'Etat Records)
This is the type of rap album I've been looking for this summer. No chirps and beeps; mostly Akrobatik's lyrical skills on display over great beats. This album is packed with smart lyrics and a fair share of bounce, covering social and political issues, old skool rap battles, and storytelling. Mr. Lif and Diamond D throw a few lines in to add to the fun.
I give it 4.625 Nh +/- 0.125.
Boston b-boy packs the heat with tight rhymin' and minimal stylin'.
(Grrrrr multiple edits due to poor spelling combined with a misbehaving 'Shift' key...)
[This message was edited by Ludwig on SUNDAY 13 July 2003 at 08:14.]
[This message was edited by Ludwig on SUNDAY 13 July 2003 at 08:17.]
This is the type of rap album I've been looking for this summer. No chirps and beeps; mostly Akrobatik's lyrical skills on display over great beats. This album is packed with smart lyrics and a fair share of bounce, covering social and political issues, old skool rap battles, and storytelling. Mr. Lif and Diamond D throw a few lines in to add to the fun.
I give it 4.625 Nh +/- 0.125.
Boston b-boy packs the heat with tight rhymin' and minimal stylin'.
(Grrrrr multiple edits due to poor spelling combined with a misbehaving 'Shift' key...)
[This message was edited by Ludwig on SUNDAY 13 July 2003 at 08:14.]
[This message was edited by Ludwig on SUNDAY 13 July 2003 at 08:17.]
Drive-By Truckers Decoration Day (New West)
2 parts Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse, 2 parts Southern-fried rock, a bunch of Steve Earle, and some Reverend Horton Heat. That's the Drive-By Truckers- twangy and folkly, cheeky and rockabilly, guitar-driven Southern rock all mixed in. If you appreciate the humor of this sort of thing (and this) you'll enjoy it the most, otherwise you might wonder why I even listed it. Honestly, there is some excellent (sometimes twisted) storytelling here. Best enjoyed with a half-rack of Pabst Blue Ribbon while seated in grandad's rocker.
I give it 4 Nh, each head with a straw hat on top.
Southern rock for the ironically hip whitey cracker-style crowd.
2 parts Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse, 2 parts Southern-fried rock, a bunch of Steve Earle, and some Reverend Horton Heat. That's the Drive-By Truckers- twangy and folkly, cheeky and rockabilly, guitar-driven Southern rock all mixed in. If you appreciate the humor of this sort of thing (and this) you'll enjoy it the most, otherwise you might wonder why I even listed it. Honestly, there is some excellent (sometimes twisted) storytelling here. Best enjoyed with a half-rack of Pabst Blue Ribbon while seated in grandad's rocker.
I give it 4 Nh, each head with a straw hat on top.
Southern rock for the ironically hip whitey cracker-style crowd.
Imagine a cross between Nickelback and The Police doing old Who numbers - badly.
Specimen sums it up
Specimen sums it up
Peanut Butter Wolf - My Vinyl Weighs a Ton
I've been listening to a bit of Stones Throw Records stuff lately (Breakestra, Yesterdays New Quintet, Madlib), so I thougt I'd give the main guy's debut a go. First up, the production is great. The beats are funky, and he shows his skills on the decks with some great cuts. Kid Koala and Mr Dibbs also show up, with the former collaborating on the album's strongest track. Sadly, only about half the tracks shine, with the others marred by generally uninteresting rapping. None of the MCs on here really do much for me here.
Not the strongest release on the label
I've been listening to a bit of Stones Throw Records stuff lately (Breakestra, Yesterdays New Quintet, Madlib), so I thougt I'd give the main guy's debut a go. First up, the production is great. The beats are funky, and he shows his skills on the decks with some great cuts. Kid Koala and Mr Dibbs also show up, with the former collaborating on the album's strongest track. Sadly, only about half the tracks shine, with the others marred by generally uninteresting rapping. None of the MCs on here really do much for me here.
Not the strongest release on the label
Just dug this out.
Forgotten about it. Totally brilliant, and a great recording too.
Forgotten about it. Totally brilliant, and a great recording too.
King Geedorah Take Me To Your Leader (Big Dada)
MF Doom takes on the character of an alien, starting off with some smoothed out dreamy lo-fi elevatoresque jazzy backgrounds fronted by guest MC's who all have tight deliveries. Perfect for mellowing out on the sofa. Sprinkled here and there are more of those cheesy circa 1955 soundbites that I like way too much. By mid-album, the flavor gets a bit more rugged and raw. Overall, a phantastic bouillabaisse of rhythms and rhymes here. The Anti-Matter track begs for noon on the volume control every time.
Ab-phab and phenomenally phat. Hail the intergallactic King of queens and guillotines. It's on and crackin'.
Mekon- Can you recommend more like this?
MF Doom takes on the character of an alien, starting off with some smoothed out dreamy lo-fi elevatoresque jazzy backgrounds fronted by guest MC's who all have tight deliveries. Perfect for mellowing out on the sofa. Sprinkled here and there are more of those cheesy circa 1955 soundbites that I like way too much. By mid-album, the flavor gets a bit more rugged and raw. Overall, a phantastic bouillabaisse of rhythms and rhymes here. The Anti-Matter track begs for noon on the volume control every time.
Ab-phab and phenomenally phat. Hail the intergallactic King of queens and guillotines. It's on and crackin'.
Mekon- Can you recommend more like this?
It's a fantastic hip-hop album, with jazzy sounds, great beats, old-style soundbites of white guys speaking of alien attacks, and outstanding rapping.
Drive-By Truckers must be taken with a dose of sarcasm, but is pretty enjoyable hard-driving guitar rock and folky rock mixed together. The storytelling is fun, but not sure how it might come off to someone not from the US.
The New Mastersounds - The New Mastersounds
Proper off the hook, I tell thee! This album is up there with Sharon Jones' album on Daptone. This is in your face hammond driven deep funk. Fatback drums, funky bass, and more grunting than is healthy. Did Cymande reform?
Uh, Uh huh, GODDAMN!
PS, That cover is from the original BBE release. If you find a copy on vinyl, can I have it PLEASE!!! The reissue is CD only on Cooker Records. It has a brown cover with a picture of a reel to reel tape deck split into three.
[This message was edited by Mekon on FRIDAY 01 August 2003 at 10:32.]
Proper off the hook, I tell thee! This album is up there with Sharon Jones' album on Daptone. This is in your face hammond driven deep funk. Fatback drums, funky bass, and more grunting than is healthy. Did Cymande reform?
Uh, Uh huh, GODDAMN!
PS, That cover is from the original BBE release. If you find a copy on vinyl, can I have it PLEASE!!! The reissue is CD only on Cooker Records. It has a brown cover with a picture of a reel to reel tape deck split into three.
[This message was edited by Mekon on FRIDAY 01 August 2003 at 10:32.]
Quantic Soul Orchestra - Stampede
There are a few reasons I've found it hard to get excited by Tru Thoughts. One of the main ones is the hype surrounding the Quantic releases. Sounded like downbeat by the numbers to me. Anyhow, when they started putting flyers up with the suffix 'Soul Orchestra', I thought it was a marketing thing. However, when a fellow Stones Throw fan started namechecking them, I was put straight. This is Will Holland's funk project, and it's solid. It's could do with being a touch rougher, but solid release nonetheless. The cover of 4-hero's Hold It Down, and Assasin and Terrapin are particularly strong.
Not wanky, jazz tinged funk revival
There are a few reasons I've found it hard to get excited by Tru Thoughts. One of the main ones is the hype surrounding the Quantic releases. Sounded like downbeat by the numbers to me. Anyhow, when they started putting flyers up with the suffix 'Soul Orchestra', I thought it was a marketing thing. However, when a fellow Stones Throw fan started namechecking them, I was put straight. This is Will Holland's funk project, and it's solid. It's could do with being a touch rougher, but solid release nonetheless. The cover of 4-hero's Hold It Down, and Assasin and Terrapin are particularly strong.
Not wanky, jazz tinged funk revival
Po' Girl Po' Girl (Hightone, 2003... today in fact)
I needed an album just like this. Quiet and simple alt-folk/Americana with strong hints of roots and New Orleans sounds. Most tracks are made for lazy summer afternoons- smoky female harmonies backed by sweet female vocals, harmonica, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and hushed percussion. A few tracks pick the pace up to a gentle sway, but never more. A very peaceful, pleasant listen. If Neko Case, Cowboy Junkies' "Trinity Sessions", Lucinda Williams, and/or Indigo Girls are in your collection, you might want to give this a try. I give it a solid 4 Nh so far.
Pass the lemonade and fly swatter, mama. A soundtrack for driving a Model T from Memphis to New Orleans.
Sample here and here. The album is $10.99 direct from Hightone (I paid $16 locally).
I needed an album just like this. Quiet and simple alt-folk/Americana with strong hints of roots and New Orleans sounds. Most tracks are made for lazy summer afternoons- smoky female harmonies backed by sweet female vocals, harmonica, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and hushed percussion. A few tracks pick the pace up to a gentle sway, but never more. A very peaceful, pleasant listen. If Neko Case, Cowboy Junkies' "Trinity Sessions", Lucinda Williams, and/or Indigo Girls are in your collection, you might want to give this a try. I give it a solid 4 Nh so far.
Pass the lemonade and fly swatter, mama. A soundtrack for driving a Model T from Memphis to New Orleans.
Sample here and here. The album is $10.99 direct from Hightone (I paid $16 locally).
Prefuse73 - Extinguished: Outtakes
This is a the remnants of the sessions that resulted in One Word Extinguisher. 23 tracks in less than 40 minutes, it's really a mash up of clicks, loops, samples (including a snippet of In a Jar by Dinosaur Jr.), and Herren's array of weird effects. It's non stop, nothing is given time to build, you are thrown from one idea to the next. It sounds completely fresh. Somehow it manages to take things further on than the album the pieces were culled from. If you'd got in early, you could have had it for £5 inc P&P. Sadly, those chancers at Warp have put the price up to £7, but it's still a steal. It's a 4 if you already have O.W.E., but otherwise it's a solid 5!
Glitch-hop beats with a sample of J Mascis. Who could ask for more?
This is a the remnants of the sessions that resulted in One Word Extinguisher. 23 tracks in less than 40 minutes, it's really a mash up of clicks, loops, samples (including a snippet of In a Jar by Dinosaur Jr.), and Herren's array of weird effects. It's non stop, nothing is given time to build, you are thrown from one idea to the next. It sounds completely fresh. Somehow it manages to take things further on than the album the pieces were culled from. If you'd got in early, you could have had it for £5 inc P&P. Sadly, those chancers at Warp have put the price up to £7, but it's still a steal. It's a 4 if you already have O.W.E., but otherwise it's a solid 5!
Glitch-hop beats with a sample of J Mascis. Who could ask for more?
Jay Farrar Terrior Blues
Ex Son Volt member and Jeff Tweedy's partner in crime in Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the alt.country movement.
This album has 23 tracks including 6 that are "space junk" (backwards samples and other noises), 2 instrumentals and 4 rejiggs. First impressions were not particularly favorable - it's all a bit of a mess really - but it's one of those funny albums that naggs at you to play it again and just keeps getting better with every listen until you end up wanting to tell other people about it. The man can definitely sing and play the guitar and writes deep, soulful melodies. Throw the "space junk" away or see it as part of the soul of the album.
Beautiful, but don't bother if you want instant gratification
Ex Son Volt member and Jeff Tweedy's partner in crime in Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the alt.country movement.
This album has 23 tracks including 6 that are "space junk" (backwards samples and other noises), 2 instrumentals and 4 rejiggs. First impressions were not particularly favorable - it's all a bit of a mess really - but it's one of those funny albums that naggs at you to play it again and just keeps getting better with every listen until you end up wanting to tell other people about it. The man can definitely sing and play the guitar and writes deep, soulful melodies. Throw the "space junk" away or see it as part of the soul of the album.
Beautiful, but don't bother if you want instant gratification
quote:
Please note: readers whose speakers don't do bass need not apply
Are yours doing bass now then Nick
Tee hee.
Andy.
Mr Dibbs - 30th Song
This one's been sitting in my 'must play again' pile for a good time now, so it's time for a review. Mr Dibbs is the head of the hugely influential 1200 Hobos, a loose collective that includes many of the main players in the underground hip hop scene. You can hear elements of the sound of fellow hobos, such as Buck 65 and Sixtoo in this release. As for who is influencing who, I have no idea. Fair to say, they are walking a similar path. Many of the tracks on hear share the bleak, backwoods sound, and the emphasis on the using the most incredible breaks (un)known to man. At the same time, it's a more immediate, visceral experience than either of the ex-Sebutones recent releases. Dibbs use of the turntable as an instrument somehow makes things more accessable. This isn't your standard masturbatory turntablist release, his cuts and scratches never overwhelm the track, and use of samples is sparing. The beats always stand out. The vinyl is a 3LP jobbie (thankfully 33RPM), and they've done a great job, the sound is massive, the drums sound awesome. If you liked Deadringer by RJD2, and fancy something a bit harder, this would be a solid buy.
Another classic piece of turntablism that you don't need on DVD to enjoy.
This one's been sitting in my 'must play again' pile for a good time now, so it's time for a review. Mr Dibbs is the head of the hugely influential 1200 Hobos, a loose collective that includes many of the main players in the underground hip hop scene. You can hear elements of the sound of fellow hobos, such as Buck 65 and Sixtoo in this release. As for who is influencing who, I have no idea. Fair to say, they are walking a similar path. Many of the tracks on hear share the bleak, backwoods sound, and the emphasis on the using the most incredible breaks (un)known to man. At the same time, it's a more immediate, visceral experience than either of the ex-Sebutones recent releases. Dibbs use of the turntable as an instrument somehow makes things more accessable. This isn't your standard masturbatory turntablist release, his cuts and scratches never overwhelm the track, and use of samples is sparing. The beats always stand out. The vinyl is a 3LP jobbie (thankfully 33RPM), and they've done a great job, the sound is massive, the drums sound awesome. If you liked Deadringer by RJD2, and fancy something a bit harder, this would be a solid buy.
Another classic piece of turntablism that you don't need on DVD to enjoy.
Nick I am totally getting that album, yes for my SBLs