Kelli

I've been wanting to create a journal on here for a while now, but haven't been sure what to write about in it. I decided I want to start off with reviews of albums that are released this year. Depending on how this turns out, I might expand that to older albums and other music topics as well.

How I rate albums:

0 = so bad I couldn't finish it
1 = nearly unlistenable
2 = awful
3 = poor
4 = below average
5 = average
6 = above average
7 = great
8 = awesome
9 = brilliant
10 = masterpiece

& I only use a .5 if I REALLY can't decide between two ratings.

This is my first time writing album reviews so please comment if you have any suggestions for me, want to debate anything, etc.

Review #01



1. In the Darkness
2. No Destruction
3. On Blue Mountain
4. San Francisco
5. Bowling Trophies
6. Shuggie
7. Oh Yeah
8. We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
9. Oh No 2

Background
California indie-rock band Foxygen released their second album earlier this year, entitled We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic.

Music
My attention was immediately captured upon hearing the first few seconds of this album with what sounded like a jumbled mash-up of late 60s rock influences. The faint horns in the background and the subsequent announcement of “Without further ado / we would like to introduce you to…” seemed to mimic the false live opening to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The end of the opening track left me interested in hearing what the rest of the record would sound like.

The next song, “No Destruction,” is the track that had led me to discover this album. With lyrics going on about “doors of consciousness” and a sound reminiscent of Loaded-era Velvet Underground, this track sets a high standard for the rest of the album. “On the Mountain” is a song that highlights Foxygen’s psychedelic influences, and “San Francisco” only furthers it with definite echoes of Jefferson Airplane that proves this band has no desire to be subtle about their inspirations – rather, they embrace them, and they do a great job of it. Anyone who listens to this album could namedrop a dozen more past artists they hear in this album, but the lyrics and composition contain enough originality for Foxygen to give us a new take on these styles and make them their own.

The song “Shuggie” continues with the lazy atmosphere and beat that suddenly shifts into a catchy chorus. “Oh Yeah” makes use of background vocals that have at this point become characteristic of the album, followed by the more exciting and experimental-sounding title track. And lastly, the final minute of “Oh No 2” ends the album on a high note that makes me want to listen to the album all over again.

Highlighted Tracks


Conclusion
With We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, Foxygen does more than simply imitate the sounds of past bands they are inspired by; this album is a solid representation of what it sounds like to mix all of your influences together, call it your own, and somehow have it turn out sounding pretty amazing.

8/10

Trollheart

Welcome Kelli: nice to see a new journal. I'll include you in the update this Sunday. I had been thinking about trying this album out, now I think I may indeed do so. Good review, and nice to see you taking Urban's request about videos to heart right from the start: sure to earn some brownie points!

Look forward to more from you!
TH

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Trollheart

Just to suggest a title, unless you're planning to stay with the one you have --- Kelli's Choice?

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Kelli

Thank you for the feedback, Trollheart! & Yeah, whatever you think would sound better for the title. I don't really care to be honest, haha. Right now I'm lazy and will probably leave it as is though.

I have more reviews to post here, might as well get this one out of the way even though I'm sure everyone has already heard enough about this album... Some other people on here have written better reviews of it than mine so don't judge me too harshly!

Review #02



1. She Found Now
2. Only Tomorrow
3. Who Sees You
4. Is This And Yes
5. If I Am
6. New You
7. In Another Way
8. Nothing Is
9. Wonder 2

Background
My Bloody Valentine – the band credited with producing the definitive music of the early-90s shoegaze scene – recently released a new album for the first time in 22 years, following their critically-acclaimed 1991 album Loveless. The new album, entitled M.B.V., was released on February 2nd of this year.

I was scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook one afternoon when one particular post caught my attention and made me pause to read it twice. Without any pre-release news or marketing, the band My Bloody Valentine announced that they were going to release a new album in a matter of hours. A few minutes later the album cover and title was posted, confirming the announcement and making me realize that the rumors of new music over the past few months – and years – were becoming real. Forgetting everything I had left to do for the rest of the day, I found my Isn’t Anything and Loveless cds and re-listened to them while waiting impatiently for the new album’s release. And then at midnight – 7 PM here – it happened! I clicked on the updated website only to be met with a 403 error. Too many people had tried to access the website at the same time and the servers had crashed. Well then. I briefly wondered if this proved a solid example of why bands should leave the release and promotion of music to the record label as opposed to the DIY approach that in this case had resulted in a clear and epic failure.

All of this would be jumped on by music magazines the next morning, but for then I resorted to waiting around online for news of anyone making it into the website and leaking the tracks while messaging some friends who had been trying to access the site too. The official page posted a late apology about technical difficulties – although at that point I was willing them to just shut up and take my money - when finally some guy who had made it into the site within the first few seconds posted a file-share link of the album download on Facebook. Obviously I held no remorse about copying the files as I was planning to pay for a physical copy of the album once I was able to. I listened to it on repeat through my headphones over the next 24 hours nearly every moment I had a chance to.

Music
The opening track, “She Found Now,” seems a bit like diving into a pool of cold water. You are immediately immersed in a blurry wall of sound that is exactly like the band you remember and are expecting to hear. The sound gradually ventures deeper into layers of background guitar that strive to reach the surface of the song’s apparent lack of a clear-cut melody. The second track, “Only Tomorrow,” picks up the pace a bit with an immediate beat that sounds like a Loveless track – but with slightly less edge. “Who Sees You” follows with a similar style full of ambient layers of sound overlaid with the band’s characteristically-quiet vocals that you can close your eyes and become lost in.

“Is This and Yes” is a softer track that makes me feel as though I’m gazing up at a dark sky full of stars; the glittering sounds effects almost allow me to imagine seeing them sparkle. The following song, “If I Am,” drops you into another swirling landscape of sound, albeit slightly less memorable than the previous tracks. The next song, “New You,” however, is what could be considered a pop music masterpiece and is a definite highlight of the album. The bass-line bounces overtop a shimmering background of noise, and the vocals are the icing on the cake. “In Another Way” begins as a racing drum and guitar-driven song that soon melts into a melody that is one of my favorite moments of the album. The next one, “Nothing Is,” is a trippy, repetitive track that builds up into a colorful mountain of noise. It is not one of the more enjoyable songs on the album, but is interesting nonetheless in its value as an experimental track.

And at last, the finale to the album – “Wonder 2.” At first it sounds a bit like a plane taking off, and the noise begins to swell simultaneously deeper and higher to an almost-dizzying degree. It’s a pretty difficult sound to describe, but words that come to mind include spinning, turbulent, overwhelming, and chaotic. Overall it probably doesn’t sound like anything you’ve ever heard before.

Highlighted Tracks


Conclusion
While M.B.V. may lack the jagged, heavier sounds of its legendary predecessor, this album has not strayed far from the band’s signature style to the point that the time-gap of twenty-two years seems almost nonexistent. The layers of sound, combined with Belinda and Kevin’s dreamy vocals, make the music as surreal and as great as anything My Bloody Valentine has ever released. This is a great album that will be a tough act for any other releases to follow throughout the rest of the year.

9.5/10

Trollheart

Don't do yourself a disservice, Kelli: that's one hell of a review. I read Engine's piece on the same album and while he was a bit more esoteric about it you have gone a little more into the actual sound of the album while yet not exactly doing what I would and do, which is more or less break down the melody of each track, which I know a lot of people frown on, but it's my journal so yah boo sucks to you!

But back to you. I love the piece that sets the tone, as it were: you learning of the release and then desperately (no doubt in concert with thousands/millions others) trying to buy the album. Really puts it into perspective.

I've never heard this band at all, and from what I read of them I don't think they'd be for me, but everyone seems to love the album so I guess they must be doing something right. Excellent second review, big improvement on the first one, which was pretty damn good.

You go, girl! You'll be mentioned in the update thread tomorrow night. For now I'll leave your journal name as it is; if you want to change it for the update let me know.

TH

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Kelli

Thank you again, Trollheart! I appreciate your feedback.

You never know, you might like My Bloody Valentine, and I think Loveless is at least worth one listen. I understand why alot of people don't like their sound, though; the guitars and distortions are really heavy/harsh at times and to some people is unpleasant, especially if listening to it through headphones (which I'll admit gives me a headache).

I've had a lot of hours at work lately so unfortunately I haven't put up another review for a few days. Will post at least two tomorrow. Not giving up on this!

Kelli

Wrote up a quick review of this album. Tomorrow I'll have reviews for the more exciting Palma Violets and BRMC! (:

Review #03



1. The Right Thing Right
2. I Want the Heartbeat
3. European Me
4. Upstarts
5. Lockdown
6. The Messenger
7. Generate! Generate!
8. Say Demesne
9. Sun & Moon
10. The Crack Up
11. New Town Velocity
12. Words Start Attack

Background
I’ll admit I’ve never been too keen on The Smiths – although they were one of the most popular alternative rock bands of the 80s, something about their music was never able to grab my attention or keep it. They had been off my radar for a while until a friend of mine recommended that I listen to Johnny Marr’s new record. Yes, Johnny Marr – the band’s well-known guitarist and co-songwriter – released his debut solo album in February of this year. Being told that the album had a great indie rock sound I would like, I trusted my friend’s judgment and musical taste and decided to give The Messenger a fair listen. And I was surprised. Despite working with many other bands outside of The Smiths over the past two decades, I believe Marr makes a name for himself as a solo artist with this album; therefore, I’m going to review the album based on how it stands by itself, rather than making any comparisons to The Smiths, Morrissey’s solo material, or any of Marr’s work with other bands. The ultimate question I’m asking myself with this is, would I want to listen to this album again?

Music
The opening track ‘Right Thing Right’ begins with all the energy of a New Wave era rock band, complete with jangly guitar tones and lyrics that set the tone for a fresh start to the rest of the album. The next song, ‘I Want the Heartbeat’ is less memorable but follows with a similar sound and catchier chorus. But the next song is better: ‘European Me’ continues with the theme of leaving the past and travelling someplace new. Johnny Marr’s signature guitar style is ‘Upstarts,’ another midtempo rock song that seems to stand out above the rest so far as being the most upbeat and easily remembered. ‘Lockdown’ continues the album on a positive note with a soaring chorus and lyrics about driving through empty towns and open coastlines.

Next is the current single, ‘The Messenger,’ which is the obvious highlight of the album. It’s a pretty flawless indie pop-rock song, and once you hear it you’ll probably have it in your head all day. The sparkling guitar sounds and overall radio-catchiness place it a few notches above every other song and make it a worthy title-track to the album.

While the other songs seem to stand in the shadow of this single, does it make them less enjoyable? Sort of. The second half of the album is hit and miss. ‘Generate Generate’ ‘New Town Velocity,’ and ‘Sun & Moon’ are easily forgettable. ‘Say Demesne’ is a longer, slower, and more narrative. ‘The Crack Up’ picks the pace back up and could possibly be the album’s next single. And the final song, ‘Words Start Attack,’ ends the album on same energetic note with which it began.

Highlighted Tracks


Conclusion
To sum it up, this is neither a great album nor a bad album, but the bits of stories told through lyrics and the familiar guitar tones will satisfy listeners whether they are fans of Marr’s previous work or if they like current indie rock in general. The first half of the album may seem stronger than the second half; although it’s true The Messenger has both good moments and repetitive moments, it’s worth listening to and gives a refreshing new sound to Johnny Marr’s music as a solo artist. I’d listen to it again.

6/10