Comet1234

Hello, welcome to my first journal entry! I will include reviews and introduce new artists as well and other cool things. With every review I will include Spotify links that you can listen to songs from the album I reviewed. I hope to update this at least every couple of days, so check back often. I will also give the albums I review 1-10 ratings (10/10 being the best.) Enjoy.

ALBUM REVIEW



The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Aufheben (2012) 8/10

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are a neo-psychedelic band that have been around since 1990. They incorporate a fun but fragile musical composition of The Flaming Lips with songs like, "Blue Order/New Monday." They also have some of The Beatles influence with including the sitar in some of their songs like, "Face Down On the Moon." An overall soothing and rhythmic sound record to listen to. This is my first record to hear of theirs but I see they have some critical acclaimed albums earlier that I need to explore. But I presume from this album's cohesiveness and accessibility that they have blossomed and become more competent and mature with every release. But I would recommend this album for someone's first album from The Brian Jonestown Massacre because as I stated earlier, it's a real easy album to warm up to after you give it a couple of spins or thumb clicks.

FUN FACTS ABOUT BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE:

1. Aufheben is German for to be "lifted up" or to "transcend."
2. Brian Jonestown have had a rotation of at least forty members since 1990.
3. Neo-psychedelic if you don't know is a genre inspired by the psychedelicrock from the 60's of the Beatles and Pink Floyd. It has envolved into psychedelic rock with more distortion and synthesizers with clean guitars. The Church and The Soft Boys were poineers in the 80's and The Flaming Lips in the 90's and Animal Collective real recently.

SPOTIFY LINKS TO BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE MUSIC SAMPLER:


1. Starirway to the Best Party
2. Clouds Are Lies
3. I Wanna Hold Your Other Hand
4. Face Down On the Moon
5. Blue Order/New Monday


Brian Jonestown Massacre by Carly Wiggins on Spotify

Comet1234

PETER GABRIEL - SECURITY (1982) - 9/10

Innovative and fresh and beyond its years at its making at 1982. Some people choose So, I choose Security. No disrespect to So but Security is filled with so much substance while So is more a fun 80's album with agreeable songs like "Sledgehammer" and "Big Time." Security is filled with contemplaitve lyrics from the spiritually charsmatic "Lay Your Hands On Me" to the sweet sentimental closer "Kiss Of Life." Another intriguing aspect of this album is the tribal drumming, crisp yearning outspoken vocals and reverb guitars inbetween it all. If you listened to So but haven't branched out to other Peter Gabriel's albums, or haven't listened to any of his albums, I highly recommend this album. Plus "Shock the Monkey" and "San Jancinto" are classics in my book. Listen to some of the links provided below.


THOUGHTS:

1. If you have heard of many of Peter Gabriel's albums, what's your favorite album?
2. Do you agree or disagree with me, does So or Security resonate with you more? Why?
3. If you haven't heard any of Peter Gabriel's albums, does this review encourage you or not encourage to listen to any of Peter Gabriel's albums or Security?


MUSIC LINKS:

Comet1234

THE AMERICAN ANALOG SET - PROMISE OF LOVE (2003) 8/10



The American Analog Set are a post-rock and ambient indie rock band hailing from Austin, TX. Their 2003 album Promise Of Love delivers. The album isn't as cheesy as the title suggests. Their name originates from their preference to use analog rather than digital recording media. They showcase a dreamy mood set that is refreshing but lively at the same time. They talk about lost love to human fraility in their lyrics. This album takes some time to let it soak in but after you give it a couple of listens you will probably be truly memerized with the flow and composition of the album. Go and purchase it.
I will give this album 8/10.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BAND:

1. They broke up in 2005 but they have been around since 1995 releasing a total of 7 albums.
2. The drummer for those 10 years of The American Analog Set has gone on to play the guitar for the instrumental post-rock band, Explosions In The Sky.

YOUTUBE LINKS:





Next I will review an album that doesn't knock my socks off, In the Aerplane Over the Sea. This should be interesting.

Comet1234

~~~~A CULT CLASSIC ALBUM I JUST DON'T GET~~~~

NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL - IN THE AEROPLANE OVER THE SEA 6.5/10





Everyone talks about how original Neutral Milk Hotel are and In the Aerplane Over the Sea is a masterpiece and has so much originality. To me it sounds like a couple guys were playing guitar outside and another guy decided to join them. I have heard it described that way from others that feel the same way I do. I have to echo that because the poor production and raspiness of Jeff Mangum's voice and inconsistency of it as well. It just cracks when it wants to. Some call it art. I call it an interruption or intermission from the act. I can honestly say, I love Funeral and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, both albums where I think they credit the got for those albums were due credit. But In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is some strange cult classic I just don't get. The folksy sound is just average too. The lyrics are the only aspect I like about the album but it isn't enough to make me listen to it again. I have listened to more than once but it isn't a grower for me. Unfortunately , I won't be following this cult. Or is that a good thing not to follow a cult?

...Just kidding. I respect people who enjoy this album. Do you feel that same way I do? The lyrics are the best part of it? Or you just love every aspect of it?

Comet1234

Double post

Comet1234

~~~ALBUM RANKING~~~




U2 albums ranked:



The best 80's band of our time. (In my honest opinion.)

1. Achtung Baby (Classic)
2. Joshua Tree (Another second-close classic)
3. War (Semi-classic)
4. Zooropa (A personal favorite of mine)
5. Unforgettable Fire (Great collection of songs)
6. All That You Can't Leave Behind (A poppy album and what's wong with that?)
7. Boy (1st album of theirs, a little unpolished at times but great)
8. October (Love the religious overtone)
9. Pop (A mxied bag, some great songs, some not so good)
10. How To Distmantle An Atomic Bomb (Cheesy but still good on occasion if I am in the mood)
11. Rattle and Hum (A little unpolished and slow at times but still good, nevertheless)
12. No Line On the Horzion (For all the hype, not as good as I thought it was going to be)


Blur albums ranked:



The best brit-pop band of our time. (In my honest opinion.)

1. Modern Life is Rubbish (My personal favorite)
2. Parklife (Classic)
3. Blur (Every song is good)
4. 13 (Like U2 Zoorops, artsy and original)
5. Think Tank (Not the same without all the members but a great effort)
6. Lesiure (Good but not great)
7. The Great Escape (Great couple of songs but the rest are meh)

Oleander albums ranked



The best post-grunge band of our time. (in my honest opinion.)

1. February Son (Soo awesome)
2. Shrinking the Blob (A close second)
3. Unwind (Almost a 10/10 album but not quite, but great, nevertheless)
4. Joyride (A mixed bag, some great songs, some ok songs)
5. Something Beautiful (Only a couple of great songs)

How would you rank U2, Blur, or Oleander albums?

Dave Matthews Band Album Ranked (minus their first album and most recent which I haven't heard yet):

The best jam band in our time. (in my honest opionion.)




1. Before These Crowded Streets
2. Crash
3. Under the Table and Dreaming
4. Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
5. Busted Stuff
6. Everyday
7. Stand Up

Comet1234

MIDNIGHT OIL - THE EARTH SUN AND MOON 9/10




Released after their success with "Blue Sky Mining" and "Diesel and Dust" albums. I believe they continue their nobility wth this album. They become more poppy and their lyrics are just as good, if not better. From themes to human connections to political unrest in countries. Peter Garrett, the lead singer, never seems to cease to amaze me. This album is no expection. There is the psychedelic songs "Drums of Heaven" and "Outbreak of Love" to their familiar terrority with "Feeding Frenzy" and "My Country." Download this record.

YOUTUBE LINKS:

Comet1234

I have done 6 entries and no comments yet. Any opinions of what I posted so far? I would really appreciate it to know if anyone is reading them to feel inspired to write more entries. If you know what I mean. Thanks.

Moss

Wow. That midnight oil brings back memories. Have not heard since it came out. Great album. Like your honesty (like neutral milk) keep it up!

Comet1234

Thanks, Moss. Really appreciate it.