The Monthly Music Trading Post

Bulldog · 10-27-2009, 06:49 PM

This one very kindly sent to me by Anticipation...

My Winter Nerve - Leave It To Science To Solve All Your Problems

I'll admit I'm not huge on post-rock which is, in a nutshell, the umbrella My Winter Nerve fall under. While I do think Sigur Ros are pretty damn boring, Talk Talk's Laughing Stock is one of my favourite albums ever ever ever so, despite my limited exposure to it, post-rock's always something I'm willing to give a go.

I've given this a couple of listens now and, I have to say, the first impression wasn't all that great. Not a lot really grabbed me about it although I did see potential in the free-wheeling kinda rhythms and odd time signatures and structures - basically it wasn't something I was willing to just dismiss like that. The second listen (which I just wrapped up a few minutes ago) yielded better results. I was actually able to pick out favourites like the smooth, almost groovy Interlude For the Starving Optimist and the fast-rolling An Absolute. The highlight for me without a doubt though was the gorgeous, piano-led closing track, the Window and the Windowpane.

All in all, it's a good, smooth and atmospheric work of post-rock and probably something those more keen on the genre than me in general should pick up for themselves. There are a few absolute keepers here as well. Didn't set my musical world alight exactly, but I enjoyed it. Thanks Anticipation

-------------------------------------
So then, this is gonna be a fortnightly thing starting from the next draw on Sunday. So, if anyone wants in on the next one, just drop a PM my way.

anticipation · 10-27-2009, 08:11 PM

When Bully and I were paired up this time around I have to admit I was a little excited. The dude's got great taste, and knows nearly everything about music that I don’t know. What I mean by this is that he’s the perfect foil to my music taste; just as eccentric but far enough on the other side of the dial to ensure that we usually don’t know what each other is talking about. Given my propensity for difficult and sometimes laborious music, I eagerly agreed to receive Bully’s submission of an album that he assured me would be a challenge. I ended up getting Scott Walker’s Tilt, which I’d never even heard of. Needless to say I was blown away by Walker’s baritone voice and odd vocal style, but the delivery of some of his tracks struck me as unflatteringly off-kilter. However, through subsequent listens Tilt began to click for me. Stand outs include the baroque-ish Farmer in the City, the 8 ½ minute epic Patriot, and the just plain weird Bolivia ’95. I’m happy to say my endurance paid off handsomely, as Walker has the best voice I’ve ever heard in my life, bar none. I’d recommend this album to anyone looking for an incredibly unique musical experience, but I’d have to warn them that it takes a great effort to appreciate this fully.

Bulldog · 10-28-2009, 08:11 AM

^ Great to hear you liked it. A lot of people I've recommended Scott Walker to get back to me with indifference most of the time. You're right as well, he's quite possibly my favourite singer of all time too.

If you need any further recs, get in touch sometime eh.

NumberNineDream · 10-28-2009, 02:35 PM

Album sent by MojopinUK

I've been trying to write this album a review for some days now, and it's been really hard to sum up some specific things to talk about.

Each time I give the album a listen, I can only get one general idea: It's pretty much enjoyable, but nothing I really loved. It was just too normal. Tho I think I can pick some favorite: Black Dollar Bills, Me Ves y Sufres, 1776 and the best of all, the opening track The Black Amnesias. A very well made instrumental track of 4:40 that I wished was longer. It's really varied and contrasted, from a romantic theme to a very raw guitar riff, back to a heartfelt melody... it was perfect. Unfortunately, the rest of the tracks didn't get nearly as interesting (when they were good, they didn't get that special).

Even if that album wasn't my cup of tea, I think The Black Amnesias track alone made it worth the download. Thx for the album Mojo.

Mojo · 10-31-2009, 04:56 PM

NumberNineDream sent me

Soap&Skin is the name given to the neoclassical project of Austrian pianist and singer Anja Plaschg. The album offers some musical diversity as the piano playing is beautiful throughout and a lot of tracks are stripped bare right down to the piano and the vocals. The best tracks, at least for me, on the record make full use of a darker sound and mood, some electronic influences and wonderful string-laden climaxes.

I have listened to this record twice now and avoided writing my review for the last few days until i had given it some more time. The first time i listened to it i had very mixed feelings about it. I thought that in places it was musically fantastic but that sadly these moments were too few and far between and i was struggling to get past the vocals. Vocals arent generally a deal breaker for me, i can usually see past a vocal i'm not too crazy about but this was proving more of a battle for me than usual.

After a second listen i find myself warming to her very distinguished voice a little more and even striking up some similarities with Martin Grech which may have helped. It's great music to dim the lights to, put some earphones in and enjoy it in all it's moody, atmospheric glory and i can see myself finding time for this record in the future to suit various different moods as it certainly explores gloom while possessing some good uplifting and relaxing qualities also.

If it sounds as though it's suited to your tastes then i would recommend checking out Extinguish Me, Turbine Womb and Mr. Gaunt PT 1000 which were probably my favourites and all beautiful pieces of music.

Overall, not strictly my cup of tea but a definite grower i think.

Stone Birds · 11-01-2009, 02:17 PM

something about that album cover draws me to it...

Mojo · 11-01-2009, 02:22 PM

I'll forward it your way if you wanted to check it out, just let me know.

NumberNineDream · 11-01-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojopinuk

I'll forward it your way if you wanted to check it out, just let me know.

I'm really glad you liked it, I was a bit worried about it.

Mojo · 11-01-2009, 02:33 PM

Well id love it if someone who knew my music tastes picked an album that they felt would be right down my street of course, but what i actually like about this thread is recieving something that might not strictly be my cup of tea.

That album certainly wasn't but i liked it.

Bulldog · 11-02-2009, 04:28 AM

Right then, I'll do the next draw tomorrow, so anyone who wants in on the next trade, let me know soon eh. Either PM or just say so here.

10-28-2009, 02:35 PM	#774 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	Album sent by MojopinUK I've been trying to write this album a review for some days now, and it's been really hard to sum up some specific things to talk about. Each time I give the album a listen, I can only get one general idea: It's pretty much enjoyable, but nothing I really loved. It was just too normal. Tho I think I can pick some favorite: Black Dollar Bills, Me Ves y Sufres, 1776 and the best of all, the opening track The Black Amnesias. A very well made instrumental track of 4:40 that I wished was longer. It's really varied and contrasted, from a romantic theme to a very raw guitar riff, back to a heartfelt melody... it was perfect. Unfortunately, the rest of the tracks didn't get nearly as interesting (when they were good, they didn't get that special). Even if that album wasn't my cup of tea, I think The Black Amnesias track alone made it worth the download. Thx for the album Mojo. __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge

10-31-2009, 04:56 PM	#775 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	NumberNineDream sent me Soap&Skin is the name given to the neoclassical project of Austrian pianist and singer Anja Plaschg. The album offers some musical diversity as the piano playing is beautiful throughout and a lot of tracks are stripped bare right down to the piano and the vocals. The best tracks, at least for me, on the record make full use of a darker sound and mood, some electronic influences and wonderful string-laden climaxes. I have listened to this record twice now and avoided writing my review for the last few days until i had given it some more time. The first time i listened to it i had very mixed feelings about it. I thought that in places it was musically fantastic but that sadly these moments were too few and far between and i was struggling to get past the vocals. Vocals arent generally a deal breaker for me, i can usually see past a vocal i'm not too crazy about but this was proving more of a battle for me than usual. After a second listen i find myself warming to her very distinguished voice a little more and even striking up some similarities with Martin Grech which may have helped. It's great music to dim the lights to, put some earphones in and enjoy it in all it's moody, atmospheric glory and i can see myself finding time for this record in the future to suit various different moods as it certainly explores gloom while possessing some good uplifting and relaxing qualities also. If it sounds as though it's suited to your tastes then i would recommend checking out Extinguish Me, Turbine Womb and Mr. Gaunt PT 1000 which were probably my favourites and all beautiful pieces of music. Overall, not strictly my cup of tea but a definite grower i think. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

11-01-2009, 02:17 PM	#776 (permalink)
Stone Birds myspace.com/stonebirdies Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conor Oberst Was/is Here Posts: 1,401	something about that album cover draws me to it... __________________ Silk & Tree Records //\\//\\/\\/\/\/\\\\\\\\///\/\/\/\/\\////\/\\\\\///\V //\\//\\/\\/\/\/\\\\\\\\///\/\/\/\/\\////\/\\\\\///\V soundcloud.com/stonebirds [Link removed by mod, no advertising] ... Damn those mods are always gettin ya :)

11-01-2009, 02:22 PM	#777 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	I'll forward it your way if you wanted to check it out, just let me know. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

11-01-2009, 02:33 PM	#779 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	Well id love it if someone who knew my music tastes picked an album that they felt would be right down my street of course, but what i actually like about this thread is recieving something that might not strictly be my cup of tea. That album certainly wasn't but i liked it. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

10-27-2009, 06:49 PM	#771 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	This one very kindly sent to me by Anticipation... My Winter Nerve - Leave It To Science To Solve All Your Problems I'll admit I'm not huge on post-rock which is, in a nutshell, the umbrella My Winter Nerve fall under. While I do think Sigur Ros are pretty damn boring, Talk Talk's Laughing Stock is one of my favourite albums ever ever ever so, despite my limited exposure to it, post-rock's always something I'm willing to give a go. I've given this a couple of listens now and, I have to say, the first impression wasn't all that great. Not a lot really grabbed me about it although I did see potential in the free-wheeling kinda rhythms and odd time signatures and structures - basically it wasn't something I was willing to just dismiss like that. The second listen (which I just wrapped up a few minutes ago) yielded better results. I was actually able to pick out favourites like the smooth, almost groovy Interlude For the Starving Optimist and the fast-rolling An Absolute. The highlight for me without a doubt though was the gorgeous, piano-led closing track, the Window and the Windowpane. All in all, it's a good, smooth and atmospheric work of post-rock and probably something those more keen on the genre than me in general should pick up for themselves. There are a few absolute keepers here as well. Didn't set my musical world alight exactly, but I enjoyed it. Thanks Anticipation ------------------------------------- So then, this is gonna be a fortnightly thing starting from the next draw on Sunday. So, if anyone wants in on the next one, just drop a PM my way.

10-27-2009, 08:11 PM	#772 (permalink)
anticipation Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,565	When Bully and I were paired up this time around I have to admit I was a little excited. The dude's got great taste, and knows nearly everything about music that I don’t know. What I mean by this is that he’s the perfect foil to my music taste; just as eccentric but far enough on the other side of the dial to ensure that we usually don’t know what each other is talking about. Given my propensity for difficult and sometimes laborious music, I eagerly agreed to receive Bully’s submission of an album that he assured me would be a challenge. I ended up getting Scott Walker’s Tilt, which I’d never even heard of. Needless to say I was blown away by Walker’s baritone voice and odd vocal style, but the delivery of some of his tracks struck me as unflatteringly off-kilter. However, through subsequent listens Tilt began to click for me. Stand outs include the baroque-ish Farmer in the City, the 8 ½ minute epic Patriot, and the just plain weird Bolivia ’95. I’m happy to say my endurance paid off handsomely, as Walker has the best voice I’ve ever heard in my life, bar none. I’d recommend this album to anyone looking for an incredibly unique musical experience, but I’d have to warn them that it takes a great effort to appreciate this fully.

10-28-2009, 08:11 AM	#773 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	^ Great to hear you liked it. A lot of people I've recommended Scott Walker to get back to me with indifference most of the time. You're right as well, he's quite possibly my favourite singer of all time too. If you need any further recs, get in touch sometime eh.

11-02-2009, 04:28 AM	#780 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	Right then, I'll do the next draw tomorrow, so anyone who wants in on the next trade, let me know soon eh. Either PM or just say so here.