Trollheart Listens to Every Album on Wiki's List for 2017

Trollheart · 12-04-2017, 08:24 PM

Trollheart · 12-04-2017, 08:28 PM

Two years away, but this is going to need its own dedicated thread. I love Netflix!

The Batlord · 12-04-2017, 08:30 PM

Two years to read more Dredd so it doesn't get ruined by the show.

Trollheart · 12-04-2017, 08:38 PM

I'm ahead of you there. I've been reading 2000AD since prog 1.

Trollheart · 12-05-2017, 07:35 AM

Let's continue the conversation here: http://www.musicbanter.com/media/908...tv-series.html

Trollheart · 12-11-2017, 10:26 AM

Album title: Souvenir
Artist: Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors
Genre: Americana/Country/Folk
Nationality: American
Release date: March 24
Position in Discography: Tenth
Fear Factor: Low
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little
Average RYM Score: 3.28
Very nice laidback folk/Americana with a hint of country. “New Year” is a really nice song, “Sometimes” has a Beatles flavour about it and also serves as the title track. I really like this album, but it's a little hard to write anything specific about it. “Mama's Sunshine” has some really nice picked banjo on it, very bluegrass feel to that, kind of reminds me in ways of Melanie's “Brand New Key” (or, if you're more familiar with it, The Wurzles' “Brand New Combine Harvester”!

) - a little twee if I'm honest. And while I am being honest, while I really like this album there's nothing really that stands out about it. It's just, well, nice, but not something I would see myself trying more of. It's almost as if this is how someone thinks a country album should be; not quite cliched, not badly played, not badly sung. Just – **** it, I don't know: there's something, I don't want to say insincere about it, since I'm sure the guys care for their music, but it's a bit hollow, empty? Sort of like a cardboard cut-out? Ah, I give up.

Check out more from this artist? Unlikely
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 2

Trollheart · 12-11-2017, 10:58 AM

Album title: Dance of Time
Artist: Eliane Elias
Genre: Jazz
Nationality: Brazilian
Release date: March 24
Position in Discography: Twenty-Fourth
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 3.25
I guess you have to have respect for someone who has released two dozen albums and she looks quite young yet, but jazz is not my thing, vocal jazz even less so. We'll see though. Actually, she was born three years before me, so almost in her sixtieth year. Certainly looks good on it. Kicks off very well, sprightly and upbeat and I assume that's her on the piano, which is driving this tune at least. Apparently the dance mentioned in the title is the samba, and you can definitely get that rhythm right from the beginning, the kind of thing that makes even an old graceless clunker like me want to move. There seems to be a mixture of her native language (Portugese?) and English on the songs, so that the second one has lyrics I can understand, not that, in fairness, it really matters. Very smooth stuff.

At times some of this sounds like the incidental or theme music from a 1950s movie, but that's not a criticism, as this kind of thing was very popular back then and so naturally evokes, for me, the probably only arenas in which I would have been exposed to such music, not being a fan. Can definitely though hear this being played onstage as Bond tries to seduce another femme fatale, but though this is really good it's just not for me, and I find myself becoming bored very quickly. I imagine aficionados of the genre will love this, but it just isn't something I'm that interested in listening to.

Check out more from this artist? No
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Maybe

Expectation Index: 2

Trollheart · 12-11-2017, 11:31 AM

Album title: At What Cost
Artist: Goldlink
Genre: Hip-hop
Nationality: American
Release date: March 24
Position in Discography: Debut
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? No
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No
Average RYM Score: 3.09
Another hip-hop album with some nice singing and melodies; “Herside Story” is the first time I really take notice though, has something a little special. Again, we have a million hip-hop stars, emcees, singers, whatever, taking part on a debut album. I never understand that, but whatever. “Summatime” is good too, but there you are: guest rappers/singers again, so I can't tell when it's this guy doing his own thing, and when it's one of his new buddies helping out. There's some really sweet choir singing in “The Parable of the Rich Man”, but overall I'd say this is a good album without blowing me away. Good for a debut, certainly. Interesting to see where he goes from here.

Check out more from this artist? Might
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 4

Trollheart · 12-11-2017, 03:15 PM

Album title: The Afterlove
Artist: James Blunt
Genre: Pop
Nationality: English
Release date: March 24
Position in Discography: Fifth
Fear Factor: Low
Familiar with this artist? Yes
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little
Average RYM Score: 2.30
All right, let's get one thing straight: I don't care who knows it, I like James Blunt. This doesn't mean I don't hate “You're Beautiful” (everyone who has a soul hates that song) but I liked Back to Bedlam, although to be fair that's the only one of his albums I've listened to, so this could be ****. But I'm not going in with a Blunt-hating agenda like many would. Now, maybe I will hate it, but if I do, I'll hate it on its own merits (or lack of them), not because I'm supposed or expected to. Clear? Good. Now, let's see what this is all about. Opener seems to almost apologise for the hatred he's engendered in people, with a line about that song; quite insightful possibly, also either whiny or quite self-aware/self-deprecatory, can't decide which, and with a title like “Love Me Better”, well that doesn't do anything to help really. Kind of drab to meh so far (three tracks in).

All right, it's beginning to get better now, from “Don't Give Me Those Eyes”, which is a really nice ballad somewhat on the lines of “Tears and Rain”, then “Someone Singing Along” is a nice bouncy number, though “California” reminds me, uncomfortably, of Train's latest. Shudder. Speaking of shuddering, I could do without the presence of Ed Sheeran on “Make Me Better”, and in the end I think I'd class this as a pretty bleh album that, without the fame/notoriety of Blunt, would probably pass as just another substandard pop album of 2017. As it is, his fans will probably enjoy it, but it's no Back to Bedlam, that's for sure.

Check out more from this artist? May do
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yeah

Expectation Index: 8

Trollheart · 12-11-2017, 04:00 PM

Album title: Damage and Joy
Artist: The Jesus and Mary Chain
Genre: Alt-Rock
Nationality: Scottish
Release date: March 24
Position in Discography: Seventh
Fear Factor: High
Familiar with this artist? Heard of them, but never heard them
Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little but not really
Average RYM Score: 3.01
Interesting. For some reason I always assumed The Jesus and Mary Chain were punk, or some sort of abrasive genre like that, but this is very pleasant and laidback I must say. “War on Peace” is an excellent little track, starting off slow but picking up some speed and energy near the end. Like that one. And the next one. And the next. Great stuff so far. “The Two of Us” has a great sense of energy about it. I like the female vocals, which are only on a few tracks but really add something to the album. Apparently I read this is the JAMC's first album in nineteen years! “Get On Home” has a very fifties rock vibe to it, yet seems fully up to date with a kind of MBV thing going on too. Yeah, really quite impressed.

Check out more from this artist? Yup
Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes

Expectation Index: 10

12-04-2017, 08:24 PM	#1161 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	__________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-04-2017, 08:28 PM	#1162 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Two years away, but this is going to need its own dedicated thread. I love Netflix! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-04-2017, 08:38 PM	#1164 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	I'm ahead of you there. I've been reading 2000AD since prog 1. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-05-2017, 07:35 AM	#1165 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Let's continue the conversation here: http://www.musicbanter.com/media/908...tv-series.html __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-11-2017, 10:26 AM	#1166 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: Souvenir Artist: Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors Genre: Americana/Country/Folk Nationality: American Release date: March 24 Position in Discography: Tenth Fear Factor: Low Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little Average RYM Score: 3.28 Very nice laidback folk/Americana with a hint of country. “New Year” is a really nice song, “Sometimes” has a Beatles flavour about it and also serves as the title track. I really like this album, but it's a little hard to write anything specific about it. “Mama's Sunshine” has some really nice picked banjo on it, very bluegrass feel to that, kind of reminds me in ways of Melanie's “Brand New Key” (or, if you're more familiar with it, The Wurzles' “Brand New Combine Harvester”! ) - a little twee if I'm honest. And while I am being honest, while I really like this album there's nothing really that stands out about it. It's just, well, nice, but not something I would see myself trying more of. It's almost as if this is how someone thinks a country album should be; not quite cliched, not badly played, not badly sung. Just – ** it, I don't know: there's something, I don't want to say insincere about it, since I'm sure the guys care for their music, but it's a bit hollow, empty? Sort of like a cardboard cut-out? Ah, I give up. Check out more from this artist? Unlikely Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 2** __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-11-2017, 10:58 AM	#1167 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: Dance of Time Artist: Eliane Elias Genre: Jazz Nationality: Brazilian Release date: March 24 Position in Discography: Twenty-Fourth Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 3.25 I guess you have to have respect for someone who has released two dozen albums and she looks quite young yet, but jazz is not my thing, vocal jazz even less so. We'll see though. Actually, she was born three years before me, so almost in her sixtieth year. Certainly looks good on it. Kicks off very well, sprightly and upbeat and I assume that's her on the piano, which is driving this tune at least. Apparently the dance mentioned in the title is the samba, and you can definitely get that rhythm right from the beginning, the kind of thing that makes even an old graceless clunker like me want to move. There seems to be a mixture of her native language (Portugese?) and English on the songs, so that the second one has lyrics I can understand, not that, in fairness, it really matters. Very smooth stuff. At times some of this sounds like the incidental or theme music from a 1950s movie, but that's not a criticism, as this kind of thing was very popular back then and so naturally evokes, for me, the probably only arenas in which I would have been exposed to such music, not being a fan. Can definitely though hear this being played onstage as Bond tries to seduce another femme fatale, but though this is really good it's just not for me, and I find myself becoming bored very quickly. I imagine aficionados of the genre will love this, but it just isn't something I'm that interested in listening to. Check out more from this artist? No Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Maybe Expectation Index: 2 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-11-2017, 11:31 AM	#1168 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: At What Cost Artist: Goldlink Genre: Hip-hop Nationality: American Release date: March 24 Position in Discography: Debut Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? No Familiar with the genre or subgenre? No Average RYM Score: 3.09 Another hip-hop album with some nice singing and melodies; “Herside Story” is the first time I really take notice though, has something a little special. Again, we have a million hip-hop stars, emcees, singers, whatever, taking part on a debut album. I never understand that, but whatever. “Summatime” is good too, but there you are: guest rappers/singers again, so I can't tell when it's this guy doing his own thing, and when it's one of his new buddies helping out. There's some really sweet choir singing in “The Parable of the Rich Man”, but overall I'd say this is a good album without blowing me away. Good for a debut, certainly. Interesting to see where he goes from here. Check out more from this artist? Might Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 4 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-11-2017, 03:15 PM	#1169 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: The Afterlove Artist: James Blunt Genre: Pop Nationality: English Release date: March 24 Position in Discography: Fifth Fear Factor: Low Familiar with this artist? Yes Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little Average RYM Score: 2.30 All right, let's get one thing straight: I don't care who knows it, I like James Blunt. This doesn't mean I don't hate “You're Beautiful” (everyone who has a soul hates that song) but I liked Back to Bedlam, although to be fair that's the only one of his albums I've listened to, so this could be ***. But I'm not going in with a Blunt-hating agenda like many would. Now, maybe I will hate it, but if I do, I'll hate it on its own merits (or lack of them), not because I'm supposed or expected to. Clear? Good. Now, let's see what this is all about. Opener seems to almost apologise for the hatred he's engendered in people, with a line about that song; quite insightful possibly, also either whiny or quite self-aware/self-deprecatory, can't decide which, and with a title like “Love Me Better”, well that doesn't do anything to help really. Kind of drab to meh so far (three tracks in). All right, it's beginning to get better now, from “Don't Give Me Those Eyes”, which is a really nice ballad somewhat on the lines of “Tears and Rain”, then “Someone Singing Along” is a nice bouncy number, though “California” reminds me, uncomfortably, of Train's latest. Shudder. Speaking of shuddering, I could do without the presence of Ed Sheeran on “Make Me Better”, and in the end I think I'd class this as a pretty bleh album that, without the fame/notoriety of Blunt, would probably pass as just another substandard pop album of 2017. As it is, his fans will probably enjoy it, but it's no Back to Bedlam, that's for sure. Check out more from this artist?* May do Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yeah Expectation Index: 8 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-11-2017, 04:00 PM	#1170 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Album title: Damage and Joy Artist: The Jesus and Mary Chain Genre: Alt-Rock Nationality: Scottish Release date: March 24 Position in Discography: Seventh Fear Factor: High Familiar with this artist? Heard of them, but never heard them Familiar with the genre or subgenre? A little but not really Average RYM Score: 3.01 Interesting. For some reason I always assumed The Jesus and Mary Chain were punk, or some sort of abrasive genre like that, but this is very pleasant and laidback I must say. “War on Peace” is an excellent little track, starting off slow but picking up some speed and energy near the end. Like that one. And the next one. And the next. Great stuff so far. “The Two of Us” has a great sense of energy about it. I like the female vocals, which are only on a few tracks but really add something to the album. Apparently I read this is the JAMC's first album in nineteen years! “Get On Home” has a very fifties rock vibe to it, yet seems fully up to date with a kind of MBV thing going on too. Yeah, really quite impressed. Check out more from this artist? Yup Check out more from this genre or subgenre? Yes Expectation Index: 10 __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018