Brad Stengel's Magical Musical Orgy of Sound

Brad Stengel · 11-04-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ZZZ

And don't that sum up life.

Same here. That's why I could only do a list like this, where it's limited to what I've heard, because if I were to do something like "My favorite albums of the 90's" I know thered be stuff I'd leave out that would make it worthless to me in 5 years.

Son of JayJamJah · 11-04-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Stengel

#23

Weezer
"Weezer (Blue Album)"(1994)

Words cannot describe how much I used to hate Weezer. I liked "Hash Pipe" in 7th grade, but quickly realized how boring and yet, outstandingly grating it was. I had basically only heard from the Green Album onward, and thus despised them. Then something happened. "Buddy Holly" came on the radio, and though I had heard it before, it never clicked that it was Weezer. I also enjoyed it much more than I had when I was a kid. I decided that it was the catchiest song ever written, and before you knew it, I realized "The Sweater Song" and "Say It Ain't So" were more examples of great Weezer songs.

My interest sparked, I borrowed a copy of the Blue Album from a friend in the beginning of 2006 (might I add, I still have it...sucker...). From the moment when the wall of guitars kicks in on "My Name is Jonas", I was sold.

I can't empasize enough how melodically perfect this record is. It's tough to make a rock/pop album so melodically satisfying without having it all sound the same. I mean, Weezer isn't experimental-and I'm sure to someone completely unfamiliar with them, the entirety of the blue album sounds the same. For me at least, and any other fans, each song, although similar in some regards, has its own personality. You have the faux-reggae of "Say It Ain't So", the Brian Wilsonesque "Buddy Holly", the epic closing track, the shameless pop-punk of "No One Else", all performed in a way that is undeniably Weezer. Although this sound does in fact carry through their later albums, none would ever be as catchy yet relistenable as 'The Blue Album'. I mean, hell, I actually liked 'Pork and Beans' when it came out-it's classic catchy Weezer. But I tired of it very quickly, and now lump it into "Crappy Weezer". Theres a certain charm of this album that makes it one of the few pop albums that I can put on today, and have it sound just as pleasing as when I first got into it. And that is why Rivers Cuomo sucks now, and why no other Weezer album comes close to this for me.
90/100

What a fantastic example of people making the album they were meant to make.

Brad Stengel · 11-09-2008, 01:58 PM

#15

The Replacements
"Let It Be"(1984)

In retrospect, I can't think of any album that would have brought me out of the depths of classic rock worship into the bright light of 80's alternative rock faster than The Replacements' 'Let It Be' could have. This album is the perfect bridge between the 70's and 80's, and the first album I always bring up (of course, to blank confused faces) when people trapped in 1973 say the 80's had nothing to offer.

"Let It Be" is for the most part split three ways between loud, fast punk songs, fun catchy pop-rock songs, and tender ballads. This is a very eclectic album, so of course it's high up on my list. The album opener, "I Will Dare" has a fantastic chorus, and even a mandolin part that makes putting on this album that's essentially by a punk band an easy listen. "Let It Be" can fool you, at times, into thinking that you're listening to a different band entirely-that's a strong point of an album, while in the hands of a lesser band, could easily be a weak one.

This is sloppy rock n' roll/power pop, or as The Replacements referred to themselves, 'Trash Rock'. If you enjoy tight sounding generic music performed by perfectionist robots, this is not your album. If you appreciate passion more than technical ability, if you appreciate genre crossing more than avant garde experimentation, if you always thought pop was done better by the bands that weren't popular, than "Let It Be" is for you.
95/100

1 I Will Dare (3:18)
2 Favorite Thing (2:19)
3 We're Comin' Out (2:21)
4 Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out (1:53)
5 Androgynous (3:11)
6 Black Diamond (2:40)
7 Unsatisfied (4:01)
8 Seen Your Video (3:08)
9 Gary's Got a Boner (2:28)
10 Sixteen Blue (4:24)
11 Answering Machine 3:40

Brad Stengel · 05-09-2009, 04:24 PM

Okay, so I've decided to revive this thread. Only this time, it won't just be albums from a specific year, it'll be anything I want. That way I won't get bored or discouraged and have to abandon the thread. So if any mods want to rename the thread "Brad Stengel's Magical Musical Orgy of Sound", it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm in the mood to write, so I think right now Im just going to start reviewing everything in my collection alphabetically, from 45's to full lengths, starting with...

!!!

"Take Ecstasy With Me (45 rpm)"

I basically bought this last summer because I wanted to check out '!!!', and also, it's a cover of my favorite Stephen Merritt song. The song is a beautiful dreamy pop song on the surface, but if you listen a little closer, the lyrics are actually about a *** couple getting the shit kicked out of them, ("A vodka bottle gave you those raccoon eyes"). A perfect tune.

Now, as far as !!!'s cover, they do a great job. They give it the dance music treatment, and drag the song out for 7 minutes (the original is like 3 or 4 minutes long), but in a good way. It's a melody I want to hear for that long, and although Stephen Merritt's absurdly deep vocals aren't present, Nic Offer does a fine job. While I still prefer the original, this is everything I hope for in a cover tune: !!! make the song their own while still maintaining everything great about the original.

The B-Side, "Get Up" is your standard dance-punk fare, though it's not entirely dismissable. I particularily enjoy the drawn out noisy bits over the pounding drums. Relistening to this reminds me that I still need to hear an album from these guys, anyone who dares to cover my favorite Magnetic Fields song and leave me satisfied is worth repeated listens as far as I'm concerned.

8/10

Brad Stengel · 05-21-2009, 10:40 AM

Deerhunter
"Rainwater Cassette Exchange (2009)"

Deerhunter has a lot to live up to after the success of their three previous releases, 'Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.', the 'Fluorescent Grey' EP, and 'Cryptograms', this not even taking into account how great all of the music Bradford Cox's solo project Atlas Sound has released for free on Deerhunter's blog. Thankfully, 'Rainwater Cassette Exchange' adds to Deerhunter's extremely solid discography.

The tracks on 'Rainwater Cassette Exchange' all debuted (save 'Game of Diamonds') as live versions posted online in an entire Deerhunter set. It should be noted that these versions are all much different than the actual studio release. A friend of mine and equally obsessive Deerhunter fan mentioned hearing these live versions and being disappointed by the straightforward 'Strokes-y' sound. Deerhunter however are notorious for making music that is orgasmic to listen to with headphones, and they truly deliver adding theremin, bongos, and sound collages to the Microcastle-esque pop songs contained within.

The albums highlight is by far 'Famous Last Words'. Reported by the blogs as being perhaps the poppiest Deerhunter song as of yet when the live version emerged, Deerhunter still prevent any mainstream access by adding off-kilter guitar leads, theremin(!), and lyrics about a boy being run over by a truck while skateboarding to the mix, giving it that signature 'catchy but fucked up' Deerhunter sound.

The only thing about this EP I'm not head-over-heels in love with is the version of 'Game of Diamonds' presented. Don't get me wrong- the version on this is great, it's just that the version posted as a demo on the Deerhunter blog was another thing entirely. With one of the loudest guitar tracks I've ever heard, the original 'My Bloody Valentine as a 60's pop group' version is superior.

Overall, an excellent new member of the Deerhunter discography will satisfy any fan of the band, although now I'm going to be anxious for a new album until 2010. At least Atlas Sounds' 'Logos' is slated for release this year.
84/100

Brad Stengel · 06-01-2009, 12:31 AM

King Khan and the Shrines
What Is?!? (2007)

Hey MusicBanter reader.

Do you like punk rock?
Do you like James Brown?

If you answered yes to both of these, download this NOW.

If you answered no, download this anyway. If you still don't like it do yourself a favor and see them live anyway. The nudity, energy, and banana throwing will provide the best live music performance you'll ever see, I guarantee it. Look up shows in your area now.
88/100

Highlights: How Can I Keep You (Outta Harms Way), I Wanna be A Girl, Land of the Freak

jackhammer · 06-02-2009, 07:17 AM

I have last years release:

King Khan & His Shrines - The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines based on the cover art alone and really liked it

Have you heard this:

This came out a few years earlier and is an actual cover album of Soul & Funk tunes done sorta Garage/punk style and is well worth a listen. I have it if needed.

Brad Stengel · 06-02-2009, 09:07 AM

I'm looking for that on Soulseek now. 'What Is!?' is much better than his greatest hits, IMO.

simplephysics · 06-02-2009, 05:29 PM

Woah, I didn't know !!! covered a Magnetic Fields song, mad props to them.. I love that tune.

Brad Stengel · 06-03-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

This came out a few years earlier and is an actual cover album of Soul & Funk tunes done sorta Garage/punk style and is well worth a listen. I have it if needed.

This album is fucking sick, especially the feedback utilized in a few songs, notably 'The Thing'. Anything else you know of that sounds like this?

11-09-2008, 01:58 PM	#53 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	#15 The Replacements "Let It Be"(1984) In retrospect, I can't think of any album that would have brought me out of the depths of classic rock worship into the bright light of 80's alternative rock faster than The Replacements' 'Let It Be' could have. This album is the perfect bridge between the 70's and 80's, and the first album I always bring up (of course, to blank confused faces) when people trapped in 1973 say the 80's had nothing to offer. "Let It Be" is for the most part split three ways between loud, fast punk songs, fun catchy pop-rock songs, and tender ballads. This is a very eclectic album, so of course it's high up on my list. The album opener, "I Will Dare" has a fantastic chorus, and even a mandolin part that makes putting on this album that's essentially by a punk band an easy listen. "Let It Be" can fool you, at times, into thinking that you're listening to a different band entirely-that's a strong point of an album, while in the hands of a lesser band, could easily be a weak one. This is sloppy rock n' roll/power pop, or as The Replacements referred to themselves, 'Trash Rock'. If you enjoy tight sounding generic music performed by perfectionist robots, this is not your album. If you appreciate passion more than technical ability, if you appreciate genre crossing more than avant garde experimentation, if you always thought pop was done better by the bands that weren't popular, than "Let It Be" is for you. 95/100 1 I Will Dare (3:18) 2 Favorite Thing (2:19) 3 We're Comin' Out (2:21) 4 Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out (1:53) 5 Androgynous (3:11) 6 Black Diamond (2:40) 7 Unsatisfied (4:01) 8 Seen Your Video (3:08) 9 Gary's Got a Boner (2:28) 10 Sixteen Blue (4:24) 11 Answering Machine 3:40 __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

05-09-2009, 04:24 PM	#54 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	Okay, so I've decided to revive this thread. Only this time, it won't just be albums from a specific year, it'll be anything I want. That way I won't get bored or discouraged and have to abandon the thread. So if any mods want to rename the thread "Brad Stengel's Magical Musical Orgy of Sound", it would be greatly appreciated. I'm in the mood to write, so I think right now Im just going to start reviewing everything in my collection alphabetically, from 45's to full lengths, starting with... !!! "Take Ecstasy With Me (45 rpm)" I basically bought this last summer because I wanted to check out '!!!', and also, it's a cover of my favorite Stephen Merritt song. The song is a beautiful dreamy pop song on the surface, but if you listen a little closer, the lyrics are actually about a *** couple getting the shit kicked out of them, ("A vodka bottle gave you those raccoon eyes"). A perfect tune. Now, as far as !!!'s cover, they do a great job. They give it the dance music treatment, and drag the song out for 7 minutes (the original is like 3 or 4 minutes long), but in a good way. It's a melody I want to hear for that long, and although Stephen Merritt's absurdly deep vocals aren't present, Nic Offer does a fine job. While I still prefer the original, this is everything I hope for in a cover tune: !!! make the song their own while still maintaining everything great about the original. The B-Side, "Get Up" is your standard dance-punk fare, though it's not entirely dismissable. I particularily enjoy the drawn out noisy bits over the pounding drums. Relistening to this reminds me that I still need to hear an album from these guys, anyone who dares to cover my favorite Magnetic Fields song and leave me satisfied is worth repeated listens as far as I'm concerned. 8/10 __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

05-21-2009, 10:40 AM	#55 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	Deerhunter "Rainwater Cassette Exchange (2009)" Deerhunter has a lot to live up to after the success of their three previous releases, 'Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.', the 'Fluorescent Grey' EP, and 'Cryptograms', this not even taking into account how great all of the music Bradford Cox's solo project Atlas Sound has released for free on Deerhunter's blog. Thankfully, 'Rainwater Cassette Exchange' adds to Deerhunter's extremely solid discography. The tracks on 'Rainwater Cassette Exchange' all debuted (save 'Game of Diamonds') as live versions posted online in an entire Deerhunter set. It should be noted that these versions are all much different than the actual studio release. A friend of mine and equally obsessive Deerhunter fan mentioned hearing these live versions and being disappointed by the straightforward 'Strokes-y' sound. Deerhunter however are notorious for making music that is orgasmic to listen to with headphones, and they truly deliver adding theremin, bongos, and sound collages to the Microcastle-esque pop songs contained within. The albums highlight is by far 'Famous Last Words'. Reported by the blogs as being perhaps the poppiest Deerhunter song as of yet when the live version emerged, Deerhunter still prevent any mainstream access by adding off-kilter guitar leads, theremin(!), and lyrics about a boy being run over by a truck while skateboarding to the mix, giving it that signature 'catchy but fucked up' Deerhunter sound. The only thing about this EP I'm not head-over-heels in love with is the version of 'Game of Diamonds' presented. Don't get me wrong- the version on this is great, it's just that the version posted as a demo on the Deerhunter blog was another thing entirely. With one of the loudest guitar tracks I've ever heard, the original 'My Bloody Valentine as a 60's pop group' version is superior. Overall, an excellent new member of the Deerhunter discography will satisfy any fan of the band, although now I'm going to be anxious for a new album until 2010. At least Atlas Sounds' 'Logos' is slated for release this year. 84/100 __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo Last edited by Brad Stengel; 05-21-2009 at 11:28 AM.

06-01-2009, 12:31 AM	#56 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	King Khan and the Shrines What Is?!? (2007) Hey MusicBanter reader. Do you like punk rock? Do you like James Brown? If you answered yes to both of these, download this NOW. If you answered no, download this anyway. If you still don't like it do yourself a favor and see them live anyway. The nudity, energy, and banana throwing will provide the best live music performance you'll ever see, I guarantee it. Look up shows in your area now. 88/100 Highlights: How Can I Keep You (Outta Harms Way), I Wanna be A Girl, Land of the Freak __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo

06-02-2009, 07:17 AM	#57 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I have last years release: King Khan & His Shrines - The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines based on the cover art alone and really liked it Have you heard this: This came out a few years earlier and is an actual cover album of Soul & Funk tunes done sorta Garage/punk style and is well worth a listen. I have it if needed. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

06-02-2009, 09:07 AM	#58 (permalink)
Brad Stengel This Space for Rent Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 815	I'm looking for that on Soulseek now. 'What Is!?' is much better than his greatest hits, IMO. __________________ These is the musics I own: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/BradStengel/oo