Micshazam's album and song picks

Anteater · 05-17-2018, 10:28 PM

I think I might like that STAM1NA single more than anything I heard on their last record. Never heard of Suzanne Ciani either: interestin'

The Sane Psycho · 05-17-2018, 10:54 PM

I'll have to start reading this journal. I keep hearing how good it is and how much effort you put into it, and you have good and eclectic taste from what I've noticed around these parts.

~~MicShazam~~ · 05-18-2018, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anteater

I think I might like that STAM1NA single more than anything I heard on their last record. Never heard of Suzanne Ciani either: interestin'

I don't think Stam1na have been catching on a lot of places yet. Most of their fanbase is either Finnish or otherwise European. One of my favorite bands for sure, but they've been a hard sell on this forum!
I really like their approach to melodic metal. It sounds very modern; very forward looking to me. But it's hard to explain why exactly I'm so into their music.

That Suzanne Ciani album was just a complete chance encounter. I think I just stumbled over it on youtube, as a related video to another, or one step deeper. The cover seemed to suggest something like Celine Dion, but then you notice the huge synthesizer. Couldn't figure out what it was, so I had to check it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sane Psycho

I'll have to start reading this journal. I keep hearing how good it is and how much effort you put into it, and you have good and eclectic taste from what I've noticed around these parts.

There's not actually a whole lot of writing in this journal. I put in the majority of the effort into checking out new singles and other music. The main idea with this journal is to simply post interesting/good music that I find. There's the odd deviation from that, but it's 90% about new and random discoveries that catch my eyes.
The writing is secondary. What I really want people to do is just listen to the music

~~MicShazam~~ · 05-29-2018, 03:52 PM

Been a while since any proper update, but at least this time, I'm bringing the goods!

Let's dive right in.

Beth Orton - Touch Me With Your Love

From her 2008 album, Trailer Park. I've been checking a bunch of songwriters out on Spotify and Beth Orton left an impression. Ordered the album earlier today after coming back to it for a moment. Good stuff.

Halo Maud - Tu Sais Comme Je Suis (official audio)

From her 2018 album, Je Suis Une Île. She's not the most solid singer, but the overall impression still wins me over. The vibe of the posted track speaks for itself, really.

Eleanor Friedberger - In Between Stars (Official Video)

From her 2018 album, Rebound. Some laid back, well written pop songs. I might get this one soon.

Elysia Crampton - Oscollo

From her self-titled 2018 album. It's only 19 minutes long, but what I've heard from it so far is... interesting. Experimental electronica world music? Just throwing lables around. Whatever it is, it's neat.

Maryam Saleh, Maurice Louca, Tamer Abu Ghazaleh - Teskar Tebki

From their 2017 collaboration, Lekhfa. Not sure what the hell to call this, but check the whole album out on Spotify if you doubt me when I say that it's an interesting album.

~~MicShazam~~ · 05-29-2018, 04:33 PM

Instead of waiting for my post to appear so I can edit it, I'm going for another round!

I really just wanted to post the track just below, but then decided to see what else I could find of interest.

Skinflint - Birds and Milk Bloody Milk (Official Music Video)

A three piece metal band from Botswana with a white dude on guitar/vocals and a green lipstick wearing chick on drums? Not your everyday metal ensemble. I really dig the simple, down and dirty feel of this. The vocalist is corny as ****, but in just the right way. Another pretty cool track from the same band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPe4aizlz9U.

Neko Case - "Bad Luck"

Alt-country queen Neko Case has a new album out this year, titled Hell-On. Judging from this track, the vibe is poppier than usual. I'm probably buying it some time, so I don't want to hear any more from it. I choose to trust that Case knows what she's doing.

Alela Diane - To Begin

From her 2011 album, Wild Divine. Pretty straight forward blues edged singer/songwriter material. I think she's got a good voice and the songs seemed solid when I checked the album out on spotify. Good sound quality on the album too. Just seems like it's good, high quality material.

Jenny Hval - Spells (Official Audio)

Jenny Hval's got a new EP out titled The Long Sleep. This particular track has some pretty great atmosphere going for it. Best use of saxophone I've heard in a while.

~~MicShazam~~ · 06-14-2018, 12:57 PM

Here's the results of the last few days of digging around on the interwebs for new music.

---

Artist: Mitra Sumara
Album: Tahdig
Release: June 8/2018

Mitra Sumara are a New York based Farsi pop band of sorts.
The keyboard playing in the embedded track (below) is simply drop-dead gorgeous.
Currently one of the 2018 albums that I'm most excited about getting my hands on.
I might have to hurry, as this one seems fairly obscure.

---

Artist: Patricia Vonne
Album: Top of the Mountain
Release: March 23/2018

Some very fun, basic American rock music. I love the clear, vibrant sound of this track.
Not exactly the kind of music I typically like the most, but I think this has so much personality and life to it, that I might take the chance and get the album.

Check out the lead single:

---

Artist: Laura Jean
Album: Devotion
Release: June 8/2018

The track below isn't the most original slice of indie pop ever, but I really like the general atmosphere of this and feel like this album could be just my kind of thing.
It's not the highest priority out of all 2018 albums, but I'm likely buying it before the end of summer, or at least the year.

Also note the short synth melody that comes in near the end of the track. Nice. Right up my alley!

---

Artist: Hop Along
Album: Bark Off Your Head, Dog
Release: April 6/2018

I really dig the vocalist and the mix of instruments here.
This album is also among the ones I'm most excited to get my hands on. Raw in a good way and very pretty.
Somewhere between an old school, rootsy vibe and more of an indie hipster vibe. I think a lot of people on this forum would like this thing.

---

Artist: Karim Sulayman - Jeannette Sorrell
Album: Apollo's Fire - Songs of Orpheus
Release: April 6/2018

Again, a bit out of my comfort zone with some classical vocal.
This guy has pipes! Very stirring delivery and the material seems interesting.
I didn't find a Youtube video, but the Allmusic page for the album has some song previews that should give you a very good idea of the level of quality of this project.

https://www.allmusic.com/album/songs...s-mw0003154776

~~MicShazam~~ · 07-09-2018, 02:31 PM

Not sure where to post this, so I'm posting it in my probably dead journal:

https://imgur.com/a/Z5vVc2w?grid

It's an Imgur album of all the 2018 CD's I want to get my grubby hands on.

**Frownland** · 07-09-2018, 02:41 PM

You liked the Dead Cross record enough to buy it? I was disappointed to the point of outrage.

~~MicShazam~~ · 07-09-2018, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

You liked the Dead Cross record enough to buy it? I was disappointed to the point of outrage.

Haven't bought it yet, but I think I'd dig it. A bit on the shallow side, but it's got energy. I'm feeling split on the issue tbh. I agree that it was disappointing, but I like it enough to buy it. IMGUR loses the filenames these pictures have on my PC, so what's lost in the transfer is that these albums were sorted in three degrees of importance. Dead Cross was not in the top tier.

~~MicShazam~~ · 09-14-2018, 01:13 PM

Gonna re-open this journal. I'm feeling like ranting and raving about great music.

This album is why:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6nY9YhtdlDCPWKF9m9txU5

Suggested to me in the Spotify discover section. I literally discovered this album barely 20 minutes ago and I've already ordered the CD on Amazon. I'm blasting it loud on Spotify right now and I've got goosebumps. I ****ing love this!

It's a sort of alt rock with some post rock vibes. Elph should check this out, but he won't when I say it's good

Kristeen has a super powerful, in your face singing style. It's gonna be a love/hate sort of proposition. The music is just so juicy and full sounding and so full of all sorts of little compositional touches that make me think of all sorts of other artists, early Kate Bush among them. Holy **** I'm loving this!

Check it out.

05-17-2018, 10:54 PM	#172 (permalink)
The Sane Psycho Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 299	I'll have to start reading this journal. I keep hearing how good it is and how much effort you put into it, and you have good and eclectic taste from what I've noticed around these parts. __________________ Read my journals, homies! The Sane Psycho's Shitposting Odyssey- Where I troll like a 16 year old loser. The Official Sane Psycho Hook Rock Extravaganza!!!- My actual legitimate journal where I review rock albums with delicious pop hooks.

05-29-2018, 03:52 PM	#174 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Been a while since any proper update, but at least this time, I'm bringing the goods! Let's dive right in. Beth Orton - Touch Me With Your Love From her 2008 album, Trailer Park. I've been checking a bunch of songwriters out on Spotify and Beth Orton left an impression. Ordered the album earlier today after coming back to it for a moment. Good stuff. Halo Maud - Tu Sais Comme Je Suis (official audio) From her 2018 album, Je Suis Une Île. She's not the most solid singer, but the overall impression still wins me over. The vibe of the posted track speaks for itself, really. Eleanor Friedberger - In Between Stars (Official Video) From her 2018 album, Rebound. Some laid back, well written pop songs. I might get this one soon. Elysia Crampton - Oscollo From her self-titled 2018 album. It's only 19 minutes long, but what I've heard from it so far is... interesting. Experimental electronica world music? Just throwing lables around. Whatever it is, it's neat. Maryam Saleh, Maurice Louca, Tamer Abu Ghazaleh - Teskar Tebki From their 2017 collaboration, Lekhfa. Not sure what the hell to call this, but check the whole album out on Spotify if you doubt me when I say that it's an interesting album. Last edited by MicShazam; 05-29-2018 at 04:50 PM.

05-29-2018, 04:33 PM	#175 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Instead of waiting for my post to appear so I can edit it, I'm going for another round! I really just wanted to post the track just below, but then decided to see what else I could find of interest. Skinflint - Birds and Milk Bloody Milk (Official Music Video) A three piece metal band from Botswana with a white dude on guitar/vocals and a green lipstick wearing chick on drums? Not your everyday metal ensemble. I really dig the simple, down and dirty feel of this. The vocalist is corny as **, but in just the right way. Another pretty cool track from the same band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPe4aizlz9U. Neko Case - "Bad Luck"** Alt-country queen Neko Case has a new album out this year, titled Hell-On. Judging from this track, the vibe is poppier than usual. I'm probably buying it some time, so I don't want to hear any more from it. I choose to trust that Case knows what she's doing. Alela Diane - To Begin From her 2011 album, Wild Divine. Pretty straight forward blues edged singer/songwriter material. I think she's got a good voice and the songs seemed solid when I checked the album out on spotify. Good sound quality on the album too. Just seems like it's good, high quality material. Jenny Hval - Spells (Official Audio) Jenny Hval's got a new EP out titled The Long Sleep. This particular track has some pretty great atmosphere going for it. Best use of saxophone I've heard in a while. Last edited by MicShazam; 05-29-2018 at 04:41 PM.

06-14-2018, 12:57 PM	#176 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Here's the results of the last few days of digging around on the interwebs for new music. --- Artist: Mitra Sumara Album: Tahdig Release: June 8/2018 Mitra Sumara are a New York based Farsi pop band of sorts. The keyboard playing in the embedded track (below) is simply drop-dead gorgeous. Currently one of the 2018 albums that I'm most excited about getting my hands on. I might have to hurry, as this one seems fairly obscure. --- Artist: Patricia Vonne Album: Top of the Mountain Release: March 23/2018 Some very fun, basic American rock music. I love the clear, vibrant sound of this track. Not exactly the kind of music I typically like the most, but I think this has so much personality and life to it, that I might take the chance and get the album. Check out the lead single: --- Artist: Laura Jean Album: Devotion Release: June 8/2018 The track below isn't the most original slice of indie pop ever, but I really like the general atmosphere of this and feel like this album could be just my kind of thing. It's not the highest priority out of all 2018 albums, but I'm likely buying it before the end of summer, or at least the year. Also note the short synth melody that comes in near the end of the track. Nice. Right up my alley! --- Artist: Hop Along Album: Bark Off Your Head, Dog Release: April 6/2018 I really dig the vocalist and the mix of instruments here. This album is also among the ones I'm most excited to get my hands on. Raw in a good way and very pretty. Somewhere between an old school, rootsy vibe and more of an indie hipster vibe. I think a lot of people on this forum would like this thing. --- Artist: Karim Sulayman - Jeannette Sorrell Album: Apollo's Fire - Songs of Orpheus Release: April 6/2018 Again, a bit out of my comfort zone with some classical vocal. This guy has pipes! Very stirring delivery and the material seems interesting. I didn't find a Youtube video, but the Allmusic page for the album has some song previews that should give you a very good idea of the level of quality of this project. https://www.allmusic.com/album/songs...s-mw0003154776 Last edited by MicShazam; 06-14-2018 at 01:04 PM.

07-09-2018, 02:41 PM	#178 (permalink)
Frownland SOPHIE FOREVER Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East of the Southern North American West Posts: 35,541	You liked the Dead Cross record enough to buy it? I was disappointed to the point of outrage. __________________ Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth. d e a f b o x

07-09-2018, 02:31 PM	#177 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Not sure where to post this, so I'm posting it in my probably dead journal: https://imgur.com/a/Z5vVc2w?grid It's an Imgur album of all the 2018 CD's I want to get my grubby hands on.

09-14-2018, 01:13 PM	#180 (permalink)
~~MicShazam~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Aalborg Posts: 7,634	Gonna re-open this journal. I'm feeling like ranting and raving about great music. This album is why: https://open.spotify.com/album/6nY9YhtdlDCPWKF9m9txU5 Suggested to me in the Spotify discover section. I literally discovered this album barely 20 minutes ago and I've already ordered the CD on Amazon. I'm blasting it loud on Spotify right now and I've got goosebumps. I **ing love this! It's a sort of alt rock with some post rock vibes. Elph should check this out, but he won't when I say it's good Kristeen has a super powerful, in your face singing style. It's gonna be a love/hate sort of proposition. The music is just so juicy and full sounding and so full of all sorts of little compositional touches that make me think of all sorts of other artists, early Kate Bush among them. Holy ** I'm loving this! Check it out.