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Post by raliverpool on Jun 10, 2021 18:48:48 GMT 1
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (2010)
The third studio album by Canadian indie rock band was released on August 2, 2010. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Irish Albums Chart, the UK Albums Chart, the US Billboard 200 chart, and the Canadian Albums Chart. It won Album of the Year at the 2011 Grammy Awards, Best International Album at the 2011 BRIT Awards, Album of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards, and the 2011 Polaris Music Prize for best Canadian album. It received a Metacritic aggregate rating of 87 out of 100; and was ranked the Year End #1 album by BBC Radio 6 Music; Q Magazine; Australia's Triple J Radio; & Clash! Magazine.
Writing for BBC Music, Mike Diver described the album as the band's "most thrillingly engrossing chapter yet; a complex, captivating work that, several cycles down the line, retains the magic and mystery of that first tentative encounter" and stated that "you could call it their OK Computer." Several reviewers compared The Suburbs favourably to Arcade Fire's earlier work. Ian Cohen of Pitchfork called it "a satisfying return to form—proof that Arcade Fire can still make grand statements without sounding like they're carrying the weight of the world". Noel Murray of The A.V. Club described the album as being "like one long sequel" to the band's earlier single "No Cars Go". Q wrote that the band "may well have delivered their masterpiece."
The album's lyrical content is inspired by band members Win and William Butler's upbringing in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Houston. According to Win Butler, the album "is neither a love letter to, nor an indictment of, the suburbs – it's a letter from the suburbs". The album was recorded in Win Butler and Régine Chassagne's residence in Montreal, with some parts being recorded at the band's studio in Quebec and in New York City. Win Butler describes the overall sound of The Suburbs as "a mix of Depeche Mode and Neil Young", stating that he wanted the album to sound like "the bands that I heard when I was very young, and wondered what those crazy noises were"
The Suburbs 10.0 Ready To Start 10.0 Modern Man 8.5 Rococo 7.5 Empty Room 8.0 City With No Children 9.0 Half Light I 9.0 Half Light II (No Celebration) 8.5 Suburban War 9.0
Month Of May 9.5 Wasted Hours 7.5 Deep Blue 8.5 We Used To Wait 9.0 Sprawl I (Flatland) 6.5 Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) 10.0 The Suburbs (Continued) 7.5
Score: 138.0/16 = 8.63
This was simultaneously their most commercial, yet most ambitious album to date. Musically, it had the most variety to date. It arguably could have been improved by ditching the a few of the lesser tracks. But they hardly filler .... compared to some of the tracks on their follow up two albums.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 10, 2021 19:22:41 GMT 1
Arcade Fire - Reflektor (2013)
The fourth studio album by Canadian indie rock band was a double album released on October 28, 2013. The album was recorded in multiple studios and was co-produced by LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, regular Arcade Fire producer Markus Dravs, and the band themselves.
Reflektor is an art rock and dance-rock album. Primary lyricist Win Butler notes that the 1959 film Black Orpheus inspired his lyrics on the album, in particular its themes of isolation and death: "Black Orpheus is one of my favorite films of all time, which is set in Carnival in Brazil. The Orpheus myth is the original love triangle, Romeo and Juliet kind of story. Lyrically, it's not literally about my life. I feel like I'm kind of a bit of a sponge in a way. Like, if people around me are going through things, I find it very hard not to be empathetic."
Metacritic gave it an aggregate rating of 80. USA Today stated that on the album, "much of the music — audacious, heavily distorted and bubbling with electronics — sounds magnificently fresh. As the ensemble shape-shifts from the cleaner rock template of The Suburbs and Neon Bible to exotic beat-driven mashups, Arcade owes a debt to David Bowie (who has a brief cameo) and Achtung-era U2. Co-producer James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem also brings his rhythmic chops to the mix in dizzying dance hybrids."
Reflektor 10.0 We Exist 9.0
Flashbulb Eyes 8.5 Here Comes The Night Time 8.5 Normal Person 7.0 You Already Know 8.0 Joan Of Arc 7.5 Here Comes The Night Time II 7.0 Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice) 6.5 It's Never Over (Hey Orpheus) 7.5 Porno 7.5 Afterlife 9.5 Supersymmetry 7.5
Score: 104.0/13 = 8.00
It is to the band's credit that they got in LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy to inject some dance, electronic, & indie disco elements. But I can't help but feel the band lost a slice of their charm & individual identity on this album. Personally I found the songwriting was weaker as well reflecting the less engaging sonic soundscapes.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 10, 2021 19:39:19 GMT 1
Arcade Fire - Everything Now (2017)
The fifth studio album by the Canadian indie rock band was a departure from the sound of their previous records, influenced by synth-pop, dance-rock, and other derivatives of electronic music. The result came as an album that was considered more "digestible" than their previous output. The album was produced by Arcade Fire alongside Thomas Bangalter of the electronic-house duo Daft Punk and Pulp bassist Steve Mackey. Previous collaborator Markus Dravs provides co-production, with additional production by Geoff Barrow of Portishead and Eric Heigle.
Upon release, Everything Now proved polarizing with critics. It's Metacritic rating was just 66 out of 100. It was named one of the year's best albums by several publications, but was also called a misstep for the band (Rolling Stone magazine readers voted it into 5th place in both Best & Worst Album of the Year). The album reached number one in several countries, including their home country of Canada, as well as the US and the UK.
Everything_Now (Continued) Everything Now 10.0 Signs Of Life 8.5 Creature Comfort 9.5 Peter Pan 5.0 Chemistry 5.5 Infinite Content 6.5 Infinite_Content 6.0 Electric Blue 9.0 Good God Damn 7.5 Put Your Money On Me 9.0 We Don't Deserve Love 8.0 Everything Now (Continued) 7.5
Score: 92.0/12 = 7.67
Musically, this album's commercialism was a shock to the system. On the tracks which work, they really work, but on the tracks that don't ... oh dear. I still recall the first time listening to this album and hearing those 4 pretty mediocre tracks in a row in the second quarter of it. Not a pleasant experience.
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smokeyb
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Post by smokeyb on Jun 10, 2021 20:33:48 GMT 1
Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)The self produced debut studio album by Canadian indie rock band. Funeral was largely recorded over the course of a week at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal, Quebec in August 2003. Additional recording also took place at Régine Chassagne and Win Butler's apartment, and the album was completed in 2004. The production cost of the album was estimated to be around $10,000. The album was given its title because several band members had recently lost members of their families; Régine Chassagne's grandmother died in June 2003, Win and William Butler's grandfather (swing musician Alvino Rey) in February 2004, and Richard Reed Parry's aunts in April 2004. The album gained a Metacritic aggregate rating of 90. AllMusic reviewer James Christopher Monger gave the album a rating of five stars out of five. He described it as "brave, empowering, and dusted with something that many of the indie-rock genre's more contrived acts desperately lack: an element of real danger." Pitchfork gave the album a 9.7 out of 10 rating, and ultimately ranked the album #1 on their Top 50 Albums of 2004 list, as well as #2 on their Top 200 Albums of the 2000s list. It charted at UK #33 & USA #123 but would become a long run legacy selling album. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) 9.5Neighborhood #2 (Laïka) 9.5Une Année Sans Lumière 7.5Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) 10.0Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) 8.5Crown Of Love 9.0Wake Up 10.0Haïti 8.0Rebellion (Lies) 10.0In The Backseat 10.0Score: 92.0/10 = 9.20My favourite album of 2004, and my second favourite studio album of the decade. This is truly a remarkable debut album, I could name check half a dozen acts who clearly influenced this album. But with hindsight this album is more influential within the alternative rock scene, than its influences. Arcade Fire are an artist that were always on my radar, but for some reason that did not end up becoming a purchase. Then a few years later I came across this , and my appreciation became much greater, this one is on my wish list, I will get it soon.
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smokeyb
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Post by smokeyb on Jun 10, 2021 20:35:41 GMT 1
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (2007)
The second studio album by Canadian indie rock band was first released on March 5, 2007. The majority of the album was recorded at a church the band bought and renovated in Farnham, Quebec. The album is the first to feature drummer Jeremy Gara, and the first to include violinist Sarah Neufeld among the band's core line-up.
Neon Bible became Arcade Fire's highest-charting album at the time, debuting on the Billboard 200 at number two, selling 92,000 copies in its first week and more than 400,000 to date. During its first week, it debuted at number one in both Canada and Ireland, and number two in the United States, the United Kingdom and Portugal. It scored a Metacritic aggregate rating of 87 out of 100.
Beginning work on Neon Bible immediately following a North American tour in support of the band's first album, Funeral, songwriter Win Butler, born in the United States but having lived in Canada for several years, said that he felt he was observing his homeland from an outsider's point of view. The album is rooted in Americana themes, with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Presley being cited as influences.
Black Mirror 9.5 Keep The Car Running 10.0 Neon Bible 8.5 Intervention 10.0 Black Wave / Bad Vibrations 7.5 Ocean Of Noise 8.0 The Well And The Lighthouse 8.5 (Antichrist Television Blues) 7.5 Windowsill 8.5 No Cars Go 10.0 My Body Is A Cage 10.0
Score: 98.0/11 = 8.91
The Canadian indie rockers follow up their stunning debut album, with a more Americana influenced one which is arguably more cohesive, and nearly as good. At this early stage I realized they were my new favourite band replacing Radiohead.
This one I do own, and there isn't a bad track on it. One of my favourites.
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smokeyb
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Post by smokeyb on Jun 10, 2021 20:38:14 GMT 1
Arcade Fire - Everything Now (2017)
The fifth studio album by the Canadian indie rock band was a departure from the sound of their previous records, influenced by synth-pop, dance-rock, and other derivatives of electronic music. The result came as an album that was considered more "digestible" than their previous output. The album was produced by Arcade Fire alongside Thomas Bangalter of the electronic-house duo Daft Punk and Pulp bassist Steve Mackey. Previous collaborator Markus Dravs provides co-production, with additional production by Geoff Barrow of Portishead and Eric Heigle.
Upon release, Everything Now proved polarizing with critics. It's Metacritic rating was just 66 out of 100. It was named one of the year's best albums by several publications, but was also called a misstep for the band (Rolling Stone magazine readers voted it into 5th place in both Best & Worst Album of the Year). The album reached number one in several countries, including their home country of Canada, as well as the US and the UK.
Everything_Now (Continued) Everything Now 10.0 Signs Of Life 8.5 Creature Comfort 9.5 Peter Pan 5.0 Chemistry 5.5 Infinite Content 6.5 Infinite_Content 6.0 Electric Blue 9.0 Good God Damn 7.5 Put Your Money On Me 9.0 We Don't Deserve Love 8.0 Everything Now (Continued) 7.5
Score: 92.0/12 = 7.67
Musically, this album's commercialism was a shock to the system. On the tracks which work, they really work, but on the tracks that don't ... oh dear. I still recall the first time listening to this album and hearing those 4 pretty mediocre tracks in a row in the second quarter of it. Not a pleasant experience.
The title track is one of my favourite songs of the last decade, and I'm glad I chose it for Haven Time Machine as it came first that round, brilliant song, haven't got the album yet.
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Post by greendemon on Jun 11, 2021 0:51:29 GMT 1
I love Arcade Fire's first three albums. I wasn't as keen on the next two but they did both have some great songs on there.
I don't think they'll ever top 'Funeral' for me. But 'Funeral' is a top 5 of all time album for me, so that's OK.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 11, 2021 15:33:59 GMT 1
Arcadia - So Red The Rose (1985)
The platinum-selling album by the Duran Duran-spinoff group Arcadia, which was released in November 1985 — the only album the band ever released. At the time of its release Simon Le Bon & Nick Rhodes said their aim was "to make the most pretentious & luxurious sounding album ever made". It included the singles "Election Day", "Goodbye Is Forever", "The Promise" and "The Flame". The album peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200 in January 1986 and at #30 on the UK Albums charts in December 1985.
There were many musical guests on the album, including David Gilmour, Herbie Hancock, Grace Jones, Mark Egan, Andy MacKay, and Sting (who provided backing vocals on "The Promise").
It was co-produced by Alex Sadkin, and recorded in Studio de la Grande Armée, Paris whilst Duran Duran's John Taylor & Andy Taylor were touring The Power Station offshoot.
Election Day 10.0 Keep Me In The Dark 7.5 Goodbye Is Forever 8.5 The Flame 9.5 Missing 7.0 Rose Arcana The Promise 7.5 El Diablo 10.0 Lady Ice 9.0
Score: 69.0/8 = 8.63
It is one of the great ifs had a burnt out Duran Duran not split in two separate factions, but had instead took a few months off and then come together to assemble the best elements of their two spin off albums to make one terrific album. This album has aged remarkably well due to the quality of musicianship involved. Whilst Simon singing in a more deeper Elvis Presley/Bryan Ferry-esque, less strained voice than on DD recording never sounded better before or since.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 16:48:02 GMT 1
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
the debut studio album by the Sheffield rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 January 2006 by Domino Recording Company and on 21 February 2006 in the United States. The album includes both tracks from the band's original EP, Five Minutes with Arctic Monkeys, as well as their first two singles "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "When the Sun Goes Down". This is the only Arctic Monkeys album with bassist Andy Nicholson, as he left the band shortly after the album's release.
Forming in 2002, Arctic Monkeys frequently gave away free demo CDs to fans at gigs, which resulted in fans uploading the band’s music to social media sites. As their attention hugely grew, the band had garnered great demand from fans, the press and the music industry. Several of the album's tracks had been released for free via the Internet in late 2004, which consolidated on the unofficial Beneath the Boardwalk compilation. Musically, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not features indie rock, garage rock revival, post-punk revival, punk rock, alternative rock, and Britpop. Its thematic content has been likened to a concept, generally concerning nightlife, including lyricism surrounding clubbing and pub culture, and romance from the perspective of young Northerners.
Prior to the release of Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, Arctic Monkeys achieved their first UK number-ones with "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", which was the most acclaimed song of 2005, and "When the Sun Goes Down". The album became the fastest selling debut album in British music history, selling over 360,000 copies in its first week, and remains the fastest selling debut album by a band. It has since gone 6× platinum in the UK. In the US, it also became the second-fastest selling independent record label debut album in history.
The album received widespread critical acclaim from critics for its depiction of youth British Culture and for resurging British indie music that had waned after the 1990s. Among its accolades included being named the best album of 2006 by Time magazine, winning the Brit Award for Best British Album, winning the 2007 Mercury Prize, and receiving a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. It has been ranked in several greatest albums lists', including 371 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, 19 in NME's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and 30 in Rolling Stone's 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time. Scoring a Metacritic aggregate rating of 82.
The View From The Afternoon 9.5 I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor 10.0 Fake Tales Of San Francisco 9.0 Dancing Shoes 8.0 You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Staring Straight At Me 7.0 Still Take You Home 7.5 Riot Van 9.0 Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured 8.0 Mardy Bum 9.0 Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But.. 7.0 When The Sun Goes Down 9.5 From The Ritz To The Rubble 8.5 A Certain Romance 10.0
Score: 112.0/13 = 8.62
Alex Turner & co's brand of post-BritPop scrappy, lager-fueled tunes about being young and bored in a bleak steel town was a recipe for not just national, but international success. This is easily up there with the best debut albums of all time.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 16:56:00 GMT 1
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
Favourite Worst Nightmare is the second studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 April 2007 by Domino Recording Company. Recorded in east London's Miloco Studios with producers James Ford and Mike Crossey, the album was preceded by the release of "Brianstorm" on 16 April 2007. This is the band's first album with bassist Nick O'Malley, replacing their previous bassist Andy Nicholson, who left the band before the North America tour of the band's debut studio album.
In comparison to the band's debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, the album is considered more ambitious, with ambient sounds and expanded drum rhythms being introduced. Like Arctic Monkey's debut, Favourite Worst Nightmare was a widespread critical success, with critics highlighting the band's new emotional depth and Turner's matured songwriting. NME and Uncut ranked it the second-best album of 2007, while Dutch publication OOR named it the best of 2007. In retrospect, the album is considered the start of Arctic Monkeys' change of sound with each of their albums after Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not.
In its first week of release, the album sold over 227,000 copies, going straight to number one in the UK Albums Chart. "Brianstorm" and "Fluorescent Adolescent" were also both hits on the UK Singles Chart, with the former reaching number two on the chart. In the United States, the album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, selling around 44,000 copies in its first week. The album has since gone 3× platinum in the UK. It was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize and won Best British Album at the 2008 BRIT Awards. Metacritic gave it a aggregate 82 rating.
Brianstorm 9.5 Teddy Picker 9.0 D Is For Dangerous 8.0 Balaclava 7.5 Fluorescent Adolescent 10.0 Only Ones Who Know 8.5 Do Me A Favour 8.0 This House Is A Circus 7.5 If You Were There, Beware 8.0 The Bad Thing 7.0 Old Yellow Bricks 8.0 505 9.5
Score: 100.5/12 = 8.38
This was pretty much what I wanted & got from the Sheffield band's second album. A more polished, more musically competent vision of their debut album. What it gained in competency it lost a small amount of ramshackle charm. But this is still a very very good sophomore effort.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 17:27:54 GMT 1
Arctic Monkeys - Humbug (2009)
First released on 19 August 2009 through the Domino Recording Company. The band started to write new material for the album towards the end of summer 2008, and finished it entirely in spring 2009. Like their previous release, Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), Humbug was released first in Japan, on 19 August 2009, followed by Australia, Brazil, Ireland and Germany, on 21 August 2009. It was then released in the UK on 24 August 2009, in the US the following day and in Greece on 31 August.
Wholly recorded in the United States. Arctic Monkeys' worked with American musician Josh Homme, who produced tracks recorded in Los Angeles and the Mojave Desert alongside New York City recordings produced by James Ford. Musically, the album is a departure from the punk-influenced sound of the band with it having a more stoner rock desert/surf tone. Percussion instruments were used on the album, including xylophones, glockenspiels and shakers.
The release preceded the band's headline performances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals at the end of that week. It topped the UK Albums Chart and has been certified platinum in the UK. Though Humbug did not receive the extent of acclaim that both Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006) and Favourite Worst Nightmare received by critics, it received generally positive reviews, with critics noting that the band expanded their sound and themes, while the album's tone was recognised as darker than the band's upbeat previous records. In 2019, The Independent argued that Humbug is Arctic Monkeys' greatest album. Critically, this album received a Metacritic rating of 75.
My Propeller 8.5 Crying Lightning 9.5 Dangerous Animals 7.5 Secret Door 8.5 Potion Approaching 6.5 Fire And The Thud 7.0 Cornerstone 10.0 Dance Little Liar 8.0 Pretty Visitors 8.0 The Jeweller's Hands 7.5
Score: 81.0/10 = 8.10
Queen Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme influence is obvious when listening to this, but the band again rewarded the listener with their evolution and artistic development, so avoiding "the difficult 3rd album syndrome" with ease.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 17:47:49 GMT 1
Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See (2011)
The fourth studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 6 June 2011 by Domino Recording Company. It was produced by the band's longtime collaborator James Ford and was recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, with Ford and drummer Matt Helders promising to deliver a more "instant", "poppy", and "vintage" sound in comparison to the band's darker, polarising previous album Humbug (2009).
Rather than repeat the heavily produced, studio production style, and darker sound of Humbug, the band's previous effort, much of the album was recorded in live takes with minimal overdubs, with producer James Ford in Los Angeles, California, over five weeks in January–February 2011. Alex Turner has commented that rather than going into the studio with only rough sketches of songs, and making heavy use of overdubbing, the band focused much of their time rehearsing written songs together, coming up with new ideas in the process.
Suck It and See received positive reviews from critics, with a 74 rating at Metacritic based on 32 critics. The album has also been successful commercially. In its first week of release, the album debuted at number one in the United Kingdom, selling over 82,000 units and knocking Lady Gaga's Born This Way off the top spot. In its second week, the album sold a further 34,910 units in the UK. Overall, the album sold 154,000 units in its first week worldwide. NME named the album cover, an artwork free cream monochrome after the styling of The Beatles' White Album, as one of the worst in history. The album won Mojo award for the Best Album of 2011, probably due to its more vintage sound.
She's Thunderstorms 9.0 Black Treacle 9.0 Brick By Brick 8.0 The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala 8.5 Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair 9.5 Library Pictures 6.5 All My Own Stunts 7.0 Reckless Serenade 7.5 Piledriver Waltz 8.5 Love Is A Laserquest 8.0 Suck It And See 8.5 That's Where You're Wrong 7.0
Score: 97.0/12 = 8.08
The thing I like most about this band outside Alex Turner's vocal delivery & his frequently amusing one liners, is how each album is familiar sounding, yet different. This album has a discovered lost album recorded between 1968 to 1978 feel to it. The songs are more succinct and numerously evoke memories of The Beatles; The Who; The Hollies; Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd; The Jam; The Clash; Big Star; XTC yet ultimately sound most like the Arctic Monkeys.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 19:26:36 GMT 1
Arctic Monkeys - AM (2013)
The fifth studio album by the Sheffield rock band was produced by James Ford and co-produced by Ross Orton at Sage & Sound Recording in Los Angeles and Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, California, and released in September 2013 through Domino. The album was promoted by the singles "R U Mine?", "Do I Wanna Know?", "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?", "One for the Road", "Arabella", and "Snap Out of It". It features guest appearances by Josh Homme, Bill Ryder-Jones, and Pete Thomas.
Drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres, including psychedelic rock, blues rock, hard rock, heavy metal, desert rock, R&B, soul, AM notably marks Arctic Monkeys' first venture into hip hop. The band took a different approach to recording the album in comparison to their previous album, Suck It and See, with more emphasis into creating a "studio album" according to frontman Alex Turner. The band incorporated new instruments on the album, including the piano, organ, Hohner Guitaret, and vintage drum machine. Thematically, the album concerns frustration surrounding tainted romance, sex and loneliness.
Commercially, the album has become one of Arctic Monkeys' most successful albums to date, topping charts in several countries, and reaching top ten positions in many more. Topping the UK Albums Chart, it sold over 157,000 copies in its first week and also went on to be one of the UK's best-selling vinyl albums of the decade, selling 73,000 units. In addition, the album became the band's most successful in the United States, with the single "Do I Wanna Know?" being the first song by the band to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and the album topping four Billboard charts and being certified platinum in the US in 2017.
The album received critical acclaim from music critics, with critics praising its darker and groovier sound in comparison to the band's previous records. It featured in many year-end lists as one of the best albums of 2013, including the BBC & Q Magazine who named it the best of 2013. At the 2014 BRIT Awards, Arctic Monkeys won British Album of the Year for AM. It was also nominated for the 2013 Mercury Prize and received a Best Rock Performance nomination for "Do I Wanna Know?" at the 57th Grammy Awards in 2015. NME hailed it the best album of the decade and, just a month after its release, ranked it 449 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Rolling Stone ranked it 346 in their 2020 edition of their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. It's Metacrtic rating was 81.
Do I Wanna Know? 9.0 R U Mine? 9.0 One For The Road 7.5 Arabella 7.0 I Want It All 8.0 No.1 Party Anthem 9.0 Mad Sounds 8.0 Fireside 8.5 Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? 9.5 Snap Out Of It 8.0 Knee Socks 7.5 I Wanna Be Yours 8.5
Score: 99.5/12 = 8.29
Personally, the great irony for me over this album is despite it being a huge commercial success, which is still a streaming behemoth, this is their one album I've listened to the least by a long way. The reason why is the songs were immediate, as commercial as the band were going to get, and a mostly strong set of songwriting, but to me they lack a depth to reward over repeated plays, as this was (intentionally or not) their attempt at getting casual rock fans as well as Ed Sheeran & Adele record buyers on board.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 19:46:32 GMT 1
Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (2018)
The sixth studio album by English rock band was released on 11 May 2018 by Domino Recording Company. It was written by band frontman Alex Turner in 2016 on a Steinway Vertegrand piano in his Los Angeles home. It was produced in Los Angeles, Paris and London by frequent Arctic Monkeys collaborator James Ford and Turner, alongside a wide array of guest musicians including Tom Rowley, Loren Humphrey, James Righton, Zach Dawes, Tyler Parkford and Cam Avery.
The album features a rich sound that embodies psychedelic pop, lounge pop, space pop, and glam rock, as well as elements of jazz. It is a major departure from the band's previous guitar-heavy work, being less accessible than its internationally successful predecessor, AM (2013). Its lyrical content draws heavily from science fiction and film, exploring consumerism, politics, religion and technology through the concept of a luxury resort on the Moon told from the perspective of various characters, such as the singer in the in-house band on "Star Treatment" or the hotel's receptionist on the title track. Turner designed the album artwork himself, which depicts the resort with cardboard cut-outs and a tape recorder. Its title refers to Tranquility Base, the site of the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Despite its stylistic deviation polarising listeners, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino was released to generally positive reviews and was named the best album of 2018 by Q magazine. It was nominated for the 2018 Mercury Prize and the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. It became the band's sixth consecutive number-one debut in the UK, the country's fastest-selling vinyl record in 25 years, and the band's third top 10 album in the US. It also topped the charts in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Portugal Scotland and Switzerland. Following its release, the album was promoted by the singles "Four Out of Five" and "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino", as well as a global tour and multiple television appearances. Its Metacritic rating is 76 out of 100.
Star Treatment 9.5 One Point Perspective 8.5 American Sports 7.5 Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino 10.0 Golden Trunks 8.5 Four Out Of Five 10.0 The World's First Ever Monster Truck Front Flip 8.5 Science Fiction 8.0 She Looks Like Fun 8.0 Batphone 7.5 The Ultracheese 9.5
Score: 95.5/11 = 8.68
With this album, the band ripped up their previous output in the most spectacular & polarising way. It is certainly the polar opposite of their previous album. The guitars are relegated to a supporting role, on this 21st Century progressive space rock concept album full of Bowie/Ferry-isms, plus some welcome Francophilisms reflecting the influence of Serge Gainsbourg & Air; with a bit of Leonard Cohen & Nick Cave thrown in on this restrained, enigmatic, and at times impenetrable album which really rewards on repeated plays. The album as a whole definitely works better than the sum of its parts, which in all honesty is the first album they've made you could say that about. Roll on Album 7 which is definitely in the works...
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 20:14:07 GMT 1
Atoms For Peace - Amok (2013)
Amok is the debut album by the supergroup Atoms for Peace, released on February 25, 2013 by XL Recordings. It features Radiohead singer Thom Yorke (vocals, keyboards, programming and guitars), Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich (production and programming), Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, drummer Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco. It combines electronic and live instrumentation.
Yorke formed Atoms for Peace in 2009 to perform songs from his first solo album, The Eraser (2006). After the tour ended, the band spent three days jamming and recording original material in a Los Angeles studio. Yorke and Godrich edited and arranged the recordings over two years, combining them with Yorke's electronic music.
Four Amok singles were released: "Default", "Ingenue", "Judge, Jury and Executioner" and "Before Your Very Eyes...", with music videos for "Ingenue" and "Before Your Very Eyes...". The album received generally favourable reviews and reached the top ten in several countries, including the UK, US, and Japan. It was followed by an international tour. Its Metacritic rating was 76 out of 100.
Before Your Very Eyes... 7.5 Default 7.5 Ingenue 9.0 Dropped 8.0 Unless 6.5 Stuck Together Pieces 6.0 Judge Jury And Executioner 8.0 Reverse Running 7.0 Amok 8.5
Score: 68.0/9 = 7.56
In essence this is a Thom Yorke dense, jittery electronica album. By the Radiohead frontman's high standards, this was a relatively formulaic effort.
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Post by raliverpool on Jun 15, 2021 20:30:40 GMT 1
The last of the letter A's ......
Aztec Camera - Love (1987)
The third studio album by Scottish pop group Aztec Camera, released in November 1987 on Sire. While it was released under the Aztec Camera name, Roddy Frame was the only remaining permanent member of the group and he recorded the album alongside a group of session musicians. Departing from the indie and folk-rock approach of earlier records, Love incorporated R&B & dance pop influences, seemingly to break the American market. It failed to do so but did achieve commercial success in the UK, reaching No. 10 on the albums chart, following the success of its third single "Somewhere in My Heart", which reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. As a result, it became the band's most commercially successful album.
Its producers included Tommy LiPuma; Russ Titelman; Roddy Frame; David Frank; Michael Jonzun; & Rob Mounsey.
Deep & Wide & Tall 8.5 How Men Are 9.0 Everybody Is A Number One 7.0 More Than A Law 7.0 Somewhere In My Heart 10.0 Working In A Goldmine 9.0 One And One 8.5 Paradise 6.0 Killermont Street 10.0
Score: 75.0/9 = 8.33
Most of this album sounds like the missing link between the debut Johnny Hates Jazz album & the second Deacon Blue album. Roddy Frame's signature tune will always be a sophistipop classic to be twinned with Prefab Sprout's The King Of Rock & Roll. Perhaps, tellingly it is the final track, a torch blues-folk ballad lament about the decline in Scottish shipbuilding that is the one track to really grab you emotionally.
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Post by raliverpool on Jul 4, 2021 11:37:25 GMT 1
Badfinger - No Dice (1970)
The third studio album by British rock band Badfinger, issued by Apple Records and released on 9 November 1970. Their second album under the Badfinger name and first to include guitarist Joey Molland (to be the second Liverpudlian, making the band 50/50 Swansea/Liverpool members), No Dice significantly expanded the Beatles influenced group's popularity, especially abroad. The album included both the hit single "No Matter What" and the song "Without You", which would become a big hit for Harry Nilsson, and later a hit for Mariah Carey.
Although this was the band's second album released under the Badfinger name, the previous album, Magic Christian Music, was originally recorded as The Iveys but released as Badfinger. It was the band's first album recorded after new guitarist Joey Molland joined the group, replacing bassist Ron Griffiths, but Molland's addition caused Tom Evans to switch from rhythm guitar to bass. Badfinger would release five albums, generally their most successful recordings, with this line-up.
The album failed to chart in the UK, but spent over half a year inside the USA top 100 albums, peaking at USA #28. Thanks to the early Power Pop worldwide top ten lead single "No Matter What" written & sung by their lead guitarist & main singer/songwriter Pete Ham.
I Can't Take It 8.0 I Don't Mind 8.0 Love Me Do 5.5 Midnight Caller 9.5 No Matter What 10.0 Without You 9.0 Blodwyn 8.5 Better Days 7.5 It Had To Be 7.0 Watford John 6.0 Believe Me 7.5 We're For The Dark 9.0
CD Bonus Tracks: Get Down 6.5 Friends Are Hard to Find 7.0 Mean Mean Jemima 6.0 Loving You 6.5 I'll Be the One 9.0
Score: 130.5/17 = 7.68
As a fan of The Beatles, it did not take me long to discover, and get into this criminally underrated band with what is generally regarded as the most tragic backstory in popular music history. As ever, the songwriting highlights are mostly Pete Ham's proto-Chris Martin contributions (Gwyneth Paltrow bought the rights to "Without You" the Tragic Story of Badfinger with a view to turn it into a film, with her then husband heavily linked with the lead role playing Pete Ham, what a Sliding Doors moment that could have been), and the band were still struggling to move away from their influences The Beatles; The Hollies; The Zombies; Moody Blues; etc. But they would do better...
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Post by raliverpool on Jul 4, 2021 12:07:05 GMT 1
Badfinger - Straight Up (1972)
The fourth studio album by the British rock band Badfinger, released in December 1971 in the United States and February 1972 in Britain. Issued on the Beatles' Apple record label, it includes the hit singles "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue", and the similarly popular "Name of the Game", all of which were written by singer and guitarist Pete Ham. The album marked a departure from the more rock-oriented sound of Badfinger's previous releases, partly as a result of intervention by Apple Records regarding the band's musical direction.
Production on what became Straight Up lasted nine months, at the start of which the group made an album's worth of recordings with producer Geoff Emerick, in between their touring commitments. Once Apple had decided to shelve these recordings (the album's working title was "Name Of The Game"), George Harrison took over production, only for him to become indisposed with events associated with the Concert for Bangladesh, at which Badfinger also performed. Harrison then handed the project to American producer Todd Rundgren, who oversaw recording for most of the album.
In America, Straight Up peaked at number 31 during a 32-week run on Billboard's Top 200 LPs, while it placed inside the top twenty on albums charts in Canada and Australia. "Day After Day" became Badfinger's highest-charting single on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 4, and was certified gold by the RIAA on 4 March. Although the album failed to place on the UK's top 40 albums chart, "Day After Day" was the band's third top-ten hit there, peaking at number 10.
However, it is the USA #12 follow up which is now their most streamed track, after its truly emotionally fitting use in Breaking Bad during the closing scene of the series finale in 2013. In addition the album cover sleeve of this album was seen on (ominous) display in the 2018 remake of A Star Is Born when Bradley Cooper's Jackson "Jack" Maine character first shows Ally (Lady Gaga) around his home.
Take It All 9.5 Baby Blue 10.0 Money 8.0 Flying 7.5 I'd Die, Babe 9.0 Name Of The Game 10.0 Suitcase 8.5 Sweet Tuesday Morning 8.5 Day After Day 10.0 Sometimes 7.5 Perfection 9.0 It's Over 7.5
CD Bonus Tracks: Money [Original Version] 7.0 Flying [Original Version] 6.5 Name of the Game [Original Version] 9.5 Suitcase [Original Version] 9.0 Perfection [Original Version] 8.0 Baby Blue [US Single Mix] 10.0
Score: 155.0/18 = 8.61
George Harrison's influence over the 4 tracks he produced (5-7, 9), but it was Todd Rundgren's work improving the other tracks in comparison to their originals which really impress. The band were at the top of their game, Pete Ham's 5 tracks were excellent, but Joey Molland's Eagles/Jackson Browne influenced country rockers are very good too.
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Post by raliverpool on Jul 4, 2021 12:56:42 GMT 1
Badfinger - Badfinger (1974)
The sixth studio album by British rock band Badfinger. The album was recorded in autumn 1973 and released in 1974 on Warner Bros. Records. It was the first of two albums released by the band on the Warner label.
As Badfinger were completing work on their last album for Apple Records (which was grinding to a halt with the Beatles bandmates in litigation, at first with each other, and then in litigation with their (John, George & Ringo) manager Allen Klein), Ass, the band's manager, Stan Polley, signed them to a three-year, six-album deal with Warner Bros. Records. As a result, shortly after the band and producer Chris Thomas completed recording of Ass, they found themselves back in the studio making a new album for Warner.
On release, Badfinger received an unfavourable review in Rolling Stone magazine. A British single released after the album, "Love Is Easy", failed to chart. A subsequent single issued in the US, "I Miss You", also failed. In the United States, the album peaked at number 161 on Billboard's Top 200 LPs & Tape listings, making it Badfinger's lowest-charting album there. Part of the reason for the poor commercial performance was that, due to litigation with Apple, this album and Ass came out within months of each other; in fact, in the UK, Badfinger actually preceded Ass.
I Miss You 7.5 Shine On 9.5 Love Is Easy 5.0 Song For A Lost Friend 6.0 Why Don't We Talk 5.5 Island 6.5 Matted Spam 6.0 Where Do We Go From Here? 7.0 My Heart Goes Out 8.0 Lonely You 10.0 Give It Up 7.0 Andy Norris 6.5
Score: 84.5/12 = 7.04
There is no question, that being the biggest asset of Apple Records when The Beatles were divorcing each other adversely impacted on the band as a successful unit. By a number of accounts their main/best singer/songwriter Pete Ham material dried up during this period (he contributed just 2 of the 10 tracks to their 5th album Ass; 4 of the 12 on this album, with Joey Molland's very much of their time chugging rockers picking up the slack 9 out of 22 tracks on the 2 albums). Having said that I can't understand how Warner Bros did not listen to this album and decide that either the Lindisfarne meets Doobie Brothers "Shine On" or the power ballad "Lonely You" should have been the lead single...
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Post by raliverpool on Jul 4, 2021 13:25:01 GMT 1
Badfinger - Wish You Were Here (1974)
The seventh studio album by rock band Badfinger and their third consecutive album produced by Chris Thomas. It was recorded in the spring of 1974 at Colorado's Caribou Ranch and released in November of that year on Warner Bros. Records. Wish You Were Here was the second and last album the band released on the Warner Bros. label.
The album received a five star review in Rolling Stone magazine (it got voted by its staff writers as the 1974 Album Of The Year) and is sometimes considered to be the band's best work, it was withdrawn from record stores in early 1975, seven weeks after release, because of a lawsuit between Warner music publishing and Badfinger's management. The result meant all promotion for the to be released Feb 1975 lead single "Just A Chance" was pulled; and the album stiffed at USA #148 as it was unavailable to bu in shops.
Over the previous year, Warner Brothers' publishing arm had become increasingly troubled by a lack of communication from the band's manager Stan Polley regarding the status of an escrow account of advance funds. Per their contract, Polley was to deposit $250,000 into a mutually accessible account for safekeeping, which both Warner Publishing and the band could potentially access. But Polley did not reveal the account's whereabouts to Warner Publishing, and he reportedly ignored Warner's demands to do so. As a result, WB's publishing arm terminated its relationship with Badfinger, but, other than having the group sign some new contracts, Polley took no action to resolve Warner's publishing issue. So unknown to the band members, the rug was pulled underneath the band, and they were effectively shutdown as a going concern.
Just A Chance 10.0 Your So Fine 9.0 Got To Get Out Of Here 8.0 Know One Knows 9.0 Dennis 10.0 In The Meantime / Some Other Time 9.5 Love Time 9.5 King Of The Load (T) 7.5 Meanwhile Back At The Ranch / Should I Smoke 10.0
Score: 82.5/9 = 9.17
In the 1999 Radio 1 Series "The Record Producers", one of the episodes was on Chris Thomas. Despite having produced the classic albums For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music, Never Mind the b****cks by the Sex Pistols, Kick by INXS, Different Class by Pulp, and several albums by The Pretenders; Elton John; & Procol Harum, he claimed this was in his opinion the greatest album he ever worked on.
Musically, the band had moved light years away from The Beatles & Hollies influences. The musicianship was stunning, and the songs, & vocal performances are brilliant from start to finish. It is easy to see why members of Cheap Trick claim it is the greatest album ever made as this is Power Pop at its finest. In an alternative universe "Just A Chance" was a worldwide Top 3 hit in the spring of 1975 alongside Pilot's "Magic"; & Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel "Come Up & See Me (Make Me Smile)".
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