Something Completely Different

Media section => Music => Topic started by: Trollheart on Feb 13, 2023, 01:13 PM

Title: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 13, 2023, 01:13 PM
Something I tried and which fell flat on its face over there, but you never know, might get more traction here.

The idea is that we swap an album for an album; can be one we love or hate, or can't get into, or have never listened to. Can be one we know the other person will probably love or hate, or maybe we're just curious to see how they will react. Each  member then reports back - review or a few words or whatever you want - to tell everyone how they got on.

It would be a case of picking someone as your exchange partner, though that's just initial. If anyone wanted they could partner up with as many members as they want. However it has to be reciprocal. This isn't just rec an album and sit back; you have to listen to one of theirs too.

Current albums in play

Flowering Jungle - Monster Rally (Janszoon)

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2885883802_10.jpg)

Spiral - Plastic Violins of Darkness (Trollheart)

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a4026413945_10.jpg)

Woe - An Abstract Illusion (Tristan)

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3389924915_10.jpg)

Perennial Favourites - Squirrel Nut Zippers (Guybrush)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/49/Perennialfavoritessnz.jpg)

Inventions for Electric Guitar - Manuel Gottsching (Mrs. Waffles)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/Inventions_for_Electric_Guitar_Manuel_G%C3%B6ttsching.jpg)

Benedicte Maurseth - Benedicte Maurseth (Fire)

(https://i.discogs.com/eB34l-mRrNmXViE7zKwj-1qEp1td7Mj0uM0qWEyo_vI/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:537/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEzNzM5/NjkwLTE1NjAxMDc3/NjctMTMxNC5qcGVn.jpeg)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 13, 2023, 10:20 PM
Sounds interesting. Count me in! :)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 13, 2023, 11:27 PM
I would like to try and participate.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 14, 2023, 02:01 AM
I'm up for it. I feel like it's harder to share albums than it used to be, but I'm up for sharing Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, etc.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 14, 2023, 03:28 AM
Sounds fun, count me in!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 14, 2023, 01:16 PM
Okay, some interest. Cool. Now all I need is to work out how to do this thing... uh...

I'm torn between sending the one album to everyone who's interested and sending different albums to everyone. What do you guys think? Or do you just want to choose who to, as it were, partner up with?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 14, 2023, 01:27 PM
I'd rather just choose one person and do a 1 to 1 swap. I'd get confused if I had multiple albums to send and listen to at any given time.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 14, 2023, 03:25 PM
I think you should do the choosing, pick at random pairs.
At least for the first time.
Then see if this works well.





Quote from: Trollheart on Feb 14, 2023, 01:16 PMOkay, some interest. Cool. Now all I need is to work out how to do this thing... uh...

I'm torn between sending the one album to everyone who's interested and sending different albums to everyone. What do you guys think? Or do you just want to choose who to, as it were, partner up with?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 14, 2023, 03:28 PM
Quote from: Trollheart on Feb 14, 2023, 01:16 PMOkay, some interest. Cool. Now all I need is to work out how to do this thing... uh...

I'm torn between sending the one album to everyone who's interested and sending different albums to everyone. What do you guys think? Or do you just want to choose who to, as it were, partner up with?
Random partner assignment. Each person writes up a reaction/review to the album that was shared with them.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 14, 2023, 04:25 PM
1 on 1 and random assignment sounds like a good way to do it, though we might end up with an odd person out.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 15, 2023, 06:41 PM
Here's another idea. Why don't we each post the album we want to exchange, and then whoever wants to take it and listen to it can do so, but whosever album it is has to then get theirs. In other words, say I put up an album and Janszoon is interested, cool. He posts and says I'm interested and I send him the link. Then he sends me the link for his. Admittedly, that way, we could all end up listening to more than one album, but there's no time limit and it would mean more people were getting to listen to our album. Sound like a plan?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 15, 2023, 06:55 PM
I still think you should just take the list of participants, sort it randomly and split it in half so you have two lists and then pair us up ;)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 15, 2023, 07:27 PM
Yeah but we only have five so far, including me. That's an uneven number. And what if someone else wants to join in later? If you post the albums then everyone can make their own decision as to whether or not they'd be interested, and that can be self-perpetuating, no matter how many, or few, members take part.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: tristan_geoff on Feb 16, 2023, 02:03 AM
If it's random assignment I'm in
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 18, 2023, 07:05 PM
When this is going to happen?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 18, 2023, 07:46 PM
When there's a general agreement or consensus on how it's to be done. We have six people now, so two can pair up with two if yaz want to.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 18, 2023, 08:01 PM
OK thanks 😊
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 18, 2023, 09:07 PM
Matchmake away, I say. :love:
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 18, 2023, 09:13 PM
Okay then, does anyone have a preference for someone to be matched with? Don't all rush to say me now. Come on, let's give the weaker ones room to breathe... oh. You're... not rushing to say me. Well fine. I don't need you. I don't need any of you. I'm going to make my own thread. With blackjack. And hookers. In fact, forget the thread.

What's that you say? This is my thread? Oh well, that's all right then.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: tristan_geoff on Feb 19, 2023, 02:53 AM
I'll trade with you Trollheart
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 20, 2023, 01:25 PM
OK Tristan: whaddya got?

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a4026413945_10.jpg)

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: tristan_geoff on Feb 20, 2023, 03:35 PM
Quote from: Trollheart on Feb 20, 2023, 01:25 PMOK Tristan: whaddya got?

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a4026413945_10.jpg)

https://anabstractillusion.bandcamp.com/album/woe

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3389924915_10.jpg)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 20, 2023, 05:17 PM
OK, we're down. Anyone else want to partner up? Tristan's off the menu, er, spoken fo - um, not available...
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 20, 2023, 06:43 PM
I don't know everyone, so I will go with Guybrush
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 20, 2023, 06:44 PM
If he wants of course. I will post it a lot  later.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 21, 2023, 12:21 AM
Hells yes, I'm game! Although I haven't quite figured out which album I wanna do yet.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 21, 2023, 03:04 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Feb 21, 2023, 12:21 AMHells yes, I'm game! Although I haven't quite figured out which album I wanna do yet.

That's not by any chance a Killjoys reference is it?
:shycouch:
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 21, 2023, 07:56 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Feb 21, 2023, 12:21 AMHells yes, I'm game! Although I haven't quite figured out which album I wanna do yet.
It's alright.
I hope that I will choose mine soon.
Have a nice day 😊
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 21, 2023, 08:37 PM
Alright @fire :)

Take a gander at The Squirrel Nut Zipper's Perennial Favorites from 1998. I consider it a classic from a long faded fad that noone seems to care much about.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_Favorites
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 21, 2023, 08:55 PM
Quote from: Guybrush on Feb 21, 2023, 08:37 PMAlright @fire :)

Take a gander at The Squirrel Nut Zipper's Perennial Favorites from 1998. I consider it a classic from a long faded fad that noone seems to care much about.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_Favorites
I love that band. They were really great live as well.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 21, 2023, 09:13 PM
I also love SNZ. The whole 90s swing revival is a nostalgic guilty pleasure of mine, but they felt a lot more genuine and less gimmicky than most of the other artists from that little movement.

So who else doesn't have an exchange partner yet? Is it just Janszoon and I? Just confirming.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 21, 2023, 09:17 PM
Yeah. Looks like it's up to the two of you to make sweet music together.

Sorry. Sorry. I'm so very sorry. Don't know what came over me.
:shycouch:
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 21, 2023, 09:20 PM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Feb 21, 2023, 09:13 PMI also love SNZ. The whole 90s swing revival is a nostalgic guilty pleasure of mine, but they felt a lot more genuine and less gimmicky than most of the other artists from that little movement.
One of the interesting things about them is that, even though they got lumped into the swing revival, their music is much closer to dixieland than it is to swing. I think that may be why they aged better than some of those bands.

Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Feb 21, 2023, 09:13 PMSo who else doesn't have an exchange partner yet? Is it just Janszoon and I? Just confirming.
Well, I'm happy to partner up with you if you're up for it!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 21, 2023, 09:27 PM
Quote from: Janszoon on Feb 21, 2023, 09:20 PMWell, I'm happy to partner up with you if you're up for it!

I most certainly am, thank you! I work till 7 tonight and then I have a dinner date so I'll definitely be able to get my album pick ready by tomorrow afternoon.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 21, 2023, 09:42 PM
Tristan, I've updated my pick with the link for you. It's in the post.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 21, 2023, 09:44 PM
Right so just so we know, at the moment this is how it goes:

Trollheart and Tristan
Guybrush and Fire
Mrs. Waffles and Janszoon


If everyone's cool with it I'll update the OP with who has what when everyone has posted their album.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 21, 2023, 10:07 PM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Feb 21, 2023, 09:27 PMI most certainly am, thank you! I work till 7 tonight and then I have a dinner date so I'll definitely be able to get my album pick ready by tomorrow afternoon.
Cool. I'll post something tomorrow as well.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 21, 2023, 10:15 PM
Perennial Favorites
by Squirrel Nut Zipper

released 1998
this was a very long album even though the songs were short.
not my thing but I listened (and scrobbled) the album.
didn't connect with the vocals but the instrumentals part were ok a bit messy and noisy.
thanks for the recommendation guybrush :)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 21, 2023, 11:07 PM
My recommendation for Guybrush.
this was my obsession for almost 2 years.
Benedicte Maurseth
by Benedicte Maurseth

released 2019

Tracklist:
1. Huldre mi
2. Huldreslått I & II, as played by Eirik Medås
3. Huldreslått, as played by Olav Håstabø
4. Etterdønning
5. Den 4. Gorrlausen, as played by Andres K. Rysstad
6. Og fargane skiftar på fjorden
7. Nøringen, as played by Per Berge
8. Bygdatråen, as played by Nils Mørkve

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 22, 2023, 12:13 AM
Looks good, @fire :) I'll check Benedicte out.

Also @Janszoon and @Mrs. Waffles, really didn't expect to find other SNZ appreciators here. I listened to them a lot in my late teens when this was relatively fresh and I guess they were my biggest gateway into jazz.

I agree that they feel less gimmicky and more genuine than other swing revival related bands. SNZ is actually the only band from that wave that really interested me. According to them, they didn't plan to become a swing revival band. It's just how things worked out naturally.

Perennial Favorites is still great, I think. The songs are varied and enjoyable and Evening at Lafitte's in particular is still sublime to my ears. Katharine Whalen may also be part why I love Billie Holiday so much as the influence is pretty obvious.

One thing I remember reading about it is they recorded the albums in various rooms in some house or mansion. I believe they had little to no acoustic treatment and kinda captured those spaces. I think it's a cool idea and I think that also helps add an old timey flavour to the production.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 22, 2023, 12:44 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Feb 22, 2023, 12:13 AMAlso @Janszoon and @Mrs. Waffles, really didn't expect to find other SNZ appreciators here. I listened to them a lot in my late teens when this was relatively fresh and I guess they were my biggest gateway into jazz.

I agree that they feel less gimmicky and more genuine than other swing revival related bands. SNZ is actually the only band from that wave that really interested me. According to them, they didn't plan to become a swing revival band. It's just how things worked out naturally.

Perennial Favorites is still great, I think. The songs are varied and enjoyable and Evening at Lafitte's in particular is still sublime to my ears. Katharine Whalen may also be part why I love Billie Holiday so much as the influence is pretty obvious.

One thing I remember reading about it is they recorded the albums in various rooms in some house or mansion. I believe they had little to no acoustic treatment and kinda captured those spaces. I think it's a cool idea and I think that also helps add an old timey flavour to the production.
I remember hearing that they recorded like that as well. I'm also not sure if they actually did this or not, but their songs also often sound like they were recorded with the whole band around a condenser mic like old timey stuff.

Another thing about them, one of my favorite videos of all time is from Perennial Favorites:

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 22, 2023, 11:33 PM
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2885883802_10.jpg)

Monster Rally—Flowering Jungle (2017)

@Mrs. Waffles: Since we seem to both have an appreciation for cocktail party vibes, I thought you might enjoy this. I wasn't sure of your preferred format, so here are three options:

Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/0hF86j2MXiUo8UBPUW8Aiz?si=V1WvyINDRg22ze2V7EPw4A)

Bandcamp (https://monsterrally.bandcamp.com/album/flowering-jungle)




Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 22, 2023, 11:57 PM
Quote from: Janszoon on Feb 22, 2023, 11:33 PM(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2885883802_10.jpg)

Monster Rally—Flowering Jungle (2017)

@Mrs. Waffles: Since we seem to both have an appreciation for cocktail party vibes, I thought you might enjoy this. I wasn't sure of your preferred format, so here are three options:

Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/0hF86j2MXiUo8UBPUW8Aiz?si=V1WvyINDRg22ze2V7EPw4A)

Bandcamp (https://monsterrally.bandcamp.com/album/flowering-jungle)






Thank you! Unfortunately I got tied up today doing housework and dealing with snow, and I'm at work now. Should be home with my album pick around 8:30. Looking forward to listening to your rec, sounds like something I'd enjoy for sure!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 23, 2023, 12:06 AM
I'm having a bit more downtime at work than I expected, so here's my rec:

Manuel Gottsching - Inventions for Electric Guitar (1975)
70s cosmic ambient-adjacent music from the main man in Ash Ra Tempel. Mostly effected guitar but really feels like an electronic album in spirit. I do hope you enjoy!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 23, 2023, 12:37 AM
Quote from: Janszoon on Feb 22, 2023, 12:44 AMI remember hearing that they recorded like that as well. I'm also not sure if they actually did this or not, but their songs also often sound like they were recorded with the whole band around a condenser mic like old timey stuff.

Another thing about them, one of my favorite videos of all time is from Perennial Favorites:


Yeah, my daughter loves that video too. It was an early favorite back in the day.

About production, I probably saw this thing years ago :)

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 24, 2023, 12:37 AM
@fire I listened to the album! Let's just say first that Benedicte (and her entourage) is not an artist I am familiar with from before.

I kinda like the production. You can really hear the hairs of the bow rubbing against the strings of the hardingfele. It's quite dry except for reverb, but also feels authentic. A slight downside is I think the album sounds a little austere. It's like folk music without the warmth of actual people. On the other side of that, it makes the music sound introspective and that might also be suitable for these tracks.

Unfortunately, and this has nothing to do with the album, I'm not a big fan of drones and typically avoid that flavour of folk music. As an example, the early track Huldreslått I & I has a drone note in a slightly detuned F note that is played relentlessly for most of the track's 7:40 runtime. A fault of mine is I can't not listen to that one note and it gets a little annoying. To me, the music is best when it occasionally does something else. I have a problem with bagpipe music for much the same reason.

Variations of the sameish hooks are repeated over and over and structurally, it starts to remind me of certain psychedelic albums, like early Amon Düül or something.

I think I liked Etterdønning and Og fargane.. the most. Still, if I'm gonna listen to Norwegian traditional music, I'd rather listen to something like this (https://youtu.be/sLF4gi2Fn6I).
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 24, 2023, 08:33 AM
I have a few questions
1) when is the deadline for recommending and listening and commenting? How much time? For example a week or a month?
2) what we do if a pair finished with recommending and listening and commenting? Guybrush and I finished. Are we still going to recommend an album for each other? Or we wait until everyone finished with theirs?
And then start a new pairing?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 24, 2023, 08:35 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Feb 24, 2023, 12:37 AM@fire I listened to the album! Let's just say first that Benedicte (and her entourage) is not an artist I am familiar with from before.

I kinda like the production. You can really hear the hairs of the bow rubbing against the strings of the hardingfele. It's quite dry except for reverb, but also feels authentic. A slight downside is I think the album sounds a little austere. It's like folk music without the warmth of actual people. On the other side of that, it makes the music sound introspective and that might also be suitable for these tracks.

Unfortunately, and this has nothing to do with the album, I'm not a big fan of drones and typically avoid that flavour of folk music. As an example, the early track Huldreslått I & I has a drone note in a slightly detuned F note that is played relentlessly for most of the track's 7:40 runtime. A fault of mine is I can't not listen to that one note and it gets a little annoying. To me, the music is best when it occasionally does something else. I have a problem with bagpipe music for much the same reason.

Variations of the sameish hooks are repeated over and over and structurally, it starts to remind me of certain psychedelic albums, like early Amon Düül or something.

I think I liked Etterdønning and Og fargane.. the most. Still, if I'm gonna listen to Norwegian traditional music, I'd rather listen to something like this (https://youtu.be/sLF4gi2Fn6I).

It's OK it's not for everyone 🙂
Have a good weekend 🌟
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 24, 2023, 03:18 PM
Quote from: Janszoon on Feb 22, 2023, 11:33 PM(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2885883802_10.jpg)

Monster Rally—Flowering Jungle (2017)


I really enjoyed this album! I made omelettes for breakfast today while listening to it and it was an excellent soundtrack to that.

I really dig the tropical instrumentation, was interesting to hear that kind of vintage vibe within a more loop-based musical context, like an exotica album with the structure of an chillout electronic album, if that makes any sense.

The subtle little edits like the chopped up trumpet solo on the track "Rio" is such a cool way to play around with the instrumentals. Very cool album, like chill hip hop meets exotica meets vaporwave, or something.

Thank you for the rec!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 24, 2023, 10:01 PM
Quote from: fire on Feb 24, 2023, 08:33 AMI have a few questions
1) when is the deadline for recommending and listening and commenting? How much time? For example a week or a month?
No deadline, unless you and the person you pair up with want to set one between you.
Quote2) what we do if a pair finished with recommending and listening and commenting? Guybrush and I finished. Are we still going to recommend an album for each other? Or we wait until everyone finished with theirs?
And then start a new pairing?
Start again whenever you want. Choose an new partner or stick with the one you have, choose several (we don't insist on musical monogamy here!) - look around. Maybe you see an album posted by someone you're interested in. Contact them and ask if they'd be interested hearing one from you, if so, you're golden. If not, there's really nothing stopping you listening to it anyway and making a report.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 24, 2023, 11:23 PM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Feb 24, 2023, 03:18 PMI really enjoyed this album! I made omelettes for breakfast today while listening to it and it was an excellent soundtrack to that.

I really dig the tropical instrumentation, was interesting to hear that kind of vintage vibe within a more loop-based musical context, like an exotica album with the structure of an chillout electronic album, if that makes any sense.

The subtle little edits like the chopped up trumpet solo on the track "Rio" is such a cool way to play around with the instrumentals. Very cool album, like chill hip hop meets exotica meets vaporwave, or something.

Thank you for the rec!


I'm glad you enjoyed it!


Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Feb 23, 2023, 12:06 AMI'm having a bit more downtime at work than I expected, so here's my rec:

Manuel Gottsching - Inventions for Electric Guitar (1975)
70s cosmic ambient-adjacent music from the main man in Ash Ra Tempel. Mostly effected guitar but really feels like an electronic album in spirit. I do hope you enjoy!

I thought this was great! I agree that it feels like an electronic album in spirit. Even though I can recognize the guitar as guitar if I focus on it, it's so atmospheric that it feels like a synth-centric album. It was really only on tracks 3 and 8 that I heard guitar that decidedly sounded like a person playing a guitar, otherwise this feels very much like ambient electronic music.

When I listen to this, it does not make me think of Manuel Göttsching's half smiling face on the cover, but it does make me think of subatomic particles, light waves, complex molecular structures, and in general the austere beauty of the basic building blocks of the universe. It's very evocative music that will definitely be getting repeat listens from me.


Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 25, 2023, 02:04 AM
Quote from: Janszoon on Feb 24, 2023, 11:23 PMI thought this was great! I agree that it feels like an electronic album in spirit. Even though I can recognize the guitar as guitar if I focus on it, it's so atmospheric that it feels like a synth-centric album. It was really only on tracks 3 and 8 that I heard guitar that decidedly sounded like a person playing a guitar, otherwise this feels very much like ambient electronic music.

When I listen to this, it does not make me think of Manuel Göttsching's half smiling face on the cover, but it does make me think of subatomic particles, light waves, complex molecular structures, and in general the austere beauty of the basic building blocks of the universe. It's very evocative music that will definitely be getting repeat listens from me.

Glad you enjoyed my rec as well! Love your way with words in describing the sonic imagery.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Feb 25, 2023, 02:35 AM
Oh yeah, you want to seek out his journals. Jansz is a gifted writer. Doesn't do it often enough.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Feb 26, 2023, 12:41 AM
Mrs. Waffles do you want to be my pair?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 28, 2023, 06:51 PM
Who can I bother? You know the shite I listen to?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Feb 28, 2023, 06:53 PM
Quote from: fire on Feb 26, 2023, 12:41 AMMrs. Waffles do you want to be my pair?

Apologies for the late reply, but sure!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Feb 28, 2023, 08:03 PM
Quote from: Guybrush on Feb 28, 2023, 06:51 PMWho can I bother? You know the shite I listen to?
I'm game!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Feb 28, 2023, 08:54 PM
Quote from: Janszoon on Feb 28, 2023, 08:03 PM
Quote from: Guybrush on Feb 28, 2023, 06:51 PMWho can I bother? You know the shite I listen to?
I'm game!

Marvellous! :love:

I'll pick an album in a little while 🙂
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 01, 2023, 12:58 AM
@Janszoon alright.. I've had a bit of a think. I wanna keep digging deep and hand you Hatfield and the North's debut.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/Hatfield_and_the_North_-_Hatfield_and_the_North_album_cover.jpg)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield_and_the_North_(album)

They only made two albums. I don't wanna write too much about it, but if you wanna narrow your focus, tracks 4/5 and the run of songs from track 10 to 13 may be of note. Though who knows what other ears might think 🤔

If you already know it well, let me know and I'll hand you my plan B or C instead 😄
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Mar 01, 2023, 01:54 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Mar 01, 2023, 12:58 AM@Janszoon alright.. I've had a bit of a think. I wanna keep digging deep and hand you Hatfield and the North's debut.

I have never heard of that album or that band, but the cover art is pretty intriguing. I'm looking forward to listening to it! :)

I thought of one for you as well, hopefully it's not something you're already familiar with:

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0751902655_10.jpg)

Lionel Loueke—HH (2020)
Lionel Loueke is a guitarist and vocalist from Benin. In addition to his solo albums and various collaborations, he's also in the current incarnation of Herbie Hancock's band. That experience inspired this album, which is made up of deconstructions of Herbie Hancock tracks (hence the HH).

Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/6ApdWZj0u2UOHzHwNiNnAi?si=LwxHjdzlRR6pyN7BadtKrw)

Bandcamp (https://lionelloueke.bandcamp.com/album/hh)

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 01, 2023, 01:57 AM
Brilliant! I'm on it :)

Edit: Oh, and know HH of course, but not Lionel or this album. Looks interesting!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 01, 2023, 08:40 PM
Something that's immediately evident upon hearing this is Lionel's talent. You can hear immediately that he's a man of musical instinct. Does he ever play something the same way twice? I don't know, but doubt it. His playing is playful and very much in the moment. He's got a great sense of groove, his chords are cool. You think you've heard anything you can do with a guitar, but this comes across as quite creative.

The production is superb, if minimal. The guitar takes center stage with a good bit of reverb and is beautifully mixed. Even the finger sounds and other unintentionals sound good and add to the album's authenticity. You can hear the nuances.

The guy also has a great voice, again beautifully produced. It's hard not to think of Bobby McFerrin the way he uses it.

The music as a whole isn't my favorite flavour of jazz as I tend to prefer music which is a little more composed. The guitar playing is often very percussive and when it's on its own, it's like it wants accompaniment. At worst it's noodles to an approximate beat..

At best, it's just sublime beauty. As mentioned, the guitar alone can get a little sparse for me, but when coupled with his voice and perhaps something else that has just a little more sustain, it's a match made in heaven. The songs that feature singing are the ones I enjoy the most, like Tell Me A Bedtime Story, Voyage Maiden (instead of maiden voyage) and Homage to HH. The last one might be my favorite after this quick listen and I've already put it on my summer playlist to sit alongside ny favorite latin jazz and exotica tracks. I assume from the title that this is not an HH composition, but maybe a Lionel original, and it makes me want to see if I can find more original songs.

So overall, my enjoyment varies. Sometimes I'd rather listen to the Herbie Hancock versions of these songs, but other times it's wonderful.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Mar 02, 2023, 04:21 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Mar 01, 2023, 08:40 PMSomething that's immediately evident upon hearing this is Lionel's talent. You can hear immediately that he's a man of musical instinct. Does he ever play something the same way twice? I don't know, but doubt it. His playing is playful and very much in the moment. He's got a great sense of groove, his chords are cool. You think you've heard anything you can do with a guitar, but this comes across as quite creative.

The production is superb, if minimal. The guitar takes center stage with a good bit of reverb and is beautifully mixed. Even the finger sounds and other unintentionals sound good and add to the album's authenticity. You can hear the nuances.

The guy also has a great voice, again beautifully produced. It's hard not to think of Bobby McFerrin the way he uses it.

The music as a whole isn't my favorite flavour of jazz as I tend to prefer music which is a little more composed. The guitar playing is often very percussive and when it's on its own, it's like it wants accompaniment. At worst it's noodles to an approximate beat..

At best, it's just sublime beauty. As mentioned, the guitar alone can get a little sparse for me, but when coupled with his voice and perhaps something else that has just a little more sustain, it's a match made in heaven. The songs that feature singing are the ones I enjoy the most, like Tell Me A Bedtime Story, Voyage Maiden (instead of maiden voyage) and Homage to HH. The last one might be my favorite after this quick listen and I've already put it on my summer playlist to sit alongside ny favorite latin jazz and exotica tracks. I assume from the title that this is not an HH composition, but maybe a Lionel original, and it makes me want to see if I can find more original songs.

So overall, my enjoyment varies. Sometimes I'd rather listen to the Herbie Hancock versions of these songs, but other times it's wonderful.

Thanks for taking the time to write such an in-depth response! Apologies in advance that it may take me another day or two write a response to the album you sent me. My week has been a little crazy, but I've given a good chunk of the Hatfield and the North album a casual listen and will give a more thorough listen soon.

To a large extent I agree with your reaction to the Lionel Loueke album. I've seen Loueke live twice as part of Herbie Hancock's band and I was so blown away by his unique way of blending guitar and vocals that it made me want to explore his back catalogue. Live, I felt like the vocals were more prominent and the guitar was more electric. The albums of his that I've listened to are a lot more low key. That's not a bad thing, but it's definitely different. My favorite track on this album is probably the very last one, "One Finger Snap". I actually think it's superior to the Herbie Hancock version and would love to hear a whole album from Loueke that's more electric.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 02, 2023, 08:55 AM
Hey, my pleasure and don't worry about getting around to HatN. Getting a proper listen to Lionel could have taken me a week, but it just so happened I had to run an errand which meant going for a drive on my own. Of course we got the upgraded car stereo when we bought the thing, so it's not a bad place to listen to music :) Plus the kids weren't around to distract me.

About One Finger Snap, it's so cool how he translated the start of that song into that nice, dissonant guitar riff. It's definitely a special moment on that record. I didn't find that the song ever gets more interesting than it is during the 20 first seconds or so, but maybe I feel similarly about the original (which is also a cool tune in any case).
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: tristan_geoff on Mar 02, 2023, 11:13 AM
is there a deadline?  been super busy at work
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Mar 02, 2023, 01:11 PM
No deadline. Put on a Bull of Heaven track and by the time it gets near the end, your time may be running out.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Mar 04, 2023, 08:24 PM
Quote from: Guybrush on Mar 01, 2023, 12:58 AM@Janszoon alright.. I've had a bit of a think. I wanna keep digging deep and hand you Hatfield and the North's debut.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/03/Hatfield_and_the_North_-_Hatfield_and_the_North_album_cover.jpg)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield_and_the_North_(album)

They only made two albums. I don't wanna write too much about it, but if you wanna narrow your focus, tracks 4/5 and the run of songs from track 10 to 13 may be of note. Though who knows what other ears might think 🤔

If you already know it well, let me know and I'll hand you my plan B or C instead 😄

Alright, sorry it took a few days, but I've listened a couple times and I'm ready to respond.

The first thing I have to say about this one is that it's a lot less austere than I was expecting based on the album cover. It's certainly quirky though, and some of the song titles cracked me up when I first saw them. I think "Shaving is Boring" is my favorite.

I have somewhat mixed feelings here. As is often the case for me with prog albums, I'm not crazy about the vocals, so that impacted my appreciation of certain tracks quite a bit. That said, even if I'm not a fan of Richard Sinclair's voice, I really like the way he plays bass. I also enjoyed the keyboards on this album a lot and I felt that the interplay between the bass and Dave Stewart's keys throughout was one of the best things about it. Pip Pyle's drumming was good as well, especially his approach to the cymbals, and the various horns and flutes were a nice addition to the tracks they appeared on. I was more mixed on the guitar. I felt that it was at its best when it had more of a supporting role, and not nearly as good when it took center stage.

My favorite tracks were the two longest ones. "Son of 'There's No Place Like Homerton'" is like a lot of the best jazz from the same era—textured, cool, and complex. "Shaving is Boring", in addition to having my favorite title, does a great job of taking you on a journey. I like all of that track's different movements, including the massive psychedelic space trip and the part that sounds like they're running back forth between different studios. I also really liked the laid back jazziness of "Going Up To People and Tinkling" and the back half of "Lobster in Cleavage Probe". The version I listened to also had two bonus tracks at the end which I thought were noteworthy. "Let's Eat (Real Soon)" was appealingly poppy, as well as being the only track where to some extent I liked the vocals. I wasn't overall a fan of the vocals on "Fitter Stoke Has a Bath", but the gargling voice and flute duet in the middle of the song was pretty amazing.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Mar 04, 2023, 10:41 PM
My recommendation for Mrs. Waffles
Discovered last year I only listened once to the album.

Ikivirta
by Sarah Palu

released March 12, 2020

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2250154084_16.jpg)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 05, 2023, 01:16 AM
Quote from: Janszoon on Mar 04, 2023, 08:24 PMAlright, sorry it took a few days, but I've listened a couple times and I'm ready to respond.

The first thing I have to say about this one is that it's a lot less austere than I was expecting based on the album cover. It's certainly quirky though, and some of the song titles cracked me up when I first saw them. I think "Shaving is Boring" is my favorite.

I have somewhat mixed feelings here. As is often the case for me with prog albums, I'm not crazy about the vocals, so that impacted my appreciation of certain tracks quite a bit. That said, even if I'm not a fan of Richard Sinclair's voice, I really like the way he plays bass. I also enjoyed the keyboards on this album a lot and I felt that the interplay between the bass and Dave Stewart's keys throughout was one of the best things about it. Pip Pyle's drumming was good as well, especially his approach to the cymbals, and the various horns and flutes were a nice addition to the tracks they appeared on. I was more mixed on the guitar. I felt that it was at its best when it had more of a supporting role, and not nearly as good when it took center stage.

My favorite tracks were the two longest ones. "Son of 'There's No Place Like Homerton'" is like a lot of the best jazz from the same era—textured, cool, and complex. "Shaving is Boring", in addition to having my favorite title, does a great job of taking you on a journey. I like all of that track's different movements, including the massive psychedelic space trip and the part that sounds like they're running back forth between different studios. I also really liked the laid back jazziness of "Going Up To People and Tinkling" and the back half of "Lobster in Cleavage Probe". The version I listened to also had two bonus tracks at the end which I thought were noteworthy. "Let's Eat (Real Soon)" was appealingly poppy, as well as being the only track where to some extent I liked the vocals. I wasn't overall a fan of the vocals on "Fitter Stoke Has a Bath", but the gargling voice and flute duet in the middle of the song was pretty amazing.

Thanks for checking it out 🙂 to me, the whole thing is, of course, absolutely beautiful, including the vocals of Richard and the "Northettes". It took me a little while, so I don't think of it as an album that makes immediate sense.

Something I find interesting is this sound that they've developed. To my ears, I find it relatively unique and it also sounds like it's had time to mature. It's confident and consistent in its internal aesthetic. Where did it come from? These are English boys in their mid 20s.

Most people prefer their second album, but the debut holds a special place in my heart - and tops it if you add those two bonus tracks 🙂 of the two, Fitter Stoke is my favourite.

Sadly, Richard wasn't able to support his family as a musician and had a really rough time, eventually squatting some before finding a steady income as a carpenter installing kitchens, I believe, in the 80s. Dave Stewart has also written a bit about money troubles and finally making some cash when he made a pop single / cover in the early 80s.

Pip, Phil and Dave (and adding others) kept going with the band National Health which is a bit like HatN 2.0, more instrumental and also brilliant. Their album Of Queues and Cures is another regular favourite for fans of Canterbury scene.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Mar 06, 2023, 01:55 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 04, 2023, 10:41 PMMy recommendation for Mrs. Waffles
Discovered last year I only listened once to the album.

Ikivirta
by Sarah Palu

released March 12, 2020

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2250154084_16.jpg)


Ok, sounds good! My recommendation is Sally Oldfield - Water Bearer (1978).

It's mostly-acoustic new age/folk music, I'm not sure if you know Mike Oldfield of Tubular Bells fame, but this is his sister. Loved this album for a long time and I do hope you enjoy.

Here's a link to a YT playlist of the album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0q5-fdgcW4&list=PL04B88F1B8D37A854&index=1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0q5-fdgcW4&list=PL04B88F1B8D37A854&index=1)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Mar 07, 2023, 05:19 PM
(https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/An-Abstract-Illusion-Woe-01-300x300.jpg)

Woe by An Abstract Illusion, courtesy of Tristan

I fucking love this album! When Tristan suggested it I thought it might be some sort of doom metal, and I think I was right, except it's absolutely, to use a word I hate but which fits, awesome. The textures, the moods evoked by the music, which is really as close to ambient metal as it comes, with tons of progressive metal, some black metal, death metal, you name it, it's here. In earlier days, the sudden shock of the growling death vocals would have turned me off in disappointment, but here they work perfectly to complement the dark and troubling soundscapes laid down by the band. They appear to Swedish, and kind of nobody is entirely sure how to categorise their music, but my god, I think the words terrible beauty encapsulate it well. Just a riveting, continuous tapestry of hard-hitting metal with softer edges, kind of like being spoken dirty to by an angel, or as Douglas Adams once put it, havng your brains smashed out with a slice of lemon. Wrapped around a large gold brick.

Best tracks come towards the end, with "Prosperity", "Blomsterkrans", "In the Heavens Above, You Will Become a Monster" (with completely unexpected female vocals) and "This Torment Has No End, Only New Beginnings," but I love everything here. Will be downloading the album and any more from them, and if you have any more recs for this sort of music, Mr. T., lay them on me! Superb.


Rating: 10/10. Fuck it: 11/10
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Mar 07, 2023, 09:33 PM
Water Bearer
by Sally Oldfield


listening now from anghami.
she is new to me, but i know her brother mike.
the first song was catchy.
her music is sweet like sugar.
the album is smooth and chill.
for a first listening she is ok, the album felt a bit long and repetitive at times.
finished listening.

thanks lady of synth for the recommendation.


Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Mar 08, 2023, 05:55 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 07, 2023, 09:33 PMWater Bearer
by Sally Oldfield


listening now from anghami.
she is new to me, but i know her brother mike.
the first song was catchy.
her music is sweet like sugar.
the album is smooth and chill.
for a first listening she is ok, the album felt a bit long and repetitive at times.
finished listening.

thanks lady of synth for the recommendation.




Thank you for listening and reviewing! I should have my review of your recommendation done by Thursday. Work is kind of kicking my butt right now but Thursday I will have more free time.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Mar 08, 2023, 07:58 AM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Mar 08, 2023, 05:55 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 07, 2023, 09:33 PMWater Bearer
by Sally Oldfield


listening now from anghami.
she is new to me, but i know her brother mike.
the first song was catchy.
her music is sweet like sugar.
the album is smooth and chill.
for a first listening she is ok, the album felt a bit long and repetitive at times.
finished listening.

thanks lady of synth for the recommendation.




Thank you for listening and reviewing! I should have my review of your recommendation done by Thursday. Work is kind of kicking my butt right now but Thursday I will have more free time.

It's OK take your time. I didn't have time also because I couldn't listen and scrobble to lastfm on my phone, I had to use the laptop.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Mar 08, 2023, 01:14 PM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Mar 08, 2023, 05:55 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 07, 2023, 09:33 PMWater Bearer
by Sally Oldfield


listening now from anghami.
she is new to me, but i know her brother mike.
the first song was catchy.
her music is sweet like sugar.
the album is smooth and chill.
for a first listening she is ok, the album felt a bit long and repetitive at times.
finished listening.

thanks lady of synth for the recommendation.




Thank you for listening and reviewing! I should have my review of your recommendation done by Thursday. Work is kind of kicking my butt right now but Thursday I will have more free time.

Just want to say I LOVE your new avvy! So cool and classy! :thumb:
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Mar 08, 2023, 02:08 PM
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 08, 2023, 01:14 PMJust want to say I LOVE your new avvy! So cool and classy! :thumb:

Oh gosh, thank you!

I drew it in MS Paint, like all my art. It's quick and dirty but it does the job, haha.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Mar 08, 2023, 04:32 PM
Oh wow you made it?I offically hate you.  :laughing:  :love:
You're really talented! Well done!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Mar 08, 2023, 05:15 PM
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 08, 2023, 04:32 PMOh wow you made it?I offically hate you.  :laughing:  :love:
You're really talented! Well done!

Thank you! The symbol on the heart is my personal symbol that my partner and I designed, I explain it a bit more in the "what is your avatar" thread.

It has a special significance to both of us, and right now we're trying to get some custom accessories made that have that symbol.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Mar 10, 2023, 06:12 PM
Quote from: fire on Mar 04, 2023, 10:41 PMMy recommendation for Mrs. Waffles
Discovered last year I only listened once to the album.

Ikivirta
by Sarah Palu

released March 12, 2020

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2250154084_16.jpg)


I enjoyed this album! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it was a cool hybrid of acoustic folksy sounds and classical string parts, very evocative and reminded me of modern film scores. I really dig how intricate it is, the different musical parts weave and interlock together in a really satisfying way. A lot of it has a sort of wintery vibe as well, which is very much up my alley. I really enjoyed track 6's more ambient peaceful vibe, and it's so good it makes me wish it was longer. Overall this is very good stuff, thank you for the recommendation!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: tristan_geoff on Mar 11, 2023, 03:14 AM
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 07, 2023, 05:19 PM(https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/An-Abstract-Illusion-Woe-01-300x300.jpg)

Woe by An Abstract Illusion, courtesy of Tristan

I fucking love this album! When Tristan suggested it I thought it might be some sort of doom metal, and I think I was right, except it's absolutely, to use a word I hate but which fits, awesome. The textures, the moods evoked by the music, which is really as close to ambient metal as it comes, with tons of progressive metal, some black metal, death metal, you name it, it's here. In earlier days, the sudden shock of the growling death vocals would have turned me off in disappointment, but here they work perfectly to complement the dark and troubling soundscapes laid down by the band. They appear to Swedish, and kind of nobody is entirely sure how to categorise their music, but my god, I think the words terrible beauty encapsulate it well. Just a riveting, continuous tapestry of hard-hitting metal with softer edges, kind of like being spoken dirty to by an angel, or as Douglas Adams once put it, havng your brains smashed out with a slice of lemon. Wrapped around a large gold brick.

Best tracks come towards the end, with "Prosperity", "Blomsterkrans", "In the Heavens Above, You Will Become a Monster" (with completely unexpected female vocals) and "This Torment Has No End, Only New Beginnings," but I love everything here. Will be downloading the album and any more from them, and if you have any more recs for this sort of music, Mr. T., lay them on me! Superb.


Rating: 10/10. Fuck it: 11/10

Hell yeah I'm glad you loved it :) I'll try to listen to your rec tonight, and if you want some more music like that I've been digging the new Periphery
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Mar 11, 2023, 04:35 AM
I seem to remember listening to a Periphery album (two I think) and not being impressed. Chaos or somethng like that? Oh no nothing like that: Juggernaut Alpha, on checking back. And Juggernaut Omega. Didn't sound anything like that album to my mind.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: tristan_geoff on Mar 11, 2023, 05:12 AM
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 11, 2023, 04:35 AMI seem to remember listening to a Periphery album (two I think) and not being impressed. Chaos or somethng like that? Oh no nothing like that: Juggernaut Alpha, on checking back. And Juggernaut Omega. Didn't sound anything like that album to my mind.

they're similar in that they're both heavily relient on progressive chord changes but that's probably about it lol.  Other than that, do you like Altar of Plagues or Svalbard?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Mar 11, 2023, 11:27 PM
Trollheart do you want to be my pair?
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Mar 11, 2023, 11:35 PM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Mar 10, 2023, 06:12 PM
Quote from: fire on Mar 04, 2023, 10:41 PMMy recommendation for Mrs. Waffles
Discovered last year I only listened once to the album.

Ikivirta
by Sarah Palu

released March 12, 2020

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2250154084_16.jpg)


I enjoyed this album! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but it was a cool hybrid of acoustic folksy sounds and classical string parts, very evocative and reminded me of modern film scores. I really dig how intricate it is, the different musical parts weave and interlock together in a really satisfying way. A lot of it has a sort of wintery vibe as well, which is very much up my alley. I really enjoyed track 6's more ambient peaceful vibe, and it's so good it makes me wish it was longer. Overall this is very good stuff, thank you for the recommendation!

glad that you liked it  :)
I have chosen the first track Alkuääni for a song contest on facebook and it won first place, it was a theme contest "winter/christmas/holidays"
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 23, 2023, 06:35 PM
@Janszoon wanna go again? :) I need some input!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Mar 30, 2023, 02:51 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 11, 2023, 11:27 PMTrollheart do you want to be my pair?
Sorry, fire: only saw this now.
Sure, sock it to me.
Do you want to use the same album (and me use the one I have) or start a new pairing, as it were?
Sorry for the late reply.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Mar 30, 2023, 03:10 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Mar 23, 2023, 06:35 PM@Janszoon wanna go again? :) I need some input!

Sorry, I just noticed this! I'm up for it if you still are.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 30, 2023, 06:33 AM
Quote from: Janszoon on Mar 30, 2023, 03:10 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Mar 23, 2023, 06:35 PM@Janszoon wanna go again? :) I need some input!

Sorry, I just noticed this! I'm up for it if you still are.

Brilliant 🙂 I'll send you my album pick later today.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Mar 30, 2023, 08:16 PM
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 30, 2023, 02:51 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 11, 2023, 11:27 PMTrollheart do you want to be my pair?
Sorry, fire: only saw this now.
Sure, sock it to me.
Do you want to use the same album (and me use the one I have) or start a new pairing, as it were?
Sorry for the late reply.
thanks
a new album will be fine  :)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 30, 2023, 11:29 PM
@Janszoon are you familiar with the 1980  album Feminina by Brazilian artist Joyce?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Feminina.jpg)

If not, that will be my pick 🙂 if you already know it, I'd like to find something else.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Mar 31, 2023, 12:15 AM
Quote from: Guybrush on Mar 30, 2023, 11:29 PM@Janszoon are you familiar with the 1980  album Feminina by Brazilian artist Joyce?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Feminina.jpg)

If not, that will be my pick 🙂 if you already know it, I'd like to find something else.

I'm not familiar, but I'm looking forward to giving the album a listen. I still haven't thought of something for you but I'll post something soon.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Mar 31, 2023, 02:33 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 30, 2023, 08:16 PM
Quote from: Trollheart on Mar 30, 2023, 02:51 AM
Quote from: fire on Mar 11, 2023, 11:27 PMTrollheart do you want to be my pair?
Sorry, fire: only saw this now.
Sure, sock it to me.
Do you want to use the same album (and me use the one I have) or start a new pairing, as it were?
Sorry for the late reply.
thanks
a new album will be fine  :)


Cool.
Since you have somewhat of a liking for Irish artists, try this one:
(https://i.discogs.com/Q5gDjUghxuCFH4713sArHVLSxrVn2HcrQRAaKL47Y-E/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:595/w:595/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEyNzA3/OTctMTMyMzEwMzQw/NC5qcGVn.jpeg)

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Mar 31, 2023, 05:40 PM
(https://i.discogs.com/UMjwH2_klq0n9upHMaFrcEWGyReW05bxaYqm1j-skB0/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE1MTI2/MTY3LTE1ODcwMjM3/MjUtMjQyNy5qcGVn.jpeg)

@Guybrush  Ok, here's my pick for you, Shandai Ya / Stanka by The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices (ft. Lisa Gerrard). Let me know if you've heard it before and I'll pick something else.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Mar 31, 2023, 09:03 PM
Quote from: Janszoon on Mar 31, 2023, 05:40 PM@Guybrush  Ok, here's my pick for you, Shandai Ya / Stanka by The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices (ft. Lisa Gerrard). Let me know if you've heard it before and I'll pick something else.

Never heard! Looking forward to it 🙂
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Apr 02, 2023, 12:05 AM
for trollheart

Huskvarna Blues
by Behzad Mehrnoosh

Release date: 01 May, 2012
my favourite album by him.

https://behzadmehrnoosh.bandcamp.com/album/huskvarna-blues

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2904027877_16.jpg)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Trollheart on Apr 02, 2023, 03:59 AM
Sounds like Lisdoonvarna!  :laughing:
I'll give it a go, thanks.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: fire on Apr 03, 2023, 08:27 PM
The Long Acre
by In Tua Nua


the band is new to me
listening now (20:25) from anghami
the first track is ok, a bit shouty.
overall they are ok, ordinary songs.
the lead singer has a nice voice.
the only thing that i didn't connect with is their fusing with irish instruments, it is not good at times.
finished listening (21:26).

thanks trollheart  :)


 

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Apr 04, 2023, 09:24 AM
I've gotten to listen through The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices, the first half while cleaning the kitchen and the latter half in the car.

My past experience with this bulgarian style singing has been in 80s pop music, most notably through Kate Bush who used a bulgarian women's choir on songs like Hello Earth and Deeper Understanding. I've never checked it out on its own, though.

As I was listening to the first track I was a bit sceptical at first, but then the percussion came in, the song modulates and the whole thing becomes a lot more enjoyable. This singing style has a crazy sort of energy to it, especially the first track where you can hear various whoops and seizures going on in the background. I don't think bulgarian singing sounds great on its own (more just exotic), but the way it's done here is pretty cool. As far as world music go, it seems more commercially sensible and catchy than I thought it would be. The production also seems quite good. For example, the voices sound good and it's got some nice sounding bass on the tracks, like the Rano one, that makes it fun to up the volume a bit.

This sort of world music isn't quite up my alley, but I still enjoyed it. The track I liked the most on my first listen through was one of two live tracks, Rite of Passage. It does sound mysterious and, to me, a little middle eastern even (even if it isn't really). Performances are good, both vocal and instrumental and I'm sure it must've been impressive to actually see that performance live.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Janszoon on Apr 11, 2023, 08:54 PM
@Guybrush Thanks for your review The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices! He's mine for Joyce's Feminina, sorry it took me so long.

I'm a fan of a lot of MPB and bossa nova, but like new age and acid jazz, this is music that often tiptoes close to the line of sounding like elevator music. I felt this struggle deeply while listening to this album.

The first track, "Feminina", is great. It leans more in the direction of bossa nova than most of this album, and it was a lovely addition to my drive across the city the first time I listened to it. "Banana" is also a fun song, with its lush birdsong layered in under propulsive bass and quicksilver acoustic guitar plucking. "Coração de Criança" is nice and mellow with cool, subtle drumming and soaring vocals. The penultimate track, "Aldeia de Ogum" is probably my second favorite on album, after "Feminina", with beautiful vocals, percussion, guitar, and flute.

Unfortunately, those four are the only real standouts to me. None of the rest of the songs are bad per se, when taken on their own, but they're all very sedate. This works perfectly fine in the case of "Compor", which serves as the album's denouement, but elsewhere on the album, though, the results are mixed. More than half the songs are like this and it's just too much to make the whole album work for me. If the balance were shifted so that there were a few more tracks like "Feminina" and a few less like "Mistérios" it could have created a situation where the sedate tracks functioned more as interludes. As it stands, this is an album with four or five good songs that I'd rather add to a playlist than listen to in the context of the full album.

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Apr 12, 2023, 07:51 PM
^Thanks for your honest review! I'm glad you found something to like 🙂

I discovered this album when we were in London in 2014 to see Kate Bush at the Apollo. We'd dropped by a record store and was browsing. Usually I don't pay much mind to what's playing in the store, but this time it caught my ear and I just had to ask the guy behind the counter what he'd put on. It was this album by Joyce, someone I'd never heard of (although I've come to realize she's relatively popular). For me, it was love at first hearing. it's also one of my summer albums.

I like all of it, of course.. including Misterios which is on my daughter's bedtime playlist 🙂
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Apr 14, 2023, 11:35 AM
By the way! The song Clareana was written for her daughters Clara and Ana whom you can hear singing and laughing towards the end of the song. I find it really endearing 🥰

Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Jun 23, 2023, 06:42 AM
I'm up for another one of these.

Anyone game? :)
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Jun 23, 2023, 01:58 PM
I'd definitely be down. I have a bit more room to listen to albums front to back lately and I'd love to hear what you all would recommend!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Jun 24, 2023, 07:06 AM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Jun 23, 2023, 01:58 PMI'd definitely be down. I have a bit more room to listen to albums front to back lately and I'd love to hear what you all would recommend!

Well. Then I hope you like exotica 😅 it's summer and I love listening to exotica during summer, although admittedly some of it works best as background music.

My favorite in that genre, and one I'm sure I've forced on others here, is The Forbidden Sounds of Don Tiki by Don Tiki. It's their debut and it's also guested by a certain Martin Denny.

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3030628769_10.jpg)

For anyone interested, let me know if you have trouble finding it 😊
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Jun 24, 2023, 12:22 PM
Sounds interesting! I do like a lot of lounge music and exotica from the 50s and 60s but I've never delved into any later revivalist stuff.

So for you, Guybrush, I recall you saying you liked prog, so I'd like to recommend one of my favorite fairly obscure prog albums: Pulsar - The Strands of the Future (1976). Without spoiling anything, I think you will probably understand exactly why I rate it so highly pretty quick, haha.

The whole thing is on Youtube, I'm eager to know what you think!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Jun 25, 2023, 01:37 AM
Quote from: Mrs. Waffles on Jun 24, 2023, 12:22 PMSounds interesting! I do like a lot of lounge music and exotica from the 50s and 60s but I've never delved into any later revivalist stuff.

So for you, Guybrush, I recall you saying you liked prog, so I'd like to recommend one of my favorite fairly obscure prog albums: Pulsar - The Strands of the Future (1976). Without spoiling anything, I think you will probably understand exactly why I rate it so highly pretty quick, haha.

The whole thing is on Youtube, I'm eager to know what you think!

Brilliant! I'll get right on it once we're back and settled from our trip to France 😊

Looking forward to it!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Jul 06, 2023, 10:07 AM
@Mrs. Waffles I did listen to most of this - actually all of it, but I was distracted by my kids towards the end.

However! I haven't written anything because I listened to the YouTube full album vid as I couldn't find the album on streaming services. As a result, I didn't know which track I was listening to and felt I couldn't give proper feedback in that regard.

My plan was to see if I can get a hold of a digital version of the album and have a proper listen. It's still my plan, but our vacation got in the way!

My general impression so far is the music is well made and cool for its time. It starts very synth-soundscapy and I think it reminded me a bit of Jean-Michel Jarre, although I believe this predates his famous output.

The production is good at being spacy and that sounds good, but it has big problems in that it lacks punch. It's a bit of a weak porridge so my general impression is the album could benefit a lot from a remix and remaster.

I'll post some more when I'm back from vacay 🙂
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Jul 06, 2023, 01:16 PM
Quote from: Guybrush on Jul 06, 2023, 10:07 AM@Mrs. Waffles I did listen to most of this - actually all of it, but I was distracted by my kids towards the end.

However! I haven't written anything because I listened to the YouTube full album vid as I couldn't find the album on streaming services. As a result, I didn't know which track I was listening to and felt I couldn't give proper feedback in that regard.

My plan was to see if I can get a hold of a digital version of the album and have a proper listen. It's still my plan, but our vacation got in the way!

My general impression so far is the music is well made and cool for its time. It starts very synth-soundscapy and I think it reminded me a bit of Jean-Michel Jarre, although I believe this predates his famous output.

The production is good at being spacy and that sounds good, but it has big problems in that it lacks punch. It's a bit of a weak porridge so my general impression is the album could benefit a lot from a remix and remaster.

I'll post some more when I'm back from vacay 🙂

Thank you for your thoughts! I wasn't aware that it wasn't on streaming services, my apologies; I listen to all my music on Youtube so I didn't know.  I will be able to listen to your rec probably tomorrow, I'm a bit swamped today.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Jul 07, 2023, 02:47 PM
My apologies for the delay, I've been very busy this week as well as a bit drained from loss of sleep due to people setting off fireworks at night. I should have more free time on Saturday when I don't have a work shift.
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Lexi Darling on Jul 07, 2023, 09:50 PM
In an unexpected twist of events, I got off from work today so I had a lot more free time to listen to music. With the fittingly Mrs. Waffles-esque whiplash of having listened to a bunch of death metal immediately before, I threw this album on while I was cleaning the pantry.

I really enjoyed it! It's cool to hear an interpretation of these classic exotica sounds with more crispy hi-fi production. I enjoyed the instrumental tracks the most, especially "Maidenhair Fern" which came on just as I sat down for a relaxing lunch. But some of the vocal tracks were no slouch either, I liked the haunting vibe of "Close Your Eyes" especially. The sound is lush and pretty but avoids being bland or unexciting, it was engaging all the way through. I also really loved that nice little piano coda to the album.

Thank you for the rec!
Title: Re: The Album Exchange
Post by: Guybrush on Jul 08, 2023, 12:07 AM
Nice! So glad you liked it 😊

The piano at the end is played by Martin Denny who, of course, is a godfather in that genre and real exotica royalty. One of the members is the kid of one of the guys in Denny's old band and I believe they're also guested by other people with exotica connections.

I have all their albums, but their debut is definitely my favorite and particularly the first half. I like all their songs, but may also be slightly more fond of their instrumentals. Barbi in Bali followed by Hot like Lava is great.

My ideal summer pool party has these tracks on the playlist 😄