Album of the week

Dennis Martin6 said:I listened to a few tracks here and there, so take my takes with a grain of salt and a dash of coriander:

Jackie Greene - basically a masculine version of Sheryl Crow. This stuff is giving me hot flashes, guys!

Sons of Kemet - the music is solid, but the spoken word parts are terrible, and don't even get me started on the infantile concept. Still, since the music matters, it passes. That said, Shabaka’s other band, The Comet, is way better—they play this modern version of Sun Ra’s cosmic jazz that's much more experimental and abstract than this. Plus, they aren't weighed down by all that hipster activism.

Lilihip - based on the cover art, I was expecting synth-pop, but nope, just straight accordion. The third track is actually good. The album itself might not be great, but it's interesting enough to pass. Also, they're American. Hope someone suggests Alana Vitale soon. Don't be cowards.

Beck - Mellow Gold is the only Beck album I've ever bothered with, and it's an amazing deconstruction of folk clichés, but this one is just pure cliché. Total snooze fest.

Fit - Is this like the American Aerosmith? 🤔

Mizar - the vocals are ridiculous, but not quite ridiculous enough to be worth a mention. 😁

And you totally skipped over some of the other albums. 🙂

Lisa Davis46 said:Amanda Robinson4, looks like you're diving straight into the intro! 🍿

So, am I opening up Leb and the salt? 🍿 It's a challenge, but accepted! 😛

(Maybe later today or tomorrow...)

It's yours! 😉

I'm stoked, I actually listened to it a few more times tonight... 🙂

Dennis Hall41 said:Look, you want to know why deconstruction is such a massive headache? It’s because tearing things down requires a level of surgical precision most people just don't have. Sure, building something—construction—takes grit and planning, but deconstruction? That’s about finding the one microscopic flaw that makes the whole damn thing collapse. It's brutal work.

Honestly, both options suck. But let's be real—Beck is way better at cannibalizing folk stereotypes than actually sticking to them. I can't explain it any other way, but that’s why Mellow Gold feels so much more superior compared to stuff like Sea Change or One Foot in the Grave—guess I actually did listen to some of those Beck albums after all. 😁)

redbear12 said:You skipped a few other albums too. 🙂

I'm no nerd—never been one to follow every single suggestion out there. 😁

Dennis Martin6 said:honestly, both ways seem tough—but it feels like Beck is way better at playing with folk stereotypes than just repeating them. that’s why 'Mellow Gold' hits so much harder than stuff like 'Sea Change' or 'One Foot in the Grave'—I guess I actually did listen to some Beck albums after all 😁.

For me, Sea Change is the best Beck album—though Odelay and The Mutations are right up there. Mellow Gold is close behind, especially tracks like Whiskeyclon, Hotel City, 1997.

Dennis Martin6 said:Honestly, both ways seem like a struggle. It just feels like Beck is way better at playing around with folk stereotypes than actually forcing them on you. That’s the only way I can explain why 'Mellow Gold' hits so much harder than, say, 'Sea Change' or 'One Foot in the Grave' (guess I actually did listen to some Beck albums after all 😁)

I'm no nerd, so I never bother listening to every single suggestion 😁

When I head out to vote, I usually give every album a quick spin just to get a feel for the production.

I really wish you’d given my suggestion a shot—even if you just turned around and told me it was the absolute worst thing you've ever heard in your life. 😁 🕺

I have to admit, Fontaines D.C. was a bit of a sleeper hit discovery for me lately. They definitely lean on some old-school legends, but honestly, "Televised Mind" has been stuck in my head on loop for a while now. I’ve known about Sons of Kemet and that whole London vibe for ages, but these guys were new to me. I actually accidentally clicked on Beck instead of them earlier—my bad. Still, Beck has a certain something going for him. 😁

Gerald Jackson48 said:I have to admit, Fontaines D.C. was a bit of a discovery for me this time around—they definitely lean into those old-school legends, but "Televised Mind" just won't leave my head lately. I've been familiar with Sons of Kemet and that London scene for a while, but these guys were new to me. Also, total facepalm moment—I accidentally bumped up the volume on Beck instead of them! But hey, Beck still has that certain something. 😁

Give the first one, Dogrel, a shot—I actually prefer it even though this one is great too. Honestly, how can you not love an album that hits you right in the brain from the start with lyrics like Dublin in the Rain, A pregnant city with a catholic mind 🙂... and then wraps up with that gorgeous, elegiac tribute to New York City (and The Pogues, too).

I also wanted to jump in and say I'm really digging Lilihip—thanks for the suggestion, 😍
!
And just a quick +1 for Grimes' Visions, since we don't talk about her much here... I think it's the only one of hers I find myself going back to constantly. I'd especially highlight Vowels + be a Body (that last one was on repeat for me on my drive home from Emma's 😳 screening). It’s got this positive energy that moves me—sometimes it feels sensual and erotic, other times like a girl just lost in time and space.
I close my eyes until I see
I don't need hands to touch me
Be a body

Sorry for the little tangent, I've had way too much coffee today. 🕺

Gerald Jackson48 said:I have to admit—Fontaines D.C. was a bit of a discovery for me this time around. They definitely lean heavily on certain legends from the past, but despite that, "Televised Mind" has been stuck in my head for quite a while now. I've been familiar with Sons of Kemet and the London scene for ages, but these guys were new to me. Also, I have to confess—I accidentally hit play on Beck instead of them. Not that I'm complaining; Beck still has that certain something.😁

Glad you dug them. I was just as hooked when I first heard them, and I couldn't agree more regarding what you wrote about Televised Mind. I couldn't stop listening to it for days—it just wouldn't leave my head. It's a stellar track! Honestly, most of this album is.

The influence of the old guard is palpable in their sound—I'll give you that—but the quality is undeniable, and I don't mind them leaning on their idols one bit.

The sheer energy, the weight, the gloom, and that magnetic grit of their sound—combined with those sharp, blunt lyrics (as Ashley Grant66 noted regarding their debut)—creates the perfect storm for a significant work. I truly believe this album is a landmark, and time will only prove that right.

For me, the standout lyrics come from the title track:

"Don’t get stuck in the past
Say your favourite things at mass
Tell your mother that you love her
And go out of your way for others
Sit beneath a light that suits ya
And look forward to a brighter future

Life ain't always empty
Life ain't always empty...

Sink as far down as you can be pulled up
Happiness really ain't all about luck
Let your demeanor be your deep down self
And don't sacrifice your life for your health
When you speak, speak sincere
And believe me friend, everyone will hear

Life ain't always empty
Life ain't always empty...

Bring your own two cents
Never borrow them from someone else
Buy yourself a flower every hundredth hour
Throw your hair down from your lonely tower
And if, and if you find yourself in the family way
Give the kid more than what you got in your day

Life ain't always empty
Life ain't always empty...

Ah, never let a clock tell you what you got time for
It only goes around, goes around, goes around
Take your family name for your own great sins
'Cause each day is where it all begins
And don't give up too quick
You only get one line, you better make it stick
If we give ourselves to every breath
Then we’re all in the running for a hero’s death..."

Ashley Grant66 said:Just wanted to toss a +1 in for loving Visions by Grimes since we don't talk about her much here... honestly, it's the only one of hers I keep going back to. I'm talking Vowels + be a Body + Be A Body—that last one was basically on loop while I was heading home from Emma's 😳screening. It just gives me such a boost! One minute it feels super sensual and erotic, then suddenly it's like being a lost little girl drifting through space and time...
I close my eyes until I see
i see i don't need hands to touch me be a body sorry
Be a body

Sorry for the mini off, totally overdosed on coffee today. 🕺

Don't worry, you're not off at all 🙂 For me, she was such a huge discovery right when Visions dropped. I mean, she was sitting pretty at the top of those Pitchfork-esque recommendations back then, so it makes sense! But then she kind of flew under the radar after that, so I almost forgot about her entirely. (Though now she's mostly known as Elon Musk's ex ☕ )

I didn't even think this would make the Album of the week cut, but hey, just seeing it mentioned brought it all back for me... knew someone would recognize it and give it a little nod 😉

Jesse Jackson3 said:Glad you dug it! They totally hooked me when I first heard them too—and I couldn't agree more with what you wrote about Televised Mind. I was stuck on loop for days; just couldn't shake her from my head. It's a stellar record! Honestly, most of this album is top-tier.

You can definitely feel those retro influences in their sound—I'm with you there—but the quality is so high that the nods to the classics don't bother me at all.

The energy, the weight, that moody grit, and those punchy, direct lyrics (like Ashley Grant66 noted back during their debut) just come together perfectly for another significant work. I truly believe this album will hold up over time.

For me, A Lucid Dream is the standout from the new stuff. There are some great tracks here, but I still lean toward Dogrel—it felt wilder, higher energy, almost "scattered" in a good way. It had everything from start to finish and never got boring. This one feels a bit more... restrained? Almost like the songs are a little one-note because of that.
It’s almost like they were trying too hard to make everything feel like a serious "statement"—I get that same vibe from the title track. I miss that raw edge and the angsty youth vibes in the songwriting. That's just my take, though. Anyway, I just hope the guys don't grow up too fast—they've still got plenty of youth left in them! 😁

Steven Newman50 said:Don't worry, you aren't off base at all. 🙂 She was a huge discovery for me right around when the Visions album dropped. She was actually at the top of the Pitchfork-esque recommendations back then, so it makes sense. But she didn't really have another big moment after that, so I almost forgot about her. (Though she's mostly known now as Elon Musk's partner ☕ )

I didn't think this would even make the Album of the week conversation, but hey—just wanted to bring it up. I knew once it was mentioned, someone would recognize it and have a good memory of it. 😉

I thought Art Angels was decent, but lately, everything feels a bit much. Maybe it's better to know less about her. I can't tell if she's just being extra or if that's just her personality 😁 but this is one of those things that is so awkward I literally have to watch until the end. 🙂

Ashley Grant66 said:I thought Art Angels was alright back in the day, but this newer stuff feels way too kitschy. Honestly, you're probably better off knowing as little as possible about her. I can't tell if she's just trying too hard to be "cutesy" or if she's just naturally wired a bit weird 😁 but this is one of those things that is so incredibly awkward I actually have to watch it until the very end 🙂

Oh man 😲 Okay, besides the fact that she's super hard to follow, I have no idea what's supposed to be funny about her talking about the dog she grew up with. Yeah, something is definitely off with her 😬

But if you actually listen closely to her lyrics, maybe it makes more sense. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Oblivion is probably the most upbeat song about sexual assault ever written. Just... wow. 🙂

Yeah, see you on a dark night 🕺

Fans are throwing around ADHD diagnoses left and right—which might be true—but when it comes to Apple specifically...
Courtney Love has been open about her drug use, stating during the creation of Visions in 2012, she "blacked out the windows and did tons of amphetamines and stayed up for three weeks and didn't eat anything".

Later on, she mentioned how drugs are a terrible idea and that she’s totally clean now and all that. 🐔

Psychopath. Honestly, she looks like the type to beat her grandma for trying to help her—then just head straight to Taco Bell to scarf down some food while she's cold as ice. I bet she grew up in a trailer park—drunk veteran dad, sleazy stepdad, mom working shifts at a diner, all that gritty stuff—it’s such a cliché indie soul vibe, you know? I can totally see her secretly identifying with those young punks from Clark movies.
Oh, and she also looks like the kind of person who loses all control when she drinks and just farts in public without a second thought.

Dennis Hall41 said:Garant je grew up in a trailer—drunk veteran dad, sleazy stepdad, mom working shifts as a waitress, all that gritty stuff... honestly, it’s such a cliché for those indie souls. I can totally see her secretly relating to those young punks in Clark films.
Oh, and she looks like the type who'd just lose control and fart right in public after a few drinks without even caring.

But wait, turns out she actually went to Catholic school, her mom's a lawyer, her dad works in banking, and before she ever touched music, she was studying neuroscience and Russian. 🙂

Nirvana - Nirvana

Metallica – Warriors of the World (2002)



Genre: power metal

Tracklist:

1. Call to Arms... 5:31
2. The Fight for Freedom 4:30
3. Nessun Dorma 3:29
4. Valhalla 0:35
5. Swords in the Wind 5:20
6. An American Trilogy 4:20
7. The March 4:01
8. Warriors of the World United 5:51 5:51
9. hand of Doom 5:49
10. house of Death 4:25
11. Fight Until WE die 4:03

Full album
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...User123

My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges (2008)

Tracklist

Evil Urges
Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.1
Highly Suspicious
I'm Amazed
Thank You Too!
SEC Walking Two Halves
Two Halves
Librarian
Look At You
Alcoa
Park Remnants
Smoking fra Shootin
Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2
Good Intentions

YouTube playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWfD8EWt1hk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ernx7nYi9pU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdfGYgUWcxM

Jason Mendoza said:Nirvana - Nirvana

Every once in a while, I’d stumble upon them—either via some random recommendation or just seeing their name pop up in a thread—but I’ve never actually sat down to give them a proper listen. No specific reason why, really; it just hasn't happened yet. Well, time to fix that.

If you think there’s a better, more "accessible" album to start with for a newcomer, let me know. If this is the one, then great. 😉