I am forcibly shifting (my own) focus on writing back to reviewing media, as trite as it sounds. I want to review music and movies, I think. The main problems are my single-sided point of view, and the lack of an outside editor. You may notice to date i have written only glowing reviews... all three of them! I have yet to be repulsed by an offering so much that I will harp on the stupidity of consumers for 3 to 4 paragraphs. However I did question the validity of Usher and have since surmised that possessing "washboard abs" figures rather prominently into the equation.
The Grammys were such an excrutiating bore that I will not deign to discuss it further. Green Day is getting way too much attention for a record that is just OK. Ray Charles is being rewarded for being dead. Enough with Norah Jones. Enough with Starbuck's-friendly adult-chardonnay-sipping-non-challenging torch music. Enough with this stupid intro that is meandering and losing focus.
With all that said, the glowing review of the day is for Doves - Some Cities
Doves are a band from Manchester, the remnants of a previous dance/electronic outfit called Sub Sub and this is the third release of their ascending career. The First release, Lost souls was a quasi-somber kick in the ass from seemingly out of nowhere and its follow-up, The Last Broadcast was a shimmering work of majestic beauty. I believe that I can explain why this record is very good to the layperson, provided we can all assume that U2 is a good band [disregard any disdain for Bono's political posturing and messiah complex] and can be used as a common point of reference.
U2's mid-career records such as The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree cemented the formula of the uplifting, anthemic pop song characterized by the Daniel Lanois/Brian Eno ethereal, ambient production values. Songs such as The Unforgettable Fire and Where The Streets Have No Name are prime examples of the aural imagery that I am attempting to render. The chiming guitar style of the Edge [derivative of pioneering bands such as Television, Wire and Velvet Underground] is taken to a new level in the Doves sound on the more "rocking" numbers such as "Snowden" and "Walk In Fire" - The record conjures the atmosphere of Northern England, combining the iciness of say, Joy Division with the odd [luke]warmth of the Smiths or Morrissey. Given their pedigree, it is not surprising that they are compared to the two most famous Mancunian bands of the past 25 years. I give the record a solid 8 out 10, not making it a full 10 due to a few gloomy soundscapes that tend to drag the record down a bit. To temper the uplifting with the utterly downcast is a confusing formula, skipping any notion of a segueway, which is the crucial element of any good compilation, mix or medley of musical delights.
Stay tuned for my opinions, ravings and rumination on the ABC Television Series "Lost."
The Grammys were such an excrutiating bore that I will not deign to discuss it further. Green Day is getting way too much attention for a record that is just OK. Ray Charles is being rewarded for being dead. Enough with Norah Jones. Enough with Starbuck's-friendly adult-chardonnay-sipping-non-challenging torch music. Enough with this stupid intro that is meandering and losing focus.
With all that said, the glowing review of the day is for Doves - Some CitiesDoves are a band from Manchester, the remnants of a previous dance/electronic outfit called Sub Sub and this is the third release of their ascending career. The First release, Lost souls was a quasi-somber kick in the ass from seemingly out of nowhere and its follow-up, The Last Broadcast was a shimmering work of majestic beauty. I believe that I can explain why this record is very good to the layperson, provided we can all assume that U2 is a good band [disregard any disdain for Bono's political posturing and messiah complex] and can be used as a common point of reference.
U2's mid-career records such as The Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree cemented the formula of the uplifting, anthemic pop song characterized by the Daniel Lanois/Brian Eno ethereal, ambient production values. Songs such as The Unforgettable Fire and Where The Streets Have No Name are prime examples of the aural imagery that I am attempting to render. The chiming guitar style of the Edge [derivative of pioneering bands such as Television, Wire and Velvet Underground] is taken to a new level in the Doves sound on the more "rocking" numbers such as "Snowden" and "Walk In Fire" - The record conjures the atmosphere of Northern England, combining the iciness of say, Joy Division with the odd [luke]warmth of the Smiths or Morrissey. Given their pedigree, it is not surprising that they are compared to the two most famous Mancunian bands of the past 25 years. I give the record a solid 8 out 10, not making it a full 10 due to a few gloomy soundscapes that tend to drag the record down a bit. To temper the uplifting with the utterly downcast is a confusing formula, skipping any notion of a segueway, which is the crucial element of any good compilation, mix or medley of musical delights.
Stay tuned for my opinions, ravings and rumination on the ABC Television Series "Lost."
posted by tom @ 9:53 AM
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