2nd August - Arcade Fire's The Suburbs

Artist – Album: Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Released:  2^nd August 2010

Sounds Like: The sound of The Suburbs

The Arcade Fire’s very own Win Butler described the sound of this album as “a mix of Depeche Mode and Neil Young”, a comparison which should give some measure of the maturity, if slightly jaded approach, to the music on The Suburbs.

For the record, there’s a lot more of Neil Young in this (plaintive vocals, baroque arrangements, conceptual theme, and confessional lyrics) than Depeche Mode (ambition, a mild electro-pop/AOR bent), but this is far more than a tribute album. Whilst the emphatic ‘Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)’ can’t help but conjure up images of Blondie circa ‘Heart of Glass’, ‘The Suburbs’ is jauntily Kinks-esque and ‘Empty Room’ sounds uncannily like it could break into a cover of ‘French Disko’ by Stereolab at any time, the majority of the album is unquestionably Arcade Fire-like. ‘Ready to Start’ is probably the best example, a souped-up version of Funeral’s ‘Rebellion (Lies)’, complete with the grand, barked chorus, and ascending coda.

Each of the Canadian outfits’ albums have been exceptional; each with its own theme and a high level of consistency that never falters. Funeral had more anthems, and Neon Bible more than its fair share of woes, but I get the feeling that this is the one that could ultimately be seen as their masterpiece.

Albumaday... rating: 10/10

1.       The Suburbs – 5:15

2.       Ready to Start – 4:15

3.       Modern Man – 4:39

4.       Rococo – 3:56

5.       Empty Room – 2:51

6.       City with No Children – 3:11

7.       Half Light I – 4:13

8.       Half Light II (No Celebration) – 4:25

9.       Suburban War – 4:45

10.   Month of May – 3:50

11.   Wasted Hours – 3:20

12.   Deep Blue – 4:28

13.   We Used to Wait – 5:01

14.   Sprawl I (Flatland) – 2:54

15.   Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) – 5:25

16.   The Suburbs (continued) – 1:27

Listen to ‘Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awHWColYQ90

1st August - Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Artist – Album: Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

Released:  1^st August 1995

Sounds Like: "I love all kinds of music. I like Wu Tang Clan..."

A thorough history of the ins and outs of the Wu Tang Clan is far beyond the grasp of mere mortals such as myself. An old school friend, soon-to-be flatmate and occasional blogger pal of mine text me about a month ago declaring that he was trying to piece together a bit on them, and the poor fool has been reduced to a jabbering wreck, with still no sign of the blog. If I ran at that rate, Albumaday... would take me thirty years (although I concede that his blog is considerably better than mine, check it out: http://watersstewartewan.blogspot.co.uk/). As he put it, before his mind became too discombobulated – “their history and productivity is insane. They’ve got to be one of the vastest outfits ever. Offshoots, alter-egos and general chaos everywhere. It’s absolutely mental!” So I thank my lucky stars that I’m only dealing with one of the solo albums rather than anything by the collective as a whole, and I’ll do my best not to let the labyrinthine back-story drive me crazy.

To be fair, Raekwon’s debut album only just qualifies as a solo effort, as the irrepressible Ghostface Killah appears on almost every track and every Clan member, as well as affiliated acts Cappadonna and Blue Raspberry, makes at least a fleeting appearance across the 18 tracks. The fluidity of the lineup helps to keep the record fresh, whilst lynchpin Raekwon keeps the material sufficiently focussed, ably backed by Ghostface Killah (who, to my amateur enthusiast’s ears at least, threatens to steal the show throughout).

There’s a plethora of standout hip hop tracks here, from the beginnings of the Mafia style rapper on ‘Incarcerated Scarfaces’ and the seminal ‘Wu-Gambinos’, to the typical hoes and cristal of ‘Ice Cream’ (from Raekwon’s verse: “Shaolin's finest, whattup Boo, peace your highness, Yo I'm loungin, big dick style, y'all niggaz is the flyest”). ‘Glaciers of Ice’ and ‘Ice Water’ complete the triumvirate of exceptional tracks featuring the word “ice”.

I wouldn’t say this record is for everyone – if you don’t consider yourself a fan of hip hop, this ain’t gonna be the album to change that view. But for lovers of East Cost Rap, this is a must have. If you’re an inbetweener, such as myself, it’s resolutely a should try.

Albumaday... rating:  7/10

1.       Striving for Perfection – 1:43

2.       Knuckleheadz – 4:03

3.       Knowledge God – 4:24

4.       Criminology – 3:47

5.       Incarcerated Scarfaces – 4:42

6.       Rainy Dayz – 6:02

7.       Guillotine (Swordz) – 4:22

8.       Can It Be All So Simple (Remix)  - 5:38

9.       Shark Niggas (Biters) – 1:38

10.   Ice Water – 3:38

11.   Glaciers of Ice – 5:20

12.   Verbal Intercourse – 3:31

13.   Wisdom Body – 2:38

14.   Spot Rusherz – 3:13

15.   Ice Cream – 4:13

16.   Wu-Gambinos – 5:39

17.   Heaven & Hell – 4:56

18.   North Star (Jewels) – 3:58

Listen to ‘Ice Cream’:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz3z33Zyg3s

31st July - Rilo Kiley's Take Offs and Landings

Artist – Album: Rilo Kiley – Take Offs and Landings

Released:  31^st July 2001

Sounds Like: An answer!

 

It’s always been a curious source of disappointment for my laddish mates and inquisitive girlfriends that I’ve never really had a celebrity crush. When queried on it (which happened as recently as a few months ago) I tend to look sheepishly at my feet and mumble “Courtney Cox”: an answer that was patently acceptable back in her Friends heyday of the nineties but is horrifically outdated with her almost twice my age (which will be achieved on 15^th June 2014 when she celebrates her 50th; the next day, I will turn 26, smashing the symmetry). Where blokey university mates had posters of Jessica Alba in Sin City or the lead singer of Paramore plastered lovingly on their walls, I have the Blues Brothers, and Jack Lemon and (the admittedly beautiful) Shirley MacLaine from the Apartment on mine. All that being said, if I just remembered more often that I’m in love with Jenny Lewis, lead singer of Rilo Kiley, I would have a reply in stock that would brook no arguments. As well as being the literate, evocatively voiced singer of a cool indie band, a sometime actress, and a full 12 years younger than Courtney Cox, she is just simply gorgeous (yes, that makes for a similar CV to Zooey Deschanel, but Jenny’s so much less in your face about it). Gorgeous. I permit you to take a minute to Google or Wikipedia her. Go on…

 

See, isn’t she cool?

 

Of course, there’s a danger that her prettiness may blind me to the naffness of her band. But I think – I think – that this is a fine album. Songs such as ‘Wires and Waves’ have the driving melodies and infectious hooks that made ‘Portion for Foxes’ a minor hit for the group a few years later, whilst the gently soothing ‘Science Vs. Romance’ is a lovely slow burner. ‘Pictures of Success’ is pleasingly melodramatic, whereas ‘Bulletproof’ makes good use of Lewis’ sweet vocals. There’s certainly nothing revolutionary about this record, but its simple folk and poppy indie makes for a rewarding listen. And I’m not just saying that to impress Jenny.

 

Albumaday... rating: 7/10

 

1.       Go Ahead – 3:34

2.       Science vs. Romance – 5:43

3.       Wires and Waves – 3:17

4.       Pictures of Success – 6:51

5.       August – 3:18

6.       Bulletproof – 1:57

7.       Plane Crash in C – 5:11

8.       Variations on a Theme (Science vs. Romance) – 0:36

9.       Small Figures in a Vast Expanse – 3:19

10.   Don’t Deconstruct – 2:37

11.   Always – 4:00

12.   We’ll Never Sleep (God Knows We’ll Try) – 2:54

13.   Rest of My Life – 2:10

14.   Variations on a Theme (Plane Crash in C) – 1:35

15.   Spectacular Views (Salute MY Shorts!)

 

Listen to ‘Wires and Waves’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlP9Opw8ZHg

30th July - The Strokes' Is This It

Artist – Album: The Strokes – Is This It

Released:  30^th July 2001

Sounds Like: This is it

Is This It was the first game changing record of the 21^st century. It sold bucketloads worldwide, contained three awesome singles and topped most end-of-year - and even end-of-decade - lists. It made it cool again to let your hair grow scruffy and long, to squeeze into a pair of the skinniest, crotch framing jeans possible and to strum away at your electric guitar. It paved the way for the success of The Libertines, Kings of Leon and Franz Ferdinand (admittedly by pilfering quite liberally from the likes of The Velvet Underground, Television and Tom Petty), and single-handedly made alternative rock cool again. Which is not too shabby for a debut.

Some of its success can be put down to the fact that it was brought to us by five good looking, hip New Yoikers, and it certainly helped to have such a celebrated list of influences, but ultimately it did well because it so good in itself. With a selection of songs as good as this it simply couldn’t fail. ‘Last Nite’ is the perfect encapsulation their sound: driving beats, explorative bass, whining guitars and Julian Casablancas’ laidback, cool delivery. Singling out one track over the others doesn’t really do it justice though, as they’re all special: ‘Is This It’, ‘The Modern Age’, ‘Soma’, ‘Someday’, ‘Hard to Explain’ and ‘Take It or Leave It’, they're all great.

Following the abominable terrorist attack by Al Qaeda on the Twin Towers the September after this album’s release, the Officer Krupke-style police bashing ‘New York City Cops’ – featuring the chorus of “New York City cops, they ain’t so smart” – was understandably pulled from the US version of the record. The seismic effect of 9/11 causes me to refrain from calling the album one that changed the world; however, it's impossible to deny the huge impact it had on 21st century popular music.

 

Albumaday... rating: 10/10

 

1.       Is This It – 2:35

2.       The Modern Age – 3:32

3.       Soma – 2:38

4.       Barely Legal – 3:54

5.       Someday – 3:07

6.       Alone, Together – 3:12

7.       Last Nite – 3:18

8.       Hard to Explain – 3:48

9.       New York City Cops – 3:36

10.   Trying Your Luck – 3:28

11.   Take It or Leave It – 3:16

Listen to ‘Trying Your Luck’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzCTobvdsxo

Also released on the 30^th July:

2002: Bruce Springsteen – The Rising

29th July - Teenage Fanclub's Songs from Northern Britain

Artist – Album: Teenage Fanclub – Songs from Northern Britain

Released:  29^th July 1997

Sounds Like: Good enough for Nick Hornby

Teenage Fanclub are hardly ever mentioned when it comes to lists of the great bands of the nineties, or the best Scottish groups, or even the most successful Big Star tribute acts. Which, frankly, I find appalling, as over the length of their near 25 year life they have continuously showcased their innate ability to churn out brilliant pop hooks and gorgeous, Californian harmonies. They’re one of my favourite bands and their power pop orientated, sunny and melodic sound is exactly what I want from most of my music.

That being said, I have to admit that Songs from Northern Britain is not one of my favourite albums. Although it is one of Nick Hornby’s, so if you too are a fan of Arsenal, lad lit and becoming less and less funny with each book you write, then it may be the one for you.

By the time of this, their sixth album, the Fannies had all but eschewed their rocking, electric sound and had favoured the acoustic indie folk part of their game. As a result, this record, although abundant with excellent songs (‘Ain’t That Enough’ particularly is dazzling; it’s no exaggeration to say that I would rank it amongst the greatest love songs of the last 20 years), lacks a bit of an edge. Other bands compensate for their almost-twee sound with humour – a la Belle and Sebastian – or interesting experimentation, like The Magnetic Fields or They Might Be Giants, but neither of those options seem to be in Teenage Fanclub’s repertoire. Instead, we have twelve songs that are about being in love, and not the horny, let’s-pretend-we’re-bunny-rabbits love or the dramatic, I-could-die for-you-love, or even the twisted, I’ll-be-watching-you love, but the comfortable, let’s-have-hot-chocolate-and-snuggle love. Which is just a bit too lovely.

The upshot is that today’s album is stocked full of brilliant songs but ultimately it makes little or no lasting impression on the listener. Nick Hornby aside.

Albumaday... rating: 7/10

1.       Start Again – 3:11

2.       Ain’t That Enough – 3:42

3.       Can’t Feel My Soul – 3:21

4.       I Don’t Want Control of You – 3:08

5.       Planets – 2:50

6.       It’s a Bad World – 4:20

7.       Take the Long Way Round – 3:25

8.       Winter – 3:46

9.       I Don’t Care – 3:06

10.   Mount Everest – 5:15

11.   Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From – 3:29

12.   Speed of Light – 3:53

Listen to ‘Ain’t That Enough’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdeqYx-9-AQ

28th July - R.E.M.'s Lifes Rich Pageant

Artist – Album: R.E.M. – Lifes Rich Pageant

Released:  28^th July 1986

Sounds Like: Classic, political college rock

The contrast between R.E.M.’s early, cultish image and their all conquering status a decade later is startling. Despite each of their albums being granted critical acclaim, when their fourth album was released they were still seen as an underground act. Lifes Rich Pageant, however, stands as one of the first markers to their ascent to eventual global stardom.

Unlike previous releases, the band’s sound was much cleaner and clearer here, and songs like ‘Fall on Me’ and ‘I Believe’ have gorgeous poppy melodies that make them sound like perfect radio fodder. The cover of Cliques ‘Superman’ is as disposable as R.E.M. got at this juncture in their career, although it still remains great. Michael Stipe’s brilliant, unique voice wraps itself around some of his less cryptic set of lyrics (relatively speaking of course), and he, for the most part, is decipherable.

That’s not to say that the guys were selling out for greater commercial success. Stipe’s lyrics have a political bent for the first time, and songs like ‘Cuyahoga’ stand as some of the best environmentally-minded songs ever. ‘The Flowers of Guatemala’ seems to be an indictment of the US-backed military regime in Guatemala in the fifties, whilst ‘Swan Swan H’ is an obtuse examination of the American Civil War. Furthermore, as accessible and enjoyable as the indie folk of this album is, it still diverges unexpectedly at times, never more so than the odd flamenco turn of ‘Just a Touch’.

No, the band didn’t compromise their identity to curry more favour with the record buying public; people just finally started to realise their brilliance.

Albumaday... rating: 8/10

1.       Begin the Begin – 3:28

2.       These Days – 3:24

3.       Fall on Me – 2:50

4.       Cuyahoga – 4:19

5.       Hyena – 2:50

6.       Underneath the Bunker – 1:25

7.       The Flowers of Guatemala – 3:55

8.       I Believe – 3:49

9.       What If We Give It Away? – 3:33

10.   Just a Touch – 3:00

11.   Swan Swan H – 2:42

12.   Superman – 2:52

Listen to ‘Superman’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxQS6lfn0yU

Also released on the 28^th July:

1992: Barenaked Ladies – Gordon

27th July - New York Dolls' New York Dolls

Artist – Album: New York Dolls – New York Dolls

Released:  27^th July 1973

Sounds Like: The Rolling Stones meets the Rocky Horror Picture Show

On the cover to the New York Dolls’ self titled debut album, David Johansen, Johnny Thunders and co gaze back at you, half fascinated and half menacing, and sporting aggressively applied make up and drag. Looking like extras from the Rocky Horror Picture show, they make a startling, campy vision that contains just a hint of danger. The look also just so happens to be a perfectly accurate embodiment of their sound.

Album opener ‘Personality Crisis’ jumps out at you with the full shebang, full of brash guitar riffs, wolf whistles and over exaggerated Mick Jagger-esque vocals. Its decadent glam rock is seen as the best in their oeuvre, and was selected by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 271^st Greatest Song of All Time. Although the tempo does sometimes lessen from the full on assault of ‘Crisis’, the rest of the album continues to rock out on a regular basis. ‘Looking for a Kiss’ is dark R&B, ‘Lonely Planet Boy’ is odd, otherworldly folk, ‘Frankenstein’ is visceral rock and roll and ‘Trash’ is the perfect punk pop song.

It’s thrilling stuff. However, it’s also a lovely and sunny Saturday and so I’m gonna go out now and enjoy my day. See you tomorrow!

Albumaday... rating: 9/10

1.       Personality Crisis – 3:43

2.       Looking for a Kiss – 3:20

3.       Vietnamese Baby – 3:39

4.       Lonely Planet Boy – 4:10

5.       Frankenstein (Orig.) – 6:00

6.       Trash – 3:09

7.       Bad Girl – 3:05

8.       Subway Train – 4:22

9.       Pills – 2:49

10.   Private World – 3:40

11.   Jet Boy – 4:40

Listen to ‘Trash’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1ChUvX8_cE

Also released on the 27^th July:

1993: Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream

Also released on the 27^th July:

1984: Metallica – Ride the Lightning