Re: Best Of 2013
Posted: December 31st, 2013, 10:29 am
Had a chance to listen to a few of the picks today. I'll try not to be as critical as y'all were on my picks, you philistines (sniff)...
Surf, you've obviously the closest taste to mine, with a few crossovers. Didn't like Phosphorescent (liked the vocals, hated the music. When will he ever record an album that sounds like his live performances, where the loops his vocals to create a haunting effect?). Never heard of California X, but their shoegaze sound was pleasant. I should really get that Vampire Weekend album. Their last one didn't really impress me, but everyone's raving about this one, and I've liked what I heard. The QUOTSA song was nice, but I think I'm better off getting their earlier records first. Mikal Cronin intrigued me due to the Ty Segall link. Again, the music was nice but just didn't leap out at me (and I listened to a few more songs from the record). So overall, nothing I hated, a lot that didn't grab me, but at worst it was all decent.
Leetsu, Grouplove are a strange blend of pretty much every guitar act of the 90s, from grunge to indie to Wheatus-like pop. My favourite was Raspberry, but only because it reminded me of the Pixies. Elsewhere, I really liked the Bo Ningen tune, it rocked my world, and I know The Drones but didn't realise they had a new record out. Liked that a lot too.
Brock, oh Brock, we do come from different universes, don't we? What you see as weird I see as exciting and innovative, and what you see as good I see as tired, familiar, and a little insincere. All perceptions, of course, not absolutes. I admit I didn't listen to everything. I despise Jared Leto's band, and John Mayer bored me. However, I do like The National (even though I think their new record is their weakest), and found some of The White Buffalo stuff to be nice. So it's not completely mutually exclusive.
John, your selection sent me deep into an existential crises about who I am and what I know. What the hell is Alt-country? If Steve Earle is it, then how does one distinguish between mainstream and alt? I don't even remember my name anymore!
After a breather I actually listened to the tracks. Again, nothing blew me away but perhaps that's because I haven't been in a country mood as of late. What I did appreciate is the variety on offer in those three tracks, Pocket Full of Rain being the one I enjoyed the most.
Surf, you've obviously the closest taste to mine, with a few crossovers. Didn't like Phosphorescent (liked the vocals, hated the music. When will he ever record an album that sounds like his live performances, where the loops his vocals to create a haunting effect?). Never heard of California X, but their shoegaze sound was pleasant. I should really get that Vampire Weekend album. Their last one didn't really impress me, but everyone's raving about this one, and I've liked what I heard. The QUOTSA song was nice, but I think I'm better off getting their earlier records first. Mikal Cronin intrigued me due to the Ty Segall link. Again, the music was nice but just didn't leap out at me (and I listened to a few more songs from the record). So overall, nothing I hated, a lot that didn't grab me, but at worst it was all decent.
Leetsu, Grouplove are a strange blend of pretty much every guitar act of the 90s, from grunge to indie to Wheatus-like pop. My favourite was Raspberry, but only because it reminded me of the Pixies. Elsewhere, I really liked the Bo Ningen tune, it rocked my world, and I know The Drones but didn't realise they had a new record out. Liked that a lot too.
Brock, oh Brock, we do come from different universes, don't we? What you see as weird I see as exciting and innovative, and what you see as good I see as tired, familiar, and a little insincere. All perceptions, of course, not absolutes. I admit I didn't listen to everything. I despise Jared Leto's band, and John Mayer bored me. However, I do like The National (even though I think their new record is their weakest), and found some of The White Buffalo stuff to be nice. So it's not completely mutually exclusive.
John, your selection sent me deep into an existential crises about who I am and what I know. What the hell is Alt-country? If Steve Earle is it, then how does one distinguish between mainstream and alt? I don't even remember my name anymore!
After a breather I actually listened to the tracks. Again, nothing blew me away but perhaps that's because I haven't been in a country mood as of late. What I did appreciate is the variety on offer in those three tracks, Pocket Full of Rain being the one I enjoyed the most.