Here’s an update on all the new albums I’ve picked up in the last while AFTER I’ve had a few listens. Short and sweet reviews in some cases as…there’s just so much to write!
The Colour and The Shape – Foo Fighters
10 years later, this is the first time I’ve ever heard this album. I’m just starting to get into Foo Fighters and I’ve realized I’ve missed out in the past decade. This album was remastered (read: loudened) and bonus tracks have been added. It’s a killer album with those great singles you all love – Monkeywrench, My Hero, Everlong…classic staples of alternative airwaves in the 90s. Two thumbs up and the cover of Baker Street is beautiful. If you don’t have this in your collection, do yourself the favour.
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace – Foo Fighters
Not to be outdone by an album they released a decade ago, Foo Fighters have released the follow-up to In Your Honour (which was a double album – one album hard, one soft). They’ve taken the elements of hard and soft and applied them to a slew of tracks on this new release. Essentially, Foo Fighters have built the album I’ve always wanted to create. I love the dynamic of hard and soft within the same song. The entire album is great…no filler tracks here. There’s even an acoustic song that has Mike drooling at the mouth for its great solo. Highly recommend this album for rock fans.
Amnesiac – Radiohead
Seeing that it’s the fall, I picked up a Radiohead album. This is the follow-up/brother of Kid A which is the beginning of Radiohead’s ventures into ‘other than guitar’ rock. Imagine yourself with digital instruments in front of you and being asked to create some music. That’s what Radiohead have done. Upon the first few listens, I believe I like Kid A better than this album. There are some great tracks like Knives Out but overall, I don’t think I will be listening to this one all too much. Time will tell.
O – Damien Rice
I picked this album up after hearing him perform before the Pumpkins took the stage at the Osheaga Festival. I liked what I heard from 100 meters away. Damien Rice is chock full of acoustic goodness along with some cello. I listened to this a few times while studying this weekend and it put me in a good mood. Very low key but very cool also. He has the power of song on his side. Plus, he can really rock the dynamic of soft/loud…take a listen to the hidden track Prague for an example. It starts out with something that sounds like he is in some empty bathroom in Amsterdam and then ascends into chaotic madness of your brain literally melting…then it tones back down. BEAUTIFUL! If you like low key players like Jack Johnson, please give Damien Rice a chance.
Into The Wild – Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder’s solo album which is the soundtrack for his good buddy Sean Penn’s new film – Into the Wild. Dealing with the story of a man who left society to live in the wild, the soundtrack encapsulates that feeling of loneliness and utter silence around you in the woods. I have yet to see the film, but can only imagine watching it with this great soundtrack. What a great time to release this album…a walk around the block in the cold chill of the night is perfect time to listen to this album. In fact, there were a few times this week that I left the house for that sole reason. Just to walk out in the darkness and the gripping cold on my breath. A low key album with acoustic tunes thrown about but with the booming voice of Eddie Vedder. Some of the tracks clock in at a minute long as they are used as filler music for the soundtrack but it doesn’t make them any less spectacular. Highly recommended.
The Limitless Potential
This was the remixed tracks of Nine Inch Nails that I was talking about last month. I have given it a few listens and while all the tracks are pretty great, I must admit that more variety is needed. Most of the tracks are a remix of the single off of Year Zero – Survivalism. It gets tiring listening to 30 tracks where half of them are the same song, but remixed. I would recommend downloading this album (as you can’t get it in the stores) and picking your favourite tracks to listen to. Also, stay tuned for an official release from Nine Inch Nails in the form of a Year Zero remix album called Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D. For those of you in the know, you’ll know how to read this.
The Best of What’s Around – Dave Matthews Band
I ordered the Dave Matthews greatest hits album off their website awhile ago because it offered a bonus disc which had the longest live track in their repertoire which was recorded here in Ottawa! I figured I needed it if I were going to get into the Dave Matthews Band so I ordered it. Of course, if you’re a fan of Dave Matthews, then this album is naturally a favourite as it is a greatest hits album. I enjoy it. It was a good introduction to the Dave Matthews Band. It was different than I expected as I had only heard acoustic renditions played or heard live tracks (such as Cortez The Killer). There is so much for to the band than a man and his acoustic guitar. This will tempt me to pick up one of their other albums but I don’t know if I’m sold completely on the band yet, although I know everyone and their dog love them. I have the same feelings for The Tragically Hip. I enjoy their music, but not to a point of fanaticism.