Random Music Talk CXXIX: Gump attends a concert

[LemonMelon]

Evermore is fine. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, and there's nothing in it I haven't heard a hundred times before, but Taylor brought some of her better songwriting to the table. I like it slightly more than Folklore but less than Fearless, Speak Now or Red. Indie-courting Taylor is not as interesting to me as country Taylor.

Planet Her is a hot mess with a handful of highlights. Kiss Me More is great, of course.

The Bieber album is slightly better than the last one but is still incredibly weak. He samples an MLK speech on it and it comes off about as well as one would expect.

Happier Than Ever is either my second or third favorite in the group; it has an interesting narrative throughline and good production. Still, the highlights aren't that high. It's a nice album but I think she's capable of more.

Montero is a modern pop product with a unique point of view to carry it. Some songs are inspired, many are filler. I didn't dislike it but nothing blew me away and sometimes it felt like he was going through the motions to pad the album. Probably worth a listen if you want to catch up on what radio pop sounds like in 2021 but it's slightly disappointing.

Sour is a worthy AOTY pick because of its impact but I don't enjoy it all the way through. It gets redundant because Olivia has nothing to say about her breakup that couldn't be said in 3 songs but I like her voice and the highlights are excellent. It's a quality work of creative expression that happened to catch on with the public. That's a great thing. But it would have been better as an EP.

Didn't listen to HER, Gaga/Bennett or Jon Batiste. Do not care at all.

So that leaves Donda, which for me is by far the most raw, insightful and interesting work that I've heard from this group of albums. The level of talent involved is off the charts with excellent features that bring the best out of everyone involved a la MBDTF. There's an impressive level of polish to the production, though the listener is really required to craft their own sequencing in order to bring the polish out of the whole experience. I have my own personal version of the album that I absolutely love.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4...i=h4AuIWeMTqesY5q2U9HoBQ&utm_source=copy-link

Kanye is one of the only truly mainstream artists putting their entire life, external and internal, into their music in such a transparent way. Never Abandon Your Family? Come to Life? Hurricane? Moon? Life of the Party? Heartbreaking. Andre 3000 has the best verse I've heard all year. Fivio on Off the Grid is not far behind. And Kanye himself on Come to Life is about as good as I've ever heard him.

Not that any of this matters to the public because he's persona non grata at this point, but as someone who loves music, particularly music that reveals something new about an artist in a creative way, Donda is really something special and worth the time. It's a shame that the troll tactics were brought out to sell the record because it's super heartfelt and inoffensive outside of one track that didn't need to be on there anyway and isn't on my tracklisting.

Rating what I've heard:

Donda 8.5
Evermore 7.5
Happier Than Ever 7.5
Sour 6
Montero 6
Planet Her 5
Justice 4.5

 

[bono_212]

It's really unfortunate, but your last point gets to the heart of it: For a lot of people, myself included, it's too late. He destroyed his career/legacy and the likelihood of me ever listening to another one of his albums, let alone even really getting as much enjoyment out of his old ones to the point I used to, is long gone. I would be extremely disappointed if he won.

 

[cobl04]

I'm surprised every year that people care about the Grammys.

 

[phanan]

It's really unfortunate, but your last point gets to the heart of it: For a lot of people, myself included, it's too late. He destroyed his career/legacy and the likelihood of me ever listening to another one of his albums, let alone even really getting as much enjoyment out of his old ones to the point I used to, is long gone. I would be extremely disappointed if he won.

Totally agree.

 

[bono_212]

I'm surprised every year that people care about the Grammys.

Care is a strong word. I'm still going to talk about it, good/bad, it's the moment that artists in a field I care a great deal get recognized/overlooked. It's worth discussing.

 

[LemonMelon]

I'm surprised every year that people care about the Grammys.

I'm surprised they gave Donda a look at all, considering their choices are usually contingent on public image and/or respectability, of which Kanye currently has none. Judging purely by artistic merit though, it would be a great choice.

 

[cobl04]

I get why it's a discussion topic for sure, it's a huge thing. I guess I more mean I'm surprised people put stock in them. They're about as far away a recognition of quality for an album as I can think of.

 

[LemonMelon]

Japanese Breakfast winning a Grammy would be fucking cool, not gonna lie.

 

[Hewson]

Japanese Breakfast winning a Grammy would be fucking cool, not gonna lie.

As would Wolfgang Van Halen winning one.

 

[bono_212]

I get why it's a discussion topic for sure, it's a huge thing. I guess I more mean I'm surprised people put stock in them. They're about as far away a recognition of quality for an album as I can think of.

Because a moment like Arcade Fire winning album of the year is worth waiting for .

 

[lazarus]

They're about as far away a recognition of quality for an album as I can think of.

This is reductive, and implies their picks represent the worst of the year instead of the best. Just making a survey of their AOTY picks from this century, there's a pretty wide range of what they award. Sometimes you get a career win, sometimes it's a young ingenue who dominated pop culture, and sometimes they refreshingly go outside the pop/rock bubble to something from jazz, country, hip-hop, and even electronica in the case of Daft Punk. And at least they have a long history of recognizing women, even if it's primarily white ones. If you look at the last 3 years alone, you have Kasey Musgraves, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift. Are those albums the absolute best of the year? They're certainly in the conversation.

You can't act like every year they're doing a Bruno Mars or Beck headscratcher. And one has to acknowledge that every year can't be some display of Gen Z relevance. It doesn't bother me that Herbie Hancock won for an album of Joni Mitchell covers, because that's part of the wide breadth of genres that this award should encompass. Same with Robert Plant & Alison Kraus. Now the Ray Charles collabs album, yes, that's a weak-ass win. Or the O Brother soundtrack with various artists beating U2 and Bob Dylan.

For me, I suppose the problem is more about a lot of crap getting nominated than the actual winners.

 

[lazarus]

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden is doing a tour that's basically monologuing and telling stories and I feel like this might be a great fucking show, and tickets are only $40.

Bruce Dickinson is considered one of the world’s most storied musicians. Aside from decades spent delivering high-octane performances with his larger-than-life persona in IRON MAIDEN, Bruce has lived an extraordinary off-stage existence too.

A true polymath, his accomplishments include: pilot and airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, beer brewer, motivational speaker, podcaster, film scriptwriter, twice-published novelist and New York Times Top 10 best-selling author, radio presenter, TV actor, sports commentator and international fencer… to name but a few.

So, there’s plenty to be entertained by, throughout the evening’s cornucopia of fascinating tales and derring-do exploits, all delivered by Bruce with characteristically infectious enthusiasm and wry wit.

Split into two parts, the first section of the show sees Bruce taking a humorous and often satirical look at the world from his own very personal perspective, treating the audience to private insights into his drive and ambition, peppered with plenty of Maiden anecdotes, and a myriad of other experiences encompassing not just the giddy heights but also the extreme lows, told first-hand in his inimitable anarchic style, punctuated with photographs and sometimes even erupting into song a-capella, to illustrate a point.

The final section of the evening is devoted entirely to a Q&A session, with the opportunity to pose questions on any subject whatsoever. As Bruce’s answers will all be completely improvised – the more left-field and quirky the question, the more interesting and compelling the response is likely to be!

 

[bono_212]

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden is doing a tour that's basically monologuing and telling stories and I feel like this might be a great fucking show, and tickets are only $40.

Bruce Dickinson is considered one of the world’s most storied musicians. Aside from decades spent delivering high-octane performances with his larger-than-life persona in IRON MAIDEN, Bruce has lived an extraordinary off-stage existence too.

A true polymath, his accomplishments include: pilot and airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, beer brewer, motivational speaker, podcaster, film scriptwriter, twice-published novelist and New York Times Top 10 best-selling author, radio presenter, TV actor, sports commentator and international fencer… to name but a few.

So, there’s plenty to be entertained by, throughout the evening’s cornucopia of fascinating tales and derring-do exploits, all delivered by Bruce with characteristically infectious enthusiasm and wry wit.

Split into two parts, the first section of the show sees Bruce taking a humorous and often satirical look at the world from his own very personal perspective, treating the audience to private insights into his drive and ambition, peppered with plenty of Maiden anecdotes, and a myriad of other experiences encompassing not just the giddy heights but also the extreme lows, told first-hand in his inimitable anarchic style, punctuated with photographs and sometimes even erupting into song a-capella, to illustrate a point.

The final section of the evening is devoted entirely to a Q&A session, with the opportunity to pose questions on any subject whatsoever. As Bruce’s answers will all be completely improvised – the more left-field and quirky the question, the more interesting and compelling the response is likely to be!

You should absolutely go. Colin Hay is one of my all-time favorite live acts because of his story-telling between songs.

 

[HeartlandGirl]

FWIW, I decided to check out the Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett album while doing chores. It’s not a genre I listen to much, but I think it’s well done and worth a spin.

 

[mikal]

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden is doing a tour that's basically monologuing and telling stories and I feel like this might be a great fucking show, and tickets are only $40.

Bruce Dickinson is considered one of the world’s most storied musicians. Aside from decades spent delivering high-octane performances with his larger-than-life persona in IRON MAIDEN, Bruce has lived an extraordinary off-stage existence too.

A true polymath, his accomplishments include: pilot and airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, beer brewer, motivational speaker, podcaster, film scriptwriter, twice-published novelist and New York Times Top 10 best-selling author, radio presenter, TV actor, sports commentator and international fencer… to name but a few.

So, there’s plenty to be entertained by, throughout the evening’s cornucopia of fascinating tales and derring-do exploits, all delivered by Bruce with characteristically infectious enthusiasm and wry wit.

Split into two parts, the first section of the show sees Bruce taking a humorous and often satirical look at the world from his own very personal perspective, treating the audience to private insights into his drive and ambition, peppered with plenty of Maiden anecdotes, and a myriad of other experiences encompassing not just the giddy heights but also the extreme lows, told first-hand in his inimitable anarchic style, punctuated with photographs and sometimes even erupting into song a-capella, to illustrate a point.

The final section of the evening is devoted entirely to a Q&A session, with the opportunity to pose questions on any subject whatsoever. As Bruce’s answers will all be completely improvised – the more left-field and quirky the question, the more interesting and compelling the response is likely to be!

That does sound really cool!

 

[DaveC]

everybody needs to see Thundercat live goddam [emoji41]

 

[cobl04]

He is phenomenal. So talented. I don't love his solo records, but never pass up the opportunity to see him live.

 

[DaveC]

yeah, he was unreal. i had tickets to his show in march 2020 that was scheduled for 4 days after everything shut down, and then it got rescheduled for this november and then that got pushed back again. so i effectively waited 20 months for this show and holy shit was it ever worth the wait.

the crowd seemed a little flat and unfamiliar with most of his music but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. there was no opener (apparently because of border issues), so he just went out and played a full 2.5 hour 24 song set with no intermission or encore. plenty of jaw-dropping holy shit how the hell did he do that moments. it was the last show of the tour and he really left it all out there. it was amazing. all of you need to go see him the next time you have a chance.

 

[cobl04]

Listening to Pitchfork's 100 songs of the year playlist... the two standouts I didn't already know so far are La Perla by Sofia Kourtesis and Mohabbat by Arooj Aftab. I really need to branch out.

 

[LemonMelon]

The Arooj Aftab album is very good and worth your time. I only just got around to it a few weeks ago.

 

[HeartlandGirl]

Listening to Pitchfork's 100 songs of the year playlist... the two standouts I didn't already know so far are La Perla by Sofia Kourtesis and Mohabbat by Arooj Aftab. I really need to branch out.

I've been listening to Sofia Kourtesis for awhile now. Any song you can find by her will be worth your time. So good.

I'm also making my way through the Pitchfork playlist. Peggy Gou has been my favorite new discovery so far.

 

[iron yuppie]

I'll add to the love for the Sofia Kourtesis EP - really strong across all six tracks. The Arooj Aftab record is great as well. Last Night is an especially stunning track.

 

[gump]

Dropping by with some Brazilian music recommendations as I've just returned from 3 weeks there.

Rodrigo Amarante, a member of Brazilian indie stalwarts Los Hermanos, just released a beautiful album full of MPB, chamber pop and jazz influences that is worth checking out. It's called Drama. Here's my favorite song:



On older stuff, I'm not sure if I ever recommended Legião Urbana here. They are probably the best Brazilian rock band of the 1980s, alternating between post punk and jangle pop, very Smiths influenced. They sometimes make me think of TUF era U2 as well. Pretty sure iron yuppie would like them. Dois, their second album, is a beauty, one of my favorite Brazilian albums post-1970s. They are from Brasilia at a time when that town was a musical desert. Lead singer Renato Russo died way too young; he was a brilliant and charismatic lyricist. Here's one of the best songs off that album:

 

[cobl04]

Hello Dan, it's Joe here
I hope you're keepin' well
It's the 21st of December
And now they're ringin' the last bells
If I get good behaviour, I'll be outta here by July
Won't you kiss my kids on Christmas Day
Please don't let 'em cry for me

I guess the brothers are drivin' down from Queensland
And Stella's flyin' in from the coast
They say it's gonna be 100 degrees, even more maybe
But that won't stop the roast
Who's gonna make the gravy, now?
I bet it won't taste the same
Just add flour, salt, a little red wine, don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for that sweetness and extra tang

And give my love to Angus
And to Frank and Dolly
Tell 'em all I'm sorry
I screwed up this time
And look after Rita, I'll be thinkin' of her
Early Christmas morning
When I'm standin' in line

I hear Mary's got a new boyfriend, I hope he can hold his own
Do you remember the last one - what was his name again?
Just a little too much cologne
And Roger, you know I'm even gonna miss Roger
Cos there's sure as hell no one in here I wanna fight

Oh pray to baby Jesus, have a Merry Christmas
I'm really gonna miss it, all the treasure and the trash
Later in the evening, I can just imagine
You'll put on Junior Murvin
And push those tables back
And you'll dance with Rita, I know you really like her
Just don't hold her too close oh brother please don't stab me in the back
I didn't mean to say that - it's just my mind it plays up
Multiplies these matters, turns imagination into fact
You know I love her badly, she's the one to save me
I'm gonna make so gravy
I'm gonna taste the fat
Oh tell her that I'm sorry
Yeah I love her badly
Tell 'em all I'm sorry
And kiss the sleeping children for me
You know one of these days I'll be making gravy
I'll be making plenty
I'm gonna pay 'em all back
Yeah

 

[GirlsAloudFan]

Hello Dan, it's Joe here
I hope you're keepin' well
It's the 21st of December
And now they're ringin' the last bells
If I get good behaviour, I'll be outta here by July
Won't you kiss my kids on Christmas Day
Please don't let 'em cry for me

I guess the brothers are drivin' down from Queensland
And Stella's flyin' in from the coast
They say it's gonna be 100 degrees, even more maybe
But that won't stop the roast
Who's gonna make the gravy, now?
I bet it won't taste the same
Just add flour, salt, a little red wine, don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for that sweetness and extra tang

And give my love to Angus
And to Frank and Dolly
Tell 'em all I'm sorry
I screwed up this time
And look after Rita, I'll be thinkin' of her
Early Christmas morning
When I'm standin' in line

I hear Mary's got a new boyfriend, I hope he can hold his own
Do you remember the last one - what was his name again?
Just a little too much cologne
And Roger, you know I'm even gonna miss Roger
Cos there's sure as hell no one in here I wanna fight

Oh pray to baby Jesus, have a Merry Christmas
I'm really gonna miss it, all the treasure and the trash
Later in the evening, I can just imagine
You'll put on Junior Murvin
And push those tables back
And you'll dance with Rita, I know you really like her
Just don't hold her too close oh brother please don't stab me in the back
I didn't mean to say that - it's just my mind it plays up
Multiplies these matters, turns imagination into fact
You know I love her badly, she's the one to save me
I'm gonna make so gravy
I'm gonna taste the fat
Oh tell her that I'm sorry
Yeah I love her badly
Tell 'em all I'm sorry
And kiss the sleeping children for me
You know one of these days I'll be making gravy
I'll be making plenty
I'm gonna pay 'em all back
Yeah

 

[lazarus]

Reads like bargain bin Springsteen tbh.

 

[cobl04]

I'll add to the love for the Sofia Kourtesis EP - really strong across all six tracks. The Arooj Aftab record is great as well. Last Night is an especially stunning track.

I've been listening to Sofia Kourtesis for awhile now. Any song you can find by her will be worth your time. So good.

I'm also making my way through the Pitchfork playlist. Peggy Gou has been my favorite new discovery so far.

the Sofia Kourtesis EP was fantastic, great recommendation. I also really enjoyed Vulture Prince; Saans Lo kind of reminds me a bit of early Sun Kil Moon or Red House Painters. Terrific album.

 

[U2inUtah]

Christmas came early for Laz

“Coldplay to stop making music”

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59766719.amp

 

[LuckyNumber7]

As self aware and humble as they seem when you read between the lines.

 

[U2inUtah]

Would be the equivalent to U2 saying in 2002, Bomb will be our last album, and then we’ll just tour after that.

That may have not been such a bad thing.