LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
Awesome. They were one of the best bands of 2018, glad to have them back.
Same, but for me it's the Supergrass reunion at the Wiltern in April.
Probably the most underrated BritPop band.
Sure hope a new album follows, or maybe I just need to start exploring Gaz Coombes's solo material.
Countdown to Ecstasy: great album. They're such a great band, but I really only know Aja and a couple of hits. Donald Fagen's voice is angelic, I love it, and it always floats on top of such clever, intricate, humming production. Fav songs on this album are The Boston Rag (love the dark tone of the chorus), Show Biz Kids (that swagger and bite), My Old School (a great example of their vocals and music just combining so well to create a whole better than its parts, the chorus is fucking delightful) and King of the World (I really love that wormy, quiet guitar line).
I've never heard Fagen's voice as "angelic" since there's a bit of a sly sneer to it, but I do find it very appealing. The Boston Rag has always been a favorite of mine, mainly due to that chorus you mentioned, as well as that lead guitar line and a pretty ripping solo. My Old School is without a doubt on my Steely Dan Rushmore, I love the piano and horns combo (and yet there's still great guitar playing on it), the background singers, and that bitterly nostalgic lyric.
There's really not a bum track on the album. The opener Bodhisattva really tears it up, and reminds me of Grateful Dead at times with the vocal and just the way it shuffles. Pearl of the Quarter is a gorgeous little tune, that keeps the usual Dan irony and cynicism at bay without getting treacly.
I could go on and on, this is my favorite by the band and also in my all-time Top 10 albums. Aja is the more impressive work musically, and Countdown may sound less unique against its classic rock contemporaries, but the sheer variety of styles on it and the catchiness of the tunes just puts it over the top for me.
I'm not as familiar with his pre-Kaputt catalogue as I should be - what are some essential tracks?
Guys...why...why do they keep having Alicia Keys host the Grammys? She is absolutely the worst host I've ever seen of anything ever. She's always so high. She just sits behind a piano and sings about what she sees ala Randy Newman. I just...don't get it.