"All I want in life's a little bit of love to take the pain away..." What a great opening refrain (and a concise summary of the overarching theme of most pop/rock music). I think this was the first Spiritualized album I got, and it is still my overall favorite of theirs. The first six tracks are solid as hell ("I Think I'm in Love", "Stay With Me", and "Electricity" being my favorites).
It's not until the scond half of the album that the band gets a little too caught up in songs that dissolve into "noise" (AKA "a test of the listener's patience and endurance"). Over the years, I find myself typically skipping through "The Individual", "No God Only Religion", and the last 9 minutes or so of "Cop Shoot Cop..." (The first 8 minutes of that last song, however, are totally awesome. )
Uncle Eric's Doppler 2000 Album Accu-Rating: 4.1
Lambchop: Is a Woman
Lambchop is a funny little big band. I think I first heard them as the backing musicians on Vic Chesnutt's The Salesman and Bernadette, which remains my favorite of his albums (May he R.I.P.). I went through a phase in the early 2000's during which I listened to Nixon and Is a Woman quite a bit, too. I didn't really sour on them, but I have to admit I haven't pulled either of these albums out in several years. It was fun to re-visit. At his best on this album, Kurt Wagner's songs remind me of Mr. Chesnutt: sad and funny at the same time, keenly observant but also impressionistic, and full of fun words/ phrases like "waggle" and "weird porno philosophy". He also seems to have gone to the same school of singing: His voice is an acquired taste, and his vocal phrasing is often odd but charming.
The musicianship here is impressive, too. I especially dig the use of vibes on several songs. However, the tracks on Like a Woman seem to blend a little too easily into one long, sleepy, hushed haze to me. At times, this reminds me of "hipster lounge"...Nothing is too offensive (musically, not lyrically), and the music feels almost intentionally restrained. I wish there were a few more numbers like "D. Scott Parsley" with its discernable drum beat and even a hint at a little funk guitar.
A good album for a quiet autumn afternoon, but one I definitely have to be in the right mood for. The older I get, the less often I enjoy listening to slow, mellow, melancholy music...I crave a good beat, a little boom-diggity, and I'm not ashamed to say it.
Uncle Eric's Storm-Tracker Precision Album Rating: 3.8
A pretty close one, but Spiritualized takes it.
RIP Vic...I think you did right on this one...Lambchop is something to eat...The world shall know of your love for the boom-diggity
ReplyDeleteHmmm, guess I saw this coming. I wonder if I chose the wrong Lambchop album. Maybe Damaged or Ohio could have taken it. Awww well...
ReplyDeleteOne more thing Eric, I want you to know you knocked out what Allmusic guide describes as "arguably the most consistently brilliant and unique American group to emerge during the 1990s" Boo-ya. And another thing, now you have to chose between Legend and Time Out of Mind. But seriously, take your time. We gotta wait for everyone else to catch up.
ReplyDeleteI have read that same All Music bio of the band, and well, you know, whatever. I like them and all, but they just couldn't overtake the Brits in this instance. I did feel badly knocking them out...Know that it was an earnest call and not done out of spite.
ReplyDeleteAs for my favorite American group to emerge during the 1990s...Hmmm? The White Stripes, I think. Beck? (He's not really a group.) I'm trying to think of a good hip-hop act, but most of the keepers were already doin' stuff in the late 80s...A lot of the later 90s stuff starts going down hill, I think. Anyone else have a pick?
Also, Time Out of Mind is one of my own picks...Is that OK at this point in the Death Match?
ReplyDeleteit is the correct choice
ReplyDeletelampchop good but ultimately a little weird
Shoot. No, I probably shouldn't let you have it. Thanks for letting me know. I'll give you a new choice once these hosers get their picks in.
ReplyDelete