Latest Music Purchases.

Chat about stuff other than Transformers.
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Skyquake87
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by Skyquake87 »

The B-52s are AMAZING. One of the greatest bands ever in the world ever. I love their 'Mesopotamia' and 'Whammy' albums, still to track down their first one, so thanks for the nod! Found some amusing mash-ups with them and Slayer and Slipknot on YouTube, which work better than they should (Search 'Raining Lobsters' and 'Slipshack')

I quite like Metallica's black album, but it does feel out of place in the context of grunge (which is metal, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!). A bit like a lot of more traditional sounding metal did at the time. It's good, but very much feels apart from everything. Much like Extreme's 'Pornographitti' and Ugly Kid Joe's 'America's Least Wanted'.
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Skyquake87
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by Skyquake87 »

Music!

Amaranthe - 'Helix' (2018)
Bombastic orchestral metal with three different singers! Although I can't tell the two fellas apart, as they're both of the shouty/ growly type. It's very grandiose and sweeping, yet pulverising and stabby at the same time. I like it, but then I listen to a lot of this sort of stuff nowadays.

The Birthday Massacre - 'Under Your Spell' (2017)
More glacial goth synths turned up to 11. Love it! And they're from Canada. Who knew Canada had goths? Not me, that's for sure.

Burning Witches - 'Dance With The Devil' (2020)
Awesome pounding metal, full of nods to being dead and devilry. Not big on originality, but enormous fun. A big black magic romp.

Code Orange - 'Underoath' (2020)
Interesting fusion of industrial clankings and hardcore brutality. A neat step up and away from their last one, which was a like listening to a punch in the face. This one is like being bunched in the face with a gauntlet with diamonds in the knuckles.

Derange - 'The Awakening' (2015)
Harsh sounding goth/punk/hardcore/metal stuff that the UK does so well. Found out about these through a free CD of their output that came free with Metal Hammer last year, and found this a jolly good listen.
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Skyquake87
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by Skyquake87 »

I have been listening to things. These are the ones I've got around to buying!

In This Moment 'Mother' (2020)
ITM dial it back a bit on this one, giving us a more consistent record. I liked 'Ritual', but am struggling to name a song off it. This one is like a big bowl of crunchy metallic cornflakes that don't go soggy with the milk. The two covers are there, (Queen's 'We Will Rock You' with Lizzy Halestorm and Taylor Momsen and Mazzy Star's 'Into Dust') but don't need to be as ITMs own stuff is good enough, thanks.

The Lovely Eggs 'I Am Moron' (2020)
I've really got into their whimsical indie punk, thanks to Marc Riley's really rather good 6 Music radio programme. My favourites off this are 'You Can Go Now' (appropriate for our times), 'Insect Repellent' and 'Still Second Rate'. Lovely stuff. I like the weird wibbly cartoon artwork too.

Future Of The Left 'The Peace & Truth Of' (2016)
I lost track of this lot after the undercooked 'How To Stop Your Brain In An Emergency'. Having been to see the reformed Mclusky (which made me so happy) last year reminded me I should see what Andrew Falkous' other band were up to. Or one of his other bands, anyway. I forget what the other is. Something about Christians. But not The Christians *shudders* ANYWAY. This is back to the grinding acerbic stabs of wit I loved so much about FOTLs earlier stuffs - highlighted as much by 'back when I was brilliant' and 'proper music' - that I've nearly worn this out since buying it just yesterday.

The Pretty Reckless 'Who Are You Selling For' (2016)
Dunno how I missed this one, because I love the Pretty Reckless. I think this might be my favourite album of theirs. I loved that it taps much more heavily into the blues/ country hinted at under the frenetic blasts of their last two albums. This one's much slower and gives Momsen's cracked drawl plenty of space to shine. Do cracked things shine? I've no idea. All the slow stuff from the back of the album is pure gold - the title track, 'Bedroom Window', 'Living In The Storm' and a list of other song titles.

...maybe James Acaster is right and 2016 is the best year for music. Or it just seems like that because the world's kind of been in a mess since then.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by HeavyArms »

Weird Al Yankovic - Mandatory Fun - Probably the first Professionally produced album I've bough in years and it was a fun as I had hoped.
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Skyquake87
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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Alright, been a while, but here's what's been making my ears bleed for the back end of 2020 and beyond.

Delain 'Apocalypse & Chill' (2020), Ad Inifinitum 'Chapter I: Monarchy' (2020), Beyond The Black 'Horizons' (2020)
God but I love orchestral metal. It's so loud and fast and a tiny bit silly. These three all do pretty much the same thing and it's great. Delain had the standout record for the genre for me last year. There's a bit more light, shade and nuance to the bombast with them. Great stuff!

Wire 'Mind Hive' (2020)
I am quite cheered that Wire are still about. Always one of the greatest post-punk bands, doing something a bit off kilter and bleak. Kind of like a windswept Joy Division, minus the suicide (obviously). Most of this record was all over 6Music like a pox last year, and it with good reason. It's fantastic. Lovely dark, clattery cinemascopes.

A.A. Williams 'Forever Blue' (2020)
Fatalistic folk which is nice and dark and twisty. Good to listen to when it's cold and miserable and dark outside, and you're inside with candles and green tea. Er, probably.

Puscifier 'Existential Reckoning' (2020)
Part electro, part industrial synth pop. One of those annoying albums that starts off strong, then sort of peters out. Stupid Peter.

Roisin Murphy 'Roisin Machine' (2020)
Fantastically slutty disco. Probably the best disco record since that one of Donna Summer's I've got that has 'Bad Girls' on. Can't remember what's called, but it's right good and so is this.

Scarlet 'Obey The Queen' (2020)
Brash 'f**k you' bubblegum metal that pulls your hair (yours, not mine. I'm bald) and kicks you in the balls.

A Certain Ratio 'ACR Loco' (2020)
Excellent punk-funk. Another genre that can tip into everyone sounding like Gang Of Four (hello Radio 4), but A Certain Ratio smooth out the abrassiveness with some sleeker lines. I'd love a remix album of this; it's just primed and ready for the dancefloor. Sigh. Dancefloors. I remember those.

Oceans Of Slumber 'Oceans Of Slumber' (2020)
Slightly more commercial sounding outing from the progressive sludge metallers. Not a bad thing, as it gives Cammie Gilbert's sublime vocals more chance to show off. Less impressive is the pointless cover of Type O's 'Wolf Moon'.

Lady Gaga 'Chromatica' (2020)
After a few interesting diversions, Lady Gaga restakes her claim to the pop throne with this full throated dance pop work out. It's a grand record, but a bit of a step back in some ways.

Myrkur 'Folkesance' (2020)
Daylight hours black folk outing for Myrkur. Nice.

Paradise Lost 'Obsidian' (2020)
More Yorkshire miserablism from the lads. Basically this guy set to music:
https://youtu.be/OFCdWgFziN4

Dua Lipa 'Future Nostalgia' (2020) 2CD fancy edition
Marvellous and rightly celebrated pop album, here enhanced with a pile of excellent remixes and bonus tracks.

Working Men's Club 'WMC' (2020)
Neat disco-punk debut. Stand out is 'John Cooper Clarke'. Check it!

Haim 'Women In Music Part III' (2020)
Another slice of sunny 'Tusk' era Fleetwood Mac. Did well at the Grammys, but not quite as lively and distinctive as their last two outings.

It's 2021 now and we're getting vaccinated... oh, no wait, there's a kerfuffle with EU. Sigh. Anyway, ahead of some potential excitement being allowed back outside to avoid people in the street, I've been listening to (so far):

The Pretty Reckless 'Death By Rock 'N' Roll' (2021)
After the more country-fried efforts on their last one, TPR go back to kicking out the jams on their fourth one. Another consistently excellent record, but not really doing much to push their sound on like the third one did. Who cares though, when you rock out as well as these guys? Also comes with naked picture of Taylor Momsen, if that's your thing.

Zara Larsson 'Poster Girl' (2021)
Charming cracked voice modern pop. Good work from start to finish. Nice.

Epica 'Omega' (2021)
Another overwrought explosion of orchestral kitchen sinks from Epica. Of more interest are the acapella and acoustic versions on the second disc of the fancy book-box release I got.

Architects 'For Those That Wish To Exist' (2021)
I've always felt I should try harder with Architects. I have 'Daybreaker', but couldn't quite get into their modern mathrock metalcore. It made me feel old. A bit like listening to Asking Alexandria. Anyway, they're now massive and filling out arenas and, as such, this one sounds a bit more accessible to me. And I love it.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by Denyer »

It was a relatively quiet year for music, personally. Rather more podcasts and toys.

Billie Joe Armstrong - No Fun Mondays
https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/billi ... ew-2823432

One of those covers records that reminds you we're of a generation with the bands we grew up alongside. I Think We're Alone Now, Manic Monday, Whole Wide World and A New England all connect particularly strongly, but the rest are interesting picks too and a pleasant listen.

The Wildhearts - 30 Year Itch
https://www.loudersound.com/news/the-wi ... till-alive

A nice accompaniment to Never Outdrunk, Never Outsung (also a great live album) spanning their career and including some belters from recent album Renaissance Men that prove the band were on top form in 2019.

According to Amazon/eBay as well as back catalogue items I also got the official release of the Cradle of Filth Live At Dynamo Open Air 1997 bootleg, Emma Blackery's Villains, the Eurovision 2020 tribute album, and Green Day's Father of All pre-lockdown.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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Denyer wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 2:02 am The Wildhearts - 30 Year Itch
https://www.loudersound.com/news/the-wi ... till-alive

A nice accompaniment to Never Outdrunk, Never Outsung (also a great live album) spanning their career and including some belters from recent album Renaissance Men that prove the band were on top form in 2019.
I love the album but find the mix on it a bit strange in places, the crowd seems awfully quiet in parts for a Wildhearts crowd and bits of the call and response seem awfully muted. Cracking album though and really makes me look forward to seeing them again (hopefully) in September!

I recently picked up The Crow Soundtrack on vinyl and it's every bit as good as I remember it being. Was nice to actually a)buy some new music (Spotify has ruined us all) and b) listen to something with all the imperfections, pops and whistles that only a vinyl can deliver.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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Mmm. Despite the release notes about the mixing the interaction does seem to have been cut for time, it's almost maxed out a pressed CD. Not particularly complaining as banter's more entertaining the first couple of times, but they could have gone for a double disc "normal edition" rather than the bonus disc approach.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by StoneCold Skywarp »

Denyer wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 4:22 pm Mmm. Despite the release notes about the mixing the interaction does seem to have been cut for time, it's almost maxed out a pressed CD. Not particularly complaining as banter's more entertaining the first couple of times, but they could have gone for a double disc "normal edition" rather than the bonus disc approach.
Yeah, I mean even the bits where, in my experience of seeing them live (mostly in the north-east), where the interaction is usually raucous it seems to have been muted down significantly and I can't imagine any crowd that sees The Wildhearts live are just that flat.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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I bought 2 BTS albums. That's it.

I liked "7" better than "BE" overall. But "Life Goes On" is the shit.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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Woo I've been to the record shop a few times since March...

Evanescence - 'The Bitter Truth' (2021)
Fancy boxset release that comes with a journal, some prints, the album itself and a cassette of demos and farting about in the studio. Album itself is alright. After Synthesis hinted at an interesting new direction, this just kicks straight back into more of the same. Songs are all solid, but it's just perhaps a bit less than it could have been.

Royal Blood - 'Typhoons' (2021)
After a disappointing second album, its nice to hear Royal Blood rediscover their mojo and deliver some throaty electro-tinged rock bangers. Love it.

Wolf Alice - 'Blue Weekend' (2021)
Introspective and quieter offering from the nu-shoegazers. Or should that be nu-gazers? Has Mercury Prize written all over it, which is funny, because they've been nominated!

While She Sleeps - 'Sleeps Society' (2021)
After the wild experimentation of their fourth album, this sees them dip back into the scratchy brutal metal they made their name with. It's pretty good!

Gojira ' -Fortitude' (2021)
First album of these guys I've checked out. It's pretty awesome stuff, all proggy, foggy metal livened up with some sharpness. A bit like having tartare sauce on your chips. Nice.

Skarlett Riot - 'Invicta' (2021)
Loved seeing these guys grow up and continue to forge a career. This is more of their laser-sharp melodic rock. Probably done them a disservice, but I'm just some **** with a computer, so what do I know? I think they're ace, and this is great.

Fear Factory - 'Aggression Continuum' (2021)
Metal Hammer got very excited about this album. It's alright. It does absolutely ****-all different to the stuff they've churned out for the last twenty odd years. It's fine, but if you've got 'Demanufacture', that's really all you need from Fear Factory.

Olivia Rodrigo - 'Sour' (2021)
Nice broken hearted pop songs. I could have done with more like opener 'Brutal', if I'm honest, but this is good y'know?

Sumo Syco - 'Initiation' (2021)
Loved seeing these live back in... 2015? I think and was pleased to see their latest has snuck into hmv. Aces wee record full of bouncy pop-metal. Love it.

Jessie Ware - 'What's Your Pleasure?' (2020)
Popped up as a recommend on Spotify, and I liked it very much so I went and bought it. Nice slinky modern pop stuffs, which is very pleasant indeed.

Lone Lady - 'Former Things' (2021)
Fantastic staccato synthy- gubbins. Absolutely love it. It's like being stabbed by a Yamaha keyboard.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by metcalcon »

Wow! Thanks for such great music.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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AC/DC Power-Up.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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I listened to the radio while driving to work once.
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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Re-found these -- https://www.peatanddiesel.band/ -- from re-watching the Romesh Xmas special. The second album Light My Byre has some great tracks on it, and they've done a cover of Fairytale of New York as well.

edit:





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Denyer
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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Thought this was quite interesting / amusing -- people realising that the internet exists and that new music is competing with at least 70 years worth of great music that's available rather than mainly the other tat that would be in the charts if charts were still a thing. It's almost as if the reason to create naturally settles at self-fulfilment rather than economics.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58329477
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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Of all the stuff I've been listening to across the years I feel as if my brain/eyes/ears were never truly open until I heard the full-throated roar of Devin Townsend. If I could pick any musician to be, I'd want to be this guy... for his ethic, creativity and downright fun attitude (perhaps not in his earlier days but, say, anything from the mid-2000's on). Just stunning.

He's got this song called 'Why', which by rights should have been on the Wall-E soundtrack, it would have been so perfect. I've forgotten how to link videos on this board, hopefully Denyer can remind me. Its such a damn fine song! Plenty of others too, and his live performances are awesome. I won't go on because I know I'm being boring, but this guy IS sound!
Last edited by Auntie Slag on Sat Sep 11, 2021 12:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Sades
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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

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I’m not D but for a YouTube vid you hit the YouTube button and put the code for the video at the end of the url in between the brackets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
fg3jNI9ao1w

[ youtube ] fg3jNI9ao1w [/youtube]

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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by Auntie Slag »

Oh cool, thanks Sades. Well in that case, have at you! :smokin:

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Re: Latest Music Purchases.

Post by Sades »

Ooh, nice. I’mma check that out. :up:

Edit: I like this:



And this:



okay I'm gonna be here awhile. I'll spare everyone the youtube spam tho. ;)
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