For some of the first releases of 2010, first up we have the new EP from Real Estate called "Reality". It's really great. This is a great new band who I would like to see live. I give this EP 4 star rating. Next is The Gilded Palace of Sin-"You Break Our Hearts, We'll Tear Yours Out". Great title, but the album doesn't live up to the title's greatness. I think it felt like the songs weren't quite finished or something like that. It just lacked that effort to grab you. I think I only really liked one song a lot. Not a good first impression. 2 stars?
Here's one that is my #2 pick for album of the week #1!!! This is: Glass Rock-"Tall Firs Meet Soft Location" (2010). This is on Thurston Moore's label (Sonic Youth) and it wasn't at all what I expected. It's a collaboration between Tall Firs and Soft Location; hence the album title. I've heard Tall Firs (their debut 2008) but not yet Soft Location. This is a record that is "as smooth as butter" and moves along on a very mellow groove. I found myself turning it up more and more because it did sound very good. Tight songs and it flowed very nicely as an album. I give it 4 stars! Next up is The Twilight Garden-"A World We Pretend" (2010). I have mixed feeling on this one but it is better than the Gilded Palace of Sin. There are much better songs (and memorable ones too) that I'm sure I'll revisit this one and give it another go to grab me some more.
While listening to the latest album from The Appleseed Cast-"Sagamartha" (2009) I had an out of body experience. This is a fantastic new return from this HIGHLY underrated band who have a TON of albums out over the years. I LOVE this record. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it to all!! Also, the new album from Engineers-"Three Fact Fader" (2009) was also a very enjoyable listen. I don't think it's amazing like their debut album from 2005 is (definitely a must have!) but I'm glad they are back after quite a long hiatus with a second album. There are definitely transportive moments here so I give it a healthy 4 stars! Another 2009 release I just listened to is the latest from Sunset Rubdown-"Dragonslayer". They are a peculiar band and I don't even know what I could classify them as, so I won't bother. Unfortunately, with this record I kept wondering when it was going to end! That's not good. However, there were 2 trax that really got my attention in their peculiarity so it's not all negative. Perhaps I don't quite get what they are up to? Regardless since I wanted it over eventually I can only bestow a 2 star rating...
Ok, now onto my pick for the #1 pick of new releases out for week #1 that I have been able to listen to since I can obviously only pick what I have, and what I've been able to listen to. I am bestowing my soon to be highly coveted honour of the first great record of 2010 upon:
Lydia Lunch/James Johnston/Terry Edwards/Ian White-"Big Sexy Noise" (The Full Length Album) (2010). She's back!!!!! I still can recall the first time I heard Lydia Lunch way back in 1980 singing "There's knives in my drain, and there's splinters in my brain" and I fell in love with her deadpan snarling snotty bitchy powerful delivery! A totally outspoken and D.I.Y. woman who's career I've not always followed but I've always had a lot of respect for her. I can't remember the last time she did a "rock" album since poetry/speaking is here podium of choice mostly over the years. This record teamed up with members of Gallon Drunk is just fantastic!!!! Everything I love about Gallon Drunk (the sloppy yet powerful playing) and Lydia (all snottiness and control and sounding better than ever) are clearly evident. This is a batch of covers clearly reinterpreted. My only negative remark is the inclusion of "That Smell" from Lynryd Skynyrd is definitely something I can do without. So I give this album 4 1/2 star rating and my "prestigious" pick of the week. I hope to give an album a week my pick and make it easier to look at the strongest records of the year when 2010 comes to a close.
Now, to close this entry, speaking of strong women... Anyone who knows me is aware that my favourite female artist EVER is Janis Joplin. In 2009 her Woodstock concert was finally released in it's entirety. It came as a double set to include another new remastered edition of "I Got Dem 'Ol Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" from 1969. The sound is crystal clear and absolutely stunning!!!!! I had tears in my eyes throughout most of the album (like I usually do anyway when I listen to Janis since it's a very real and personal experience for me) and while being transported during this excellent record I wondered if there is ever anybody else out there in the world who is frequently moved by music like I am. Otherwise, I wonder, what is the purpose of making music at all if doesn't move people in some respect? Anyway, it was a wonderful listen as always and the Live trax from Woodstock were really good. Janis had some voice difficulties here and there throughout her set but hey, you try to sing like that with all that booze and stuff going on and see how well you do! She was amazing and I'm still sad that she's gone.....
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