Emma Pollock "Watch the Fireworks"
I was a fan of The Delgados mainly for Emma Pollock and was excited when I found out she was recording a solo effort after The Delgados split, I wasn't left disappointed. Like The Delgados her solo album still holds that same raw meloncholy atmosphere which I enjoy so much but what makes me enjoy this over a lot of Delgados material is the absence Alun Woodward on vocals. I was never a fan of his voice and not hearing it on this album really made that hit home. This is probably my favourite of the three albums I bought.
I was a fan of The Delgados mainly for Emma Pollock and was excited when I found out she was recording a solo effort after The Delgados split, I wasn't left disappointed. Like The Delgados her solo album still holds that same raw meloncholy atmosphere which I enjoy so much but what makes me enjoy this over a lot of Delgados material is the absence Alun Woodward on vocals. I was never a fan of his voice and not hearing it on this album really made that hit home. This is probably my favourite of the three albums I bought.
Favourite tracks are 'Acid Test', 'Adrenaline', 'Paper and Glue' and 'Fortune'.
Foo Fighters "Echoes, Silence, Patience And Grace"
This album really surprised me because after the let down of In Your Honour I wasn't really expecting much but this album turned out to be everything I hoped I would get from In Your Honour but didn't. It's just a shame it came a little late. Usually on a Foo Fighters album there's a few songs I skip but on this there's only the one, 'Cheer Up Boys, Your Make-up is Running'. A major achievment in my books, possibly due to it being the best sounding (production wise) of their albums and maybe to add that it sounds like an actual band effort rather than being just Dave Grohl's band. The additional instruments (string sections, piano and so on) are all put to good use and don't overpower.
This album really surprised me because after the let down of In Your Honour I wasn't really expecting much but this album turned out to be everything I hoped I would get from In Your Honour but didn't. It's just a shame it came a little late. Usually on a Foo Fighters album there's a few songs I skip but on this there's only the one, 'Cheer Up Boys, Your Make-up is Running'. A major achievment in my books, possibly due to it being the best sounding (production wise) of their albums and maybe to add that it sounds like an actual band effort rather than being just Dave Grohl's band. The additional instruments (string sections, piano and so on) are all put to good use and don't overpower.
Top tracks for me are 'The Pretender', 'Statues', 'Let it Die', 'Come Alive' and 'Summer's End'.
David Bowie "Buddha of Suburbia"
Released as a soundtrack to a, in my opinion, rather lackluster TV mini series in 1993 this gem was nearly lost and forgotten but thankfully it's finally been rereleased and remastered with nifty looking new cover art and Bowie's linear notes. I've had this album for a long time but sadly it's it was in horrible quality so it was hard to pick up all the little background nuances. Bowie has said that this was one of his favourite albums that he worked on and you can see why when you listen to it. It sounds dirty, spontanious and unpolished to it's advantage with instrumentals that ring of Brian Eno's influence and a lot of experimentation with sound. It has an atmosphere that reminds me somewhat of 'Low' but he doesn't repeat himself. It also has the original recording of one of my favourite Bowie songs 'Strangers When We Meet' in it's raw form but I gotta say I the 'Outside' versions vocal delivery and piano parts put it over the edge of this recording.
Best tracks 'Buddha of Suburbia', 'Sex and the Church', 'Dead Against it', 'South Horizon' and 'Untitled No. 1'.
Paprika hasn't arrived yet and although I've seen it before I'm going to hold out posting about it until I watch the DVD. When I saw it the first time I was impressed as always with Satoshi Kon's ability to blend the realistic with the absurd but I was so tired when I watched it that I think I need a better viewing to get the full effect.
Wub, Sy.
xxx
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