worthy<-MUSIC

What I Loaded On My Player Today

Just a quick post to let you know what new releases I downloaded from Rhapsody To Go today and loaded on my player. My thoughts to follow soon, especially on the debut Wolf Parade album which is a potential contender for the top spot on the Most Worthy 2005 list.

Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Jacksonville City Nights
Big Star - In Space
The Joggers - With A Cape And A Cane
Elbow - Leaders Of The Free World
Abandoned Pools - Armed To The Teeth

Enjoy! I sure hope I do!

I Think They Like American Football

Muse - Origin of Symmetry
Kick Ass! This album, released internationally way back in 2001, has not been available in the US until this week. But, luckily for me, 2001 was back in my file sharing days and I got a hold of this one pretty much right after it came out. Anyway, with all the success of their last album, Absolution, this fantastic album has now crossed the pond and can be had legally. Good thing for us, too, as I personally think it is their best work to date.

I first fell in love with this band upon the release of their debut, Showbiz, in 1999. Their command of the soft/loud/soft thing was so intense and their incredible wall of sound was just so penetrating. But, they totally upped the ante with Origin Of Symmetry. "Bliss" remains one of my favorite Muse tunes and hell, one of my favorite Brit tunes ever. And "Hyper Music" is just so intense. Matt Bellamy's screaming in "Micro Cuts" reaches new heights and throughout the entire album he proves he is has the biggest, broadest voice and range in the UK, surpassing all other "falsettists" in the genre.

So, happy to have this in Rhapsody and happy the US gets to hear this one. But, then again, based on the number of people singing along to these songs at the Muse show here in Raleigh earlier this year, I'm guessing that most fans have already heard it... you naughty people you. Enjoy!

Thanks...

Sigur Ros - Takk...
Completely enjoying the new one from Icelanders Sigur Ros. I read somewhere that apparently much of this album is in their native Icelandic rather than their usual fabricated Hopelandic. Now I, in all my worldliness, can't tell the difference at all. But, I will say that this album is a definite step forward musically for the band. Sure, many critics will tell you that it is very similar to their previous recordings, but I think that's because it still sounds distinctly Sigur Ros. But, then again, who else is singing in weird high pitched voices with beautiful sweeping orchestrations?

This album has a distinctly more upbeat feel to me. I mean, shoot, there's even a short bit of an oompah band feel at the end of "Sé Lest." And in the 2nd track, "Glósóli" rises to new levels of intensity and beauty as the pulsating drums and heavily distorted guitars take over from the piano and tinkering bells. The first single, "Sæglópur" is simply gorgeous and possesses a level of grandeur unmatched in popular music today. Probably my favorite Sigur Ros piece to date.

If I may take the liberty of quoting reviewer "Vintage Eyes" who posted his thoughts on Amazon.com, "If () was music for a funeral, then Takk... must be what it's like when one reaches heaven." Well said. Enjoy!

Still Alive and Kicking

Shiny Toy Guns - We Are Pilots
Wow, how's that for a break? Been so busy with work, life, my other website, singing, and so many other things, that this website has taken some blows. And, to be perfectly honest, I got really sick of scrounging for new music in August... what a crappy summer of music! Oh, and you also have to add in the shattering of the screen of my iRiver H10 and I was really not listening to too much music for a bit. Of course, in my opinion, the screen should NOT have shattered so easily but iRiver has a completely different opinion so they are not willing to replace it via the warranty. Makes me nauseous to think about it... so I won't!

While the selections weren't plentiful, I did manage to find several great albums while I was away. I will just be posting them quickly here to get all caught up over the next week or so (hopefully). I won't comment too heavily on them as I just can't turn this thing back into a major work effort right now. Hope that's OK.

Ok, first up is the Shiny Toy Guns. Last I read these folks, from LA, are still unsigned but that won't last for long. While we have been immersed in the "New New Wave" movement harkening back to the best of the 80s, this band pulls it off better than any to date. Fire up this album and you'll be transported back to the blissful days of your youth (if you're my age). Go ahead and draw the blinds, close the door, turn it up and dance like no one is watching... just like you used to. Enjoy!