This Week’s Albums
August 7th, 2015
IT is a case of “Something old, something new/something ‘borrowed’, something…
that doesn’t rhyme. “ I do a D.J. gig every week; I have the opportunity to play four different albums: one that is ‘old’ (to my mind, anything pre-1985), something ‘new’ (released brand-new that week); something influential (and has inspired a genre/other acts)- in addition to dealer’s choice (any album I choose). Having done this for over a year-and played everything from Graceland to Pearl Jam; from FKA twigs to Beastie Boys- it is enormous fun. I get to talk to people (about music); play some awesome stuff- turn people on to some great/forgotten sounds (well, I try to). I shall publish this every week; try and highlight some fantastic albums- maybe some you had forgotten about.
The Old: Dire Straits- Brothers in Arms (1985)
8.5/10.0
This Grammy/Brit award-winning album was a formative part of my early years- it was released when I was a two-year-old. Perhaps a product of its time- the boogie/New Wave effects of Walk of Life sounds outdated- the album serves as Dire Straits’ peak. From denouncements of the era to real-life recollections- Money for Nothing was inspired by Mark Knopfler visiting a hardware store; seeing M.T.V. played on a bank of screens. Throughout the L.P. you can detect the immaculate craft and production; its Pop-orientated ambitions serve the band well; showcasing (lead and guitarist) Knopfler at his peak. It is those inimitable strings that define the album: from the stunning intro. of Money for Nothing to the jazzy riffs of Your Latest Trick- there is a whole feast of guitar-based wonder. Whilst the album is intensely top-heavy- its finest moments arrive within the first four tracks- that is not to say the quality dips. Tying together stunningly-imagined compositions and genre-spanning ambition and you have an album of imagination and direct lyricism. Whether a child of the ‘80s (like myself) or someone looking for a terrific album: there is plenty of treasure to be found here…
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwDDswGsJ60&w=420&h=315]
The New: Frank Turner- Positive Songs for Negative People (2015)
7/10
Some weeks are filled with great releases and plenty of choice: unfortunately the last couple of weeks have been a bit slender. Not familiar with Frank Turner, I snapped up his new L.P.: keen to see what his drive was; I was pleasantly surprised. Garnering mixed reviews (thus far) the album Positive Songs for Negative People sees the Springsteen-esque talent- a songwriter who can pen real-life anthems without seeming overly-cloying- come to the fore. Tape Deck Heart (Turner’s 2013 album) was a product of perfectionism and craft; here he sounds looser and more urgent. Whilst his lyrics border on the cringe-worthy- he is not quite a Chad Kroeger/Matt Bellamy creation- his bombast and passion make up for it. Get Better is a proclamation of anger: the hero comes back from the brink; battered by the pain of break-up, it treads familiar lines- yet the way Turner delivers his fury stands him apart from the clan of effete peers. Sometimes the 33-year-old’s throat-scraping vocals get irksome, yet it is his authenticity that makes up for it: whatever you think of Turner the Man, you cannot deny Turner the Musician- Positive Songs’ is the sound of him exorcising his (relationship) demons- and doing a damn fine job of it.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB4Avdlz3lk&w=560&h=315]
The Influencer: The Verve- Urban Hymns (1997)
9/10
We all know this one: back when Richard Ashcroft was an inspirational songwriter- his solo albums seem to be a case of diminishing returns- The Verve were at the Britpop forefront. At a time when the band looked set to implode- due to tension within the ranks- what you get is an album of concision and wonder. From the Rolling Stones-cribbing Bitter Sweet Symphony to the arms-in-the-air anthem The Drugs Don’t Work, it influenced a wave of acts- I hear shades of this album in so many modern-day Indie acts. Catching the Butterfly sees the band at their tripped-out best; Sonnet is a touching ballad- it is an album of immense power and diversity. The Lancashire-based band may have since split; Urban Hymns remains a crucial and stunning statement: as Britpop darlings like Blur and Oasis were fading out (and past their peak), The Verve showed leadership and a guiding light: not only producing their career peak, but compelling a host of upcoming bands (to follow their lead). Filled with lush and orchestral strings; quote-worthy anthems (Lucky Man is especially striking) the album is an essential purchase- make sure you re-investigate this diamond; and remember when music used to make you feel…
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lyu1KKwC74&w=420&h=315]
The ‘Other One’: Rage Against the Machine- Rage Against the Machine (1992)
9.5/10
Few bands have arrived this hot off the blocks- for a debut album; Rage Against the Machine is an audacious work of genius. A hugely influential work- the first album to convincingly fuse Rap and Metal- it is filled with fist-aloft, f***-you mandates. Killing in the Name is (the album’s) most famous statement: its expletive-heavy rebellion against police brutality and racism not only highlighted America’s ills (the corruption rife in society) but acted as a rally-cry for the masses- the disenfranchised youth had their signature tune. The album is synonymous with its guitar-and-voice by-play: Zack de la Rocha’s feral howl and Tom Morello’s insatiable guitar innovation were perfect partners- sound-tracking ten tracks of power and fury. Although the tracks do run on a bit- most of the songs are over the five-minute mark- there are few fillers. Wake Up is a woozy, dizzying and mutating beast- the range of guitar sounds/movements is exhilarating (even re-adapting Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir); its political messages insistent; Bombtrack is an explosive opener- “Burn, burn/Yes ya gonna burn” is its repeated promise. Although the album is profanity-laden, that language is never deployed with juvenile smuttiness or attention-seeking: it is a way to highlight the anger; emphasise the messages- make sure you remember every song. One of the finest albums (of any genre) it is a must-have for every music lover.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp3kcHchD1Y&w=420&h=315]