Blakroc

You may remember from earlier:

Raising Sand - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have a CD in stores, titled "Raising Sand." Grilling out one night a couple weeks ago Mien Vilif tried to introduce me to the disc.

He tells me, "Dude, you have to check this out. It's groundbreaking."

Groundbreaking? I'll be the first to admit that most if not all of the time the mere fact that a music reco comes from JMac's direction gives it near instant credibility. Aha Shake and Vetiver are just a couple of the countless examples. And the very mention of Robert Plant...

...well, the music speaks for itself. And I suppose Alison Krauss is no slouch either.

The album has just won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 2009. Shortly thereafter, I won a Grammy for Understatement of the Year when I said, "I'm anxious to check it out."

But hell. As far as first listens go, the album started pretty weak for me. Technically speaking, everything seemed spot on. Even to my untrained ear, I could tell that I was listening to a couple of masters at work. But groundbreaking? Really? At first listen, they seemed just about as groundbreaking as country rock and protest band, Mason Proffit...

"Voice of Change" was recorded in 1969. Yea, groundbreaking like Mason Proffit and a dash of these guys...

And we know how that turned out. At first, I was a little disappointed. At first, at first, at first...

But after a while (yea, you knew that was coming), I put it in my car. I promised Jason that I'd give the disc the ol' college try and if I'm going to bond to a piece of music, it'll certainly happen in the car. I've turned the disc over a few times now and I've picked out a couple of real gems. Feast your ears on the following, Shanty Folk.

With "Nothin," any expectations raised by the mere mention of Robert Plant have been met. Period. Promise small, deliver big. I guess "Nothin" is about as small a promise as you can make (god dammit, I really hope the editors can cut the cheese out of that one) (ha! cut the cheese).

If you liked anything from O' Brother, Where Art Thou?, you'll like "Your Long Journey." Step back in time, friends. They bring a real relic back to life. And artfully so. "Through the Morning, Through the Night" follows along those same lines, even if it is kinda sappy.

"Please Read The Letter" is easily my favorite song on the album so far. Chances are it's going to stick. When I'm walking around outside one morning, this will be the song that pops into my head. Friggin' love it.

I still don't know if I'd call the disc groundbreaking. But there is something to be said on its behalf. I just wish I had the technical chops to say it. Like I said before, the talent in the disc is clear on the one hand but very understated on the other. Definitely leans closer to the Krauss side of the spectrum, but I'm not complaining (even if lamenting just a little). I've tried to pick out the hooks on the album. As for the rest, give it the ol' college try. It should pay off.

Just try to ignore the Family Guy comparison, even if for only a moment.

Pearl Jam - The Fixer

Reuters writes of the new Pearl Jam:

NEW YORK (Billboard) - "Super poppy." "Just plain fun." "Surprisingly optimistic." "Catchy as hell." These are not phrases often used to describe Pearl Jam, the 30 million-selling purveyor of angst-ridden guitar rock now approaching its 19th year of existence.

And yet these are the words being used on blogs to describe "The Fixer," the first song from the Seattle rock band's ninth album, "Backspacer."

Yea? Is Pearl Jam going the way of MMJ? Have they caught the "pop bug?"

Yea, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE, THE "EVIL URGES" ISSUE:

Scott "The Devil" (Jun 10, 9:12 am): The new MMJ is quite the disappointment! Holy shit, I am not impressed at all. Number three is just annoying really. What do you guys think?

Paul (10:12 am):  haven't heard it yet

Paul (10:52 am):  That's it I am taking down Jim's picture

Rusty (11:14 am):  now hold up there fellas.  i haven't heard it yet, but i've got it on

my itunes and i plan on listening today.  are we talking about another
"z" type situation?  remember, that one turned out to be awesome, even
though it rubbed me weird at first.  thing was, i couldn't stop
listening, and eventually i came around.

Munthun (11:31 am):  That song sounds better today than it did yesterday.  I still haven't made up my mind about it however.  There are some great tracks on there, I don't think we should kick it to the curb just yet

Scott (11:42 am):  well, i hope you are right, if not, i will spend my money on the fleet foxes disc instead

Rusty (1:42 pm):  Fuck, MMJ really jumped on the 80's train.  So far first impressions.  Librarian redeems the album for me now.  Love that song.  The album has hooked some other claws in me.  But songs like Highly Suspicious pretty much suck for me right now.  Only more listening will tell.  We definitely have a "Z" type situation here.  I ended up loving Z.  My hopes are still high for Evil Urges

Rusty (Jun. 12, 11:18 am):  lright.  A couple days have gone by.  I've probably listened to the album in its entirety at least 20 times or so.  And I like it more, as a whole, each time I listen to it again.  There are some new songs that I love now, besides Librarian.  Take another couple looks at I'm Amazed.  Sit back and do something American while listening.  Light the grill, crack open a cold one, light some fireworks, spark a J, whatever it is.  I'll run it by a couple of my southern brethren for confirmation, but we may be reaching back to Tennessee Fire on this one. 

And let's not forget the range gentlemen.  Not only in the album itself, but when you place the album among the others you understand the steps that these boys take every single time they put out a new album.  It's a new MMJ, for christ's sakes.  But I still love 'em, and not because they keep delivering the same kind of songs.  Granted, even Evil Urges includes some time tested favorite themes.  But I love them because the songs they keep delivering, well, they deliver.

Wait for your moment with this one fellas.  It'll come. 

Munthun (11:29 am):  thank you rusty.  couldn't have said it better myself

Scott (3:27 pm):  what do you think about this review for the album..

 

There are few fiery guitar freakouts, folk-influenced melodies, soaring space-rock bridges, or psychedelic flourishes here; instead, the empty space is mostly filled with serviceable falsetto funk and glassy-eyed yacht-pop.

-Pitchfork

 

Pretty much hits the album right on

Rusty (4:37 pm):  what's your point?  they're branching out?  that they're not playing

the same old stuff?

Scott (Jun.13, 8:37 am):  you are correct. It was just like an opinion man.

Rusty (10:03 am):  you're just like an opinion, man.

what do you think of the new sigur ros?