Touche Amore - Lament 6.8/10

It doesn't touch their previous album, Stage 4, which was a great record with a real emotional punch (lead singer coming to terms with the death of his Mum from cancer), and it is not as good as Survived By either. Perhaps I'm just growing out of the band.

Ulrika Boden - Valje a Vrake 8/10

An early solo album from one of the vocalists of the Swedish folk group, Ranarim, which is also very much in the Scandinavian folk vein. I love her voice.

Pink Elephant by Stand Atlantic: 6/10

I was actually supposed to see these guys in the summer. I barely discovered them late last year and they seemed alright. This album is the usual standard pop-punk stuff in the same vein as New Found Flory with two standout songs: "Drink to Drown", a nice little piano ballad, and "Wavelength", which has some energy and neat use of vocal editing that I'm not usually a fan of but it's fine here. I can't call these guys one of my favorites but who knows in the future. I'm a sucker for women like Bonnie Fraser.

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Enkel - We Are Enkel 8/10
The second album by the all female Finnish folk group, and it feels a bit more accessible, but no less adventurous, than their first record. It is definitely on par with their first album. If you like folk music, check them out.

Men at Work - Cargo 8/10
A quality 80s pop album; the song Overkill is the standout track, but there are no weak tracks on the record.

Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects - Sol Niger Within 7.5/10
A solo album from one of Meshuggah's guitarists, and sounds like a mixture of the aforementioned band with a bit of Dream Theater and other prog influences; if you like Meshuggah, you'll like this record.

Cellar Darling - The Spell 7/10

Female-fronted rock band that sounds musically like Alter Bridge (minus the constant guitar solo wankery) with a bit of folk (a hurdy gurdy is one of the main instruments) and prog mixed in. I like the music and the vocal performance, but the lyrics are a bit iffy at times, which stops me from giving the album a higher mark.

Pauliina Syrjälä - Lunkula 8/10

Instrumental album composed of just a Saarijärvi kantele; the artist delivers on making a solo instrumental record tuneful while also experimenting with the different sounds that can be gotten out of the instrument. The record is only around 40 mins long, so it doesn't out stay its welcome, which can sometimes be a problem with solo instrumental albums.

Korpiklaani - Kulkija 7/10

Finnish folk-metal; I don't have any of their other albums to compare it against, but apparently this is their "mature" album; it is definitely less punky than some of their other stuff I've heard. I enjoyed it, but I don't know if I'd buy another one of their albums.

Minnie Riperton - Adventures in Paradise 7.7/10

Mellow but sexy; Riperton has a lovely voice.

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Very patriotic 5/7

Loituma - Into the Moonlight 7.5/10

Finnish folk music.

Arja Kastinen - The Last Gathering 8/10

A record of solo kantele music; you would be surprised at the variety of sounds she gets out of the different kanteles she uses, which keeps the album interesting throughout.

Pauanne - Pauanne 7.5/10

A mixture of Finnish folk music and poppy electronica, with added field recordings and a bit of artiness on top.

Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Soul Makossa 7/10

Funk-Jazz; reminded me somewhat of Santana, minus the searing hot solos and the Latin rhythms.

Wardruna - Kvitravn 8.5/10

They aren't really doing anything different to what was present on their Runaljod trilogy, but it is so good and I think their best album yet.

Nothing - The Great Dismal 8/10

I don't usually pay much attention to Mitch's music suggestions, but this is a very enjoyable album to listen to. A mixture of My Bloody Valentine and Failure/Autolux and some other influences. Not original, but worth a listen.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer - Emerson, Lake and Palmer 8/10

Keys-led jazz-prog with some tasty drumming; if you like prog, you'll like this record.

Emmanuelle Parrenin - Maison Rose 8.5/10

What starts off as a regular French folk album slowly morphs into something a bit weirder and artier; it also seems rather timeless to me, as you wouldn't suspect the album was recorded in the mid 1970s.

Pallbearer - Heartless 7.5/10

Hard rock/metal with long song structures; not technical enough to fall under prog or any of the other arty forms of metal.

Mastodon - Leviathan 7.5/10

I'm not sure why I've stayed away from this album for the past 15 years or so, but I enjoyed it. The only problem is that the most memorable thing about the record is the drumming; without that particular drummer, the score would probably be less.

The Indestructible Beat of Soweto - Volume One 7.5/10

The album that inspired Paul Simon's Graceland record.

Commodores - Movin' On 7.5/10

A solid RnB record.

Martti Pokela, Eeva-Leena Sariola and Matti Kontio - The Tradition of Kantele, Vol. 1 7.5/10

Silversun Pickups - Carnavas 8/10

I really enjoyed this alt rock album; they seem to get compared to Smashing Pumpkins, though they lack Billy Corgen's grandiosity.

Prince - Dirty Mind 8/10

Prince is on fine perverted form, ready to rock and funk you out in equal measures.

Cracking tune. Thanks for reminding me about it.

Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down 8/10

I know, I know; some fine 80s pop, though.

Duo Selina - Duo Selina 7/10

Kantele music.

Varttina - Seleniko 8/10

Finnish folk music; a strong early album, before they started to add more pop elements to their sound; a good place to start, if you are brave enough to venture into nordic folk music.

Ad Nauseam - Imperative Imperceptible Impulse 7/10

Think Gorguts, with lengthier songs; a decent record, but nothing that touches the aforementioned band.

King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black 8/10

I don't know why I put-off buying this album for so long; it is tasty. It may be the best of John Wetton-era records (Lark's Tongue in Aspic, and Red being the other two albums of that period).

Ulrika Boden - Korksangern 7/10

An album of Swedish folk hymns sung by one of the female vocalists of Ranarim. A pleasant and gentle listening experience (sometimes it reminded me of a Kate Rusby album), but if you are looking for something to challenge your ears or excite you, you best look elsewhere.

Les Zéoles - Sur Measure 8/10

Two ladies playing accordions (one a diatonic button accordion and the other a piano accordion), with the occasional piano and percussion for accompaniment. A very enjoyable record, and on par with their most recent record, Arborescences, which I listened to back in September.

Anja Kastinen - Emanuel 7.5/10

Kantele music.

Chris Thile - Laysongs 7/10

One man and his mandolin. I think this album is purely one for the fans; if you want to delve into the world of Chris Thile, check out one of his Punch Brothers records.

Astor Piazzolla - Tango Zero Hour 8.5/10

Tango music, but not light dance music; this is moody, sometimes dissonant material, which isn't for dancing to. If you like instrumental albums and want something different, check it out.
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Hedningarna - Tra 8/10

Nordic folk music mixed with electronica and rock.

Pantha du Prince - Conference of Trees 7/10

Ambient music; I still need to listen to this album more, but it didn't grab me like the Hedningarna record.

Betty Davis - Betty Davis 8/10

The original nasty girl; very good.

Nanae Yoshimura - The Art of the Koto Vol 1: Works from the Edo Period 8.5/10

My first album of koto music; great stuff. I will be getting the other 3 volumes.

Sabine Meyer - Weber: Clarinet Concertos 1 & 2/Concertino in E flat/Clarinet Quintet 7.7/10

It took me awhile to get into it, but I finally started to enjoy the album; the lesser of the three albums I have listened to over the past month or so.

Re: the Koto




Yoshida Brothers are the shit




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I will put one of their albums on my 'to buy' list.

Chvrches - Screen Violence: 7 out of 10.

It just dropped today so of course I'm all over it. This is a band I probably wouldn't have tackled under normal circumstances but they've grown on me. This time around is a bit above average but doesn't quite step things up. To be fair, Love Is Dead is going to be hard to top. It's an interesting choice to have Lauren basically handle all of the vocals in the lead as opposed to Martin being tagged in for a song or two. "He Said She Said" and "Nightmares" are probably the standouts here. Still enjoyable as they've got their style down and didn't really deviate into weird detours.

I bet you I wouldn't

Armin Van Buuren: A State of Trance Forever.

12/10

Korpiklaani - Noita 8.5/10

I really liked this album; far superior to the previous record that I bought from this band. If you like a bit of Dropkick Murphys, but want something a bit more metal (and Finnish!), give it a try.

Nanae Yoshimura - The Art of the Koto Vol 2 8.5/10

It maintains the high quality of the first volume.

Dieter Klocker and members of the Vlach Quartet Prague - Hoffmeister: Clarinet Quartets 8/10

If you like clarinet music, you can't go wrong with this record.

Members of the Berlin Philharmonic Octet - Brahms: The String Quintets 8.5/10

It took me awhile to warm to these works, but once I did, I enjoyed them a lot; not up there with his clarinet quintet, but strong compositions nonetheless.

I really strong month of music for me.

Ensemble Convivencia Strasbourg - Troubadoure 8/10

Lovely album of mediaeval troubadour music.

Hesperion XXI and Jordi Savall - Estampies & Dases Royales 8/10

Another splendid album of mediaeval dance music.

Clutch - Strange Cousins from the West 7/10

Clutch never deliver a poor album, but it is not their best.

Yoshida Brothers - Hishou Shamisen Dakeno Sekai Vol.1 7/10

Drave turned me on to these guys; solid stuff, but doesn't touch the Nanae Yoshimura albums I previously bought.

Billy Joel - 52nd Street 8.5/10

The production and arrangements are a little bit dated, but this record is as good a pop album as you are ever likely to hear.

Estampie - Songs of Women in the Middle Ages 8/10

Copenhagen Piano Quartet - Kuhlau: Piano Quartet in G Minor, Op. 108 8/10

Nanae Yoshimura - The Art of the Koto, Vol. 3: Works for Nijugen 7.5/10

Not as strong as the previous 2 volumes of koto music, but still worth getting.

Crowned in Frost by Frozen Crown: 7/10

Gonna use my 17,000th post on this. This is a band I've had on the backburner for a while. They're Italian. They do metal. Most importantly, they fucking rock. I love the guitars on this. There's not a lot to separate them from similar acts but I dig this style. I don't know if it's fair to put them in the same camp as something like Unleash the Archers. I'm going to try to dive into the rest of their catalog when I get the chance. This album gets a moderate thumbs up in the meantime.

The Fallen King also by Frozen Crown: 7/10

More or less the same as Crowned in Frost. I think I'm at the cusp of welcoming them into my fold.

Stuffed & Ready by Cherry Glazerr: 6/10

Saw these guys when they opened for Chvrches. They had Livvy Bennett as the bassist instead of Sami for this set; not sure what the deal was. Anyways, they were another group that I had on the backburner to check out as I thought they were pretty OK. This is the kind of thing that I would have been all over in high school. I'm more than likely going to go through the whole catalog for them, too. This is some of their recent work so I wonder how they evolved. It's like a grungy Metric.

Converge and Chelsea Wolfe - Bloodmoon: I 7/10

Not their best album, but Converge never release anything substandard.

Katsuji Sawada - -Yugen- 7/10

Solid album of shamisen music.

Cantaderas - As Festas Do Anno 7/10

Medieaval songs for traditional feast days. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I liked it, though it was not as strong as some of the other similar albums I have listened to over the past few months.

Whoops

I love Taylor Swift so much! Her album Folklore is amazing, especially I love song Cardigan.

Winterbane by Frozen Crown: 7/10

The newest album from these guys and the first with a different line-up. Thalia, sadly, is no longer rocking the six-string here. It's still probably their best work, even though I'm giving the same rating as the other two. It's missing a certain something to get it over the hump into really fucking awesome territory but there are more songs that stick with me from this one. I think I can safely say I will be welcoming them into my fold.

Genghis Tron - Dream Weapon 8.5/10

Tasty deliciousness. Get it!

Korpiklaani - Manala 7.5/10

Not as good as Noita.

Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring 7/10

Sultan Khan & Kamal Sabri - Ru-Ba-Ru: A Unique Confluence Of Sarangis 7.5/10

You can't go wrong with Sultan Khan.

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Party Monsters - The Haxans: 6/10

My girl, Ashley Costello from New Years Day, has The Haxans as a side project and this is their full-length album. They did some singles, including a pretty cool cover of "Pet Semetary", and an LP but it looks like this is the first one in a real attempt to an actual release. This isn't that much of a change of pace for Ashley as some of the early New Years Day stuff sounded like this. It's more upbeat and honestly some of these songs wouldn't sound out of place on a mainstream rotation. I guess I prefer some of the heavier, darker stuff from New Years Day, but this isn't too bad. "Lights Out" and "Witch Wave" are two of the highlights. I suppose I can pop this is in when I'm in a light mood.

The Beatles - Let It Be… Naked (8.4/10)

The Beatles - Abbey Road (8.9/10)

Lena Willemark and Ale Moller - Agram 7.7/10
Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops 8.3/10
Itzhak Perlman - Wieniawski: Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 2 and Solo Works 8.5/10

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"Nowhere Generation" by Rise Against: 8/10

I've been sitting on this one for whatever stupid reason. I love these guys. Knowing their history in regard to how they tackle current events and social issues with their songwriting, I was curious how they'd approach the four years since their last album. They kick things off strong from the get-go with "The Numbers" and it just snowballs from there. The title track is probably the highlight but there's no shortage of good shit. Their late-2000s stuff is pretty hard to top but this definitely hangs with it. Hopefully I'll be able to make their show here in August.

Got tickets to see Orville Peck next month. I am pumped. Gonna wear cowboy shirt, cowboy hat, and lucha mask. It's going down.

Grace Jones - Nightclubbing 8/10
Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story 7.7/10
The King's Noyse - Le Jardin de Mélodies - 16th Century French Dances & Songs 8/10
Wieniawski, H.: Chamber Music 8/10

A good month of music.

The unraveling of pup the band by PUP

Sounds like a bunch of guys all yelling at me. Just the way i like it

Iron Maiden- Senjutsu

4/5

All these years later, and these dudes still go just as hard.

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Halestorm - Back From the Dead: 9/10

Yes, I'm biased. I don't care. This another release that showcases how well they can weave in and out of headbanging riffs and melodic and moving ballads. My copy is an autographed one so I love it even more and will do so until I die. I may even request to be buried with it.

Florence + the machine - Dance Fever 8/10

Will have to give it a second spin but it might be my favorite album from them behind Lungs.

I listened to the first half. Very fun album so far.

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Stand Atlantic - f.e.ar.: 6/10

Fun, energetic, catchy but nothing to really help it stand out from the rest of the pop-punk crowd. Maybe in two albums or so down the line they'll evolve and "grow up" but it's a relatively safe release. Not sure what the point is with the "guest tracks" either. This isn't like getting David Bowie or Ozzy Osbourne to come in and actually add to what you're trying to do.

HAIM's Women in Music Pt. III

Jewish excellence on display here

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Oh, crap, I forgot to rate this one. It's a fine 7/10 for me, about on par with their last effort. A few songs, like "3 AM", have a nineties feel to them, which I enjoy. I wouldn't have figured being into a group like this but credit to Guitar Hero for exposing me to this.

Metric- Formentera

9/10

Just incapable of making a bad album. This might be my favorite one.

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I second this motion.

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The Wallflowers - Exit Wounds: 7/10

Jakob Dylan's really trying to become his father more and more. Bringing Down the Horse will always be the definitive album for them, I think, but listening to this brings me back to 1996 just as easily as listening to "The Difference" or "6th Avenue Heartache". There's a relaxing mood to it all and it feels like reconnecting with an old friend.

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The Warning - Queen of the Murder Scene: 6/10

The Warning - Error: 7/10

This band is part of the undercard for a show here later in the month, the one I cried over the expensive price for the tickets. I figure I should familiarize myself with what they're about.

Both albums have such a grit to them, with the former having an almost haunting vibe throughout but nothing really standing out. "Error" is where Daniela really shines as a vocalist and feels like the album that defines them. "Money" is the highlight track off of that album, in my opinion. You wouldn't think this was a band from Monterrey in Mexico. They'll be a group I'll keep an eye on.

Fat Money - Money Got Wings 8/10

Best unknown rap album I've come around.

The yeah yeah yeahs - Cool it Down 7/10

Fucking finally. Not their best but still worth the wait. What I love about the yeah yeah yeahs is that every album has its own unique influences and identity while still retaining the core sound that made them special in the first place. A lit of bands either don't change at all and end up sounding redundant, or change too much and end up turning away a lot of existing fans. YYY seems to be able to walk the line in between.

This one strays from that core sound a little more than the others, but its still there. It would have scored higher with me but its too damn short. 8 tracks and one of them is some sort of short spoken word thing so theres only 7 real songs here. Still a good album though and im really happy they're back.

oh shit i had no idea they had a new one out! awesome.

Looking forward to the LS Dunes album.

I'm really considering going to this. I have a friend that lives in the Vegas area. I'm guessing it's going to be around 300 bucks... I could care less for most of the nu-metal but there's some damn good industrial attached to it..

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Non genre comments

Incubus was cool when I saw em
KoRn the couple times, too
KMFDM has fallen off over the years
Ministry is fucking awesome
My Life With the Thrill Kill Cult *thumbs up*
Mr Bungle. bucket list
Skinny Puppy - THEY'RE BACK?!
Coal Chamber - That'd be cool to see
Melvins - Bucket list
Alien Ant Farm - Could be fun...
Hoobastank - Might catch their hits if I'd go
Monster Magnet - self explanatory
Soulfly - i had a t-shirt I borrowed from a friend and never returned

I'll finish this later

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Get the fuck out of here; Lacey is going to be back with Flyleaf?!?! :eek:

JFC - that's almost my entire teenage years of listening.


FUcking COAL CHAMBER?!!?!?






Like, they quit due to major fucking differences, Dez Fafara went on to lead Devildriver (also very good). Their last album (Chamber Music) was not very good.


Just saw they had two releases after an I never knew! Rivals came out in 2015, listening to it now.

to go or not to go

holy shit. it sold out...well, that sucks.

i'm not paying to get put on a waitlist

edit - oh, i guess it only charges you automatically if tickets open. still...

Too many fucking albums since I last posted. Too. fuckin'. Many.

Highlights:

Enkel - Love Hurts 8.5/10
The Cars - The Cars 9/10
Astor Piazzolla - Edición Crítica: Música Popular Contemporanea De La Ciudad De Buenos Aires, Volumes 1 and 2 8.5/10
Roxy Music - Country Life 8.5/10
The Go-Gos - Beauty and the Beat 8.5.10
Barbra Streisand - People 8.5/10 (I don't give a fuck, son; bring it!)

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway - Crooked Tree 8/10

It's been awhile since I listened to a bluegrass album, but when you've got Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminski and Old Crow Medicine Show guesting on a record, you take note.

Elder - Innate Passage 8/10

I don't think it touches 2017's Reflections of a Floating World, but it is a stronger effort than their previous album, Omen.

Wo Fat - The Singularity 6.7/10

I liked it, but there is nothing particularly memorable about the record and I feel no desire to revisit it. I feel Wo Fat have a great record in them, but this is not it.

Barbora Xu - Olin Ennen 7.5/10

An odd mix of Finnish and Chinese traditional music, but it works.

Frode Haltli - Border Woods 7/10

'Avant folk' music, but a bit more soundscapey.

Ensemble Masques - Schmelzer: Sacro-Profanus Sonatas 8/10

Early-mid Baroque trio sonatas. You dig?

Clutch - Sunrise on Slaughter Beach 8/10

Standard fare by Clutch, but they do it well.

PIG - The Merciless Light

10 outta 10

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Lady Maisery - Tender 8.5/10

A return to form; their last album, six years ago, was feeling tired and stale. The break has done them well.

The Askew Sisters - Enclosure 8.5/10

Contains one of the members of Lady Maisery; really strong album of English folk music, just like the above record.

Heilung - Drif 7/10

Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero 7.5/10

It doesn't touch Downward Spiral or The Fragile.

Romanesca - Schmelzer: Violin Sonatas 8/10

Zoltan Kocsis - Debussy: Images Books 1 and 2, etc 8/10

Jutta Rahmel - Heijastuksia 6.5/10
Kayhan Kalhor - Night Silence Desert 8/10
Genghis Tron - Board up the House 8/10
Ensembles Masques - Rosenmuller 7/10

Car Bomb - Meta 8/10
I bought their most recent album, Mordial, a few years ago and I was yearning for something a bit 'mathy,' so I decided to get another record from this band. It is Calculating Infinity-era DEP mixed with Meshuggah. Good stuff.

Ensemble Gamut! - RE 7/10
Early music mixed with a bit of experimentalism. I preferred their first record, UT, more.

Bjork - Utopia 7/10
A strong album, but it does not have the emotional weight of Vulnicura, which was a late career high for the artist. I still need to buy her new record, Fossora, which I will get to at some point.

Team Sleep - Team Sleep 7/10
I don't know why I didn't buy this album back on its release in 2005, when I was at the peak of my interest when it came to Deftones. A solid album that mixes rock and electronica.

Yo-Yo Ma - Bach: Cello Suits Nos. 1-6 8/10
I've never been fussed about Yo-Yo Ma; I've also been more of Jacqueline Du Pre fan when it comes to all things cello. However, I enjoyed his rendition of these works.

Nickel Creek - Celebrants 8/10
A fine record. An improvement on their previous album from 9 years ago, A Dotted Line. My only gripe is that it could have done with a bit of editing; there was no need for it to be nearly an hour long with 18 tracks.

Floating Sofa Quartet - Sofa Songs 8.5/10
Nordic folk quartet collaborating with various other Nordic singers and musicians. Great stuff.

Motley Crue - Shout the Devil 8.5/10
Everyone needs a bit of Crue in their life.

I forgot:

Varttina - Kokko 8/10

Perhaps the peak of their 90s output; definitely the poppiest.

Hazelius Hedin - Silverdalen 7/10

A good Nordic folk album, comprised mainly of bouzouki, nyckelharpa and vocals.

The Askew Sisters - In the Air or the Earth 8/10

Another really strong folk album from this duo, but not as captivating as their most recent record, Enclosure.

Extreme - Extreme II: Pornograffitti 7.5/10

If you want some latter day hair metal, you can't go wrong with this record.

Jesus Piece - Only Self 7/10

If you're a fan of Converge, Botch and those kind of bands, I think you'll dig this record.

George Benson - Give me the night 7/10

A solid 1980s R'n'B/Pop record. I enjoyed it but I did not feel myself coming back to it very often.

Vesselil - Vesselil 7/10

Danish string trio playing Nordic folk music. Solid outing.

Solstafir - Otta 7.5/10

It's metal, but also not. I'm not quite sure what category/sub-genre it falls under. Out of all the new albums (to me) that I listened to over the past month, this record marginally stood out from the others.

Pyrithe - Monuments to Impermanence 7/10

Band that mixes death, hardcore, sludge and other metal genres. A solid record.

Michael Jackson - Thriller 8/10

I can see why it was such a phenomenon back in the 80s and why it made Jackson a megastar. With the exception of 'The Girl is Mine' and perhaps the title track, it's a very strong record, but those previously mentioned tracks stop it from getting higher than an 8 from me.

Virelai - Virelai 8.5/10

I really enjoyed this record and I can see myself coming back to it on a regular basis. An album of medieval Swedish music, so it won't be for everyone.

Boris - No 5/10

I generally enjoy their work, but this record was rather average and nothing about it stood out to me. It doesn't come close to Heavy Rocks (2001), Pink or Smile for me.

Leila Schayegh & La Centifolia - Ciaconna! 8/10

If you like a ciaccona, you can have a full album of them.

Tailcoat - Tall Tales in Tiny Places 7/10

An album of Nordic folk music. I enjoyed it but I've heard better, and the percussionist brings the record down a little, but I'm generally not a fan of percussion in my folk music, unless said band is The Duhks.

Loverboy - Loverboy 6/10

Nothing comes close to 'Working for the Weekend' that came on their following album.

Yakuza - Sutra 6.5/10

Fine, but I wasn't really feeling it.

Jenny Lewis - Joy'all 7/10

I always like a bit Jenny, but not her strongest record.

Rush - Power Windows 9/10

Fookin' loved this album! I know some people don't like their synth-era, but I do.

Talking Heads - Little Creatures 7/10

I liked it, but the record is not as good as their previous albums.

Rush - Grace Under Pressure 8.7/10

This is more of a grower than Power Windows, which immediately grabbed me. However, it is still top and I want me some more 80s synth Rush.

Billy Squier - Don't Say No 9/10

This is a great 80s rockin' album. It doesn't do anything new, but it delivers the goods. I'm going to get another one of his albums.

Eberhard Weber - The Colours of Chloe 7.7/10

If you want a non-guitar-based prog album, I don't think you can go wrong with this record. I need to spend more time with it, and I think once I have, my score will go to full 8/10.

Barbra Streisand - Stoney End 7/10

A more 70s pop-oriented album for ol' Babs, rather than delving into Broadway/West End musical numbers. There is perhaps too many Brill Building Pop songs, but the Laura Nyro and Gordon Lightfoot tracks, along with Bab's performance, raises the record above the average.

Epoca Barocca - Johann Fasch: Trios and Sonatas 6/10

I like it, but I don't necessarily need to listen to this record again. At least not for a while. Perhaps I just need to spend more time with it in order for the works to grow on me.

8/10


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Billy Squier - Emotions in Motion 8.5/10

It doesn't have the standout tracks of Don't Say No, but I still really enjoyed this record. It is perhaps more consistent than its predecessors, but as it doesn't have the 3-4 killer tracks that make Don't Say No, I can't give it a higher rating. If you like 80s rock, however, you should have this and Squier's second album in your music collection.

Brigette Lesne - Ave Eva: Chansons de femmes des XIIe et XIIIe siècles 8/10

I know there are secretly at least a few of you who enjoy a bit mediaeval music; vocal work especially. Lesne has a lovely voice, and accompanies herself on harp and hurdy gurdy.

Manfredo Kraemer, Juan Manuel Quintana - Buxtehude: Sonatas, Op. 1 8/10

I have a penchant for baroque trio sonatas; shouldn't everyone?

THERE'S A DETHALBUM IV!!!!!! OOOHHHHHHHH HELLLLLL YEEEAHHHHHHH!!!!!


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Ensemble Unicorn - Chominciamento di gioia: Virtuoso Dance Music from the Time of Boccaccio's Decamerone 8/10

Sometimes you just need to rock out to a saltarello, and you can't go wrong with this album if that is your bag.

Rush - Hold Your Fire 8.5/10

I love 80s synth Rush. Some people don't; those individuals can go fuck themselves. I didn't feel this record as much as Grace Under Pressure, and Power Windows remains the best of Rush's 80's synth output.

Tears for Fears - The Seeds of Love 6.5/10

Some say this is their best album, but for me it doesn't touch The Hurting or Songs From the Big Chair; two cathartic records that tap into something deep. The tunes are also just better on those two other albums.

I've been listening to four other albums of as late, as well, but I'm not ready to give my judgement upon them just yet.

Robert Palmer - Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley 8.7/10

10 years before he was Addicted to Love, Palmer produced this great record; a tasty mix of blue-eyed soul and funkalicious grooves. Get some, you bastards!

Marvara - High on Life 8/10

I didn't think much of this record for the first couple of 'spins,' but on the third or fourth turn I started to really dig this 'party folk' album.

Billy Squier - Here and Now 7/10

It's not a bad album, hence the score it has received, but compared to Don't Say No and Emotions in Motion, it doesn't compete. Perhaps it suffers from going up against the Robert Palmer record, which took up a lot of my listening time.

Sunrot - The Unfailing Rope 6/10

I want to like this record, but the mood-setting opening and final tracks are amateurish and naff, which drags its score down.

Andrew Parrott - Monteverdi: Vespro della beata Vergine 1610 7/10

I'm not really in a sacred music mood at the moment; I mainly bought it to broaden what baroque music I usually listen to; solid record, though. An album I'll probably come back to when I'm in that space for such music.

La Suave Melodia - Johannes Schenk: Il Giardino Armonico, 12 Trio Sonatas Op. III 7/10

I always enjoy a trio sonata, and these pieces are solid. However, compared to some of the other trio sonatas I listen to, these particular ones don't stand out above the crowd.

Maya Youssef - Syrian Dreams 7/10

A good album of Syrian/wider Levant music tradition.

Jerry Cantrell - Brighten 6/10

It's not a bad record, but I'll pick Degradation Trip over this record any day of the week.

GKN5 - Tri Hjarter På Ei Snor 8/10

Norwegian folk music. Get some!

Johanna Juhola - A Brighter Future 8.3/10

Finnish folk accordion music, mixed with a bit of pop and tango. I enjoyed this record a lot.

Johanna Juhola - Diivan Jaljet (Shadow of a Diva) - 7/10

Because I enjoyed the above album, I bought another of Juhola's records in quick succession. It is not as strong; a little bit too cheese. I will get more of her albums, however.

Lyradanz - Un Giorno in Ballo 7/10

It's a bit folk, a bit classical (I think). I'm not quite sure how to describe this record. Solid enough. Figure out the style yourselves with the video below.
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Culture Musical Club - Taarab 4 7.7/10

I need to listen to this record more, but I enjoyed it. I'll buy more taarab music albums in the future.

I seem to have missed these two albums:

Buckingham Nicks - Buckingham Nicks 8.5/10

If you like Stevie Nicks/Lindsey Buckingham-era Fleetwood Mac, you should get this album. Recorded and released a couple of years before they joined Mac, it contains all the elements that would bring the band big-time success.

Ulrika Boden - Rätt Nu Är Det På Tiden 7.5/10

Swedish folk music. Get some, you beauties!

Drain - Living Proof 7/10

Metally stuff.

Netania Davrath - Sings Russian, Israeli and Yiddish Folk Songs 7.7/10

It is a bit of an odd album. It is essentially three albums that have been bundled together, but there are some strange tonal shifts. I like the Russian stuff, which is somewhat dark and sober. However, we then veer into the Yiddish section of the record, and I feel like I've entered a production of Fiddler on the Roof; not a bad thing, but a bit jarring after all the Russian songs. The Israeli songs are somewhere in the middle.

Robert Palmer - Secrets 8/10

Tasty. Not as good as Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley, but still a strong record. I've bought another one of his albums, Pressure Drop.

Brighde Chaimbeul - Carry Them with Us 8/10

An album of bagpipes and saxophones. It is not what you might expect of a bagpipe album. Somewhat arty.

Johanna Juhola - Miette 8/10

Another album of Finnish accordion music. Stronger than Diivan Jaljet, but I think A Brighter Future remains her best record.

Montserrat Figueras - Lux Feminae 900-1600 9.5/10

I seldom give albums 9/10, and I can't remember if I've ever given a 10/10. However, there is something special about this record. I don't think it will find any appreciation amongst you lot, but worth a shot if you're looking for something different.

Ale Moller - Hasten och Tranan 8.5/10

I really enjoyed this album of Swedish folk music. Some of Moller's work with Frifot can be a bit too abstract for me at times, but this record is just good tunes.

Trapped Under Ice - Big Kiss Goodnight 8/10

If you like a bit of 'metalcore,' you can't go wrong with this record. Has a sense of humour about itself as well.

The Beatles - Abbey Road 8.5/10

It's late-period Beatles; do I need to say any more?

Billy Joel - The Stranger 8.5/10

I think it is on par with the other Joel album that I have, 52nd Street. If you want some 1970s pop rock, check this record out.

The Raglan Baroque Players - Locatelli: Complete Opus 1 Concerti Grossi 7.7/10

I have another album of Locatelli's opus 1 works, but it is not a complete run. I prefer those other performances, but this is still a fine record.

The Locatelli Trio - Locatelli: Complete Opus 8 Sonatas 7/10

As an album experience, it is a fine record, though nothing particularly jumps out.

Robert Palmer - Pressure Drop 6.7/10

It is not a bad album, but it does not touch Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley or Secrets.

Nucleus - Alleycat 7/10

If you are in the mood for some jazz/funk/rock fusion, this record might be for you. You dig?

Collegium 1704 - Zelenka: 1724 7/10

Some interesting choral work from a lesser known Czech composer.

Montserrat Figueras - Tarquinio Merula: Arie e Capricci a voce sola 8.3/10

Not as good as her Lux Feminae record, but still very lovely.

Uphill Battle - Wreck of Nerves 7/10

A good grindcore album, though it veers a little too far into the death metal side of grind for me; I prefer more hardcore-oriented stuff.

Rhiannon Giddens - Freedom Highway 7.5/10

I do need to give this record more of a listen, but I enjoy it whenever I have it on.

Paloma Gutiérrez Del Arroyo and Manuel Vilas - De Ventadorn: Chantador De Joi D'Amor - Six Songs By The Troubadour 7.5/10

You know you want some troubadour music, and this is a fine place to start.

Brutal Truth - Need to Control 8/10

A grindcore album that has enough variation in it to remain interesting throughout its run time. Get some!

Roxy Music - Avalon 9/10

This record is tasty. The first sophisti-pop album and there is not a bum track on it. It is a mellow record, which is propelled by some great bass work (and I don't usually pay much attention to the bass when listening to music).

Bryan Ferry - Boys and Girls 8.5/10

It is essentially a continuation of Avalon. The latter is stronger, but this record holds its own.

The Broadside Band - English Country Dances from Playford's Dancing Master 1651-1703 7.5/10

If you want an album of C17th English dance tunes, grab yourself a copy of this record.

Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run 8.5/10

It took me a couple of run throughs before the record clicked with me, but once it did, the album quickly became a regular on my listening rotation. It would have probably been my album of the month if it hadn't been for Avalon.

Tiamat - Wildhoney 6.5/10

I'm going to be honest: I've barely listened to this record since I bought it a month ago. Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry and McCartney have been occupying my music attention. It has some decent tracks, but on the whole, it doesn't really grab me, even though it is not a bad album.

Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening - Cloud Horizons 7.5/10

It is folky but also a bit rocky as well, though personally, I find the drumming to be rather uninspiring, which drags the rockier sections down. However, if you like Northumbrian bagpipes, and accordions, you might dig this record.

Fleetwood Mac - Mirage 7.5/10

Gypsy is the highlight of the album, but the rest of the record is also solid. It is no Rumours, however.

Alterne - Alterne 7.7/10

The debut album from the 'dream folk' trio, comprised of a Dane, a Belgian and an Estonian. I like it, but the vocals drag the score down a little.

Duran Duran - Rio 8.7/10

A top-drawer 80's pop album. There is not a duff moment. However, if I judge it against Avalon, from the previous month, it doesn't quite hit those heights.

Jesus Piece - ...So Unknown 8/10

Metal. Get some, you bastards!

Dominik Kiefer and Capriccio Barock Orchester - Sammartini: 6 Concerti Grossi Op.5 7/10

A solid set of concerti grossi, but they don't touch those of Corelli and Locatelli.

Hulbækmo & Jacobsen family orchestra - Rundsnurrknurr 8/10

A really good folk record, which takes Norwegian folk music as its base and adds various world music traditions. I'm going to see them in Oslo in September.

The Shamen - Boss Drum 7.7/10

I decided to buy this early 1990s dance music classic after having the song, Ebeneezar Goode, in my head for a couple of weeks. I'm veering into Gertner territory here, but I enjoyed it. The record has a very positive vibe to it; something that is absent from 90% of everything that is on my regular listening rotation.

Niels Erik "niller" Rasmussen, Mads Kjoller Henningsen & Clara Tesch - Rundt Segen: Bagpipe Melodies From Bornholm 8.5/10

Get some bagpipes, you bastards! I only know about this record because it involves two members from one of my favourite bands, Floating Sofa Quartet.

"the doors" by the doors

didnt care for it... "one of the best albums of all time" ok. I didnt care, just felt meandering. Sure technically gifted but i dont care it was boring

Leija Lautamaja - Sydän tuli piilosta 7/10

A low-key indie-pop/rock from the accordionist/harmoniumist of Finnish folk band, Enkel, and Nordic folk band, Floating Sofa Quartet. Not an accordion or polka insight.

Cavalera Conspiracy - Morbid Visions 7/10

Max and Igor Cavalera re-record Sepultura's debut album. They keep the spirit of the original, but improve the production.

Kalenda Maya - Kalenda Maya 7.7/10

Mediaeval and renaissance songs and dance tunes. Get some!

Knudsen & Syrjälä - Talende Strenger/Kertovat Kielet 7/10

Finnish kantele and Norwegian hardanger violin duets. Good stuff, though I need to listen to it more than I have. This album is more an autumn/winter record, than a summer record.

Joel Cohen & Camerata Mediterranea - Alfonso X El Sabio: Cantigas de Santa Maria 8/10

You can't go wrong with an album of some of the Cantigas de Santa Maria. This record, however, goes the extra mile and makes use of musicians from North Africa, alongside musicians with Spanish/European roots, and by doing so attempts to reflect Alfonso X's court.

The Zawose Queens - Maisha 8/10

Wagogo music from Tanzania, mixed with low-key electronics and other elements. A good mesh of the traditional and the contemporary. Love the polyrhythms.

Bryan Ferry - Bête Noire 8.5/10

Another great record from Bryan Ferry; he made some stellar albums in the 1980s. It shakes things up a little from Roxy's Avalon and Ferry's own Boys and Girls, but still maintains the style/feel of those records. There are times when I can hear the influence of Peter Gabriel's So album, which is not a bad thing.

Don Henley - Building the Perfect Beast 7.7/10

The classic Boys of the Summer opens up the record, but the rest of the album never reaches those heights again. It's still good, though.

Bab L' Bluz - Nayda! 7/10

Rock music mixed with Moroccan influences. Not bad. I could do with spending more time with it, but Bryan Ferry had most of my attention last month.

Nails - Every Bridge Burning 8/10

If you want to feel like you're being curb-stomped into oblivion, and then wanting to do the same to others, listen to Nail's first album in 8 years. Get some, you savages!

Gordon Lightfoot - Lightfoot! 8.5/10

The man. The Legend.

Paul and Linda McCartney - Ram 8.3/10

A bit slighter than Band on the Run, but still a very enjoyable album.

Toto - IV 7.5/10

If you need some 80s pop rock, you can't go wrong with this record.

Luther Vandross - Never Too Much 7/10

The other tracks never really reach the heights of the title track, which starts the record, and it becomes a bit samey, but still a good listen.

Archspire - Bleed the Future 7/10

If you want your death metal faaaaaaaast and technical, check this album out.

Pentangle - Cruel Sister 7/10

Folk prog from the 1970s. I could do with listening to this album more.

Guro Kvifte Nesheim and Floating Sofa Quartet - Kystnaert 8/10

I like me some Nordic folk music, and this is a tasty record.

Sumac - The Healer 7/10

Sludgy metal.

Otto Klemperer and the New Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra - Beethoven: Missa Solemnis 8.7/10

A big, bold orchestral and choral masterpiece. You know you want some.

Anne Azema - The Unicorn: Medieval French Songs 8/10

I think it is mostly troubadour songs. Azema has a lovely voice.

Anne Azema - Le Jeu d'Amour 8.3/10

As I was enjoying her other album, and they were both cheap, I decided to get another one of Azema's records. It is another album of medieval French songs, but mainly from the north of the country, rather than the south. I prefer this record slightly more.

Gordon Lightfoot - If You Could Read My Mind 8.3/10

The Man. The Legend. I slightly prefer his first record.

Jerry Cantrell - I Want Blood 7/10

An improvement on his previous record, but still not up there with Degradation Trip.

Pykari - UFO 7.5/10

Indie rock mixed with Finnish folk music.

Paul McCartney - Tug of War 7/10

A solid record, but it is not as good as Ram or Band on the Run.

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 7.5/10

A good, varied record.

Jim Croce - "You Don't Mess Around With Jim"

I've been listening to the hits for a few months now so I decided to give his albums a go. Magnificent.
I was already a big Harry Chapin fan so I'm very comfortable with folk songs sung by a great storyteller.
The parallels between Chapin and Croce are strong, right down to the unexpected death.

If there's a great story left to tell, the guy telling it had best avoid trains. Planes and automobiles have had their fill.