Just want your thoughts on a NEW album you've bought by ANYONE that you think is EXCELLENT from start to finish. A little backgroun info/review would be cool too.

Thanks!

sorry I've not found any EXCELLENT new releases lately, but I'm hoping the Van Hunt album will be good; I've heard the samples and will get it when it's released here in OZ.

Here are some GOOD or VERY GOOD albums, though (but not EXCELLENT):

George Michael - Amazing ***
Lenny Kravitz - Baptism ***1/2
Janet Jackson - Damita Jo ***

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[This message was edited Mon May 31 5:16:39 2004 by mrdespues]

Rhian Benson

http://www.rhianbenson.com/main_hi.html


I also agree with Mrdespues selection. Janet's album is cool, it's only let down is the tacky pillow talk between the tracks. Really bad, very cheesy

Damita Jo

I haven't bought a new album in ages...

The last CD I bought (besides Prince) was "Kemistry" by Kem, and it's a very good album. Soulful, romantic, and spiritual all rolled up in one...plus the man's just got a beautiful voice.

Y does it have to be new?

Older stuff is good no?
[This message was edited Mon May 31 13:11:44 2004 by thesexofit]

My favorite non-Prince album is "Shelter" by the Brand New Heavies. It's very ear-gasmic once you get past the "Las Vegas" intro.

Keane.. Their a new group that are considered Piano rock, and they resemble coldplays style.. melody wise.

Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism
Ani DiFranco - Educated Guess

If you like "alt" rock-why must it be catagorized as alt rock , its irks me- listen to The mars volta "De-loused at the comatorium" (2003), Franz Ferdidnand (2004), The Strokes "room on fire" (2003), or Interpol "Turn on the Bright lights" (2003). From a hip-hop perspective, Kanye West "The College Dropout" (2004), Obie Trice "Cheers" (2004), Keith Murray " He is Keith Murray"(2003)-totally missed by most but is quite good-, or Nappy Roots "wooden leather"- another lost jem passed up by folks. Hope this helps you some. Cool

If you like R&B, then I would highly, highly recommend the CD by Heather Headley entitled, "This is Who I Am". Heather has a soulful, clean voice and has a great CD from beginning to end. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced one song on the CD. Heather is best known from her stints on Broadway in the Elton John/Tim Rice production of "Aida", and in the Broadway version of "The Lion King". Additionally, she appears on the CD "Dreamgirls in Concert". She has a website, www.heatherheadley.com, and I'm sure you can find some snippets of the songs to see if she's your sort of artist. I hope you enjoy her.

theSpark said:

Nice suggestion.. one of the best cd's to come out of 2003.. Beautiful

ryan adams - llor dna kcor (rock and roll)
straight ahead, raw, edgy rock and roll, strong wrting and performance, excellent album all the way through.

just for clarification, definitely not bryan adams, it is ryan adams

2 2004 releases that sound timeless:

Neil Hannon classic crooning:


60's sound (Standards):


I guess Musicology has put me in a retro kind of mood

mrdespues said:

...George's album's called 'Amazing' over there? It's called Patience everywhere else.

Loretta Lynn-Van Lear Rose (Produced by Jack White)....just amazing the whole way through. The best album I've heard all year

Ryan Adams-Love is Hell 1 & 2....was recently released as one album and you will not be dissapointed. Mostly mellow and his version of Oasis' "Wonderwall" is so damn beautiful I am liking more than the original.

Keane-I dont have this yet but I really like what I've heard. Very Coldplay like.

johnny cash - american iv; the man comes around

excellent mix of covers done "jc" style,.... personal jesus, hurt,i hung my head !!! and traditional,....give my love to rose, desperado, i'm so lonesome i could cry.

jc had one foot in the grave when he recorded this album his choice of song and the delivery under these circumstances is quite incredible !, listen to the following songs knowing he is also knowing hes gonna die soon ...wow ! whatta guy !!!

the man comes around
hurt
bridge over troubled water
personal jesus
in my life

and the incredible choice of ... we'll meet again , jc's wife had not long died and he knew they'd be meeting up again real soon , to hear him sing "we'll meet again dont know where dont know when but i know we'll meet again some sunny day " is awsome !

dont be put off thinking this is some heavy morbid shit its not ! honestly its .....

BEAUTIFUL !!!

bananacologne said:

sorry! It's called Patience here, too....whoops!

I'm running the risk of sounding like a mindless trend-follower, but I truly love the Franz Ferdinand album.
[This message was edited Tue Jun 1 20:41:39 2004 by flipwilson]

Maroon 5 surprised the shit out of me, it's one of the most perfect albums I've purchased in YEARS.

Modest Mouse- Good News for People who Love Bad News. I figured they were just another lame indie band riding that wave by the way my friends were talking about them, but I picked up this album on the cheap and it was really good. It kinda reminded me of early U2 and The Cure at times.
[This message was edited Tue Jun 1 23:05:45 2004 by HobbesLeCute]

tori amos-welcome to sunny florida. yes, it's both a a live performance of tori on dvd recorded 09/04/04 featuring some really cool music from the goddess herself. also, there are some awesome interviews & a yearbook for the tour as bonus features. in addition to that, there is a cd which has b-sides from the scarlet's walk album. isn't this way cool?

Nellie McKay: Get Away From Me - she's Norah Jones with teeth--touring this summer with Alanis (but don't let that turn you off).

Goldfrapp: Black Cherry - super slinky electro. Many tracks have recently appeared in commercials à la Moby's 'Play'.

I should also mention Evolución by Aterciopelados. They are only the best latin-alternative band ever.

Patience- George Michael
So- Called chaos- Alanis Morissette
Under the pink/ From the Choirgirl Hotel- Tori Amos

EverlastingNow said:

i agree

Sorry peeps, but many of the choices seem to be very popular overground choices

I have a few gems that may make your head spin Anji:

Lucien N Luciano - Blind Behaviour (Peacefrog)

Very organic electronica from a Swiss-Italian producer. (Sounds like - emotional machines)

Mylo - Destroy Rock and Roll (Breastfed)

Cross between Roykssopp, Daft Punk, Prince and Scissors Sister but better. Music to dance to and music to chill to with a sense of fun throughout. (Sounds like - A great Saturday night into Sunday morning)

Hot Chip - Coming On Strong (Moshi Moshi Records)

You need to hear this to believe it with a song dedicated to Prince also.(Sounds like - The Beta Band having a sexonthebeach with Freeform Five in a bedsit in Liverpool laughing at old Jimmy Tarbuck jokes, unreal!)

Midwest Project - World Series of Love (Ghostly International)

Beautiful balance between electronic sounds and real instrumentation, you need this. (Sounds like - Nothing else you've heard before.)

Felix Da Housecatt - Devin Dazzle and The Neon Fever (Emperor Norton/Ryko Disc)

Amazing mixture of 80's Glamour, Stadium Rock and Noughties booty BASS, better with every listen. (Sounds like - Appolonia and Vanity stuck in a lift with Brian May, Felix and Kraftwerk dropping some acid!)

Hope some of these tickle your fancy, they're a wee bit more out there than most but I'm sure you won't be dissapointed!

Happy Listening

picasso said:

The original post didn't spicifically ask for underground artists. I personally don't care if an artist has sold six albums or six million. Whether it be Mors Syphilitica or Janet Jackson, if it's good, I'll listen to it.

OK, you definitely definitely have to buy Love is Hell by Ryan Adams. It was initially 2 EPs but it is now released as a single album. It is absolutely stunning. Not a bad track on there and a pure example of beautifully crafted songwriting. I could name around 9 amazing songs on there.

Either that one or the Scissor Sisters album which is completely different, but almost as good. Its camp 70's elton john inspired pop / dance / funk music that is guarenteed to get you hooked. Great songs and a great image.