Classic Albums: "J" for "Journey Into The Morn"

What can I say about “Journey Into The Morn” by Iona other than wow ... this is one truly inspired and inspiring album.

Whilst it works well as a collection of truly beautiful tracks ... it is, in my opinion, better consumed as a whole ... from “bi-se i mo shuill (part 1)” all the way through to “when I survey”. I realise this may be an alien concept for some folks ... especially in the day and age of single tracks rather than albums ... but it is really the best way to enjoy what is being presented.

I can't express how much this album means to me. It is an album based on the hymn “Be Thou my Vision and, as such, it is my kind of “religious” music. It expresses my faith in such an eloquent manner... describing common moments beautifully.

I’m not a big fan of contemporary “worship music” ... there are exceptions but in the main this kind of music leaves me cold. It tends to be overly emotive and sonically dull.

Iona, on the other hand, with their particularly delightful blend of progressive rock and folk music get me every time ... and “Journey into the Mourn” is my go-to album when I need a lift or when I feel in need of contemplation.

The combination of Joanne Hogg’s vocals, Dave Bainbridge’s instrumentation and Frank Van Essen’s percussion is truly a partnership made in heaven (pardon the pun). Add to that Troy Donockley’s pipes and wow ... amazing just doesn't quite express it.

It is for me what music should be ... imaginative, creative, progressive and wild-of-heart ... music that is full of feeling and poignant significance.

I would recommend this release to anyone - a member of the Christian faith or not, a fan of prog rock or not - it transcends all these earthly shackles. And I, for one, am grateful to Iona for recording this album.

Tx

Classic Albums: "I" for "In the Court of the Crimson King"

In my ongoing journey through my iPod looking for ’classic albums’ we have arrived at "I" and immediately King Crimson spring to mind with their seminal 1969 release "In the court of the Crimson King".

Wow. This album still sounds vibrantly fresh today and definitely holds its own.

Opening with the tour de force that is "21st Century Schizoid Man", it still sounds as vital as it did when I first heard it.

But the album is more than this track, good though it is.

"I Talk to the Wind" is a masterpiece of melancholic wonder … deliciously downbeat with some truly amazing instrumentation. Delicate and yet so powerful.
As is "Epitaph" with it's earnest lyrics and some seriously heartbreaking instrumentation.

The abstract nature of the instrumental - "Moonchild" - is possibly the only downside. It seems out of kilter with the rest of the album somehow. It has never settled with me but doesn't take anything away from the rest of the album … especially when you consider it is the precursor to the album's title track - "In the Court of the Crimson King" - a truly magnificent journey into sound.

 To dismiss this album as "prog" is to lose out of something very special indeed. I've come late to it ... but I'm glad I did eventually arrive.

Tx

Classic Albums: "H" for "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey" OST

As my slightly infrequent journey through ’classic’ albums continues ... I am going to take a bold and audacious step and name Howard Shore’s score for “The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey” as my classic album for the letter “H”.

Why is this a bold and audacious step? Well ... the CD was released on the 10th of December 2012 ... and four days isn’t *really* enough time for something to become a classic ... but to me this soundtrack has.

Let me explain.

It is all that is brilliant about Shore’s work on “The Lord of the Rings” but better.

Yes ... better!

The Special Edition disc ... is a 32-track double-album ... filled with the best Shore has to offer. It has 6 additional tracks and 7 tracks that are extended from those that feature on the ’normal’ edition ... and features so many themes and leitmotifs, it is simply stunning. This album feels new *and* familiar at the same time ... something I find utterly remarkable yet entirely in keeping with Shore’s previous work.

It is truly brilliant. Yes, I am biased considering my Tolkien nerdery ... but as a piece of music it is wholly accomplished and deeply engaging ... moving the heart and stirring the soul.

I can't wait to put the music to the moving pictures … and tomorrow I will … but for tonight, I have my imagination.

Recommended.

Tx

Classic Albums... "G" for "Give Up" by The Postal Service

There is something wonderfully timeless about the music presented on "Give Up" ... the debut album for The Postal Service ... the side project between Jimmy Tamborello and Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard.

This album is worth it for the first two tracks alone ... "District Sleeps Tonight" and "Such Great Heights". They are wonderful examples of indietronica* and still sound fresh nearly 10 years after they were released. If I was still DJ'ing ... I'd still drop "Such Great Heights" into my set ... and watch the glee of folks dancing like loons to it's infectious polyrhythms.

It doesn't surprise me that this album was the second Sub Pop Records release to receive platinum certification ... and was their best selling album since Nirvana's "Bleach".

What does surprise me is that this album isn't wider known ... especially in the UK (in my experience). There is nothing not to like about it. It is truly a classic.

Recommended.

Tx




*I thought I was being silly and just made up the term 'indietronica' but it turns out I didn't :: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indietronica ... still it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Classic Albums... "Fulfillingness' First Finale" by Stevie Wonder

I love Stevie Wonder ... or, more specifically, I love his uber-productive period between 1972 and 1976 where he released 4 albums and 1 extra-special double album. The music from that period is both timeless and wonderfully experimental ... it still feels fresh when I hear it nearly forty years later.

"Fulfillingness' First Finale" is the fourth album in that run ... recorded in 1974 ... which is, coincidentally, the year I was born. In many ways its the low-key poor cousin compared with classics such as "Talking Book" or "Innervisions" ... and is also overshadowed by the awesomeness that is "Songs in the Key of Life" ... the double album that came 2 years later.

But there is something about this album that resonates with me. The mix of songs and sounds ... from funky synth sing-a-longs to bittersweet ballads with the most exquisite guitars ...  is simply first class.

"Boogie on Reggae Woman" is simply infectious ... whereas the downtempo nature of "creepin'" is wonderfully sensuous.

I also love the cameo from the Jackson 5 in "you haven't done nothin'" ... it is a simple doo-wop delight.

To me ... this is a great album that stands tall with Wonder's other great albums ... one that is highly recommended ... albeit one that can't be purchased on it's own but bought with the other 4 albums of the period. Seriously ... if you don't own these albums then reward your ears ... now.

Tx

Classic Albums: “Endtroducing.....” by DJ Shadow

In my ongoing, semi-regular look at classic albums ... I come to the letter ’E’ and there is one album that starts with an ’E’ that stands head-and-shoulders above its peers ... “Endtroducing.....” by DJ Shadow.

This album was a game-changer when I bought it on the day it was released. It took the beats and attitude of hip hop and took it to a whole other level ... and in doing so DJ Shadow lived up to the promise he had shown prior to the release.

Instrumental hip hop has never been better ... some folks have come close, in my opinion, but no one ... not even Shadow himself ... has surpassed this album for me.

The variety and sonic density of the music presented beggars belief ... he really did take instrumental hip hop and, dare I say, dance music in general, to another level.

Shadow’s use of polyrhythms and obscure sounds blows my mind. What shouldn’t work ... in his hands does. The ethereal sound of the harp juxtaposed against thrash metal drums ... wonky synths ... off kilter vocal samples ... female vocals ... chunky drones and super-chunky, high fat beats ... soulful samples ... hip hop dialogue ... all work to make this album one in a million.

If you don't have this release in your collection then get it ... now!

The only thing that disappoints me about it ... if i am honest ... is the lack of the full version of “midnight in a perfect world” ... which is one of the best tracks on the release and, thankfully, featured on a separate single release. Well worth finding if you haven’t heard it ... the spoken word poetry is truly inspiring.

Recommended.

Tx

Classic Albums: "Dark side of the moon" by Pink Floyd

I discovered today's classic album - "Dark side of the moon" by Pink Floyd - a few years back ... I was convalescing after the removal of my gallbladder and I had rented a few bits and pieces from my local Library. These bits and pieces included the album and the film '2001 a space odyssey'. I had time on my hands and I wanted to explore content I had previously ignored.

I was blown away ... on both counts.

The things I love most about "Dark side of the moon" are the variety of sound and the experimentation on offer ... each listen brings something new to me. The use of synths fascinates me ... along with all the added sounds like footsteps, ticking clocks and cash registers. The use of spoken word also excites me.

I also love the continuous nature of the recording ... the way each track blends seamlessly into the next.

What's more ... I really like the cover and think Storm Thorgerson created a simply yet eye-catching masterpiece.

All in ... I love this album and would highly recommend it ... albeit listening to it whilst simultaneously watching 'The Wizard of Oz' is up to you.

Tx

Classic Albums: "The Campfire Headphase" by Boards of Canada

I love Boards of Canada. They are one of my favourite musical acts. In "The Campfire Headphase", the third studio album from BoC, Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin created something really special.

They also managed to capture their magic in the video for "Dayvan Cowboy" which features footage from Joe Kittinger's famous parachute jump from 19.5 miles (31.4 km) altitude and slow-motion footage of big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton (see below).

I can't really describe the analog joy that is the Boards of Canada sound. It is both familiar and disconcerting... with a warmth that has yet to be emulated.

Whilst this album contained "Dayvan Cowboy" it was best enjoyed in one sitting... from start to finish. Whilst I love hearing "Dayvan Cowboy" in a mix ... it feels out of context. "The Campfire Headphase" is that context. This is a truly an album... something to be treasured from start to finish.

Recommended.

Tx

Classic Albums :: "before the dawn heals us"

There is something wonderfully euphoric about M83's "Before the dawn heals us" ... the third studio album by M83 ... which was released in January 2005 to positive reviews, according to Wikipedia.

Their music is a distinctly heady mix of electronic beats, euphoric tempos, ethereal vocals  and shoegazing guitar noise ... a kind of dreamy pop music that is simply an utter delight to consume.

"Lower your eyelids and die with the sun" ... the final track ... stands on its own as 10+ minutes of the most adorable euphoric bliss... a set-ender of immense quality ... the kind you can only imagine playing on a beach after a long night ... just as the sun begins to coat the skin with reddish hues. It never fails to delight me and for this track alone ... the album deserves to be called a 'classic'.

However, the rest of the album takes you to this track. Whilst not a concept album in any real way ... it is certainly one that demands (and rewards) listening to in order and in a single sitting. It isn't the kind of album that you can pick tracks from. It works better as a whole ... rather than parts.

If you don't have it in your collection ... then I recommend you get it. It's that good!

Tx

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Next up in the 'Classic Albums' series is "The Campfire Headphase" by Boards of Canada.

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Classic Albums: "...and justice for all"

I listen to a whole heap of new music that it is always refreshing to relisten to a 'classic' album that I haven't heard for a while... and try to hear it with 'new ears'. So with this in mind... I'm going to try and work through my iPods... A - Z... and pick out some music that I consider 'classic'.

To get the ball rolling... the first A album is: '...and justice for all' by Metallica... it is their fourth studio album and the first one to feature Jason Newstead on bass.

I, for one, love this album... it has a deftness of touch that marks it out: it is heavy in places and melodic in places... but it's not too heavy and not too melodic... it's just right. I love the time signatures and James Hetfield's earnest vocals too... they really work for me.

'One' is a stand out track... something I remember from it's release. I remember buying the video on videotape and watching it repeatedly... I didn't have MTV when I was a we'an.

I never really connected with Metallica again after '...and justice for all'. Only that and 'ride the lightning' really spoke to me. I had (have) both of them on vinyl and played them constantly.

It is a great record and one I'd recommend.

Tx

Next up 'B' - 'Before the dawn heals us' by M83