Saturday, November 19, 2011
Songs of the Day
No Light, No Light: This song reminds me a lot of the opening tune, but without that fresh sound. These songs are starting to blend together. I like that the first verse is low and contrasted by the fullness of the chorus, but I wish the second verse had stayed low instead of continuing the chorus height. I won't be surprised if I hear this song in a commercial or a trailer or something. It's ok.
Seven Devils: Initially, I was into this song, but my excitement didn't last too long. There's a cool eerie feel to this tune that I dig, which is much thanks to the piano line and the rubbing against the strings. This is one tune I wish wasn't so open and spacey (like every single song on this album) - I think that would actually help the creepy feel to it. I'm just yearning for something a little tighter and locked down. Too long of a track. *Sigh*
Heartlines: This is another one I was initially fooled into thinking it was cool. How could I not with that awesome percussion beat starting it off? Not really into the synth sound, but luckily it's not in there the whole time. Like the previous tune, I think this song would have worked better tighter, and not so open and spacey. I really want to like this song, but I'm kind of bored...
Seven Devils: Initially, I was into this song, but my excitement didn't last too long. There's a cool eerie feel to this tune that I dig, which is much thanks to the piano line and the rubbing against the strings. This is one tune I wish wasn't so open and spacey (like every single song on this album) - I think that would actually help the creepy feel to it. I'm just yearning for something a little tighter and locked down. Too long of a track. *Sigh*
Heartlines: This is another one I was initially fooled into thinking it was cool. How could I not with that awesome percussion beat starting it off? Not really into the synth sound, but luckily it's not in there the whole time. Like the previous tune, I think this song would have worked better tighter, and not so open and spacey. I really want to like this song, but I'm kind of bored...
Friday, November 18, 2011
Songs of the Day
Never Let Me Go: I don't know what that sound is in the intro of this tune, but I dig it. This song has a spacey feel to it that I really like. Spacey and mysterious - I can dig it. I'm getting into her voice more - it really works on these types of tunes. The hook vocals are sweet - they have a nice openness to them that fits with the spacey feel of it all. Looked up the lyrics, sweet stuff.
Breaking Down: I'm not really into this tune, which is disappointing because I really dug the last one. This one just sounds a little too corny. The effect on the piano doesn't work for me. I think I could like it in a different context, but not here. I'm glad it's not there the whole time. I like the verse string parts, but the rhythm they play in the hook adds to the corny factor. There's just a little too much going on all together.
Lover to Lover: My feelings on this one fall between "Never Let Me Go" and "Breaking Down." I dig the groove in the verses. There's a distance on the piano, and the way the bass sits well, but unfortunately, the hook kind of ruins it for me. I'm not into her voice on this one - it's a little overbearing. It's not doing anything for me. This title made me want more.
Breaking Down: I'm not really into this tune, which is disappointing because I really dug the last one. This one just sounds a little too corny. The effect on the piano doesn't work for me. I think I could like it in a different context, but not here. I'm glad it's not there the whole time. I like the verse string parts, but the rhythm they play in the hook adds to the corny factor. There's just a little too much going on all together.
Lover to Lover: My feelings on this one fall between "Never Let Me Go" and "Breaking Down." I dig the groove in the verses. There's a distance on the piano, and the way the bass sits well, but unfortunately, the hook kind of ruins it for me. I'm not into her voice on this one - it's a little overbearing. It's not doing anything for me. This title made me want more.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Songs of the Day
Only If for a Night: This is a pretty cool opening tune - lots of power to it. I really like the intro with the piano and harp playing at that odd meter - very cool. The drop is pretty cool too - I like the heaviness it gives the beat, which is a cool contrast from the intro. I dig the group vocals, but I wish they were more in the forefront - they get a little lost among everything else going on. I also wish I could understand her a little better. Dig the intensity of the tune, it makes you pay attention. Great build. May be a little long, but it's not that big of an issue.
Shake It Out: This is a decent tune, but I don't like it as much as the first. I like that the beginning is low, and that it builds, but it stays high and doesn't come back down. I just want there to be a little more dramatic contrast. I also find the "shake it up" hook kind of corny, they coulda come up with something cooler. It's a decent tune, I just get a bored by the second chorus.
What the Water Gave Me: Ah yes, dynamic contrast, I'm glad you're back. This groove is pretty sweet. The slide guitar gives it a cool, eerie feel that works really well with Florence's sound. Her voice sounds very delicate, and fragile, which is a nice contrast against the heavier, darker feel of the groove. Dig that it's in 8. Group vocals are cool. Rock guitar with harp is very cool. Great build to the end, capped off with a cool outro. Dig.
Shake It Out: This is a decent tune, but I don't like it as much as the first. I like that the beginning is low, and that it builds, but it stays high and doesn't come back down. I just want there to be a little more dramatic contrast. I also find the "shake it up" hook kind of corny, they coulda come up with something cooler. It's a decent tune, I just get a bored by the second chorus.
What the Water Gave Me: Ah yes, dynamic contrast, I'm glad you're back. This groove is pretty sweet. The slide guitar gives it a cool, eerie feel that works really well with Florence's sound. Her voice sounds very delicate, and fragile, which is a nice contrast against the heavier, darker feel of the groove. Dig that it's in 8. Group vocals are cool. Rock guitar with harp is very cool. Great build to the end, capped off with a cool outro. Dig.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Album Factoids
Ceremonials
Released: October 31, 2011
Genre: Indie pop
Label: Island
Producer: Paul Epworth
Released: October 31, 2011
Genre: Indie pop
Label: Island
Producer: Paul Epworth
Week 59: Florence + the Machine
One week to 60 - woot woot! So, I'm gonna be honest, I'm not actually the biggest fan of Florence + the Machine, which I mainly credit to her voice (it's not really my cup of tea), but every review I've seen of this record says it's amazing, so why not give it a shot? I am really only familiar with their single "The Dog Days are Over" or whatever it's called, and it's definitely catchy, so I'm interested how they translate into a full album. Reviewing new albums is always fun too. And, we're off!
Final Grade: B+/A-
When my roommate, Dom, suggested I do this album, all he said was "you're gonna be happy all week," and I must say that I agree - what a cheerful album. The majority of the album, I wanna be up dancing in a circle of people, just having a good time. I love the strong African element to this album, I think that's really what got me happy. It's not too often you hear an entire pop album infused with such a heavy African element, and I really dug that. "I Know What I Know" and "Homeless" are definitely my two favorite tracks - so good. My main problem with the album was that I felt that the songs sounded too similar to one another, and when the groove did switch with the final two songs, it was too different. The songs were definitely cohesive, and that's always good, but they started to all sound the same. At least it was a good same. I think I'm gonna have to put this album in my car.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Songs of the Day
Under African Skies: You can't help but be happy when listening to this album, and I love that. Who doesn't wanna feel happy when they're listening to music? Really dig Linda Ronstadt on harmonies - the female vocal adds a nice warmth to the melody. Happy music.
Homeless: This song is pretty incredible. The group African chanting is really beautiful. I love how deep the bass vocals resonate - they provide such a great weight. Love the pick up in the end. You just gotta listen to it.
Crazy Love, Vol II: I feel bad that "sweet" is the only adjective that I use for every song, but that's literally the only word I think of. Dig the guitar parts - nice and light. The B section is a nice switch up, and I'm happy for that. I dig this groove, I just wish that it wasn't so similar to the rest. Not to say that I don't like what is similar between all the songs, I just want a little more variety. I'm still happy though, so I really can't hate.
That Was Your Mother: Well, this is a little different. Very hoedown-like (welcome back the accordion), may be a little too much for my taste. A little different than what I would have guessed for a groove switch up, but I'll roll with it. I should probably be in a circle dancing with some folks or something.
All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints: The opening drums to this made me think I was listening to "Take On Me" by a-ha - very similar, but that's the 80s for ya. I dig the subtlety of the guitar, but I wish the drums weren't so harsh and overshadowing it. These last two groove switches aren't exactly what I would have put, but they're decent. It's a little too hokey for my taste, but it may grow on me with a couple more listens.
Homeless: This song is pretty incredible. The group African chanting is really beautiful. I love how deep the bass vocals resonate - they provide such a great weight. Love the pick up in the end. You just gotta listen to it.
Crazy Love, Vol II: I feel bad that "sweet" is the only adjective that I use for every song, but that's literally the only word I think of. Dig the guitar parts - nice and light. The B section is a nice switch up, and I'm happy for that. I dig this groove, I just wish that it wasn't so similar to the rest. Not to say that I don't like what is similar between all the songs, I just want a little more variety. I'm still happy though, so I really can't hate.
That Was Your Mother: Well, this is a little different. Very hoedown-like (welcome back the accordion), may be a little too much for my taste. A little different than what I would have guessed for a groove switch up, but I'll roll with it. I should probably be in a circle dancing with some folks or something.
All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints: The opening drums to this made me think I was listening to "Take On Me" by a-ha - very similar, but that's the 80s for ya. I dig the subtlety of the guitar, but I wish the drums weren't so harsh and overshadowing it. These last two groove switches aren't exactly what I would have put, but they're decent. It's a little too hokey for my taste, but it may grow on me with a couple more listens.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Songs of the Day
Gumboots: Man, oh man am I happy that I'm reviewing this album as I get up - what wonderful tunes to start your day with! Another tune with accordion - I can dig it. I love that everything is so upbeat, happy, and African. It's pretty interesting, the way Paul has incorporated African music into all of the tunes thus far, and with such ease. Hearing true musical blends is always refreshing. Great background vocals, once again. I'm glad that this was a short tune - short and sweet.
Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes: A cappella African chant opening? Please, and thank you. So sweet. The groove that comes in is sweet, very beachy, much like the rest of the tunes. Paul's vocals have a lighter feel on this one, which I like. I'm gonna have to give a shout out to the bass on this one, because it is mad, mad funky. Horns are sweet too. I think it may be a little long, but I dig it.
You Can Call Me Al: I feel weird that I have used "sweet" to describe every one of these songs, but that's really the only adjective that comes to mind when I listen to these tunes. Today's three all sounded a too similar to me - that beachy, African, kinda country feel. I dig it, for sure, I just wish there was a little more variety between the three. I've actually heard this song before, which is actually refreshing. This tune definitely has more of the 80s drums and synth than the last two, which is nice, and I dig the staccato rhythms, but it's all still too similar. That is not to say that this tune is not catchy beyond reason, and that the other songs aren't the same, I just want a lil spice or somethin.
Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes: A cappella African chant opening? Please, and thank you. So sweet. The groove that comes in is sweet, very beachy, much like the rest of the tunes. Paul's vocals have a lighter feel on this one, which I like. I'm gonna have to give a shout out to the bass on this one, because it is mad, mad funky. Horns are sweet too. I think it may be a little long, but I dig it.
You Can Call Me Al: I feel weird that I have used "sweet" to describe every one of these songs, but that's really the only adjective that comes to mind when I listen to these tunes. Today's three all sounded a too similar to me - that beachy, African, kinda country feel. I dig it, for sure, I just wish there was a little more variety between the three. I've actually heard this song before, which is actually refreshing. This tune definitely has more of the 80s drums and synth than the last two, which is nice, and I dig the staccato rhythms, but it's all still too similar. That is not to say that this tune is not catchy beyond reason, and that the other songs aren't the same, I just want a lil spice or somethin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)