You're Everything

Light as a Feather

Songs of the Day

You're Everything:  What a sweet way to start off the album.  I'm not even gonna front, maybe it's the Fender Rhoades, but this keys intro sounds so much like my brother, Taylor, that it's kind of blowing my mind.  God, do I love the sound of a Fender Rhoades.  I can't get over how vocalist Flora Purim's accent makes it sound like she says "joo" instead of "you" - I love it!  It's adorable.  Dig the jazz pick up with the band.  Sweet flute solo thanks to Joe Farrell.  Sweet breakdown ending.  Dig, dig, dig.

Light as a Feather:  Steady jazz tune right here.  There are a lot of really great things going on in this tune,  too many to name with its eleven minute.  For that reason, I'm gonna end it at this - listen to this song for bass player Stanley Clark.  Holy moly.  That is all.

Album Factoids

Light as a Feather

Released:  November 1972
Genre: Fusion
Label: Polydor
Producer: Chick Corea

Week 60: Return to Forever

Holy bajesus, I didn't even realize that it was week 60!  I'm 3/5 the way there!  And on time!  Craziness.  Anyway, this weeks suggestion comes from my brother, Jevon, and I think it's a very smart one.  I'm familiar with Return to Forever's music because I saw them play in Spain in 09, but I've never listened to their studio stuff.  I actually saw Chick Corea perform with my dad at the Blue Note in NYC last week, so I've got his sounds fresh in my head.  After seeing them live, I'm definitely excited to listen to this album.  "Spain" is the final track?  This should be a good week.

This Weeks Album...

who's not down for some fusion?

Final Grade: B-

So, initially, I was definitely thinking I was gonna be able to get into this album and get rid of any preconceived notions I had about Florence + the Machine, but unfortunately, it didn't happen that way.  The beginning of the album definitely had me intrigued.  I was getting into her odd, yodel-like voice against the spacey, eerie, open feels of the grooves, which were maximized in the built up choruses...until that was all it was.  After the first 4 songs, everything started to sound the same, and I couldn't differentiate one song to the next.  I just wanted some stuff to be tighter, and not so open all the time.  The reason for the B- is for the sole fact that I understand why so many people are into this band, and this sound.  It's not my cup of tea, but for what they're going for, Florence + the Machine has it on lockdown.  Gotta respect a band that knows their sound.

Spectrum

All This and Heaven Too

Leave My Body

Songs of the Day

Spectrum:  I feel like I have to really start thinking of these songs individually, because contextually, they all sound the same.  So, that out of the way, this track is okay.  I wish she weren't so breathy on this track, and I'm over the shout-y chorus thing - it gets old fast.  I like the layers in the chorus, and it's got a nice pick up to it.  The harp and vocal breakdown is sweet.  I got bored of the groove though.  Not the best, not the worst.

All This and Heaven Too:  The intro to this song got me excited - it has this Portishead feel to it that I really dig, but then it goes into a much cornier groove that I can't really get into.  The verses are okay, but the chorus melody is pretty corny.  Spacey, open feel?  Of course.  Not my cup of tea, this one.

Leave My Body:  I must say, we are ending on a high note with this one.  I like the melody in the verses, the chorus is cool, the distance is actually working in their favor.  I wish the group vocals in the chorus weren't so spacey though.  The piano in the chorus is very cool, really dig it.  I really dig the echo/faded out ending too.  I can get down with it.