Album Factoids

Random Access Memories

Released: May 21, 2013
Genre: Disco/electronic
Label: Daft Life/Columbia
Producers: Thomas Bangalter & Guy-Manuel de Homem Christo (Daft Punk)

Week 86: Daft Punk

Alright, back after a break!  This week, I decided to review Daft Punk's latest album, Random Access Memories.  I know Daft Punk's work, but only singles, and I've heard good things about this album, so I figured I'd check it out.  I also hear that it's mainly live instruments, so that's pretty dope coming from this electronic duo.  I really dig the first single off of the album, "Get Lucky" ft Pharrell, so I hope the rest of the album has a similar vibe!  Yay new music!

This Week's Album...

Final Grade: B+/A-

Yusef Lateef definitely opened my eyes to some jazz flute, I definitely dig it.  I really liked the different styles that were played out throughout the album, including the nice "Hey Jude" cover - it was nice to have such a variety.  I for sure need to dive into some more of his and his comrades stuff, there's not nearly enough jazz in my life.  Definitely some cool tunes, my favorites being "Lowland Lullabye," and "Jungle Plum."  Yet again, my mom came in for the musical win :)

All of today's tracks

Gotta go back to the grooveshark page if you want a listen.  You should, they're pretty cool.

Songs of the Day

The final tracks are on deck for today: "African Song," "Queen of the Night," and "Below Yellow Bell."  Pretty solid way to take the album out.  "African Song" has a super mellow vibe to it that I really like.  Feel like I should be sitting back on the beach, or on a safari, or some cool shit like that.  Yusef sits nicely above the chill groove going on, which I dig.  No instrument is sticking out, it's just a nice blend between all members.  Dig the keys sound going on, gotta love that Rhodes.  This track is short, simple, and to the point.  "Queen of the Night" is the only track that I wish Yusef wasn't as forefront on.  Don't get me wrong, he sounds awesome, but I really like the groove on this one, and I think I'd like it even more if he was just turned down a taaaaaad to blend in with the band a little more.  The guitar solo is cool, it's definitely got a 70s sound to it, and I like that another instrument was featured.  The groove is solid, so I dig it.  "Below Yellow Bell" is definitely a trippy (and kind of creepy) way to take this album out...but I like it!  These dudes were definitely high or something, but most likely high.  The bass parts are pretty cool, I like that there are two.  There's a lot of chaos in the structure, but that's what makes this song cool.  It gets gradually more chaotic as the song goes on, but it's subtle enough not to be weird.  The fact that the keys, percussion, and the bass are keeping with the groove helps hold everything together.  Overall, a pretty solid day.

All of today's tracks

so, there's barely any of this album on youtube, so I figured I'd just post a link to where you can listen on grooveshark.  Enjoy!

Songs of the Day

Got tracks 3-5 for review today: "Hey Jude," "Jungle Plum," and "The Poor Fisherman."  "Hey Jude" is obviously a cover of the famous Beatles track of the same name, and Yusef definitely does it justice.  At first I was a little confused, because the track starts off really low, so low I couldn't even hear it, and it slowly builds as the song progresses - I like and dislike it.  The build is really cool as it goes right alongside the feel and intensity of the tune, but I wish that I could hear everything the band is doing clearly, because it sounds like they're grooving their asses off.  I dig how rockin it gets at the end, especially the guitar - definitely sounds like they're having a good time.  I don't really understand the cut at the end only to come back 2 seconds later and then abruptly cut off again, seems a little off putting.  Otherwise, solid cover.  First of all, I love the title "Jungle Plum," that's a fucking cool song title.  The keys on this track are probably my favorite part, they've got a killer sound to them.  I like the hits in the B section - gotta love some good hits.  The track is definitely focused on Yusef (as the whole album should be), and he for sure brings it on this one.  Really dig the vocalizing he incorporates in his solo, it adds nice texture to what he's playing, as well as showing the audience that he has a clear idea of what he's playing.  Solid track.   Similar to "Lowland Lullabye," "The Poor Fisherman" has got a Native American kinda vibe that I dig, and it's solo Yusef (no cello this time around), so that's cool.  Yusef on his own gives the track a kind of eeriness that I dig, it definitely makes you pay attention.   It makes me feel like I should be out star gazing or something.  It's nice and short, which is also good, because it would probably lose some of the softness that keeps your attention.  A nice little way to take the day out.

Nubian Lady

Lowland Lullabye

unfortunately, there are no videos of this song online, but you should definitely check it out.

Songs of the Day

Only two songs to start off this album, "Nubian Lady," and "Lowland Lullabye," so it's gonna be a short review day.  "Nubian Lady" is a pretty groovy way to start the album off.  Sounds like I should be strolling down the street in the 70s with this playing behind.  I could definitely picture this being in a movie back then, probably a blaxploitation film.  Dig that Yusef is nice and prominent in the forefront - you definitely know this is his track.  I really like what the keys are doing in this, especially how they harmonize with Yusef on the flute.  Yusef definitely has a dope solo going on here, I think the middle eastern flare he throws on a couple riffs is a nice touch on things.  A cool tune, but I think it might go on just a tad too long, as it becomes a little repetitive at 6:39.  Otherwise, solid way to start off the album.  I think "Lowland Lullabye" is a pretty cool tune.  It's only Yusef and cello, and the two together have a eerie, Native American sound going on.  Even though the track is very simple, something about it draws you in and grabs your attention.  I find the cello being the only accompaniment very interesting, doesn't seem like something you hear very often.  It's a good thing this track is on the short side (2:20), because I don't think it would have been able to be as effective were it longer.  Cool self harmonizing by Yusef at the end.  Good day of tracks.

Album Factoids

The Gentle Giant

Released: 1972
Genre: Jazz
Label: Atlantic
Producer: Joel Dorn

Week 85: Yusef Lateef

I felt like doing an instrumental album this week, and my mom suggested I listen to Yusef Lateef's The Gentle Giant, so I obliged.  Every album she's suggested so far has been great, so I'm going to listen to her on this one.  She's also my mother, so I should always listen to her.  I've never even heard of Yusef outside of my mom's mentioning him (she's mentioned him on a couple of occasions), and I'm looking forward to hearing what this flautist has to offer.

This Week's Album...

Final Grade: B/B+

JT, you did not let me down with The 20/20 Experience, you certainly did not.  I love that he was able to incorporate old school with new school and everything in between.  Solid album on both JT and Timbaland's part.  I'm also loving the incorporation of The Tennessee Kids, because they are one funky backing band.  There are a few bangers on this album, like "Pusher Love Girl," "Suit & Tie," the B section of "Strawberry Bubblegum," and "That Girl," but I didn't think the album was overall consistent.  I really am not into the final 2 tracks, and there were a couple of others where I felt he was trying too hard to have a different sound, and didn't succeed.  I love the album, no doubt, I just wish he had stuck to the soulfulness that made the opening tracks so hot.  I don't know if any of these songs will have the hit power that "Cry Me a River," or "My Love" had, but these tracks are still pretty solid.  Definitely looking forward to Part II of this album in November.  The fact is, I always have and always will love Justin Timberlake.

Let the Groove Get In

Mirrors

this video is strange.

Blue Ocean Floor

Songs of the Day

Taking it out with the final 3 songs off the album: "Let the Groove Get In," "Mirrors," and "Blue Ocean Floor."  Unfortunately, this is definitely my least favorite.  "Let the Groove Get In" is by far my favorite song today.  It's got this afrobeat kinda feel to it that I dig - definitely a great song to dance to.  Super cool to hear some heavy percussion on a track.  The horns are up in front, which I really dig.  Good vocals on this one, especially with the harmonies.  There are a couple vocal breakdowns that a pretty sweet.  I dig this song, but the A section is way too repetitive to go on as long as it does.  I'm happy there is a B section, because a change was needed.  The B section is very MJ, which makes sense as many peg JT for his predecessor.  A cappella ending is definitely solid.  Overall, it's a really fun song, I just think it's a tad long.  I wish this song had been last, because I'm pretty disappointed by the follow-ups.  "Mirrors" is the second single off the album, and you got it when you preorded the album, so I've been in it's possession for a little bit now.  I didn't like it when I first got it, and my mind hasn't changed much on that.  It mainly has to do with the guitar sound that first comes up in the intro.  It just sounds like a very cliché effect and lick, and it degrades the rest of the tune.  Without it, I would probably like the song as a whole better, but only a little.  The beat is pretty cool, but it's a little overbearing at times.  I also find it melodically and lyrically kind of cheesy.  Cmooooon JT, I know you can do better than this.  The "you are the love of my life" part at the end is kind of cool, but it doesn't seem completely necessary.  I'm also not a fan of "Blue Ocean Floor."  It's a cool sound, but it's way too transient for JT's sound - he does better with upbeat, dance-y type shit.  It's also way too long, and therefore gets pretty boring.  The production is cool, especially all the string stuff at the end, I just don't get the purpose of this song.  Not how I would have taken the album out.  Why you gotta do that to me, JT???

Tunnel Vision