Day 13 - Slow start, slow middle, slightly better end

Eric B and Rakim - Paid in Full
Pretty minimalist hip hop album that shows its age. It sounds like something from the 1980s and has nothing fresh about it, despite the style being much copied in the genre over the years. It's kind of cool to listen to though, unlike some rappers Rakim chatters in a fairly effortless yet rhythmical style, and although most of the lyrics pass me by when I stop and listen its clean and clever. I keep hearing parts of songs that have been sampled in the intervening years, which always makes me stop and say, "hey I know that bit!". Despite its age and its perpetual 1980s vibe, this is actually a very funky record that I enjoyed in the end.
Standout Tracks: My Melody, I Know you got Soul,




Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
Being not a fan of punk, I wonder if I am a fan of post-punk, since there is a lot more about this album that's interesting than (say) The Damned I listened to earlier. Reminiscent in places of early Cure, it's a fairly sparse recording where each instrument is allowed its place in the music. The vocals are in some respects haunting, and in other respects powerful and melodic. It's Morrisey-esque in places, but for me lacks the pretension of Morrisey and is therefore a little more likeable. A melodic album, lacking the aggression of punk, and with people that can actually play their instruments, this is a fairly enjoyable affair although I decided not to stick around for the bonus live tracks on the 2003 release (which is the one I was listening to)
Standout Tracks: Thorn of Crowns, The Killing Moon, Ocean Rain




Eek-a-mouse - Wa-do-dem
This isn't the first reggae album I have listened to, but I think it's more accessible than the others. It's very laid back, and Eek-a-mouse, despite his ridiculous name, has a fairly ingratiating vocal style that alternates between discernible melody and weird scat. It's not out of place though, and creates a rather easy on the ears experience. Unfortunately it's also rather non-descript, in the sense that it's reggae, but nothing really stands out for the standout tracks. All the songs just sort of merge into one long skank (check excellent word use there, I only learned it the other day!). Easy listening, but not too memorable. Incidentally I have heard this guy before - he popped up on a P.O.D album I sometimes listen to in a weird nu-metal/reggae thing.
Standout Tracks: Ganja Smuggling (Live, very fun)




The Damned - Damned Damned Damned
Let me say it (in case you hadn't grasped it from my other reviews), I don't like punk at all. So it was with trepidation that I put this record on. There is nothing at all I like about this music, not one single saving grace. The singer cannot sing, the guitars are making my ears bleed with their tone, and I really just don't see the point. Oh well, I'll stick it out, just to say I listened to it. Not a great start to 1man's musical day! Perhaps to understand or appreciate punk you had to be there when it happened. I wasn't, so I don't. Utter tosh.
Standout Tracks: There aren't any.





Brian Eno - Another Green World
Weird electric synth pop from the 1970s. The album sounds very experimental, as if Eno has a bunch of samples that he wants to see if he can shoehorn into a loose musical framework. I'm not sure what comment I should make on this album ... it's got me confused about what its trying to be. Some of the tracks are reasonably good pop (I'll come running, which I assume is a ballad to someone special) but interspersed are these odd musical interludes that don't seem to do anything or go anywhere (The title track is a fine example), reminiscent of Aphex Twin (*shudder*). Strange album, can't think of much else to say about it, but I doubt I will give it another listen after this.
Standout Tracks: St Elmo's Fire, Sombre Reptiles (promised much, delivered little), Spirits Drifting (because after this one it was all over!)