Day 14 - The magical 50 albums reached!

ESG - A South Bronx Story
Hard to classify this album. Wandering basslines and complex rhythms underpin 60s style vocal arrangements. Makes for a fairly funky feel to the album. Seems to be sample city today though, as the group intersperse their dance type songs with wierd noises that bring a wrinkle to the nose and a desire for it to stop. Each song largely consists of a repetitive drum and bassline with the vocals layered over the top alongside various percussion instruments. Each song is crisply produced, but gets monotonous after a while, and lyrically there is a complete lack of substance. Good for dancing to I would imagine, but despite some intricate drumming there's not a lot here to hold my attention.
Standout Tracks: Hard to say ...




Edan - Beauty and the Beat
At times hip hop, at times aggressive rap, and at times just plain old wierd and psychedelic this is an interesting mix of samples, sounds and styles from all over the spectrum of music. Never sure what to expect whenever I put on a new album I haven't heard before, but this one was um, most interesting, like Kevin Ayers with a drum machine. Don't quite know what to make of this, it's more a collection of random sounds than a coherent album. The drum machines underpin everything, but on top its all strange noises and clips of people having conversations about all and sundry. If you fancy sitting with a puzzled expression on your face for half an hour, this is be the album for you.
Standout Tracks: Murder Mystery




Everything But the Girl - Walking Wounded
Plinky plonky uninspiring dance music. At least there is the light relief of a good vocalist crooning over the top of the electronic ambience, making this a little more interesting than other ambient style music I have listened to. I like the singers voice a lot, its pretty sultry and emotive and suits the background plinking and plonking quite nicely. It's all just a little dull though, and one of those albums where I find myself looking at the remaining tracklist and durations to see when I can get on with the next one. Instantly forgettable, but not altogether unpleasant. A little more depth once the quicker drum'n'bass starts up, but nothing to write home about.
Standout Tracks: Walking Wounded




The Decemberists - Her Majesty, The Decemberists
I was hoping for something great for my 50th album on this silly quest, and I was not disappointed by this effort from a band that I had not heard of before this journey. This is a very acoustic album, with many instruments being employed to blend a fresh, vibrant and very honest and soulful record. The music is tough to categorise for you, there are elements of folk, pop, rock, indie, but the whole thing is underlined with the acoustic guitar and the sound is very vibrant. Despite multiple influences, at no point does the album become confused, since it's a very honest album by a group of very talented musicians that refreshes the ears when you listen to it. Lyrically a little on the odd side, but the vocalist singing them is excellent. All in all a very fine album, and one I will be keeping and listening to again I am sure.
Standout Tracks: Los Angeles I'm Yours, The Bachelor and the Bride, Red Right Ankle

Good day today! The music varied from the great to the not-so-great, but I reached a little milestone on my quest - 50 albums, or 5% of the way there. A friend commented that I'd be good on a pub quiz team with all the knowledge I am getting from this journey, and I do feel I am learning a lot about music and broadening my horizons. It's been well worthwhile so far, and despite the fact that I am averaging keeping only 1 in 6 or so of the albums I hear, it's been worth it for those little gems that have appeared. Some real highlights include todays album by the Decemberists, Miles Davis, Manu Chao and the incomparable Johnny Cash. Here's to 50 more, and 50 more after that and ... well you get the idea!