Day 19 - A guilty pleasure (Don't tell anyone!)

Gang of Four - Entertainment!
I've listened to a few post-punk albums since this little journey started, and I have to say that unlike punk itself (which I cannot stomach) I do like this kind of music. I think it's because I can see in it the foundations being laid for some of the great 80s music that I still enjoy listening to. Gang of Four have their politics and attitude, but they have toned down the raw edge of punk, and whilst it hasn't lost any of it's bite, this post punk offering does lack the rough edges. A polished effort, and the influence on modern post-punk bands is obvious. I particularly like the way each instrument is clearly defined and produced, so if you want to zero in on what one musician is doing on a track it's nice and easy, instead of punk where it's all mashed together in a wall of noise.
Standout Tracks: Natural's not in it


Galaxie 500 - On Fire
Not sure how I feel about this record. It's a flight of fancy with whimsical lyrics and chord progressions a five year old could play. Took a while to get to the first song that wasn't written in the key of G ... the drumming is laid back and lyrical, the bass does nothing exciting but contribute to the guitar - and the guys singing (poorly) in what sounds like a large hall. But despite all that it sort of works. It sounds like some drugs were harmed in the making of this record, but it's understated simplicity actually makes it slightly appealing, and good listening when in a reflective mood perhaps. The songs all sound a little too much like one another so it's hard to pick out standout tracks, but on the whole not a bad effort from a band I am wholly unfamiliar with. Sounds very much like the sort of thing my indie loving university room mate used to inflict on me at all times of the day and night. In fact ... listening more closely, this is familiar music from those hazy, lazy university days.
Standout Tracks: Hard to say ... they all sound pretty much the same.


Girls Aloud - The Sound of
One of the 1000 albums of all time? I am beginning to wonder who put this list together. Anyways, I'll have a listen and see where it goes. My music credibility amongst my peers is going to get shot to pieces after I say this, but I find myself tapping my foot and in a wierd masochistic way vaguely, dare I say, enjoying this! It's not your usual pop music offering, plenty of interesting arrangements, instrumentation, and songwriting. Put aside the fact this is a manufactured girl band, and there is some decent music here. I know its something of a guilty pleasure but I am enjoying the album, not that I am going to spread that around too loudly and lose all credibility with my colleagues here. On a side note, it took me until the 12th song before I came across a song that I couldn't at least sing along with the chorus ... not sure what that says about me, or about how Girls Aloud have forced their way into our lives.
Standout Tracks: Too many to mention!