What Have You Spun for Me Lately?

wes · Guitar tech

RE: What Have You Spun for Me Lately?

liebzz · Certified D.J

I still think Brothers is an amazing album. To think of where they started (and to still enjoy that as well) to where Brothers is at is astounding. When I first heard this band 5 years ago or so, I thought I would like them for now and then get tired of hearing the same song for x number of albums. Instead, they've managed to experiment constantly with their sound (from hip hop to Danger Mouse to the anything goes nature of Brothers and Dan Auerbach's solo album).

While I also many times long for that early sound, I have to say I like them more now for everything that they've done since.

Nick · The 5th Beatle

Here's a recent sampling:

Bruce Springsteen - Darkness on the Edge of Town: I really, really need that bad-ass box set with the three DVDs and the notebook.

The Black Keys - Brothers: Like the rest of the world, I decided that this was the best record of 2010, just edging out the Dead Weather.

Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys: Classic.

The Black Crowes - The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion: I went through a three-day stretch where this was literally the only record I listened to. I got a 180-gram repressing on LP for Christmas, and the sound is stunning. It made me love it all over again; this is one of my 20 favorite albums ever.

Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild: In related news, I got a notice that my LP of Live on Ten Legs shipped the other day. That should be a fun listen, minus some songs I'm famously not fond of, haha.

liebzz · Certified D.J

I got the Springsteen box for the holidays, and have only made it through The Promise CDs, Darkness, and part of one Blu Ray so far, but it's supremely awesome. Probably the best boxed set I've ever seen.

As for Live on Ten Legs, I have heard about 2/3 of the live album so far (went to the independent retailer and got it - a nice little search party for this thing), and while I enjoy it far more than Live on Two Legs from 12 years ago, the same critique applies now as it did then - their compilation rocks, but it fails to conjure the personality of this band live. Ultimately, an excellent compilation of rockin live songs that still feel out of context.

...and the new songs still sound excellent in a live setting.

liebzz · Certified D.J

FYI, R.E.M. is awesome.

liebzz · Certified D.J

I am still listening pretty heavily to the new REM album, and just started spinning Tres Mts., which will be a staple for a few weeks I am sure...can't wait for tomorrow's Pearl Jam reissues!

liebzz · Certified D.J

Lots of random notes:

1) LOVE the new Foo Fighters album. Might be their best yet, so far as my opinion goes.

2) I like the new TV On the Radio, but feel like while the songwriting is almost on par with Dear Science, it lacks the sense of urgency that ran throughout that album.

3) Picked up the Hendrix, Stones, 2 Springsteen, Vs., Vitalogy, Immortality, and a few other singles on Record Store Day. Missed out on the Foo Fighters covers album I really wanted.

4) Don't really care for the new Ben Harper single, "Rock N Roll is Free." Ben might often make cliche rock music, but never has it had such a lame pop sheen to it. Maybe I will like it in the context of the larger album and eat my words here, but it just seems uninspired and boring.

5) Still listening on and off to the new REM and Tres Mts. though Foo Fighters is really dominating the stereo, as noted above.

6) Can't wait for May 31st (Eddie Vedder and My Morning Jacket albums), June 21st (Eddie Vedder at the Beacon), and the forthcoming summer concert schedule.

liebzz · Certified D.J

With regard to #3, went on a whim and a prayer to Other Music, and snagged the last copy of the Foo Fighters covers album, so my RSD quest is complete.

liebzz · Certified D.J

This has been an excellent year so far for these album releases. R.E.M., Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam reissues and live album, Soundgarden live album, and next up on the queue is Eddie Vedder and My Morning Jacket.

Also, despite my reservations, I picked up the Ben Harper album yesterday, and I actually really enjoyed it quite a bit. It is with the Relentless7 lineup, and I think it is an improvement on the last album with them (I ultimately came to the conclusion that the studio versions of those songs just didn't come close enough to measuring up to the live experience). Some straight ahead uncomplicated rock music along with some interesting and different directions they went on here.