The straightforward, heartfelt storyteller behind Norah Jones' Little Willies band releases his 4th studio album, an instant classic, to be played in every Starbucks in Manhattan for years to come. Slow New York proves you don't always need high-tech studio gadgetry to make a great album in this millenium. The title track, Photograph, and Cold Grey Sky are some of my personal favorites, but Damn is the standout track here.
4. TV On the Radio "Return to Cookie Mountain"
I was a little skeptical about this one, what with all the hype from their last album, along with it's strategic placement at the checkout line of Urban Outfitters and their being pigeonholed as Brooklyn's premier post-punk outfit. I thought Return to Cookie Mountain had potential to be this years biggest disappointment. I was wrong. Totally wrong. This album delivers the goods from start to finish. From the fragile falsetto on the opening track, the familar saxophone on "Hours", and the flat-out rockin' riff that runs through "Wolf Like Me" (which is coincidentally, a great track to put on your iPod while running) this album captivated me throughout, and I expect it will do the same to many fans of blues, jazz, punk, and rock as well. Let me also take a minute to disagree with the review on Amazon.com, which states that the song Province, "sort of sucks." The vocals on this track are amazing, even inspiring. Make sure to check out the 3 bonus tracks on the end of the album, with the final track having a real jazz-punk vibe which I hope to see more of from these guys in the future. Be wary, as this album may not be immediately pleasant and welcome to your fragile eardrums. It is one of those that will grow on you with time and repeated listens.
3. Junior Boys "So This is Goodbye"
My favorite electronic pop album of the year, and probably this decade. The Junior Boys are what would happen if the Postal Service went to graduate school and took a chemistry class from Depeche Mode, with Ferry Corsten as the graduate assistant. Listen to it, and then tell me you think I'm wrong. Synthetic beats abound, this album reminds me of what was fun about some budding electronic music in the 1980's, but a more mature and polished version, with intimate, not ridiculous, lyrics.
2. Band of Horses "Everything All The Time"
The best album to come out of Seattle since Nirvana's "Nevermind." There, I said it. Really, I just wanted to come up with an eye catching headline to this review. Truth is, I like this album more than Nevermind, but any respectable musical journalist would probably blacklist me for saying so. Seriously, if you can rock out like Nirvana did, that's one thing. But do it with feeling and without lithium, and throw in a few acoustic ballads here and there, and you've got a special place in my heart. Band of Horses mix electric, rock tunes with acoustic, folky tunes better than anyone I've heard since Dylan. Ok, I'm getting carried away, placing these guys in the rock and roll Hall-of-Fame after their first album, but the truth is, virtually the same lineup recorded 3 albums as Carissa's Weird to critical acclaim, but without commercial interest. I wish I could say I'd heard of these guys back then, but I hadn't, so I can only write about what I know of them.
Everything All The Time could be divided into two sides- The Electric Side, with tracks Wicked Gill, Our Swords (featuring the best bass line of 2006), The Funeral, The Great Salt Lake, and Weed Party. Side Two is the Acoustic Side, with Part One, I Go to The Barn, Monster, and St. Augustine. Each mode has its own feel, with the electric songs being playful (Weed Party), airy (The Great Salt Lake), catchy (The Funeral), and infinitely repeatable on your stereo (Our Swords). The acoustic mode is more thoughtful (Monster), spiritual (St. Augustine), and backwoods ala Jim James of My Morning Jacket (Part One and I Go to the Barn).
As a whole, the album easily approaches the masterpiece status. I have no doubt that I will be listening to Everything All The Time for many years to come. When I first heard their majestic sound, I certainly played it Everytime All The Time.
1. Justin Timberlake "FutureSex/Love Sounds"
I can not deny my true feelings for Justin any longer. He is the best in the business, the King of Pop. I have tried to hide behind stacks of obscure 60's soul LP's and my Yo La Tengo/Guided by Voices back catalogues, but the simple and unavoidalbe truth is this: Justin Timberlake is the man. While I regrettably never followed his career during his Mickey Mouse or NSync days, his solo debut "Justified", was probably my favorite CD of 2002. But I never would have told anyone back then. In fact, when any of my guy friends spotted the "Justified" CD I would immediately blurt out, "My sister bought me that gay CD for Christmas." I suppose I am just more comfortable with my masculinity/heterosexuality today, and have no shame in saying that I am a Justin Timberlake superfan. If my old-school, hardcore, straight-edge, punk buddies shun me for putting John Mayer in the top 25, they will probably want to kick my ass for putting JT at this year's No. 1 spot. Or at least force me to renounce my straight-edge DIY punk vows.
But there is no denying that this guy can sing. And dance. Have you seen the video for "My Love." It is ridiculous. He makes Usher look like it's amateur night at Chippendales. An appearance by T.I. assures that he will also continue to receive a ghetto pass for years to come. I'm not sure about his acting skills, but if he has half the talent on the big screen as he does on the dance floor I expect to see him in a feature film with Edward Norton and Kate Winslet in no time. Personally, I thought his performance in the banned SNL "Dick in a Box" skit was Emmy award worthy.
Let's give credit where credit is due and mention that Timbaland produced nearly the entire album, which nearly guarantees commercial success. But only the vocal stylings of the young Timberlake would make this album the overall success that it is. Yes, we've all heard "Sexyback" way too many times and we're all sick of it. But I don't think I'll ever grow tired of Timbaland's clever transition from Sexy Ladies/Let Me Talk To You into the verses, hook, and chorus on "My Love," no matter how long the radio airplay assault continues.
Love Stoned/I Think That She Knows is probably my favorite track or track/interlude of the album, of which there are several excellent ones. The most amazing part of this track is how it starts as a fun and thoughtless dance track into a guitar-based, dramatic confession of an obsessed lover, using the exact same lyrics, but with a much different feel, again to the credit of JT's ability to transition between commercial pop star and soulful crooner.
What Goes Around, at 7 minutes, is Timbaland's best contribution, with orchestral arrangements and ridiculously catchy beats taking over around the 5 and a half minute mark. Damn Girl is another classic, with a terrific blend of hip-hop and old school R&B (I'm pretty sure ODB is no longer alive, but that sure sounds like him), which recurs throughout the album. Tracks 9-12 are the most R&B, with Losing My Way, being the notable exception, and the most socially conscious song on the album. You would think that after all the club anthems and baby I love you so much, Losing My Way might seem out of place, but JT manages to pull off this thoughtful biography of a drug addict with unexpected grace, and with the help of a gospel choir.
The main criteria for being the #1 album of 2006 was spins on my stereo, and FutureSex/LoveSounds simply got the most. Actually, Band of Horses may have gotten more spins, but if I consider all the times I heard JT on the radio or at the club and didn't turn the dial or leave the dance floor, and secretly enjoyed the hell out of his music, it probably outnumbers all the other albums 2 to 1. So, my secret is out, write-in Justin Timberlake for President in 2008.
And for your viewing pleasure, my obsession with JT takes over unexpectedly and uncontrollably at halftime on the sidelines of an Ultimate Frisbee tournament:
1 comments:
Excellent review!! Timbaland is also the man!!
Post a Comment