Ten years after it was released, this album still gives me a bit of the shivers. The debut album of this trio, Doves, was a big step forward that did not get a lot of initial notice, but gathered momentum due to its atmospheric qualities, and paved the way for their second, and even more commercially successful album, The Last Broadcast. I chose this album because of my experiences
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I reviewed the album Love by this band some months ago, and talked about how the band was still in the process of harnessing their sound. 1989′s Sonic Temple was the apex of the band’s popularity, with the enormous success of “Fire Woman” and “Edie (Ciao Baby)”, although their sound had expanded beyond the psychedelic/southern blues-rock synthesis into the realm of arena sounds, although the still maintained their unique
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To say this is a Britpop album would be far too simple; however, it really is one of the forerunners to that movement. The sounds of the guitars of Guy Chadwick and Simon Walker jangle like Britpop, but distort, delay and float like a Jesus & Mary Chain that’s in love with the beauty of the world. Chadwick is effortless and casual with his vocals, and almost wry in
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I never thought I would be a “techno guy”. And I’m certainly not a raver. When this album came out I was not initially aware of it. It took exposure from a party girl with whom I made out once or twice, back in late 1996/early 1997, for me to become hear this group at all. I feel pretty certain that a good percentage of my readers, all four
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Joe Strummer was the ideal front man for a rock & roll band. His preeminence is showcased on London Calling, The Clash’s Third Full-length release. It is considered one of their best albums by many, and though I don’t agree totally, that’s mainly because so many of their releases are so thoroughly well-structured. That having been said, London Calling is an excellent album. Thirty years after its release, it is still
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Also in January 1980, the rest of the world other than Detroit finally got its first full-length taste of The Romantics, with the release of their debut, self-titled album. The Romantics is straightforward power-pop, guitar-based, catchy and boppy. The next few years would give the band moderate success, with a few singles charting and the band eventually breaking through with the later single “Talking In Your Sleep” (not featured on
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This record is a masterpiece. I will start this review by making this statement. Black Flag, as you know, were the ORIGINAL hardcore band, even though their sound really was NOTHING LIKE subsequent bands in that scene. They were also, of course, the vehicle for the jumpstart of Henry Rollins’ career, and I know you all LOOOOVE him. Slip It In is their third album, released in December of
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