Something old....something new (#6)

"The Yes Album" by Yes (released 1971 - remastered  2003)

  This is the album that made the fledgling genre of Progressive Rock worth listening to. The triumvirate of ELP, Genesis and Yes had been around a couple years offering a variety of interesting but uneven releases until this master stroke arrived. There are plenty of extended suites featuring quick rhythm and time signature changes but never at the expense of the songs which remain imminently listenable. The album gets off to a brilliant start with the group-penned "Yours is No Disgrace" which allows ample space for each member to shine. Next is "The Clap" a Steve Howe showcase of Chet Atkins style finger-picking before side one closes out with the amazing "Starship Trooper". Composed of 3 parts (each written by a different member) the song soars through each piece culminating with "Wurm" a hypnotic 3 chord instrumental that climaxes amid a splattering of guitar fireworks. Side two is every bit as strong with stirring vocal harmonies and Tony Kaye's majestic B-3 organ propelling the classic "All Good People". The album ends as spectacularly as it began with the driving "Perpetual Change". The musicianship on this album is incredible! As the newest member, Steve Howe's guitar swims in and out of every track (made for headphones) imprinting itself into the band's DNA. Chris Squire is the rare breed of bass player (McCartney, Entwhistle)  that can carry a song melodically as well as rhythmically and his work here is nothing short of astonishing! Add Bill Bruford's endlessly creative drumming and Anderson's pure choirboy-like vocals and you have a prog-rock masterpiece!

"Infinite Arms" by Band of Horses (released 2010) 

      This is the third album by Band of Horses and it follows the template set by their first two excellent releases "Cease to Begin" and "Everything All the Time". Showcasing a mix of big vocal harmonies, gorgeous choruses and guitar driven Americana songwriting, vocalist/guitarist Ben Bridwell leads his band through thirteen songs reflecting the great American landscape. From the opener "Factory" through the final notes of the epic ballad "Bartles & James" this is a release of consistently high quality. A highlight of every song are the lush harmonies reminiscent of "Fleet Foxes (another personal favorite). This is mainly a mellow affair focusing on the beautifully layered harmonies but there is variety here, "Laredo" is a nice rocker and my favorite on the album. "Compliments" and "Northwest Apartment" also amp up the energy level. "Evening Kitchen" features only guitar and vocal to nice effect. The title track uses strings to frame it's laid back vibe and "Dilly" is a pop rocker with chopping guitar and keyboards leading the way. It's always a treat to hear an album that is so well crafted and completely enjoyable. You really can't go wrong with any "Band of Horses" release.

Something old....something new (#5)

"Warehouse: Songs & Stories" by Husker Du (released 1987)

    Roaring out of the frozen wastes of Minnesota in the 1980s Husker Du blazed a heavily fuzzed out pop/rock trail that has influenced the alternative music scene to this day. Guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart were the Lennon/McCartney of punk rock, creating a catalog of well crafted songs that peaked with this, their final release. With a wash of clean vocals, waves of distorted guitars and an airtight rhythm section Husker Du created it's Magnum Opus. The performances and production are flawless, resulting in a double album that is a joy to listen to from beginning to end. It all fits neatly together from the hook-filled opener "These Important Years" to the pop/fuzz of "Could You Be the One", "Friend, You've Got to Fall" and "Turn it Around" to the pounding psychedelia of "She Floated Away" to the rockabilly rave-up of "Actual Condition" and so it goes for twenty (count 'em 20) songs! A sheen of melodic vocals over the razors-wrapped-in-velvet guitar crunch resulting in their trademark sound. Give this album a spin and revel in the beautifully heavy yet melodic genius of Husker Du!

"The Soft Pack" by The Soft Pack (released 2010)

   This California quartet is on a mission to bring new life to the garage/indie rock genre and succeed admirably. Songs contain fine vocals, driving rhythms and big dare-you-not-to-singalong choruses. The album begins with the rocking hook-filled one-two punch of "C'mon" and "Down on Loving". The manic pace rarely lets up as the ten songs and thirty-two minutes fly by. Reverb drenched guitars give some tunes such as "More or Less" and "Tides of Time" a surf aura while others like "Pull Out" and "Flammable" are straight ahead pounding rockers. "Mexico" is the lone ballad and exudes a cool beach vibe. It can be very difficult to make much of a musical impression with the standard guitar/bass/drums lineup but The Soft Pack pulls it off. Their urgency and energy shine through in the songwriting and performances making this one of my favorite releases of 2010.

Something old...something new (#4)

Each week I plan to review one golden oldie from my collection and one relatively new release that I have really enjoyed. Now go out and buy 'em!

"Led Zeppelin IV" by Led Zeppelin (released 1971)

   Sitting atop the pantheon of hard rock are the incomparable "Led Zeppelin". Jimmy Page/Robert Plant/John Paul Jones/John Bonham blasted onto the music scene fully formed with their debut album in 1969 and transformed the musical landscape forever. With this, their fourth release, they record a masterpiece. "Black Dog" opens with Plant's distinctive wail and a massive guitar riff powering the song through five minutes of rock bliss. Bonham's crashing drums and Page's kerranging guitar launch the iconic "Rock and Roll". The mandolin driven "Battle of Evermore" slows things down a bit and highlights Plant's amazing vocals! His voice spine-tinglingly echoing back for the last minute and a half. "Stairway to Heaven" closes out side one as a perfectly structured song from beginning to end. Starting with fingerpicked guitars and flute, building gradually as the drums and electric guitars kick in and climaxing with the penultimate guitar solo in rock history (there, I said it). Side two gets off to a flying start with the bouncy rocker "Misty Mountain Hop" and the driving "Four Sticks". "Going to California" is a beautiful ballad featuring mandolin and a more laid back vocal from Plant (much as he sounds 40 years later). The album ends with the heavy blues of "When the Levee Breaks". Bonham's bone crushing drums push and pull the rhythm as Plant's harmonica signals the impending doom. Page's production on this release is a marvel with layers of guitars swimming through your brain. The variety and quality of the songs is staggering, showing why this album deserves every accolade that has been heaped upon it. Listen to it and be amazed all over again.

"Go" by Jonsi (released 2010)

   Jonsi is the leader of the Icelandic band "Sigur Ros", a group which has produced a unique brand of brooding yet beautiful music featuring his ethereal vocals. You can see the band perform in a variety of Icelandic settings on the DVD "Heima" (highly recommended). On this, his debut solo album, he sings mainly in English for the first time and many of the accompanying songs have a more upbeat and joyful tone than his "Sigur Ros" material. The centerpiece of every song is Jonsi's heartachingly glorious vocals. Whether he sings in English, Icelandic or Wookie is beside the point, it's the sound of his voice that captivates. When he launches into his heavenly falsetto it's as if you are hearing the crystalline purity in the ice of his homeland. The overall sound favors a minimalist approach with percussion, flutes, keyboards  and strings appearing as needed but never interfering with the vocals. Each song has it's own beauties and unforgettable moments. "Go Do", "Boy Lilikoi"and "Around Us" are the most pop-like tunes. There is a melancholy hovering over many of these songs "Hengilas", "Tornado", "Kolniour" and "Grow Till Tall" (the falsetto refrain will bring tears) that haunt you long after the song is over. Jonsi is a singular talent who has produced a stunning, emotional debut and I anxiously await his next musical step.