Yes I like Echo

Music group xxi

Artic Monkeys

Heard quite the bit of buzz on these guys. Especially in British press. Heard the dance floor number and could take it or leave. But was happy to find out that they do deserve the recognition they are getting. They seem to be developing a wall of sound approach based around some interesting guitar parts, strong rhythm section and lead voice. The lead vocals sometimes get on my nerves and at times they tend to wander from their strengths. Will be interesting if they manage to continue their growth with there next cd.
3

Donna and Some Buffalo People

I have a friend who has been trying to force feed me this band for years. To the point following the ever present you really need to see them live to appreciate comment I was going to attend a show this past winter at the Iron Horse. Thankfully it snowed that day. Try as I might to overcome this consistent barrage on how great these guys were I could not give these guys a fair uncorrupted listening and came to the same conclusion as I have in the past. Nothing great, she got a nice voice. I cringe whenever I hear the Jerry inspired guitar, and will not wait to be reminded by my friend how great these guys are live. 2 for her voice.

Echo and The Bunnymen

Had loaned this disc to a friend and had it returned to me at the time to choose an old cd so decided this was to be it. One of my favorite bands and this disc is their best. Is a sometimes member of my desert island cd’s. I think it’s just a great pop album. Strong pop tunes surrounded by atmospheric ballads with a dash of Ian McCulloch’s psychedelic inspired past. Strong guitar with equally well placed strings help drive the songs. And My Kingdom has one of my all time favorite guitar parts in it. Yes Thorn of Crowns is too long and a bit silly but other than that there isn’t a week song on the disc. It is nice to see that even today with their new cd Siberia they manage to still put out quality relevant music. And they are playing at Toads on June 27. 4.5 because of cucumbers and cabbage otherwise a 5

Okkervil River

First I thought the bands name was Overkill River so I was a bit thrown by the first song. Was expecting a much heavier tune. So the I was scared I was going to be forced to listen to one of those look at me I am great depressed folk singer with a guitar type cds. Thankfully I was rewarded with For Real. A great song. And the rest that followed were pretty good tune. Nice use of Horns. Lyrics that actually say some things. Songs that actually build. There are a few songs that go onto long but I found myself not minding that too much and just enjoyed the cd as a whole. I have a feeling that this is a cd that will keep growing as I keep listening to it. 3

Police
When one listens to the police you are left with the impression on how irrelevant Sting has become musically. With each cd release there is always an article on how great it is to have such a musical genius offer us his views on the world. With that the cd sucks. (And he’s not the only one. See Sheryl Crow, McCartney, Tom Petty, possibly Springsteen (just seeing if Mike H is paying attention.)) Some one who once wrote songs so full of life can be so boring now. As for the collection. There is no need ever to hear any song off of Synchronicity again. It is there worst work and has been played to death. Maybe possibly Mother but that would be only interesting to see how many people get pissed off. To have only one song off Zenyatta is a crime. Missing were Voices in Side my Head, and Canary in a Coalmine. This cd is where you can find some of Mr. Summer’s best guitar part ever. Also Regatta de Blanc should have been included because it really shows how they were when they were at their early peak. But still it was fun to listen to as long as I skipped the synchronicity songs.

Question.

I think none of us are any better than each other when it comes to taste in music. We all have are strengths and prejudices. And are the cd’s we submit really a true representation of what we typically listen to. To quote some one No one can possibly have bad taste in music, unfortunately they do sometimes listen to bad music.