Loaded Shafts Remain in Hope for a Moondance at Night Time, My Time

Sky Ferreira- Night Time, My Time

I dismissed this during my first listen. The production was that 80s electro muddy mess where everything bled into each other. Vocally she sounded like so many vocalists but my best description would be Suzanne Vega being produced by the Raveonettes. With that said the second listen went better. I found that Sky has some songwriting chops. The first half of the disc was catchy and interesting. The second half faded and totally dropped off from “Kristine” on. Glad I gave it another spin to be fair. (2.5)

Velvet Underground- Loaded

Disclosure: I am a fan. Even of “Sister Ray” and other abrasive and challenging sonic ventures. While Loaded (named because it was supposed to be loaded with hits) is their pop album, it does stay pretty true to the simple, artsy song structure/topics VU is known for but just with better production quality and harmonies. Hell, “Sweet Jane” and “Rock & Roll” alone are worth having Loaded in your inventory even with a couple of skippers like “New Age” and the Marshall Tuckeresque, too long “Oh, Sweet Nuthin!”. Say what you will Mong, you can’t listen to this without hearing so many other artists’ copping their ideas, vibe and cool. (3.5)

Van Morrison- Moondance

One of the coolest albums ever released. Soulful, hip, effortless- oddly it’s a great party background. Allows you two steps up on the cool ladder.  (5.0)

Eureka Machines- Remain in Hope

Straight forward power pop with the occasional wink to metal and punk. Fine when on, forgotten when not. (2.5)

Capstan Shafts

Bet no one expected  53 songs on a greatest hits cd. Especially of songs that abruptly stop, have out of tune solos and out of sync rhythms. I stumbled upon this band (a one man band Dean Wells until their last release) through a review in a mag, of which I have forgotten which one. I instantly found him/they compelling. The songs are whipped off like an AD/HD Robert Pollard and quality is not part of the mission statement. If you can get past the imperfections there are some great melodies and songs. Some catchy enough to stay with you all day, warts and all. I’m not sure if the fuck ups are deliberate or just tolerated but in a way I find them charming.  He doesn’t let a little thing a like playing a solo in a totally different chord structure get in the way. This will not be loved by all, if anyone, in the DYN crew but I thought it would be an interesting mix for y’all.

Topic

Albums bought no matter what (not counting re-issues, only new material)

Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Hiatt, Drive By Truckers, Cracker, Magnetic Fields, Southern Culture on the Skids

Guitars solos to be played the same every time….

Pearl Jam- Alive

Cult- Wildflower

The DYN Staff

Sandy- True hippie, jam band fan that will surprise you in the varying styles he is willing to digest and with the generosity of his reviews.

Monsta- Does have his comfort zone of Jersey rock and Americana twang but has of late ventured out of that in baby steps. Rap, techno and Avant-garde/experimental  music dies before reaching his Zune.

Jay- Punk and 70s rock fan (and modern purveyors of said styles) who has a softer more Americana/country side he shares ocassionally.  Prefers initial, debut recordings above all others because all others suck.

Greg- Prog rocker who likes things a little more drawn out and succinct and blunt like punk. Does have a wide range of tastes he enjoys and hates anything that is a 3.0 or less.

D’Arcy- Brit-pop-rock, metal and non-classic rock aficionado who will prefer record B more if you happen to prefer A. A walking musical dictionary who relishes in making you feel stupid for liking something.

Alan- Power pop sweet spot but enjoys other genres and can see the good even in the bad. Not afraid to mix it up with reviews and will ever be remember for his Brian Wilson submission.

Mongillo- Not a real fan of anything remotely MOR, I have given up trying to figure Mong out. Every time I think I’ve nailed it with him I get a 1 and reviews I can’t wait to hear come from his mouth end up being raves. He even hates my bourbon.