It has occured that the admirable Nick Lees is the archtypal Music Room poster -- he has excellent taste, a huge record collection and perhaps most importantly bridges the gap between the 60s/70s classics/traditionalists and the sort of utlra-fashionable hipsters like myself who listen to impossibly cool records only available from an obscure record shop in Norway.

Therefore, and in an effort to reinvigorate our Music Room which we still do way better than the varuous other forums I would like to introduce a new standardised and highly objective system for rating albums by positioning a picture of Nick on a special designed rating thermometer. And then optionally adding a suitable summary comment for quoting on one of those annoying stickers that record companies like to put on the front of CD cases.

e.g.


"Destined to be bought by the bass players Mum, people who shop while drunk and Mick Parry"


"these people should be boiled in oil for making this"


"for dedicated fans and completists only"


"... monumental... a staggering achievement"


"... an instant classic and potential Album of the Year"

To this end I present a brief review of one of my favourite discs this year:

Matthew

M. Ward -- "The Transfiguration of Vincent" [Merge; 2003]

I have been listening for this for several weeks and I just like it more and more. Superficially its an album of singer/songwriter songs in a variety of styles -- alt.country, delta blues, bluegrass (ish) -- but the songs are universally excellent, well put together and played and never less than oddly affecting and frequently quite moving.

Ward, well suported by his excellent band, knocks out some classy acoustic guitar work and tops it all off with his idosyncratic but quite wonderful singing. One of those albums that is truly greater than the sum of its parts and a definite recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in alt.country, country blues, and the like. Ends with a cracking cover of "Lets Dance".

Well recieved in Wire this month and at http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/w/ward_m/transfiguration-of-vincent.shtml


"A beautiful and hugely enjoyable album packed with great music"

Odd Nosdam - No More Wig For Ohio
This is one for anyone who likes messed up instrumental hip hop. Actually, even if the only hip hop you ever liked was 3ft High and Rising, this one is for you. It's got elements of the usual Odd Nosdam production, but it's way better focussed that say THE SPLIT EP!. It's packed full of jarring basslines, and tight beats. It starts off overlayed with what sounds like weird 50's US sitcom dialogue, childrens rhymes, broken pianos, and rich horns, and progresses into a gritter sound that he usually has. Some of it reminds me of sixtoo, even RJD2. Way tighter than some of the more off-beat anticon product.

I rate it just a little less than...

Opeth - Damnation

This album represents Opeth in "mellow mode". None of the churning guitar driven Metal is present, instead, this concentrates on what could be described as "melancholic beauty".

The song writing is first class; Akerfelt's vocals delivered with passion and assured conviction; the riffs both sublimely beautiful and wonderously etherial.

For those that have previously been unconvinced with Opeth, this album is certain to change their mind. It is simply beautiful music, melding acoustic Rock with nu-Jazz. An album to drift into your self with.

And it is exactly the sort of album Mick Parry would never buy.

Without doubt, a classic. Opeth have come of age.



"Etherial melacholic nu-Rock for a jilted generation"



John.

----
E-mail: john.toon@btinternet.com

John

Congratulations. You have convinced me to buy this album. You join the ranks of theothernickc, Nick Lees, David Slater, Matthew Robinson and Mekon in suggesting something for me to buy.

My name is Alex, I am a musicoholic.

Hmmm. Knew I shouldn't have dissed Joe Cole.

Ah well, since I'm here....

Cosmic Baby
Thinking About Myself

Got this last week after following a few trails round the sorts of music other Shpongle fans bought. It's bit of a weird one - melodic trance with odd bits of Satie-esque piano splashed about the place. Not as overtly psychedelic as Shpongle and not quite as heavy, but still realy good.



nick.lees at btinternet.com

Cosmic_Baby.JPG (17 Kb, 1907 downloads) Cosmic Baby

Opeth,

Alright John. You win - I'll bite

Warlocks
Phoenix

An impulse buy (and no, I didn't think it was a pre-Dead piece of archaeology). It's vaguely grungey, vaguely retro, taking lessons from Jesus And Mary Chain (and therefore from Velvet Underground by proxy) but without any of the good bits.



My views on it echo greeny's (a review I failed to remember at the time of purchase), when he said: "...the initially appealing intros aren't backed up by good songs, and most tracks tend to drag after a few minutes."

It's possible it's a grower, but I'm struggling to get it anywhere near the CDP.

nick.lees at btinternet.com

Warlocks.JPG (15 Kb, 1896 downloads)

Excellent effort chaps. Although, and not wishing to prejudge Opeth, I hope Mr Toon hasn't shot his bolt by giving a maximum stright away.

"Thinking About Myself" -- most apt Nick

Matthew

BTW Alex -- what did I persuade you to buy?

Wonderful ethereal soundscape. Truly magical and forever a favourite.
KLF - Chill out

chillout.jpg (9 Kb, 1757 downloads) chillout

Sorry...forgot the head..

nick4.jpg (4 Kb, 1705 downloads)

The Long Winters When I Pretend To Fall (Barsuk Records)



Lollipop rock with very original songwriting and drive a bit reminiscent of Superchunk (to me anyway), but with some nifty guitar tinkering and occassional violin, cello, and other strings in the mix. Just a fun album for summer. The smiley lyrics make it that way. Not as nerdy as They Might Be Giants, though.

I would actually rate this album 3.5 Nh (Nick heads)...


"Fun rock with a truly original twist"

Matthew's review of M. Ward, this review, and the new New Pornographers album remind me that I need to get out to see my local acts. Great stuff in my own backyard.

[This message was edited by Ludwig on FRIDAY 06 June 2003 at 05:47.]

quote:

---

Although, and not wishing to prejudge Opeth, I hope Mr Toon hasn't shot his bolt by giving a maximum stright away.

---

Good point. However, notwithstanding the fact that nowadays my music purchases are normally quite successful, the trouble is, I usually can't be bothered to review the albums I don't really like (although one should, of course...).

The Opeth CD, I feel, is certainly one of the best CDs I've bought over the last couple of years. Fantastic production quality, too!

John.

----
E-mail: john.toon@btinternet.com

'Soul Journey'
Gillian Welch

Like 'After The Gold Rush'? this could be the album for you. 'soul Journey' comes as a bit of a shock after the austere 'Time (the revelator)', but it's a grower. Gillian Welch's sunniest album to date. Solid effort but won't be on my best of the year lists.



simpleton folk rock 7.7 Nh

[This message was edited by the other nickc on FRIDAY 06 June 2003 at 16:09.]

head.jpg (14 Kb, 1573 downloads)

piccy

Picture_30.jpg (47 Kb, 1539 downloads) soul journey

quote:

---

BTW Alex -- what did I persuade you to buy?

---

I can't remember - it was round about the time that we were discussing both HMHB and The Field Mice, so I suspect it was 'Striving for the lazy perfection' by The Orchids.

Sometimes my brain is a little random in the connections it makes between music. For me, The Field Mice and The Orchids are inextricably linked.

There again, it might have been Doppelganger by Curve.

My Name Is Alex, I Am A Musicoholic.

PS - how do I attach the Nick Less Head meter?

{img}http://comedylimp.com/images/nick1.jpg{/img}
{b}"Pithy Quote"{/b}

But replace the curly braces with square brackets and the 1 in nick1 with your favoured score. There is no need to attach the image.

BTW I am thinking extending the range below zero for truly dire records. I beleive at -273 degrees a recrod becomes so awful that Nick will turn into Mick Parry

Orchidas or Curve doesn't sound like me but as an indie-pop stalwart you will almost certainly love:



Basically 20+ indie-pop gems from the God of Indie Pop Stewart Anderson.

Review here


"4.5 Nh for fans; 3Nh for everyone else"

PS The correct term is "Nickometer" I believe.

Matthew

Will check it out

If you like the Mice, you should probably go for the Orchids too. Not quite as fey. Equally indiepoppy. I think they were also on Sarah.

Cheers

Alex

Mr. Lif: I Phantom

Mr Lif's been getting more press than usual lately, due to being namechecked by Howard Zinn. However, non-ZNet readers won't be too alienated. The production duties are handled by the usual Def Jukies, plus Edan. Stand-outs for me are New Man Theme and Success. Despite it being new to me, I am still playing Emergency Rations more. Solid lyrics, but nothing in the production will suprise anyone.

Anti wage slavery lyrics with standard Def Jux beats

Sting - Dream of the Blue Turtles
Head of the turtle more like!!

No pun intended!