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Post by Horned Gramma on Jul 21, 2011 7:35:33 GMT -8
I'm having the same troubles as Gunther. I bet I can find a cheap used copy on CD somewhere around town, I'm gonna give that a try.
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Post by bradberad12 on Jul 21, 2011 7:57:41 GMT -8
I'm having the same troubles as Gunther. I bet I can find a cheap used copy on CD somewhere around town, I'm gonna give that a try. I apologize for those that respectfully choose to avoid Grooveshark; it may be difficult to find this album otherwise. HG, if you are interested in looking at another Canadian independent band that slipped through the cracks, I would recommend the album "Whale Music" by The Rheostatics. I think it might suit your musical preferences moreso than the current album of the week.
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Post by bradberad12 on Jul 21, 2011 9:30:17 GMT -8
Pretty obscure selection Brad. My provider doesn't have it. Since 99% of the music I listen to is on my device, mostly at work and away from home, I'm going to have to try to find time to grooveshark this. It will be a couple weeks. Funny thing so far: Canadians: FUCK YES! Americans: Chirp Chirp And it may obscure to you....but it did sell over 50,000 copies in Canada (certified Gold), and a bunch more in northern New York, where they also have some popularity. Compare that conveniently to Slint's "Spiderland" (which came out in the same year as Shakespeare my Butt...), who also have sales just over 50K. (Wiki is my reference there) I am not going to debate which album is more influencial or acclaimed, I am just saying they are pretty comparable obscurity-wise for this message board. Shakespreare My Butt... simply lacks the Pitchfork push Spiderland has received. P.S. Perhaps I have some Eastern Canadian bias - where they have there base of fans. I did see them live at a ~400 capacity bar in Kingston Ontario back in 2004. They were a blast - throwing all their energy out on the floor. 2 full sets, and I believe three encores.
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Post by Friendly Destroyer on Jul 22, 2011 5:37:48 GMT -8
Shakespeare My Butt. What a title! Totally awesome and even though I haven't yet had a chance to hear them, they get points right out the gate.
I must say this and Record a Day are the best threads ever created on here. Even though I haven't had internet time and CPU access to listen to the tunes, I've been reading the reviews mutiple times. Great work everyone!
You all doing full album reviews on a regular basis = My favorite music site. For real! Hope we never let this die.
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Post by Blacksmile on Jul 22, 2011 9:42:33 GMT -8
I too have a lot of love for this thread. It's an excellent way of finding new music and re-discovering albums that I haven't heard in years. The review side of it fun as well, even though I'm no Pitchfork editor and my reviews are pretty basic.
Circulatory System was a nice breath of fresh air! As pointed out by past reviews, The Beatles sound is felt throughout the album. I really enjoyed how sunny and happy the album was and it put me in a good mood all three times I listened to it! The soft vocals, distorted synth and periodic blasts of other sounds worked well.
Stand out tracks for me: "Days to Come", "The Pillow" and "Maps and Symbols".
Great Pick!!
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jul 23, 2011 12:42:46 GMT -8
Just reaching the end of Shakespeare, My Butt... for the first time. Me and Stormy have been sitting here listening to it while we play Mario Kart. First thing I noticed is how much it sounds like a Meat Puppets record from around the same time. The super-speedy acoustic guitar arpeggios, the way the drummer like insistently drums on the backbeat, and that guy's voice... man it's uncanny.
Another thing I can't stop thinking about is how much I miss 90's music. The mandolins and the harmonicas and the accordions, makes me nostalgic. And so I was thinking that if I heard this record in the 90's, it probably would have totally blended into the landscape. In fact I'm pretty certain I've heard a couple of these songs before, but I couldn't tell you when or where. But that's not a bad thing... I remember thinking in the 90's -- when I was litening to music from the early 80's and late 70's, like, I remember thinking "I wonder what characteristics about all the music I'm hearing today will be regarded as 'typical' in fifteen years, when this isn't contemporary music anymore, when it's "90's Music". That thinking is finally getting interesting, and listening to Shakespeare, My Butt... has really shone a light on it today because this is particularly good 90's music and I've never heard it before, so I can appreciate it both as a little time capsule and as new music to absorb.
Ahh, the 90's. Simpler times. But anyway, I've been enjoying it an awful lot. Streaming it off Grooveshark, but now I'm going to have to find a copy because I definitely want to hear this again.
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Post by Drew on Jul 25, 2011 7:57:01 GMT -8
Late thoughts on Shakespeare, My Butt... - Maybe it's an American thing, but I don't think I'll listen to this album again. There was nothing particularly off-putting about it, but in the three or four times I sat down to listen to it, nothing caught my attention and it just sort of floated past. I felt the same way when I tried to dig into Old 97's before the festival this spring. I think maybe this is just a genre I can't get into.
That being said, I'm all for learning about old Canadian bands I would never have heard otherwise.
Who's next!?
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jul 25, 2011 8:26:13 GMT -8
Man, I've been looking around for a copy of Shakespeare, My Butt... -- MP3 downloads don't seem to be available ANYWHERE and unopened copies of the original pressing go for as much as eighty bucks!!
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Post by StormyPinkness on Jul 25, 2011 8:30:38 GMT -8
I am so behind.
Slint. What I thought about this album is that it is something I could have possibly had in heavy rotation when I was in my early 20s. It has that sort of angsty, inward feel. It is interesting that it was supposedly recorded in the dark and all that, because it really did feel like an album you listen to alone. Very solitary. It is not something you could just put on the stereo when you are hanging out with people. It is for hanging out with yourself and your thoughts. I enjoyed listening to it.
I am sorry this is so short but I tend to run out of things to say because I am late on these and everyone else says stuff first.
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Post by StormyPinkness on Jul 25, 2011 8:38:27 GMT -8
This is out of order. I have not had the chance to listen to Circulatory System yet. I did get the chance to listen to Shakespeare, My Butt...
I enjoyed this album. Very 90's college rock. Reminded me of the Barenaked Ladies a little bit. It was fun remembering when people used to totally rock the harmonica. And earnestness. The world has become quite a cynical place, but this hearkens back to when we had a lot less heavy shit to worry about. Like, there are some heavier topics addressed in the songs, but it is different than it is now. I am not sure if that makes any sense. I am very self conscious about this whole thread because I love to listen to music but I don't really know a lot about it technically, and I don't know all the minutiae people like HG do. So, I hope some of this comes across clearly.
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Post by bradberad12 on Jul 25, 2011 11:06:05 GMT -8
I'm having the same troubles as Gunther. I bet I can find a cheap used copy on CD somewhere around town, I'm gonna give that a try. I have an original i believe still kicking around. If you want to borrow it, l can mail it out to ya if you like. P.S. definitely try out Rheostatics if you haven't yet, I've been listening to them on repeat for the last week. P.S.S. Thanks all for the honest opinions. I was not sure what people would think
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Post by StormyPinkness on Jul 25, 2011 13:45:53 GMT -8
I know I am bending the rules, but I am going to post this and then I will do my Circulatory System review. I just want to post this so I don't hold up everything. Self - Breakfast With Girls I love Self. I have loved them ever since Cannon came on the radio as their first single in 1995. I got to see them perform at a free show sponsored by the local radio station under one of the bridges in Portland when I was 16 years old and it was so exciting. That was for the album Subliminal Plastic Motives, an album that I still thoroughly enjoy. I do not think I will ever get to see Self play again. Breakfast With Girls came out on Dreamworks, not aware of the imminent implosion of that label. Gizmodgery and two other EPs came out on Dreamworks, and then they had to try to find new footing. While they were trying to do this, their lead guitar player, and band founder Matt Mahaffey's brother, died suddenly in 2005. I know HG touched on this briefly in his review of Gizmodgery in the RAD thread, but I just think it is so tragic I have to mention it to everyone who will listen. Matt Mahaffey is a production genius. Church. Here is a list of some "well known artists" he has worked with from Wikipedia: Pink, Beck, Liz Phair, Tenacious D, Lupe Fiasco, Phantom Planet, Beyoncé, Butch Walker, Hellogoodbye, Forever the Sickest Kids, Miranda Cosgrove, The White Tie Affair, Cash Cash, The Sounds, L.E.O. and Smashmouth. Damn, son! He works hard for the money. He is so talented and I have the biggest crush on him. Sorry to go on, I just thought a brief history would be nice. So, Breakfast With Girls. Please listen to this album at least two times before coming to your verdict. I love Self and it took me a little bit to really get this album. Worth it. In my opinion it is a culmination of all of my favorite things about the band/Mahaffey ed into an album. Mahaffey likes sound. That is one of the things that drew me to him I suppose. He likes to play with sound and noise. That element is present here and makes some really interesting music and textures. That element is especially evident in songs like "Uno Song" and "Suzie Q Sailaway" which were supposed to be on Gizmodgery. There are hip hop elements and jangly pop. The song "Meg Ryan" is a pop song in its truest and loveliest form. I could go on, but I will stop and let you form your own opinions.
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Post by Lump on Jul 25, 2011 14:35:04 GMT -8
How you is bending rules? Accordin' to that first post, you're a day late if anything.
Unrelated, is it still the consensus that the only place I can get Shakespeare My Butt is Grooveshark? I'd like to be able to listen to these on my iPod because albums for me are best digested while taking a walk around 'da city.
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Post by Friendly Destroyer on Jul 25, 2011 14:42:53 GMT -8
Ever since the RAD post I've been listening to Self non-stop. I was even listening to Breakfast With Girls on my iPhone today. Sweet pick!
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Post by StormyPinkness on Jul 25, 2011 14:49:04 GMT -8
Yay, Friendly! HG got big points when we met and he knew who Self was. Breakfast With Girls is one of my favorite albums by any artist.
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Post by StormyPinkness on Jul 25, 2011 14:52:29 GMT -8
How you is bending rules? Accordin' to that first post, you're a day late if anything. Unrelated, is it still the consensus that the only place I can get Shakespeare My Butt is Grooveshark? I'd like to be able to listen to these on my iPod because albums for me are best digested while taking a walk around 'da city. I was referring to posting this without being caught up on previous reviews. I am, however, not late. the regulars here take turns suggesting an album every Sunday/Monday, the rest of us seek out that album, and listen to it at least two times. Then we talk about it.
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Post by know ID yuh on Jul 25, 2011 21:10:52 GMT -8
Just to clarify "my" rules, I updated the first post. I am open to suggestions if these don't work.
Rules: 1. You must intend to listen to each album twice to participate. It's okay if you get behind, we all get busy. If you have no intention to listen to the suggested albums, and have already signed up, let me know, and I can remove your name. 2. The album you choose can't be your band, or your friend's band. It has to be somewhat accessible, so we can all track it down. As a rule of thumb, if it's not on Grooveshark (http://grooveshark.com/), it's probably too rare. 3. The album doesn't have to be your favorite, it should be an album that will generate discussion. There is no problem listing your favorite underrated album, but picking a classic album we've all heard is also encouraged. 4. Post your album as close to the Sunday you are signed up for. Don't post it before the previous work week is over (so Friday night is okay). If you are running behind, and can't write a review until later in the week, post your album early in the week, then write the review later. Part of the reason we want the album posted Sunday is so we all have a chance to find it. 5. Once we cycle through everyone who wants to play along, I'll start round two, and make the schedule in roughly the same order as listed below.
New To The Board/Late To The Game: You can still sign up. Again, you must have the intention to listen to every album on the list twice in order to participate. The more, the merrier. Many have to wait months to post their selection, so that gives ample time to catch up. Reviews are welcome, even if they are weeks/months later. It is never too late to sign up, or write a review, even if we are 100 albums deep.
Schedule: 6/26: N.A.S.A. - Spirit of Apollo (know ID yuh) 7/3: Slint - Spiderland (cbats) 7/10: Circulatory System - Circulatory System (drew) 7/17: The Lowest of the Low - Shakespeare My Butt...(bradberad) 7/24: Self - Breakfast With Girls (stormypinkness) 7/31 (J-Dawg) 8/7 (lumpy) 8/14 (wompwomp) 8/21 (Comeswithasword) 8/28 (friendlyD) 9/4 (HornedGramma) 9/11 (Rustneversleeps) 9/18 (Geno) 9/25 (EMptY) 10/2 (Souly) 10/9 (blacksmile) 10/16 (Stamper) 10/23 (newjersey)
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Post by Drew on Jul 26, 2011 10:59:25 GMT -8
I'd never heard of Self, but after a couple trips through this album, I sort of dig it. "What Are You Thinking?" is a pretty brilliant song. The first half of the album up until that song, actually, is stacked with clever songwriting and lovely melodies. The second half peters out quite a bit, I think. I kind of hate the singer's vocal style - that over-the-top, melodramatic whine just never sounds genuine to me. I like similar vocals, but in my opinion the more out of the mold the singing sounds, the better it sounds (to an extent). But in spite of that, there's a New Pornos vibe about the album - they can definitely write some hooks.
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jul 26, 2011 11:05:54 GMT -8
that over-the-top, melodramatic whine just never sounds genuine to me. . Bear in mind this was 1999. Par for the course at the time.
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Post by Drew on Jul 26, 2011 11:32:43 GMT -8
I had thought of that. That voice just screams 1999 to me.
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