The Wordy Album Review #1

Do you ever wonder how a critic decides an album deserves an 8.8 out of 10 instead of an 8.6? Do you find yourself befuddled by overwrought, self-indulgent album reviews that make your head ache? Music criticism can be exhausting to read and write: unknown bands are referenced; otherwise useless comparisons become essential (“Does this singer sound like Iggy Pop/Michael Stipe/Lou Reed, or is he more David Bowie/Adam Durst/Neil Young?”); somehow a screeching banshee of a lead singer becomes “innovative.” Well, I’ve attempted to come up with an alternative. I will listen to an album a few times, come up with several words or phrases that describe the music itself and my reaction to it, then leave it to you. If the description entices you, try a song! If my reaction deters you, well, try a song anyway! It’s up to you. One person’s Celene Dion: Live In Concert is another person’s Abbey Road. Note: I am concerned with the album, not specific songs. Some songs may be standouts, but if they are marooned in a sea of shitty ones, the review will be about the sea. This also works in reverse when a bad song is on a good album. Obviously, if you never discover music you love, I have failed.

This idea also came about as I brainstormed ways to keep finding and sharing new music without it absorbing too much time.  This way, I get to spend all my time actually listening to music, instead of thinking of ways to write about it. Whoo hoo!

All of these albums came out this year:


Beach House – Devotion
Sleepy. Dreamy. Sedative. Cozy. Intimate. Homogenous. Underwhelming.
www.myspace.com/beachhousemusic – Listen to “Heart of Chambers”


The Black Crowes – Warpaint
Freewheeling. Bluesy. Greasy. Celebratory. Rollicking. Uplifting. Rousing.
www.myspace.com/theblackcrowes – Listen to “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution”


Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid
Inventive. Symphonic. Atmospheric. Poignant. Tender. Sincere. Gratifying.
www.myspace.com/elbowmusic – Listen to “Grounds for Divorce”

The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
Driving. Boisterous. Fist-pumping. Raucous. Derivative. Unimaginative. Stale.
www.myspace.com/theholdsteady – Listen to “Constructive Summer”

My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
Eclectic. Routine. Unfocused. Disappointing.
www.myspace.com/mymorningjacket – Listen to “Evil Urges”

One Day As A Lion – One Day As A Lion (EP)
New project from Rage Against the Machine singer Zach de la Rocha.
Aggressive. Political. Violent. Unmistakable. Myopic.
www.myspace.com/onedayasalion – Listen to “Wild International”

The Rosebuds – Life Like
Poppy. Simple. Unremarkable. Forgettable.
www.myspace.com/therosebuds – Listen to “Life Like”

Sun Kil Moon – April
Patient. Gentle. Pensive. Overlong. Monotonous. Tiresome.
www.myspace.com/sunkilmoon – Listen to “Lost Verses”

The Verve – Forth
Sprawling. British. Indulgent. Uninspired.
www.myspace.com/theverve – Listen to “Love Is Noise”

Why? – Alopecia
Urban daily grit. Rhymetastic. Crass. Clever. Original. Wicked.
www.myspace.com/whyanticon – Listen to “The Hollows”