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What Are You Listening To?

Zing said:
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Alright, so, I've been impressed enough with everything I own that's been done by Steve Wilson, I'm now at the point that all I need is to see his name associated with a project and I'll buy it.

Case in point: the other day I was shopping Blu-ray audio discs and came across the album "Drums and Wires" by XTC. The name XTC sounded familiar to me but I couldn't recall any music of theirs. There weren't any music samples but the description mentioned its 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround was mixed by Steve Wilson and that was enough for me to add it to my cart.

It arrived today and in terms of a surround mix, it doesn't disappoint. But good freakin' God! The music is just awful. It's like it's a collection of old Cars tunes that weren't good enough to make it on any of their albums. Pitchy, out-of-tune vocals, flat and bland melodies - if you can even call them melodies - that go nowhere.

Strangely, I can't help but think CMonster and Batman will like this. Botch, you may like it too but probably more for the presentation.
Click to expand...

You sir, are dead to me!!! Making Plans for Nigel. Life Begins at the Hop? WTF ?? I feel like I don't even know you....errr....scratch that!! Guess I should get to a GTG so I can school you on the merits of XTC!!
 
mcad64 said:
You sir, are dead to me!!!
Click to expand...
Those are Towen's favorite words for me (except he omits the 'sir').

Of course, I didn't mean to offend anyone. It's just my opinion (which means next to nothing). If you're into horrible noise trying to pass itself off as music, I'll be the last person to deny you that opportunity. :teasing-tease:
 
Zing said:
0030916a_medium.jpeg



Alright, so, I've been impressed enough with everything I own that's been done by Steve Wilson, I'm now at the point that all I need is to see his name associated with a project and I'll buy it.

Case in point: the other day I was shopping Blu-ray audio discs and came across the album "Drums and Wires" by XTC. The name XTC sounded familiar to me but I couldn't recall any music of theirs. There weren't any music samples but the description mentioned its 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround was mixed by Steve Wilson and that was enough for me to add it to my cart.

It arrived today and in terms of a surround mix, it doesn't disappoint. But good freakin' God! The music is just awful. It's like it's a collection of old Cars tunes that weren't good enough to make it on any of their albums. Pitchy, out-of-tune vocals, flat and bland melodies - if you can even call them melodies - that go nowhere.

Strangely, I can't help but think CMonster and Batman will like this. Botch, you may like it too but probably more for the presentation.
Click to expand...
I'm gonna buy it, thanks for the head's-up Zing.
XTC is very highly regarded among musicians. I only have their Greatest Hits, and it's a mixed bag for me. A tune like "Chalk Marks and Children" is incredibly beautiful, well-sung, while another tune like "No Thugs in Our House" is ugly and sung very badly. Weird.
 
Ok, not to beat a dead horse but I feel I just have to stick up for XTC!!! :teasing-tease: One of my favourite bands. Maybe Drums and Wires didn't work for you Zing,but give Skylarking or better yet Oranges and Lemons a go. These are both off that CD.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FveVGRUFhmU[/youtube]

There is something seriously wrong with this guys upload of this song. Sound like he recorded it in an echo chamber? Very odd!!

Can you get a better love song than "Mayor of Simpleton"?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Da9sc6YDBo[/youtube]
 
Botch said:
Zing said:
0030916a_medium.jpeg



Alright, so, I've been impressed enough with everything I own that's been done by Steve Wilson, I'm now at the point that all I need is to see his name associated with a project and I'll buy it.

Case in point: the other day I was shopping Blu-ray audio discs and came across the album "Drums and Wires" by XTC. The name XTC sounded familiar to me but I couldn't recall any music of theirs. There weren't any music samples but the description mentioned its 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround was mixed by Steve Wilson and that was enough for me to add it to my cart.

It arrived today and in terms of a surround mix, it doesn't disappoint. But good freakin' God! The music is just awful. It's like it's a collection of old Cars tunes that weren't good enough to make it on any of their albums. Pitchy, out-of-tune vocals, flat and bland melodies - if you can even call them melodies - that go nowhere.

Strangely, I can't help but think CMonster and Batman will like this. Botch, you may like it too but probably more for the presentation.
Click to expand...
I'm gonna buy it, thanks for the head's-up Zing.
XTC is very highly regarded among musicians. I only have their Greatest Hits, and it's a mixed bag for me. A tune like "Chalk Marks and Children" is incredibly beautiful, well-sung, while another tune like "No Thugs in Our House" is ugly and sung very badly. Weird.
Click to expand...

That confirms it! Zing and I have exactly the opposite taste in music in every possible way.

I love XTC and put them in my top ten most favorite bands, including their psychedelic Dukes of the Stratosphere work they did while they were suing their label over their catalog and name. Where he says they lack catchy melodies, I consider them as the creators of some of the most catchy melodies ever written on par with Paul McCartney and Jellyfish. Their guitar playing and general arrangements are exceptionally brilliant and always playing to the music, not the musician. Hell, I even have the opening guitars riff from "Wake Up" from their Big Express album as the ringtone on my personal cell phone.

I consider their "Mayor of Simpleton" to be one of the most perfectly crafted pop songs ever writtern, arranged, and recorded and often use it as a teaching aid for young musicians trying to learn to write Power-Pop style music.

So, if I ever want to buy Zing a present of music, I just need to buy the CD I would never in a million years let into my house and that will probably make him the happiest guy around.


I love you man, but we will never see eye to eye on music.
 
Today's work truck music...


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Innervisions -- CD

Stevie Wonder

1973/1990 Motown Records

Amazon.com essential recording

One of Stevie Wonder's best albums, and the one where his more fanciful, free-form moments gel perfectly with his knack for irresistible pop singles, 1973's Innervisions swings between delicate and airy ballads, Latin-influenced rhythms (the hit "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing"), and his own synth-heavy versions of gut-bucket soul (the determined spiritual questing of "Higher Ground"). The striking juxtaposition between "Vision," a barely breathed hope that a world of peace might be upon us, and the great "Living for the City," a funky, pulsing tale of racism, is powerful, haunting, and still all too relevant. --David Cantwell

1. "Too High" Stevie Wonder 4:36
2. "Visions" Wonder 5:23
3. "Living for the City" Wonder 7:23
4. "Golden Lady" Wonder 4:58
5. "Higher Ground" Wonder 3:43
6. "Jesus Children of America" Wonder 4:10
7. "All in Love Is Fair" Wonder 3:42
8. "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing" Wonder 4:45
9. "He's Misstra Know-It-All" Wonder 5:35
 
This morning I had my phone playing my collection on Random Mix as always and when a tune by Jason Falkner's Can You Still Feel? album came on I realized I never really gave that album the fair shake it deserved because I so passionately loved his first solo album Presents... Author Unkown and the this Sophomore effort was different enough that I dismissed it as good but not great.

So, I decided to play the full Can You Still Feel? and was VERY impressed. It is a much more subtle album than his first one, but it could serve as a masterclass in songwriting. He captures the emotion of the lyrics with melodies and arrangements which don't overwhelm the experience. That said, the musicianship is stunning and modest. Some of the playing is on a level only a true virtuoso could pull it off, but the result just makes the music enjoyable and never flamboyant. In many ways this album surpasses the first.

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Don't worry, Zing, I am confident you won't like it. Although, Jason did get a full ride to Julliard before his nervous breakdown and trek to Alaska to pack fish for two years then moving to San Francisco and joining the "Paisley Park" music scene which led to joining Jellyfish, assembling The Grays, and doing his own work.
 
I realize Flint mentioned Paul McCartney when speaking of XTC, I would mention him as well when speaking of the band, Squeeze. IMHO they never got the credit they deserved. Tilbrook and Difford could write some of the catchiest tunes, with the best lyrics you will ever find. This one is in my top 10!!

51zIAjgAN4L.jpg
 
^^^ :text-goodpost:

LOVE Squeeze, and yeah they never got a fair shake here in the US.

I have the Jellyfish albums, will have to check out Jason's work, thanks Flint.
 
Huh, I did not realize Pat Mastellotto played drums for XTC! (he's the second drummer for King Crimson, double-trio version)
 
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