I have a friend who claimed, several years ago, that all good songs have been written. Drunk, and presumably with tongue planted firmly in cheek (otherwise, how could he seriously say it), he went further, claiming that no good song has been written since The Joshua Tree.
Firstly, The Joshua Tree was good, but not great. Secondly, this statement is, of course, utter bullshit for 2 reasons:
1. The potential for good songs is not finite. There are literally infinite combinations of notes, chords, melodies and progressions. Songs can be written for the remainder of human existence and never be repeated (despite Cat Stevens' successful lawsuit against The Flaming Lips).
2. GOOD SONGS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN SINCE THE JOSHUA TREE!
Great music is being produced all the time.
Each year I buy around 30 albums, based upon my pre-existing liking of a particular band, a range of reviews and the word-of-mouth of respected friends. I further support the band by going to their gigs, putting together mixtapes for friends (in the hope that they will then purchase the albums and go to the gigs) and talking up the band and album.
Here, I intend to do the latter by listing my favourite albums so far this year, in order, with a rating (6=Good, 7=Very Good, 8=Excellent, 9=Outstanding, 10=Jizzed my Pants).
Pink Mountaintops
Outside Love
8/10
Beirut
March of the Zapotec
8/10
A.C. Newman
Get Guilty
7/10
Jason Lytle
Yours Truly, The Commuter
7/10
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
It's Blitz
7/10
Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest
7/10
Animal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion
6/10
Bill Callahan
Sometimes I Wish I Were an Eagle
6/10
Art Brut
Art Brut Vs Satan
6/10
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy has released yet another album this year. Meh.
Sonic Youth have just released their latest. Haven't heard it yet but seeing as they're so divisive here at TSFKA, I can't wait to make a judgement. Perhaps Perseus already has it.
Ok, so I haven't yet jizzed my pants this year (at least not in relation to music), but it's only June, Joshua Tree Guy.
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13 comments:
I jizzed a little through that Pink Mountaintops album. You know, like pre-jizz.
Will get SY album this week.
No good songs since Joshua Tree? I bet this was said by someone who doesn't, you know, listen to much music.
Synchronised Postings! How brilliant!
I think it takes a bit of effort to find new music. Joshua tree guy is probably just lazy
When I have time, I record Friday's Rage from 12 to about 4am. I find a few nuggets and forward through the other 85%
I tried to buy Fever Ray the other day but the record shop was out of it. I got The Wave Pictures 'Instant Coffee Baby'. This year, I bought the latest Bat for Lashes, The Drones,Albert Hammond, Jr,Vampire Weekend, and The Pierces
I still have $160 worth of music vouchers left over from my birthday
If Animal Collective tour this year, like it is rumoured, then I genuinely will jizz in my pants. Seventeen times in a minute.
You might want to see a doctor about that, Dess.
That doesn't sound healthy.
Or even possible.
Im currently waiting on the edge of my seat for The Mars Volta's new album, Octahedron :D
You friend is clearly an idiot.
I believe that The Joshua Tree is a piece of shit - soppy soppy big band ballads of middle of the road angsty wailing. I do blame The Joshua Tree for the other “I dont need sleeping pills, I can put a CD on” band, Coldplay too.
Gingatao is on the money though.
I would of put Merriweather a little higher than 6, and Bill C would of pushed the 8 for me.
I got AB v Satan on Monday, haven’t listened to it yet, as with the Doves newbie.
The new Wilco album is boring though there is some pretty nifty guitar work on it, and I have had some lovely moments with the perfect girlie pop of the new Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career.
That’s about it for me for 2009 releases to date, I’m a bit slow in getting new stuff (+ I was in the Middle East for 2 months this year).
Bells Will Rings Broader than Broadway is an absolute corker, still jizzin on that one - and it came out in Nov, does that count?
I forgot to say, Vampire Weekend are a bit too jaunty (maybe good for exercising to?)but has Persey seen their song 'Who gives fuck about the Oxford comma?'
I heart the Yeah Yeah Yeahs so much I want to marry them. All of them. All at the one time.
Judge me for it, I don't care.
You have excellent taste, Pepsi. But I get annoyed with the attitude - not yours, mind - that you must either LOVE Animal Collective or 'not get them'.
I'm looking forward to Camera Obscura and will get Wilco as soon as I can. I do like them, but they may never top YHF.
And EMS, yep, Karen O has something going on.
Wilco.... I do like them, but they may never top YHF.
Especially now Jay Bennett is dead.
Quite Pepsi. Although he left the band before he died. Which was sad but, of course, won't affect future projects. Either way.
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