The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 296

haha my mind immediately went to the hip when the record started. pretty sweet record man.

 

Alright everyone, I have come to a little decision since I know some of you said you were getting behind in your Recs.

After next’s week session, for the week of June 4-11, we will be taking an ‘off’ week for everyone to get caught up on any and all reviews and Recs they are behind on. I know @teebs41 @Colin Your Enthusiasm @JRGComedy and a few others wanted s reprieve to catch up so here it is.

However, I will treat that week like I did the holidays. Meaning we will have a BONUS round that week. If you are wanting to still pair and trade albums that week, simply DM me and let me know you still want to trade the week of 06/04-06/11, this way the club doesn’t lay stagnant.

THIS IS FOR TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, not next week (05/28-06/03), There is a session that week still and pairings were posted yesterday.

Hopefully this gives those who are feeling the stresses of real life a little bit of a window to regroup, get caught up, etc etc. so if you want in for that bonus round DM me.

 

Excellent job, both of you!

 

I know this recommendation was given to me today but even upon listening to the first few songs knew I was in love with it.

@SamLevi11 gave me:
Deaf Havana: All The Countless Nights (2017) So Recordings

Deaf Havana are an English rock band that formed in 2005 and this their fourth full length album. Their sound can be described overall as alternative rock/modern rock and brings to mind acts like Tonic, Emarosa, Anberlin, Acceptance and Out of Service just to name a few.

I need to make a small note in that english acts are KILLING it right now and some of my favorite acts are from there: Shame, Trash Boat, Boston Manor, Deaf Havana and the list goes on.

The album opens with Ashes, Ashes which surprisingly starts out as a acoustic number but within the first minute, erupts with the band coming in and I love the piano with accompanied backing vocals. Vocalist James Veck-Gilodi is fantastic and has such a dynamic voice while also always maintaining a bit of grit. He reminds a lot of Bradley from Emarosa and 131 is an album I adore.

Trigger is one of my favorite tracks and has this rock vibe mixed with a country sound and reminds of one of my favorite releases of this year, Heavy Things. I love how every song has it's own identity and never sounds like another but always knowing it is Deaf Havana. I need to say that the production is fantastic and each instrument can be heard so clearly.

L.O.V.E. is the first song to include some synths and the reverb on the solo around the two minute mark is just impressive. I can say I love certain songs more than others but each song is fantastic and the album is perfect. Bringing the piano back on this song and just having this instrumental outro at the end of the song is so brilliant, letting us know that the band is as equally talented as front man James.

Happiness is another song I quickly fell in love with and I know @SamLevi11 loves it as well. It is a really stripped down song and brings to mind acts from the 90's and early 2000's like Tonic. It is just beautiful and reminds me of a country song with the storytelling and clinging to every word so you don't lose track of the story.

Fever kicks in with an insane bass line and reverb that immediately reminds me of Anberlin. This band is so good at wearing it's influences on it's sleeve and they carry it out perfectly. The solo (on just about every song) is fantastic and drives home how amazing this song is.

Like a Ghost is another one that I love and starts out with lush guitars and brings in this altered guitar tone that gives it this funk and made me think of Out of Service. The whole album in general has this epic feel to it that brings to mind the production albums done by bands like Anberlin and Acceptance.

Pretty Low has a nice mix of electronics and beautiful tones which also made me immediately think of Out of Service. James's vocals are front and center and are inspiring. Once again, the reverb drenched solo is fantastic.

England has this funky beat and showcases the rhythm section. The bass line will make you get up and dance all over the room. I love how the production on this song lets the bass have the spotlight but you can hear the guitar jamming in the background.

Seattle brings the acoustic guitar back in and is a just a beautiful song. Another favorite of mine and has this country storyteller feel to it.

St. Paul's is just a great rock song and feels very intimate for some reason. It is another one that makes me think of bands from the 90's.

Sing is by far the heaviest song and once again has a 90's, even grunge style, to it. The band I immediately thought of is Thornley and is another one of my favorite bands. I love how catchy the songs are yet feel so complicated in their arrangement. I was singing along by the second time I played it.

Pensacola, 2013 has these almost Cure like guitar tones to it when it opens up and then explodes into the bands signature sound but also with a slight country slant to it.

Cassiopeia opens with James taking a deep breath and the band going all out. I love the chugging bass and jangly guitar. This is an impressive closer and once again brings to mind Emarosa.

I can't say enough about this album and there is not a bad song on it. This is the perfect mix of a lot of my favorite bands and I am disappointed I didn't get to listen to it last year but thank you @SamLevi11 for giving me the opportunity. I can safely say this is the best recommendation I have ever received on the CMCS and I want to once again say that without this club I would have missed so many amazing albums, this one included. Everyone active and inactive should be very proud of themselves for being so open minded to check out things that at times can be so far removed from your comfort zone but may become your favorite album.

Favorite Tracks: All of them!

Highly, HIGHLY Recommended!

 

Great review, Nate! It sure seems like I'll enjoy this one, too!

 

@Nate_Johnson reviewing a rec from today before my one from a couple weeks back??

 

You've got to love the excitement, though! It's palpable!

 

The pettiness from @bachna84 is palpable too tho kidding of course alfm

 

@bachna84 gave me:

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue (1959) Columbia

I think most people have heard of Miles Davis but may have not heard an album of his. Miles Davis is an american trumpeter that unfortunately passed away in 1991. Kind of Blue is a record amongst his EXTENSIVE discography that is regarded as one of the most influential records in the world of jazz or music for that matter. It went quadruple platinum and Rolling Stone even went so far as to call it one of the 500 greatest records of all time.

This is a fantastic record that I have never heard all the way through and is the reason I wanted to review it. As a huge fan of jazz and progressive metal it is an essential listen. With that being said, it is hard album to review for a couple of reasons. The first most obvious reason is that it is an instrumental album and I know not everyone is the biggest fan of them. The second is that it is jazz and is pretty difficult genre of music to get into for the casual listener. As a fan of the genre already, it is not a problem for me but at the same time, I am no expert in it to critique such an amazing piece of work such as this. I think the last reason it may be hard for people to get into is the songs lengths which run anywhere from five to eleven minutes. With it being only five songs and 45 minutes in length it can be intimidating album to want to check out. Once again, as a fan, it is not difficult for me to put on a nice pair of headphones and lose myself in it's beauty.

As with the some of the other more obscure albums I have reviewed, it is truly hard to pick apart and review the album. I will say it is an impressive piece of work and one that if given the attention, you will truly appreciate and lose yourself in but it is not an album for everyday.

Recommend

 

One of my favorite jazz albums!

 

Tough to review an instrumental piece, especially one that is so well known. You did it justice!

 

Thank you!

 

I have two recs ready for you for the next time we're paired. Funny how I hear new music now and think, "___ from CMCS would like this!"

 

I know exactly what you mean!

 

If you ever want to do a bonus trade I am absolutely fine with that. Just ask @anonimito!

 

@Mary V and I have exchanged recommendations:

She’ll be listening to Illuminati Hotties - Kiss Yr Frenemies

I’ll be listening to Angus & Julia Stone - Snow

 

Just letting everyone here know I’ll be very scarce this coming weekend. I’ll be back eventually.

 

Have a fun weekend!

 

@Mary V and I traded and she gave me:

Caitlyn Smith: Starfire (2018) Monument

Caitlyn Smith is a singer/songwriter and this is her debut album. Prior to this, she has written songs for Megan Trainor, John Legend, Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum to name a few. She was also named Rolling Stones "10 New Artists You Need to Know".
This is a country album but feels different than say Kacey Musgraves. It is more of a country/rock album. It is hard to explain but if you are a fan of country music you will absolutely enjoy it.

Before You Call Me Baby opens up the albums with this plucking guitar line and Caitlyns vocals accompanying them. Then the band slowly comes in until about the one minute mark and they go all out with this amazing almost jazzy/country swinging beat. This back and forth happens throughout the entirety of the song and sets the tone for a great opening number. It is great how the song ends with the same plucking guitar line.

Do You Think About Me reminds me a lot of Rascal Flatts or Sugarland. The bass throughout the entire song is great and it almost feels like it would be a song played in some smoke filled coffee shop.

Title track, Starfire, is an impressive song. It has this rock swagger to it and I love the backing vocals midway through the song: "You ain't ever gonna burn me up". It almost sounds like it could have been written for Sheryl Crow or Melissa Ethridge but neither of them could come close to Caitlyn's vocals.

East Side Restaraunt is the only song that feels out of place on the album and as if it was written for a Broadway play. Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing song with various strings coupled with her vocals but doesn't fit the country theme of the album.

Don't Give Up on My Love starts with Caitlyn on her own and you could almost picture a spotlight directed right at her and then as the song goes further it pans out with the full band behind her. I love the country sound mixed with strings and other orchestral elements.

This Town is Killing Me has a guitar tone that feels like it's from another time and was written for someone like Paul Simon but has a modern feel to at the same time. This album is full of "ballad" style songs but never feels like it drags because you fall in love with her voice with every new song. The production was done in such a way that her voice is showcased above all else but nothing feels drowned out or dialed back.

The first song that I instantly gravitated to was St. Paul. It stuck out to me as the first "true" country song and had that great storyteller feel to it. I love how it's just a fun song about being on tour. The first line is great:
"I hit the city, when I was only 17
In a beat up Wrangler with a console full of burnt CD's
Blew out speakers with he three same Wilco tracks..."

How many of us can relate to those amazing road trips?!

Tacoma is another slow ballad where you could picture her in that same coffee shop with an acoustic guitar. It is very stripped down and has these faint beautiful strings in the background. This is another one where her storytelling is fantastic and you feel like you are right there with her. This is song has a moment where her vocals knock you on the floor with how powerful they are.

Scenes from a Corner Booth at Closing on a Tuesday is another song that feels like it was written for someone like Sheryl Crow and has a nice mix of country and rock.

Contact High has a great funky beat and you can tell she has a blast playing it live. It is another one that leans towards the pop side of country.

House of Cards is another stripped down song with Caitlyn and her guitar and the occasional string accompanying.

Cheap Date is a great song to close out the album and has this cabaret/jazz swagger to it. I can imagine it's a fun one to play and see live.


This is a fantastic album and I place it right up there with one of my favorite country albums of the year alongside Kacey Musgraves. I will spin it quite a bit and I can't wait to see where it falls at the end of the year. Thanks @Mary V!

Favorite songs:
St. Paul
Tacoma
Contact High

Highly Recommended

 

Men I Trust are great, didn't even know they were touring the UK

 

This was awesome to read, so glad you loved it! Her voice totally blew me away when I first heard this

 

It was great! Thanks for the recommendation. Your second one should hopefully come today.

 

Ok that XCERTS album is fantastic!

 

@Nate_Johnson recommended to me and I loved it immediately! So glad you like it!

 

@Mary V 's other recommendation for me is:

Shakey Graves: Can't Wake Up (2018) Dualtone Music Group

Shakey Graces is the name of singer/songwriter Alejandro Rose-Garcia and he plays what essentially could be taken as Americana with a mix of blues, folk and rock and roll coupled with a voice that reminds me a lot of Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, although with a bit of grit. The music feels like it is from another time, specifically the 60's and brings to mind The Zombies while also having a modern sound. Prior to being the main force behind Shakey Graves he had acting roles in the Friday Night Lights TV series and also was in the Spy Kids movie series.

This is his fifth album and takes quite a few listens to connect to but once it does it is such an amazing record. There is so much going on and I love his vocals style and harmonies with the backing band.

The album opens with Counting Sheep which starts out with a tambourine shaking and kicks in with "ooo's" and a wandering jangly guitar. Then his vocals come in and put you in this sort of dream state. I hated this song as an opner at first but it's like slowly slipping into a cold pool, it gets so much better once you are in and acclimate. As I mentioned this is a very dense record but he just makes it seem so simple.

Kids these Days might be my favorite song on the album and has this Cure-like intro. The jangly guitars are front and center and his vocals harken back to 60's. The synths in the background are fantastic. The overall theme of the song is taking youth for granted and thinking you are invincible and will live forever.

Climb the Cross could have been on a Zombies album. Everything from the vocal tones to the tuning of the guitar and the wandering bass. It will transport you to another time. This song may alienate quite a few people but I love this sound and was lucky enough to inherit the vinyl of Odyssey and Oracle.

Dining Alone is such a cool song. It is a stripped down number with an acoustic guitar and a slide guitar playing in the background but has this overall feel like it could have been the soundtrack for a spaghetti western. It is even has whistling in it to seal the deal.

My Neighbor starts out with this drum machine and synth beats and sounds like it could have been written for AWOLNATION. I also enjoy the echoing effect on his vocals and backing vocalists. This record is so diverse and always keeps you guessing what he is going to do next but never strays too far from home.

Excuses is a nice folk/blues number but you can tell the full band is at the top of their game rocking out. If you have headphones on when this song comes on you will totally lose yourself in it.

Cops and Robbers is another cool song that is another rock/blues number that has a bit of punk swagger to it. You can tell it's a fun one to play live and brings to mind The Arcade Fire at times. I also appreciate the wandering Beach Boys style guitar in the background.

Mansion Door is a slow number that is a nice mix of The Arcade Fire and that 60's sound. The guitar that kicks in around the two minute mark is just fantastic and it's great when the song gets a bit aggressive around three minutes.

Aibohphobia starts out with a Mary Poppins (you heard that right) style theme and then goes into a plucking guitar line and head bobbing rhythm section. It is very bluesy and has the Mary Poppins theme in it throughout the entire thing until around the two minute mark until they go all out Pink Floyd on us with swirling synths and downtuned guitars. Yeah, it is a weird one!

Big Bad Wolf is another cool song that opens with this very ominous synth sound and never strays too far with him singing over it. It almost feels like an R & B song but works really well in the context of the album.

Backseat Driver is a straight up Death Cab for Cutie song mixed with some country and progressive rock. It is another favorite of mine.

Foot of Your Bed is another slow number that brings back the dream state feel of Counting Sheep. It has a beautiful harp playing alongside a simple electronic beat that resembles someone repeatedly strumming a bass. The whistling is also back and actually works really well!

Tin Man closes out the album with the full band and has this big band/country fair vibe to it. It is the perfect song to end with because it showcases everything on the record all at one and I personally love the songs with the backing band. The song is essentially about the Wizard of Oz which is pretty cool!

This is a fantastic album that if given the time, will grow on you. It absolutely demands headphones because of how much is going on. I realize it is not for everyone and I will admit I was ready to throw it out the window the first time his vocals came in but this is one of those records that will challenge your comfort zone. The album does feel a bit long at 52 minutes but the way he changes it up with every song makes the ride enjoyable. I will be ordering this on vinyl and it can sit right next to Oddyssey and Oracle!


RIYL: The Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie, 60's era music such as The Zombies, etc. folk, blues, indie rock.

Favorite Songs:
Kids these Days
Dining Alone
Excuses
Cops and Robbers
Backseat Driver

Highly Recommended