These days, thanks to the whole iPod thing, I listen to a lot of random music. And it's mostly rock, because it's while riding my bike that a lot of music listening gets done (never fear, I am still very attentive to the road—that's what the mirror is for). And when I'm riding I want something that's going to help me keep my legs pumping.But when I put on a record(ing), especially one that is a veteran in my collection—one that's seen a lot of use—it makes me remember how much I love just listening to one great record at a time. Case in point: I am listening to Lady Day a retrospective of Billie Holiday's work on Commodore Records in the mid to late 30's. LOVE this album! It's like an old friend. The CD has been to Europe, and Tofino, and New York City. It has always made me feel so "fine and mellow." So here's to Billie, who shares her first name with another one of my very favourite people: my Nana, and here's to actual albums (compilations included).
5 comments:
I agree. I often find a song coming up on random play that prompts me to listen to the whole album. About the most recent entire album that I've listened to straight through was Radiohead's OK Computer. That's already getting old - where are all the good albums?
A lot of good albums are coming out of Canada these days. I just bought Neko Case's new album for Ren's birthday, it's amazing. Speaking of Neko, probably my favourite album of last year is the New Porn's "Twin Cinema." Feist's record "Let it Die" is also a rock solid five star selection, however her side project's (i.e. Broken Social Scene's) most recent record is a bit of bust. Arcade Fire and Death From Above, among others have also put out some good Can Rock in the last year or two.
I agree. I think that's one of the saddest aspects of the ipod invasion.
Same goes for the artwork accompanying these albums. First we downgrade from lp's to cd's, and now people aren't even interested in the whole artistic audio/visual package anymore.
Yeah, I guess videos are still big news, but aren't they just booty nowadays? Do people making real music make videos? This isn't a rhetorical question...I really don't know cause I think you have to go through at least 10 booty videos before you get to anything else, and, well, I just don't have the interest. (or the time, as you know.)
There probably artistic videos out there, but the main video channels (Much Music, etc.) are essentially geared like commercial radio station. Their main goal is to sell advertising, and we all know that booty sells more advertising than a Guy Maddin interpretation of a Weakerthans non-hit. I haven't really watched CBC's ZedTV before, but I suspect that it is one place where one might find a music video that is not suckling on the teet of the mainstream.
I too bemoan the loss of valuable real estate for album art. Although you see get album covers on the newest iPods, a 2" LCD screen holds no comparison to a 12" with a fold out.
I'm starting a post on favorite albums over at my blog, if anyone cares to comment I'd like to see what they reccomend...
Post a Comment