I own a small website/forum that I started several years ago. It is basically a place where a few of my good friends and myself talk sports, music etc. For that site I have written a number of album reviews. I find it enjoyable to write the review and doing this exercise usually helps me find a deeper connection to, or understanding of, the album then I might not have had otherwise. I would love to read any reviews you may have written on any recent releases.

I will start by sharing a couple of my own reviews. There are numerous ways of attacking the idea of reviewing an album. Sometimes I take an over look at the feel of the record after several listens and sometimes it is much more of a raw reaction of the album upon first listen. Here are a couple examples of my recent reviews on two of my favorite albums of 2011.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds


Album Released October 17, 2011

1. Everybody's On The Run
2. Dream On
3. If I Had A Gun...
4. The Death Of You And Me
5. (I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine
6. Aka...What A Life!
7. Soldier Boys And Jesus Freaks
8. Aka...Broken Arrow
9. (Stranded On) The Wrong Beach
10. Stop The Clocks
-------------------------------------------------
Deluxe addition additional tracks:
11. Let The Lord Shine A Light On Me
12. The Good Rebel

Noel Gallagher's new release titled "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds" is one of the strongest albums released in 2011. The former Oasis guitarist and song writer seems re-energized after his highly publicized split with his brother Liam and the band in 2009. After many years of turbulence between the brothers, Liam and Noel fought after an August 2009 concert that immediately led to Noel permanently leaving the band.

"...High Flying Birds" was recorded in London and L.A. between 2010 and 2011. The album grabs the listeners attention from the opening chords of "Everybody's On The Run" (the album's first track) to the final disheveled yet purposeful notes of "Stop the Clocks", the closing track of the record. The collection of songs is likely Gallagher's best work since Oasis' 1995 monster success "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?". There isn't a track worth skipping on the entire album. In fact, every song is very good. This album really proves that the art of making "an album" (as opposed to a collection of songs or a single amongst a bunch of filler) is definitely not dead. After the break up of Oasis Noel Gallagher said it was very important to him to write a collection of songs about love and positivity. His uplifted mindset is clearly evident on this collection.

Highlights include "(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine" and "Aka... What A Life". The center tracks of the album, these songs are full of the melodies and and beautiful arrangements that made Oasis so special, yet they hold a unique place as Noel's vocals rain down over the musical sound-scapes. Another outstanding track, the previously mentioned "Stop the Clocks", was originally written in 2001 and recorded for Oasis' 2004 release "Don't Believe the Truth", but it was eventually cut from the final track listing. Gallagher has said that if the song had not made this album it would "never officially be released". After reworking and re-recording the song, it was chosen as the album closer. The song slowly builds with beautifully layered vocals and acoustic guitar and picks up momentum until it finishes with a flurry leaving the listener exhilarated.

This album easily ranks as one of my favorites of 2011. The two additional tracks (which are two of my favorites in the collection) and the 30 minute making of the album documentary DVD titled "It's Never Too Late To Be What U Might Have Been" easily make the Deluxe addition worth having.

LastExit Album Rating: 9/10

Download this Track: Aka...What A Life!



Review by PHATJ
Dec. 20, 2011

Jane's Addiction ~ The Great Escape Artist


Album Released October 18, 2011

This review was written while listening to the album for the first time, before its official release via iTunes stream.

1. "Underground"
The album opens with Perry's voice and the roar of guitar and amazing rhythms. Bass and Drums drive the song. Love the effects/layers on the voice. Squealing guitar solo from Dave. Singable chorus. Fantastic opener. Love the start to the record.

2. "End to the Lies"
As with the first track, bass and drums stand out as the driving force of the song. Perry's voice is strong and carries a striking beauty and darkness at the same time. Dave's guitar heavy and interesting. I love track two.

3. "Curiosity Kills"
Again, the bass and drums are on fire. Classic Jane's sound. Sing a long chorus. This track will be a live hit. Cool bridge section that leads into a really nice guitar solo from Dave Navarro. The album is very strong to this point.

4. "Irresistible Force (Met The Immovable Object)"
This song makes sense as the first single. Spacy and airy sounds. Perry's voice sounds great. I am kind of torn on this song. I really like it at this point but I am worried that it may be a song that quickly loses its luster. From the guitar solo though the end of the song is A plus.

5. "I'll Hit You Back"
Rhythm guitar lead from start to finish. I listened to the whole song waiting for the "interesting part" to come. It really didn't ever come. I like the guitars and the simplicity of the song just fine... there's just no surprises. Straight forward in every way. Not throw away at all, just not stand out.

6. "Twisted Tales"
Again the rhythm jumps right to the forefront. Dave's guitar is reminiscent of a western movie. I am really high on the verses. The vocal effects are a good touch. This song has me grooving a lot. Another strong track.

7. "Ultimate Reason"
The song opens with a muted guitar and heavily effected vocals. It then bursts into an energetic and psychedelic trance of instruments and vocals blended like they have been in a wind storm together. This is repeated for the second verse and chorus. I am again torn on this track. I can hear all of its great musical qualities, but it doesn't really "speak" to me.

8. "Splash A Little Water On It"
I like the song from the start. Basically it is a Jane's Addiction version of a ballad laced with psychedelics. Perry's vocals and lyrics take the main stage here and he doesn't disappoint. Dave's guitar solo is reminiscent of '70s acid rock. Different from any track to this point, and a strong addition to the album.

9. "Broken People"
Far from a typical Jane's Addiction song. Slow tempo at the start into a mid tempo but sorrowful sounding jam. Vocally (and even a bit musically) it reminds me a bit of the Wayne Coyne and the Flaming Lips circa 1999. This is a decent song but one of the weaker tracks on the record.

10. "Words Right Out of My Mouth"
Funky and reminiscent of early Jane's Addiction mashed together with early Red Hot Chili Peppers. This isn't my favorite musical style for this band, but it is the only song that sounds like this on the album (that is probably one of the reasons why I like this album so much). Along with "Broken People", probably the only songs I wouldn't have put on the record. That doesn't mean they don't belong or have a place in Jane's Addiction, but this could have been a great 9 song album, or an ever near perfect 8 song album with "Splash" as the closer.


Overall, this album feels like is a major triumph. Jane's is back in an undeniable way with great songs and seemingly an endless energy. I am very impressed with this collection of songs. Every expectation I had was blown away on first listen.

LastExit Album Rating: 8.5/10

Download this Track: "End To The Lies"


Review by PHATJ
Oct. 14, 2011

Bush-Razorblade Suitcase:



washing machine Album Rating: 4.5/10

Videos added to each review.

Pearl Jam - Vs
I'll admit it, back in the early days, I was a real big fan of Peal Jam. They rocked, and , more importantly, they stood up for those less fortunate than middle America. Than I head the song 'Daughter' and I learned that Eddie didn't have sympathy for at least one disadvantaged group in America: The mentally handicapped. On that track he cruelly and heartlessly mocks the vocal affectations of those with mental disabilities, just to get a cheap laugh. I'll admit it, his impression is dead on: he totally sounds like a 'tard. But is it really appropriate to mock the mentally handicapped, particularly when one is involved in so many fashionable, liberal causes? Well, no. The time for fratboy humor is over, Mr. Vedder.

Wilco - Yankee Foxtrot Hotel
I bought this CD based on several 5 star reviews by other listeners. I'm sorry, but I don't get it. Or maybe I'm just dropping the wrong kind of acid. I just don't really enjoy listening to a drunken Bob Geldof straining his vocal cords singing along to the sounds of a short-wave radio. On the bright side, I was able to unload it to a "fan" of the band.

Pearl Jam - Backspacer

Review:

lulz

is that Peeps?

Has anyone else checked out the Noel Gallagher album? I can't be the only one. I really love this record. I was never a big fan of Oasis either. They were a talented group but I just never got that into the group or invested much energy into them. This new album though, has easily been one of my biggest surprises of the year. I think its great.

its good, but not a huge fan (and oasis is one of my favs band)

you should check his Oasis songs, most of them are way better than the solo album

Talk Tonight

That's great, is this person able to write as well as make shit out of sand and pose for photographs?

what a fresh joke

Good song but I prefer the new stuff a lot more. The last minute or so of that song was really good though. What other Oasis songs were his songs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Oasis_songs

check the lead vocals on the right......you can ordenate by lead vocals, which will make your life easier

ill pick my favs

Don't Look Back In Anger
Sad Song
Step Out
Talk Tonight
Magic Pie
The Importante of Being Idle
Masterplan
Half The World Away
Falling Down
Carry Us All

this isnt a new joke thread, its a review one

We should really have an avant-garde jokes thread

As I said before, I have never been a huge Oasis fan. I never disliked Oasis, I just never really cared to give them much of a thought. That said, I only recognize "Don't Look Back In Anger" from that list. I will definitely check out all these songs though. Thanks.