Faustiandan’s choice:
So, what am I recommending? I am going for a selection of two rather popular albums. The reason I have to submit two albums is because Tim has mentioned the new album that has most excited me of late, James Blake’s eponymous debut album. What is fascinating about this album is its bizarre mass appeal. He’s a classically trained pianist playing around with Dance music; producing more artistic numbers rather than floor fillers. His work to date labels him as Dub-step but his EPs aren’t really; they are more influenced by Dub-step or, better, can be seen as making a knowing nod towards the genre, post-dub-step if you will. So he’s a dub-step producer who’s not really a dub-step producer who then has moved onto baffle us further by releasing an album of vocal tracks in a ‘singer-song writer’ mode. Safe to say this album could not really be classified as ‘singer-song writer’ (whatever that means) nor can it be called dub-step. What you have instead is a soulful, uber-produced and ultra modern take on pop song music with experimental electronic programming throughout. It is haunting, interesting, uncomfortable and breathtaking in equal measure and, above all, it is universally praised. From the main stream through to the underground, everyone is wetting themselves about how good this is. What’s really funny about this admiration is the fact that it is really not very easy listening; in fact it is often quite uncomfortable. There is nothing that tickles me more than ostensibly underground music getting mass attention. I like to imagine those poor teenie boppers getting it home and listening in bewilderment as the album unfolds.
Anyway – for whatever my view is worth, the hype is more than justified. This is brilliant and will undoubtedly feature in many people’s top albums of the year. Check it out bros. My other option, as I know Tim definitely has the album above, is another popular release this year which I’m also certain will appear in many top albums of the year come December. The album in question is the new release from PJ Harvey, Let England shake.
Mega Matt Mega Matt Mega Mega Matt Matt’s choice:
And finally, after an unfortunate wait, it's time to offer up my selection. I have picked The Jade Motel by Zeigeist. It's an up tempo electro pop album from scadanavia and much in line with the Knife sound.
**Note – this album has been deleted as an official selection due to an incident of identity theft. An enquiry has been launched regarding this issue.
Tim Sim’s Choice:
I have decided to head down the contemporary jazz route and offer one of my favourite modern jazz records. Nik Bartsch's Ronin, the album is Holon. He is a Swiss pianist and composer, and this work is of the highest quality. It certainly is a builder of an album, meandering along slowly to start, but it really gets going at points. It manages to be relaxed and excited all in one journey.
So, what am I recommending? I am going for a selection of two rather popular albums. The reason I have to submit two albums is because Tim has mentioned the new album that has most excited me of late, James Blake’s eponymous debut album. What is fascinating about this album is its bizarre mass appeal. He’s a classically trained pianist playing around with Dance music; producing more artistic numbers rather than floor fillers. His work to date labels him as Dub-step but his EPs aren’t really; they are more influenced by Dub-step or, better, can be seen as making a knowing nod towards the genre, post-dub-step if you will. So he’s a dub-step producer who’s not really a dub-step producer who then has moved onto baffle us further by releasing an album of vocal tracks in a ‘singer-song writer’ mode. Safe to say this album could not really be classified as ‘singer-song writer’ (whatever that means) nor can it be called dub-step. What you have instead is a soulful, uber-produced and ultra modern take on pop song music with experimental electronic programming throughout. It is haunting, interesting, uncomfortable and breathtaking in equal measure and, above all, it is universally praised. From the main stream through to the underground, everyone is wetting themselves about how good this is. What’s really funny about this admiration is the fact that it is really not very easy listening; in fact it is often quite uncomfortable. There is nothing that tickles me more than ostensibly underground music getting mass attention. I like to imagine those poor teenie boppers getting it home and listening in bewilderment as the album unfolds.
Anyway – for whatever my view is worth, the hype is more than justified. This is brilliant and will undoubtedly feature in many people’s top albums of the year. Check it out bros. My other option, as I know Tim definitely has the album above, is another popular release this year which I’m also certain will appear in many top albums of the year come December. The album in question is the new release from PJ Harvey, Let England shake.
Mega Matt Mega Matt Mega Mega Matt Matt’s choice:
And finally, after an unfortunate wait, it's time to offer up my selection. I have picked The Jade Motel by Zeigeist. It's an up tempo electro pop album from scadanavia and much in line with the Knife sound.
**Note – this album has been deleted as an official selection due to an incident of identity theft. An enquiry has been launched regarding this issue.
Tim Sim’s Choice:
I have decided to head down the contemporary jazz route and offer one of my favourite modern jazz records. Nik Bartsch's Ronin, the album is Holon. He is a Swiss pianist and composer, and this work is of the highest quality. It certainly is a builder of an album, meandering along slowly to start, but it really gets going at points. It manages to be relaxed and excited all in one journey.
