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#316

Heard Before?
Heck yes.

Notes:
- I first heard Scott Walker in 2006, when The Drift was released. it was my album of the year, and remains a favorite.
- i was vaguely aware that he had a career before becoming a painful provocateur, but for some reason was fine just enjoying Tilt, Bish Bosch and Soused.
- but then i finally worked my way backwards (skipping over the lame 70s records) and Scott fully became my favorite male vocalist ever.
- this is probably the best of the four self-titled albums, and "Jackie" is my karaoke go-to.
- I've mentioned this often, but cabaret as a genre is criminally underrepresented and underappreciated in anglophone music.

Verdict:
Too much is just enough. Over the top is the only place to be.

Listen Again?
Most assuredly.

#315

Heard Before?
Never!

Notes:
- yes, it is jazz, but so funky and danceable. chill disco with lots of solos?
- oddly enough, the title track was my least favorite. the vocals were fine, but the song as a whole felt directionless.
- can production be both warm and dry? that's how it felt to me.
- as usual for me, i couldn't get enough of the keyboard parts.

Verdict:
Feel the groove, make the move.

Listen Again?
I'll certainly try it.

#314

Heard Before?
Uncountable times.

Notes:
- production-wise, it's the least bad-sounding Pixies album. the mix is servicable, but I'm still not crazy about the guitar tones and drum sounds.
- every Pixies album could use more Kim Deal. this one has the most, so it makes sense that it's the best. conversely the Breeders albums could use a bit of Frank Black.
- for reasons I can't discern, "Wave of Mutilation" is my favorite Pixies song. except maybe "Velouria".
- unpredictable song structures, boffo lyrics, ridiculous vocals, terrific guitar counterpoint, simple but effective killer basslines, solid drumming. ticks all the boxes for me.
- my favorite thing about the American underground in the 80s is that terms like grating, jarring and bizarre became cardinal virtues. Pixies took all that and also made it pop. ka-blam!

Verdict:
Performative weirdness made perfectly accessible.

Listen Again?
I don't need to, but why not. Let's do it right now!

#313

Heard Before?
Nope. I've only heard "I Should Coco".

Notes:
- like so many 90s albums, the brickwall production really kills it for me. all mono, guitars layered for no reason and too loud, bass buried, drums overcompressed, vocals drained of dynamics and expression, lots of nifty extra instruments worked into the arrangements, but then buried underneath everything else. yuck.
- it's all too bad, because there are some interesting songs lurking behind this awful mix.
- so yes, i strongly prefer the cheaper sounding debut, even though their pop chops are sharper here.
- a second listen, this time on a car stereo, proved much more rewarding. there really are some great song ideas and all the horn and synth parts liven up the proceedings.

Verdict:
I was there when this sound was big. I've moved on. But a decent set of fun songs.

Listen Again?
Maybe? I've got mixed feelings.

#312

Heard Before?
Not in a very long time.

Notes:
- i say this all the time, but sequencing matters. what a well-balanced album. "Supernaut" gains extra punch from its placement.
- love the mellotron on "Changes".
- song for song it doesn't really compare to Paranoid, but what does?
- although i would argue that there's a degree of lyrical sophistication that was lacking earlier. but that's not why we are here.
- the mix is weird and murky, but that works.
- a second listen confirms that what it lacks in hooks it makes up for with atmosphere. it's heavy, it's metal.

Verdict:
While not epochal or genre-defining, it shows the full breadth and power of the original lineup.

Listen Again?
For sure!