the rugs don't work » album of the day http://john.theobriens.ca Music, mix tapes, films, things on the web and more... Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:18:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 album of the day: Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/08/21/album-of-the-day-jonny-greenwood-is-the-controller/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/08/21/album-of-the-day-jonny-greenwood-is-the-controller/#comments Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:18:19 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/08/21/album-of-the-day-jonny-greenwood-is-the-controller/ Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller

Artist: Various
Album: Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller

This has pretty much been my record of the summer. Jonny Greenwood, the guitarist from Radiohead, spent months picking some of his favourite tracks from the Trojan Records’ archive. The end result of his efforts was an outstanding compilation. The disc pulls together bits of ska, rocksteady, dub, and roots into seventy minutes worth of pure enjoyment. It has been the soundtrack for many drives around town, brunch on Sunday morning and early evening social gatherings.

Recommended for those who are interested in reggae and are looking to expand beyond the great works of Bob Marley.

Highlight tracks:
Let Me Down Easy by Derrick Harriott
I’m Still in Love by Marcia Aitken
Cool Rasta by The Heptones
Black Panta by Lee “Scratch” Perry & The Upsetters

Listen to Jonny Greenwood Is The Controller on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/08/21/album-of-the-day-jonny-greenwood-is-the-controller/feed/ 0 album of the day: Time On Earth http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/07/18/album-of-the-day-time-on-earth/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/07/18/album-of-the-day-time-on-earth/#comments Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:24:20 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/07/18/album-of-the-day-time-on-earth/ Crowded House - Time On Earth

Artist: Crowded House
Album: Time On Earth

I’ve been listening to Time On Earth for a couple of weeks now. The record, which is the first new recording from Crowded House in a long time, takes a couple of listens from start to finish for the listener to appreciate the lyrical and musical quality of the songs. The songwriting is reflective and bittersweet – Neil Finn in top form.

If you’ve only got time to check out one track, then go with Silent House.

Listen to Time On Earth on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/07/18/album-of-the-day-time-on-earth/feed/ 2 album of the day: Jamaica to Toronto (Soul, Funk and Reggae 1967-1974) http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/26/album-of-the-day-jamaica-to-toronto-soul-funk-and-reggae-1967-1974/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/26/album-of-the-day-jamaica-to-toronto-soul-funk-and-reggae-1967-1974/#comments Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:49:07 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/26/album-of-the-day-jamaica-to-toronto-soul-funk-and-reggae-1967-1974/ Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk and Reggae 1967-1974

Artist: Various
Album: Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk and Reggae 1967-1974

For those of you who like your music full of energy, sweet licks and all out funkiness. More Motown (soul) then Kingston (reggae), this collection of songs recorded in Toronto is great for a warm Saturday afternoon barbeque with friends and a cooler full of cold ones.

Highlight tracks:
If This Is Love (I’d Rather Be Lonely) by Eddie Spencer
I Wish It Would Rain by Cougars
Chips – Chicken – Banana Split by Jo-Jo & The Fugitives
African Wake by Johnnie Osbourne

The CD has great packaging with a detailed booklet describing the artists, songs and the Jamaica – Toronto connection that made it all happen.

Listen to Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk and Reggae 1967-1974 on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/26/album-of-the-day-jamaica-to-toronto-soul-funk-and-reggae-1967-1974/feed/ 0 album of the day: Once http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/11/album-of-the-day-once/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/11/album-of-the-day-once/#comments Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:22:32 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/11/album-of-the-day-once/ Once

Artist: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Album: Once: Music From the Motion Picture

For fans of The Frames, Damien Rice, and those who like their music with emotion & passion exposed bare. A solid record from top to bottom. While the songs may have been pulled from various discs (The Cost, The Swell Season, etc), I believe the versions have been captured especially for the film.

This is one of those records that I hope gets strong word of mouth. It is something special. Songs to check out include Falling Slowly, When Your Mind’s Made, Gold, and Fallen From The Sky.

Listen to Once on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

Here is video of Glen performing Falling Slowly in Toronto.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/06/11/album-of-the-day-once/feed/ 0 album of the day: The Reminder http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/24/album-of-the-day-the-reminder/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/24/album-of-the-day-the-reminder/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:13:39 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/24/album-of-the-day-the-reminder/ Feist - The Reminder album cover

Artist: Feist
Album: The Reminder

The new record from Feist drops in a week. First few listens reveal lots of jazz, blues and folk influences. The songs are engaging and captivating, much like those on Let It Die. Standout tracks include Sea Lion Woman and My Man, My Moon.

If you’re looking for a great album to give Mom or the mother of your children, you might want to consider this one. It’s got the right blend of confidence, sass, beauty and warmth.

Here are a couple of the tracks from the disc. Also worth checking out are 1 2 3 4 and I Feel It All.

Sea Lion Woman (Webisode)

YouTube link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u0iQj2j5mE)

My Man, My Moon (Video)

YouTube link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp6_mt7XRtg)

Listen to Feist on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/24/album-of-the-day-the-reminder/feed/ 0 album of the day: The Songs of Leonard Cohen http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/20/album-of-the-day-the-songs-of-leonard-cohen/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/20/album-of-the-day-the-songs-of-leonard-cohen/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:49:38 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/20/album-of-the-day-the-songs-of-leonard-cohen/ Songs Of Leonard Cohen

Artist: Leonard Cohen
Album: Songs of Leonard Cohen

I spent some time yesterday with this classic Leonard Cohen record. Spent some time with is the best way to describe this record. This is a collection of songs that you need to allow yourself to get lost in. The mixture of melody, lyrics and a voice create images and characters with a depth that few artists achieve. It’s incredible to think that this was a debut record.

Tracks to listen to:
So Long, Marianne
The Stranger Song
Suzanne

Songs of Leonard Cohen is available on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/20/album-of-the-day-the-songs-of-leonard-cohen/feed/ 1 album of the day: The Boy with No Name http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/19/album-of-the-day-the-boy-with-no-name/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/19/album-of-the-day-the-boy-with-no-name/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:21:41 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/19/album-of-the-day-the-boy-with-no-name/ Travis The Boy With No Name

Artist: Travis
Album: The Boy with No Name

A return to the days of The Man Who form by Fran Healy and the lads in Travis. The Man Who was one of my favourite records back in 1999. Songs like Driftwood, Writing To Reach You, Why Does It Always Rain on Me? and Turn received countless spins in the CD player.

The first single is called Closer. It’s good but there are better tracks on the disc. When I played Big Chair on the drive home it was the first time in a long time that the better half has interrupted me to ask “who’s this playing”. A good sign for the appeal of the record.

Here’s the video for Closer:

The disc comes out in early May. When it does, we be sure to check out:
The Big Chair
Selfish Jean
Battleships

Listen to Travis on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

I’ll leave you with an old favourite. It’s Travis covering Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby (One More Time)” at Glastonbury in 2000.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/19/album-of-the-day-the-boy-with-no-name/feed/ 0 album of the day: Cassadaga http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/18/album-of-the-day-cassadaga/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/18/album-of-the-day-cassadaga/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:56:32 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/18/album-of-the-day-cassadaga/ Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

Artist: Bright Eyes
Album: Cassadaga

Cassadaga is a rewarding listening experience. The alt.country feel of the album is enhanced by the contributions of Ben Kweller, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, M.Ward, Rachael Yamagata to name a few. Upon reaching the end of the disc, I felt like I needed to start it all over again – my favourite kind of record.

Listen to Cassadaga on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/18/album-of-the-day-cassadaga/feed/ 0 album of the day: Live At Massey Hall 1971 http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/09/album-of-the-day-live-at-massey-hall-1971/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/09/album-of-the-day-live-at-massey-hall-1971/#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:54:37 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/09/album-of-the-day-live-at-massey-hall-1971/ Neil Young

Artist: Neil Young
Album: Live At Massey Hall 1971

Neil Young, in peak form, delivering solo renditions of songs that will eventually become the cornerstone of Harvest. His voice is great. The arrangements simple and focussed. The crowd and performer creating a special bond. This record will make many best of 2007 lists come December.

I got the chance to see a show at Massey Hall 10 days ago. It is an incredible venue, rich with character and dripping with intimacy. Cities need concert halls like Massey more than the concrete sheds that keep popping up.

Give a listen to:
See the Sky About to Rain
Down by the River
A Man Needs A Maid / Heart of Gold Suite

Listen to Live At Massey Hall 1971 on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

]]> http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/09/album-of-the-day-live-at-massey-hall-1971/feed/ 0 album of the day: Nashville http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/03/album-of-the-day-nashville/ http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/03/album-of-the-day-nashville/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:54:23 +0000 Johnny http://john.theobriens.ca/2007/04/03/album-of-the-day-nashville/ Josh Rouse - Nashville

Artist: Josh Rouse
Album: Nashville

All of the songs on Nashville are well crafted. Rouse counterbalances the sunshine and happiness of the music with emotional lyrics full of loneliness and nostalgia. There is a sense of honest within this record and that is probably why I enjoy listening to it more than two years after first hearding it.

Give a listen to:
It’s The Nighttime
Saturday
Sad Eyes

Listen to Nashville on Yahoo! Music Unlimited.

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