Arctic Monkeys — Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

• Artist: Arctic Monkeys
• Title: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
• Year: 2006
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: May 2006
• Keeper: Yes

Amazon recommended this CD for me, but they also recommended Hilary Duff once. I didn’t buy Hilary’s CD but I did buy the Artic Monkeys and I’m so glad I did.

The tittle of this CD, for me, was reason enough to purchase it.”Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” is a clue to the band’s attitude and keen observations. The lyrics are brillant. (There are a few explicit lyrics, but the singer’s accent is so thick my kids havn’t noticed them yet). How do people write like that? I’m amazed when song writers can tell a story, to music, (I know that’s obvious, but still impressive) that is witty, smart, down to earth, and makes you want to sing along.

The music is familar, yet not like any band out there. Maybe a little Franz Ferdinand, but tougher. Maybe a little Kaiser Chiefs, but more substantial. They also remind me of Sham 69, and the Ruts. I never get the feeling these guys are trying to be, or sound like something they aren’t.

The track Mardy Bum is what I hear, not often enough, on XM. It’s a slower song and it’s good but the entire CD is packed with great songs: “When the Sun Goes Down”, “Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured”, and “The View From the Afternoon.” A little something for everyone. Check out their web site to view some videos off this CD at ArcticMonkeys.com.

Gorillaz — G Sides

• Artist: Gorillaz
• Title: G Sides
• Year: 2002
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Mars
• Acquired: July 2006 – with his allowance from the local Barnes and Noble
• Keeper: Yes

This is the first CD I bought with my own money. It was a lot of money but the Gorillaz are my favorite band and I didn’t wanna wait another minute to listen to it. I play it so much that my parents get bored of hearing it.

If you’re looking for a good beat this is the album for you. My favorite songs are “The Sounder”, which is mostly rap, and “Faust”, a slower song with good female and male vocals at the end. I also like “Ghost Train”, which has a strong beat.

I think the Gorillaz are the best band ever.

Muse — Black Holes and Revelations

• Artist: Muse
• Title: Black Holes and Revelations
• Year: 2006
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Mary/Tracy
• Acquired: 2006 – No place special, Target maybe.

This is post number 200 in the “record” collection category. I’m celebrating with something special, something new for you kids and grups out there — “Black Holes and Revelations” by Muse.

This band is so musically ambitious and perfectly weird I can think of few, if any, meaningful comparisons. Despite that, or possibly because of it, their last two records have been big commercial successes, even in the US. Their music is metallic, operatic, funky, melodic, pop and everything else you can think of, and somehow it never sounds diluted. Again, this stuff is ambitious, not the output of a few dudes getting together and just jamming out some verses and choruses. And their timing is impeccable. Just before things get too weird for too long they pull out some colossal riff, drop the hammer, and perform another hard rock burnout.

The last song, “Knights of Cydonia”, is probably my favorite. This piece has everything in it from an Ennio Morricone-sounding spaghetti western guitar, to space alien electronica, to anthemic choruses. Just after the four minute mark something extra special happens that on first hearing was so unexpected, and every time thereafter so anticipated, that I break out in goosebumps. More about Muse.

Buddy Guy — Sweet Tea

• Artist: Buddy Guy
• Title: Sweet Tea
• Year: 2001
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2006 -I can’t remember where, even though it was this year, because I done got old.
• Keeper: Yes

Today is a “G” day. Actually, yesterday was, but it was also my 93rd birthday and I was feeling too tired and feeble to post. The artist for the day is one of my faves, Buddy Guy; the album is “Sweet Tea.” And it’s oh so apropos because the first song is Junior Kimbrough’s “Done Got Old.” Just an acoustic guitar and Buddy’s, I mean Mr. Guy’s voice. The rest of this album is slamming, with some unexpected production values that make it all the more hea-vay. It’s almost like Rage/Audioslave is playing backup. Awesome.

Well I done got old
Can’t do the things I used to do
‘Cause I’ma ol-old ma-an

Well I done got old
Well I done got old
I can’t do the things I used to do
‘Cause I done got old

Remember the day baby
Done past and gone
That I could love you
Most all night long
But now things have changed
An’ I done got old
I can’t do the things I used to do
‘Cause I’m an o-old man

I can’t look, like used to
I can’t walk, like used to
I can’t lu-uv, like used to
An’ now things done changed
An’ I done got old
I can’t do the things I used to do
Because I’ma o-old man

I’ma o-old man
I’ma o-old man
I’ma o-old man
An’ I’m not the same
I’m a very old man