Stuff I Listened To Last Week – 7 June 2010

Every time I listen to a record, I leave it next to the stereo. On Monday, before I go back to work, I re-file them all. Below are the contents of this week's pile.

The Bee Gees – Odessa
Yes, plenty of other bands have released two-LP concept albums. But how many have had red velvet sleeves?

Brian Eno – Here Come the Warm Jets
Just started reading a new Eno bio, so I'll be hitting a bunch of these in the next couple of weeks.

The Flaming Lips – Embryonic
The Lips are one of my favourite acts of all time, but I'm still trying to figure this one out. The songs are slippery, tough to grasp, tough to remember after they end. They seem to be built from riffs and sounds rather than vocal hooks, which is a big shift for this band. I think this is their Kid A.

I've just started noticing themes repeating from one song to another, so I know there's a grand plan at work here, I just haven't fully sussed it out yet. Hard work, but fun work.

Gang Gang Dance – Saint Dymphna

Jay-Z – The Black Album

King Crimson – In the Court Of the Crimson King
M— picked this one out the other night when he come over to hang out and see the girls. Nice choice. I had just grabbed Warm Jets. M— didn't even realise that Fripp and Eno had collaborated, so it was just a coincidence. That could probably happen with Eno and about half the records I own. OK, a third, but still.

Krallice
Finally saw these guys live last week and they were awesome. Too short, but great while it lasted. It's weird how trancey black metal can be when it's really loud.

By the way, Profound Lore, hurry up and put their new one out on vinyl. And the last YOB album. And everything by Cobalt. Get on that shit. Who the hell still buys CDs anyway?

M.I.A. – Arular, Kala
Honestly, I really don't think the Lynn Hirschberg piece was that harsh. There's a few digs here and there, but really, who among us didn't already know that M.I.A.'s revolutionary schtick is bullshit? And when you get down to it, what popular artist's schtick, from midwestern Jewish nerd Robert Zimmerman to posh English business student Michael Jagger, isn't bullshit? The music holds up, and whether or not she's the one doing the creative heavy lifting, she's clearly the one whose vision is in charge.

And another thing: I pronounce it "MY-uh" and no one's telling me otherwise. It's her first name, for sobbing out loud.

Saint Etienne – Foxbase Alpha, So Tough
The Tiger Bay reissue's finally out, but I don't know whether they're doing the vinyl or not. I'm not sure that one ever came out in the first place.

Uncle Tupelo – Still Feel Gone/March 16-20, 1992