This CD is one that I heard many years ago. And its just as fantastic today as it was when I first heard it. I’m really sad he never experienced the sort of success that was due him. He’s a great, underrated singer.

This is seriously one of the most underrated bands out there. It’s lush, it’s appealing and they have a unique sound. It’s the same sort of male/female alternative vocals that you get with bands like “The Forecast”, yet it’s got twinges of piano rock and still yet, post-emo sensibilities in the form of just good old fashion pop-rock.

I really enjoy this.

I’ve always respected him, even if I haven’t been a big fan and well…this album is polished from top to bottom. It’s not an album full of cachy radio joints, it’s just real hip-hop from start to finish.

A solid release, with good production and worth a listen.

I don’t really like West Coast Rap. It’s just a different vibe and well..I’ve just never been a big fan. But The Game impressed me on his first release and while this lacks the polish that Dre would’ve given it, it’s better than most of the stuff that passes for mainstream hip-hop these days.

He’s solidified himself as a star and while he’s out of the mainstream limelight, the hope is that he’s learned from his past gaffes, can get new hitmakers together to help him craft a third album that really gets the job done.

Not bad, but nothing to write home about exactly.

I don’t normally like Christmas music. Save for a few of the things I recall my mother playing as a kid that have sentimental value, I just don’t get into it and I hate all the gooey – and these days, faux – fawning over the holiday season that people seem to have. Because for most of them, they’ll spend a month going into debt shopping because they feel like they’re supposed to, under the guise of “goodwill for all” and of course, not wanting their kids to feel “left out” and then..next month, they’ll go back to swearing everyone again. Seems silly to me. Plus, I always thought gifts were more meaningful at times when they weren’t “supposed” to come.

That’s ironic.

But anyway, about this CD.

I love it. It’s indie goodness at it’s best. And the fact is, no one else could’ve put something out with so much volume and not have it feel watered down. Sufjan Stevens really solidifies himself with this release, mostly because it’s music that you can listen to without feeling like you’re being beaten over the head with it—without it feeling sacrilegious or too over the top.

Worth checking out.

I was pretty amazed that decent soul music would come out of Finland of all places, but..that’s precisely where this release comes from. You can’t buy it in the US.

That said, the backing band and the production—the latter spotty on occasion—is really stellar overall. Nicole Willis isn’t going to blow anyone away with her voice, but so long as she stays in range, she does a good job and I think they all work well together, a different singer would try to oversing a lot of these tracks.

Basically, if you want to be transported to sometime in the 60s, this CD does precisely that.

WOW!

I reviewed the book on my site.

curious

Another book on the shelf I need to get around to devouring.