Kula Shaker - Strangefolk - 2007

 

I liked their first album, K, but I was overjoyed, mesmerized and in love with their sophomore album PP&A album in 1999.  Probably my favorite album that year.  I was greatly disappointed when they went their separate ways after that, and I was not really impressed with Crispian Mills follow-up band The Jeevas.

So, when word got out that they were back together in 2006 recording their next album, Strangefolk, for release in 2007, I waited with bated breath, hoping to God that they returned to form to bring a truly extraordinary album.  Needless to say, it was not PP&A.

But, it is still Kula Shaker, and it is still a continuation of the mystical and magical sound that they started with.  Many of the songs carry the same qualities of their previous albums, and there is also sound of growth and the wisdom of maturity throughout.  They showed themselves to be a new yet older band than they were previously.  Crispian's lyrics and melodies still carried that same youthful approach, albeit a bit weird and bizarre, but you could still tell that life had changed him, whether he realized it or not.

The album is a solid rocker and definitely a keeper.  It still carries that album-oriented sound, even as the singles stand out in their pop-hook purity.  The orchestration and harmonious instrumentation is at near perfection, and worthy of repeat listening and analyzation.  They've earned their right as leaders in the Britrock, Psychedelic and Rock genres, a band to be recognized and emulated.

They progressively get better on their next two albums, but this one stands as a much needed reunion of their sound and story.  Enjoy what we've got here.

Kula Shaker - Strangefolk - 2007

Kula Shaker - Strangefolk B-Sides - 2007

Sorry for the delay. Still recovering. (Just call me Captain Melodrama)

Bloc Party - A Weekend In the City - 2007

 

I've got a big weekend ahead of me.  Taking the family to see my folks for the next couple days, and start my new job on Monday.  Today was my last day at my old job, so I'm feeling pretty good.  Anyway, short post tonight as I've got one foot out the door.

After their awesome debut album and the spectacular Two More Years single, I was really looking forward to this one.  As a sophomore release, it showed that their talent really was there, and it wasn't a fluke that their first was a hit.  It was solid, strong, and full of great songs.  It wasn't quite as good as I was expecting, but it never is when you set your expectations super high, and that's what I'd done.

There are quite a few songs on here that you'll really enjoy, as I did.  And, as far as the mixes go, there are a few great ones, some solid ones, and some crap ones.  I'd really like to expand on these statements, but my time is short, and I need to get on the road.

Have a great holiday weekend, and I'll get back to you Monday night, as I'll be out on the 4th celebrating the second greatest holiday of the year.

Weekend     Another Weekend    Remix 1    Remix 2

 

Erasure - Light At the End Of the World - 2007

To me, personally, I felt that after Chorus, and more so after I Say I Say I Say, Erasure began a steady decline into mediocrity.  Each album continued to get more and more progressively bland, and I was less apt to listen to them enough to even recognize melodies or lyrics.  So, after the incredibly dull Union Street, and then suddenly Andy's releasing solo stuff, I figured "Well, I guess Erasure's done..."

2007 rolls around, and I see this incredible cover that takes me back to Wild days.  Holy cow!  In 2007 around that time, I had started getting bored with the Brit Rock stuff from the previous 4-5 years, and I was in desperate need of something new.  This album fit perfectly in that slot.

It's a great album, probably my favorite in the new millenium.  All of the songs seem happy, bouncy, and full of Vince being inventive and innovative.  Of course, Andy's voice is as good as always.  The melodies he created aren't as creative as previous, but they still have that definitive pop standard that makes it easy to remember the words and melody, so you can sing along.

I have the b-sides and a couple non-album tracks, along with 2 discs of remixes under the Stormchaser cover.  This one brings fond memories for me.....  Haven't listened to the new album yet (I'm downloading it now) but I hope it's a good one, too!

Erasure - Light At the End Of the World - 2007

Storm Chaser

Kaiser Chiefs - Your's Truly Angry Mob - 2007

After their glorious debut, the Kaiser Chiefs followed it with a skillful and solid sophomore release.  Even though it wasn't as slammin' as their first.  Starting with the strong Ruby single, the album really doesn't disappoint.  It's a nice slice of British Pop/Rock.  They do show some maturity here, and it isn't as carefree and wild as their previous, but it holds it's own with strong pop hooks and melodies.  To me, the only "anthem" track would be Ruby, and that isn't anywhere close to I Predict A Riot.  I still like it a lot, and adds another great album to a list of incredible albums from England around that time...

Kaiser Chiefs - Your's Truly Angry Mob - 2007

Monday begins a new theme week here on AtAIML.  There have been SOOOOO many albums that I've wanted to post, but there was already a deluxe version out there.  I couldn't best them, they were a perfect set.  That being said, Monday begins....

One week of albums that have already been given that special treatment that they deserve.  There are quite a few choice nuggets that I'm sure you will enjoy.

Following that, the Monday after, will begin another themed week, back-to-back.  That theme week will be called....

This will be for all of those albums that I'd love to post, but they don't have any additional material that I can add.  These albums deserve some attention, even though I don't have anything more to make them extra AtAIML special.

Anyway, stay tuned and have a great Saturday!

VNV Nation - Judgement - 2007

I did absolutely nothing to the track listing on this album.  I didn't rearrange, I didn't add anything, I didn't subtract anything.  I like this album as it is and whether there's more material for this or not, I don't even know and frankly don't care.  I like it like this.

Both VNV Nation and De-Vision seemed to take the Depeche Mode sound further than even DM did.  It's like DM started writing shitty music, so these other two took over writing the good stuff.  I know, now that there are like a dozen different bands that all sound like this, but VNV and D-V are the best.  This album is proof of their talent.

BUT - I hated the original album cover.  Plus, I was having fun experimenting with my type styles and metal textures in Photoshop, so I made this.  Pretty cool, huh?  Way better than the original.

And...  that's about it, I guess.  Hope you like this.

VNV Nation - Judgement - 2007