Albums That I Own

I write about albums. Albums that I own.

Neutrons

Posted on January 27, 2014 by R.J.

Band: The Denison/Kimball Trio
Album: Neutrons
Best song: “The Traveling Salesman” is a classic.
Worst song: “Issa”

I mentioned this in the Stereolab bit, but when I developed my first passionate interest in music, I was totally open to anything. Well, anything that fit into the parameters of “on a local label or something that was distributed by Touch and Go records.” That led to tons of music that would become some of my favorites — June of 44, certainly — and some that I’d ignore for the rest of my life. Girls Against Boys comes to mind, as does Killdozer and, to a lesser extent, Brick Layer Cake. Continue reading →

Torres

Posted on January 26, 2014 by R.J.

Band: Torres
Album: Torres
Best song: “Honey” was the single and the breakout hit.
Worst song: “November Baby” is a very good song, but the weakest on a very strong album.

The machinations of a record’s recording aren’t all that important, in the grand scheme of music. Does it matter if a record was recorded at 3 am only by one artist with nothing but his/her guitar? Or just a band, no post-production. All in one take? All in a few days?

I don’t know that it matters, ultimately, that Mackenzie Scott’s first record was recorded by with minimal production in some Nashville studio or wherever. But, it mesmerizes me that a person so young can so perfectly hit on some of the dynamics of relationships like Scott does. All of 22, Scott’s Torres has the rawness of Either/Or and the aesthetics of Dear Sir. I am, of course, not the first to make the comparison, but it remains apt. Continue reading →