top five (or so) of the year thus far

laplace wrote: 05. A Silver Mt. Zion - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons When this type of band dares to be something more than ambient, love occurs. Really memorable sloganeering too - makes me WANT punks in the palace. o:) 03. Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan Is it premature to rate this album so highly? 01. Guapo - Elixirs While BLD is still growing on me I find myself preferring Elixirs because it's so much more *solid* and lovable. This is right at the centre of my tastes.

These are the three I got. Haven't managed to work up any real interest for A Silver Mt. Zion, but I can hear that some qualities. I find the attitude in the vocals really annoying.

The Guapo and Secret Chiefs 3 albums are superb. With the beautiful Elixirs Guapo probably lost the metalfans they got. (I prefer the instrumental Twisted Stems version of The Heliotrope, but the new version of Selenotrope works really well thanks to Jarboe). Xaphan's great fun.

avestin wrote:   Guapo - Elixirs

Such a huge let down.

Anyway,

1) Sculptured - Embodiment
2) Man Man - Rabbit Habbits
3) Make A Rising - Infinite Elipse and Head with Open Fontanel
4) Boris - Smile
5) A Silver Mt. Zion - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons

laplace wrote: I wasn't sure about the new Nick Cave release, BroSpence - it was one of those albums where the press declared it the best in a decade so almost has to suck as a consequence. ;P I only liked the longer songs on it, but then my favourite Bad Seeds release is still the first. and on the topic of good releases that aren't prog, I thought Boris' Smile was ultraneato. (and that Vampire Weekend's album was woeful) =P

Ah,  the press will kiss ass with any legendary musician.  However, I have enjoyed the more recent Cave albums a lot.  I think he is hitting his peak actually, which is funny considering he was already amazing, and he's in his 50s now. 

Rocktopus wrote: Equality 7-2521 wrote: avestin wrote:   Guapo - Elixirs   Such a huge let down. [ QUOTE=Equality 7-2521] schizoid_man77 wrote: I   13 blues for thirteen moons was very disapointing for me, especially after their masterpiece Horses in the sky. The vocals a bit more obnoxious than theyre supposed to be, and the guitars are no longer there for the trippy effects, but for more normal riffing and strumming.   The vocals might be my favorite part of the album. Those vocals makes me feel ill, and Elixirs is stunning (would you rather have a third 5 Suns copy?). You're my complete opposite.

No I love to see them doing something different. However, Black Oni and Five Suns were very original pieces of music, but I hear a lot of unnecessary influence shinning through on Elixirs.

But yes we are polar opposites. Hopefully we never come into contact or the differences in our musical opinions may cause a cataclysmic explosion of unimaginable proportions.

Edited by MikeEnRegalia - May 08 2008 at 01:58

Equality 7-2521 wrote: Pnoom! wrote: Equality, you know one of Guapo's members left because he felt they weren't very original even though they had the talent to be so? I knew he left. I didn't know the terms of the parting though. Doesn't seem like they did so good without his influence.