Showing posts with label The Decemberists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Decemberists. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Irish music roundup: The Saw Doctors, Chieftains, Dropkick Murphys, Celtic Thunder

With the upcoming arrival of St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 17, now is the perfect time to celebrate the latest 2012 albums featuring Celtic and Irish music makers.

Although the range of artists spans from the rocking Saw Doctors and raucous neo-punk Dropkick Murphys to the decidedly authentic sounds of The Chieftains, those looking for a soundtrack for St. Pat's can't go wrong with any of these albums.

Artist: The Saw Doctors
Title: The Further Adventures of The Saw Doctors
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The Fenians, the Young Dubliners, Colin Hay
Tell Me More: Fans of modern-day Irish rock music are likely already familiar with The Saw Doctors. Since the late 1980s the Irish quintet has issued a score of great albums that effortlessly blend traditional Irish music with a style associated with American rockers such as Springsteen and Mellencamp . An exciting live act, the group's latest album The Further Adventures of The Saw Doctors is another winning collection. The infectious opener "Takin' the Train" and "Friday Town" are among the instant upbeat faves on the 11-track disc.
Melancholy is another successful ingredient in the skilled hands of the band, notably on the confessional "Be Yourself," "As the Light Fades" and "Goodbye Again."

Get: Further Adventures of the Saw Doctors by clicking here

Artist: The Chieftains
Title: Voice Of Ages
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The High Kings, The Civil Wars, The Clancy Brothers
Tell Me More: The Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys aren't the only groups celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2012. The most beloved traditional Irish band in the solar system, The Chieftains have teamed up with Producer T Bone Burnett and the far-flung likes of Bon Iver, the Decemberists, the Civil Wars, Pistol Annies, Imelda May and other modern-day heroes to issue Voice Of Ages. Paddy Moloney and company have really delivered a gem that is out of this world (heck, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman's flute and tin whistle playing aboard the International Space Station is featured on "The Chieftains In Orbit"). Other highlights include "Come All Ye Fair And Tender Ladies" (with the Pistol Annies), "Lily Love" (featuring the Civil Wars) and "The Frost Is All Over" (with the Punch Brothers).

Get: Voice Of Ages [Deluxe Edition], here

Artist: Dropkick Murphys
Title: Going Out In Style: Fenway Park Bonus Edition
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The American Wake, Black 47, Flogging Molly
Tell Me More: For those who prefer music that roars but still want a dose of Irish sonics in their brew, Dropkick Murphys definitely deliver. Going Out In Style was the band’s 7th full-length release and was released last year, but has now been reissued as a special bonus edition in 2012. The so-called Fenway Park Bonus Edition includes 18 live tracks recorded during two shows acorded at Fenway Park in September 2011. This release is sure to please Dropkick Murphys' Celtic punk faithful.

Purchase: Going Out In Style - Live At Fenway Edition, Here

Artist: Celtic Thunder
Title: Voyage
You will be interested in this if you are a fan of: The Chieftains, The High Kings
Tell Me More: Celtic Thunder is as much a vocal ensemble as a theatrical production, so it should come as no surprise that the troupe's latest disc is available as a 17-track CD and a fully-produced special airing on PBS and available on DVD. As the worthy follow-up effort to the lads' successful 2011 release Heritage, 2012's Voyage is filled with accessible material ranging from the lavish "Dulaman" and traditional "The Galway Girl" to a mostly-faithful cover of Belfast native Van Morrison's "Moondance. And while the focus here is on Celtic Thunder's genuine Irish roots, there are ill-placed covers of Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" and Air Supply's "All Out of Love."

Get: Voyage, Here


- Robert Kinsler

Monday, December 28, 2009

TJR Top 5 of 2009

I couldn't get to all the albums I wanted on our last episode of MWB, so here is my top 5 for 2009

In figuring out my best of the year, I have decided to just comment on music that was released in 2009. This should be an obvious choice, but MWB isn't just about new music. It is also about discovering new "older" music. Kid Rock released Rock'n'Roll Jesus in 2008 but I didn't get to it till 2009. it was an amazing rock album. This

year I listened to a lot of back catalog from numerous artists, and it was all new to me.

The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love:



Without a doubt this album has had more impact on me than any other this year. This is a grand concept album in the tradition of The Wall, Dark Side of the Moon, and Thick as a Brick. If you are

a fan of any of the last three albums that I have mentioned you need to seek out the Hazards of Love

CD $12.99

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimist:



From the opening refrain of Southern Point, this album had the ability to transport me to other worlds. Some might call this music "Art Rock", but I describe this music as "Pastel Rock".

only $9.99 on CD

Neil Young - Fork In The Road



I am surprised that more hasn't been said about this one. This is one of Neil Young's best. This is a concept album about American's and Neil Young's love affair with cars, This is a concept album about America at the crossroads, this also a really good rock'n'roll album.

Deluxe edition $3 dollars more than the regular edition

Band of Skulls - Baby Darling Doll Face Honey



This is their first album,  This band draws from the great heavy blues influenced rock bands of the 70's but already they have their own sound. I have high hopes for this band

only $8.99 on CD

Moby - Wait for Me



I was not a Moby fan prior to this album, but I found myself moved by this textural piece of emotion set to music.

get the deluxe edition for 1 dollar more than the regular edition



So there are my top 5 for 2009

Feel free to share yours by commenting below.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Decemeberists - The Hazards of Love - Music Worth Buying 10/12/09

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Artist: The Decemberists
Album: The Hazards of Love
Worth Buying: It should be a classic.

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Classic concepts albums like Dark Side of the Moon, and Thick as a Brick.

Tell me more: This is my first album by The Decemberists. I have not listened to any of their previous albums. I bring this up, because I understand that some of their longs time fans are bit put off by this album. Apparently because the band moved beyond from what many describe as a kind've Celtic Folk rock sound in order to record this epic concept album of star crossed love.

Some artists stay within their genre album after album and do a great job of it. Some feel the need to musically morph. When an artist with an established fanbase, and an established sound does this, it can turn off some fans and delight others. But I have no preconceived notions about what a Decemberists album should sound like, so I listened to their latest "The Hazards of Love" with no preconceived notions.

I think that it was somewhere in the middle of  my 2nd listen through, that I
realized that this album can stand head and shoulders with classic rock concept albums like Dark Side of The Moon and Thick as a Brick........Yes, it's that good.

The albums story tells the tale of a mortal woman (Margaret), who falls in love with William, a magical shape shifter from an enchanted forest. But their love is threatened by William's jealous mother, the Queen of the forest.

Amazon.com described this as an album that demands repeated listening, with more to be gained from each said listening. And I couldn't agree more. If HOL had been released back in the heyday of FM rock radio, I think it would have gotten a lot of airplay and that by now it would be considered a classic. But it wasn't. It was released now. In an era where there is no airplay for this kind of an album. There is only the word of mouth. So that is what I will give this album. If you enjoy epic rock albums GET THIS ALBUM! ...........And don't illegally download it!!!! BUY IT and support these fine musicians so they can afford to live and make more music.

The Decemberists are now officially on my radar and I am now very interested too hear their previous releases. Are there any Decemberists fans that want to give me their recommendations?

TJR 10/12/09

What About the Packaging? Standard Jewel case format but with a nice lyrics booklet .

Mp3 version currently for 8.99

CD Format currently 10.99

On Vinyl