This Day In Music – 3rd March

Yesterday,  3rd of March, we  had the following:

1965

Elvis Presley’s “Girl Happy” – Great sunshine music and the sun is indeed shining here today.

1975

Roberta Flack’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – I LOVE this and will try to remember for summer time to enjoy whilst lounging on a picnic blanket. It’s so groovy and sunny and lovely.

1985

Atlantic Starr’s “As The Band Turns” – Twee 80s but well-produced. Slightly reminiscent of Scritti Politti & Prince in places.

2005

Jack Johnson’s “In Between Dreams” – Very popular here when it was released, we recognised 3 singles from it. Too nicey-nice for me but perfectly executed acoustic-pop.

Mars Volta’s “Frances the Mute” – Just WOW! Have you heard these guys before? I’d heard of them but this is my 1st listen. They’re from El Paso and they’re tearing it up!!!! Also, I love the story behind this concept album. Loosely based on characters from a diary found in a repossessed car by a sound engineer. Apparently. It’s brilliant!!!

Judas Priest’s “Angel of Retribution” – Brummie rock!!!! Too much double-bass-drum-pedal going on for my liking. Also, a bit like a poor Iron Maiden impersonation in places. Good harmonies and guitaring though. Not a band album of its ilk but easy on that drum pedal, guys! And the names of the songs are a parody of rock, surely! “Lochness” could be straight out of Spinal Tap! Ha ha! Wayne has since pointed out that this is not the original line-up.

Kathleen Edwards’ “Back To Me” – She had a song on the radio a couple of years back which I thought was really overrated yet they kept on playing it. I even wrote in to complain. Yeah, my life is pretty hard. This album is erring on the side of MOR but inoffensive enough, I guess. Some of it is quite pretty as well, just a bit boring. Wants to be Beth Orton but is closer to Cheryl Crow without ties to Eric Claption or a great snarl.

Also from 2005
I couldn’t find Jessi Alexander’s “Honeysuckle Sweet” nor could I bring myself to listen to all of Jennifer Lopez or 50 Cent (21 songs! All of them “explicit”!). Also, the decsriptions “worship album” and “Christian rock band” have put me off Kutless’ “Strong Tower” album. I listened to 1/2 of the 1st song and I think I get the gist. Holy, holy, holy….

2015

Purity Ring’s “Another Eternity” – These were quite big in UK a few years ago. I thought they were a sex-toy back then as well. 4AD are one of my favourite independent record labels so had high hopes for this. Alas, it’s almost too polished and poppy for my liking. Nicey-nice in a Chvrches, innocent teeny-bopper sort of way with Euro-electronica by numbers. Struggling to understand how this is any more credible than, say, Ellie Goulding.

Of Montreal’s “Aureate Gloom” – If Suede and Eno had a disco lovechild you’d have Of Montreal! Lovely psychedelic artwork and jaunty, angular tunes.

Laura Veirs – Warp and Weft (album)

Released 2013
I downloaded this yesterday as it was 6Music’s “album of the day”.
I am a sucker for steel pedal work and so  really like her current radio single,”Sun Song”.
I’d describe the album as close and subtle, a bit like Beth Orton meets Jenny Lewis in places. Another perfect rainy Sunday album.
Strange I should mention Alice Coltrane in last review, however, as not only is there a song about her, aptly titled, “That Alice” but the last song on this album is a blatant homage to her style. Funny how things like that happen. Happenstance.

Stand out tracks: More arpeggio loveliness reminiscent of Doves’ “Winter Hill” on “Ikaria”followed by the lovely “Sadako Folding Cranes”. These two songs need to be played together for maximum loveliness.

I couldn’t listen to this all the time because generally I like a bit more balls in music but it’s very thoughtful and beautiful.
There’s a lot to listen to, a lot going on.
Will keep on my playlist for a bit as have a feeling it will be a grower.