“You’re telling me to be positive. How am I supposed to be positive when I don’t see shit positive?”
That line pretty much sums up this album from Eminem. He writes poetry that digs deep into his rough experiences and fantasies of drugs, alcohol, sexuality, violence, and poverty. Not pleasant to listen to, but intriguing. The question: Are the lyrics interesting because listening is like watching a traffic accident or because it challenges our impressions of society? I don't know the answer.
“[Portishead] wrote evocative pseudo-cabaret pop songs that subverted their conventional structures with experimental productions and rhythms of trip-hop. As a result, Portishead appealed to a broad audience — not just electronic dance and alternative rock fans, but thirtysomethings who found techno, trip-hop, and dance as exotic as world beat.”
Even though I'm just "discovering" them and almost out of my 40s, the quote above pretty much sums up my feelings. Very nice... one can either sit back and trip to their sound or listen intently to the poetic, hauntingly sung lyrics. Either way, it's enjoyable.
Courtney Love was angry and obviously was having a lot of trouble living through "this". Life is hard; being addicted doesn't make coping any easier. I'm not sure which came first, this album or Kurt Cobain's suicide, but the despair here is troubling and tough to listen to.
More easy listen', high quality chill providing a relaxing atmosphere to my day.
But this random order of the 1001 Albums list needs to turn uptempo soon or I'm gonna be asleep.
This album's ethereal quality makes it the perfect soundtrack for floating weightless in space. It's also a nice soundtrack for a nap.
I'm keeping it in my music library just in case I can finagle more naps (or trips to outer space).
When I hear an artist described as a "chanteuse" I have high hopes. Who doesn't like soulful female vocals sultrily singing standards of love and sorrow? Unfortunately this album is dull and a pain to listen to.
But if you want to give it a try, here's the link.
Psst, don't tell my wife and son, but I sometimes listen (in secret) to Country Music. There's something uplifting about letting my Texas drawl reemerge once-again in song. It comes naturally even though this Dallas city boy has never worn a pair of cowboy boots or owned a Stetson.
So even though I've long been a Northern Californian, vote Democrat now, support liberal social causes, don't own a hound dog, have limited experience with trains, and I've never served time in prison...
“Honky Tonk Masquerade gives you homespun, hardwon Texan wisdom and timeless American music.”
He would have been 72 today. George Harrison, born 2/25/43.