Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Paige's Favorite Albums and Why... Part Deux!

Two posts in a day, aren't you guys lucky :)

As soon as I posted my last list of favorite albums, I realized there were some big albums missing. Albums that I can listen to, in their entirety, in one sitting. Albums that play over the sound system at work, that magically don't drive me insane. Albums that are just plain awesome, these, are those albums...

Enjoy.

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black



I was lucky enough to obtain this little gem on vinyl this week. I've heard many people argue for the more radio-friendly, less obscene stylings of Amy's fellow Brit Duffy, and while I enjoy Duffy's Rockferry quite a bit she never seems to be able to capture the same aching soulful sound that Amy does. Listening to Amy Winehouse makes me feel like she's got more emotion in one crack addled nostril than I have in my entire being. It's rare that you find someone who sounds so painful, and yet so beautiful at the same time. Just witness this awesomeness...

There's a small bit of cussing in the beginning, but other than that I think it should be SFW.



For all the facebook peeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah33Up5NTB4

I heard my sister even learned this song on the Ukelele, and says she'll leave a video of it on my wall... I have yet to see such a video, but I'm sure when I do it will be magnificent. :)
Download: Back to Black, Me and Mr. Jones, Tears Dry on Their Own, and the rest of the album.

Adele: 19



Much in the same vein as Ms. Winehouse, Adele hails from the UK but sounds like Motown, and in my experience you really can't go wrong with Motown, no way no how. She's a little lighter than her darker boozy counterpart, but not as airy as Duffy. Aka, less painful, but still gritty. I think the true measure of an artist is how well they sing their songs live, and Adele is a live performance champ, as evidenced in this video with just her voice and a guitar...



For the Facebook Peeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_YaZsIJJ8

This is my absolute favorite song off her debut album, and I know it's good because it was on my store's rotation for 3 months and I never got tired of it. I would actually look forward to it playing at work. It's rare that I can actually enjoy the music in the store, since even the best songs become grating after a long day of dealing with surly customers, but Adele beat the odds.
Download: Chasing Pavements, Right as Rain, etc.

Rooney: Self Titled and Calling the World



I nearly slapped myself when I realized that neither of these albums were on my first list. I was lucky enough to see Rooney live when they came to UCI a few years ago and it was an interesting experience to say the least... but! They were AMAZING! They sound exactly like they do on their CD. And if you're wondering if the lead singer is that guy from Princess Diaries, the answer is yes. I think the band is actually in the movie at one point, playing the end of this song...



For all the Facebook Peeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB809oiPE1c

Download: Blueside, Sorry Sorry, Shakin', When Did Your Heart Go Missing, and basically everything else...

They also have a new album due out this June!

The Police: Greatest Hits



Why is it that the bands who can't get along and stay together make the best music. The Police are truly legendary, their songs have been covered dozens of times and yet their originals still stand the test of time. Every time someone plays that crappy Roxanne cover from Moulin Rouge a little piece of me dies inside, because this is what Roxanne SHOULD sound like...



For the Facebook Peeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7q5z5wbNc

Download: Roxanne, Message in a Bottle, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Don't Stand so Close to Me...

Death Cab for Cutie: Narrow Stairs



I actually have this on vinyl as well as CD and I have to say that this is a great album to just set and forget. Just turn it on, and you won't even notice how it meanders from song to song because it flows so well, I did eventually differentiate the songs enough to have a favorite...



For the Facebook Peeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o9_cxGbt30

Download: I Will Possess Your Heart, Cath

Michael Jackson: Off the Wall



You know all those awesome Michael Jackson songs that aren't Thriller? Yeah... they're like all on this album, no lie...



For the Facebook Peeps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0

All this album needs is Billie Jean, Smooth Criminal, Bad, Black and White, and Thriller to be a nearly complete Michael Jackson's Greatest hits album.

Happy Listening,
Rampaige

2 comments:

  1. 1) I EFFING LOST ROONEY. I borrowed it from Sam who borrowed it from you. I ripped it onto a computer back in CA which ended up getting a virus. Karma'd.

    2) Narrow Stairs. Yes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I had no idea I lent it to Sam, I must have burned her a copy since I'm pretty sure I still have my copy... maybe I bought another copy? I have no idea, but I have both albums and extra tracks if you want them.

    ReplyDelete