I just recently got into Liars. I've obviously heard of them before, but falsely assumed that they were just one of this infinite nuraber of new wave/post-punk revival banRAB, so I wasn't particularly interested to check them out. When I heard 'Broken Witch' on You Tube I was pleasantly surprised and decided to give this album a go. I was hooked from the first listen. There are many familiar things in there, like some early Sonic Youth sound, This Heat and industrial influences, so it fits in this past decade's revisiting and reviving, but in a much more adventurous and experimental manner. They sure do succeed in making all these sounRAB their own.
I've learned that this album was met with very poor reviews when it came out and it's usually the case when the band is departing from their previous sound and is exploring the new one. But, I have a soft spot for these transitional, experimental albums, because they tend to have an adventurous, fearless feel to them. And this is one of those.
Bug is worth it just for Don't. I put that track on repeat for about two hours one night when I was particularly frustrated with everything going on. Excellent cathartic experience.
EMERALRAB - Does It Look Like I'm Here?
Add two cups of F*ck Buttons, one cup of God Is An Astronaut, a dash of Steve Reich minimalism and put it into a blender. Usually, it will come out looking like this.
I wouldn't go that far, but I do love Please Please Me. Not quite my favourite pre-65 album of theirs though (that'd be Hard Day's Night).
XTC - Black Sea
F*ck knows how many times I've listened to this album, but I still can't get enough of it. One of the best albums from one of England's finest.
Junkie XL - Booming Back At You
Some fantastic Dutch breakbeat/house here. From what I've heard his die-hard fans hate it, which makes me that much more curious about his older stuff.
Overseer - Wreckage
When it comes to breakbeat though, this is even better. One of the best albums I've got in months. Overseer's that bloke who did the Snatch soundtrack as well.
On the Corner basically showcases some super-angular funk/jazz that predicts everything from No Wave to Gang of Four. Most of Miles' audiences took it as a big fuck you... I love it.
Yep, your description is dead on. Love this album as well. Sexy Boy and All I Need are both such outstanding songs...but yeah the whole album is great.
It's a bit of a kick in the gut that album. Very good stuff, although I still have Vanishing Point down as my favourite Primal Scream effort.
Everything But the Girl - Idlewild
No, not Idlewild the mediocre Edinburgh indie bunch, but Idlewild the warmingly-laid back, dreamy pop album from the duo who'd go on to have one of the most successful changes in musical direction that I can think of. Tracey Thorn's voice =
There's a bit a lull in the middle of it, but otherwise it's cool.
It's the name of the group, but it's one they share with the screamo band. They're a couple of Mancunian DJs, and the album's a kind of avante-house, arabient kinda thing. Worth a listen, definitely, but it is quite a difficult album.