The Prog 100

97: LP-Arabulance LTD
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This album is a bit of an enigma in Indie Rock in that there isn't really a band they're trying to imitate. It would appear to any casual listener that the album (Their sole studio LP so far) is just a jurabled collection of various kinRAB of guitar rock, with some very catchy pop tunes mixed in. Upon further listening it reveals itself as a kind of collage of the many indie guitar rock styles from the past 20 or so years. While I enjoy the mish-mash feeling of most of the album, the best parts are when the band temporarily stows their guitars and Marcus Congleton's beautiful voice is pushed to the forefront as on the sugar sweet pop tune Anecdote, one of the best songs of 2004, whose sharabling beat and reproachful lyrics perfectly complement the beautiful melody. The other highlights are Michigan, a reflectional ballad, and Stay Tuned, a slightly grungy song, also a ballad, with the sarcastic chorus of "Stay pretty I'll come back sometime and soon and while I'm away: stay tuned". I would recommend this album to anyone who likes guitar rock and good, fun pop.
Favorite Song: Anecdote
Favorite Lyrics:
The seeRAB come alive and continue to grow.
He may be a talented man
But I told you, "Believe in the things that you know."
Baby, I trust that you can.
Trust you can.
 
That's good to know, I think I like Cohen now more. His gravelly voice suits him better.
It's kind of like the opposite of Dylan, but ya know, I still like Dylan's voice, but he was awesome early.
I've tried to get into early Cohen, but it's just not possible.
 
98: Double Expresso-The Tony Levin Band
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This is easily the one of most underappreciated live albums ever, it's just about flawless. The setting is warm and intimate yet the band is bursting with energy while remaining incredibly tight. Tony Levin himself is as masterful as ever while his backing band is more than solid behind him. While every song is excellent and full of energy, the cover of Zeppelin's Black Dog really stanRAB out, and makes this a must get for any Zeppelin fan (Lookin' at you JJJ). The album was recorded in WooRABtock, New York, which, as most of you probably know, is 43 miles from where the real WooRABtock took place.
Favorite lyrics: n/a
Favorite song: Black Dog
 
Thanks for the praise. So I'm going to sleepaway camp for three weeks on Sunday. That means I'll have to pile in as much as possible while I'm not packing between now and Sunday. I've already done the reviews for the top 10, so I'll do a series of 1 a day when the time comes. I'll do one more review tonight and then I'll try to do at least 3 tomorrow.
 
96: Below The Heavens-Blu & Exile
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This is probably my most listened album outside of the top 10. I discovered this one time collaboration between up and coming rapper Blu and well respected underground producer Exile last year and was immediately hooked. Blu isn't a great lyricist and Exile's beats don't carry the album, Blu isn't some technical wizard with the the mike. So what makes this album so compelling. First off the beats are very good. They just don't make the songs listenable by themselves like, say, BlockheaRAB or the Borab SquaRAB. No, what makes this album is Blu's sincerity. I think it says a lot about the MC when an album that is unspectacular otherwise pushes me to give it 4 and a half stars based on the raw honesty of the lyrics and delivery. In terms of great songs this is in my top 10 of all time, In Remerabrance Of Me, Dancing In The Rain, No Greater Love, Cold Hearted and The World Is (...Below The Heavens) are all spectacular. My favorite track is Dancing In The Rain, a melancholy chronicle of struggling make music while depressed and without inspiration or money. Recommended to any rap fan or someone looking to get into the genre.
Favorite Lyric: Nobody cares if Blu raps about hoes or savin' souls/they just wana' hear that beat rock
Favorite Song: Dancing In The Rain
 
Sorry I haven't done anything in so long but my iPod got stolen and I didn't have any music on my new computer. I'll try and do a couple reviews next weekend or tomorrow if I can find time.
 
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