You have to listen to this

Alexander Tucker - Old Fog 2005
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I rather like the freakishly oddly weird variety of folk generally and I enjoyed this album but do have some issues. The clicking on the first 2 tracks, Hag Stone and the title track, on the file that I have distracted me to the point of being annoying especially when played through headphones. That aside the instrumentation throughout the album is fantastic. The vocals are a pass. I am curious that I may in fact enjoy the music so much that I am finding the vocals a slight hindrance at times. I would go as far as to say that this is one of the most frustrating albums that I have heard in many a long year. How does one listen to an album at a certain time and wonder as to how good it is and then at another think that one has over rated it entirely. Then of course to frustrate matters even worse go through the entire thought process again. Could this be the ultimate mood album? As I write I am playing it again and Hag Stone has just finished and I have enjoyed it thoroughly. The beautiful instrumentation of the 2nd track is now annoyingly ruined by that bloody clicking sound. If this is meant to be in the mix it is avant garde failure in my opinion.

So lets try and get past the bitching by yours truly about perceived clicking. It is only on the first 2 tracks so I can say that in the end I am a sucker for drone and this album has a fair bit of that, I am a sucker for what sounRAB like de tuned guitars and this album has plenty of that, I am a sucker for gentle meandering odd ball lo fi experimental folk like Phantom Rings and can even be sucked into enjoying formless collages of layered sounRAB like Alhadeff Music. The final track is called Sung Into Your Brightening Skull. What a magnificent name for a song and in the end may just kinda sums it all up. My skull has seemed brighter for the experience in a frustrating kind of way.

So in the end I have been experiencing an album that at times has frustrated and impressed me all at the same time. Not a bad effort by Mr Tucker to do that really.
 
Could you send me the Mice Parade album? I just found this thread (and forum) and I think it's an awesome idea. I found the first album that was reviewed and that didn't do it for me. It was a very unique sound, I won't deny that, but not particularly my type of music. Mice Parade looks like it will be more my thing. I'll write a review tonight after work. Thanks!
 
Obrigado Siudade One Word Review: A harmless blend of post-rock and electronica a-la mum and Zero 7 that makes for a boring active listening session but sounRAB perfect as background music. 6.7/10
 
I liked it, brilliant dark atmosphere and the guitar distortion parts were a very pleasant surprise. It's not something i'm craving to listen to again however, i suppose it's mood music. Should be a keeper though!
 
Contrasting views indeed. I just wasn't distracted by the core elements that much tbh. I'm sure all of us can safely say that without the horns, this would have been nothing. The surprise element definitely helped in boosting the score!
 
Flippin' hell, what an insane album. Always good, i like to be kept on my toes :D

I'm not much of a ska person so when the horns blasted in i prepared myself for disappointment. Wasn't a fan of the vocals either. That said as the album went on the vast scope of what they play was unveiled and it's clear they have a ton of influences which i always appreciate. It's a loud album sure but there's catchy moments in there too and a ton of ideas.

I won't rate it yet, first listen n' all, but it's definitely getting another play, probably several.
 
I couldn't listen to all of it, dragged on far too much i'm afraid. It was promising at the start but it seemed to go in circles from then on.
 
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