REDTALISKER

One last thing. He was writing on average one book per year until 2014 but since then there has been the writing equivalent of radio silence. Not quite Martin levels of worry but the series has no end currently.

I thought the same and have read everything bar the last published book. Never got round to the fifteen entry because something or other had disgruntled me by that point. I'd like to say exactly what that was but my memory is a little foggy on the whys. It's entirely possible that both are linked to the fact that my read through occurred in just over a fortnight. Think I may have been a little frazzled at the end. They are still super popular so I am probably alone in whatever was upsetting me.

Thanks for the review. I might rate it slightly higher than you but think on the whole it was a pretty fair assessment if I am honest. Was listening to both Boards of Canada and Orbital over the weekend trying to whittle it down. My problem was I like them all and don't have a overwhelming favorite. Ultimately went for the least well known one(at least what I thought would be).

I listened to it over the weekend. I was really torn between several of FSOL early 90's albums but discounted Lifeforms due to the double album nature of it and also because it's probably better known. We almost had Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works too. That was a strong contender.

That's right. I believe this particularly album were out takes from the Lifeform album that didn't quite fit with the sound they were going for.

Likely to go down like a lead balloon but before I change my mind again......

You would think having the longest possible time I would have it already sorted. Probably have it narrowed it down to a 'you lot made me listen to too much hard rock' angle. Really tempted to go for something radically different to what we have had so far this round. Give me half an hour to change my mind a few more times and I'll be back.

It sold a lot at the time, even though there was that experiment of pay what you want at the initial launch of the album, so not entirely sure I agree with the underrated comment. Think I remember somewhere it out sold the previous two albums.

In Rainbows Upon release this was the most approachable Radiohead album, well since The Bends. In fact it probably still is. There is an immediacy to the hooks and an embracing of melody that had not been missing from some of the previous albums. It's still decidedly Radiohead however. There is that streak of melancholy running through it that pisses some people off. Something I understand but do not agree with. If anything the lyrics on this album sound more personal than some other efforts. Not a particular words/lyrics person myself- quite often they can wash over me -but even I got there was a lot about difficult relationships here. Got to mention the guitar playing at some point too. Traditional rock, as you may well have gathered from some of my reviews, leaves me rather cold. This is my idea of what it should be. Has me tapping my foot and nodding my head. At the time this album was widely regarded as a return to form for Radiohead. Personally I think it is better than that. It's as good as anything they have done in the past. Thought so at the time and nothing since has changed my mind. It's a classic album with no weak links. Utterly beautiful and exquisite.

I have no idea what to expect from myself either as I seem to change my mind on a weekly basis. Will give In Rainbows a listen this evening, even though I could probably write a review without doing so.

Queensryche: Operation Mindcrime I've heard of these, in so much as I knew they were a band even if I could not name a single track of theirs and while not certain was fairly confident they inhabited that heavy region of rock I don't particularly like to wander. So there might have been a few sighs at this week's choice prior to getting to the nitty-gritty of actually listening. No, that's not entirely true. A more accurate description would probably be me grumbling to myself that Carvalho was trying to make my ears bleed again. Think it would be fair to say I wasn't particularly looking forward to this one. Having played it for the first time last night this is what I found. He has one of those voices. The type that always tends to end up as heavy rock or metal singer. That style of guitar playing so prevalent in the 80's with this genre of rock is present here too. Either is enough normally to get my hackles raised up. And yet despite this I really enjoyed the album. So much so I would put this in front of all the other hard/heavy rock/metal choices we've had so far. Yes there were a few eyebrow rising moments when I thought it was a bit too much but mainly I got so caught up in story of the album I either didn't mind or care too much. There were a few other things that helped too. It was never as heavy as thought it might be prior to listening. The musicianship was top notch too and there was enough variation in the music that I never fixated on the bits that I didn't like. Lastly the spoken dialogue on the album really helped tell the story and added a lot. For some I could see that would make it a bit too much rock opera but I really loved that. All in all I think you did well with this one Carvalho.

Haven't read the Broken Earth trilogy (which I will now take a look at) but can concur Jemisin is a fine writer having read one of her other series. The Dreamblood is a two book series loosely inspired I would say by Ancient Egypt. If memory serves me right the second book was stronger than the first but all good.

Well what can I say. Don't think I have ever heard Garage rock or punk played so crudely, in such an ugly production and with equipment that sounds like they were most likely rescued from the local dump. It's really that bad. Yet has been mentioned by others there is an undeniable energy to the whole record. A rebellious almost dangerous feeling that is missing from a lot of music today. It's also incredibly fun to listen to. For the second album in a row I finding myself agreeing with the forum consensus. This was a really good pick for me.

Will hopefully get mine done tomorrow.

Before the new AOW here's my very short review of Montrose by Montrose. Short because I don't have an awful lot to add to what has already been said. After listening and then readings the comments I find myself pretty much agreeing with all the comments coming before me. It's a fun, accomplished album with some catchy riffs. I'm probably sitting closer to Boss's side of fence than some of you others in that this is not going to convert me into a fan of hard rock but I will say I had perfectly pleasant half hour or however long it was listening.

Apologizes as this is a little late but here's my thoughts on Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures. As mentioned in an earlier post I do own this. Indeed this won't be the first time I have listened to it this year. Can't say I know it too well however. For whatever reason it has never really stuck. Listening to it again for this review and giving it my full attention, because quite often that's not how I do my listening, I can see why. I could mention the production. I could say how much of a difficult album both in tone and subject it is. How it is a little too rough in places and there would be a little bit of truth in all of these for for me. The main issue for me however is it's not Closer (or to be more precise Closer and all the post Unknown Pleasures singles and b-sides which are found on my edition). If I have listened to Unknown Pleasures once this year I must be in double figures easily for Closer. I like it that much. When I put the first album on I hear little bits and pieces that I like but what I really want is the rough edges smoothed off and a little bit more melody which is when I reach for the second disc. Appreciate that this won't be everyone's view and nativity and rawness can have it's own appeal and power (She's Lost Control is testament to that) but ultimately to my ears what you get with Unknown Pleasures is the work of a young inexperienced band still trying to find their way to reach their undoubted potential. It has it moments but not quite there for me.

I wondered when or rather if this would happen and finally it comes to pass. I'm pretty sure I have Boss's choice in some sort of form within my collection. My first ever purchase as a manager for Our Price was the Heart and Soul box set way back in, I'm going to say 1997 but don't hold me to it. I'm going to have to also admit that disc 2 of that set gets all the play and while I've have never really checked what is what I don't think this is Unknown Pleasures. That's much more likely be disc 1. Will have a listen to it this evening.

Heritage by Opeth I seem to be making a habit of this (Happy Mondays excluded) but this is another band I had no clue existed before being brought up on this thread. Judging from the album cover thought that some 70's style rock pre-punk might be in store, the prog rock kind. Upon hearing it I'm pretty sure that's exactly what we got. Shades of Deep Purple, King Crimson, and probably lots of other bands I'm not confident in mentioning because my knowledge of this period is a little thin, abound. That heady mix of rock, jazz, acoustic, and psychedelic sound allied with impeccable musicianship. It's all in here. There's even a bloody flute thrown into the mix. But what did I actually think of it. This was a difficult one for me which is probably why it took so long to actually get a review up. There were moments of pleasantness yet left me largely cold. At others there were some really interesting sounds and ideas that caught my attention. There were also some definite moments of over indulgence and changing of direction which I did not enjoy. These mixed feelings were made worse by sometimes happening in the same song. Take the Devil's Orchard for instance. Or don't as going through it again for the umpteenth time I realize without doing a minute by minute summary it would be impossible to detail the super good parts and the ones that ruined it for me. This made it very difficult for me to hook into any particular song. In among the good stuff there was for me always an eyebrow raising moment for me. Sounds like a proper slating yet that would suggest I hated it which I most definitely didn't. I'd put this above some of the others I have reviewed. At least I think I would. Probably safest to say this album has totally confused me.

Apparently he mixed this album(says he who knew nothing about this till he typed into the internet). Have run through the album once this evening but will need to listen to it again before commentating.

While waiting for the next AOW thought I might have a listen to some of previous choices I have missed. Not necessarily in the order aired I decided first to have a listen to the Happy Mondays' Bummed. If I am honest it wasn't a totally random choice. Like some others on here I am sure, It's Great When You're Straight got a lot of airplay in my house back in the mid 90's. It was a fun album. The Happy Mondays, however, were very much in the periphery for me the first time round. Mainly because my music tastes had evolved quite considerably in the years between the two. Seeking out the Happy Monday's albums was something I always intended to do but never got round to. This seemed a perfect excuse to put that right. So here goes. Listened to most of the album(think you are missing one track off the running order) from the youtube channel and to have to say initially was very disappointed. Have to agree with, I think it was Carvalho, who criticised the production. Sounds as if the band were recorded from the room next door albeit with the door open. Not happy leaving it at that I next listened to a flac version of the 2007 reissue to see if some of the problems could be levelled at Youtube's door. Well the answer to that is both yes and no. It sounds certainly better but still retains that cavernous feel to the sound. It did grow on me upon repeated listenings though, the album itself if not necessarily the production. It's a little rough around edges in places but there is plenty of charm to it what with Ryder's sharp and cynical lyrics accompanied by a dense swirl of guitar and bass. My final rating is that this album is most definitely flawed but I think I actually have a sneaking like for it.

The Congregation by Leprous. So it's metal this time round and over an hour of it to boot. Yes, my heart sunk low and on hearing the opening seconds of the album my first thought was that this would be a real struggle making it through it to the end. Well I can report that I not only made it but, whisper it, rather enjoyed it. Having in fact listened to it several times here's what I thought. Production is good. Even on youtube it sounds clear and crisp. Concur with the comment regarding the drummer. In fact I would go as far as saying the album as whole seems to use the drummer as the driving force to many of the songs. There are little snippets throughout the album which would not sound out of place from bands who aren't metal (the openings to Flood and Lower spring immediately to mind). Definitely a grower on repeated listenings. If I was going to nit pick - and I feel a little churlish doing so - some of the songs felt a little drawn out and wasn't overly keen on the vocal style. Didn't by any means hate it but also not sure I would ever grow to love it either. He can certainly sing that there is no doubt and I wouldn't be surprised if for some his vocals on the album would be a strong point. Overall rating this week then is pleasantly surprised. Would happily listen to them again.

Well this is a new one to me - wonder how many times I'll be saying this before this round is over. Traditional Latin, Cuban funk, salsa, dub, hip hop and probably a few I have left out, it's a busy mix of sounds and styles. If I was going to be critical, and I think I may just have to be a bit, it's a little bit too busy. That's not to say there aren't some great tracks on here because there are. Cumbia De Los Muertos, Superbowl Sundae, and Cut Chemist Suite all stood out for me. I'd happily add them to my collection (if I wasn't anal about only having full albums). As an album, however, there was just too much going on for it to work as a whole for me. Now, I have considered whether what I am really complaining about is I like some of the styles but not some of the others. The traditional sounding tracks were definitely my least favourite ones on the album so there could well be a bit of truth in that. Either way it makes rating this week's album difficult. It's a tentative thumbs up I think this time from me.

I only listened to the last two picks but really enjoyed the whole process of it. Hope you guys carry on.

After the pleasant surprise that was Fela Kuti I was looking forward to the next recommendation. Having no knowledge whatsoever of Suicidal Tendencies wasn't sure what to expect. Can definitely say I got a surprise. Initially thought you had got me listening to some sort of American Hard Rock. Then changed my mind because I was definitely hearing Metal, before changing my mind yet again and deciding upon that this was in fact some sort of hybrid. More, the balance between the varying forms quite often changes from song to song. It's all rock but there are more than a few styles of that school blended together to make this album. Now I wasn't sure at first whether I was actually going to comment on this pick. This is an album that someone clearly loves and I didn't want to come across as the grumpy old mean who ruins the party. Then I thought about it a bit more and remembered where I was actually posting. So yes I have a few problems with this album. I could for instance mention the lead singer's style and tone. It's unusual. Now you can overlook or forgive stuff if something else catches your interest but here lies my main issue. I have just never clicked with the genres that ST straddle here on this album and I struggled with this one as I would with any other album in some vein. Sorry, it's a not my cup of tea rating from me on this occasion.

Travelers is also pretty good too.