What have you been listening to?

[Rev. Powell]

Elvis Costello's King of America

...

Included are a couple of covers... J.B. Lenoir's "Eisehower Blues."

J.B. Lenoir is very underrated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34evyrWA0xc

[Psycho Circus]

[Pilgermann]

Polaris - Music from the Adventures of Pete & Pete



Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

[Flick James]

Elvis Costello's King of America
I have owned this on vinyl since I bought it in 1987. I just recently downloaded it on iTunes and have been listening to it constantly. I practicaly wore the album out back in the late 80's.
This is a fascinating and unusual album, released in 1986. A busy year for Elvis, as he would also release his last album with The Attractions before breaking up, Blood and Chocolate. Essentially, it is Elvis Costello, a brit, paying homage to American music. Most of the tracks are original songs written by him, but under his real name of Declan MacManus, yet the album was still released under his more known pseudonym. However, the material covers a variety of American music styles, from blues to rootsy rock and roll to, most noteably, country and folk. Elvis had toyed with country before, but mostly in the form of covering existing material. Here, he wrote most of it. Included are a couple of covers: The Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and J.B. Lenoir's "Eisehower Blues."
The songwriting is among his best, IMO. Also, it contains a very profound understanding of and respect for American music styles. Upon initial listening the clash of Elvis Costello's voice singing country is a tad distracting, but once once gets past that, one realizes the love for the music and the soulful approach.
The album contains some of Elvis' most heartfelt and endearing ballads such as "Indoor Fireworks" and "I'll Wear it Proudly." "Little Palaces" provides a stinging and somewhat playful folk portrait of the subject of class envy. Elvis gets downright playful, but with just a small touch of his trademark cynicism, on tracks like "Brilliant Mistake," "Loveable," "Our Little Angel," and "Glitter Gulch." My favorite track by far is "American Without Tears," which is just sublimely gorgeous.
Even the weak links are not very weak. This is an often overlooked and brilliant album, IMO. Fans of Costello's more recognizable work might be interested in checking it out, but be prepared for a different side. I am an enormous fan, and find this to be in his Top 5 of all time.

I think King of America might be ELVIS COSTELLO's best album. 

Perhaps. He explored country quite a bit in Almost Blue, which was made up entirely of country covers and no original material. I've always suspected that since Almost Blue, Elvis always wanted to write some country material himself, and that King of America was that desire somewhat manifested, and mixed in with some blues and rock and folk. Since you and Rev appear to be obvious fans, I'll share my own top 5 EC albums, but not listed in order of preference by any means:

King of America
Trust
Blood and Chocolate
Imperial Bedroom
Armed Forces

Incidentally, I saw him when he toured with The Police, and honestly he was more of an opening act and the show was entirely too short. The Police were okay, but EC was far superior, but then I am biased. There was a nice moment when Sting walked onstage and sang along with Elvis on "Allison." That was nice.

[Psycho Circus]

[Allhallowsday]

GODSPELL Original Off Off Broadway Cast 

[Rev. Powell]

[Rev. Powell]

Since you and Rev appear to be obvious fans, I'll share my own top 5 EC albums, but not listed in order of preference by any means:

King of America
Trust
Blood and Chocolate
Imperial Bedroom
Armed Forces

I'm a casual to moderate Elvis Costello fan.  I love MY AIM IS TRUE front to back, but for the other albums it's really only the scattered single that I love. 

[lester1/2jr]

I'e listened to this album a million times. I've never heard the regular vocal version but this one is awesome.

[Allhallowsday]

Since you and Rev appear to be obvious fans, I'll share my own top 5 EC albums, but not listed in order of preference by any means:King of AmericaTrustBlood and ChocolateImperial BedroomArmed Forces

I'm a casual to moderate Elvis Costello fan.  I love MY AIM IS TRUE front to back, but for the other albums it's really only the scattered single that I love.  

i love My Aim Is True and This Year's Model is probably my own favorite, but I do have King Of America uploaded and it is impressive.

I'm listening to ELTON JOHN's best (or nearly so)
ELTON JOHN Honky Chateau  
 

ELTON JOHN Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 

[WilliamWeird1313]

Sleep - Dopesmoker (the 63-minute single-track slab of career suicide that acted a both magnum opus and last rites for this band that, if you ask me, was just too amazing to have lived as short a life as they did... blast!)




Interestingly, I've always been a huge metalhead but I only started really getting into doom metal a few months ago and, blammo!, I'm totally addicted. The longer, the slower, the more psychedelic the better. I've also recently discovered the joys of drone-doom groups like Earth and Sunn O))). Awesome headtrippy goodness. Mucho recommended.

[Psycho Circus]

Sweet Teaze - "Do It Til It Hurtz"......Rubbish.

[Rev. Powell]

Free music Saturday!



"Cristal Records Free Sampler," http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004U98YDM/ref=dm_ty_alb_img?ie=UTF8&qid=1302980280&sr=1-2

Not much continuity in style here: there's jazz, instrumental soundtrack music, French pop and even a bayou blues rock number at the end.  I like it after one listen, though.

[Psycho Circus]

[Pilgermann]

Peter Brotzmann & Fred Lonberg-Holm - The Brain of the Dog in Section