(2013) Sound City by Dave Grohl, The Foo Fighters & Friends

Sound City tells the tale of a very infamous recording studio in Van Nuys California.  It's dirty and outdated but many of the most famous rock albums were recorded there.  The real star of both the movie and the studio is the console.  A very rare custom model made by Neve.  Pure analog tape and live performances were captured thru the Neve.  According to Grohl in the movie, by purchasing the console, he can now recreate the legendary Neve sound.  So is it true?  Yes and no.  There are a couple of good songs here but I hear nothing magical.  In short, watch the movie, it's excellent.  If you like the music during the movie then give the soundtrack a try.


Oh and if you buy it on 180g Vinyl, you also get the MP3 version in 320k.

(2014) Meet The Beatles - U.S. Albums Remaster

Originally released on January 20, 1964 Meet The Beatles is the album most people think of as their first album.  This review will be divided into two sections, the release and the music.

The source:

The release itself is only a must buy if you do not currently own this music in some other format.  Why do I say that?  Because this album is not really the same thing as was originally released in 1964.  Yes all the tracks are here (actually twice).  The issue is that in 2009 a huge remasters catalog of all the original UK albums were released and they were amazing.  Even better yet they were released in 24 bit on a little green apple that contained a usb flash drive inside.  While this apple was expensive, to a Beatles fan without a vinyl rig, it's worth every penny.  For the first time ever digital fans got to hear something comparable to the vinyl releases.  Notice I said comparable as I'm not going to debate which format is better as I personally think neither compares to studio quality open reel.  Anyhow, these 2009 releases were nothing short of phenominal regardless of choosing vinyl, CD or USB.  So what does all of this have to do with the 2014 "US Albums" releases?  In a word, everything.  See the US albums are merely a repackage of the music from the UK albums.  However, some songs are different and for those that are different, "they" used other sources.  So what am I saying?  While some of the songs here are from the 2009 releases, some are from the 1987 CDs that you may already own.  So if you own both the 2009 releases and the original CD releases don't bother.  

Okay enough talk about the sources, there's one other thing to point out here.  When the 2009 releases came out, they were available in both Mono and Stereo.  For those that don't know, the first few Beatles albums were never intended to be stereo.  They were recorded mono, mixed mono, and then studio dubbed into stereo.  So technically you've been hearing someone else's mix for the past 25 years or so.  What's wrong with that?  Give a close listen to the mono mix's present on either the 2009 releases or here and see what you prefer.  For me it's a no brainer, I much prefer the mono mixes even thru headphones and even over my high end stereo.  With this release you get both mono & stereo so you don't have to choose which version to buy.

The music:

What can I say?  If you are not a Beatles fanatic this release probably won't make you one.  If you haven't heard these songs in years, then run out and buy it today.  One thing that's amazing to me is that every song is a winner.  These days artists are lucky to have 3 good songs on the same album.  Somehow the Beatles packed 5 hits on most of their albums and those that weren't hits weren't misses either.  There's a reason why they are still popular 50 years later!

Audio CD (January 21, 2014)
Original Release Date: 2014
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Capitol
ASIN: B00GJ7ROX4

 
Track Listings
1. I Want To Hold Your Hand (mono mix)
2. I Saw Her Standing There (mono mix)
3. This Boy (mono mix)
4. It Won't Be Long (mono mix)
5. All I've Got To Do (mono mix)
6. All My Loving (mono mix)
7. Don't Bother Me (mono mix)
8. Little Child (mono mix)
9. Till There Was You (mono mix)
10. Hold Me Tight (mono mix)
11. I Wanna Be Your Man (mono mix)
12. Not A Second Time (mono mix)
13. I Want To Hold Your Hand (stereo mix)
14. I Saw Her Standing There (stereo mix)
15. This Boy (stereo mix)
16. It Won't Be Long (stereo mix)
17. All I've Got To Do (stereo mix)
18. All My Loving (stereo mix)
19. Don't Bother Me (stereo mix)
20. Little Child (stereo mix)
21. Till There Was You (stereo mix)
22. Hold Me Tight (stereo mix)
23. I Wanna Be Your Man (stereo mix)
24. Not A Second Time (stereo mix)

(2013) Men by Rain Perry

Men is the latest release from folk singer Rain Perry.  Never heard her name before?  She sang the theme song for the TV show "Life Unexpected"  which ended too early after just two seasons.  If you like folk then you'll like this release.  Heartfelt lyrics, beautiful acoustic guitar and a peaceful relaxing vibe are a great way to describe this album.  I say grab a cup of java and sit on the couch for this one:)

Audio CD (August 6, 2013)  
Number of Discs: 1  
Label: Precipitous Records  
ASIN: B00AVZX7CM

Tracklist: 

1 Get In The Car          
2 Done          
3 Umami          
4 One Of Those Days          
5 Happily Ever After          
6 Photonegative of Love          
7 Atlas          
8 Then Came Lo Mein          
9 Big Train          
10 Let's Do Something Wrong

(2013) Juke Joint Chapel by Charlie Musselwhite

If you like blues then this is for you.  If you think the blues is all sad and depressing then listen to this disc, it may just change your mind.  Even if it doesn't at least you got a taste of a current blues album.  Definitely worth a listen.

Audio CD (October 30, 2013) 
Number of Discs: 1 
Label: CD Baby 
ASIN: B00D8RF4SU

Track Listing - 
1. Bad Boy  
2. Roll Your Money Maker  
3. As The Crow Flies   
4. Gone Too Long   
5. It Ain't Right  
6. Strange Land   
7. Blues Overtook Me   
8. River Hip Mama  
 9. Blues Why Do You Worry Me?   
10. Feel It In Your Heart   
11. I'm Going Home   
12. Cristo Redentor 

(2011) Queen of the Minor Key by Eilen Jewell

 A little bit roadhouse country and a little bit Lucinda Williams describes the sound of this album.  Primarily made up of sad songs, I don't think there's a bad one in the bunch.  Grab a cup of Joe on Sunday morning and spin this disc, you won't regret it.

From Wikipedia:
"Jewell began her musical career when she began busking on the streets of Sante Fe while attending college. She then moved to Los Angeles and performed on the streets of Venice Beach."

Audio CD (June 28, 2011)
Original Release Date: 2011
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Signature Records
ASIN: B004XIQJBY

(2013) Untamed Beast by Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside

Portland based Sally Ford and the Sound Outside can be described as having a vintage sound.  They have a bluesy vibe too.  Call it what you will this is good stuff.  It's recorded well but yet still sounds vintage.  You may think from the vintage sound that it's lame or docile, it's anything but; some tracks sound more rockabilly than vintage rock.  Sadly, all good things must come to an end.  Per a post on their wikipedia the band has broken up as of late December 2013.

Wikipedia:  According to singer Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers, Ford's songs have that "rare quality of somehow combining fun with emotional and artistic integrity" and she "fills the room with it" and reminds him of the "energy of early rock 'n' roll."^[2] The group opened for The Avett Brothers and recorded a five-song EP entitled Not an Animal.^[2] Ford's voice has been compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Waits,Billie Holiday, with possible influences from Bessie Smith and Snoop Dogg,^[2] and used the words "two-step big beat gospel" to describe the effect.

On December 17, 2013, the band announced that they would separate after 4 final shows. They will close with a pair of shows at the Doug Fir Lounge.

• Audio CD (February 19, 2013)
• Original Release Date: 2013
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Partisan Records

Track Listing:

1.  They Told Me  

2.  Addicted  

3.  Party Kids  

4.  Bad Boys  

5.  Shivers  

6.  Devil  

7.  Paris  

8.  Do Me Right  

9.  Lip Boy  

10. Rockability  

11. Roll Around  

Looking forward to 2014

Starting the first week in January 2014 I will be reviewing one new album per week.  The only stipulation to the album chosen is that it must be new to me at the time.  Recommendations are always accepted.