February is Music Writer Exercise Month #MWE • Page 75

I wish more peeps were joining this year since this is my first time I've been having fun though

 

A lot of back and forth with people is even more fun, but I always remind myself that I'm doing this for me and because I like the exploration.

 

Agreed. It’s been fun also exploring the tag and seeing what others are listening to. Lots of new music this month

 

Glenn Branca - The Ascension
Idk what I was expecting here but I was not digging it at first. "The Spectacular Commodity" is pretty great, though

EDIT:
I warmed to it as it went on, but I don't think I'll return outside of maybe "Spectacular Commodity"

 

Day 5
Marcos Valle - Previsão Do Tempo (1973)

my favorite Brazilian artist of this era remains Gal Costa but this was very dope.

 

I’m sorry, Craig

 

Ha, no need to apologize! His voice is definitely on the "acquired taste" scale. I got into him around the same time that I was getting into The Hold Steady and The Gaslight Anthem, so I was feeling the "dudes with unusual voices singing Springsteen-esque songs" multiverse at that time.

Voice aside, I'm glad it came through that he's a great songwriter with a lot of sturdy tunes. You might really dig this tribute album that came out last year. I mean, just get a load of some of the artists that contributed:

 

Day 5.5
Orchestra Baobab - Pirate’s Choice (1989)

I went off-list today bc the one I’d chosen wasn’t on streaming so I decided to get creative. Great choice on my part bc this might be my fav day yet.

 

Good god, what a star-studded list.

I feel like it says something for his songwriting that he got Bruce to guest. Definitely my favorite song on first listen, too.

 

Day 6
Heccra - The Devil-Faces of My Old Friends, Beneath Me (2015)

This sort of sound (hyperpop, math/metalcore etc) is never too interesting IMO. Everything it’s doing is impressive from a technical standpoint but in terms of composition, it’s just throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks—which sort of blows your mind in the moment but gives it little staying power overall.

 

It's a pretty incredible tribute album. A lot of those songs just sound like things the artists themselves would make. The Counting Crows cover is especially good, and reminds me how badly those guys need to make another album, even if it is just another covers record like Underwater Sunshine.

The Bruce feature is what initially got me to listen to this album. Bruce is pretty willing to pop up on features nowadays, but they were definitely less common back then, which made it all the more notable.

 

Day 6.5
Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)

I am pretty blown away by this. Please tell me the rest of their shit is this good??

 

Their catalog is terrific but, imo, they never really went back to that exact well again.

 

I probably like Fear of Music an equal amount but they scratch different itches

 

Day 7
Van Morrison - Inarticulate Speech of the Heart (1983)

Went off-list and used @OhTheWater’s pick from the ‘album of the week’ thread for today. Really enjoyed this one and gave me John Martyn vibes. Much more experimental than I expected, while still v peaceful.

 

Day 8
Brandy - Never Say Never (1998)

Def deserves a spot among the best of this era.

 

I got a little behind having to plan a competition event for like 200 people at school, but plan to catch up tonight and tomorrow

 

Day 9
Mighty Sparrow - Hot and Sweet (1974)

Some of this leaned a bit too much into corny territory, but that could just be me. The musicianship itself consistently knocked me on my ass. Would like to explore the classics of the genre a bit more as I’m still very new to it.

 

Day 9.5
Maha - Orkos (1979)

this was excellent

 

That one definitely intrigues me.

 

Day 10
Orbital - Orbital 2 (1993)

for fans of Susumu Yokota, Boards of Canada, and the like.

 

Day 11
Sly & the Family Stone - There’s a Riot Goin’ On (1971)

Almost sounds like Sly is having a bad trip on this album.

 

It's so good but honestly I can't listen to it too often. It's so jaded and dopesick and paranoid, right down to then insanely inventive, but claustrophobic production. It's just a rough headspace to sit in on a regular basis.