Jun 02 2025
Since I Left You
The Avalanches
Starting off with a band and album completely unfamiliar to me. Theatrical studio effects to simulate a âliveâ club experience. Singer has an interesting voice. Fun dance music with many layers of production. âTwo Hearts in 3/4 Timeâ seems inspired by old European movie soundtracks circa 1972. âFlight Tonightâ is another great dance track. There are record pops and scratches throughout that I could do without.
4
Jun 03 2025
The Stranger
Billy Joel
Movin Out - Ack ack ack
The Stranger - Cheesy and does he always drop the râs from the ends of words? No, he pronounces the r in the last âstrangerâ. So just a weird affectation
âJust The Way You Areâ is pleasant enough but Joelâs vocal limitations are evident. Nice sax though.
âScenes From An Italian Restaurantâ is memorable for its opening line and its rhapsodic structure but really seems like three different songs stitched together.
âViennaâ is a nice showcase for Joelâs piano skills and lyrically is one of the more interesting songs on the album.
âOnly The Good Die Youngâ is a fun little homage to Joelâs beloved Fifties rock and roll and deserves its place among Joelâs hits.
I could live without âSheâs Always A Womanâ and find it kind of misogynistic but in fairness it has nice acoustic guitar and flute.
âGet It Right The First Timeâ is totally forgettable but itâs got a flute too. Makes a good âdeep cutâ because most people have probably never heard it.
âEverybody Has A Dreamâ has Joel in full piano lounge mode with vocals that seem forced. The full chorus and organ take it in a gospel direction that works here well enough for a pop star from LI. The song would be a lot better if it was two minutes shorter and we werenât returned to the whistling.
2
Jun 04 2025
Odelay
Beck
This album is so freaking good. Donât try to figure out what any of it means, just have a good time.
5