New Music October 2005

From Spencer's iPod, here are some of the highlights of the last few months. I go through so much music monthly that it's hard to keep track. So here a few I like and a couple I don't.

Death Cab for Cutie - Plans (4 stars out of 5) - Sounds epic. Lush. Good for unwinding with headphones on.

Echo and the Bunnymen - Siberia (2 stars) - Sounds good but the lyrics are too simple and straightforward. Never listened to them and this cd isn't going to convince to go back and try more. (emusic)

Iron and Wine/Calexico - In the Reins (4 stars) - Short but sweet. Maybe a little too quiet at times but definitely one of the best of 2005. (emusic)

Kanye West - Late Registration (5 stars) - Oh Kanye - get a speech writer. But your CD is the shit and the best of the year.

A Girl Called Eddy - A Girl Called Eddy (1 star) - Boring. Someone who's opinion I trust recommended this because they remind him of Aimee Mann. Please. Aimee compositions are as interesting as her lyrics. Lyrics about love lost will probably put you to sleep unless the music accompanying works with the words.

Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine (4 stars) - Some of the productions improve on Jon Brion's version. Some don't. If they had kept a couple of songs untouched, this cd would have rivaled 1999's When the Pawn... As it stands it has to settle for one of the best cds of 2005. A suggestion - pick up the Jon Brion version if you can - it makes for an interesting compare and contrast.

Speaking of Apple, I just purchased tickets to see her at the Tower Theater her in Philadelphia on December 8. $43 and a whopping $11 in Ticketmaster (ticketbastard) service charges. What a fucking rip-off. What a great business - no competition and no threat from the government because those that spend the most with you have no political clout.