Welcome to Tortuga's Sound Advice; a blog about the music I enjoy and enjoy talking about. One of my dream jobs was to be a music reviewer, and thanks to the Internet, now I am!
About a year ago, I tried out a music review blog but my self-expectations were too high. So this time, I plan on really doing it, but keeping it more simple. So this my little corner of the web, with which I'll share musings about recent music releases as well as coverage of some classic material.
To start 'Sound Advice' off, here's my "Really Good Albums of 2006" list...in no particular order.
The Decemberists: The Crane Wife
Maybe you've heard about them, maybe you haven't, but there's a reason why this album has been so highly reviewed. Musically, it's well produced, catchy but not simply pop. On their previous albums they've been developing their original folk-art rock sound and The Crane Wife is The Decemberists at their peak. Lyrically, they turn morbid stories into singable songs that stick in your head. Highlight track: "The Island"
Sloan: Never Hear the End of it
After two somewhat disappointing outings (Pretty Together and Action Pact) Sloan packs 30 great tunes onto one album. All four members contribute Sloan's own blend of alt-rockers, ballads, and ditties. It's overwhelming at first, considering there are few breaks over a 76 minute period, but this album will grow on you like that fungus you really ought to have checked out. Highlight track: "Fading Into Obscurity"
Belle and Sebastian: The Life Pursuit
B&S somewhat abandon their 'under produced' sound of past recordings to offer up a more uppity full sounding album of introspective pop rock. From start to finish, TLP contains some of the most finely crafted modern pop out there. Highlight track: "Song for Sunshine"
Other 2006 picks:
The Dears: Gang of Losers
Tom Waits: Orphans
Grandaddy: Just Like the Fambly Cat
Disappointments of 2006:
The Lemonheads: The Lemonheads - Evan Dando reforms The Lemonheads (which is basically Evan Dando) for a somewhat bland album. It's alright, but doesn't compare to other Lemonhead classic albums in terms of production and/or songwriting.
Bruce Cockburn: Life's Short Call Now - Cockburn has been on a roll since 97's "The Charity of Night", so he had to come down at some point. LSCN shows Cockburn's ability to flex his writing muscles, but the results are sometimes unlistenable ("Beautiful Creatures", for example).
There will be more Picks and Disappointments as Sound Advice grows. Feel free to share your favourite recordings of 2006.
