A Cup: A Waste of time
B Cup: Average
C Cup: Worth checkin'out
D Cup: Worth spendin' a little dough on
DD Cup: Gotta have it!
Neil Finn, "One All." Rating: DD Cup. This is this American version of One Nil which was released in Mar. 2001 in the UK. I actually like this version better. I like the production. It makes my ears tingle. There are two different tracks on this one, as well. And I love them both. Buy this CD.
2) Neil Finn, "7 Worlds Collide." Rating: D Cup. Very exceptional live recording but I docked it onehalf cup size because there is way too much Eddie Vedder. Though I must admit I really don't mind him on this CD...
3) The Strokes, "Is This It?" Rating: DD Cup. I was hooked from the beginning till the end. You will be too.
4) PULP, "We Love Life." Rating: D Cup. Produced by Scott Walker, his presence was made on this record. I must say it blended well with Jarvis Cocker's moody, yet seductive vocals.
5) Jason Falkner, "Necessity: The Four Track Years." Rating: D Cup. Indeed a necessity for Falkner fans. Includes previously unreleased tracks and four track versions of studio releases.
6) Nick Cave, "No More Shall We Part." Rating: B Cup. I didn't have a hard time parting with this record. DId I happen to tell you that Mr. Cave is a born again you-know-what?!? Well, I hate to say it but it's obviously affected his music....
7) White Stripes,"White Blood Cells", Rating: D Cup. Great album. Shout out to Jack for keepin' it real! If you've heard this record or have seen them live you know what I mean.
8) The Hives, "Your New Favorite Band.", Rating: DD Cup. They truly are my fave new band! Thanks to Kat for sending me this! Great, energetic garage punk band from Sweden. This is a collection of songs from their first 2 LP's and EP's as well.
9) The Hives, "Barely Legal", Rating: C Cup. I liked the other Hives CD so much I had to go out & get this one. I love it but not quite as much. This CD is their earlier stuff so you can definitely tell how much their sound has evolved the last couple years.
10) LOVAGE, "Music To Make Love To Your Old Lady By." Rating: C Cup. Mike Patton has done it again. This guy has so many projects going on I can barely keep up! He has such a smooth, sexy do-able voice it's appropriate that he use it to make music to make love to your old lady by, This record is pretty damn funny and nasty, as well! How to describe.... sexy, loungy, hip-hop, groovy baby...
12) Jason Falkner, "Bedtime with the Beatles." Rating: DD Cup. JF is a brilliant musician. I know everyone wants to roll their eyes over when they hear "Beatles Covers" but as always, JF is the exception. I would spend bedtime with Jason Falkner anytime!
13) The White Stripes, S/T. Rating: D Cup. This is their debut LP. I love it equally. The sound is more raw & less produced. If you like "White Blood Cells" pick this one up as well!
Rating - DD Cup
Anyways, "White Pepper" once again, is a very well produced studio album. It's mellow, with definite influence from 70's rock & psychedelia. It's a great album, & I'm sure it'll become one of my favorites over time. I was most pleased with the song "Stroker Ace" because it was rockin' & reminiscent of their older less produced sound. I must say, I rather enjoy all of the ballads on the album. Ween ballads give me the warm fuzzies, cuz Gene sounds so sweet. I will be happy with Ween as long as they keep puttin' on kick ass live shows. Studio albums just don't compare to their live shows. I noticed one thing that kind of bothered me though, where's Andrew Weiss?
Rating: D-Cup
I dunno if I love this CD quite as much as OK Computer or the Bends, but like all bands should; their sound has evolved. There are different elements to this album than their previous releases. A little more "improvisation" a little more "experimentation" even some John Zorn type random horn action & a little Brian Eno atmospheric landscaping here and there. Even a track where I could swear Richard D. James must've been in the studio with them (but I checked the liner notes and he wasn't!) I gave this CD a D-Cup rating simply because the impact of this CD won't be nearly as great as OK Computer or the Bends. Maybe that is because this CD isn't as dark & moody & you know how music can affect your mood.... Anyhoo,this is definitely a CD worth owning,no doubt. Maybe good 'ol lazy eye Thom has more of a carefree attitude these days....