Week Seventeen: November 30th
1. This Year’s Model by Elvis Costello and the Attractions
An all around good album. I like my Elvis Costello. He did wonderfully in the Stephen Colbert Christmas special, being eaten by a bear and all. Must’ve been hard work. This album is good but it gets repetitive after a while. I had it playing in the background at work. Pump it up.
2. H.A.A.R.P. by Muse
I love Muse. They’re one of the finest live acts out there. But I’m a little disappointed with this CD. While I believe it does show off a bit of their concert magic there is far too much crowd noise! Usually with live albums they cut that out so you can actually hear the band. If you want to hear what it would be like to be 50 rows back at a loud Muse concert, this is a good album. Little better than a bootleg, I’d say. And the DVD is atrociously shot. All that said, Muse is bomb. Matt’s guitar solo on “Supermassive Black Hole” is top-notch.
3. Up for Air by Joe Lano
I asked my guitar teacher Joe if he would give me a copy of one of his albums as I was curious as to what they sounded like. He’s been around, having played with Lena Horne and others for many many years. He said sure and asked the class how to burn a CD on his Mac. The following week he came in with probably 50 copies of this CD. This is an excellent CD, top-notch jazz. I played this for my boss, a jazz aficionado, and he was very very impressed. I don’t think I’ve heard better jazz guitar. Makes the abuse I get in class a little less painful.
4. London Calling by The Clash
One of my favorites. Can’t go wrong with The Clash. At around its third listen it gets a little repetitive. I also listened to this in the background at work so I have put that theory into practice, but it is still wonderful.
5. Reality by David Bowie
Bowie’s latest (2003) studio album and a great one. Not as great as the previous year’s Heathen, but still a wonderful collection of songs. From the rocking “New Killer Star” to the slow “Bring Me the Disco King,” there are very few low-points (read: “The Loneliest Guy”). Personal favorites on this album are “Never Get Old,” which I have listened to hundreds of times since getting the CD, and “Pablo Picasso,” one of two covers on the CD. The chorus to “Pablo Picasso,” after you look up the lyrics to make out the words, becomes irresistible to sing along to. Now, I’ve listened to this album maybe five times through this week and it has not gotten old yet. I guess there is truth to the song “Never Get Old.”
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Tea for the Bloggerman 
Oh. Em. Gee. Muse was so good in the Twilight vampire baseball scene, no but really, great band! Excellent choice!
Comment by Yanira December 15, 2008 @ 2:50 am