10 Albums that greatly influenced my taste in music
No explanations, no reviews, just album covers in alphabetical order. Thanks to Rafe for the inspiration for this.
Tag: Music
Far From Alive — Resident Evil 2 Rap
This rap song from “JT Music” is a decent rap song inspired by the Resident Evil 2 Remake game.
At first I thought that this would be a bit of a gimmick, but it has legit grown on me and is now in my regular playlist.
I am addicted to running around the world of Raccoon City in Resident Evil 2 and the recently-released Resident Evil 3 Remake.
I’m looking forward to any music that the same creator can bring from RE3’s world in the coming weeks / months.
More by The Sisters of Mercy
Absolute banger of a song by The Sisters of Mercy and Written by Jim Steinman.
Some people get by
Lyrics by Jim Steinman
With a little understanding
Some people get by
With a whole lot more
My first time hearing this song was in fact as a cover by Meat Loaf on his album Braver Than We Are. The song was actually written by Jim Steinman whose most well-known collaborator is Meat Loaf. And he has been known to reuse his songs for different artists over the years
Under the Graveyard by Ozzy Osbourne
My favourite song from his new album, ‘Ordinary Man’.
Under the Graveyard
We’re all rotten bones
Under the Graveyard — Ozzy Osbourne
February 2020 round-up
Here is the first monthly round-up I’ve done. Just some songs, albums, films and games that I’ve enjoyed in February 2020.
Here are some things I’ve been enjoying in February 2020.
Songs
Albums
Films
Games
Thieves in the Temple by Prince
Incredible song by Prince and the Revolution, from the album Graffiti Bridge
Love come quick
First lyrics from Thieves in the Template by Prince
Love come in a hurry
There are thieves in the temple tonight
They don’t care where they kick
Just as long as they hurt you
There are thieves in the temple tonight
Sign of the Times (Prince Cover) by Muse
Muse’s incredible cover of Prince’s classic song Sign of the Times
A sister killed her baby ’cause she couldn’t afford to feed it
Lyrics from Sign of the Times
And yet we’re sending people to the moon
In September, my cousin tried reefer for the very first time
Now he’s doing horse, it’s June, unh
Possibly one of my favourite covers of any song I’ve heard. This is how covers should be done.
I remember hearing this for the first time in my first web development job. I was working for a small local company, whose office was the upstairs level of a converted barn.
Usually the radio — permanently fixed on Radio One — soon became tiresome for me as the same songs seemed to be played at the same time every damn day.
But one magical day I happened to hear the Live Lounge wear I heard Matt Belamy’s signature guitar sound riffing to a tune I recognised but could not name.
When I finally worked it out it hit me like a freight train.
This song is fucking incredible.
Getting me through the worst job
Collision Course by Link Park and Jay-Z
Joyner Lucas – I’m Not Racist
Can’t Give It Up by Ekkah
Blue Lips [Lady Wood Phase 2] by Tove Lo
Lady Wood was one of my favourite albums from last year and still gets regular plays in my headphones. I was excited to say the least when I heard about Tove Lo’s follow-up Blue Lips [Lady Wood Phase 2].
A continuation of Lady Wood
This album felt more akin to the sweaty underground night clubs I imagine with her music. The kind of clubs where people are pressed tightly together; almost tasting each other’s sweat. The previous album had these moments but Blue Lips felt like these aesthetics were brought more into the foreground. The album’s intro and following lead single, ‘Disco Tits’, gave me the impression that a more deep bass / drum-driven collection of songs were contained.
There was a song from Tove Lo’s short film Fairy Dust, specifically the closing scene… that closing scene, that I didn’t recognise at the time. So I loved it when that very song, ‘bitches’, came punching through my headphones to close off this album’s first half.
It’s not all boom boom boom
Although I like a good punchy beat-driven album now and again, I was relieved when I heard ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’, the album’s fifth track. It’s proof that she knows, as she sings on Disco Tits, how to dial it back. ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’ is more focused on her beautiful vocals and the direct message of acceptance she’s delivering to her other half in the song.
And baby, don’t ask, then don’t tell
dont ask dont tell – Tove Lo
Already know you’re fucked up
And it’s cool with me
My past and don’t ask and don’t tell
No need to share too much
Come on, let it be, ah (and baby)
This feeling is continued later in the album with the reminiscent ‘9th of October’, which actually started life as a poem that Tove wrote on her Birthday. This, along with the album’s closing track, ‘hey you got drugs?’, are two of my favourite songs from the album.
NSFW (not safe for work)
As I’ve come to expect from Tove Lo’s work, there is a high degree of sexual content in these songs. She’s definitely an artist who goes to places that other artists I listen to don’t. She’s not afraid of exposing herself, both physically and mentally, for her art and I respect that. I say that, not as a pervy guy just looking for filth, but as someone in admiration for her honesty and close to the bone approach to music.
Singers often sing about sadness; happiness; fear; love. But very rarely do they venture into the realms of the sexual. This too is an important part of what it means to be human, so why shouldn’t artists explore these issues too? Tove Lo seems to make up for the more reserved artists by spending a good portion of her album there.
In Summary
As great an album as I have come to expect from Tove, following her Lady Wood. Blue Lips is the continuation of her exploration and revelations in her relationships and the emotions they bring. Although I didn’t find this album as accessible initially, I still love to listen to it when the mood hits me right. And don’t take me to mean less accessible as a bad thing – it’s not. I just find Lady Wood a lot easier to listen to at any time, whereas Blue lips has its time and place for me.
Made in the Manor by Kano
When it comes to UK rap music, few are revered in quite the same way as Kano is. Present in the Grime scene from the early days, he has had five studio albums to date. Made in the Manor is his latest and stands up, hands down, as one of the best rap albums I’ve heard.
This is definitely an album that has grown on me over time. The opening songs grabbed me instantly but the later, more introspective, songs took a bit longer to get their hooks in me. But now that they have, they get better and better with every listen.
Welcome to the jungle
The opening of ‘Hail’ – the album’s first song – is sharp, loud and aggressive. This whole song is unrelenting throughout and Kano’s delivery is right up in your face forcing you to stand up and listen. The chainsaw melody that carries us along is later joined by the best sample i’ve heard for a long time. The sample is of Tempz, from his track ‘Next Hype’:
(CLEAR!) All of your CD rack
Next Hype, Tempz.
Won’t get none of your CD’s back
Some manner of respite comes with the next song, ‘T-shirt Weather in the Manor’, which brings with it a calm piano melody and light drumming. Kano’s vocals are no less commanding on this song with the lighter accompaniment.
‘New Banger’ and ‘Three Wheel Ups’ bring that in-your-face energy back in spades with some great featured rappers. Giggs and Wiley both feature on ‘Three Wheel Ups’ and do an excellent job of supporting Kano. Even D Double E can be heard in parts doing his signature “ooooh”.
‘This is England’ was the song that made me first sit up and take a closer look at this album. The various layers and production on this song made me realise that this album was something special. Like Charlie Sloth said in Kano’s 1 extra, this feels like a seminal record.
All in the family
There were two songs that stood out to me for just how personal and confessional they sounded. ‘Little Sis’ and ‘Strangers’ feel like personal monologues directed to a sister and brother respectively. Although these songs initially didn’t grab me as his big tunes did, I have since come to enjoy them both in a whole different way.
When I first got into Kano all I wanted to hear were his big tunes – they are so addictive. But now that I’m in the habit of listening to Made In The Manor front to back, these more personal songs fit perfectly with the overall flow.
From the family you’re born with to the one you choose : all of the guest features on this album feel like they are done from a place of love. What I mean is, I imagine many rappers feature on other artists’ tracks for the chance of exposure. I could be wrong about that but it does make sense. On Made in the Manor, however, each feature feels like it is Kano and his close friends, who are just making great music together.
Summary
Whether you think you are a fan of rap or not, I urge you to listen to Made In The Manor regardless. There is so much variety in this album that I truly believe there is something for everyone. He delivers the fast-paced heavy hitters with a great level of confidence and Authority. And he delivers the more introspective songs with an honest sincerity.
Don’t be a statistic blaming ghetto physics for holding you back.
a great line from the song ‘Seashells in the East’
Along with others like JME, Akala, and Devlin, Kano is up there as one of my favourite rappers. Like those others, Kano’s sense of humour comes through in both his lyrics and his unique delivery.
He never rests on his laurels either. He could have easily delivered an hour of quick-witted, fast bars throughout and fans would have been very happy. But with Made in the Manor he has pushed himself further, whilst looking deeper within. As a result, Kano has come out the other end with a true masterpiece of an album. Not just in rap, but in all music.