Heavy Rotation #16

My music consumption has been a bit scattered over the past month plus but there are still some albums that I've played more than the rest...

The Beatles/Please Please Me - Last year I set out to listen to and write about every Beatles album after I got the big stereo remastered box set for Christmas. I managed to write about the first two and then stopped. I recently thought about picking up that project again and started at the beginning of the catalog once again. I wrote about this album here but I'd also like to mention John's vocals on "Anna (Go To Him)" and reiterate my love for "Twist and Shout," especially the four-part "ah"s. Hard to believe it's almost 50 years old.

Fleet Foxes/Helplessness Blues - I really liked the first album and not just for the gorgeous harmonies. This album feels more intimate and more expansive at the same time. The title track is the star of the show for me but I also love "Someone You'd Admire" and "Sim Sala Bim" and the opening "Montezuma." I really need to write something more in-depth about it.

Okkervil River/I Am Very Far - Speaking of in-depth analysis, this album cries out for it. The music is flat-out fantastic and the lyrics are enticing. I was not expecting to love this album as much as I do. I am, however, trying not to listen to it too much but I don't want to spoil its mystery. So, maybe less depth when it comes to thinking about it?

Sloan/The Double Cross - I quickly became obsessed with this one, playing it nearly every morning for over a week before forcing myself to stop. This is their tenth album and while it's short, it is packed with melody and smart choices and riffs and great lyrics. I am a huge fan of this band.

Matthew Sweet/Girlfriend - I've been planning a post or series of posts on the music of 1991, so I've been revisiting some of the seminal albums of that year. Here's the thing about this one - it still sounds great. I don't know how many times I've listened to it over the last month (it's a CD, though I did also burn it to my iPod Touch) but I just couldn't stop. I don't think it sounds dated at all either. There will definitely be more to say on this album down the road.