Favorite album of 2014 so far?

Much better music.

 

Do musicians actually sing these days??

 

One of my favorite releases of 2014 so far.

Nikki Lane - All Or Nothin', New West Records, NW5088, LP, Limited Edition, 180 Gram, US, 2014
Lacquer Cut by John Golden at Golden Mastering .



Nikki Lane - Right Time [Official Music Video]

 

I've heard some people have had problems with noisy copies (especially side 3) but mine sounds great. I have the red vinyl version, not sure if that makes a difference pressing wise...

 

I wasn't sure about the new Warpaint album at first but I gave it another try last week and liked it a lot more than I did the first time I listened to it.

 

Paolo Nutini - Caustic Love. He doesn't seem to get much attention on this forum.

 

Where do you guys find this music?!
Thanks a lot, especially now that Jack White and Black Keys have become antipathetic..

 

Ian McLagan & The Bump Band:
UNITED STATES

That's my favorite this far this year. Great record.

 

Any reviews for the Rosanne Cash vinyl?

 

I just dig around a lot. last.fm gives me some recommendations, some ideas I get from Wiki and Allmusic, some are friends' picks, etc... There is absolutely no shortage of great new music out there. You just won't find it on the radio or TV. But it's all a mouse click or two away, in this age of YouTube.

 

I've had both CD and vinyl for a while now and it sounds much deeper...fuller...on my vinyl setup. Especially noticeable on "When the Master Calls the Roll". Additionally, it's a beautiful vinyl package.

 

Fire Orchestra- "Enter" . It's not out yet but I heard one song and it is epic. Vintage long winded stoner rock!

 

Musicians play instruments. Singers sing. Some, but not all, do both.

 

that song is very cool- a little kraftwerk, a little stereolab. the video is pretty mindblowing. you are in tune with the cutting edge- thanks for turning us on!

 

Really, really good album and and a real departure, second one in a row. No shortage of guts in this band.

D.D.

 

I am very happy thay so far its turned out be Phish's new one Fuego. Even better: my 12 year old son loves it!

 

You should get on some of her recent work- Weather was outstanding. She's a huge talent and I also love the new album.

D.D.

 

So, singers aren't musicians?

 

Just answering your question.

 

Ok so best albums of 2014 so far for me (in no particular order) are:

Temples- Sun Structures, good solid debut and a great nod to psychedelia

GOASTT- Midnight Sun, I'm seeing Sean and Charlotte play in September on the back of this great album.
I've been listening to 'Unknown Mortal Orchestra's album II from last year (know it doesn't count but only discovered them this year)

I've enjoyed St Vincent's self titled album, thanks to all the SH members for the recommend

I would also add Slow Club's new album 'Complete Surrender' they are one of the bands from my home town (the mighty Sheffield) a very eclectic band with good singers, this album is going in a more motown, soul vein then their previous, great pop and a fun live act too.

My favourite album though is actually an instrumental/classical album of strings and piano (dont know if this qualifies, maybe goes in the classical corner) 'Romantic Works' by the singer songwriter Keaton Henson. He 'did a beyonce' and released it completely unannounced and the results are staggeringly beautiful, had me to the point of tears at some point.

 

You'd think it was a slam dunk to say that singers are musicians and their voices are their instruments .... but it does occur to me that 'instrumental' music doesn't have vocals. On top of which, people who are asked whether they play an instrument never say 'yes, I sing.' So there does seem to be a deep-seated prejudice against the ideas that singers are musicians in the same way that instrumentalists are.

 

My favorite LP so far this year is the s/t debut from Omi Palone:
http://omipalone.bandcamp.com/album/omi-palone-3

Jangly, feel good lo-foish summer tunes. Very good stuff. Ordered the LP directly from the UK.

Anxiously awaiting the new Hookworms LP and hoping Disappears gets their new one out in 2014.

Have to admit I was pretty disappointed with the new Warpaint. Their first LP and the earlier EP are serious favorites, but the new s/t LP just really isn't doing it for me...

 

Sturgill Simpson - Metamodern Sounds in Country Music

 

I think it would be more accurate to say that trained singers are musicians. Anyone can sing, not everyone can sing well. I've been singing in my Church choir for over 10 years, and I remember after I'd been in the choir for about 3 years I was talking to someone in earshot of my choir director (who played piano and organ among other instruments), and when I said that "I'm not a musician," he turned and said, "That's wrong, you are a musician." He also taught music at our local college, so since then I've considered myself a musician. I will agree, however, that it takes somewhat more dedication to play an instrument; I'm finally learning to play guitar and the progress is a lot slower than learning to sing, and I really need to practice at least 30 minutes a day, while I don't practice singing quite that often.

 

I think that's a reflection of where you are with it though. From what I hear (and I'm not at a level with either to know from personal experience) a singer has to be more dedicated than an instrumentalist because everything you do with your body has a bearing on the voice. Sure, you need to be fairly dedicated to get anywhere at all, and probably have to practice or warm up if you're playing an instrument at a reasonably high level, but I think worrying about their voice and preparing for singing is a big part of a vocalist's life. I guess we all know that story about Freddy Mercury not getting his teeth fixed because he was worried it would change his voice.