Musicwhore.org Music and memory

Kesha, Rainbow

This album has a lot of attitude, which it should given Kesha’s well-publicized legal battles. It’s fundamentally a pop album, with rock and country providing a gritty sheen.

ZZ Top, Afterburner

Eliminator has the bigger hits, but Afterburner is the better album.

Prefab Sprout, Two Wheels Good (a.k.a Steve McQueen)

Prefab Sprout is one of those bands about whom I knew without actually hearing their music. So it was nice to discover they fell somewhere between Yaz and ABC in their pursuit of a jazzy new wave sound.

TV on the Radio, Return to Cookie Mountain

I didn’t get TV on the Radio at first. The few excerpts I heard seemed unfocused and tuneless. But I picked up their albums from thrift shop to see if I could eventually understand. By then, I had listened to more hip-hop and R&B and realized the band is Black af. A decade and a half ago, my rockist collection had little room for Black voices.

Aceyalone, All Balls Don’t Bounce

I confess to sacrilege — I didn’t pay attention to the lyrics on this album. The beats are too damn distracting.

The National, Trouble Will Find Me

The National is one of those bands I like, but I would not consider myself a fan. I would seem demographically suited to be one, given the rest of my collection, but I just haven’t been convinced enough to jump in two-footed. But I do like Boxer and this album.

Tags: aceyalone, kesha, picks, prefab sprout, purchase log, the national, tv on the radio, zz top