Album
Noah’s Barks pages relating to music albums.
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Boards of Canada – “The Campfire Headphase”
A Boards of Canada album I actually like? ‘The Campfire Headphase’ is the duo’s only album to sound like a complete, unified work. (read more)
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TV on the Radio – “Nine Types of Light” (2011)
I love Dear Science for taking post-punk the closest to the dance floor it’s ever been, as well as just being a great update of R&B-inspired rock, but that’s not enough for me to call myself a TV on the Radio fan. Return to Cookie Mountain didn’t impress me much, so I tested my loyalty by going on to… (read more)
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Fever Ray – “Fever Ray”
Like my friend edl_mota said, Fever Ray curiously sounds like Donkey Kong Country ambiance. I feel like I’m in that Gloomy Gulch world in Donkey Kong Country 2 when I listen to this, which is a compliment since Forest Interlude is my favorite song on the soundtrack. But I’m getting off track; she’s still no… (read more)
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Daft Punk – “Homework”
There are great beats all over ‘Homework,’ but these simple beats often carry too much of the track length, feeling like static fragments of something greater. (read more)
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Paul Giovanni / Gary Carpenter / Magnet – “The Wicker Man”
The Wicker Man is an awesome movie, which you obviously know if you’re at this page, and part of that is because it has an awesome soundtrack, which you obviously know if you’re at this page. Unfortunately, the soundtrack is too “literally” organized like most soundtracks, separating the traditional vocal songs (the ones you’re getting… (read more)
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Swans – “To Be Kind” (2014)
Swans used to pummel you into oblivion with giant, cold mechanical fists (well, sometimes they’d squeeze you slowly like an iron giant). This personality conquered any music of a similar nature. It’s what they’re best at, and they still managed to make a diverse, evolving career with it (The Burning World is great, by the way).… (read more)
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Françoise Hardy – “Le premier bonheur du jour” (1963)
In some ways, Le premier bonheur du jour is a bit better than Françoise Hardy’s debut a year prior. The production values in particular are much improved and the album no longer sounds like it was recorded in a tin can. Hardy’s vocals have more force and confidence behind them—she’s a true star here. The… (read more)
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Stan Getz – João Gilberto – “Getz/Gilberto #2: Recorded Live at Carnegie Hall”
As of writing, Getz / Gilberto is currently my favorite jazz album, and it has met consistent critical acclaim from just about any person or publication over the years since its release, but Getz/Gilberto #2 somehow seemed to fly under everyone’s radar, including my own until now. There’s a fair reason for that. A few of the… (read more)
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Guided by Voices – “Tonics & Twisted Chasers”
Tonics & Twisted Chasers is an oft-forgotten Guided by Voices album, but it isn’t due to its quality. The album was originally a fan club-exclusive release and although it’s been reissued since, finding a copy is still difficult. It’s natural to assume that this is a collection of bland, “throwaway” songs for hardcore fans, but… (read more)
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Flamin’ Groovies – “Shake Some Action” (1976)
With Shake Some Action, Flamin’ Groovies attempt a ’60s pop rock throwback in particular vein of The Byrds. If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, then Shake Some Action must be the most flattering album of all time, as its insistence and success at sounding exactly like a pop rock album that could have… (read more)