X&Y, Coldplay

Getting close to the end of the alphabet of albums now! X is for extremely lugubrious.

X&Y, Coldplay, 2005, 1:02

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This is U2 without as much talent. Overlong, self-consciously Arty, droning and uninspiring. Pass. Okay, now for the bright spots. "Fix You" is a great song, but I actually prefer it in other people's hands; even the geriatric cover band Young@Heart did a punchier version. The semi-acoustic "Till Kingdom Come" actually has some rhythm to it.  I kind of like "Speed of Sound," but does everything have to be so long and windy?  Favorite tracks: "Till Kingdom Come," "Fix You."

Searching for a Former Clarity, Against Me!

Currently doing one album for each year, 1960-2020. Today: 2005.

Searching for a Former Clarity, Against Me!, 2005, :47

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Against Me! is the best punk band since the Clash.  Growling, snarled, shouted non-rhyming syllable-overloaded personal and political lyrics, percussion-heavy punk riffs.  Laura Jane Grace always-fueled anger at the sickness of the world, anger at not having the courage to be what she wants to be.  Favorite tracks: "Don't Lose Touch," "Unprotected Sex With Multiple Partners," "Pretty Girl (The Mover)."

10,000 Shots, Real McKenzies

It’s Manic Monday! Wherein I listen to a rocker, a punker, or just a general banger.

10,000 Shots, Real McKenzies, 2005, :30

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I'm a long time fan of these guys.  Loud guitars and caterwauling bagpipes and Paul McKenzie's drunken guttural vocals.  Mostly songs about drinking and touring ("Pour decisions, a punk musician just ain't as cute at 53 / I have forsaken money makin' / Yeah, you still wish you were me"), plus traditional folk songs all revved up. If you don’t like loud guitar and caterwauling bagpipes and gruff vocals, don't worry.  You can listen to, uh, one song; the final track, "the Catalpa," is a traditional Irish song to the tune of "The Boys of Kilmichael," and sung here in a straightforward, pleasant acoustic style. So, why on earth didn’t they put the pretty funny "Bugger Off," a foul-mouthed love/hate valediction to their audience, at the end of the album?  Favorite tracks: "Smokin' Bowl," "Farewell to Nova Scotia," "Pour Decisions."

Held on the Tips of Fingers, Polar Bear

It’s Jazzurday! Wherein I listen to a jazz album, like a grown-up.

Held on the Tips of Fingers, Polar Bear, 2005, :42 

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Never heard of this album or the band; apparently bandleader and drummer Sebastian Rochford is a big deal in jazz circles. If Tom Waits were a jazz drummer, he’d make this album. It’s the musical equivalent of a carnival barker. Hints and riffs of Kurt Weil, middle eastern ragas, and metal slide in and out in turn.  It’s all horns and percussion, out-of-time clonking and wailing and frenzied crashing. Dave Brubeck might wonder at what he hath wrought. There is at times a good deal of histrionic screeching. But I like histrionic screeching; others may not. Adventurous, eclectic, surprising, and reveling in it. It’s not all wonderful; the five-minute “Fluffy (I Want You)” is a bunch of weird creaking noises. I don't particularly like weird creaking noises; others may. Favorite track: “Beartown.”