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  • The Arcade Fire -

    The Arcade Fire: Neon Bible
    A good friend of mine convinced me to buy "Funeral," Arcade Fire's first album, last year and I'd say my reaction to that album was mixed. I recognized that the band had some unique ideas, and an interesting sound, but it just didn't really fit my musical tastes. "Neon Bible" may be less inventive, but all in all, I think it is more enjoyable to listen to than "Funeral." However, I actually went to an Arcade Fire show here in DC last weekend, and I have to admit that the songs they played from "Funeral" were much more energetic and exciting than the selections from "Neon Bible." The concert, like the recordings, come off as highly orchestrated and refined rock compositions. There is little wasted space, and the music features an interesting, although somewhat off-putting blend of instruments and vocals. The finished product takes some getting used to, but once you've acquired the Arcade Fire taste, it's hard to put these albums down. (****)

  • Bloc Party -

    Bloc Party: A Weekend in the City
    Sure enough, Bloc Party validated my predictions and avoided the dreaded "sophomore slump" with their second album. While Silent Alarm was a bit more polished, A Weekend in the City takes more chances, and offers a more diverse and creative set of songs than the band's first album. There are clear allusions to Radiohead's Kid A throughout this album, but Bloc Party does a good job of continuing to hone their own unique sound. "I Still Remember" is the sort of anthemic single that could propel Bloc Party onto the national spotlight. (****)

  • Thom Yorke -

    Thom Yorke: The Eraser
    This is basically a solo version of Kid A, although you can't really tell it's solo since there isn't really any instrumental background, only synthesized stuff like on Kid A and Amnesiac. I like this album, but i'm still really looking forward to the full band's new album which is expected in a couple of months. The Eraser is basically an addendum to Kid A/Amnesiac, and that's ok. But im excited to hear what's next. (****)

  • The Strokes -

    The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth
    This is my first Strokes CD, and the first album in a recent foray of CD buying over the last week or so. Knowing almost nothing about the band, I first listened to this CD with an open mind, and I liked what I heard. Although there aren't many especially interesting songs, the overall sound is pleasing, and even a bit catchy at times. To me, Julian Casablancas' singing basically makes this band what it is. He has an extremely deep voice, and he features his impressive singing ability much more so on this album than on the other two. I went out and bought "Is this it" as an encore, but I am so far dissapointed in the older album. Sorry, AMG, but we just can't agree this time. (***)

  • Brad Mehldau -

    Brad Mehldau: Day is Done
    Another fine addition to the Brad Mehldau collection. On this newest album, the trio welcomes Jeff Ballard on drums to replace Jorge Rossy at least temporarily, and I must say Ballard provides a refreshing new feel to a trio that was in danger of becoming somewhat repetitive and dull. As usual, Mehldau delights those of us who supplement our Jazz listening with recordings from the real world as he begins this album with a rendition on the Radiohead composition "Knives Out." This is one of Mehldau's better albums in recent years. I don't want to completely sell out Rossy, but this trio seems to have more energy and spontaneity than it had on the previous few albums. (*****)

  • Bloc Party -

    Bloc Party: Silent Alarm
    After hearing a short clip online, I decided to see these guys perform at Music Midtown. Typically with rock-type bands, I know whether I'm going to like them or not within the first 30 seconds. Clearly, since I just bought the CD, Bloc Party impressed me from the outset and maintained my interest throughout their hour-long performance. In danger of becoming just another English band in the form of Coldplay or Keane, Bloc Party has thus far succeeded with a unique sound that blends the smooth and clean style of those former two bands with the type of rock heard on some of, dare I say, Radiohead's older albums like the Bends and Pablo Honey. Just released in March, this first album has a lot of good stuff on it. Bloc Party has serious potential. (****)

  • Joe Lovano -

    Joe Lovano: I'm All For You
    As far as ballad-oriented albums go, this one is pretty damn good. Offering fresh renditions of standards as well as a few originals, Lovano's tone and expression remains unique but also traditional as he moves around these charts and improvises. This is really my first exposure to Lovano other than seeing him live once in New York. I like the album a lot and personally think he handles the ballads much better than Michael Brecker on his Ballad Book album a few years ago. (****)

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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Comments

Nicholas

Be wary, my friend, be wary. After programs like "No Child Left Behind," and the "Clear Skies," it would seem to me that what the President proclaims is often very different from what he does.

Yes, President Bush mentioned the energy crises last night in his State of the Union Address; he even said that America is addicted to oil. But Bush has made other bold and dramatic proclomations in State of the Union speeches before. He's promised $10 Billion for AIDS in Africa. He's launched a campaign to send an astronaut to Mars.

What President Bush said last night struck me as entirely polictical. Let's go back over a sentence from the Friedman column you quote:

"We must impose the highest energy-efficiency standards on our own automakers and other industries so we force them to be the most innovative."

Did Bush say anything like that at all? No. All he did he promised increased funding for research. Just like he promised funding for AIDS in Africa, just like he promised to send an astronaut to Mars, just like he promised there were Weapons of Mass destruction.

I'll believe it when it'ss in the budget.

Why? Because the one thing I do believe that the President said last night was his earnest hope that Congress will make the tax cuts permanent.

Dave

Last night in listening to the second part of Bush's speech (after he finished all his typcial national security stuff) I was almost feeling a little Republican. I mean, Bush was suggesting just about everything I think the government should be doing such as investing in alternative energy sources and nuclear power, increasing our commitment to math and science in schools, and increasing investments in technological research.

However, upon further reflextion I have to say I am inclined to agree with Nich, at least for now. Given the feeling among many Americans that the U.S. is too reliant on foreign oil, it is a smart move for Bush to say we will reduce our reliance on foreign oil. However, the plans he laid out were so vague as to give me pause that he will actually carry them out fully. Nich is right that Bush did not promise to increase fuel economy standards which could be a significant step in the right direction. Furthermore, upon closer inspection, his pledge to reduce our dependence on mid-east oil by 75% by 2025 may not be as great as it sounds given that the U.S. only gets 20% of its oil from the middle east. Are we actually going to reduce our consumption or just get more oil from Mexico or Venezuela?

Despite these reservations, I am still hopeful that Bush will follow through on at least some of these proposals, but I am highly doubtful that this speech represents any changes in Bush's overall philosphy.

Unfortunatly, the Democrats are so pathetic that it might not matter much what Bush says or does. Unless the Democrats can get off their whiny asses and actually get some ideas out they will continue to be the helpless minority.

ferdaline

haha, the blunion. will you please read some more fiction? i should take over your book review section. oh, and your music section too.

Allen

since when is a trite platitude like "we're addicted to oil" poignant? any moron knows that oil is a problem. what is he going to DO about it? probably nothing. getting off of oil is the solution; not just getting off of Middle East oil.

Allen

dave has the right idea.

Travis

Yes Dave/Nich.

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