Built to Spill - batch review

I will post on these issues as I replay them going forward, but for now they are all "on the shelves," which usually means at least 7 (B+), but I am a completist with this band, which is one of my favorites, so that might not hold in every case. Probably does though.

    Built to Spill Caustic Resin [split EP]

    You in Reverse

    Ancient Melodies of the Future

    Live

    Keep It Like a Secret

    Perfect From Now On

    There's Nothing Wrong With Love

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest: 8.5 (high A-)

Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era Continued [4AD/Kranky, 2008]: 7.5 (high B+)

Love the cover on this one too. Two separate albums. Same grade for each.

Sella - Well I Mean: 7 (B+)

That's Brian Sella, of the Front Bottoms. This is really an EP, at 25 minutes. #artisanal

The Ducks - High Flyin' [Shakey Pictures/Reprise, 2023]: 7.5 (high B+)

Normally, this would be #live, but it's got Neil Young on it, so I have it.

Jocelyn Balu - Borumba: 7 (B+)

Marred by always cheesy keybs and sometimes cheesy melodies. The lead guitar is uniformly great though. #import/nophysicals?

Novos Baianos - Acabou Chorare: 7.5 (high B+)

 #tropicalia

Various - Bulayo: Guitar Songs From Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and DR Congo: 7.5 (high B+)

#folkloric

Brian Jackson - Now More Than Ever: liked

It would almost certainly be a 7 (B+) upon one more play, but I’d dock it a notch for extreme bloat anyway, so I'm not putting in the effort. Also, it's #r&b.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Take It From the Man!: 7.5 (high B+)

Docked a notch for bloat. I would get a copy, but they are so ridiculously overpriced that I’m not going to even bother with an alert at this grade. The best songs on here are also on Tepid Peppermint Wonderland anyway (seven out of this one’s 17 unique tracks are on that compilation, so close to half).

Tinariwen - Hoggar: 7.5 (high B+)

Might be an 8 (A-), but it’s #import anyway, and priced accordingly. #desertblues

Patti Smith - Twelve: liked

Twelve covers, she means

Ruben Gonzalez - Chanchullo: 7 (B+)

#cuban

Zitany Neil - Marcory Gasoil: 8 (A-)

Great Dally Kimoko guitar on this one, but it’s prohibitively expensive, for the few copies that appear to be in existence.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Methodrone: liked

Docked a notch for bloat, and all the best tracks are on Tepid Peppermint Wonderland.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request: 7.5 (high B+)

Docked a notch for bloat, and way too expensive to worry about. The best tracks are on Tepid Peppermint Wonderland anyway.

Pink - Can't Take Me Home: 7 (B+)

#r&b

The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Thank God for Mental Illness: liked

:-)

Boredoms - Pop Tatari: neutral

Moderately interesting for at least one play. The other two plays, not so much.

Fontaines D.C. - Dopamine Chamber: liked

:-)

Beck - Ride Lonesome: neutral

:-|

Galaxie 500 - The Portable Galaxie 500: liked

Might be a 7 (B+) but it’s #bestof anyway. I wonder why this hits me so much more poorly than the original albums?

Joseph Kamaru - Heavy Combination 1966-2007: 7.5 (high B+)

Might be an 8 (A-), but it’s #import anyway. I found it spotty. #bestof

Lalu - Lalu: liked

Posting cover to avoid confusion with the French metal "project" (that is, band) of the same name. This is the Australian indie band. Could be 7 (B+), but #import/artisanal anyway. Four plays.

Patterson Hood - Killers and Stars [New West, 2004]: liked

:-)