jonhicks's riffs

Placebo - Meds: I hate to say a "Return to form"

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Because everyone says that. After the OKish Sleeping with Ghosts, this is just superb.

Starflyer 59 - Silver: Silverrrrrrr-r-r-r

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

One of my favourite albums of all time, re-released with the she's the queen EP, which is gorgeous! Bring on those white noise guitars!

King's X - Ogre Tones [ECD]: At last, some quality control!

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

The last 3 or so King's X albums seem to have slipped out with very little quality control, but they sound back on form with this one!

Safari: Still the best Mac Browser

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Camino and Omniweb come close, but Safari is still the shizzy - especially with the Saft and SafariStand plugins!

And the Glass Handed Kites (Mew): Not as instant as Frengers, but still top hole

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Frengers was one of my favourites of 2004 (even though it came out in 2003) - it was an instant win-over for me. This on the surface sounds like more of the same, but after a few listens it feels like it needs time to grow.

Tanya Donelly - Whiskey Tango Ghosts [Digipak]: Evening music

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Calmer, more laid back than any of her previous solo output. Reflective, acoustic evening music - bring your own bottle.

Kate Bush - Aerial: Mad as a hatter, but she's still got 'it'

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Divided into 2 albums 'Sky of Honey' and a 'Sea of Honey'. The first has its fair share of duff tracks (with the exception of 'Bertie', and 'How to be invisible'), but Sea of Honey is where it really takes off. It even features Mr Rolf Harris!! I particularly love the theme of Blackbird song throughout the album.

Listening to this brought back all those childhood fantasies about Kate!

Bill Bailey - The Ultimate Collection EVER: Essential Bailey

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Razorlight - Up All Night: Took me ages to get off my arse and buy this

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

It was worth it though. Happy stuff

The Goodies: Goodie, Goodie, Yum, Yum!

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Underrated & undervalued, except in Australia!

Quicksilver: Should come with every Mac

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

baggage claim: hours of your life you can't get back again

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

But I would love to sit on the conveyor and see if anyone claimed me

Hammock - Kenotic: Hammock - but not as in sleep

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

This is so my kind of music. One for headphones and sunsets/dark evenings. Maybe for watching stars to? Watching Autumn leaves fall? This sort of ambient music with subtle guitars is the perfect soundtrack for all sorts of chill-out moments.

It never gets to sleep-inducing tones though

bacon: Foodstuff of Champions

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

American Chocolate: Argh! Bleugh! Pft pft!

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Way too sweet, its like glucose is the only flavour available

The Very Hush Hush Hush - Mourir C'est Facile: Its all just noise!!

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

But a great noise. Soft vocals combined with white noise guitars are my passion, but TVHH manage to make it more than just simple shoegazing. "Love like Love" is the standout track - one for watching sunsets to.

The Album Leaf - One Day I'll Be On Time: The best leaf in the album

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Great chilled electronica that rises above mere background music. 'One day I'll be on time' is the best Album Leaf offering IMHO.

The Album Leaf - In A Safe Place [Digipak]: A safe place, but not a dull place

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

In a safe place continues the theme of previous Album Leaf recordings - but thats no bad thing - in fact, its a very good thing. Great chilled electronica that rises above mere background music.

Starflyer 59 - Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice: Still sounding as fresh as ever

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Another fantastic album from Starflyer. "Good Sons" sounds like another evolution of their sound, bringing in New Order influences. "Longest Line" plays out with more eighties flavoured touches, but this is still Starflyer.

Camino: Mozilla Power, Mac Style

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 10:25:29 -0500

Fast, and nimble browser with a great future.