Neil Young - Le Noise

Neil Young and Daniel Lanois! Honestly, if you do not know those two names I don't think you can tie your own shoes. There is absolutely no introduction needed and for the first time in a while, I have found something amazing to write about. This album is genius, exciting and oh-so relevant. Easily both artists' best work in years.

I am sure we all expected it. You put these two men in a room together and there is bound to be an album with one or two great tracks. However, listening today, I can tell you every track on the album is amazing and it is definitely in my top ten albums released this year. And yes, I have only heard a handfull of times. It is just that good. 

Ol' Neil and Lanois must have been listening to a lot of newcomers to the crunchy folk scene. It sounds as though they have skimmed elements of every "folk" (used very lightly) album released in the last several years, swirled it around their genius minds and spat it out as the ultimate "how to" guide for writing in this genre. With melody comes atmosphere. With vocals comes echo. With lyrics comes incredible imagery. I love what these two have created because it feels so fresh and it is sure to be another exclamation point to a couple of already illustrious careers. 

Lyrically, it is a glimpse into the soul of the oft shy Mr. Young. Historical memoirs that create bleak scenes of a poverty stricken Canadian folkster, a man that loves his family and North America, and, of course, the brutal theft of that same territory so many years ago from it's original inhabitants. I think the lyrics are the thing that makes Le Noise so wonderful for me, I love hearing the man tell me stories. 

Go buy this album because it is the best thing to come out, in my mind, in the last several months. 

FUBAR II

I never get too excited about sequels. There are very few sequels worth standing up and shouting about. However, I cannot tell you how excited I am for Fubar II. The first one made me laugh and I know the second is going to make me laugh harder. Seriously, watch the trailer. How could it not?