""1978, album #9. Where do you go afte..." more

""1978, album #9. Where do you go after the amazing Circles in the Stream album (#8)? You go OUT. This is a sharper Bruce, a transition as he heads out of the coffeehouses and polite Canadian concert halls to take his first steps into the world. "Feast of Fools" is a nod to theologian Harvey Cox (who Bruce thanks in the notes), who wrote that faith means DOING something. Harvey was also connected to Liberation Theology, a Latin American movement insisting on social justice as the fundamental expression of faith - a major Bruce theme from here. GORGEOUS bass throughout from Robert Boucher, whose telepathic connection with Bruce anchors one of his very most beautiful records. A Fantastic remaster - this is now one of Bruce's best-sounding records. A nice bonus track...but the record really does end with Nanzen Ji. Along with Night Vision and Humans, 1 of 3 absolute BC emu must-haves. Classic, indispensable, perfect." less

"How cool is THIS?!? A trio with piano..." more

"How cool is THIS?!? A trio with piano, trumpet and CELLO? I'll wager that this is the only one on emu. If I'm wrong and there's another, I guarantee it's not more beautiful than this, one of the most wonderful things I've ever come across here. As you might guess from the song titles (and trio line-up), this is an unusual mix of classical and jazz, with some standards sprinkled in around some striking originals in both genres. Wow, this is really amazing stuff. I'm listening to it as I type this, and I can barely get out a word or two before I have to stop and listen some more...." less

"A couple of truly outstanding instrum..." more

"A couple of truly outstanding instrumentals on this one, starting out of the gate. This is the first of his albums to feel like there was a BAND playing. Bruce is exceptionally adept at creating unified albums, often linked thematically, both musically and lyrically. This succeeds at that, yet is one of his very most diverse. There's not even a guitar on most of #6 (built around Pat Godfrey's piano and Dennis Pendrith's bass), yet #9 sounds positively Santana-esque! Although "my Lord" gets a nod on his previous disk, here we meet God by name. This is wall-to-wall a classic, his first truly indispensable album. Absolutely equired for Bruce fans, and highly, highly recommended for everyone else." less

"This is the great leap for The Notwis..." more

"This is the great leap for The Notwist and everyone in their orbit. Lali Puna comes roaring into existence with 2 albums, an EP and a dozen singles in the next 3 years, all winners; see Another Planet, No Encores. The Tied & Tickled Trio absorbed these sounds, even as Shrink incorporates T&TT's rapidly expanding jazz palette; see Moron, NL, Your Signs. There's so much to love, including Day 7("I count the letters of your name/I count the days 'til you are here again"). The more I listen to this, the more I feel it's their best. Certainly their most diverse, the most exhilarating to listen to as so much emerges. Absolutely essential." less

"Psychedelic jazz country with soaring..." more

"Psychedelic jazz country with soaring harmonies and unexpected strings and horns -- no wonder Arthur Lee tapped Shack as his back-up band on latter-day tours. It's not just Love, though. Shack definitely sounds every bit of their Liverpool roots, more than occasinally invoking the Beatles and even a little Gerry, among others. With all that they tap into and all of the originality they bring, and it's no wonder that Oasis and The Stone Roses cite Shack as influences. Avoiding the laziness of chronological order helps this become one of a very small handful of Best Ofs to hang together as a single, unified release. This is rich, deeply rewarding stuff that deserves all the attention a pink check would provide, and much, much more. A true emu highlight." less

"Arguably the first "electronica as th..." more

"Arguably the first "electronica as the new rock'n'roll" record, and inarguably the first electronica record by true rock stars. One reason for the feeling of organic SONGS rather than loops or turntablist indulgence is that they really are SONGS - Underworld was a pretty typical new wave band (think Depeche Mode crossed with Thompson Twins) who liked the dance remixes that people did for them and decided to skip the middleman and go straight for the dance-y, rave-y versions. So apart from its absolutely critical position in music history, it's an amazing, dark, dubby ride to the end of the 20th century and beyond." less

"Why all the love for Alopecia and non..." more

"Why all the love for Alopecia and none for this, its much more diverse, original predecessor? Certainly no less psychotic than the latter - maybe even moreso because you can understand the words. This one feels striking and original to exactly the same extent that Alopecia sounds derivative to me. And if you're one of the many gazillions who love Alopecia, you really owe it to yourself to take this one for a spin." less

"This one gets grief for being more ma..." more

"This one gets grief for being more mainstream than The Thievery Corporation or Air - heck, there was even an actual MTV2 HIT -- but you know what? It doesn't have any pretension to art or the cutting edge, but it's far more than just pleasant. It's beautiful, and both deeper and more engaging than anything that much more highly regarded Air has to offer. And while the highly regarded Thievery Corporation admittedly has more depth, it doesn't have anything either as wall-to-wall consistent or as dreamily relaxing. So no disrespect to those guys, but this still deserves a pink check on its own terms." less

"Travelin Band, Looking Out My Back Do..." more

"Travelin Band, Looking Out My Back Door, Run Through the Jungle, Up Around the Bend, Who'll Stop the Rain, Grapevine, Long As I Can See the Light AND NO PINK CHECK?! Get this and skip Creedence Gold." less

"You're kidding right? Yeah, it's only..." more

"You're kidding right? Yeah, it's only 4 tracks, but they're the best 4 shoegaze tracks at emu. And unlike a lot of others, truly original, very contemporary feel. I can't believe how good this is." less

"In the very smallest handful of the b..." more

"In the very smallest handful of the best records ever made. That's not just my opinion. It's the truth. Gleaming, glittering pop in the best sense of the word. You'll love these guys, you'll love the music, and you'll feel better about yourself for having found it. Download now. Thank me later." less

"I can't believe I keep forgetting tha..." more

"I can't believe I keep forgetting that this guy is the lead singer for The Charlatans (UK), at least partly because this doesn't sound like them. It's sweet, sunny pop with a very 60s vibe. What a gem!" less

"Where's the editor's choice? Where's ..." more

"Where's the editor's choice? Where's the anointing as THE record of the summer? Did it lose that distinction because of a March release? Who knows? Last question: why aren't you downloading this now? And here's your tip, waiter: skip the last track." less

"The other records are fine. This one ..." more

"The other records are fine. This one is SO fine, their best by a long shot. As I write this, it's also their latest, which is especially cool." less

"Sharpest, funkiest, freshest soul at ..." more

"Sharpest, funkiest, freshest soul at emu. Genuinely outrageous. Skip the ballad of course. What the heck were they thinking?" less

"Cinematic instrumental hip-hop, maybe..." more

"Cinematic instrumental hip-hop, maybe even better than (some) DJ Shadow. THERE. I said it. DEFINITELY check it out if you like the pink-checked Quiet Village. If, like me, you WANTED to like QV but didn't, get this. Also happens to hang together really nicely as complete work. Love it." less