Merton - "Chat Roulette Funny Piano Improv #1"

Released: March 11, 2010
Format: video posted to YouTube

Songwriting: 8
Performance: 8
Recording: 4
First Impression: 8
Staying Power: 5

Chat Roulette is just that: live, one-on-one video chat with whoever happens to be there at the right (or wrong) time.  If you're extremely lucky, then you might get an improvised musical serenade from Merton, the maestro himself.  If you're somewhat less lucky, then you might get an improvised musical serenade from a growing number of Merton imitators.  Some are better than others, but no one save for Ben Folds (yes; Ben actually jumped on the bandwagon!) could come close to the original.

Recommendation: Don't bother with Chat Roulette itself unless you're looking for things that your mother would be ashamed to see (nothing wrong with that, but I digress).  Instead, head over to YouTube to watch the best of the best.

Edit: the original video - four million hits and all - was removed due to "violation of terms of use" (whatever that means), so here is a self-censored version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTwJetox_tU.  The original version can still be found if you look for it.

Konono N° 1 - "Congotronics"

Released: 2005
Format: standard album (CD or download)

Songwriting: 6
Performance: 8
Recording: 7
First Impression: 7
Staying Power: 6

In 2005, Vincent Kenis, producer for the Belgian label Crammed Discs, took a trip to Kinshasa, in search of a legendary African folk band called "l'orchestre folklorique tout puissant Konono N°1 de Mingiedi", or Konono N°1 for short. What made this band quite different from their peers was their use of homemade and reclaimed electric pickups, microphones, amplifiers and speakers. Fortunately, after some searching, Kenis not only found the band, but returned with finished recordings of several songs. The result is the album known as "Congotronics". At first blush, it definitely sounds like African tribal dance music. However, upon closer inspection, the very unusual electric distortion becomes apparent. The distortion is such in integral part of the music that it is nearly impossible to fathom the music in a more traditional, acoustic form. In essence, it is much like rock & roll but with a completely different foundation. As fascinating as it is, I still have to dock a couple of marks for a few songs that sound alike.

Suggested sample track: "Paradiso"

Recommendation: You'll probably either love or hate it, so sample some tracks on Grooveshark and decide for yourself.

Ra Ra Riot - "The Rhumb Line Live"

- Released: September 2008
- Format: series of videos posted to YouTube

- Songwriting: 7
- Performance: 8
- Recording: 4
- First Impression: 8
- Staying Power: 6

Seemingly not wanting to miss out on the buzz generated by Vampire Weekend, another band of kids from New York (upstate in this case) released an album of catchy, classical-laced pop, called "The Rhumb Line".  Though very good on its own, it pales in comparison to a live performance.  The band must have realized this when they quickly followed up with "The Rhumb Line Live" - four songs, spectacularly performed in an attic of a house somewhere in the band's hometown of Syracuse.

Oh, and for the record, the members of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot eventually became friends.  More on that in a future entry.

Suggested sample track: "Ghost Under Rocks"

Recommendation: If you like Vampire Weekend and/or Arcade Fire, then you will almost certainly enjoy this. Turn up the volume and head over to YouTube!

Underworld - "Oblivion With Bells"

- Released: October 2007
- Format: standard album (CD or download)

- Songwriting: 6
- Performance: 8
- Recording: 7
- First Impression: 7
- Staying Power: 5

This album should be calls "Bells Followed By Oblivion".  First come the bells: three stellar and very danceable tracks, comparable to the best releases from Underworld's glory days in the early to mid 1990's.  Then comes oblivion: eight more tracks that are better than filler, but not even close to the former three.

Suggested sample track: "Beautiful Burnout"

Recommendation: Download and keep the first three tracks ("Crocodile", "Beautiful Burnout" and "Holding the Moth").  Give the rest a quick spin on Grooveshark if you're bored.

King Crimson - "Discipline"

It's been too long.  'Nuff said.  On with the blog!

- Released: 1981
- Format: standard album (vinyl, cassette, CD or download)

- Songwriting: 8
- Performance: 10
- Recording: 9
- First Impression: 6
- Staying Power: 8

This album, in my opinion, sets the bar for progressive rock.  When I listen to more recent music by the likes of Dream Theater, The Mars Volta, or anything else that draws from the genre, I can't help but notice elements similar to "Discipline".  As for this particular album, every song is meticulously crafted, flawlessly executed and expertly recorded.  There is not one song that is anything less than very good.  Though some songs come across as abrasive or boring at first, repeated listening is definitely rewarding.

Suggested sample track: "Frame By Frame"

Recommendation: If you like progressive rock and own a good sound system, then you should absolutely purchase this album for your collection without hesitation. This is definitely one for listening from start to finish, in a quiet room.