Worst of all, Metallica stands by it, saying that to clean up the mix would mean taking out the liveliness of the album’s overall sound. Since when do you have to choose between a lively record and digital distortion? Hopefully someday James Hetfield and crew will think differently and remix the album, because one this relentlessly rockin’ and consistent certainly deserves better production than this.
3. The Whigs – Mission Control
Here’s a young southern rock group that has fast become a household name in alternative rock this past year, thanks in part to exposure to late night TV, including on Late Night With David Letterman. The Whigs have a couple of albums to its name, but Mission Control’s catchy, My Morning Jacket-esque sound and at times early ‘90s-ish material doesn’t have a weakling among its eleven tracks. They may not be breaking new ground here but provide a refresher course to remind people – as my next pick surely will as well – that a great band doesn’t need much more than a bass, drums and single guitar attack to attain a full and dynamic sound.
2. The Who – Live At Kilburn: 1977
For you older folks out there and the younger ones (like me) who were not alive when The Who were at the peak of their live and studio wizardry and powers, this two-concert DVD captures the original four members loud, rude and proud. The 1969 show, though grainy in video quality, is a true treasure, as the band performs favorites and a couple of operas (“A Quick One While He’s Away” and “Tommy”), a novelty during this time period. They do so with nothing but the sounds of their collective voices, drums, electric bass and Townshend’s roaring Gibson guitar – no piano/keyboards wanted or needed. The same is true for the 1977 show, one of the last filmed shows with the drugged up mad man behind the kit, Keith Moon before his death the next year. Lively and energetic doesn’t begin to describe how powerful these performances are, not to mention influential.
With the likes of U2 taking the crown of being one of the last great innovative guitar-centric arena rock bands on Earth, this DVD is a reminder of who, along with Led Zeppelin deserved such a title.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
That's an intriguingly eclectic list, Charlie. I'm holding onto my right to make a list until even later, too . . . like you said, last year has invaded this year and I'm not convinced the best has been settled yet.
If you want the whole of Radiohead's In The Basement performance, it can be had on Itunes. It's a video deal, but it'll play back on regular Ipods as audio-only. Fantastic set, too.
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
The Jeff Loomis release was pretty damn good. He touches upon a lot of different flavors. Plus, it includes the out-of-this-world,phenomenal Bass work of Michael Manring(but)only on one song*sniff*
[Sorry, I'm dying to hear Mr.Manring release another heavy/fusion type CD]
I thought the new Radiohead was off the charts! Unfortunately, that got considerably overlooked due to the original distribution method...
Yup...We all know how I feel about Metallica's latest release.(*Ugh*)It's definitely not Thrash![see:Kreator] As for And Justice, I don't believe the production was "tinny", It was just missing Newstead's Bass work[if he did any(?)]. There isn't one bass line on the entire album...You think they could've let him do the opening to "One".