Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post Reply
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Brad »

Welcome to Round 1.9 of Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8!

Vote for your favorite album in each match-up.
Remember, anyone can vote as long as the voter has heard both albums.

Good-spirited comments are encouraged, but not absolutely necessary.
Deadline = May 9th at 10am EST.

Here's a link to the bracket for the entire tournament:
http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?t ... Albums%208

Match-ups:
1. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque vs. Big Black - Atomizer
2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry vs. Santigold - Santogold
3. Saint Etienne - So Tough vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase
4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)

Also, a tie from the previous round:
***TIE Alert!!! Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher vs. The Books - Thought for Food. Next Vote from someone who hasn't already voted in this matchup WINS!***

Children of tomorrow live in the tears that fall today
Will the sun rise up tomorrow bringing peace in any way?
Last edited by Brad on Tue May 02, 2017 5:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Bang Jan
Full of Fire
Posts: 2669
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:15 pm
Location: Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Bang Jan »



5 | Teenage Fanclub | Bandwagonesque
8 | Big Black | Atomizer

6 | Morrissey | You Are the Quarry
7 | Santigold | Santogold

1 | Saint Etienne | So Tough
4 | Spiritualized Electric Mainline | Pure Phase

2 | Rodriguez | Coming from Reality
3 | Georges Brassens | Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)

Favourite songs of the week: Saint Etienne | Avenue & Rodreguez | Cause (Can't decide which one I prefer)
"The first word in this song is discorporate. It means to leave your body."
User avatar
BleuPanda
Higher Ground
Posts: 4717
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:20 am
Location: Urbana, IL

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by BleuPanda »

Big Black - Atomizer
Morrissey - You Are the Quarry
User avatar
Honorio
Higher Ground
Posts: 4482
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:38 am
Location: L'Eliana, Valencia, Spain

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Honorio »


1. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque (1991) vs. Big Black - Atomizer (1986)


2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry (2004) vs. Santigold - Santogold (2008)


3. Saint Etienne - So Tough (1994) vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase (1995)


4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality (1971) vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes) (1953)

Favourite song from every album:
What You Do to Me | Kerosene | First of the Gang to Die | L.E.S. Artistes | You're in a Bad Way | Spread Your Wings | Cause | La mauvaise réputation

Favourite song of the week: First of the Gang to Die
DaveC
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3484
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:04 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by DaveC »

1. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque vs. Big Black - Atomizer
2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry vs. Santigold - Santogold
3. Saint Etienne - So Tough vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase
4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)

Find of the week: Santogold, should have listened to it before - but this time it faces tough competition.
User avatar
Rob
Die Mensch Maschine
Posts: 7351
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Rob »

So, after more than half the first round is played we finally get an album I nominated. Two in fact. Let's see how that goes. I'll only reveal which ones when I post my own votes around Monday or so.
User avatar
bonnielaurel
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1662
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:48 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by bonnielaurel »

Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque
Santigold - Santogold
Saint Etienne - So Tough
Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)
De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum.
Jirin
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3350
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:12 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Jirin »

Bandwagonesque 78 - Atomizer 35
Santogold 85 - You Are The Quarry 80
So Tough 92 - Pure Phase 61
Coming From Reality 83 - Chante les chansons poetique 75
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Brad »

Hey there! Anyone else out there want to vote in a match-up that doesn't involve their own nomination?

We need some participation here... the drop-off has been pretty steep lately!

Just listen and make a choice!
User avatar
BleuPanda
Higher Ground
Posts: 4717
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2012 1:20 am
Location: Urbana, IL

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by BleuPanda »

Sorry, I always reach a point of fatigue during the first round. I always want to commit and then I'll go a week where I don't have the time to actually listen, and if I miss one week, it starts to become a trend...
Jirin
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3350
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:12 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Jirin »

What I do is try to listen to one album a day and it keeps me just barely ahead of the curve.
EmilienDelRey
Unquestionable Presence
Posts: 646
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 6:28 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by EmilienDelRey »

Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)
User avatar
notbrianeno
Movin' On Up
Posts: 917
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:47 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by notbrianeno »

Teenage Fanclub | Bandwagonesque vs. Big Black | Atomizer

Morrissey | You Are the Quarry vs. Santigold | Santogold

Saint Etienne | So Tough vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline | Pure Phase
User avatar
Honorio
Higher Ground
Posts: 4482
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:38 am
Location: L'Eliana, Valencia, Spain

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Honorio »

Brad wrote:Hey there! Anyone else out there want to vote in a match-up that doesn't involve their own nomination?

We need some participation here... the drop-off has been pretty steep lately!

Just listen and make a choice!
You're right, Brad. As you know I kept track of the participation in past editions and there always was a common trend, a high participation (18-20 voters) on the first 3 or 4 weeks followed by a decline on the second part of first round and second round, regaining some voters on the finals steps of the game. The difference this time, as you pointed, is the steepness of the fall. Only 12 voters the last two weeks (and a mere 8 voters so far this week) are all-time lows for this game (please correct me if I'm wrong).
As Brad said, just listen and make a choice!
User avatar
Rob
Die Mensch Maschine
Posts: 7351
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Rob »

I always vote later in the week (on Mondays mostly) and will keep doing so. I just want to give a heads up to this game, as for discoveries it is perhaps the best game of the site.

That might also be the reason for the drop-offs. Most games here rely on making lists of things already heard. Once it is required to do extended listens (especially albums as opposed to songs) you quickly notice a drop-off. That's why match-ups consisting of two more famous albums get more votes. I admit that this game is somewhat time consuming as it takes up almost all my music listening in a week. But the mostly high quality of the selections make it worth it.
Nassim
Full of Fire
Posts: 2793
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:35 pm
Location: Lille (France)

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Nassim »

1. Big Black - Atomizer
2. Santigold - Santogold
User avatar
spiritualized
Full of Fire
Posts: 2848
Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:45 pm
Location: Near Montpellier, France

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by spiritualized »

1. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque (5.0) vs. Big Black - Atomizer (4.0)
2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry (4.0) vs. Santigold - Santogold (4.0)
3. Saint Etienne - So Tough (4.0) vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase (4.5)
4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality (2.5) vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes) (3.0)
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Brad »

My picks:
1. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque vs. Big Black - Atomizer
2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry vs. Santigold - Santogold
3. Saint Etienne - So Tough vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase
4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)

Thanks!
User avatar
Rob
Die Mensch Maschine
Posts: 7351
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Rob »

3 masterpieces this week. 2 of which are my selections. There are two other great albums as well, but the week is sadly closed off with three of the lesser albums I came across here.

4. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque vs. 3. Big Black - Atomizer
Like probably most people I fell in love with Bandwagonesque very easily. I heard Teenage Fanclub for the first time only this year, through their latest album, which appeared in the Moderately Acclaimed Albums of 2016 game and then I already noticed their easy charms. They do nothing to reinvent rock music, but at the very least they make you feel like they do for 45 minutes or so. Lot's of fun.
Still, the moments the first riffs of Atomizer set in I knew Bandwagonesque didn't stand a chance of winning this match-up for me anymore; not an easy feat considering it's quality. But there is something deep and dark in the music of Atomizer that goes beyond fun, skill and beauty. It's nasty, unsettling and a masterpiece. Maybe, not as consistent as Bandwagonesque, but tracks like Jordan, Mississippi, Kerosene, Fists of Love and Strange Things make every tune of Teenage Fanclub look small and insignificant (which they aren't).

5. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry vs. 2. Santigold - Santogold
Although I wasn't paying attention when You Are the Quarry was released I understand that is was received with great hype at the time, because it was Morrissey's first album in years. All the more awesome was that he felt to revitalized. Yes, it's a good album, even if it is Morrissey being Morrissey. Still, more of the same is not necessarily a bad thing if it is done as well as here.
But Santogold is something else. It is one of my nominations and for me a rare thing: a perfect pop album. Pure pop is rarely my favorite kind of music, but Santogold is from start to finish full of surprises. I love every song here. It has a quirky nature all of it's own and Santigold's voice is a bit weird in an irresistible way. I perhaps know no album that is such a perfect bundle of joy. Not even Santigold herself could come close to it afterwards.

1. Saint Etienne - So Tough vs. 6. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase
Even better than Santogold is So Tough. I learned to know the album through my review for the 6000 Songs project, where Avenue was part of. There I immediately fell in love with the album and it became a very, very rare album I feel the need to return to every few weeks. It's soothing, beautiful and keeps on surprising after so many listens. Besides, the flow is amazing. If I ever for some reason would teach how you structure an album that's not a concept or story album I would pick this one. The little samples of English movies add a touch of fun, too.
Pure Phase never stood a chance here. Even so, it was still a disappointment, because I liked the little of Spiritualized that I heard before. Sometimes, it lives up to that, but mostly I just find it lifeless and it feels twice as long as it is. I've voted for a lot of atmospheric music in this game this year and Pure Phase just can't compete with most of them.

8. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. 7. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)
I still prefer Pure Phase over these two, because Pure Phase has The Slide Song, while these two have... Nothing that particularly gets to me. In the case of Georges Brassens, I can't blame him. He simply works in a mode that's not for me. There is a type of French chanson, mostly the more upbeat and sunny type, that always puts me off for some reason. Brassens works in that mode. Maybe if I could understand the lyrics it might help, but generally speaking this is not the type of music I would ever put on myself. That's not Brassens' fault, so that's why he still gets the vote.
Rodriguez, you see, works in a style I generally love. What's more, I really liked Cold Fact a lot. After seeing Searching for Sugar Man I sought out both albums, but only listened to Coming from Reality once, though I couldn't remember why I thought it was a lesser effort. Now I know: this album is just plain cranky. I love cynical and biting lyrics, but brought the wrong way it can sound like the nagging of a particularly sour person. There is something about Coming from Reality that is plain unlikable, no matter how relaxed Rodriguez looks on the cover.
User avatar
PlasticRam
Into the Groove
Posts: 2202
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:51 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by PlasticRam »

4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)

You know it's interesting, cos some Jamaican mento or calypso music sounds similar to Brassons. But it must be that I don't understand the language why Brassens is not one of my favs.
I feel like that
Kingoftonga
Rust Never Sleeps
Posts: 759
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:50 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Kingoftonga »

Winners in red:

1. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque vs. Big Black - Atomizer

Both of these are very well acclaimed within their narrower genres, but perhaps not very well-known outside of them. It was an interesting pairing. Big Black can feel overly abrasive when I listen sometimes, but I listened on a day when it really caught my interest.

2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry vs. Santigold - Santogold

I was surprised how much I liked Santigold, who I had always thought of as a 2008-era flash-in-the-pan. The songs are really catchy!

3. Saint Etienne - So Tough vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase

My second favorite Saint Etienne album next to Tiger Bay, but it features three or four undeniable classics.

4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)

Rodriguez is not as mind-blowingly amazing as that documentary made it out to be, but enjoyable enough to give it the win. Solid 70s singer/songwriter fare.
jamieW
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1938
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:19 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by jamieW »

Big Black - Atomizer
Santigold - Santogold
Saint Etienne - So Tough (Great album - certainly among the most enjoyable I've ever heard.)
Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)

Favorite album I couldn't vote for: Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase
hectorthebat
Unquestionable Presence
Posts: 554
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:53 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by hectorthebat »

1. Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque vs. Big Black - Atomizer
2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry vs. Santigold - Santogold
3. Saint Etienne - So Tough vs. Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase
4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)
User avatar
luney6
Movin' On Up
Posts: 868
Joined: Sat May 31, 2014 8:50 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by luney6 »

Big Black - Atomizer
"God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
User avatar
Romain
Happy Up Here
Posts: 5433
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:25 pm
Location: Lyon, France

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Romain »

Match-ups:
1. Big Black - Atomizer
2. Morrissey - You Are the Quarry
3. Saint Etienne - So Tough
4. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Brad »

Nice lift in participation this week as we made it back up to 18 total voters:
Bang Jan
BleuPanda
bonnielaurel
Brad
DaveC
EmilienDelRey
hectorthebat
Honorio
jamieW
Jirin
Kingoftonga
luney6
Nassim
notbrianeno
PlasticRam
Rob
Romain
spiritualized

Winners:
1. Big Black - Atomizer over Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque 9-7
2. Santigold - Santogold over Morrissey - You Are the Quarry 8-7
3. Saint Etienne - So Tough over Spiritualized Electric Mainline - Pure Phase 10-3
4. Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes) ***TIE! 7-7 Next Vote Wins!!!***

We have a Tie!
Rodriguez - Coming from Reality vs. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes) ***TIE! 7-7 Next Vote Wins!!!***

Round 1.10 up soon!
User avatar
StevieFan13
Wuthering Heights
Posts: 6967
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:00 pm
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by StevieFan13 »

Rodriguez - Coming from Reality
Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand - Sir Duke (1976)
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Brad »

Thanks StevieVanZandtFan!
User avatar
StevieFan13
Wuthering Heights
Posts: 6967
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:00 pm
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by StevieFan13 »

Brad wrote:Thanks StevieVanZandtFan!
No prob Bradley Cooper!
Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand - Sir Duke (1976)
User avatar
Honorio
Higher Ground
Posts: 4482
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:38 am
Location: L'Eliana, Valencia, Spain

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Honorio »

Mmm, weekus horribilis… Three of my nominations butchered on the same week. But it's OK, to each his own.
User avatar
StevieFan13
Wuthering Heights
Posts: 6967
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:00 pm
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by StevieFan13 »

Honorio wrote:Mmm, weekus horribilis… Three of my nominations butchered on the same week. But it's OK, to each his own.
I'm just watching all of my remaining nominations in this week's poll with mounting terror. Why, oh why, did Ben Folds Five have to go up against Nancy and Hazel?
Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand - Sir Duke (1976)
User avatar
Rob
Die Mensch Maschine
Posts: 7351
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Rob »

Honorio wrote:Mmm, weekus horribilis… Three of my nominations butchered on the same week. But it's OK, to each his own.
I know Brassens was one of your selections and I'd guess You Are the Quarry is another one. Which is the third? Bandwagonesque?
Kingoftonga
Rust Never Sleeps
Posts: 759
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:50 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Kingoftonga »

Honorio wrote:Mmm, weekus horribilis… Three of my nominations butchered on the same week. But it's OK, to each his own.
All five of my nominations have already been eliminated, so I sympathize... :D
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Brad »

StevieFan13 wrote:
Brad wrote:Thanks StevieVanZandtFan!
No prob Bradley Cooper!
lol - I'll take that!
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Brad »

Honorio wrote:Mmm, weekus horribilis… Three of my nominations butchered on the same week. But it's OK, to each his own.
saw that H... tough week with some narrow losses. But at least participation picked up!
User avatar
Honorio
Higher Ground
Posts: 4482
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:38 am
Location: L'Eliana, Valencia, Spain

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Honorio »

Sorry for the late reply, a busy week.
Brad wrote:saw that H... tough week with some narrow losses. But at least participation picked up!
Yes, I shouldn't have encouraged participation, my nominations were doing quite well since then. Only joking, of course, I'm delighted to see the participation rising up…
Rob wrote:I know Brassens was one of your selections and I'd guess You Are the Quarry is another one. Which is the third? Bandwagonesque?
Exactly, Rob. And this is the problem. I'm scared to think that I'd need to listen again to "Atomizer" for the next round. Or even rounds. Really scary… Joking again. Or not?
User avatar
Rob
Die Mensch Maschine
Posts: 7351
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 8 - Round 1.9

Post by Rob »

Honorio wrote: Exactly, Rob. And this is the problem. I'm scared to think that I'd need to listen again to "Atomizer" for the next round. Or even rounds. Really scary… Joking again. Or not?
I was surprised that Atomizer made it to be honest, as I thought dark albums like that have a small audience, while Bandwagonesque falls more directly into the tastes of AM. It's not hard to see why someone might not like Atomizer. I doubt its going to get far (even if I personally wouldn't mind). To be fair, I like Bandwagonesque more than many albums in this game, so it was an unlucky draw.
Post Reply

Return to “Music, Music, Music...”