Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

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Brad
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Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Brad »

Welcome to the round 1.7 of Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018!

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 8th at 10am EST.

Here's a link to the bracket for the entire tournament:
http://www.bracketmaker.com/tlist.cfm?t ... 9%20(2018)

Match-ups:
1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics vs. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született
4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes


Give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld...
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Bang Jan
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Bang Jan »



5 | Midnight Oil | Diesel and Dust
7 | Kanye West | 808s and Heartbreaks

4 | Jean-Michel Jarre | Oxygène
3 | Joan Manuel Serrat | Mediterraneo

6 | Jon Hassell and Brian Eno | Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics
1 | Venetian Snares | Rossz csillag alatt született 

8 | Gogol Bordello | Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
2 | John Fahey | Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes and Breakdowns

Favourite song of the week: John Fahey | America
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StevieFan13
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by StevieFan13 »

Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust
Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand - Sir Duke (1976)
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Honorio
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Honorio »



7. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust (1987) vs. 3. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak (2008)
6. Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygène (1976) vs. 1. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterráneo (1971)
2. Jon Hassell/Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics (1980) vs. 5. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született (2005)
8. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike (2005) vs. 4. John Fahey - Death Chants, Break Downs & Military Waltzes (1963)

Favourite song from every album:
Beds Are Burning | Say You Will | Oxygène (Part IV) | Mediterráneo | Chemistry | Öngyilkos Vasárnap | Start Wearing Purple | America

Favourite song of the week: Mediterráneo
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by DaveC »

1. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
2. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
3. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született
4. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes

Favourite album I couldn't vote for: Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
jamieW
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by jamieW »

Great:
Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született

Very good:
Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène
Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes
Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike

Good:
Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics
Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by hectorthebat »

1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics vs. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született
4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Jirin »

Diesel & Dust 84 - 808s and Heartbreak 30
Oxygene 75 - Mediterraneo 75
Fourth World, Vol 1 85 - Rossz csillag alatt szuletett 84
Volumne 2: Death Chants, Military Waltzes 76 - Gypsy Punks 57
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spiritualized
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by spiritualized »

Impressive - only 1 out of 8 I have previously rated.
Got some work to do !



1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust (6/10) vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks (4/10)
The Australians have released a meh album with two great songs - Beds are Burning & The Dead Heart. They beat a sorry Kanye who attempts to do RnB with auto-tune. A horrible mixture.

2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo (TBA)

3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics vs. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született (TBA)

4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes (TBA)
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Listyguy
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Listyguy »

Hopefully I'll find time to listen to the last two albums, but for now here's my other three votes:

Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
I know a lot of people hate 808s, but I've always found it to be one of Kanye's best.

Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo

Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes
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PlasticRam
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by PlasticRam »

1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
I feel like that
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FrankLotion
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by FrankLotion »

Hey I'm new to this site but this seemed fun! Is it too late to get in on this?
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by jamieW »

FrankLotion wrote:Hey I'm new to this site but this seemed fun! Is it too late to get in on this?
Everybody's welcome, FrankLotion. Welcome to the forum!
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Romain
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Romain »

1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics
4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
Brad
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Brad »

My picks:
1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics vs. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született
4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes

Thanks!
Brad
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Brad »

FrankLotion wrote:Hey I'm new to this site but this seemed fun! Is it too late to get in on this?
Of course not! Jump in anytime... and welcome to the forum!
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Sweepstakes Ron
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Sweepstakes Ron »

1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics vs. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született
4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes
Splish splash, I was raking in the cash
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FrankLotion
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by FrankLotion »

My Picks:

1. Midnight Oil - Diesel & Dust
2. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneano
3. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt születet
4. John Fahry - Death Chants, Breakdowns, and Military Waltzes
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Rob
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Rob »

8. Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak
I really don’t get this type of music. It is been said that after the initial mixed reception the album has become recognized as perhaps the most influential release of the 2000’s. And you know what, I guess this is true. Autotuned soul that is also vaguely hip-hop has been a dominant factor in mainstream music in recent years. It is also a clear marking point for me to stop listening to mainstream music almost altogether. Because what is this supposed to achieve?
What I’m getting at is that Kanye West is a poor singer. Few would dispute that. But 808s & Heartbreak is supposed to fix this problem. I’ve been told by a friend who claims this is his favourite album and that Kanye’s revolutionary use of autotune made him able to sing like a soul singer. I don’t hear it. I hear a guy with a bad voice struggling to keep up with the music, while being accompanied by the unholy love child of a 90’s computer and a mosquito that buzzes along. This robosquito doesn’t sound like part of the voice of West, but as a separate element that through the power of sheer annoyance tries to distract you of the incompetence of the singer. It’s an excruciating listen most of the time and the only few artists that got away with it already had a great voice and work in spite of mosquitotune, not because of it. At least that is how I experience this trend in music.
So, what we have here is Kanye singing (that’s when he is at his worst) lamenting himself (his second worst state). Only the production makes some songs work, but mostly this strikes me as ridiculous nonsense. I notice here that it is still a divisive album and I’m clear on which side I am.
Also, Pinocchio Story might me the most pathetic bit of self-lamentation I have ever heard.

7. Joan Manuel Serrat – Mediterraneo
Only one place above 808s & Heartbreaks but really a lot better. I didn’t like this album much initially. It sounded a bit overwrought, with it’s heavy emotional sound. It helped to look up translations of the lyrics. Serrat was clearly a good poet. There is something of a mix between Leonard Cohen and Jacques Brel. I’m still not completely sold on the music, but perhaps it might grow on me. This round though, it is outclassed.

6. Midnight Oil – Diesel & Dust
I love Beds Are Burning, but somehow that made me search out the other music by Midnight Oil. I was a bit disappointed by this album (their most mainstream sounding, I’m told). It’s decent all around, but only it’s hit opening track sets me on fire. Luckily for Midnight Oil, it faces the Autotune Album.

5. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno – Fourth World Vol. 1: Possible Musics
I really liked this album both times while I listened to it, but I have an extremely hard time recalling it, even for a ambient album, which is rarely built around catchy tunes. Some Brian Eno works have moved me more, also among his ambients, but this is very solid.

4. Gogol Bordello – Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strikes
The highest ranked album this week with lyrics. This is a good round for instrumental albums.
I hadn’t heard Gogol Bordello before, but last year some concert posters for them caught my eye. It seemed like it was going to be a rough ‘n rowdy party. That is exactly what this sounds like. It is a pretty one note album for one that goes on for more than 60 minutes, but at least these guys know how to keep a party going. This is good-spirited nastiness with a true punk mentality. In short, it is very likeable.

3. Venetian Snares – Rossz csillag alatt született
The first three are almost a tie. This is a very consistent album. It sounds enormously dramatic, but in an artful way. I love it’s overwhelming emotional power. It would make a good soundtrack for an epic movie.

2. John Fahey – Volume II: Death Chants , Military Waltzes
This album sounds both familiar and unusual. It seems based on country music, the blues and others forms of Americana, but it isn’t any of these things really. It has an improvised feeling, but I don’t think it qualifies as jazz. It’s long compositions could be classical music, but this is just one guy on an acoustic guitar. Maybe later I have time to find out what American Primitivism really is (I only know primitivism in painting), but for now let me just bathe in these sounds. At first it seemed a little repetitive, but on a second listen this was already diminished. It is a more dynamic, changing take on the American landscape and it is beautiful.

1. Jean-Michel Jarre – Oxygène
Let me again use the word “beautiful”, because that is what this is to me. It should have aged badly, but this is early electronic music done exactly right. Even if I can guess its age, this still feels somewhat like the future. It works both as easy listening and as something enchanting and mysterious. It’s rare background music that sticks in the mind and transports.

A simple overview of my votes:
1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics vs. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született
4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes
Brad
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Brad »

About 14 hours left to vote!
Kingoftonga
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Kingoftonga »

Winners in red:

1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust vs. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène vs. Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics vs. Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született
4. Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike vs. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes
Brad
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Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 2018 - Round 1.7

Post by Brad »

16 voters this week:
Bang Jan
Brad
DaveC
FrankLotion
hectorthebat
Honorio
jamieW
Jirin
Kingoftonga
Listyguy
PlasticRam
Rob
Romain
spiritualized
StevieFan13
Sweepstakes Ron

Winners:
1. Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust over Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks 9-7
2. Jean-Michel jarre - Oxygène over Joan Manuel Serrat - Mediterraneo 7-6
3. Jon Hassell and Brian Eno - Fourth World, Vol. 1: Possible Musics over Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született 7-5
4. John Fahey - Volume II: Death Chants, Military Waltzes over Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike 10-4

Round 1.8 up next!
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