Music Ho Time

Okay, 'nuff with rude people.

Some of the latest stuff to expand the Music Ho's musical horizon:

Janis Joplin - "Pearl" (Legacy Edition)



A classic. Joplin was one of those singers that was possessed by the music. She didn't just sing. She owned the song. The closest I've ever come to seeing that in real life was watching Melissa Etheridge on the 2005 Grammy's covering a... Janis Joplin tune! The second disc is full of tracks from her performances on the Festival Express which choogled through Canada in the early 70s.

Santana - "III" (Legacy Edition)



Another classic. The final album in a triad of classic latin-funk-rock gems from Santana (the other two being "Santana" and "Abraxas"). Again, the latin rhythm rock fusion is near-flawless. Santana's playing is incredible. I wish Santana would attempt to go back to an album like this instead of continuing with his Santana plus Special Guests style albums which have become his norm. He really needs to form a new band of trusted musicians really tear up some of the classic sound he's known for.

Arctic Monkeys - "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not"



The single most hyped band going at the moment. Not really deserving of the almost rabid praise they've been getting, but the album's pretty darned good. Best comparison for U.S. ears is that they sound a lot like Franz Ferdinand, but must punkier. Whereas Franz F. veers more towards a disco-esque sound, the A. Monkeys go all angular and jagged, but still manage to still pull off some cool grooves and rhythms.

Boy Least Likely To - "The Best Party Ever"



Fun. Period. Very innocent, almost childlike songs full of bouncy rhythms, xylophones, etc. The opening track is a joy. Only available as an import from the U.K. but worth seeking out. Between them and The Go Team, there's some awfully fun music coming out of the U.K. the past year.

Donald Fagen - "Morph The Cat"



More incredible jazz-rock-funk from 1/2 of Steely Dan. Much more upbeat and jazzy/playful than his first two solo discs. Sounds a lot more like a logical continuation of Steely Dan's two most recent albums. If you liked those, you'll like this one. I liked those (I personally think "Everything Must Go" is one of Steely Dan's best albums), and I like this one.