Moderately Acclaimed Albums 5 - Round 2.6

[Brad]

Welcome to another round of Moderately Acclaimed Albums!

Vote for your favorite album in each match-up.
Remember, anyone can vote as long as the voter has heard both albums!
Comments are encouraged but not absolutely necessary.
Deadline = August 11th at 10am EST.

Match-ups:
1. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual vs. Genesis - Foxtrot
2. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak vs. Champion Jack Dupree - Blues From The Gutter
3. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP) vs. Andrés Calamaro - Alta Suciedad
4. Compay Segundo – Yo Vengo Aqui vs. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar

This Ain't No Picnic!

[Honorio]

1. Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual vs. Genesis - Foxtrot
Not sure if quintessential, but both albums are very representative of (the first half of) their decades. "She's So Unusual" perfectly encapsules the early 80s sound, this glossy, hedonistic and synth-based sound. "Foxtrot" instead is a perfect showcase of the intricate song structures, complex instrumentations and bizarre lyrical imagery characteristic of the early 70s prog-rock, being in my opinion one of the best albums of the genre. I'll go with the 70s this time.

2. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak vs. Champion Jack Dupree - Blues from the Gutter
From the gutter to the mansion. This match-up illustrates vividly the long (and successful) path African-American music travelled during the last decades. West made his own impeccably-produced break-up album (in the "Blood on the Tracks" or "Here My Dear" tradition) brilliantly but in my opinion it pales beside the authenticity of Dupree raw blues material, you can almost smell the smoke and the cheap alcohol. Come on, Jack, take me for a walk in the gutter.

3. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero vs. Andrés Calamaro - Alta Suciedad
Innovation. Risk. If I should base my vote on these concepts I would have chosen Pere Ubu and the first post-punk record (even before the punk!) but if I base it in enjoyement (which one I would listen more often) Calamaro is the choice. It's not my favourite Calamaro album (but surely is his', I went to see him playing live two weeks ago and he played 7 of these 14 songs, great show by the way), but it's a very good album anyway, Latin-Rock at its best.

4. Compay Segundo - Yo vengo aquí vs. Anouar Brahem - Le voyage de Sahar
Two important names of World Music, long-time favourites of (respectively) nicolas and Henrik. Two fascinating albums cradled by the delicious sounds of the Cuban Tres and the Arabic Oud. Two artists in different biographical moments: Anouar on the top of a slowly ascending career and Compay just before being discovered worldwide as part of the Buena Vista Social Club, allowing him a second youth. Difficult. Brahem but I wouldn't mind seeing Compay winning.

[Henry]

1. Genesis - Foxtrot is preferred over Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual
My two favorite albums this week are competing against each other. At least one will get through

This is a very tough call for me and my pick has changed in the past month or so.

I highly recommend the play "Kinky Boots" which I saw last October and for which Ms. Lauper composed the songs.

[Brad]

Also should mention there is a Tie-breaker from round 2.5:
Chuck Berry - After School Session vs. Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl ***TIE! 7-7 NEXT VOTE WINS!!!***

[DocBrown]

1. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual vs.Genesis - Foxtrot
2.Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreakvs. Champion Jack Dupree - Blues From The Gutter
3. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP) vs. Andrés Calamaro - Alta Suciedad
4.Compay Segundo – Yo Vengo Aqui vs. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar

[Stephan]

1. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual
2. Champion Jack Dupree - Blues From the Gutter
3. Compay Segundo – Yo Vengo Aqui
4. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar
5. Genesis - Foxtrot
6. Andrés Calamaro - Alta Suciedad
7. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak
8. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP)

[antonius]

2. Champion Jack Dupree

[DaveC]

1. Genesis - Foxtrot
2. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak
3. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP)
4. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar

That last one was real close.

[Jirin]

Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar 86
Andrés Calamaro - Alta Suciedad 85
Compay Segundo – Yo Vengo Aqui 84
Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP) 83
Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual 76
Champion Jack Dupree - Blues From The Gutter 73
Genesis - Foxtrot 70
Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak 40

[jamieW]

Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual
Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak
(I'm passing this week on the third matchup: these two are a virtual tie for me and I wouldn't want to be the deciding vote.)
Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar

Favorite album I didn't vote for: Champion Jack Dupree - Blues From The Gutter
Favorite song from any album: Anouar Brahem - Vague/E la nave va

[Michel]

1. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual
3. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP)
4. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar

[Brad]

My picks:
1. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual vs. Genesis - Foxtrot
2. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak vs. Champion Jack Dupree - Blues From The Gutter
3. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP) vs. Andrés Calamaro - Alta Suciedad
4. Compay Segundo – Yo Vengo Aqui vs. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar

Thanks!

[Brad]

Don't forget the Tie-breaker from round 2.5:
Chuck Berry - After School Session vs. Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl ***TIE! 7-7 NEXT VOTE WINS!!!***

[Bruce]

Don't forget the Tie-breaker from round 2.5:
Chuck Berry - After School Session vs. Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl ***TIE! 7-7 NEXT VOTE WINS!!!***

Chuck Berry

[Brad]

Thanks Bruce... Chuck takes it 8-7 in overtime!

[Kingoftonga]

1. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual
2. Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak

[Brad]

About 20 hours left to vote!

[Henrik]

1. Genesis - Foxtrot
4. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar

[Brad]

12 total voters this week:
Brad
DaveC
DocBrown
Henrik
Henry
Honorio
jaimeW
Jirin
KingofTonga
Michel
Stephan
antonius

Winners:
1. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual over Genesis - Foxtrot 6-5
2. Champion Jack Dupree - Blues From The Gutter over Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreak 6-3
3. Pere Ubu - Datapanik in the Year Zero (EP) over Andrés Calamaro - Alta Suciedad 4-3
4. Anouar Brahem - Le Voyage de Sahar over Compay Segundo – Yo Vengo Aqui 7-2

Round 2.7 up soon!