Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

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

Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Brad »

Welcome to Round 1.11 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.

Good-spirited comments are encouraged, but not absolutely necessary.
Deadline = May 18th at 10am EST.

Here's a link to the bracket for the entire tournament:
http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=474290

Match-ups:
1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour vs. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 vs. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon vs. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad
4. Split Enz - Dizrythmia vs. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light


"Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns"
User avatar
Schüttelbirne
Into the Groove
Posts: 2379
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2019 9:50 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Schüttelbirne »

Astor Piazzolla | Tango: Zero Hour (1986)

I am not nearly knowledgeable enough about the genre to understand what Piazzolla did to change it, or to even describe what Tango actually is, but I can say that I like this. It sounds very close to classical music of the chamber music type. I want to single out Fernando Suárez Paz whose violin is a very important part of the album, which I enjoyed a lot. I just can‘t think of anything more to write, sadly…
Highlights: „Concierto Para Quinteto“, „Michelangelo ‚70“, „Contrabajissimo“


Chicago Transit Authority | Chicago Transit Authority (1969)

Chicago is one of those bands that used to be major and is still around, but I have no idea if anybody cares for them thirty albums in, especially since they seem to have left their origins behind and went into the Soft Rock direction. This here however is pretty straightforward rock music consisting of rather easy songs, but featuring extensive soloing (the one reason why people call this Jazz-Rock, the other being the inclusion of brass instruments; I‘m not sure I agree). There are songs where this formula works quite well (see the highlights below) and most of them focus on guitar solos. „Free Form Guitar“ is very interesting, but doesn‘t really achieve what it sets out to do. „Liberation“ is a bit too long and „Someday“ mixes up its layers too much.
Highlights: „Beginnings“, „Poem 58“, „I‘m a Man“


Richard Dawson | 2020 (2019)

Dawson is probably my favorite singer-songwriter active today. He‘s active in a variety of genres ranging from his roots in contemporary Folk music over the rock of this album to the candy-colored pop of Hen Ogledd to the Drone albums he released last year (one for each day of the first lockdown).
The approach he used on 2017‘s Peasant to describe medieval society by focusing on individuals is used again on 2020, only for the present (or what he thought would be the present :P ). Dawson is an immensely talented storyteller; he certainly makes me care more about a kid disappointing his father‘s ambition playing football than I ever thought I could care about something concerning that sport while also making „Jogging“ one of the most relatable songs ever.
His voice is very expressive conveying a lot of feelings in each song while jumping into falsetto at every turn. The instrumentals and vocal style fit the lyrics very well; while the anthemic „Civil Servant“ has a harder rock sound (note that harder does not imply hard rock), „Fresher‘s Ball“ about a father dropping his daughter off at college has a quieter, more melancholic mood.
The weak link here is probably „Heart Emoji“ which doesn‘t really convince me, but with the wealth of other great material here it doesn‘t hurt. My favorite is „Civil Servant“ which will end up pretty high on my all-time list (which will hopefully be finished one day).
Highlights: „Civil Servant“, „The Queen‘s Head“, „Jogging“, „Fulfilment Centre“, „Dead Dog in an Alleyway“


Lady Gaga | Born This Way (2011)

On Biggest Fan I said that The Fame was the first album I‘ve ever listened to, but to this day I don‘t know why I liked it. The closest I can get is that most of the people I knew at the time liked it, and people in general liked it a lot. Well, I certainly didn‘t think about the value of the music when I was ten. There are a few good pop songs on that album, „Just Dance“, „Poker Face“ and „Brown Eyes“, to a lesser degree „Paparazzi“ but most of it is a really generic Electropop slog. The Fame Monster is way better, with its short running time being an advantage. Every song there has a distinct identity and I may not like all of them („Telephone“ and „Speechless“ are probably the weak links), I can respect that album.
But when Born This Way came out, I was already over her as an artist. I do know the big singles because at that point I still had an interest in mainstream music, but I didn‘t care to seek out the album. I‘ve listened to it years later when I listened to all the nominees for the AOY Grammy ever and I didn‘t really like it. I didn‘t change my opinion this time.
It features a few to great songs, with „The Edge of Glory“ being the best song I‘ve heard from her (I have to say the only post-Born... album I checked out was Chromatica which I disliked strongly. A Star Is Born‘s music is so lacking of personality and shallow that I can‘t understand how people can like it and the movie in general is not much better). Most of the album, though, is just incredibly unexciting Electropop which does have ideas, but those ideas are not very interesting. „I don‘t speak German, but I can speak something that supposedly sounds like German and doesn‘t really mean anything and this totally symbolizes how nobody in society is listening to women“ is one of the weaker concepts of these songs. To be honest, I think her transformation from a provocateur into a person who acts like she has something interesting to say has failed.
Highlights: „Marry the Night“, „Judas“, „The Edge of Glory“


The Marcels | Blue Moon (1961)

I‘m not generally opposed to the Doo-Wop style, but this doesn‘t seem like a good example of the genre. The most famous track here is „Blue Moon“, and rightly so, but not because it is a great song (it‘s decent, but not more), but rather because the rest is below average.
Highlight: „Blue Moon“


Strapping Young Lad | Strapping Young Lad (2003)

We have quite a lot of metal albums this year, haven‘t we? I‘m certainly not mad about it, because it‘s one of those genres I‘ve grown interested in but haven‘t had much time to dive in deeper. This is rather brutal, riff-heavy metal that moves along rather fast. Not all of the songs work, some of them are not really interesting to me, but I want to acknowledge „Force Fed“ and „Bring On the Young“ which work very well by bringing in different elements and building tension nicely throughout the song.
Highlights: „Relentless“, „Force Fed“, „Bring On the Young“


Split Enz | Dizrythmia (1977)

Having to write „rythm“ without an H after the R hurts my eyes immensely. The music is just not very interesting. It‘s not nearly as weird as the cover would suggest, but rather safe, even if it does sound circus-like in the first few tracks.
Highlight: „Without a Doubt“


Woods | City Sun Eater in the River of Light (2016)

A very solid indie rock album with airy vocals and nice guitar melodies. There‘s not much here that‘s particularly special, but it is well made.
Highlights: „Creature Comfort“, „I See in the Dark“, „The Other Side“


2 | Astor Piazzolla | Tango: Zero Hour vs. 4 | Chicago | Chicago Transit Authority
1 | Richard Dawson | 2020 vs. 6 | Lady Gaga | Born This Way
8 | The Marcels | Blue Moon vs. 3 | Strapping Young Lad | SYL
7 | Split Enz | Dizrythmia vs. 5 | Woods | City Sun Eater in the River of Light
User avatar
Listyguy
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3012
Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 8:34 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Listyguy »

1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour vs. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 vs. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon vs. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad
4. Split Enz - Dizrythmia vs. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light
DaveC
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3483
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:04 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by DaveC »

1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour vs. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 vs. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon vs. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad
4. Split Enz - Dizrythmia vs. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light
Rdwdbob
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1604
Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:06 am
Location: Healdsburg, CA
Contact:

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Rdwdbob »

1. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon
4. Woods - City Sun Eater In The River Of Light
User avatar
mileswide
Full of Fire
Posts: 2526
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by mileswide »

It doesn't maintain consistency throughout but I'm smitten with that hard rock with soulful trumpets sound on Chicago's debut:

5. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour v. 1. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
7. Richard Dawson - 2020 v. 4. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
8. The Marcels - Blue Moon v 2. Strapping Young Lad - SYL
3. Split Enz - Dizrythmia v. 6. Woods - City Sun Eater by the River of Light

Standouts: Concierto para quinteto | Beginnings | The Queen's Head | Yoü and I | Most of All | Consequence | Charlie | Hollow Home
All I got inside is vacancy!
hectorthebat
Unquestionable Presence
Posts: 554
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2012 8:53 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by hectorthebat »

1. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon
4. Woods - City Sun Eater In The River Of Light
User avatar
Romain
Happy Up Here
Posts: 5433
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:25 pm
Location: Lyon, France

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Romain »

Match-ups:
1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour
2. PAss
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon v
4. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light
Jirin
Running Up That Hill
Posts: 3350
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 4:12 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Jirin »

Tango: Zero Hour 85 - Chicago Transit Authority 83
Born This Way 74 - 2020 40
SYL 82 - Blue Moon 74
Dizrythmia 79 - City Sun Hour In The River Of Light 76
User avatar
Madzong
Shake Some Action
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:36 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Madzong »

3. Split Enz - Dizrythmia
Last edited by Madzong on Sat May 15, 2021 7:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
"On a mountain range, I'm Dr. Strange"
User avatar
Honorio
Higher Ground
Posts: 4482
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:38 am
Location: L'Eliana, Valencia, Spain

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Honorio »



Some albums this week made me think "why oh why am I listening to this?" but there were also some jewels. The choice for album of the week was easy, "Tango: Zero Hour" is for me the best instrumental tango album ever (well, maybe tied with 1974's "Libertango," also by Piazzolla), a tight interaction between tango, modern classical and jazz. Other highlights of the week were the delicious do-wop of the Marcels, the inventive indie-rock of Woods and the good old classic rock (jazz-rock? nah) of Chicago.

1. Astor Piazzolla and the New Tango Quintet - Tango: Zero Hour (1986) vs. 4. Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
6. Richard Dawson - 2020 (2019) vs. 8. Lady Gaga - Born This Way (2011)
2. The Marcels - Blue Moon (1961) vs. 7. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad (2003)
5. Split Enz – Dizrythmia (1977) vs. 3. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light (2016)

Favourite song from every album:
Milonga del ángel | Beginnings | Jogging | Scheiße | Blue Moon | Aftermath | Charlie | Sun City Creeps
User avatar
Madzong
Shake Some Action
Posts: 1476
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:36 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Madzong »

1. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
"On a mountain range, I'm Dr. Strange"
User avatar
bonnielaurel
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1662
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2013 2:48 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by bonnielaurel »

Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour
Lady Gaga - Born This Way
The Marcels - Blue Moon
Split Enz - Dizrythmia
De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum.
User avatar
Bang Jan
Full of Fire
Posts: 2668
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:15 pm
Location: Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Bang Jan »

1 | Astor Piazzolla | Tango: Zero Hour
3 | Chicago | Chicago Transit Authority

2 | Richard Dawson | 2020
5 | Lady Gaga | Born This Way

8 | The Marcels | Blue Moon
7 | Strapping Young Lad | Strapping Young Lad

4 | Split Enz | Dizrythmia
6 | Woods | City Sun Eater in the River of Light

Favourite song of the week: Astor Piazzolla | Concierto para quinteto
"The first word in this song is discorporate. It means to leave your body."
User avatar
Safetycat
Feeling Good
Posts: 1065
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:18 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Safetycat »

Week 11:
2. Tango: Zero Hour > 5. Chicago Transit Authority
6. 2020 < 4. Born This Way
7. Blue Moon > 8. Strapping Young Lad
1. Dizrythmia > 3. City Sun Eater in the River of Light
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Brad »

My picks:
1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour vs. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 vs. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon vs. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad
4. Split Enz - Dizrythmia vs. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light

Just over 22 hours left to vote!

Thanks!
User avatar
spiritualized
Full of Fire
Posts: 2848
Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:45 pm
Location: Near Montpellier, France

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by spiritualized »

1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour vs. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 vs. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon vs. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad
4. Split Enz - Dizrythmia vs. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light
jamieW
Keep On Movin'
Posts: 1938
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:19 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by jamieW »

Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour 7 vs. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority 6
Richard Dawson - 2020 6 vs. Lady Gaga - Born This Way 4
The Marcels - Blue Moon 5 vs. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad 5
Split Enz - Dizrythmia 5 vs. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light 6
LunarPiper
Different Class
Posts: 410
Joined: Wed May 06, 2020 12:28 am

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by LunarPiper »

1. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon
4. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light
User avatar
Rob
Die Mensch Maschine
Posts: 7351
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:53 pm
Location: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Rob »

1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour vs. 3. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 vs. 7. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
8. The Marcels - Blue Moon vs. 6. Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad
4. Split Enz - Dizrythmia vs. 5. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light

Tango: Zero Hour might become my favorite discovery of Moderately Acclaimed 2021. It shouldn't have been. Considering I already liked Libertango a lot when it appeared in a previous edition of this game, I should have already listened to Tango: Zero Hour, yet I didn't. Still, this one really ups the ante. Beautiful music. I wouldn't mind it winning the whole thing really.
Kingoftonga
Rust Never Sleeps
Posts: 759
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:50 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Kingoftonga »

Winners in red:

1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour vs. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 vs. Lady Gaga - Born This Way
Brad
Higher Ground
Posts: 4719
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:38 pm

Re: Moderately Acclaimed Albums 12 - Round 1.11

Post by Brad »

19 total voters this week:
Bang Jan
bonnielaurel
Brad
DaveC
hectorthebat
Honorio
jaimeW
Jirin
Kingoftonga
Listyguy
LunarPiper
Madzong
mileswide
Rdwdbob
Rob
Romain
Safetycat
Schüttelbirne
spiritualized

Winners:
1. Astor Piazzolla - Tango: Zero Hour over Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority 12-7
2. Richard Dawson - 2020 over Lady Gaga - Born This Way 10-7
3. The Marcels - Blue Moon over Strapping Young Lad - Strapping Young Lad 10-7
4. Woods - City Sun Eater in the River of Light over Split Enz - Dizrythmia 10-8

Round 1.12 up soon!
Post Reply

Return to “Music, Music, Music...”