The SkipFish Playlist (Song 7 Plus)

I guess I didn’t really realize that I had let all this time elapse between postings. I can honestly say that I wasn’t slacking. Things have been sort of steady all along, but time just got loose somehow. So with this in mind, I decided to sort of catch up by making this entry a bit of a “two for one” sort of offer. A bit to the playlist and a bit to the review side if you will. I know this site will branch out to more and more things as time goes along, but for now this formula seems to be working well. So here…we…go…

As I have brought up numerous times throughout this playlist experiment…I have surprised myself a bit. As I write this tonight, I am sitting with no less than 26,000 songs on the iPod, and additional 189 albums to add to that, plus an additional 3,000 tracks of varying degree on the hard drive. And out of that thus far I have played it pretty safe. I think it’s due in part to not wanting to alienate readers coupled with the fact that lately I haven’t REALLY had a fierce appetite for the bizarre. Just sayin’.

Usually once a year I find myself trying to cram in all the new stuff at once. There is always something out there to seek out, but at times the new stuff can be an avalanche. I should quantify that by saying that “new” does not always mean “2011 new”. Just the release date. Plenty of reissue goodies out there from years gone by to toss in as well. September this year seems to be the boiling over point for my collection.

For those of you who aren’t aware (and in case I should ever refer to this again, you might know what I am talking about) Tuesday is new release day in North America. New music hits the streets at open of business on Tuesday. That way everyone gets a fair shake at selling the new stuff. Exceptions (of course) to every rule, but as a broad general date…Tuesday is it. Stores attach something special to it these days to lure you to their place, but it all depends on what you are looking for.

September 2011 started off for me in the new music world with a new solo disc from Lindsey Buckingham. He is primarily known to the music world at large as the guitarist/songwriter/vocalist/producer of Fleetwood Mac. To many purists, he along with Stevie Nicks sort of killed that band. Turning a blues band into a pop hit mega superstar massive juggernaut success didn’t appeal to many diehards, but it is hard to deny the worldwide scale that Fleetwood Mac has achieved. I can’t honestly say I have ever been much more than a passing fan, but I have always admired Buckingham and his unique style. Even during the peak of their success he stepped aside to create the lavish TUSK. This was a wall to wall “production city” kind of project. I liked it.

As a solo artist Buckingham has had modest success with tracks like “Trouble”, “Go Insane”, and the goofy song from the Vacation movies “Holiday Road”. When you really sit down and listen to all of those, it can be easy to overlook the true talent and sound this guy makes. It’s catchy, but tinged with a bit of darkness. It’s straightforward, but laced with quirky tones underneath the seemingly calm surface. In many ways…it is like a song that punches you while you are not looking…in a good way.

Stars Are Crazy

I hate to use the word “atmospheric”, but it works. It is the best that I can come up with to describe his new disc SEEDS WE SOW. This album holds a special distinction for me. Usually albums are a slow burn with me. Out of the gate most things don’t grab me. I tend to find things and go back and let it sink in. That is why it is so hard to “review” anything. I always feel like as soon as I reach the end of it and put it down on paper, my thoughts about it are going to change. That didn’t happen here. I pretty much liked this disc from the get go.

All of the songs have a slow build and crest to a dramatic stretch before sliding or fading out. They sneak up behind you. On the surface…it is a breathy, mellow, smooth, and “atmospheric” effort. However, I found myself wanting to go back and listen to tracks again. I felt like I missed something. The tracks are sparse and uniquely Buckingham. The production has a compressed dense feel to it. There is little room left in the gaps between, yet it feels like he intentionally left enough room for the songs to breathe and grow.

The title track is a perfect example of this feel, but the song that I believe earns a solid spot on our playlist is “Stars Are Crazy”. Throughout the entire album (and for the past few years to a much greater degree) Buckingham displays his what I can only describe as a “toggle” effect on his strumming guitar pattern. The notes are constant and steady, yet they never feel like they are overpowering. As I am at best a befuddled guitarist myself, I struggle to describe the sound. It’s just something that you’ll know it when you hear it. If you ever got the chance to see him perform “Big Love” on the recent Fleetwood Mac tours (namely from THE DANCE) you will know exactly what I mean.

Buckingham also has this push in his voice that always sounds like it is on the verge of either crying or giving up without sounding like he is yelling or being vocally challenged. It’s almost like he pushes things to a natural stopping point by allowing the listener to take things to a slightly different place if such a thing is possible. Even the lyrics to this track are fraught with trying to recapture a love that is gone, but he knows it is the wrong thing to do. Hence the “crazy” part.

I really liked Buckingham’s last album GIFT OF SCREWS too. That album tended to be a bit louder and straight on. This album is not really aloof, but not quite at home either. There is clearly a vibe that runs through the album giving it a distinct and removed feeling to it all. It’s yet another one of those albums that by definition as to what I normally seek out…I shouldn’t dig this, but I do. It’s a great disc.

I begin to wonder if something is going on. I’ve come into contact with a lot more new stuff here lately that is really good. I seriously hope the trend continues. It’s great being surrounded by all the cool new things. The new Alice Cooper (the couple times thorough so far) is really fun. The acoustic Foreigner CD is a nice addition/twist to some great songs. Classy performance. I shall let you know about Staind and Dream Theater. The DT album may very well be my last with this band for a number of reasons. What I have heard thus far isn’t too promising. Oh well…The law of averages makes you think someone along the way is going to drop the ball, right?

However…if you are looking for something off the beaten path by a guy who helped build the path (at least with Fleetwood Mac anyway) I highly recommend SEEDS WE SOW. “Stars Are Crazy” is crazy good. My compliments to the gardener on the good seeds…

Seeds We Sow - Lindsey Buckingham