Cloud Factory Christmas

Music is like pizza.  If it's really good and it's different than the stuff you had yesterday you have no problem consuming it today.  And by you I mean me.

1 star pizza.  Not really worth your time or effort.  Only good for free.
2 stars pizza.  Sure you can feed the family but is a chain-za good enough?
3 stars pizza.  Now it's turning into a party.  Might even be worth an extra tip.
4 stars pizza.  This is the stuff that restaurants are made of!
5 stars pizza.  You will want to lock yourself in the house alone.  Way too good to share!

Kevin Hearn "Cloud Maintenance" 1.5 star pizza.  Warm, gooey, but kinda bland.
Kevin Hearn is better know as the keyboard/multi-instrumentalist member of the Barenaked Ladies.  Like the band he calls home this solo album shows some weak spots.  He is a good keyboard player.  I will give him that.  However the lyrics, vocals, and overall songwriting are all a little too weak to make this a good record.  He likes the Beach Boys and the Beatles.  That is obvious.  Unlike his heroes he just doesn't have the writing chops.  Highlight: "Always Changing" has a nice vibe.

Guided By Voices "Let's Go Eat the Factory" 3.5 stars pizza.  Solid.  Right on.
Guided By Voices lead singer/visionary Bob Pollard is beyond prolific.  Is it weird that he has reunited the "classic" lineup for this first GBV record since he "broke up the band" in 2004?  Yeah it's a little weird and maybe even unpredictable but really what's a musical genius to do after he has already done it all?  That's right!  Do it all again!  As for the record.  I wouldn't call it lo-fi like I've seen on other sites.  The production quality is high at times.  Clean and sparkly piano, beautiful cello, string arrangements, all join the jangly, fuzzy, and just plain rocking guitars.  The lyrics are scattered yet wise as ever.  Sometimes wise as in wisdom and sometimes just wiseguy.  "The Unsinkable Fats Domino" reminds the kid in everyone that you can rock if you want.  Just get a guitar and do it.  "Who Invented the Sun" is a psych-out tune that is cooler than your favorite psychedelia.  The "classic" lineup may release a "classic" record yet.  I just will have to give this one a few hundred listens until I decide if this is the one.  Highlights: The giddy little girl feeling of having this band back.  Oh and "We Won't Apologize For The Human Race" is pretty cool too.

The Beach Boys "Christmas Album" 3 stars pizza.  Fun.  Cool.  Old.
This is not the best Christmas album you will ever hear but man it sure is fun.  A lot of the classics are here.  "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town", "Frosty The Snowman", and even "White Christmas" are all done with the classic Brian Wilson signature.  Strings, lots of harmonies, and bouncy beats all make this a cool soundtrack to your Christmas celebrations.  End the record with "Auld Lang Syne" and you are ready for a sunny new year.  Highlights: "Little Saint Nick", "Santa's Beard", and the special Christmas message right from the boys at the end of the record.


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