Strange New Places: Some Time off
5/3/25
Just a heads up that we’re taking a little time off from the Strange New Places project where we listen to a new classic album every weekday. A couple of the main participants will be traveling extensively throughout much of May and June. I thought it would also be a good opportunity for those that are feeling a little behind on their listening to catch up. Below is a review submission form and the complete list of albums we’ve listened to so far, in order from least reviewed to most reviewed.
Good Old Boys
Randy Newman
Released: 1974
Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Satire, Piano Rock, New Orleans R&B, Baroque Pop, Satire, Traditional Pop
Tags: satirical, concept album, conscious, political, sarcastic, male vocalist, history, love, melodic, self-hatred, hateful, bittersweet, humorous, poetic, longing, alcohol
3+3
The Isley Brothers
Released: 1973
Genres: Funk, Psychedelic Soul, Progressive Soul, Funk Rock, Smooth Soul, Pop Soul
Tags: male vocalist, melodic, nocturnal, rhythmic, happy, uplifting, ballad, sensual, psychedelic, technical, warm, summer, mellow
Remain in Light
Talking Heads
Released: 1980
Genres: New Wave, Post-Punk, Funk Afrobeat, Experimental Rock, Dance-Punk, Mutant Disco
Tags: rhythmic, anxious, energetic, male vocalist, playful, abstract, cryptic, repetitive, quirky, philosophical, existential, manic, complex, hypnotic, dense, political, tribal, urban, sarcastic, eclectic, surreal, progressive, avant-garde, technical, introspective, passionate, polyrhythmic, bouncy, angular, futuristic, stream of consciousness, alienation
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Released: 2016
Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Chamber Folk, Contemporary Folk, Spoken Word, Poetry
Tags: death, male vocalist, sombre, poetic, dark, introspective, existential, love, calm, breakup, nocturnal, religious, funereal, lonely, spiritual, minimalistic, mysterious, Judaic
Elephant
The White Stripes
Released: 2003
Genres: Garage Rock Revival, Alternative Rock, Blues Rock, Punk Blues
Tags: energetic, raw, male vocalist, playful, minimalistic, rebellious, love, melodic, female vocalist, romantic, passionate, anthemic, noisy, aggressive, introspective
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd
Released: 1962
Genres: Samba-Jazz, Bossa Nova, Cool Jazz
Tags: summer, warm, tropical, mellow, instrumental, rhythmic, soothing, playful, uplifting, melodic, improvisation, calm, peaceful, atmospheric, soft
Weezer [Blue Album]
Weezer
Released: 1994
Genres: Power Pop, Alternative Rock, Geek Rock, Pop Punk, Emo
Tags: melodic, energetic, male vocalist, bittersweet, summer, playful, anthemic, introspective, lonely, passionate, alienation, longing, anxious, breakup, quirky, melancholic, love, uplifting, heavy, sentimental
Rubber Soul
The Beatles
Released: 1965
Genres: Pop Rock, Folk Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Folk Pop, British Rhythm & Blues
Tags: melodic, love, male vocalist, bittersweet, autumn, mellow, romantic, melancholic, eclectic, sentimental, introspective, longing, happy, warm, cannabis
Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space
Spiritualized
Released: 1997
Genres: Space Rock Revival, Art Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Dream Pop, Symphonic Rock, Shoegaze, Noise Pop, Blues Rock
Tags: drugs, lonely, melancholic, psychedelic, space, romantic, dense, atmospheric, male vocalist, eclectic, breakup, introspective, bittersweet, Wall of Sound, lush, love, sad, existential, hypnotic, longing, sentimental, alienation, epic, spiritual, melodic, ethereal, warm, depressive, soothing, poetic, mellow, surreal, bright, progressive
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Released: 1978
Genres: Roots Rock, Blues Rock, Funk Rock
Tags: rhythmic, male vocalist, mellow, warm, calm, playful, atmospheric, bittersweet, poetic, urban, soft, melodic, technical, lush, introspective
The Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden
Released: 1982
Genres: Heavy Metal, Occult Rock
Scene: New Wave of British Heavy Metal
Tags: energetic, male vocalist, anthemic, melodic, heavy, passionate, epic, history, war, violence, death, rebellious, technical, rhythmic, triumphant, infernal, nocturnal, dark, apocalyptic, uplifting
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz, João Gilberto
Released: 1964
Genres: Bossa Nova, Samba-Jazz, Cool Jazz, Samba-Canção
Tags: mellow, tropical, warm, soft, summer, romantic, peaceful, calm, soothing, male vocalist, acoustic, love, female vocalist, lush, bittersweet, longing, sentimental, sensual, happy, uplifting
Languages: Portuguese, English
The Who Sell Out
The Who
Released: 1967
Genres: Freakbeat, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Jingles, Satire
Scene: Mod
Tags: concept album, satirical, humorous, playful, jingle, male vocalist, psychedelic, quirky, melodic, energetic, surreal, eclectic, sarcastic, progressive, conscious, love
Goodbye and Hello
Tim Buckley
Released: 1967
Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Chamber Folk, Baroque Pop
Tags: psychedelic, poetic, melancholic, male vocalist, passionate, melodic, cryptic, warm, romantic, spring, love, mellow, bittersweet, mysterious, political, autumn, bright, rhythmic
MTV Unplugged in New York
Nirvana
Released: 1994
Genres: Acoustic Rock, Alternative Rock, Grunge, Folk Rock
Tags: acoustic, male vocalist, melancholic, melodic, passionate, introspective, sombre, lonely, pessimistic, alienation, depressive, raw, bittersweet, anxious, lethargic, longing, mellow, death, apathetic, nocturnal
Animals
Pink Floyd
Released: 1977
Genres: Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock
Tags: political, philosophical, concept album, pessimistic, sarcastic, progressive, satirical, male vocalist, animals, alienation, angry, atmospheric, complex, passionate, misanthropic, protest, rebellious, conscious, urban, epic, existential, dark, psychedelic, anxious, dystopian
A Date With The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
Released: 1960
Genres: Close Harmony, Teen Pop, Pop, Rock & Roll, Brill Building
Tags: male vocalist, love, melodic, vocal group, romantic, playful, bittersweet
A Wizard / A True Star
Todd Rundgren
Released: 1973
Genres: Art Pop, Experimental Rock, Progressive Pop, Art Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Glam Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul, Psychedelic Pop, Progressive Pop, Psychedelic Rock, Electronic, Zolo, Progressive Rock, Space Age Pop, Progressive Soul
Tags: manic, eclectic, psychedelic, surreal, playful, dense, male vocalist, futuristic, progressive, love, quirky, satirical, melodic, chaotic, suite, complex, avant-garde, anxious, lush, ethereal, Wall of Sound, uplifting, optimistic, energetic, warm, introspective, technical, happy, theatrical
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
Released: 1987
Genres: Synthpop, Darkwave, Electro-Industrial, Neoclassical Darkwave
Tags: male vocalist, atmospheric, dark, cold, passionate, melodic, rhythmic, sensual, romantic, nocturnal, sombre, melancholic, sexual, bittersweet, longing, mechanical, introspective
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
Released: 1988
Genres: Political Hip Hop, Hardcore Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Turntablism, Experimental Hip Hop
Scene: East Coast Hip Hop
Tags: political, angry, protest, sampling, raw, male vocalist, urban, conscious, dense, energetic, rebellious, noisy, rhythmic, violence, playful, boastful, passionate, anxious, aggressive, progressive, anthemic, socialism, dystopian, hypnotic
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
Released: 2000
Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Indie Pop, Chamber Pop, Indie Rock, Indie Folk
Tags: melancholic, melodic, bittersweet, male vocalist, lush, introspective, poetic, love, breakup, alienation, lonely, pessimistic, warm, eclectic, longing, self-hatred, sentimental, depressive, sad, urban, abstract, psychedelic, serious
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Released: 1957
Genres: Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues, New Orelans R&B
Tags: energetic, playful, passionate, party, male vocalist, happy, uplifting, raw, rhythmic, melodic, rebellious, sexual, hedonistic, love, anthemic, longing
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
Released: 1973
Genres: Smooth Soul, Philly Soul, Progressive Soul
Tags: sexual, romantic, sensual, love, passionate, male vocalist, warm, melodic, lush, longing, nocturnal, soft, sentimental, mellow, soothing, urban, peaceful, optimistic, uplifting, orchestral, concept album
(pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Released: 1973
Genres: Southern Rock, Blues Rock, Hard Rock
Tags: male vocalist, energetic, warm, sentimental, bittersweet, passionate, melodic, pastoral, love, uplifting, rhythmic, playful
Hot Fuss
The Killers
Released: 2004
Genres: Post-Punk Revival, Pop Rock, New Wave, Synthpop, Big Music, Dance-Punk Revival, Funk Rock
Tags: male vocalist, melodic, energetic, bittersweet, anthemic, anxious, romantic, rhythmic, passionate, introspective, sexual, melancholic, urban, love, longing
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Released: 1989
Genres: Baggy, Jangle Pop, Indie Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Britpop, C86, Paisley Underground
Tags: psychedelic, melodic, uplifting, energetic, male vocalist, playful, lush, summer, rhythmic, optimistic, love, ethereal, hypnotic, dense, anthemic, warm, atmospheric, boastful, bittersweet, drugs, romantic, sensual, poetic, bright, rebellious, conscious
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Released: 1975
Genres: Outlaw Country, Singer-Songwriter, Contemporary Folk, Western, Old-Time
Tags: concept album, calm, mellow, melancholic, male vocalist, crime, acoustic, lonely, death, pastoral, bittersweet, soft, sombre, sad, passionate, love, minimalistic, introspective, sparse, melodic
The Score
Fugees
Released: 1996
Genres: Conscious Hip Hop, Boom Bap, Neo-Soul, Reggae, Hip Hop Soul
Scene: East Coast Hip Hop
Tags: female vocalist, male vocalist, political, crime, conscious, introspective, boastful, urban, nocturnal, sampling, lush, rhythmic, melodic, passionate, drugs, lethargic
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
Released: 1958
Genres: Vocal Jazz, Standards
Scene: East Coast Hip Hop
Tags: female vocalist, melodic, urban, longing, humorous, mellow, ballad, sensual, improvisation, nocturnal
Crime of the Century
Supertramp
Released: 1974
Genres: Progressive Rock, Art Rock, Progressive Pop, Pop Rock
Tags: melodic, male vocalist, progressive, lush, existential, alienation, bittersweet, introspective, sarcastic, quirky, anxious, complex, playful, lonely, nocturnal, epic, melancholic, passionate, autumn, eclectic, rebellious
First Band on the Moon
The Cardigans
Released: 1996
Genres: Indie Pop, Pop Rock, Indie Rock, Twee Pop, Neo Acoustic, Lounge, Cocktail Nation
Tags: female vocalist, playful, bittersweet, longing, melodic, sentimental, sarcastic, love, sensual, introspective, sexual, eclectic, dark, energetic, quirky
So
Peter Gabriel
Released: 1986
Genres: Art Pop, Pop Rock, New Wave, Ambient Pop, Sophisti-Pop
Tags: male vocalist, passionate, melodic, warm, lush, introspective, eclectic, bittersweet, poetic, sentimental, melancholic, rhythmic, atmospheric, nocturnal, soothing, conscious, longing, progressive, rain, ethereal, urban
Discovery
Daft Punk
Released: 2001
Genres: French House, Electro-Disco, Funky House, Dance-Pop, Synth Funk, Nu-Disco
Tags: party, sampling, futuristic, energetic, rhythmic, repetitive, playful, happy, male vocalist, uplifting, optimistic, melodic, space, love, nocturnal, atmospheric, lush, romantic, androgynous vocals, concept album, eclectic, sentimental, warm, bright, bouncy, summer
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Released: 1988
Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Folk Rock, Folk Pop, Acoustic Rock, Heartland Rock
Tags: conscious, female vocalist, political, love, melancholic, sentimental, melodic, acoustic, passionate, androgynous vocals, protest, bittersweet, socialism, philosophical
Bossanova
Pixies
Released: 1990
Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Surf Rock, Post-Punk
Tags: energetic, male vocalist, anxious, noisy, melodic, quirky, science fiction, warm, rhythmic, abstract, summer, love, female vocalist, psychedelic
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Released: 1963
Genres: Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Acoustic Blues, Talking Blues
Scene: Greenwich Village Scene
Tags: poetic, acoustic, protest, political, male vocalist, conscious, mellow, introspective, autumn, passionate, bittersweet, philosophical, humorous, warm, melodic, melancholic, playful, war, breakup, love, romantic, sarcastic
Court and Spark
Joni Mitchell
Released: 1974
Genres: Singer-Songwriter, Folk Pop, Jazz Pop, Soft Rock, Progressive Pop
Scene: Laurel Canyon Scene
Tags: female vocalist, poetic, lush, introspective, melodic, soft, love, mellow, bittersweet, longing, romantic, passionate, acoustic, warm
Jazz Samba - Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd
🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
Listen Party: 5/2/25
Released: 1962
Genres: Samba-Jazz, Bossa Nova, Cool Jazz
Tags: summer, warm, tropical, mellow, instrumental, rhythmic, soothing, playful, uplifting, melodic, improvisation, calm, peaceful, atmospheric, soft
FYI:
Tidal has an extra version of Desafinado listed as the eighth track. Officially, we’re only reviewing the first seven tracks that were part of the original album.
Claire 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑
What is your history with Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd? On 3/31/25, we drew the 1964 release of Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz and João Gilberto. I’ve never listened to Charlie Byrd before. This is the first time on Strange New Places we’ve drawn a second album from the same artist.
Is this your first listen-through of Jazz Samba? Yes
What songs did you know going in? Desafinado. A version of it appears on Getz/Gilberto.
Which track or tracks stand out to you after this listen? “Desafinado” for its vague familiarity.
Which track or tracks were challenging for you during this listen? It’s all got that same shuffling samba sound, and my ear is pretty undeveloped for that genre. But oh, let’s say, Bahia.
“Jazz Samba” sounds like a mix between um, Stan Getz and uh, Charlie Byrd
Any other thoughts? After a full listen, I noticed that I’m barely aware of Charlie Byrd’s guitar. He solos of course, as well as providing backing melodies to Getz’s solos. But the drum kit is much more prevalent in this album than it is in Getz/Gilberto, reducing the importance of the guitar as a rhythmic instrument. It shifts the overall tone to samba as opposed to a more acoustic-led bossa nova. But I guess Jazz Samba is the name of the album, so that shouldn’t come as some huge surprise.
I probably couldn’t pick it out if I heard it without context, but after listening to two Getz albums, I swear he has a unique and consistent sax tone. It’s extra dry and raspy. These are the kinds of things I relish learning from this project. I didn’t know who Stan Getz was when we started. Now I can (begin to) recognize his tone and have opinions about my favorite album by him. It’s Getz/Gilberto by the way.
I re-read my review of that album while writing this one and in it, I complained about the sound of Getz’s saxophone. My tastes may be growing. I don’t mind it at all really on Jazz Samba. I do miss the vocals from Getz/Gilberto though. I gave this album two moons, but it’s perfectly pleasant music that I could see putting on as background for when I want to feel sophisticated.
Finally, I think it’s worth noting Getz’s penchant for featuring modern art pieces for the cover art on both Jazz Samba and Getz/Gilberto. I just think it’s neat.
Just John, That’s it, that’s the reviewer’s name™
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
This is another solid background music album, and I mean that in a positive way. It’s easygoing, sophisticated, and stylish. It’s a smooth sound to accompany a morning coffee or brunch.
There’s more variety here than I expected. Beyond the obvious jazz and samba influences, I caught elements of flamenco and blues as well.
It’s an album that’s hard to dislike, but also one that is probably a little forgettable as well for someone who doesn’t have a fine tuned jazz ear like myself. That said, I would for sure listen to it again if I’m cooking or studying.
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Let’s Get It On - Marvin Gaye
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
Listen Party: 5/1/25
Released: 1973
Genres: Smooth Soul, Philly Soul, Progressive Soul
Tags: sexual, romantic, sensual, love, passionate, male vocalist, warm, melodic, lush, longing, nocturnal, soft, sentimental, mellow, soothing, urban, peaceful, optimistic, uplifting, orchestral, concept album
Liz 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
This album got it on with my heart.
Look, Marvin Gaye is really good at what he does. Which is apparently 2 things: women, and songs about having sex with said women. And he's managed to make a career out of it.
Just John, That’s it, that’s the reviewer’s name™
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
I feel like I’ve just emerged from spending time with the kind and attentive lover known as Marvin Gaye.
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard the full version of Let’s Get It On - just the intro over and over again in various commercials, tv shows, etc.
I’ve also never heard Keep Gettin It On. I like how this motif and sound shows up again, three tracks later -just to make sure we all understand Marvin’s sexual prowess. He’s still been busy gettin’ it on this whole time while we were foolishly listening to his other tracks.
The rest of the album is more or less what you’d expect from Marvin Gaye, which isn’t a bad thing. Smooth vocals, slick production value. Marvin Gaye and this album are timeless.
Claire 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
What is your history with Marvin Gaye? Quite a few singles. I didn’t realize that these were all Marvin Gaye until just today: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) (1965), It Takes Two (1966), Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (1967), I Heard it Through the Grapevine (1968), What’s Going On (1971), Let’s Get It On (1973), Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing (1974), Sexual Healing (1982). I dug through quite an extensive discography to find all these songs I recognize, but I bet there’s even more that I’d know if I had more time to listen to it all.
Is this your first listen-through of Let’s Get It On? Yes
What songs did you know going in? Just the title track, but it’s so iconic that I think I could name that tune after the first note. Also, Keep Gettin’ It On is essentially a reprise, replacing the funk guitar with a saxophone.
Which track or tracks stand out to you after this listen? I don’t have a very developed ear for soul music, so I’m heavily favoring the title track single, but the vocal performances on If I Should Die Tonight and Distant Lover stand out.
Which track or tracks were challenging for you during this listen? Is it me or is the volume of that tom on the fourth beat of every bar in Come Get to This super high in the mix? Whatever it is, it irritates me.
“Let’s Get It On” sounds like a mix between Al Green and The Delfonics
Any other thoughts? Yep. It’s an album about fuggin’. I think I’d personally prefer his Motown era more.