#221-225

     Yes, those of you hanging in there hopefully still checking this out from time to time, it has been over a week since the last post. Thus, this will be the last apology I offer in not keeping up better with this blog. The 50 hours a week at work and having time for family and friends all ranks higher on the "Top Things In My Life" list (unless someone wants to pay me to do this...no?...thought not), so I will simply promise to put up a post of 5 albums whenever I can. I do want to assure you, dear readers, that I WILL finish this blog....it just may take me a bit longer to do so than I thought. I will also say that although on this blog we are still in the first 100 albums, in the garage we are already ranking the top 20, so the harder part is nearing an end. Again, I truly appreciate you reading and, hopefully, checking out these albums and I do hope you'll continue to do so. If you sign on and become a follower of the blog you will be alerted each time a new post is up. Otherwise, those on my facebook page know I'll pimp this out every chance I get. Thanks again for hanging in.
     I will also start to do more of a cliffnotes version from here on out, at least until we hit the top 150. This post will feature a new poll dedicated to my brother Matt H.(the 70s won best decade for music on the last one), a few comments from good ole Matt and a review from a NEW reviewer, my good friend Patrick. Let's begin, shall we?.....

225. Greatest Hits - Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble (1995)
     I shouldn't have to say much about SRV making the list. Of course he was brilliant on the frets, battled his addictions with some success and was taken way to early from us in a helicopter accident. What I will say is that the best 'albums' I've ever heard Stevie and his rhythm section do have been bootleg shows. I'm not a huge fan of his studio albums, so the greatest hits album is the one I go with, and it is a helluva best of. His covers of Taxman and Little Wing actually rival the originals...that's The Beatles and Hendrix we're talking about there, people. Of course you have his bigger singles Tightrope and Crossfire, but my ultimate fave from the Texan is Pride And Joy. It starts a fire in my belly every time I hear it without fail. So pop a Prilosec and check out this compilation from one of the greatest of the modern blues men.

224. The Wildest! - Louis Prima (1954)
      My favorite soundtrack of all the great ones from Disney animated features would be The Jungle Book, and almost the sole reason is because of I Wanna Be Like You sung by King Louie himself, Louis Prima. This album was one of his first and is basically a best of without being a best of. Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody, Oh Marie, Basin Street Blues, Jump Jive An' Wail...all rambunctious classics from the Sicilian from Nawlins. This album swings, rocks, kicks and shouts all over the place, and rarely have I had control of the stereo at a party and not played Louis. Do yourself a huge favor, the next time you're a bit downtrodden or soul weary, listen to this crazy, joyous album and I guarantee you'll have a smile on your face before the first sax solo.

223. Repeater - Fugazi (1990)
     I am a big Fugazi fan, although you wouldn't think it to look at this list as this is the only Fugazi album that made it. For those of you who don't know this DC band, they are hard to define. Mostly considered a hardcore punk band, that seems far from an accurate description to me. They incorporate reggae, funk and occasionally even jazz rhythms into the songs. They play arena rock guitar riffs and apply a sort of call-and-response method to their songs a la hip hop. There is also no discernible lead guitar...just two guitars endlessly interweaving choppy staccato attacks and steady, suspenseful strings of aggression that you just know are going to explode any second now. I have every album, saw them live somewhere shortly after this album (possibly at The Capitol in Flint, MI, but I honestly can't remember) and one of my bands even covered Blueprint, my favorite song from this album. This was the band's debut and, I have always said, their masterpiece.

222. Get Behind Me, Satan - The White Stripes (2005)
     I'll keep this short as we've already had 2 White Stripes albums on the list (#s 297 and 247) and there are 2 more to come. I believe this to be the last truly great album the band put out. It is a departure from the blues laden, garage rock records they had focused on up to this point. Jack puts down the electric and picks up the acoustic or sits at the piano for more songs than not on this disc, although it's far from a folk or unplugged sounding album. Many of my garage compadres believe this to be the best White Stripes album. My favorites here are My Doorbell, The Denial Twist and Take Take Take.

221. Monster - R.E.M. (1994)
     After they released 2 classic but decidedly non-rock records (both will be listed further down the road), R.E.M. chose to go another route and release the most straight-ahead rock album of their career. The heavily distorted sound of the album echoed the circumstances surrounding its recording. Practically every member of the band fell severely ill during studio sessions, Kurt Cobain and River Phoenix both passed during recording (both were good friends of Michael Stipe) and toward the end of recording the band members weren't even on speaking terms. Taking all of that into consideration, it's remarkable that this is as outstanding as it is. Check out What's The Frequency Kenneth, Star 69, Bang And Blame and You for my faves, however, this album as a whole is a truly great listen.

     Now here's a little rant from one of my favorite ranters, Matty V, concerning some choices earlier on the list......
Another Tori and no AIC at all?!? The Counting Crows are a good band. But, over AIC 'unplugged' and 'greatest hits'?!? I'm starting to believe I'm gonna see Hootie on here next? Who I kinda liked back in the day. But, shouldn't fit on your ...list. Okay, Tori twice and no Alanis. Your cutting me deep broseff.  Tori is taking too many spots. Hell, one is too many for me. You must really support cornflakes, gays and feminists;) (BTW we're happy you do) I find it odd bands I would expect on a list, especially yours, are cut out by Tori Amos. As well as a couple other albums/artists I despise. That's all. Just knowing generalized 'you.' I.E. Age, style, personality, humor. Then, I look at the albums on this list. I get confused, that's all. I knew there was no AIC greatest hits. But, was surprised no album at all. I actually thought about The Counting Crows and The Black Crowes and thought they might make an appearance. I enjoyed there mid 90s material quite a bit. If there was no Nirvana I'd really be unconsolable;) But, I know their on their way. Will we see any Chris Cornell? Audioslave or solo? I think he may have the best rock vocals of the last?? Forever! At least decade!

     Thank you, sir. I know, I love Alice In Chains, but no album shall appear here. There will also be no Hootie, rest easy on that one. There is, however, more Tori, Black Crowes and Counting Crows coming up, with one of those band appearing on the next post (ooooo, more foreshadowing!). I pride myself on surprising people with my wide-reaching appreciation of music, so I'm glad I'm keeping you guessing, my friend. Of course Nirvana will appear later, but I'll keep you guessing on the Cornell situation.

     Finally, here is a review from the man who has spent the most time next to me in the garage arguing for albums and songs, my true co-creator of this list, Patrick. He is a huge Bruce fan, and I am not, so hopefully this will be the first of a few Springstein reviews from him....
Darkness on the Edge of Town- Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band
A personal top-ten album. Jason and I have disagreed on not only this album, but this artist. Seriously. I have tried and tried to turn him on to The Boss, but he will have none of it. So it goes. Personally, aside from Dylan, Bruce Springsteen may very well be my favorite artist of all-time. The man is the working-man’s poet. His voice howls and growls like...ahem...pardon the expression...”Something in the Night” (third song on the album). And it doesn’t hurt that he has quite possibly the best backing band on Earth. Yep. I said it. And this....this is the greatest album they ever put out. The album kicks off with the fist-pounding, broken-back anthem, “Badlands” and seemlessly moves on to the bitter, growling, kick-your-fucking-teeth-in, song about the dead and heated relationship between Bruce and his father (“Adam Raised a Cain”). I will say, however, that the album slows down ever so slightly by the inclusion of songs like “Racing in the Streets” and “Factory”. Though these songs are well-composed and tell great stories of the sadness and regret that come with the life of the working man (not unusual for Bruce), they seem awkwardly placed amongst the whirlwind of songs like “Candy’s Room”, “The Promised Land” and “Prove it All Night”. Two of the albums last three songs completely go against that, though. “Streets of Fire” surges with power that resonates deep inside you. And the title track...there isn’t enough time to talk about the beauty and power that those last four and a half minutes on the album possess. Unlike Bruce’s previous efforts, he doesn’t try to romanticize anything. This is an album about the realities of living in this country and the relationships we all have. A brilliant, passionate effort on the Boss’s part.

     I will give Bruce another chance, my main....after this list is completed. That's all for now. I'll put up another post as soon as I can, probably in a week to a week and a half. I am running low on comments, so if you have any for this or previous posts, please, hand them over. Take the poll when you can and, as always, thanks much for reading. The next 5 feature quite a variety of styles, and we're nearing the end of the first 100, so, keep checking back!

#226-230

     Okay, so it's been more than a few days since the last post, I lied about having a new one up earlier. We'll stick to the one a week for a while. It's a lot tougher posting more than that when working 50 hours a week instead of 0 hours a week, lemme tellya. I'll also try to shorten the posts slightly since these things have started taking me 3-4 hours to write. TRY being the key word to shortening these, as I do enjoy ramblin' on. The Rolling Stones poll was a flop as only 3 readers voted (what up, people?), so I think we'll try that poll again at a later date. We'll switch it up this week and do a best decade of music poll. If you get a chance, please click on your fave, I do enjoy reading them so. I'll also have a short comment from cousin Mike W and another Matt V review. Here we go...

230. Noble Beast - Andrew Bird (2009)
     The first of 2 albums appearing on this list from the musical jack-of-all-trades from the Windy City, Bird reminds me quite a bit of Sufjan Stevens (see #296). The difference is whereas Stevens sticks to a similar musical theme throughout an entire album, Bird is all over the place. His most accessible album to date, the violin is the driving force behind this album, which makes sense as he began his playing at age 4. The man, however, can play anything with strings, sings brilliantly, whistles note-perfect, the guy even busts out a glockenspiel. The lyrics can get a little too much like a college history or literature course at times, but this is an incredible songwriter who clearly loves word choice as much as the music. Check out tracks like the beautiful Tenuousness, the upbeat sway of Nomenclature and the Radiohead-esque Not A Robot, But A Ghost.

229. Slanted And Enchanted - Pavement (1992)
     It took me a long time to really appreciate the indie rock/alternapunk stylings of Stephen Malkmus and his band, and I've gotta admit, I'm still back and forth on other albums by them. Their debut effort is still my fave and definitely deserves this spot on the list. Most critics, indeed, have this on their 'best of the 90s' lists and Rolling Stone ranked it as the 134th greatest all-time album. It's truly a chaotic work of art, with distinct melodies interweaving with chopped riffs and fuzz static. I've heard it argued that no one was doing this sort of low-fi rock attack during this time, although I would point out Sonic Youth's direction during the early 90s. Still, and I may get flogged for this, I think this album is better than any album Sonic Youth ever put out. Summer Babe, Perfume-V and Fame Throwa our some of my faves. If you're a fan of early 90s alternative music and you haven't heard this, you're not really a fan of early 90s alternative music...yet.

228. Before The Frost - The Black Crowes (2009)
     Although critically acclaimed, this is another regrettably underachieving album. Recorded live in Levon Helms' (The Band) barn/studio/club, this is one of the last truly great roots rock albums to have been released in the past 5 years. These guys wear their jam band, blues groove roots on their sleeve like they own that genre. You'll see these guys twice more on here, so I'll keep this short. This particular version of the album is not the double album that was released later including Until The Freeze, this ranking relates only to the original released album. Good Morning Captain, Been A Long Time, A Train Still Make A Lonely Sound and And The Band Played On will especially demonstrate why these guys can still put out the greatest blues/country tinged rock albums out there....when the brothers Robinson (the singer and lead guitarist/main songwriters) can keep from killing each other.

227. Fear Of A Black Planet - Public Enemy (1990)
     The first time I heard the viciously honest call to arms Fight The Power I began shaking with excitement. Rap music wasn't really known as being smart. Even PE's first albums were a bit hit and miss, although they certainly spelled out the influence possible from these guys. Then Chuck D released this album-with-a-brain that would have made the Scarecrow from Oz's head explode. Rap as a market was beginning to focus more on the album than the single by this time, but there wasn't an album out there that matched the incredible sample-driven production and such wickedly socially conscious lyrics together to produce a genre-defining effort. To this day, Welcome To The Terrordome is one of my favorite hip hop tracks, and I still know the whole thing by heart. No one is spared from Chuck D's wrath, be they white, black, man, woman, whatever.  This is simply one of those albums that, if you say you are a true music history fan, you absolutely must hear. All of it, I'm not even giving you choice cuts, you need to feast on the whole slab.

226. Saxophone Colossus - Sonny Rollins (1956)
     One of my top 5 favorite jazz sax players, Rollins' story is quite an interesting one. He spent some time in jail for armed robbery and, once out, went the route of too many jazz greats and became addicted to heroin. He kicked that habit and went on to play with such greats as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Clifford Brown. This album was his sixth while fronting a band and his best. At only 5 tracks, each one pricks a different vein of emotion and style. St. Thomas is my favorite and is an amazing amalgamation of jazz and calypso. Moritat is a reworking of Mack The Knife with the sax picking up the main melody. It also hits on your classic jazz balad, an awesome be bop song, and the blues. All in all, with the exception of the balad, I always listen to this album all the way through, no flipping forward. One of the greatest jazz albums, if you're looking for an introduction into this genre, you could do a lot worse than starting with the Saxophone Colossus.

      I wish I had more time to dedicate to these descriptions, but this is as rambling as time allows me to be right now. Here's a comment from Mike W.....
I should comment on the blog itself - sorry. Feel free to use those comments if you'd like, I'll try to provide more - that was a cool idea by you to give the blog a little interactive flavor - good stuff man. 

I think I might be inspired to do a worst song/album/band list of some type, although not as ambitious as yours. I've always contemplated writing a piece about otherwise great artists who sold out in the 80s - I believe Jefferson Airplane ...should've been disqualified from your list for later spawning Starship and "We Built This City." By the way, the bad counterpoint to AIC "Dirt" would certainly involve the vaunted Spin Doctors..."And if you want to say my band sucks, just go ahead now."

Two things here: one, I very much want this to be interactive as it makes it much more fun for me and, really, this whole process has been interactive. So, please, take the poll, leave a comment, write a lil review, throw a guy a bone, will ya? Two, I think the worst albums list is a pretty cool idea, I personally just wouldn't have the patience or intestinal fortitude to pull it off. I would certainly read a blog on that subject, though! Thanks, Mike. Appreciate the contribution. We'll have more from you later. Now here's a Matt V review...

TLC - 'crazysexycool': The best album by one of the best girl groups of all time. Rap meets Pop meets R&B, the group did it all. T-Boz has a husky alto voice that is featured on 'Red Light Special'. 'Waterfalls' is the groups biggest single on this album with a smooth chorus from Chili and rough verses from T-Boz and a little rhyme from the late Left Eye. 'Diggin on You' and 'Creep' are also great tracks from this album.

     Thanks as always, Matt. I'll have another post up at some point next week so, please, do check back. Would also love to hear from more of you, as I said, be it a comment about album selection, what type of info you prefer included on my mini-reviews, a review of your own, even just taking the poll, it's all very appreciated, I assure you. Above all, though, I hope you dear readers are still enjoying this and check out some incredible albums you may have missed in your own musical journey. Until next time, remember to tip your waitress and enjoy the veal.

    

     

#231-235

      Apologies that it's been a week since the last post, but that may be the case from here on out. I will probably get to post again in just a few days, then it'll be another week. What can you do, gotta pay them bills. Anyway, we'll have a comment from the great one, Michael A., regarding my statement that Elvis's That's All Right belongs in the 'first rock song' discussion and another review from my cuz Michael W.
     The poll for this week is for the best Stones album. I am surprised to say that, more than any other band that has more than 5 albums on my list, these guys have albums ranked completely different than where I thought they'd be at the start. The Stones album I had long considered my fave has wound up ranking below 4 or 5 other efforts from this band. Very curious to see how this one turns out, so, VOTE! The winner of the Pink Floyd poll was Dark Side Of The Moon by a slim margin over Wish You Were Here. I'd agree with that, too. Onward and upward....

235. Rock And Soul Part 1 - Hall And Oates (1983)
     I have loved this greatest hits album from one of the heaviest charting duos in music history since it was issued. Long before 500 Days Of Summer and, less notably, She's Out Of My League (thanks, Chris and Ryan!) caused a resurgence of interest in them, my dad had the album on vinyl. I would play it constantly, putting She's Gone and Kiss On My List back to back on cassette mixes while reciting where both songs placed on my own Top 10 for the week into the built-in crappy mic on the stereo. I would wait up to see if MTV would play Maneater for the third time in as many hours. Once I hit junior high I hid my love of the rock and soul creators until I met one of the honest-to-buddha biggest musical influences in my life shortly after high school, Adam, and he had it unabashedly blazing forth from his car stereo. We may have listened to I Can't Go For That and Sara Smile each a few times that night. A greatest hits, indeed, and one that, regardless of the aim of the song, always puts a smile on my face. Oh, and this is for Justin (sorry, I kinda rambled): 'They need to Hall more Oates!'

234. A Picture Of Nectar - Phish (1992)
     I'll keep this brief as you've read about my love of Phish already (#273 and the very first post) and will see more later. This was the band's third album on a major label and, although it included great jam songs like Stash and Tweezer, was quite a bit more focused than their previous albums. Chalkdust Torture and Tweezer Reprise were the group's most rocking efforts up to this point. Llama and The Landlady are both surprising in their increased intensity from singer/guitarist Trey Anastasio and the band, and the horns alone make Cavern a great song. An excellent album that continued Phish's path from jazz folk through any musical genre they damn well wanted to traipse through.

233. Mezzanine - Massive Attack (1998)
     The third album from these trip hop pioneers is a departure from their previous 2 albums in that it is much more guitar driven and relies on sound textures more than instrumentation. Vocally it also misses Tricky a bit as he was such a force on the first 2 albums, but the beats and the darker vibe remain the same. If you think you haven't heard this group, you have. It gets hard to track how many movies, commercials and TV shows these songs have been in, perhaps none more immediately noticeable than the song Teardrop used during the opening credits for the show House. This album has gotten many a spin back in the day in a dark apartment with floating candles glowing in the windows, incense smoke wafting through blacklight beams illuminating colorful felt posters of mushrooms and dancing bears, waiting for that special knock on the door that could only mean one thing at 1 AM. Ahhh, the old days. I digress, this is, start to finish, an amazing album from a truly incredible group of electronic producers. Angel, Risingson, Teardrop, Inertia Creeps...I'm just giving you the track list in order, you need to just turn down the lights, grab a strong drink or a smoke, and just let this one play.

232. Fields - Junip (2010)
     This swedish trio has been playing for over 10 years but just released their first full-length album last year. The group features the incredible classical guitar stylings and soothing vocal melodies of Jose Gonzalez with an excellent drummer and organist backing him. Although largely a very gentle, simple album, you can certainly hear the perfectionism inherent in a band that takes this long to churn out an album. You can hear several musical influences infused in this oddly organic yet dynamic work - Richie Havens, Nick Drake, Nina Simone, Neil Young and several other folk, jazz, krautrock and soul icons can be deciphered flowing in and out of tracks. The songs are all very similar in style although they vary by degrees. The choppy, staccato bursts of In Every Direction, the breezy Always, the tense anticipation heavy steppin' through Sweet And Bitter, the meditative To The Grain...this is an album that could have come out 40 years ago or could have waited 40 years from now and still wouldn't sound quite of that time. A wonderfully atmospheric and hypnotic album.

231. Love, Power, Peace: Live At The Olympia, Paris 1971 - James Brown
     Most music critics, geeks and fans would pick Live At The Apollo as the greatest JB live album. I would take this show from Paris in a heartbeat. This is the only complete live recording that features the original lineup of the J.B.'s, one of the greatest funk groups ever until splitting to be a part of Parliament-Funkadelic. It also took 20 years to get released on album. This contains the greatest version of Sex Machine I have ever heard. It became so rowdy that a lovely Parisian woman jumped onto the side of the stage, stripped butt naked and danced through the next few songs before security even made a move to end the fun. Scorching versions of Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved, Ain't It Funky Now and Super Bad serve as testimony to the madness rising from the crowd, and, somehow, a one and a half minute medley of Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, I Got You AND I Got The Feeling occurred to cement the insanity of this inferno of a show. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the tightest bands to ever step on stage, live. You need to hear this.

     Here's a comment about my proclamation that the Elvis Presley sung That's All Right should hold a seat at the table of the 'first rock and roll song' debate....
Your blog continues to be fascinating. Different entry, I know, but kudos for including the Meters. Not enough people know about them...I consider it a bit of a holy mission to turn people on to them, and that is a very well chosen compilation. Now, to the subject of my comment, though...I must take issue to the idea of any Elvis song being the "first rock song." Of course, any first is open to debate, but you gotta go back further than Elvis: brilliant as he was, he was just the white guy who made the style cross over. After years of investigation, I personally agree with those who who count "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats as the first ever Rock and Roll record in March of 1951. Said band was actually Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm recording under a different name. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_88 - Michael A 

     Thanks, my man. I understand and have heard that stated by most music fans who were maybe more 'in the know' as far as music history goes, and most music critics and journalists have settled on this. It states on that link that even Sam Phillips said it was the first. I just don't know that I feel that that song was so much different then most R & B of that time. I know the pace picked up, I know it's one of the first examples of guitar distortion, it just doesn't have that attitude to me, that sneer that you can visualize being needed to sing a rock song. It's All Right, recorded 3 years later, I admit, has that, and is so clearly this mix of R&B, country and blues that I don't really know what other genre it would fit in but rock 'n roll. Of course, I've also heard multiple Little Richard and Chuck Berry songs mentioned in the argument, as well as Rock Around The Clock. Going by date recorded, attitude, level of separation from what was popular during it's time, an inability to categorize or label the song into any specific genre and that certain x-factor, I stay with That's All Right as my pick. I could go on with this for hours, as I know Michael could, and maybe someday we will, but that's all right for now (did you see what I did there?).

     Finally, here's a review from my cousin Michael W. with a band that, he will be disappointed to learn, will not appear on this list....
Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power...This would be a glaring omission as well. Like many, I didn't like Pantera at first - the "screaming" was a bit much for me at first. But then you listen for a few minutes, and they just can't be denied. Even if you don't like your metal quite this heavy, you can't help but gravitate to the purity of their we're going to throw down and kick some ass attitude and can't help but be wowed by Dimebag Darrell's unique sound all his own and Anselmo's powerful lyrics and ridiculous delivery - whether it's your cup of tea or not. With all respect to grunge, it got a bit one-note in the mid-90s and Pantera provided a desperately needed breath of fresh air on the scene with this album. 

     There it is. Don't forget to take the poll (please!) and check in a few days as I will do my best to have another post up by them. Until then, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars! Sorry, I had to end one of these posts with a little Casey Kasem....I'm done now.

#236-240

     Here's the next 5, as promised, within the same week as the last 5. Next week will start (probably) being one a week, so don't forget to check in here for a music fix. On this post we'll include a comment from the very lovely Joya, which actually raises a question from me that I would love an answer to. I'll also have part of a thread involving Patrick's Top Albums list he is working on that features many suggestions for albums I do and don't have upcoming on the list. Finally, this week we'll do another Matt review. Here we go...

240. Groove Collective - Groove Collective (1994)
     This band appeared on this list with their second album at #272, so I'll keep this one short. This was their first and best album, leaning a little more toward traditional jazz than their later efforts. Don't let that fool you, though. This isn't your grandpa's jazz. The album starts slowly, but once you get to Rahsaanasong your feet will be tapping. When Whatchugot pops up, you'll be fully grooving. Then, when Genji Monogatari drops you'll be raising your glass and woo-hooing to nobody in particular. This one is both the perfect lazy summer Sunday groove album out on the porch with a cold one AND proof that jazz can rock a house every bit as easily as hip hop or rock can. All in all, my fave jazz album after the 70's.

239. Indigo Girls - Indigo Girls (1989)
     Go ahead. Get it all out of your system. South Park, Family Guy, several stand-up comics and many other shows/movies/people have dismissed this album and band as simply the "token lesbian group." This, friends, is bullshit. This folk duo has never released a better album (they HAVE released great songs on some decent albums), but their debut really gets a horrible rap. I am a straight male. This is a stupid comment to make that shouldn't have much effect on my writing or you reading this blog, but as it does, I feel compelled to say it. I am a straight male and I think that the Indigo Girls first album is freaking awesome. Closer To Fine, Secure Yourself, Blood And Fire, Center Stage, all some of the greatest folk songs the 80's pulled out of its back pocket. C'mon. Listen to it, love it, then admit it. Screw your musclehead friends or those ultra-conservative types that try to be cool by saying they're moderates. This is a group that lost a Grammy to Milli Vanilli, for God's sake, they've been through enough. Great, great album, regardless of race, creed or sexual preference.

238. The Fragile - Nine Inch Nails (1999)
     Trent Reznor's third album is quite different from his first two and yet still holds onto that immediately recognizable NIN sound. I'll let Trent explain the difference. These are quotes from interviews done in 1999 and 2005:
*There's a general theme to the album of systems failing and things sort of falling apart. In keeping with the idea of making everything sound a little broken, I chose stringed instruments because they're imperfect by nature. Although it may not sound like it, most of the album is actually guitar - and that includes the orchestral sounds and weird melodic lines. When it came to instruments that I didn't really know how to play - like the ukulele or the slide guitar - we were able to get some really interesting sounds by making the studio the main instrument.
*The Fragile was an album based a lot in fear, because I was afraid as fuck about what was happening to me. That's why there aren't a lot of lyrics on that record. I couldn't fucking think. An unimaginable amount of effort went into that record in a very unfocused way.
     That sums it up. My second fave from Nine Inch Nails.

237. The Sun Sessions - Elvis Presley (1976)
     These tracks actually came from a young Elvis's famous first recordings at Sun Studios in the mid-50s. I am not a big Elvis fan. I appreciate him for what he is, was and has been to music, and obviously I enjoy some of his work, but certainly no other whole album. This one, however, would be hard for me not to include in any argument concerning the birth of rock 'n roll, not to mention possibly the first rock song, That's All Right. With tracks like Blue Moon Of Kentucky, I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone and my favorite versions of Mystery Train and Blue Moon, it's as incredible listening to such raw talent today as it is to think about how jawdropping it would have been to hear in the 50's.


236. Howl - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (2005)
     A San Fran band that, in a round-about way, stemmed from Brian Jonestown Massacre (you'll see them later), BRMC put out a couple of very good, blues-tinged psychedelic rock albums with a shoegazer twist to them. Then they dropped all of those genre defining labels except blues, added some gospel, country and folk rock and almost became an entirely different band. I am a big fan of these guys to this day, but this was their greatest album. From the foot stompin' porch blues of Ain't No Easy Way to the slow-burner blues of Shuffle Your Feet, the gorgeous acoustic Fault Line to the emotionally anthemic The Line (including the hidden track within it), this album epitomizes cool. As a last comment, check the vocal harmonies throughout as well, no one ever talks about that with this band, which is just a shame.

     There's that. Here's a quick comment from Joya....
Love that you included NWA here. My mom wouldn't allow me to own Guns N'Roses because of the Charles Manson connection, but Straight Outta Compton was in my collection :) 

     Thanks, Joya! NWA less obscene that G 'n R? THAT'S a fun discussion. At the risk of sounding stupid (too late), what is the Manson connection with G 'n R? I don't know if this is something I forgot about or something I didn't know. Now I want to, though. Someone post it on here, please.

     Here are some sections of a facebook thread concerning my friend Patrick's list of albums he has begun work on. There are some albums from the thread on my list, but several that are not (no Kinks, no Big Star), so these would be worth looking in to possibly for your aural pleasure as well.

Patrick - Alright, kids. You people know music better than anyone I know. I am in the planning stages of an epic list of albums. My personal Top 200. If you guys wouldn't mind, please submit some albums for consideration. Any artist, any genre. I'd love the imput. Thanks, fools. 

Sam - Big Star-Third/Sister Lovers
Nas-Illmatic
The Kinks-The Village Green Preservation Society
Prefuse 73-One Word Extinguisher (I don't know if you'll like this, but I recommend giving it a shot. It is one of my personal favorite albums.)
Try those for right now. I will try to think of more. Definitely pick of the Big Star...can't stress that enough. 
Carl -Weezer, the Blue Album and "Pinkerton"
-Helmet, "Betty"
-DJ Shadow, "Endtroducing..."
-Cake, "Fashion Nugget"
Cory - Rush - moving pictues, counterparts, or any of their 3 retrospective albums. 
Greg - I second Village Green Preservation SocietyRaw Power, Television--Marquee Moon, Gladys Knight & the Pips--Imagination, The Exploding Hearts--Guitar Romantic, Dinosaur Jr.--Bug and Farm, Morphine--Yes, Patti Smith--Horses, MC5, Lou Reed--Transformer, Velvets--Nico and Loaded. Shit. I'm just gonna make a list. 

     Lots of good ones there with most, I must admit, not on this list. Anyone looking for an album to review and send me? Maybe pass on DJ Shadow and the Velvets, though (oooh, foreshadowing). Finally, a quick review from good ole Matt....
Mika-'Life in cartoon motion': Mika is a British gay pop icon. He has multiple albums that are great but this is the only one on my list. 'Grace Kelly' is a terrific song with a catchy falsetto melody that will get stuck in your head for days! 'Love Today' is probably the most notable single he has released and actually did well in America too. 'Lollipop' and 'Big Girl (you are beautiful)' are the other must listen to tracks on this album. But, if you like these songs the rest of the album is just icing on the proverbial cake. 


     I do actually like that album, too. That's it for now. The next post will more than likely happen mid-next week, so check back then. If i can get an answer to the Manson/G'nR question, great, if I can get some comments/reviews, even better, dear readers!

#241-245

     Fair warning before these next 5...I've been posting, on average, 3 times a week since starting this. Next week I begin a new job that will have me much busier than I currently am, so it will probably get to the point when I will be posting once a week. I'll always say on my facebook page whenever there's a new post, otherwise, you can become a follower of this blog and you'll get a message telling you whenever there's a new post.
     I am anticipating some flood gates opening after this 5, but I hold to these choices as my personal top 300 albums, as always. So there. Along with these we'll have a few comments from the maineth Josh and my cousin Mike W. about other musical lists possibly in the making and previous posts on this baby you're reading. A review from said cousin as well and one more from good ole Matt. It's double your pleasure today. Also, a new poll inspired by much discussion of Pink Floyd lately, so, take it! Sgt. Pepper's beat out Revolver as the reader's choice for best Beatles album on the last poll. Not sure how that will work out on the list as we've a long way to go before we get there. We best get crackin'....

245. The Moon And Antarctica - Modest Mouse (2000)
     Most fans I know of this band insist this is the best album they've done. I actually think they've gotten better and have done better albums since this indie rock gem, although it does include my fave song by Modest Mouse, 3rd Planet. This was their third album and major label debut. Although it's been said this album was much more experimental than their previous efforts, I would also argue it is much more streamlined and focused. This is especially impressive as this album was also more instrumental than their others, which can often mean lyrics, subject and/or emotion takes a dive. Not so here. Check out Gravity Rides Everything, Dark Center Of The Universe, Paper Thin Walls, I Came As A Rat....many great songs on this one. I would say that this is the first real Modest Mouse album, and their first two were just collections of songs. Big difference.

244. New Train - Paul Pena (1973)
      This is truly one of the greatest albums to have almost never been released, and an incredible story. Although recorded in '73, New Train was not available to the music-buying public until 2000. Pena was a blind singer/guitarist/songwriter in San Fran during the late 60s/early 70s. He used to open for the Grateful Dead, and both Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders appear on this, his second album. Due to a dispute with the album's producer, New Train would wait almost 30 years to see the light of day...except for Pena's song Jet Airliner, which Steve Miller took for his own. The royalties Pena made from that one song supported him most of his life. Pena would later become more famous (surprisingly) as a Tuvan throat singer, as documented in the great movie Genghis Blues. To me, this album is the greatest musical accomplishment Pena gave us, and it is ridiculously underappreciated. The whole thing is great and hits several different styles, from the straight R&B and soul of Gonna Move and A Bit Of All Right to the rock of Jet Airliner (better than Miller's version) and Wait On What You Want, the Jimi Hendrixness of Cosmic Mirror and the Grateful Dead inflected Venutian Lady. This is probably an album you don't know, and certainly one that will pay off for you if you find it.

243. From The Choirgirl Hotel - Tori Amos (1998)
     Yup, another Tori, I know you all love it. She did fare better than Lil Wayne in the 'poll of haters' offered earlier in the spring on this blog, though, so I know some of you must be with me. I'll be brief as there will be one more Tori album much higher up. This is her fourth album and was quite the risk as she veered away from her typical piano-driven singer/songwriter folk leanings and busted into great rock songs (Spark, She's Your Cocaine), dance/club tracks (Raspberry Swirl) and radio-friendly electronica (Cruel, Liquid Diamonds). Playboy Mommy is one of my Tori favorites. Lyrically it's still comparable to her earlier albums with most tracks touching on her unfortunate miscarriages prior to recording, but if you know nothing of Tori other than the album I ranked at 286 (Under The Pink), you might think this album is from another artist entirely. And I mean that in the best possible way.

242. Hard Candy - Counting Crows (2002)
     This is a band that, in the garage, gets a bum rap. I've had many look at me when an album from this band starts up and say, "Really?" I don't understand this. This was their fourth of five current albums out, and the only one I really didn't dig was the most recent. This was the band's most critically acclaimed album, and I believe it to be their second best for different reasons. To me, the singles American Girls and the hidden Joni Mitchell cover track Big Yellow Taxi make me cringe. These are the tracks most critics like, though. It's just too 'rock band trying to make radio' to me. I love tracks like If I Could Give All My Love, which could have come from The Band. Or the awesomely 80s vibe of New Frontier. Or the beautiful pain of Carriage and Black And Blue that sound like they were written and dismissed as too angsty by James Taylor. That's the thing about this band, they're compared with everyone I've listed along with R.E.M., Van Morrison, even Dylan. The thing is, the great songs on this album, I don't even want to hear by those great artists. Nobody does Counting Crows like Counting Crows. Again, they have a better album coming later, but if all you know is Mr. Jones or that song from Shrek, listen to this album and thank me later while denying to your friends how much you like it.

241. Fear - Toad The Wet Sprocket (1991)
     This is the second and last Toad album on the list, as this is the band's best. For more on Toad the band, see #280. This was the album that broke the band....well, as much as Toad broke, anyway. It had two great singles make the Billboard charts with Walk On The Ocean and All I Want. It's a strange album in that it borders adult contemporary, mainstream and modern rock and pop, yet it still holds together as a cohesive creation. The subject matter of the songs range from immigrant farewells to those left behind to the self explanatory pseudo-buddhist I Will Not Take These Things For Granted to Hold Her Down, a song dripping with sarcasm from the point of view of a rapist. I am partial to the short and sweet Nightingale Song. A unique, excellent album who's content should not mesh together as an album, but does brilliantly.

     A while back (I think) I told you about some of the other musical lists those I know are becoming inspired to do. One of those was from my best mate Josh, whose crazy idea was to do his top 300 songs, which I wouldn't touch because it would drive me insane. Here is his excellent idea to still do the list and prevent the crazies from occurring....
going to construct top 300 songs WITHOUT USING ANY SONGS ON ROLLING STONES TOP 500. It will make it more challenging, less obvious, and more unique. should be fun. 

     This is an awesome idea and I am quite excited to see this list. Josh has been working on it and, if it gets finished before this blog does, I will post a link or snippets of his list here. Love that idea. Here's a few comments regarding the list from my cousin, Mike W...... 
...I noticed AIC's Greatest Hits did not make your cut, but you didn't list them among the artist's not on your list. As long as "Dirt" makes an appearance at some point, we're all good ;). Best album produced from the grunge era...I may be confused musically, but I'm certain of that much! BTW, I don't get "Yield"...Just don't...I also agree that Green Day's early stuff is better and has more soul to it, although I'd go a step further back than you did and argue 1039 Slip-Slappy Hours (sic?) is perhaps their greatest album. It's raw and perhaps an under-produced guilty pleasure, but I'm partial to it...

     Thanks, cuz. I have something to confess, however, and I usually like to save such things as surprises. There is no Alice In Chains on this list. If there would have been, it would have been the Greatest Hits, or maybe even Unplugged, before Dirt. I loved the band, had all albums, still love certain tracks. When I went back and listened to Dirt a few times, I just never felt it was great. I'd still say Nevermind was the best produced album during that period. I'll agree somewhat on Yield, I like it, but don't love it. And that first album by Green Day, which is actually 4 EPs strung together, is a really good album. That very well may be my second fave by them, it's just Dookie is the only one that made it. We'll hear more comments from Mike W. later, but for now, speaking of Alice In Chains with my cousin...
AIC - Unplugged...I have the utmost respect for Nirvana, but while most folks from the grunge era would argue "Nevermind" is the best album of the era, I respectfully would argue "Dirt" is. FWIW, I also think "In Utero" is better than "Nevermind" as well, although there is no denying "Nevermind" is the most influential, but I digress. Similarly, while most folks would argue Nirvana's Unplugged session was untouchable, I argue as great as that was, AIC one-upped them on the acoustic front too...  
     Thanks again, cuz, and I'll see if that might spurn some people to throw some comments on here. I admit, personally, I would disagree with most of that, but that AIC Unplugged album is a damn good one. Thoughts from the Peanut gallery?.....


     Finally, what would an entry be without a review from Matt...
Scissor Sisters- 'Night Work':
The third album from this band. This album delves deeper into the techno/dance sound the bands known for. A couple of well placed ballads make it a good albums that doesn't wear out. As always with this band most lyrics are hidden innuendos to make it cheeky and guilt free to sing along to. Even though live performance doesn't count on this list, I promise if you can see them and somewhat like them you'll become hard core fans. 'Night Work', 'Running Out', 'Fire with Fire', 'Something like this' and 'Sex and Violence' are the highlights of this album. 

     Thanks as always, Matt. Scissor Sisters is on this list a little further up the road, but not this album, Matt, it sucks. Ha!
     Thanks again to Josh, Mike W and Matt for their contributions. We'll get more from all of them later. I'll try to get another post on here by the end of the week while I still have time to do 2 posts a week! In the meantime, as always, take the Floyd poll and throw some comments at me. Curious to hear more about Nirvana vs. Alice In Chains, or how people feel about Counting Crows, or any damn musical-oriented thing. Light me up, people!

#246-250

     Before we get started on the next 50, I want to thank all the readers of this list. The blog's been up for a month and it's nearing 1800 views. Although this is nothing that incredible by blog standards (I don't think), it's way more views than I thought I'd get this early on in the list. I greatly appreciate you giving me a reason to continue 'wasting my time' doing this. I love it so. Cheers! AND special thanks to my international viewers, really didn't expect that, especially those in Denmark, the UK, Australia and Singapore. It appears I've had views in 9 countries outside of the U.S., and your regions have given me the most. Thanks again, I'd love to hear from you, and I hope you keep reading.
     Okay, here's the next 5, which I suspect may have some saying 'that should be higher.' Looking ahead, the next post will probably steer toward the opposite response, so it all evens out. I will also include 2 reviews in lieu of any comments as the reviews I have been getting currently outnumber the comments. One is from another of my fellow FMFs (Flint Music Freaks...could easily stand for other things and still work, too) on an album that I just listened to and loved (thanks, Scott!) and another from good ole' Matt. Off and runnin'....

250. Songs From A Room - Leonard Cohen (1969)
     I have never been a big fan of Cohen. No disrespect to one of the greatest songwriters alive, which he is. I have the same issues with Nick Cave. I'm just not into the whole goth folk thing. Slower but lengthy songs with minimal instrumentation, a deep bass voice and a darker, more suicidal vibe then, say, Dylan or Paul Simon. I do love a Cohen song taken out of it's original element, however, and would place him with the aforementioned two lyrical virtuosos as far as sheer songwriting goes. Regardless, this is the only Cohen album I love. Bird On A Wire is my favorite song by the former poet and novelist, and opens his second album. Other greats on the album include the Vietnam-through-Old Testament lesson of The Story Of Isaac, the anti-hero A Bunch Of Lonesome Heroes and another personal fave, Lady Midnight. As I said, he's not my favorite, but if you are a Dylan or Paul Simon fan (or just a fan of incredible lyrical content and musical storytelling), you should give this album a good listen. Even after he expanded his orchestration on songs and explored different genres, this is his best.

249. Five Leaves Left - Nick Drake (1969)
     Two raging albums, back to back! Just kidding, obviously, as Nick Drake's first album was actually inspired by Leonard Cohen's early work. Similar to the album sitting below this on the list, it is a slower acoustic album from an artist shrouded in mystery with a singular voice and melancholy style and excellent writing lyrically. It differs in everything else. Tempos fluctuate more on this album and the guitar tunings and playing are much more complex and can give a guy sitting in his room trying to pick it out a nervous breakdown. There is some orchestration here, with gentle strings sometimes improving the song, sometimes not. But mostly, it's the voice. This voice that can lull you to sleep, put you in the most somber of moods, or pick you up proper and dust you off...sometimes all in the same song. Time Has Told Me and Day Is Done are simply some of the best acoustic Brit folk ever, as is the song Drake considered the centerpiece of the album, River Man. Some albums (like Cohen's) I feel I have to justify a bit, even to myself, when saying you, dear reader, will love it, too. This is not one of those albums. Just go listen.

248. Gris Gris - Dr. John (1968)
     The actual term 'gris-gris' means a voodoo amulet which wards off evil spirits. When listening to this masterful debut from the Night Tripper himself, you might feel like you need one. Mixing New Orleans R&B, psychedelica and an affinity for recreational chemicals, Mac Rebennack (Dr. John) and producer Harold Battiste created voodoo funk. Heavy with eerie chanting, spell incantations and African percussion that sounds as if a summons to zombies everywhere, this is the perfect stoner summer album for after everyone has left the party and you're sitting at home with the last shot, the last hit and the moon. Personal faves are Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Mama Roux and the awesome closer, I Walk On Guilded Splinters.

247. White Blood Cells - The White Stripes (2002)
     The second of several albums listed from this band, I know many would say this is their best. While I disagree, it is certainly an incredible album and the one that broke them both commercially and critically with the single Fell In Love With A Girl. I confess, that was the first White Stripes song I ever heard, the one that started the madness within me as a loyal fan of Jack White and all he touches. Building on their blues/punk legacy from their first 2 albums, the Stripes ventured out of the dank smoke-filled rooms of back alley clubs and headed straight for...the dusty garage. Songs like Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground and Offend In Every Way make you feel as though you're standing next to the Bonneville as you listen, with production on the album purposely left sounding raw and ridged. Jack White said of this album, "there's no blues on the record. We're taking a break from that. There's no slide work, bass, guitar solos, or cover songs. It's just me and Meg, guitar, drums and piano." As a last note, you'll be sorry if you don't check out the sweetly (and oddly) innocent We're Going to Be Friends.

246. Funkify Your Life: The Anthology - The Meters (1995)
     Another band with that distinctive New Orleans sound and marching party rhythm, The Meters belong with James Brown and the JB's and Parliament/Funkadelic as one of the greatest funk bands of all time. They were there from the beginnings of the genre. They were actually Dr. John's backing band at times, but they were best when they did their own thing. This collection encompasses their entire career with this collection of players from the late 60s through the late 70s. At 2 discs and over 40 tracks, I could give you a few stand-outs, but I have to say most of the entire first disc is excellent. Seriously, if you're a fan of funk and/or good Nawlins music and you don't have this set, shame on you. Go pick you up some phat juicy beats and guitar. Now.

     As promised, a band with a new album out from a new reviewer....
Check out Screaming Females album Castle Talk. They used to have more of a punk sound but the new album sounds like a cross between L7 and Smashing Pumpkins. Lead singer plays guitar like Billy Corgan or James Iha, whoever made the SP sound, with running punk basslines and throaty female vocals. Quiet Loud Quiet early nineties sound but this is very different. Chad dubbed it stoner punk. They have toured with The Dead Weather. She is an amazing and unique guitarists. One of best I have heard since Jack White. Good stuff. 

     Thanks, Scott. And you're right, it is good stuff. Here's one more from Matt....
Incubus-'Morning View'
There is always dissension when discussing the best Incubus album. Many feel the older the better. Most like 'Make Yourself' which is on my list, but just not as high as this album. By this time Incubus had settled into their sound and began getting major recognition. The album fine tunes their alternative/ska/funky vibes featured on S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and other previous albums. '11 A.M.', 'Warning', 'Wish you were here' are the three best tracks in my opinion but there are great songs throughout. 

     That's all that's fit for print today. I am, indeed, beginning to run low on comments and reviews. I've had many say "oh yeah, I'm gonna give you 3" only to have an empty inbox to show for it. Thanks to Ryan, Scott, Michael and, of course, Matt for giving me a counterpoint and/or some great additional albums so far. The rest of you...git yo shit togetha! This goes for my international readers as well, I'd love to read a lil sumpthin sumpthin about what you're feeling is missing on here, or what you're listening to now. Hit me, people...that's not an offer you'll here from me often. Just please, be gentle. Oh so gentle. Or not.

#251-255

     Closing out the bottom 50 with this entry. The running list on the bottom of this blog will be it's own post or page and on the next post we'll start with a new short listing of the next 50. New poll to the right as well issuing the age old question, which Beatles album? I'll also include a fun little rant from Matt concerning my inclusion of The Decemberists on the list AND, I'm very excited to say, a list of Mr. Michael Absher's top 20 hard rock albums. Those of you in the Flint, MI area know he is THE DJ in our neck of the woods and his 25th anniversary of broadening our musical horizons is just around the corner. For those of you NOT from this region, trust me, he's the man. Not that I'm kissing up in the hopes of getting more reviews or lists from him or anything....wouldn't want to pressure him with praise...he's also a very handsome man. Away we go....

255. Harvest - Neil Young (1972)
     Young's fourth solo album was the best selling of 1972. It stands today as one of the greatest Americana country rock album evah (says I). It sort of set the stage for the soft rock mid-70s to begin as both James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt make appearances. Young's old bandmates C,S,N are all here on backing vocals as well. I must admit, I'm not a huge Neil Young fan, but with Heart Of Stone, Old Man, The Needle And The Damage Done and Alabama, it's hard to argue against this album. Of course, this also has A Man Needs A Maid and There's A World, which sound like weaker retreads of older material, hence it's placement here in the top 300. Still, the second best solo album from Young, Rolling Stone had it ranked at 78.

254. Stankonia - Outkast (2000)
     This one I go the other way on from Rolling Stone, who had it ranked at 359. "Slumadelic" is what Big Boi branded as the sound of his fourth album with Andre 3000. This remains the group's best album as Outkast or going solo. Songs like Ms. Jackson and So Fresh, So Clean hadn't really been done in rap before. The mixing of so many different styles and genres on a hip hop album being done so well hadn't really been done before, either. The samba-tinged Humble Mumble remains one of my favorite rap songs with one of the sickest flows I swear I've ever heard, the metaled-up Gasoline Dreams and mad club vibe of B.O.B...even the 'throw-away' minute-long sketches are good. A great hip hop and funk album, if you don't know it, get to. My only beef is that, at 24 tracks long, it can feel just that at times. Do not let that stop you from experiencing this incredible music.

253. Confirmation - Charlie Parker (1995)
     If you don't know him, Yardbird was one of the greatest sax players ever. There are live recording of his blistering brilliance that are very good albums. This 2-disc set is my favorite, however, as it an incredible example of how versatile an artist Parker truly was. I believe Coltrane was the greatest (you'll see much of him later), but no jazz saxophonist could play as well as Bird in as many settings. These recordings are mostly from the early 50's. You've got everything from his playing in quartets to playing in big bands, be-bop to latin jazz, strings to a vocal from Ella, the man appeared well in any company. A must-have for anyone just getting into jazz or anyone who loves great music. There's too much to say about the man himself, but do yourself a favor and read a bio, see the movie "Bird" or look him up on line to get to know this tortured soul who fought his addictions to give us some of the greatest sounds ever heard.

252. Strictly Commercial: Best Of - Frank Zappa (1995)
     The fact that this great composer/guitarist has around 100 albums out almost guarantees him a seat at this table. Add to that his fierce dedication to defending against censorship in the arts and respect alone should put him on the list. Luckily, Zappa was pretty damn good at what he did, as is evident on this expertly put-together Best Of collection, so we'll just judge his albums. I believe there are two studio albums he did that outshine this set, but it's a great place to start. The organized insanity of Peaches En Regalia, goofball bluesy Don't Eat The Yellow Snow, the rocking anti-girlfriend's mom My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama, Zappa was a big fan of telling off-beat stories (this collection steers clear of the more sexually overladen Zappa tracks mostly) to different genres and styles of music. He could have fit onto an album of great American composers as easily as he could have a Dr. Demento set. Start here to check out this essential figure in jazz/rock history, but stay tuned for more Zappa later!

251. One From The Vault - Grateful Dead (1991)
     This one is kind of a special one for me (sniff) as this was the first Grateful Dead album I ever listened to. This 2-disc live set was recorded in 1975 in the Dead's home city of San Fran. Smokin' versions of The Music Never Stopped, Eyes Of The World, Sugaree and even Johnny Cash's Big River can be found here. Also, Jerry and the boys played their album Blues For Allah in it's entirety for the first time ever on this collection, so it's almost like 2 albums in one! Not to mention my favorite version of one of my all-time favorite Dead songs. I overheard Franklin's Tower for the first time playing in my brother's room back in high school and I asked to borrow it. When he eventually let me, I listened to nothing but that album for a month. Oh, and if you're looking Matt H (not the other Matt who is a frequent guest here), I still have it. Sorry, bro.


     Here's a nice little tirade against The Decemberists having their album The Crane Wife ranked at #267 on the list:
broseff you have an obsession with concept albums. The Decemberists! I got that album for free and still felt I was owed money back. I liked 2 songs kind of. But, the rest was just nonsense. Its not the vocals alone or even the instrumentals that I dislike its mostly lyrical. Just because you tie your songs together with a common theme or story that resembles musical movie doesn't make it interesting. In fact, it makes them more unrelatable to the listener. To me it seems most of the time concept albums show a lack of creativity and seem self indulgent. Usually concept album artists act like they think their brilliant musicians saying I can make a whole albums about one flat story line. But, I think they're trying too hard. If the symbolic content of a song is there and you want to expand it do so in a track or two or even three. But, I doubt anything that can be summarized in a paragraph or less is going to sound better stretched to over 90 minute! That's time I can't get back! Its like a one note movie you see the ending a mile away. But, then again you did like 'Shutter Island' didn't you?!? Lol jk I crack myself up:)
Ps I was soo pissed about that album I actually remember throwing that album onto I69 about a year and a half ago! So if you want another copy.... Lol It should be by an Alesana album too:) Ironically I got both for free with a Best Buy gift card and picked up Vampire Weekend with it too. I was purposely trying out bands I had vaguely heard of. Vampire Weekend I liked quite a bit, but the other two tasted the highway!
     I do love a good concept album, Matt, as long as the songs can stand up on their own, which is a little bit of my issue with The Wall. I thought The Crane Wife had several songs that do just that. And, I confess, I do like Shutter Island. I thought it got a bad rap. At least I got Vampire Weekend right in your book, right? Thanks, as always, for the comments, my friend. Keep 'em coming, and you other readers, you could chime in, too, you know?!

     Finally, here's that list from the only guy that I will freely admit schools me in music appreciation and knowledge, Michael Absher.
Aside from a brief flirtation with the form in high school, I've never been much of a heavy metal guy. But I'm not entirely immune to the charms of turgid testosterone driven rifferama. So, I present the first in a series of top 20 lists...strictly by personal taste, mind you.
1. The Stooges - Fun House
2. Nirvana - Nevermind
3. Bad Brains - I Against I
4. Mudhoney - Bigmuff Superfuzz plus Early Singles
5. The Who - Who's Next
6. Mother Love Bone - s/t
7. Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
8. Faith No More - The Real Thing
9. Melvins - Stoner Witch
10. Van Halen - s/t
11. Janes Addiction - Nothings Shocking
12. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
13. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
14. AC/DC - Highway to Hell
15. Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape
16. Led Zeppelin - s/t
17. Alice in Chains - Dirt
18. Monster Magnet - Dopes to Infinity
19. Rage Against the Machine - s/t
20. Tool - Lateralus
I limited myself to one album per artist. And if I did this list tomorrow it would likely be different. Still, an interesting exercise.

     And there you have it. You've already seen Fun House on both lists, will there be more shared albums? Only time will tell. As always, feel free....feel obligated, even...to take the poll on this page, send comments, album reviews, lists, general musical shenanigans and goings-on my way. Let me know how you feel about my picks, love em, hate em, first timers, share, people, SHARE!

#256-260

     Here are the next 5, along with a comment from dearest Connie. Unfortunately, Connie, I can't help you out, but good ole Matt has a review for ya that shouldn't disappoint. Wondering if I may hear some rumblings of 'WTF?' about one of these albums, the same way I caught a lil bit 'o hellfire over the placement of The Wall on the list....we'll see! Here we go...

260. St. Elsewhere - Gnarls Barkley (2006)

     Of course, everyone knows Crazy, everyone's heard it at least 1,473 times each in the past 4 years, BUT...it's still a damn good song, isn't it? The majority of this album is filled with pretty damn good songs, especially for a debut effort from rap/soul/ r&b master Cee Lo Green and one of, if not THE, greatest producers in the game today, Danger Mouse. You've seen DM on the list already as producer of Gorillaz second album. Not only is he the best producer of hip hop based pop in the game, he currently creates some of the greatest hooks out there in his many side projects. This album is no exception. Listen to Smiley Faces and Who Cares for an example. Even when Cee Lo, who you can really hear coming into his own as the great soul singer he was meant to be, spouts gibberish on a track, DM's affinity for sampling obscure 60s tunes and Italian movie scores keeps things sounding incredible. The band's second album was good, but this is their best.

259. A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles (1964)

     Okay, clearly this band will have at least 5 more albums much, much further up on the list. My argument for this being, what some may feel, a little low is that The Beatles didn't start out as an 'album' kind of band. Really, no rock/pop band in the early 60s was focused on albums. It was all about the 'single,' the radio cut, the 45. A couple years later, bands would be putting out entire albums full of great music left and right. If you listen to this, it does not really compare to what the boys from Liverpool would be doing even the next year with Rubber Soul. What this album is, however, is the first example of the incredible song writing skills of Lennon and McCartney. It's their third album, and the first with not a cover song on it. Favorites are here such as A Hard Day's Night (obviously) and Can't Buy Me Love, and several other great pop tunes of the time. Although there would be a couple other albums before the band truly began to realize the start of their artistic vision with Rubber Soul, this is the best album of their 'single' days. Oh, and recording the album took 1 day, people. 1 freaking day! Rolling Stone ranked it at 388, so I did give it quite a bump from that, as it should be. Just not any higher.

258. Hot Shots 2 - The Beta Band (2001) 

     The Beta Band had a pretty loyal and avid following in the UK when they released their first EP, but didn't get a lot of attention in America until John Cusack decided to sell 5 copies of the band's Three EP's album by playing the song Dry The Rain in High Fidelity. More on that album later. After curiosity started to peak for the band through their name being dropped in the film, this album was released. It's quite a departure from the experimental rootsy electronic folk of the first 2 albums, but it kept what it should have from those genres and added pop structure and more refined hooks. An excellent album, check out the first 3 or 4 songs and you will stay to listen to the rest. Don't skip the last song called Won, a killer re-imagining of One Is The Loneliest Number as a trip hop song. Awesomeness.

257. Headhunters - Herbie Hancock (1973)

     Attempting to make a funk album, Herbie Hancock and his Headhunters produced the first platinum selling jazz album...ever. Hancock stripped down his complex compositions and left a thick skeletal base for his 5-piece to flesh out through funk, jazz, rock and African folk improvisations. Although jazz purists cried foul, the album crossed over and was a monumental influence on future jazz, funk and hip hop sounds. There are only 4 songs on this album, so it can be found in bargain bins from time to time. The first half of the album is worth whatever you're charged for it. Chameleon in the jazz/funk standard to this day, often covered, sampled and borrowed from. Watermelon Man is a personal fave of mine and my maineth, the best friend, Josh. When in college, we would compose our own variation on the first minute of the song with only our voices and drunkenness as our instruments. On answering machines, in bars, at parties, people were blessed with a very unique version of a Herbie masterpiece. Unfortunately, there are no recordings of this incredible cover we performed. You'll just have to settle for the original. An album that blazed new trails in several genres, I could write for hours on this, but you should just go listen. The last word I have on this, along with all the other accolades, I believe this to be the best funk album ever recorded without use of a guitar other than a bass. Not one electric or acoustic. Incredible.

256. Seal - Seal (1991)

     I can hear it now. "Seriously? Over the other albums in this post? Over the albums on the last post? On this list at all?" Everyone has their guilty pleasures. I know people who eat at Old Country Buffet by choice and who have had a love affair with Zima. This album is one of mine. I don't think I should feel too guilty, however, as this is a fantastic rock/soul/pop album recorded before the singer dove into the ocean of R&B drudgery. Perhaps best known for the cheese-infused Kiss From A Rose or his marriage to Heidi Klum, Seal first came culturally into view when he did the producer Adamski's track Killer, and then with often-covered Crazy (similar to Gnarls above, the song was impossible to avoid for about a year). Honestly, this is a great chill-out-without-passing-out album with some songs you can dance to as a bonus. Aside from the previously mentioned tracks, Whirlpool and Future Love Paradise are favorites. Make fun, tease, but go listen to this album before you do. Seal's only great album, you just might fall into it's clutches as well.

      Here's a comment from a few posts ago from Connie:

As someone who has listened to BNL forever, owns every single album, and has seen them live 7 times (maroon 5 runs a close second).......I would hope at least one of their albums makes the list. Also I'm pleased you are including early rap :) 

     Sorry, Connie. There will be more early hip hop, but no Bare Naked Ladies on the list, just running through my house. That's not as awesome as it sounds. I did love BNL in the early 90s. If I Had A Million Dollars was sort of an anthem for myself and several friends at one point. I'm not as fond of their whole albums as I used to be. But, so as to not disappoint, our friend Matt did have a review at the ready...
Barenaked Ladies- 'Live Rock spectacle': This is the 4th album from this band but its their first of many live albums. In general I find this band cheesy and slightly hit or miss with each album. But, 'Its all been done', 'Old Apartment' and 'If I had a million dollars' are all great tracks on this album. Packed with tons of happy sing along songs this is a fun easy to listen to album. 

     There you have it, Connie. Maybe not the absolute kindest review, but it's better than none, right? I'll try to get the next 5 up within the next few days. Until then, take the poll in the top right, write me some comments or a review of any album you love and want to share, buy the ticket, take the ride....

#261-265

     I've been churning out the posts fairly quickly, but it'll probably be a few days before the next one. There should be plenty on here to catch up with for ya, though! I'll also include a couple new questions and comments from our friend Matt AND we'll have a new review of an album from an up and coming artist who I've been digging on lately thanks to the writer, Ryan. AND I'll have a new poll up in the top right corner. By the way, Lil Wayne beat out Tori by a slim margin as an album people thought should not be on this list. See, Jakey comin' with all sorts uv flava! All right, here we go...

265. The Ozzman Cometh: Greatest Hits - Ozzy Osbourne (1997)
     In junior high and early high school, I was all about Ozzy. Working out, mowing the lawn, practicing my soccer skills, jogging, playing air guitar, going to bed...EVERYTHING I did for a while was in tune to the soundtrack of Oz. I understood the act and, of course, thought all that evil devilish crap was pretty cool, but that wasn't what sold me. The Yardbirds are the only other band I can think of that went through 3 line-ups and each time got the most incredible guitarist you'd ever heard. Randy Rhodes, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, they're all here in their "holy shit, did you hear that?" glory. There's even a few from the Black Sabbath days. Overall, way more songs that you do want then you don't, a great Greatest Hits album. Ozzy appears twice more on the list, but this is the only studio album of his as a solo project listed.

264. Swoon - Silversun Pickups (2009)
     If Smashing Pumpkins (I mean the original line-up, the only line-up that counts) and My Bloody Valentine got together and decided they wanted to write some semi-radio friendly songs....they would rip each others' throats out and nothing good would come of it. BUT if that COULD work, this album is what you would have. Swoon is the band's second album and is another under-appreciated gem. Although the muddy distortion of the guitars is it's calling card, this band has a great rhythm section and vocal harmonies to match. My faves are There's No Secrets This Year, Substitution, Catch And Release and Surrounded. One of the great rock albums to come out in the past few years.

263. Gimme Fiction - Spoon (2005)
     Spoon has been a disappointing band to me. Not because they're a bad band, obviously. This album has some of their best, most evolved songs: The Beast And Dragon Adored, I Turn My Camera On, I Summon You, it does sound like a modern day circa late 60's/early 70's Stones album (not quite that good, though). They had just begun to expand their sound and take more time with their layering of a track from the shorter, rapid fire, killer hook driven songs of their previous albums, one of which is higher on the list. And then...they started to suck. Two albums of suckage with a good track here and there. I don't care if they sold more, they really do suck. Listen to Gimme Fiction and hear how great this band could've been.

262. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco (2002)
     I know nothing of this band. Honestly. Jeff Tweedy is their lead songwriter/singer. That's it. I've been lectured I should know more about them, claiming to be the music freak that I am. I've heard the three albums prior to this one, and it's always....meh. That should be viewed as a testament to how great this album truly is. I know less about this band than any other on the list, but, damn, what a great album. It is very critically acclaimed and was Wilco's best seller, so don't just take my word for it. Listen to Kamera, Jesus Etc. and I'm The Man Who Loves You for some immediate gratification, but give this whole album a listen and just try not liking it. I dare ya.

261. Gorillaz - Gorillaz (2001)
     The first band to have 2 albums on the list (see #290), this was the debut and thus-far greatest album from Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, A.K.A. Gorillaz. Never mind that the band was formed under the premise of being an animated band that (originally) would only appear as such in videos/performances. That's awesome, but that was the visual aspect, always a major component within the band. Aurally this album had some of the sickest, coolest beats to come out early in the decade. You want genres? We're talking hip hop, rock, punk, reggae, latin...you name it, it's here. An amazing album from a consistently ground-breaking band.

     Here's a few questions from good ole Matt. I'll do my best to come close to answering them.
**Jay do you count skits and anything with its own track # as a track? Because if you do that's silly:) no new rap album will ever make your list b/c it would lower their good to bad track ratio. Plus, some of the connecting filler tracks you talk about on albums could just be added to the next or previous track. Then, the track its added to might have a slightly lower rating by a number or two. But, that would still be better than getting a 1 out of 5 rating as a track on its own. I think your focusing too much on the overall score and not enough on number of great songs on the album. By your system more tracks tends to equal lower ranking. Which seems odd. Most rap albums are 10 good songs with 7 skit/intro/outro songs. That's gonna give them just over a 50% rating, even if the other ten got perfect scores. So does a new track number equal a new track? Just questions I have for you.

     Good questions, my man. First, I do count skits, intros and any 'song' labeled as a track individually. My feeling is if it was engineered to be a stand-alone track, it should be judged as one. Otherwise it would've been tacked onto another song, as you say. I make exceptions for intros of bands on live albums that are around 30 seconds or less. Otherwise, it counts. It's not always a bad thing. There are some Outkast skits, for example, that are damn funny or creative and contribute to the greatness of an album. Biggie has one of the greatest intros to an album ever, in my humble opinion, and it clocks in at about 1:30. Other albums by artists like Eminem and Tool worsen great albums with dumb sketches or 2 minutes of static or voice mails. Filler is filler, and I want less of it.
     Second, you're right, some percentages are slightly askew due to the length on an album. I've noticed that especially with the handful of boxed sets on the list. But, again, the point system is just a method to categorize groups of albums to listen to a third/fourth/fifth time for eventual ranking. I do not rely solely on that, far from it. It's also easy to see when an album I love has a percentage a little higher than an album I love more and rank accordingly. I promise you, no shortage of time has been attributed to any part of this project.

     We'll hear more from Matt in other posts. This review is from a friend who listens to much of what I don't hear about or catch. Luckily, I get mixes and garage listening nights to catch up on what he's already caught. Here's a review of the latest from one of my favorite new hip hop artists, introduced to me by one of his biggest fans, Ryan...

His name is Childish Gambino and he's here to take over. You may know him as Donald Glover, the actor who plays Troy on NBC's Community, but he is much more than that. Stand up comedian, writer, and the best new hip hop artist in the game. And for the last time, no, he is not related to actor Danny Glover

            With three full length albums, an EP, and a pair of mixtapes under his belt, not to mention two seasons on Community, and three seasons writing for 30 Rock, Donald is a very busy man. Thankfully, his work has not suffered.

            Gambino's latest full length album, Culdesac, is one hell of an album. Produced by Donald himself, with assistance from friend and Community composer Ludwig Goransson, Culdesac has something for everyone. From smooth, lovey tracks like "Got This Money" and "So Fly", to gritty confessional tracks such as "Fuck It All," "I'm Alright," and "The Last." Culdesac also has its share of bass bumping, feel good tracks.

            The thing that sets CG apart from other rappers is the content of his songs. He may talk his share of money, women, clothes and cars, but its lines like "and this next part sounds like nonsense/ but I swear to God Tina Fey gave me confidence/ taught me everything that is good comes from honesty/ everybody's gotta voice you just gotta follow it" that keep fans coming back for more. If more rappers were as accessible as Mr. Glover, more people would understand what Hip Hop is really about. Name dropping Tina Fey certainly doesnt hurt.

            Must have tracks: "Do Ya Like" "Freaks and Geeks" "Not Going Back" "I Be On That"

            You can download Culdesac for free at CULDESAC-ALBUM.COM 

     Thanks, Ryan. Excellent stuff, readers, you should check him out. I'll post again when I can. Don't forget to check the new poll in the top right corner, and, as always, REVIEWS! COMMENTS! RAGE! I'll take them all, in written form only, please. Don't come ragin' up my driveway. That's not cool. 

#266-270

     Here's the next 5 followed with some comments from my friend and yet another respected music geek Todd along with another of Matt's reviews of an album I feel is beneath me. Kidding! He's actually put up some pretty good ones, says I. Anyway, onward....

270. Cuckoo - Curve ( 1993)
     This one even my music geek compatriots might scoff at. I love this band. The duo of Dean Garcia and Toni Halliday seemed more destined to despise each other than to form a band. The first time they tried to play nice the band dissolved into a pair of lawsuits, one against the other. Despite this, the two formed Curve years later and established a mix of sampled beats and guitar/bass licks with a killer female vocal that alternated from sweet to sour and predated Garbage. This particular album is their least critically acclaimed and most deserving of praise. Their second album, Cuckoo, branched out from the shoegazer goth of their first effort to include more alt rock and psychedelica. Do yourself a favor and find All Of One, Superblaster and Left Of Mother for greatness.

269. Give Up - Postal Service (2003)
     This band was named for the way Jimmy Tamborello would send instrumental tapes to Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard, and the return of said tapes after Gibbard added vocals and did some editing. Their only album features several incredible electronic pop songs, none greater than The District Sleeps Alone Tonight, which would easily be in my top 100 songs (hear that, Josh?). Every time I hear Owl City I cringe and wish to the musical Gods that Postal Service would regroup and show us how it's really done.

268. Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet (1960)
     For years, jazz music had broadened musical horizons both structurally and through mad improvisations, yet it rarely strayed from a 4/4 time signature beat. Basically, jazz songs were like a march. This album, originally released as a sort of experiment, would forever change that. Most popular for it's use of a 5/4 beat, Brubeck and his band didn't just paint new strokes, he emptied buckets of colors into this album. Take Five is the most popular, as it should be, but this album was far from critically lauded upon it's release. Classical jazz, improvisation, African and Turkish folk rhythms, it's all over the map in the best possible way.

267. The Crane Wife - The Decemberists (2006)
     Based on a Chinese folk tale meshed with Shakespeare and a few other tales tucked in, The Crane Wife doesn't seem as though it should be an album that was well-structured and engaging. It is, and it's the best album The Decemberists have put out yet. The short version of the story arc is man finds wounded crane, cares for it until it can fly, woman meets same man and marries, woman makes secret cloth to secure fortune man isn't allowed to see made, mans sees woman is crane using own feathers for cloth, woman/crane flies away. That completely makes you not want to hear this album at all, doesn't it? That would be your loss. In turns sweet and touching and inspiring and heartbreaking, this is an excellent concept album you shouldn't skip out on hearing.

266. Fun House - The Stooges (1970)
     All of my music geeks tend to love Raw Power or the debut album from our homestate punks as their fave. I believe this to be the best Stooges album. If you were paying attention in earlier posts, the debut came close. I just preferred it when the band learned how to actually play their instruments...a little better. To me, this was definitely the band's most accomplished work, despite the collective drug problems. Iggy Pop called the album "troglodyte groove." A completely confrontational, vicious wail of an album check Down On the Street, TV Eye and the slowed-down Dirt. Inspired by fellow Michiganders MC5, it's easy to see how instrumental this band, and album, truly were in the incoming conquering tides of punk rock.

     Here are a couple comments from Todd, yet another much respected music geek I have the pleasure of knowing. This is in regards to my wondering if The Wall ranked so low would be in issue for many...
No controversy from me ! On either Pink Floyd or REM ! While I was blown away when the Wall came out. It just doesn't hold up to the other great music made by the psychedelic dudes. Or the passage of time. Too much hatred ! Or at the very least, anger ! Roger Waters isn't my hero. If anyone from the Floyd is, it would have to be David Gilmour.

     Yeah, somebody agrees! Here's a brief threat about my "hatin'" on Coldplay....
Dude, Stop dissing Coldplay ! If you don't, I have to send out my soldiers!

     Hey, they did make the list, so they can't be all bad, right? Send me a review of an earlier album if ya like. Finally, here's another review from our good friend Matt. Never really got into this musician, but many friends like his style...
James Blunt-'Back to Bedlam' Most notably known for the debut single 'Beautiful'. This incredible songwriter with 'Rod Stewartess' vocals had his biggest success to date with this album. From cover to cover he covers a gambit of emotions from up tempo sing alongs, to songs of love and heartbreak, to politics and religion. There's something for everyone.

     Thanks again, Matt! I'll have the next 5 up as soon as I can. Comments and reviews and naysaying, people, that's what I'm hungry for. FEED THE BEAST....sorry. Seriously, though.

#271-275

     Here's another 5 that thrive (I read it as I wrote it, I'll never write it again, promise)! The equally lovely Mo and Kaley were with me when ranking these next albums. I'll also throw on 2 comments regarding my list of albums NOT making the cut and another review from Matt.

275. Coast To Coast Motel - G.Love and Special Sauce (1995)
      If you haven't heard G. Love and his band, they began as the perfect marriage of blues and hip hop in 1993, an era in music that officially kicked off non-hip hop bands somehow incorporating a hip hop influence into as many recordings as they could. This was the band's second album and leans more toward modern blues than their first. Later, G.Love would incorporate several different styles and genres of music into any given album, but I believe this to be his down-and-dirtiest. Check Kiss And Tell, Soda Pop and Small Fish for some early G.Love greatness. You'll get more of him, with and without Special Sauce, later.

274. Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends - Coldplay (2008)
     I hate Coldplay. I hated them before this album, when I would only admit to close friends I liked 2 of their songs, and I hate them now that they've put out a great album that I don't want to love, but do. They always sounded like Radiohead-lite to me, and now I've heard many bands that remind me of poor man's Coldplay. I just can't help it, every time I hear Strawberry Swing I tear up a bit because it reminds me of my girls. It's only a small tear. I can't help that I like to blast Yes and Lost in the convertible with the top down. I still turn it way down at stoplights. Great album. Damn Coldplay.

273. Live 5 - Phish (2001)
     Now, I know I've stated this in my first post, but it's just a reminder of what's to come: I was a diehard Phishhead. As a result, no other band has more albums on my list. Not the Beatles. Not the Stones. Not Dylan. The selection of Phish albums are not as high up in the ranks as those artists for the most part, but Phish outnumbers all here. Still reading? Good. Then check out this show from 2000 when the band was still smokin' live. Alpine Valley in Wisconsin is the venue, the location the band would usually play after they left my favorite venue of Deer Creek in Indiana. Possum and Run Like An Antelope (my personal fave Phish jam, but more on that later) are excellent examples of one of the greatest live bands in history.

272. We The People - Groove Collective (1996)
     Another hybrid by-product of hip hop eating into other genres in the 90s was the acid jazz. Whereas trip hop came to be associated with a DJ emulating jazz and psychedelica, acid jazz was the reverse. We The People, this band's second album, best demonstrates what the original line-up's creed always was: to compete directly with a DJ by playing the same range of music that said DJ is capable of playing, but by doing so with live music. That's pretty close to a direct quote, actually, taken from the band's first album, which we'll see later. Listen to the jazzed up, funked out soul of Groove Collective's only true album hit, Lift Off. If you can find this album, that is.


271. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (2008)
     This album was considered great before it was even released as the band enjoyed an enormous critical media build-up prior to the debut album dropping. I believe it was worth it. Rolling Stone and Spin both have the album near the top 50 released during that decade. This is an album that would still be on this list 10 years from now because the tunes are that great: simple, optimistic and danceable without being 'dance' music. Wearing many influences on their sleeves, most notably Paul Simon and The Police, the only disappointment with the African/Calypso infected album is that the band hasn't been able to match it's creative melodies and excellent hooks on another album. A-Punk is my daughter Mona's fave. I also love Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa and Bryn, but really, not too many weaker songs on this one. A very fun album.

     Okay, here's a couple comments from the Peanut gallery. The first comes to us from Melissa...
I'm ashamed to admit I haven't even heard of some of these albums although I'd also admit that I stopped listening to new music right about the time I graduated from college. But I am inspired to at least check out some of them. I am hard pressed right now to think of 25 albums I like all the way through (and not just a couple of songs). I will defend Pearl Jam's Yield though (this would definitely be on my top 25). I don't know if you do this, but I associate albums and songs with certain memories. The year that this came out, 1998, is the first year I saw Pearl Jam live so I am probably a little biased. Every song on here from beginning to end is great, including "Lowlight" which is my second favorite Pearl Jam song of all time. This whole album was, to me, just a completely different sound for them and I loved it! I know this album didn't get a lot of attention (well, lots more than No Code anyway) but I'd venture to say it's my favorite album of theirs.

     Thanks, Melissa, and I really hope you find some albums on here you really enjoy. Well, I hope you enjoy ALL of the albums on my list, but that may be asking a bit much. And of course I understand your love of Yield. It really did almost make the cut. Of course, as you pointed out, one of the best things about music is that one song/album can mean so many different things to different people. No 2 people would have the same list of favorite albums, but I love debating choices and exclusions from this list, and I especially love hearing about a certain song/album's importance in someone else's life. It makes that music better for me, because I know how much it means to a friend. It gives it a new perspective.

     Here's a quick comment from Kelly...
Hey Jason - I'm reading here in NY. You got me interested with the Astral Weeks question (probably my fave album of all time, but whatever). I don't know half of the stuff you're writing about, but it's still interesting reading - and I'm sure will be interesting listening too, once I get around to checking it out. But mostly I'm writing now to support your exclusion of Jeff Buckley. I. Do not. Get. It. With him. At all. Have tried; can't stand it. That's it for now. xx 

     If you actually read the first post on this blog, you read about my love of theatre spawning from my pursuit of a lovely young lady. Hi, Kelly! Excellent to hear from you! Yeah, I'm sorry about Astral Weeks. Do you have any albums or bands that you actually wished you loved, it just doesn't click for you, regardless of multiple listenings and passionate, half-drunken debate? Astral Weeks and Bruce are those albums and musicians for me. And, don't get me wrong, I do like some Jeff Buckley stuff, just no full album. Thanks, Kell. I hope you'll chime in more as we move down the stretch.

     Finally, here's another review from Matt. I've been hearing a couple people are messaging me more reviews on facebook. I anxiously await. I've only got a few more from Matt!
Lady GaGa-'The Fame Monster': The debut album from Lady GaGa went 8 times platinum and had 7 #1 singles. She's the highest selling digital artist and Youtube artist ever! Now I don't normally care about these figures because usually the general population has low standards. But, this time they finally got it right. Granted only because of good marketing, but it worked. She's a mix of Freddie Mercury, Alice Cooper with yes a tad Madonna. GaGa wrote or produced every track on this album. Its obviously a pop album at heart. But, has hints of classic rock anthems and even a little r&b track or two. With piercing vocals and unforgettable melodies its the best pop album by anyone in the last decade. The only downfall is its over played singles from our awesome radio stations! :) 'The Fame' 'Beautiful, Dirty, Rich' and 'Speachless' are great non released singles from this album. Whether you love or hate her no one can deny she's got natural talent and your talking about her! So her marketing plan is working! 

     I'll try to get the next 5 up over the next 2 days. We'll be through the bottom 50 before you know it! As always, looking for album-related stories, reviews, death threats about rankings, any feedback or comments you'd like to share are greatly appreciated. Go check out something you haven't heard!