#s 296-300 (In time, we all rhyme.)

     Mo, one of my most consistent garage frequenters, really wanted that last bit in the title as a sub-title. I aim to please. Below are my picks for #296-300 with some brief comments included. There were quite a few people here for the christening of the list and those good people will be listed below as well. Finally I am including the first half of a long but excellent rebuttal concerning not one, not two, but many of the bands and musicians I neglected for the sake of my list. Well done, Matt. Here we go.....

300. John Wesley Harding - Bob Dylan (1967)
     This was recorded during Dylan's tenure with The Band, although he ran off to Nashville and picked up a couple of session players to record this. It was a return to pure folk-country after a few electric albums. The album is basically a composite of various character sketches from the Bible and America's history. Noted as being a very stripped-down album with Bob pulling back a bit on the tenacity of his lyrics. Still, an excellent album that, if nothing else, gave the world All Along The Watchtower. Rolling Stone last ranked it at 301.

299.- With Teeth - Nine Inch Nails (2005)
     Influenced heavily by Reznor's battle with substance abuse and the recovery that followed, this album followed a six year hiatus by NIN. Very popular when released, this album has fallen in favor with many critics as being weaker that the preceding 3 albums. I would agree with 2 of those albums being higher, but with tracks like Only, The Hand That Feeds and Every Day Is Exactly The Same, along with several slow-builders typical of Reznor's style, it's a classic.

298. Tha Carter 3 - Lil Wayne (2008)
     This album definitely caused the most dissent in the garage. My favorite attempted insult was "this is exactly what high school girls listen to." Thanks for that, Patrick! Critically acclaimed upon it's release and in most critics' top 10 lists for the year, the album won a Grammy and had a #1 single...none of which I really care about. I feel it is an album of inconsistencies but, overall, the production is excellent. I am hot and cold on Weezy as this is his only album on my list, but when his flow is on, as in A Milli, it's just sick. I also hate to admit it, but it's near impossible for me not to bounce to Got Money.

297. The White Stripes - The White Stripes (1999)
     Recorded in Detroit before Jack White declared his dislike for the city and refusal to play there again, this 2-person unit took the blues and kicked it's ass all over the fretboard. The assault from a guy and a girl that looked like they worked in your local cafe absolutely bowled me over the first time I heard them. People who know me know of my undying love for Jack White and, therefore, know this is the first of many albums to be seen featuring him. This actual physical cd hold a special place in my heart as it was impossible for me to find when released until a visit to Wyatt Earp's (an excellent local music store) and one of my most respected music lovers, Michael Absher.

296. Illinois - Sufjan Stevens (2005)
     Another Detroiter, this entire album is based on the people, places and events of the state of Illinois. He had previously done an album similarly referencing all things Michigan, but Illinois is when he really found his songwriting stride. It was rumored Sufjan would be doing an album for every state, but that was later admitted to be a bit of a publicity ploy. A lover of large orchestral arrangement, he never better utilized that passion than on Illinois. The shorter instrumental blurbs and religious reference can be tiring at times, but overall an awesome album. Everyone seems to have a different favorite song, another testament to how good this album is. Check out Jacksonville, Chicago, John Wayne Gacy Jr. and They Are Night Zombies!

     Here are the brave souls who started this trip with me....
Brookelyn Walters / Joshua Sauvie / Mo Hnatiuk / Courtney Wilson / Ella Thorp / Christopher Robinson / Ryan Vizcarra / Kaitlin Kilbourne / Chris Keller / Patrick Munley / the incredible Tiffany Hurley
     Thanks to all of you for your company and input. Much appreciated, stop by and help anytime, just call first. 

     Finally, here is the first half of a passionate fellow music fan and friend sent to me via facebook....
Jason buddy 'o pal, what the hell are you thinking! Lol jk When I heard of this list of yours, I was super excited. See, not to steal your thunder. But, I too love list/surveys. I always used to fill out those stupid publishers clearing house and random surveys my grandma received in the mail. I too love all things pop culture. So since your combining the two, your list got me excited for sure. I figured yesterday the only way for me to adequately comment on your blog was to make my own 'rough draft' list. When I got to 300 I just dwindled it down to 150. I took out anything that doesn't fit your rules and anything I felt I could go either way with. I only had 2 country albums on my list and the Grease soundtrack so those 3 were really easy. Now out of my top 150 you've already broken my heart:( lol Your 'unlisted' list killed me! Out of 150 I now know at least 55 of my picks are not listed. 55 Jason!!!! I thought we would have closer musical tastes than that. I think your pallet needs cleansing:) I'm gonna prepare reviews for all 55. Even though I know it'll take a min and fall on deaf ears, I'm gonna try any way. But, I'm a dork with tons of extra time! Also out of my 150 and your unlisted, I now believe I only have 15 guarantees to be on both our lists. Only 15 out of 300! The other 80 songs on my list are maybes for both, but I figured 50-60% of those won't be on yours either. So I'm hurtin' here buddy. I may agree on about 55 out of your 300 that's a low number. Now just a quick overview of why we differ so much w/o actual album reviews. #1 no freakin' Jagged Little Pill? Really?!? I know you like it everyone does. But, not even in your top 300? Every song was awesome! 3 or 4 #1 hits. All written by her angry girl rocker self. Its the #1 debuting album for a female artist ever! or it was before GaGa. Which brings me to the no love for your homos section:) No GaGa? Okay I realize its her 1st album and its not old enough to see if it stands the test of time. But, being that I've seen 4 concerts in 2.5 years. I'm a self proclaimed monster. Her album is honestly great from cover to cover. Her performance ability though not part of this list is off the charts. If the influence on culture or other artists is a factor, she should be included. Everyone in pop music is trying to find there own 'GaGaesque' style. I get the Madonna references I do, but unlike Madonna she wrote or produced every song on her albums. She plays multiple instruments including classical piano and sings live unlike the material girl. Frankly, if you strip down GaGa she is nothing like Madonna, she has talent!! The comparisons are mainly from studio production and marketability aspects like subtle chanting, beats, gay influence etc. I would really consider her more of a female Freddie Mercury/Alice Cooper mix. I might lose my gay card for this. But, Madonna is the overrated one. She talk/chants every song and has like a 5 note vocal range. I only had her greatest hits album on my list. But, once again she's influenced everyone that followed her. Which, is funny b/c she was originally compared to Marilyn Monroe. In fact, every new pop star still is told they copy Madonna, so why no list # Jason? Huh? Huh? Lol I'm gonna go out on an obvious limb and mention I know there is no Scissor Sisters album on your list and I had 2 on mine. So boo, from the gay peanut gallery. In fact, I feel like your list may be popless. Which I didn't know until yesterday fills like 25% of my list. I always thought of my self as a rock/alternative guy. But, not so much after really analyzing the situation. I'm concerned about your rap choices too el dudarino. No Kanye at all?!? What! You got to be crazy. College Dropout is definitely his best work. He produced the shit out of the whole album and its lyrically phenomenal. 'Through the wire', 'Jesus Walks', 'All Falls Down', 'Workout Plan' and those are just the singles released. I know it cover to cover, listen to it monthly and it was on repeat for the first 6 months it came out. Its an original rap album that talks of politics, racism and lifes struggles. Instead of money, hoes, drugs and cars like most rap tends to do. His douchness makes him disliked w/o really paying attention to the talent he is being over looked for. I'm concerned about your singling out of The Eminem Show too. That means I know you have 2 if not 3 Em albums on your list. The Marshall Mathers LP is by far his best. Recovery is my 2nd. Then, the Eminem Show and Slim Shady LP rounds out his good albums. I hope to the non-existent god above that you do not put on the Slim Shady LP. First of all its not as good as the Eminem Show. Secondly, there is no Kanye and his album is better than either the Em Show or Slim Shady LP. I know I'm gonna be looking closely at all your rap picks trying to find the place where Kanye should be. I know you like B.I.G. and Tupac so I'm guessing when you put multiple albums by them, that's when I'll be questioning your sanity.

     Thanks, Matt, and I'm glad to play a small part in the inspiration to formulate your own list 'o faves. You'll have to wait and see, but I will say you are in the wrong with some of your assumptions with what did and did not make the list. I'll look forward to surprising you. Thanks again for the message, this is exactly what I'm hoping for and I'll post the second half of this with my next 5.
     Again, anyone and everyone can send my review, rebuttals, referrals straight to hell and I'll post them. So far Matt's is the only thing I've gotten. The only comment I can post is from my main, Josh, who I hope will be contributing frequently in all ways to the blog......

Yes, and NIN and REM weren't popular bands? Your goth logic is faulty. I will prove it so. You got a problem and I will bring The Cure. Disintegration before The Black Album! Aw Sooky.
J
     This was in reference to my first post. He keeps fighting for The Cure in vain. Don't we all, my friends, don't we all.

      The next 5 are coming soon. Let me know how ya feel!