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.
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!
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 LoversNas-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!
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
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