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.
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.
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