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!
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!
