#352: Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms

May 13, 1985, Warner Bros.

1. "So Far Away"- 5:12

2. "Money for Nothing" - 8:26

3. "Walk of Life" - 4:12

4. "Your Latest Trick" - 6:33

5. "Why Worry" - 8:31

6. "Ride Across the River" - 6:58

7. "The Man's Too Strong" - 4:40

8. "One World" - 3:40

9. "Brothers in Arms" - 7:00

RESULTS

Rate: 7.5/10

Best Song: Money for Nothing

Worst Song: Your Latest Trick

Comments

A very light rock, this Yacht Rock collection is pretty smooth, not hard to listen to, and kinda relaxing. Dire Straits pull of a smoother rock, that still is acceptably complex in how it is performed. I mean, the guitar in this bad boy is just off the hook.

The impressive clash of instruments makes up for a pretty solid soundtrack, but other than that, there's nothing overally great. The filler songs are long and drawn out, and the hidden gems in the Album are really the only thing to listen for. Other than that, groovy Album.

#353: Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

November 22, 2010, Def Jam/Roc-a-Fella

1. Dark Fantasy - 4:40

2. Gorgeous (ft. Kid Cudi & Raekwon) - 5:57

3. Power - 4:52

4. All Of the Lights (Interlude) - 1:02

5. All Of the Lights - 4:59

6. Monster (ft. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver) - 6:18

7. So Appalled (ft. Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi Da Prynce, Swizz Beatz & RZA) - 6:38

8. Devil In A New Dress (ft. Rick Ross) - 5:52

9. Runaway (ft. Pusha T) - 9:08

10. Hell Of A Life - 5:27

11. Blame Game (ft. John Legend) - 7:49

12. Lost In The World (ft. Bon Iver) - 4:16

13. Who Will Survive In America - 1:36

RESULTS

Rate: 8/10

Best Song: Hell of a Life

Worst Song: All of the Lights (Interlude)

Comments

I actually like Kanye, act and all. I don't know what gets me about egotistical people, but they make me laugh and I just love them.

Music's fine, only time Nicki Minaj will make this list though. Lots of features, makes the music less personal. Oh well, I enjoyed it.

#354: Billy Joel - 52nd Street

Billy Joel - 52nd Street

October 13, 1978, Columbia

1. "Big Shot" – 4:03

2. "Honesty" – 3:56

3. "My Life" – 4:44

4. "Zanzibar" – 5:13

5. "Stiletto" – 4:42

6. "Rosalinda's Eyes" – 4:41

7. "Half a Mile Away" – 4:08

8. "Until the Night" – 6:35

9. "52nd Street" – 2:27

RESULTS

Rate: 5/10

Best Song: Big Shot

Worst Song: Until the Night

Comments

Look at Billy Joel leaning against that wall with a fucking trumpet and that stupid perm. Now imagine that in music form, and you've got this Album.

It's alot of Billy Joel's classics, so, not very good. I've heard a bunch of these, but can't say I really like it. The Album itself is a snoozefest, producing what can best be described as mediocre at best. Tapped my feet, bopped my head, nothing more.

#355: The Yardbirds - Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds

The Yardbirds - Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds

March 1964, Epic

1. "You're a Better Man Than I" - 3:17

2. "Evil Hearted You" - 2:24

3. "I'm a Man" - 2:37

4. "Still I'm Sad" - 2:57

5. "Heart Full of Soul" - 2:28

6. "The Train Kept A-Rollin'" - 3:26

7. "Smokestack Lightning" - 5:35

8. "Respectable" - 5:28

9. "I'm a Man" - 4:24

10. "Here 'Tis" - 5:04

RESULTS

Rate: 6.5/10

Best Song: Evil Hearted You

Worst Song: Still I'm Sad

Comments

So, the whole "1960's British Invasion" -esque kind of music, with the whole traditional Boy Band shit, like The Beatles and whatnot, has also hit a sweet spot for me.

At the beginning of the Album, it was really doing it for me. I was baffled how I had never even HEARD of these guys before, they were incredible, with a sound so original, and beat so catchy, it was astonishing that Eric Clapton had ever left them.

And then Track 3 killed my hopes and dreams.

The songs became twangy, and Bluesy, which really didn't fit the Rock very well, and you can tell that after Clapton left, they didn't really know how to add the right ingredients properly. The few ending songs have some Live Clapton again and it saves the Album from drowning, but goddamn, they are just miserable. Still, the first two tracks are worth a listen, admittingly catchy.

#356: Randy Newman - 12 Songs

Randy Newman - 12 Songs

April 1970, Reprise

1. "Have You Seen My Baby?" – 2:32

2. "Let's Burn Down the Cornfield" – 3:03

3. "Mama Told Me Not to Come" – 2:12

4. "Suzanne" – 3:15

5. "Lover's Prayer" – 1:55

6. "Lucinda" – 2:40

7. "Underneath the Harlem Moon" (Originally by Mack Gordon, Harry Revel) – 1:52

8. "Yellow Man" – 2:19

9. "Old Kentucky Home" – 2:40

10. "Rosemary" – 2:08

11. "If You Need Oil" – 3:00

12. "Uncle Bob's Midnight Blues" – 2:15

RESULTS

Rate: 4/10

Best Song: Have You Seen My Baby?

Worst Song: If You Need Oil

Comments

Holy shiiiiiit another Randy Newman Album? Who made this list, Toy Story?

The Album is just Randy Newman, and I don't really like Randy Newman. His weird groaning and rambling is so insincere to what he's trying to get a message about. When I first listened to this Album, I was like "Oh, this isn't too bad." But then I let it sink in, and it just didn't stick well with me. I feel like this is another one of those silly filler Albums. 

On top of that, I cannot get over how good the reception was to this. What genre even is this?!

#357: The Rolling Stones - Between the Buttons

The Rolling Stones - Between the Buttons

January 20, 1967, London

1. "Yesterday's Papers" - 2:04

2. "My Obsession" - 3:17

3. "Back Street Girl" - 3:27

4. "Connection" - 2:08

5. "She Smiled Sweetly" - 2:44

6. "Cool, Calm & Collected" - 4:17

7. "All Sold Out" - 2:17

8. "Please Go Home" - 3:17

9. "Who's Been Sleeping Here?" - 3:55

10. "Complicated" - 3:15

11. "Miss Amanda Jones" - 2:48

12. "Something Happened to Me Yesterday" - 4:55

RESULTS

Rate: 7/10

Best Song: Back Street Girl

Worst Song: Complicated

Comments

Meh, Rolling Stones Album. Not much else to say. No biggies, no baddies, just mellowed out Stones finding their sound. Not quite sure why this Album made such a big noise.

#358: Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain

Miles Davis - Sketches of Spain

July 18, 1960, Columbia

1. "Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio)" - 16:19

2. "Will o' the Wisp" - 3:47

3. "The Pan Piper (a.k.a. Alborada de Vigo)" - 3:52

4. "Saeta" - 5:06

5. "Solea" - 12:15

RESULTS

Rate: 7/10

Best Song: Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio)

Worst Song: The Pan Piper (a.k.a. Alborada de Vigo

Comments

OLE OLE OLE OLE OLE OLE *VUVUZELA HORN*

It's alright for it's genre, and it's really nice to just zone out to and imagine shit in your head. I guess I'm really not into a "Third Stream" mood, but if I was, this Album would be fly. Christopher Columbus.

Lots of classical instruments, you've got heavy on the brass, light woodwinds, percussion going mental, all piping into a hot Spanish day. It's like a blast of "whoa okay this is a thing". Sombrero.

#359: Elton John - Honky Château

Elton John - Honky Château

May 19, 1972, Uni

1. "Honky Cat" – 5:13

2. "Mellow" – 5:32

3. "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself" – 3:35

4. "Susie (Dramas)" – 3:25

5. "Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)" – 4:45

6. "Salvation" – 3:58

7. "Slave" – 4:22

8. "Amy" – 4:03

9. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" – 5:00

10. "Hercules" – 5:20

RESULTS

Rate: 6/10

Best Song: Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)

Worst Song: Salvation

Comments

Look, I know you're looking at "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself" (My second fav song by the way).

It's a really good song, and not depressing at all, aight? It's about teenage hormones basically.

Not my fav Elton John album, and it was a pain the ass to find all the songs, as Spotify didn't have the album, and Youtube is, well, Youtube.

Most of it is typical Elton John shit, to be honest. Rocketman and stuff. If you're an Elton John fan, then, it's a good Album, but if you're indifferent, then it's just an Album with a couple good songs on it.

#360: Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady

Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady

September 25, 1979, I.R.S.

1. Orgasm Addict - 1:58

2. What Do I Get? - 2:50

3. I Don't Mind - 2:20

4. Love You More - 1:45

5. Ever Fallen In Love? - 2:40

6. Promises - 2:35

7. Everybody's Happy Nowadays - 3:10

8. Harmony In My Head - 3:05

9. What Ever Happened To? - 2:08

10. Oh Shit! - 1:32

11. Autonomy - 3:52

12. Noise Annoys - 2:49

13. Just Lust - 2:57

14. Lipstick - 2:35

15. Why Can't I Touch It? - 6:33

16. Something's Gone Wrong Again - 4:30

RESULTS

Rate: 9/10

Best Song: Something's Gone Wrong Again

Worst Song: Promises

Comments

Hope Grandma isn't reading this.

Pretty hardcore Album, stupidly funny, and made me go "THEY WROTE THIS SONG?!" A few times. Punk can be ridiculously big softies, but I think they just do that ironically. Sweet jams, rocked out pretty hard. I normally adhore compilation Albums, but this one wasn't overly long, and really did have some smashing hits on it.

Overall, killer Album, definitely recommend to those 12 year old kids in Skinny Jeans that used to be me .

#361: OutKast - Stankonia

OutKast - Stankonia

October 31, 2000, LaFace

1. "Intro" - 1:09

2. "Gasoline Dreams" (featuring Khujo) - 3:34

3. "I'm Cool" (Interlude) - 0:42

4. "So Fresh, So Clean" - 4:00

5. "Ms. Jackson" - 4:30

6. "Snappin' & Trappin'" (featuring Killer Mike and J-Sweet) - 4:19

7. "D.F." (Interlude) - 0:27

8. "Spaghetti Junction" - 3:57

9. "Kim & Cookie" (Interlude) - 1:12

10. "I'll Call Before I Come" (featuring Gangsta Boo and Eco) - 4:18

11. "B.O.B" - 5:04

12. "Xplosion" (featuring B-Real)- 4:08

13. "Good Hair" (Interlude) - 0:14

14. "We Luv Deez Hoez" (featuring Backbone and Big Gipp) - 4:10

15. "Humble Mumble" (featuring Erykah Badu) - 4:50

16. "Drinkin' Again" (Interlude) - 0:24

17. "?" - 1:28

18. "Red Velvet" - 3:52

19. "Cruisin' in the ATL" (Interlude) - 0:19

20. "Gangsta Shit" (featuring Slimm Calhoun, Blackowned C-Bone and T-Mo) - 4:41

21. "Toilet Tisha" - 4:24

22. "Slum Beautiful" (featuring CeeLo Green)- 4:07

23. "Pre-Nump" (Interlude) - 0:27

24. "Stankonia (Stanklove)" (featuring Big Rube and Sleepy Brown) - 6:51

RESULTS

Rate: 7.5/10

Best Song: Stanklove

Worst Song: D.F.

Comments

Andre's so tight yo.

Yeah, the Album feels pretty slick. It's a pretty versatile Album, most of it being just ridiculous, and you can kind of hear the theme of Modern Rap start to peak around hear, with "Ms. Jackson" apologizing to his girl's parents about the fact that they could totally break-up.

"Stankonia" is just a made up paradise of Rap, basically, where self-expression is legal or something. It's kind of weird and just sounds unhygienic, but hey, good music!

Even after awhile, the songs remain so unique, which really helps break through an Album. Sometimes you felt like the mixing got kind of lazy, and there was definitely some artistic decisions that ruined good songs, which can be dotted all over the place.

#362: The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream

July 27, 1993, Virgin

1. "Cherub Rock" - 4:58

2. "Quiet" - 3:41

3. "Today" - 3:19

4. "Hummer" - 6:57

5. "Rocket" - 4:06

6. "Disarm" - 3:17

7. "Soma" - 6:39

8. "Geek U.S.A." - 5:13

9. "Mayonaise" - 5:50

10. "Spaceboy" - 4:28

11. "Silverfuck" - 9:13

12. "Sweet Sweet" - 1:38

13. "Luna" - 3:20

RESULTS

Rate: 9.5/10

Best Song: Cherub Rock

Worst Song: Geek U.S.A.

Comments

The best Smashin' Pumpkins album ever.

A few days ago, Corgan announced they would never play this Album again, because it's not "Who they are anymore".

So I guess I'm never going to a Smashing Pumpkins concert anymore.

This Album is gold. The artists struggled so hard to make this Masterpiece, but when they did, the dreamiest most messy but almost corruptly beautiful passions just poured out into this incredibly amazing work of art. It's just so brilliant, and I honest to God love Corgan's voice. The man's kind of a prick, but Jesus, that might be why this Album is so gold.

#363: New Order - Substance

New Order - Substance

August 15, 1987, Qwest

1. "Ceremony" - 4:23

2. "Everything's Gone Green" 5:30

3. "Temptation" 6:59

4. "Blue Monday" 7:29

5. "Confusion" - 4:43

6. "Thieves Like Us" - 6:36

7. "The Perfect Kiss" - 8:46

8. "Sub-culture" - 4:48

9. "Shellshock" - 6:28

10. "State of the Nation" - 6:32

11. "Bizarre Love Triangle" - 6:44

12. "True Faith" - 5:55

RESULTS

Rate: 5.5/10

Best Song: Ceremony

Worst Song: State of the Nation

Comments

RIP Ian Curtis

That's the whole reason this band exists. It's just Joy Division without Ian. 

It's starts of pretty charming and surprisingly witty, but that's because Ian kind of wrote "Ceremony". As I've said before, I'm in a weird Goth Music phase, so Joy Division is a win for me. But after "Temptation", the Album turns into a literal porno. "Blue Monday" is actual porn music, and it's just so weird and electro. The rest of the Album just sucks from there. It has no solid direction, no firm grounding, and is kind of depressing knowing that this band is kind of just Joy Division without Joy Division. 

#364: The Doors - L.A. Woman

The Doors - L.A. Woman

April 19, 1971, Elektra

1."The Changeling" - 4:21
2. "Love Her Madly" - 3:20

3. "Been Down So Long" - 4:41

4. "Cars Hiss by My Window" - 4:12

5. "L.A. Woman" - 7:49

6. "L'America" - 4:37

7. "Hyacinth House" - 3:11

8. "Crawling King Snake" - 5:00

9. "The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)" - 4:16

10. "Riders on the Storm" - 7:09 

RESULTS

Rate: 8/10

Best Song: Riders on the Storm

Worst Song: The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)

Comments

Screw you, they ARE good.

The elevator music sounds of The Doors really could calm the nerve of a psychopath. I had to pick between "Riders on the Storm", or "Love Her Madly", both being top picks for some of the best content on this baby. Really good choices for songs.

MEANWHILE

Jim Morrison becomes a member of the 27 club three months after this Album was released, making this Album all the more haunting. He recorded his music in a bathroom, went to France or whatever, and died. Pretty good stuff man.

#365: Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

November 3, 1992, Epic Associated

1. "Bombtrack" - 4:04

2. "Killing in the Name" - 5:14

3. "Take the Power Back" - 5:37

4. "Settle for Nothing"- 4:48

5. "Bullet in the Head" - 5:07

6. "Know Your Enemy" (feat. Maynard James Keenan) - 4:55

7. "Wake Up" - 6:04

8. "Fistful of Steel" - 5:31

9. "Township Rebellion" - 5:24

10. "Freedom" - 6:06

RESULTS

Rate: 8.5/10

Best Song: Killing in the Name

Worst Song: Township Rebellion

Comments

TOM MORELLOOOOO

Always loved this band. The whole "Fight the System!" protege is a little much, but the attitude and energy it gives off just makes me want to break something, set something aflame, get into a fight, all that jazz. The lyrics hit hard, the music destroys, and it becomes this entity to try and keep up with. So good.

Only issue is the Album starts good, but it feels like my annoying cousin, rambling on about shit you don't really care about after awhile. "AnArChYYYY!"

Nah, man. Tom Morello.

#366: Johnny Cash - American Recordings

Johnny Cash - American Recordings

April 26, 1994, American

1. "Delia's Gone" - 2:18

2. "Let the Train Blow the Whistle" - 2:15

3. "The Beast in Me"(Originally by Nick Lowe) - 2:45

4. "Drive On" - 2:23

5. "Why Me Lord" (Originally by Kris Kristofferson) - 2:20

6. "Thirteen" (Originally by Glenn Danzig) - 2:29

7. "Oh, Bury Me Not" (Introduction: "A Cowboy's Prayer") - 3:52

8. "Bird on a Wire"(Originally by Leonard Cohen) - 4:01

9. "Tennessee Stud" (Originally by Jimmy Driftwood) -  2:54

10. "Down There by the Train" (Originally by Tom Waits) - 5:34

11. "Redemption" - 3:03

12. "Like a Soldier" - 2:50

13. "The Man Who Couldn't Cry"(Originally by Loudon Wainright III) - 5:03

RESULTS

Rate: 7/10

Best Song: The Man Who Couldn't Cry

Worst Song: Drive On

Comments

Johnny Cash's 81st Album (Damn),

He literally took a guitar and just recorded shit people wrote for him in his living room, and the producers just let him do whatever. And it worked.

Pretty sad stuff, where the meaning is the point of the music, not the actual tune itself. Witty, but can end up a little stale at times.

You also have to appreciate Cash's deadpan dark humour. He plays dark comedic lyrics in his twisted dying voice, and the crowd just chuckles in the few live covers he did. Pretty funny dude, pretty sick stuff.

#367: Madonna - Ray of Light

Madonna - Ray of Light

February 22, 1998, Maverick/Warner Bros.

1. "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" - 5:09

2. "Swim" - 5:00

3. "Ray of Light" - 5:21

4. "Candy Perfume Girl" - 4:34

5. "Skin" - 6:22

6. "Nothing Really Matters" - 4:27

7. "Sky Fits Heaven" - 4:48

8. "Shanti/Ashtangi" - 4:29

9. "Frozen" -  6:12

10. "The Power of Good-Bye" - 4:10

11. "To Have and Not to Hold" - 5:23

12. "Little Star" - 5:18

13. "Mer Girl" - 5:32

RESULTS

Rate: 4/10

Best Song: Ray of Light

Worst Song: Shanti/Ashtangi

Comments

Yo, I thought Madonna was a Pop-Star, not this weird ass gypsy music.

The Album is laced on LCD, and sounds like an experimental Album rather than a "Breakthrough" Album. It's all electronicy, and vocally messed up. It sounds more like a Bjork Album than it does a Madonna Album.

But, this Album did mean alot to her. Madonna felt there was a voice to her that was yet to be unleashed, so she made this piece of crap. Aw, well. People like it alot, so I guess that's just me. Lyrics are kind of touching, but how am I supposed to groove to anything other than "Ray of Light"?

#368: The Eagles - Eagles

The Eagles - Eagles

June 1, 1972, Asylum

1. "Take It Easy" - 3:34

2. "Witchy Woman" - 4:10

3. "Chug All Night" - 3:18

4. "Most of Us Are Sad" - 3:38

5. "Nightingale" - 4:08

6. "Train Leaves Here This Morning" - 4:13

7. "Take the Devil" - 4:04

8. "Earlybird" - 3:03

9. "Peaceful Easy Feeling" - 4:20

10. "Tryin'" - 2:54

RESULTS

Rate: 6.5/10

Best Song: Take It Easy

Worst Song: Earlybird

Comments

I mean...It's the Eagles.

Never really been a big fan. This is just typical Eagles stuff. Plus, Jackson Browne makes me feel like shit.

Carry on.

#369: The Smiths - Louder Than Bombs

The Smiths - Louder Than Bombs

March 30, 1987, Sire/Rough Trade

1. "Is It Really So Strange?" - 3:04

2. "Sheila Take a Bow" - 2:41

3. "Shoplifters of the World Unite" - 2:57

4. "Sweet and Tender Hooligan" - 3:13

5. "Half a Person" - 3:36

6. "London" - 2:07

7. "Panic" - 2:20

8. "Girl Afraid" - 2:48

9. "Shakespeare's Sister" - 2:09

10. "William, It Was Really Nothing" - 2:11

11. "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" - 3:23

12. "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" - 3:34

13. "Ask" - 3:18

14. "Golden Lights" - 2:39

15. "Oscillate Wildly" - 3:27

16. "These Things Take Time" - 2:23

17. "Rubber Ring" - 3:48

18. "Back to the Old House" - 3:05

19. "Hand in Glove" - 3:13

20. "Stretch Out and Wait" - 2:38

21. "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want" - 1:52

22. "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" - 3:40

23. "Unloveable" - 3:55

24. "Asleep" - 4:11

RESULTS

Rate: 9/10

Best Song: Panic

Worst Song: Golden Lights

Comments

The Smiths are supposed to be brutally sad, not upbeat.

I had a pretty great experience along with this song, so maybe that's why I marked it so high, but it was also just generally good. It should have been repetitive, but it wasn't. Morrissey didn't do so bad on vocals, and the written work was masterful. The Smiths honestly killed it this time around.

This also marks the first time that someone else has listened to an Album alongside me :)

Thanks Autumn!

#370: Mott the Hoople - Mott

Mott the Hoople - Mott

July 20, 1973, Columbia

1. "All the Way from Memphis" – 5:02

2. "Whizz Kid" – 3:25

3. "Hymn for the Dudes" – 5:24

4. "Honaloochie Boogie" – 2:43

5. "Violence" – 4:48

6. "Drivin’ Sister" – 3:53

7. "Ballad of Mott the Hoople " – 5:24

8. "I’m a Cadillac / El Camino Dolo Roso" – 7:50

9. "I Wish I Was Your Mother" – 4:52

RESULTS

Rate: 6/10

Best Song: Violence

Worst Song: Whizz Kid

Comments

I was gonna save this for tomorrow, but I during research, I discovered the death of drummer Dale "Buffin" Griffin happened on this very day, and felt guilty enough to write the review.

So, let's refresh here. David Bowie wrote some shit for their previous album we covered, and pretty much financed the band. But the band felt they didn't want to be "That band that Bowie funded", and took a new direction, which I admire, mainly cause Bowie was cool with it.

The Album starts off reeeaaaaally boring. Like, I started tuning out with it's soft rock, and glam bullshit. It was a solid 4.5/10.

But halfway through Honaloochie Boogie, things got interesting. They dropped their piano for an electric guitar, and became hair rock, which was tight. They started talking during recordings, and it sounded pretty fucking cool. It slowed down near the end, which is actually fine, because it's kind of a delivery of a soft ending.

#371: Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

January 23, 2006, Domino USA

1. "The View from the Afternoon" - 3:38

2. "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" - 2:53

3. "Fake Tales of San Francisco" - 2:57

4. "Dancing Shoes" - 2:21

5. "You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights But You Were Staring Straight at Me" - 2:10

6. "Still Take You Home" - 2:53

7. "Riot Van" - 2:14

8. "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured" - 2:23

9. "Mardy Bum" - 2:55

10. "Perhaps Vampires is a Bit Strong But..." - 4:28

11. "When the Sun Goes Down" - 3:20

12. "From the Ritz to the Rubble" - 3:13

13. "A Certain Romance" - 5:31

RESULTS

Rate: 9/10

Best Song: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor

Worst Song: Riot Van

Comments

A butt load of my friends listen to Arctic Monkeys, I'm used to the electronic dance shit they churn out, and that's what I was expecting.

However, I was hit with a wave of one of my favourite rock genre's: 

Garage Rock.

I love garage rock. The dirtiness, the "screw it, jot it down", the attitude...There's just so much shit to it. You can smell the house party and ripped clothes.

The songs are really good, but sometimes they felt a little drawn out. Not the Artists fault, it's my own personal opinion on the repetitiveness flaw in every music. It's just the blast from newer music.

#372: The Police - Reggatta de Blanc

The Police - Reggatta de Blanc

October 2, 1979, A&M

1. "Message in a Bottle" - 4:51

2. "Reggatta de Blanc" - 3:06

3. "It's Alright for You" - 3:13

4. "Bring on the Night" - 4:15

5. "Deathwish" - 4:13

6. "Walking on the Moon" - 5:02

7. "On Any Other Day" - 2:57

8. "The Bed's Too Big Without You" - 4:26

9. "Contact" - 2:38

10. "Does Everyone Stare?" - 3:52

11. "No Time This Time" - 3:17

RESULTS

Rate: 8.5/10

Best Song: Message in a Bottle

Worst Song: It's Alright for You

Comments

In arguably the worst year in music, this Album was pretty tight.

Following the demise of The Prince of Punk, UK Band The Police released this gem of an Album. They dropped all the soft stuff from "Outlandos d'Amour", and started making actual music. After being immediately greeted by "Message in a Bottle", I knew the Album would be pretty bomb, and it was. It was a pretty sweet Album, even with random shit thrown in for the hell of it. 

The Album is "Reggae", but's more like "New Wave Rock", which is kind of a nice change from listening to over 2 hours of blues.

#373: Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers

Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers

November, 1969, RCA Victor

1. "We Can Be Together" - 5:48

2. "Good Shepherd"(Traditional) - 4:21

3. The Farm" - 3:15

4. "Hey Fredrick" - 8:26

5. "Turn My Life Down" - 2:54

6. "Wooden Ships" - 6:24

7. "Eskimo Blue Day"- 6:31

8. "A Song for All Seasons" - 3:28

9. "Meadowlands"(Traditional) - 1:04

10. "Volunteers" - 2:08

RESULTS

Rate: 8/10

Best Song: Volunteers

Worst Song: The Farm

Comments

HOLY SHIT JEFFERSON AIR-

Ah, this isn't that Album.

It's screams "Hey, we're hippies from the 60's! Let's sing Koombaya!" The Album is anti-war, pro-liberalism, and just screams peace and good vibes. Trippy. Grace Slick isn't a lead singer here, as a choir of others join her, which actually sounds quite bliss. Overall, really good Album, a little weird, but that's just the acid, and a landmark in-

Screw it, where's the good Album? Is it coming up?????

#374: Roxy Music - Siren

Roxy Music - Siren

October 24, 1975, ATCO

1. "Love Is the Drug" - 4:11

2. "End of the Line" - 5:14

3. "Sentimental Fool" - 6:14

4. "Whirlwind"  - 3:38

5. "She Sells"  - 3:39

6. "Could It Happen to Me?" - 3:36

7. "Both Ends Burning" - 5:16

8. "Nightingale" - 4:11

9. "Just Another High" - 6:31 

RESULTS

Rate: 7/10

Best Song: Whirlwind

Worst Song: End of the Line

Comments

Holy shit...Is this Mick Jaggers wife?

Are Rock is pretty cool. It's pretty decent for the 70's. Alot of the songs were kinda designed to sound pretty "Hey, wanna chill to Roxy Music?", which nobody ever did, but, whatever.

The sound is a hybrid of surfer music, and classic rock at the time. The results were kind of charming, but apart from "Whirlwind", and "Love is the Drug", there's nothing too special on here.

#375: Jackson Browne - Late for the Sky

Jackson Browne - Late for the Sky

September 13, 1974, Asylum

1. "Late for the Sky" – 5:36

2. "Fountain of Sorrow" – 6:42

3. "Farther On" – 5:17

4. "The Late Show" – 5:09

5. "The Road and the Sky" – 3:04

6. "For a Dancer" – 4:42

7. "Walking Slow" – 3:50

8. "Before the Deluge" – 6:18

RESULTS

Rate: 4.5/10

Best Song: The Road and the Sky

Worst Song: Walking Slow

Comments

Previously, on The Great 500...

We already covered Browne's "The Pretender". That Album was rock solid, and the fact that his wife killed herself during the Album makes it all the more remarkable. 

But this Album? There's actually nothing to hold it together.

To be fair, it's one of Browne's earlier works, but still. It's kind of just soft rock. It could probably fill the score for an entire 80's film. I did like "The Pretender" a lot more than this random choice, but carry on, I suppose.

#376: Björk - Post

Björk - Post

June 13, 1995, Elektra

1. Army of Me" - 3:54

2. "Hyperballad" - 5:22

3. "The Modern Things" - 4:10

4. "It's Oh So Quiet" (Originally by Betty Hutton) -3:39

5. "Enjoy" - 3:53

6. "You've Been Flirting Again" - 2:30

7. "Isobel" - 5:43

8. "Possibly Maybe" - 5:07

9. "I Miss You" - 4:00

10. "Cover Me" - 2:06

11. "Headphones" - 5:40

RESULTS

Rate: 5/10

Best Song: Army of Me

Worst Song: Hyperballad

Comments

I fucking love Bjork.

That being said, her music is just too abstract for me.

The album starts off killing it, with "Army of Me" being such a wonderfully developed song, but then gets all trancy, and Bjork-y. It's just a bunch of random notes being played with some slick beats, and then Bjork muttering something in the background. Sometimes it freaks me out, sometimes I just get so done with it.

Bjork has a talent for vocalism, but this Album was just super messed up for me. Like, let me show you a snippet of how she recorded this shit:

"To save money on taxes, many of the vocals for the album were recorded in Nassau, Bahamas by Compass Point Studios, with Björk standing well out into the ocean at sunset. The vocals for "Cover Me" were originally recorded in a bat-infested cave and featured different instrumentation." Source Wikipedia

Wait, so you're telling me she stood in a dark cave surrounding by bats to record a song of her pushing buttons? Or that she stood in the ocean with a long-ass microphone to record everything else?

I'm so happy Bjork exists. I don't know what we'd do without her.

#377: John Lee Hooker - The Ultimate Collection (1948 - 1990)

John Lee Hooker - The Ultimate Collection (1948 - 1990)

1991, Rhino

1. "Teachin' the Blues" - 3:27

2. "Boogie Chillen'" - 3:10

3. "Sally Mae" - 3:09

4. "Let Your Daddy Ride" - 2:40

5. "Crawlin' King Snake" - 3:02

6. "Weeping Willow Boogie" - 2:49

7. "Hobo Blues" - 3:03

8. "Huckle up Baby" - 2:50

9. "I'm in the Mood" - 3:07

10. "John L's House Rent Boogie" - 3:02

11. "No More Doggin'" - 2:48

12. "I Need Some Money" - 2:28

13. "Frisco Blues" - 2:45

14. "Dimples" - 2:14

15. "It Serves Me Right To Suffer" - 3:38

16. "Bottle Up and Go" - 2:26

17. "Boom Boom" - 2:34

18. "Big Legs, Tight Skirt" - 2:20

19. "You Know, I Know" - 4:05

20. "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" - 3:06

21. "Let's Go Out Tonight" - 7:12

22. "I Cover the Waterfront" - 4:04

23. "She's Mine (Keep Your Hands to Yourself)" - 2:24

24. "Back Biters and Syndicators" - 2:52

25. "Think Twice Before You Go" - 2:06

26. "Shake It Baby" - 4:08

27. "I'm Bad Like Jesse James" - 5:20

28. "Peavine" (with Canned Heat) - 5:08

29. "Burning Hell" (with Canned Heat) - 3:58

30. "Terraplane Blues" (with Roy Rogers, Originally by Robert Johnson) - 2:56

31. "I'm in the Mood" (with Roy Rogers & Bonnie Raitt) - 5:36

RESULTS

Rate: 9/10

Best Song: She's Mine (Keep Your Hands to Yourself)

Worst Song: Big Legs, Tight Skirt

Comments

Length: 104:57.

I really hate compilation albums.

Fortunately, it was really good Blues. The album kept drawing me in, always on edge about what twangey sound would blare out next. Some upbeat, some slow, some sad porch play songs.

Blues is really just listening to sad people complaining about their problems with guitars. And you know what? It's pretty damn good.

#378: Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

October 2, 1995, Epic

1. "Hello" - 3:21

2. "Roll with It" - 3:59

3. "Wonderwall" - 4:18

4. "Don't Look Back in Anger" - 4:48

5. "Hey Now!" - 5:41

6. Untitled (also known as "The Swamp Song — Excerpt 1") - 0:44

7. "Some Might Say" - 5:29

8. "Cast No Shadow" - 4:51

9. "She's Electric" - 3:40

10. "Morning Glory" - 5:03

11. Untitled (also known as "The Swamp Song — Excerpt 2") - 0:40

12. "Champagne Supernova" - 7:27

RESULTS

Rate: 8/10

Best Song: Don't Look Back in Anger

Worst Song:  Untitled (The Swamp Song - Excerpt 2)

Comments

I SAID MAAAYBAAAAY

YOURE GONNA BE THE ONE THAT SAVES MAAAAAAY

AND AFTER ALLLLLLLLL

YOU'RE MY WONDERWALLLLLLLLLL

#379: TLC - CrazySexyCool

TLC - CrazySexyCool

November 15, 1994, LaFace

1. "Intro-Lude" (featuring Phife Dawg) - 1:01

2. "Creep" - 4:29

3. "Kick Your Game"- 4:13

4. "Diggin' on You" - 4:14

5. "Case of the Fake People" - 4:03

6. "CrazySexyCool (Interlude)" - 1:42

7. "Red Light Special" - 5:02

8. "Waterfalls" - 4:39

9. "Intermission-Lude" - 0:42

10. "Let's Do It Again" - 4:17

11. "If I Was Your Girlfriend" - 4:36

12. "Sexy (Interlude) - 1:35

13. "Take Our Time" - 4:33

14. "Can I Get a Witness (Interlude)" (featuring Busta Rhymes) - 2:57

15. "Switch" - 3:30

16: "Sumthin' Wicked This Way Comes" (featuring Andre 3000) - 4:28

RESULTS

Rate: 8.5/10

Best Song: Waterfalls

Worst Song: Intermission-Lude

Comments

Christ, they might have just named this Album "Interludes".

It's actually a totally sweet Album. I heard of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, but always assumed she was some kind of ghetto pirate with one eye. But she's actually pretty sweet. Apparently a shitload of fires were started during production of this Album, because why the hell not?

The Album is soft, breezy, and kind of hot. It's just Lisa rapping, some famous dudes, and just them going at it, giving up on it all. It's the king of trap. I cannot end this Album without this wonderful transcript from "Sexy (Interlude)":

(Couple Dirty Talking over Phone)

Dude: "What you wanna do?"

Lisa: "I want you to help me"

Dude: "Alright, what you want me to do"

Lisa: "I want you to, I want you to"

Lisa: "Pass me some tissue"

Lisa: "So I can wipe my ass"

*Toilet Flushes*

#380: Toots and the Maytals - Funky Kingston

Toots and the Maytals - Funky Kingston

April 1972, Island

1. "Time Tough" - 4:23

2. "In the Dark"  - 2:48

3. "Funky Kingston" - 4:54

4. "Love is Gonna Let Me Down" - 3:15 (listed as "Love's Gonna Walk Out on Me" on Jamaican release)

5. "Louie, Louie"  - 5:46

6. "Pomp and Pride" - 4:30

7. "Got to Be There" - 3:06

8. "Country Road" - 3:23

9. "Pressure Drop" - 3:46

10. "Sailin' On" - 3:35

RESULTS

Rate: 6.5/10

Best Song: In the Dark

Worst Song: Pomp and Pride

Comments

Ehhhhh.

Don't get me wrong, I love Reggea. You know those days when you just feel the need and craving to listen to music, but your head won't let you? Those are the days I like to listen to Reggae. It's so laidback, and gentle, and care-free.

And this Album is no expectation. For a Reggae album, it's not too bad. For a listening Album, it gets a little bit different.

Now, it starts of really peaceful, and mundane, and that's it. It doesn't change. The Album gets so repetitive. The issue with Reggae is that it doesn't actually change. Steel Drums, Guitar, Jamaican Guy belting his heart out. You can practically smell the piss-stained subway, masked by weed and cornbraids. 

But don't get me wrong. The songs individually are pretty damn good. They each have a certain feel to them, and a charming appetite to appease the inner mind. It's kind of nice, but taking it all in at once is just too much. It's like drinking tea. Then more tea. Then more. Before you know it, you're so sick of tea, 

The Great Wait

Man,

Sorry for ditching y'all. Things changed. I got a girlfriend. Got into school more. Got a job. I always had this project in the back of my mind, eager to finish it. I just couldn't find the time or motivation. Grooveshark dropped, my music taste fluctuated to newer crap. I was just not interested.

And then Lemmy. Then Bowie. I felt the need and craving to listen to them. After just relaxing to old music of theirs, I felt the desire to finish this son of a bitch. So let's get to it.