Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Rolling Stone Rank: 91

A fun double album that has something for everybody. If you want some grand-electric sounds, check out Funeral for a Friend. More of a classic Elton fan, then Bennie and the Jets and Candle in the Wind are right up your alley. Feeling more like some honkytonk rawk, then Saturday Nights' Alright for Fighting will get you going.

A great double album that covers all the musical bases in John's repertoire. In the RS article, they quote John comparing this album to the Beatles' White. Not sure I'd go that far, but I did enjoy it. If I had one complaint, it's Jamaica Jerk-Off. Just didn't like it, didn't sound authentic at all. Side Note: It's my 100th post. Yah

Stats

Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Artist: Elton John
Year: 1973
My Favorite Song: Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
Next Up: Buddy Holly

Talking Book

Rolling Stone Rank: 90

Fantastic. These Wonder albums just keep getting better and better. I'm pretty sure that I can say Stevie Wonder has been the best surprise I've gotten while listening to these albums. His soul and R&B sound is fantastic. Not being a listening to funk and R&B before this list, my eyes have been opened to a new sound. And yeah, it makes me appreciate rap a bit more.
Stevie has this unique ability to make his depressing, self-deprecating songs, have this twinge of hope and glory around the edge. And he makes his happy songs fell just a little down and dirty. Even though Superstition is the breakout hit from this album, it actually is a little bit out of place from the rest of the album. It's in the perfect spot though, 6th song out 10. Just when he's set a mood, in comes Superstition to break it up and set up the the drive towards the fantastic finisher, I Believe.

Stats

Album: Talking Book
Artist: Stevie Wonder
Year: 1972
My Favorite Song: Blame it On the Sun
Next Up: Elton John

Dusty in Memphis

Rolling Stone Rank: 89

I didn't hate it, but it isn't staying on the ipod for that long. Lots of songs and covers, mostly hit or miss for me. I liked some of the other female songwriters better than her. Her voice didn't provide the soul and passion that I had heard it did. Interesting fact written on the RS page. She was so nervous about her recording sessions in Memphis that they couldn't use any of the vocals she laid down there. All of her vocals were recorded in New York. So, not much Dusty in Springfield, but Dusty in New York. meh.

Stats

Album: Dusty in Memphis
Artist: Dusty Springfield
Year: 1969
My Favorite Song: Son of Preacher Man
Next Up: Back to Stevie =)

At Folsom Prison

Rolling Stone Rank: 88

If Johnny Cash is your style, then this is an album for you. Seeing the movie, Walk The Line, made this album a whole lot better. Mostly because the whole movie takes place as a memory before taking the stage for this very concert. It was pretty neat to hear his banter in between songs, you can tell he really felt relaxed and at ease towards the end of his career. Oh, and also the duet with June Carter towards the end of the album is fantastic. Totally worth the price admission, their chemistry is fantastic.

Stats

Album: At Folsom Prison
Artist: Johnny Cash
Year: 1968
My Favorite Song: Jackson
Next Up: Dusty Sringfield

The Wall

Rolling Stone Rank: 87
One of the better put together albums on the entire list, I'm stunned this is all the way down in the 80's. For more banter, look at the comment section of the RS page. It's a really chill album, even the "harder" songs still just seem to flow on by. Thoughts?

Stats

Album: The Wall
Artist: Pink Floyd
Year: 1979
My Favorite Song: Hey You
Next Up: The Man in Black

Let It Be

Rolling Stone Rank: 86

This is Beatles fan Brian writing this post. It's hard not to. It's the music I grew up on. It's the music I put on when I'm feeling terrible, it's the music I put on when I'm feeling great. It's the music that I always leave on my ipod, even though I only have a nano and I have to change music daily to change the appropriate amount of music.
Even though the Beatles were fighting a ridiculous amount, they still made unbelievably great music. Let It Be, one of the better songs Paul has ever written, in my opinion brings together the entire crazy album.
You know what's weird? I've defended the Beatles twice this weekend to people who've started on their ramblings of hate. Where is the backlash coming from? And how can you make that argument at all? ugh, I dunno, anyway what are your thoughts on the album or on the band?

Stats

Album: Let It Be
Artist: The Beatles
Year: 1970
My Favorite Song: Two of Us
Next Up: The Wall

Born in the U.S.A.

Rolling Stone Rank: 85

Well, I'll say this. It was fun to run to, apart from that it all just sounds like the same song to me. And by that I mean the music doesn't vary too much throughout the album. Now, that being said, there are obviously many different songs, but this is due to Bruce's great lyrical writing ability. Not so much the E-Street Band's ability to find new and different sounding grooves. So there it is, I'm not the biggest Boss fan. And yes, I know that part of the greatness of Bruce is the social and political change he was calling for. Singing for the common man. I wasn't born when this came out, so I can't quite relate. Interesting fact, the title song was an anti-war song, that nobody seemed to notice. Any time I hear the song, I can't help but think of that scene in Canadian Bacon. Just classic...
Please to enjoy:

Stats

Album: Born in the U.S.A.
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Year: 1984
My Favorite Song: Dancing in the Dark
Next Up: Let It Be

Lady Soul

Rolling Stone Rank: 84

Great album. The title pretty much nails it on the head. I'm pretty sure there's no way that you could not find a song on this album to like. Whether it's the classic "You Make Me Feel" or the funky "People Get Ready", you should be able to find one song to get your groove on. If there's a song I don't agree with, It's her interpretation of "Groovin'". It's probably because I know the original so well. What do you think? Anyway the original Diva truly puts her best foot forward in this album, I think you'll really enjoy it.

Stats

Album: Lady Soul
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Year: 1968
My Favorite Song: You Make Me Feel
Next Up: Bruce!

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Rolling Stone Rank: 83

Her first album, see my next post for Aretha thoughts. The only note-worthy part of this album, is Respect. You know it, you love it, You probably have no idea what the middle part of the lyrics are, but you can spell RESPECT. Oh, also, this was her first album. So, enjoy (although I think I like Lady Soul better)

Stats

Album: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Artist: Aretha Franklin
Year: 1967
My Favorite Song: Respect
Next Up: Lady Soul

Axis: Bold As Love

Rolling Stone Rank: 82

Hendrix is not for the faint of heart. If you like guitar, and like blues, then Jimi is a dream come true. He takes you on a musical journey, that you could spend hours upon hours enveloped in. On the other hand, if you are not a fan of the electric guitar then Jimi Hendrix will not be anything close to a pleasant experience. I don't mean to be crude by that, I just mean to say that if you don't appreciate the sounds, I can understand why you wouldn't be interested in something like this. Tell me what you think?

Stats

Album: Axis: Bold As Love
Artist: Jimi Hendrix
Year: 1968
My Favorite Song: Little Wing
Next Up: Back-To-Back Aretha

Graceland

Rolling Stone Rank: 81

Such a different sound and style the Paul Simon brought the world in 1986. Mainstream America, in particular, was blown away by the African beats and melodies created by Paul and Black Ladysmith Mambazo. The flowing style fit in perfectly with Simon's calm and soothing style.

Stats

Album: Graceland
Artist: Paul Simon
Year: 1986
My Favorite Song: Graceland
Next Up: Jimi

Odessey and Oracle

Rolling Stone Rank: 80

Well, it certainly has been awhile since I posted here. So, I'm sorry to all of my avid fans who can't wait to read my boring reviews of albums nobody listens to anymore.
So, yeah this past week I was in the big city. And just because I wasn't posting, doesn't mean I wasn't listening. So..here they come in rapid fire.

Odessey and Oracle was a beautiful album. I like the way RS defined the recording. Combining the sonic exploration of The Beatles, with the raw sound of The Stones. Also, I had no idea Time of the Season was by The Zombies. Not that I, or you really, would have ever heard of the Zombies. They broke up 2 weeks after they finished recording. I would recommend this album, take a listen I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Stats

Album: Odessey and Oracle
Artist: The Zombie
Year: 1969
My Favorite Song: Care of Cell 44
Next Up: Going to Graceland

Star Time

Rolling Stone Rank: 79

Whattup people? There are 71 songs in this thing. 71, that's ummm alot. So I'll be honest here for a moment. I didn't get through the whole thing, but it'll be something I can listen to for the next few weeks. James is the man, and it shows in every single one of the songs on this compilation. He wouldn't dare phoning it in, from the half that I listened to, it was fantastic. That's another thing, it's a compilation, so not really appropriate for the list. Still, it's tough to not include this comprehensive of an album. How do you feel about it?

Off to bed, the summer of Brian seems to be going well. For the first time ever I'm the weight that listed on my driver's licence. Crazy. Anyway it's almost over, I hope I can make it through the homestretch. Very excited for NASCAR this weekend (channeling my inner redneck...)

Stats

Album: Star Time
Artist: James Brown
Year: 1991
My Favorite Song:
Next Up: The Zombies

Harvest

Rolling Stone Rank: 78

Actually, I think I liked After The Gold Rush better. I mean, this is a better representation of the genre that would follow, but I think the music is better on his other album. That being said, Harvest was Neil's only #1 hit, so obviously some people out there must have liked it. My mother, for one, would play this album constantly when I was growing up. And man did she hate hearing his other stuff, she was almost appalled by Rockin in the Free World. Overall though, it's good music that has a lot of feeling behind it.

Stats

Album: Harvest
Artist: Neil Young
Year: 1972
My Favorite Song: A Man Needs A Maid
Next Up: James Brown

The Clash

Rolling Stone Rank: 77

It's always interesting to hear the first recording of band you thought you knew. I remember in high school when I first bought London Calling. I was so impressed by the range and depth of The Clash. I never even realized it wasn't their first album. Stupid, yes I know, but in my defense we hadn't quite hit Web 2.0 yet and I didn't trust that crazy wikipedia site yet. Back to topic, after listening to this album some time later I'm initially struck that it's not the band I know. But of course the band I know was two years later in their existence. I'm wondering if you out there have had similar experiences? The only other example I can think of is listening to Nirvana's Bleach for the first time. Thoughts?

Stats

Album: The Clash
Artist: The Clash
Year: 1977
My Favorite Song: White Riot
Next Up: Neil Young

Imagine

Rolling Stone Rank: 76

The second Lennon solo album, ranked much lower on the RS list than the first, is a little bit softer and a little less angry than the first. It contains his most well-known composition (that he performed during his solo career). Imagine, as John points out, was:

"Anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional, anti-capitalistic, but because it is sugar-coated it is accepted. . . . Now I understand what you have to do. Put your political message across with a little honey."

Great quote. Anyways, caught in the middle of his mellow anti-war song, and Yoko love ballads, is the vicious How Do You Sleep At Night? The very obvious retort to some of the lyrics from Paul's Ram. Later, Lennon claimed that the lyrics were mostly directed at himself, but that's tough to buy. I think the main thing I get from this album was how close John and Paul were. Even while he (Lennon) was asking for world peace and making grand songs for the love of his life, he couldn't hold back from lashing out at his former writing partner. The thing about Imagine, is that is might be the simplest song on the album, but isn't that how is goes? What do you think?

Stats

Album: Imagine
Artist: John Lennon
Year: 1971
My Favorite Song: Imagine
Next Up: The Clash

II

Rolling Stone Rank: 75

I've written about Zeppelin recently, so I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on this. Just wanted to voice the thought I had while listening to this album. Teamwork. Is there a better example of 4 talented musicians giving their full effort to create beautiful music. Working so well together , their second album is where they really came together as a unit.

Stats

Album: II
Artist: Led Zeppelin
Year: 1969
My Favorite Song: Moby Dick
Next Up: Lennon

Otis Blue

Rolling Stone Rank: 74

I've definitely hit that part of the summer. The part when I've been sitting around a bit too long, and it's not close enough to be thinking about the next school year. doesn't help that I haven't slept much and it's 80 outside. On to Otis:

Great album, another one of the great voices of Rock and Roll. Of course, Otis is also known for his untimely death. His legacy, Sittin' On the Dock of a Bay, was recorded days before his plane crash and became his only number 1 hit. But, that song is not on this album, but don't fret it's still a great album. Otis puts so much passion, so much emotion into his singing that he forces you to pay attention to his lyrics. One of the pioneers of soul music, his style inspired a great deal future artists. Hi music is covered and referenced on a regular basis, but the most famous cover that you know is Respect. Take a listen to this great album, two more posts coming soon...

Stats

Album: Otis Blue
Artist: Otis Redding
Year: 1965
My Favorite Song: I've Been Loving You Too Long
Next Up: Zeppelin

Back in Black

Rolling Stone Rank: 73

Probably the exact opposite of Prince, AC/DC are pure rock. Fueled by the loss of the singer and friend, these Aussies put together of the most well-known rock albums of our time. It was a great way to start the 4th, since it was raining. The first of three albums I got through on Saturday...so more to come obviously.

Stats

Album: Back in Black
Artist: AC/DC
Year: 1980
My Favorite Song: You Shook Me All Night Long
Next Up: Otis Redding

Purple Rain

Rolling Stone Rank: 72

Another one of those nights last night. Nights when you just want to scream, only you can't. You feel so uncomfortable, but everyone else is enjoying life. It always leaves me thinking, why did I put myself in that situation? But in the end, I realized its best to go through these stages in life. Because if I don't, then it'll never be ok. Anyway, the silver lining is that I didn't self-medicate so to speak. And the night ended up being pretty ok. all right, on to Prince

I think Prince is one of the more polarizing artists in the last thirty years. There's not a lot of middle ground on him. Personally, I think he's an incredibly talented writer. But, I have trouble getting past his stage persona. I wonder if women actually find him attractive, he was on the Tonight Show the last week before Leno left, I didn't recognize the song but it was really good. Only he was wearing this ridiculous shirt, and he's all manscaped and shit. ugh.

Anyway, Purple Rain is a great soundtrack, not sure I love the movie all that much. What do you think?

Stats

Album: Purple Rain
Artist: Prince
Year: 1984
My Favorite Song: When Doves Cry
Next Up: AC/DC

After the Gold Rush

Rolling Stone Rank: 71

I must say before I start, I was soooo excited to see a comment on this site. It's been FOREVER since I saw one of those. Anaaand it was spam. So shame on you spammer for ruining what was a pretty good day. Anyway"

Awesome album, it's writing like this that made Neil Young Neil Young. You can feel the intimate nature of these songs (recorded in his basement), not to mention the intimate subject matter that he dealt with. Two or three of the ballads are absolutely heartbreaking, and and his high nasal tone is the perfect timbre to bring it across.

Who in my generation can I compare to Neil Young? Well, my first thought was Dashboard Confessional. But, after listening to Neil a bit longer it hit me. Daniel Johnson. I've included videos at the end here. Let me know what you think...

Here's Neil:


And Here's Daniel:

Stats

Album: After the Gold Rush
Artist: Neil Young
Year: 1970
My Favorite Song: Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Next Up: Prince!