Slanted and Enchanted

Rolling Stone Rank: 134

The only thing I knew about Pavement before listening to this album was that they played the PTI opening song, which did nothing to prepare me for this album.  Liked it a lot.  Very "indie rock" sounding.  Think the extra white noise of Bleach-Nirvana with the strangeness of Beck with the energy of the White Stripes.  Yeah, I think that's a good analogy.  Anyway, lots of fun to listen to, especially while doing something active.  I happened to also get a listen to some of the extra tracks on the re-release, very enjoyable.

Gonna talk about something else her, RS changed their website layout.  It bothers me.  It bothers me for the same reason most popular websites bother me, and maybe these things bother you as well.  Now the computer that I blog on is my brother's old powerbook.  It gets by, but it's not the words best computer.  So whenever I head to sites like the newly designed RS, or ESPN's main page, or whatever, it takes me forever to navigate my way through the page.  Whether it's huge ads that take up half the screen, or just videos that immediately start playing when you get the page, it's a huge hassle.  Ugh, it's even worse for their top 500 list.  I just think that it would be in their best interest to make their page accessible to largest amount of people, and it's such a  turn off to deal with things like this.  Do you have issues like this?

Stats

Album: Slanted and Enchanted
Artist: Pavement
Year: 1992
My Favorite Song: I like the opener: Summer Babe (Winter version)
Next Up: EJ

Saturday Night Fever

Rolling Stone Rank: 131


Well, in all honesty I really wanted to write this on a Saturday night, but oh well Tuesday will do.  This album was really fun.  Not a whole ton of substance behind it, and it was a compilation, so obviously I don't think it should be on this list (This album won the grammy for album of the year, ahhh to live in the 70s).  Anyway, listening to the soundtrack got me thinking about all these "greatest" lists.  Well actually listening to the album and having a long drawn out argument with Adam over the state of  music today.  So, i decided i should make a list of my own.  I'm actually more intrigued about looking over music from the past decade than I'm interested in proving him wrong.  But, whatever the motive, expect that from me in the next few days.


I should explain why I haven't written in a month.  A few reasons actually, and the first one is something I talked about in an earlier post.  I listen to podcasts now when I run.  I used to listen to music, but the problem is that music is not distracting enough for me.  It's too easy to notice the end of a track, and well I need all the help I can get excercising without stopping.  So, because of that, I don't have the daily time to listen to albums that I had before.  Which brings me to my second reason, I want to devote an appropriate amount of time to think about each album.  I'd rather not just bang through these, which I'm prone to do on occasion.  


So this blog of mine has come to a crossroads.  Do I want to update and give up on doing an album with each post, or take the time to really dissect albums?  For now I think I'm going to try and do both, that's why they makes this posts with labels on them, right?  Anway, it's now 4AM, and my disc of One Tree Hill is finished.  Go winter break!

Stats

Album: Saturday Night Fever
Artist: Various, but mostly the Bee Gees
Year: 1977
My Favorite Song: Night on Disco Mountain
Next Up: The Boss

Disraeli Gears

Rolling Stone Rank: 112

Cream was a little more pop-oriented in this album, while still holding on to their blues roots. I really liked Sunshine of Your Love, it made the album. On to another post.

Stats

Album: Disraeli Gears
Artist: Cream
Year: 1967
My Favorite Song: Sunshine of Your Love
Next Up: The Who

Court and Spark

Rolling Stone Rank: 111

Good album, but the stripped down, bare-bones, raw emotion that she put forth in his first entry on this list. It was a smooth mix and jazz and rock, played with jazz fusion band backing her. A little more upbeat than her earlier album, although she was most likely in a better place in her life. Anyway, sorry I haven't written in awhile, what with school starting up and all. Things have been pretty hectic, oh plus the start of TV is always exciting. laterbye

Stats

Album: Court and Spark
Artist: Joni Mitchell
Year: 1974
My Favorite Song: Help Me
Next Up: Cream

The Bends

Rolling Stone Rank: 110

Couldn't agree more with the RS review. For all the shaping that Nirvana did for the early 90s, Radiohead set the tone for the rest of the decade. I really like the album, it was a lot of fun to listen to, great music.

Just finished watching Cadillac records, loved it. Even Beyonce, for those who don't know I'm not her biggest fan, was bearable in her role of Etta James. They seemed to stay pretty accurate to history, and did a good job of portraying the personalities involved. No idea why they left out the other Chess brother, but maybe he wasn't as involved as I thought. Hated that the movie ended with a rap song, and that the credits rolled to a Beyonce song, but other than that I really enjoyed it. Well, It's about that time. Night!

Stats

Album: The Bends
Artist: Radiohead
Year: 1995
My Favorite Song: Lame to pick the title track...but I am
Next Up: Joni Mitchell, it'll be tough to top Blue

Loaded

Rolling Stone Rank: 109

This has definitely been one of the more impressive bands and records that I've heard. I might say the highlight so far of the next 100. Before I started listening to these, I didn't quite understand why the message board posters were so adamant about this band. And to be honest, even though I liked the first album, This one was truly great. It was completely written by Lou Reed, although according to RS he left the band just before the record was completed. Neat fact, the album was called Loaded because record executives wanted them to make an album loaded with hits.

Stats

Album: Loaded
Artist: Velvet Underground
Year: 1970
My Favorite Song: I Found a Reason
Next Up: Radiohead? How did they get here?

Aftermath

Rolling Stone Rank: 108

First Stones' album written entirely by Jagger/Richards, in the previous albums they covered quite a few songs. You can say the same for the Beatles' though so it's not a slight or anything like that. a good collections of songs, a good beginning for their experimentation and their development of their own sound. Hope you like it, I did it.

Stats

Album: Aftermath
Artist: Rolling Stones
Year: 1966
My Favorite Song: Paint it Black
Next Up: Velvet Underground

Hunky Dory

Rolling Stone Rank: 107

A great look into the development of a star, lots of early signs to the genius that would emerge later. A definite must for Bowie fans, but for others its a really interesting listen. You can hear him experimenting, but at the same time trying to stay within the normal bounds of music. The first side of the album has the best songs, I think, with Changes Oh You Pretty Things and Life on Mars. The second side fades a little but, he does back to back tribute songs, one to Bob Dylan and the other to Andy Warhol. They are good, but not great. Anyways, I think you'd like it, happy labor day.

Stats

Album: Hunky Dory
Artist: David Bowie
Year: 1970
My Favorite Song: Life on Mars?
Next Up: Rolling Stones

Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964

Rolling Stone Rank: 106

A fantastic collection, but not really an album. A great listen, I recommend this compilation to anyone and everyone.

Stats

Album: Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964
Artist: Same Cooke
Year: 2003
My Favorite Song: Wonderful World
Next Up: David Bowie

Rocket to Russia

Rolling Stone Rank: 105

Fun album to listen to, RS had a great line calling their tour the "Gospel of Three Chords", not a lot of substantial music, but another giant leap for the development of punk music. One of the first albums that was able to bottle the energy you felt inside CBGB's, and gave listeners all over the county a feeling for what was going on in the New York. The countdown has begun, as far as Justin's last days in the apartment. I wish him well on his journey up north.

Stats

Album: Rocket to Russia
Artist: The Ramones
Year: 1977
My Favorite Song: Love their cover of Do You Wanna Dance?
Next Up: Sam Cooke

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Rolling Stone Rank: 104

Why doesn't this get easier? My friends give me lousy advice, y'know? Or at least it feels like they do. Still up at 3:30, ugh. Anyway, I listened to this album earlier in the week, it's great. Charles has this fantastic and beautiful ability to communicate so much emotion in his voice, it really is an experience, and one that I wish I could have seen live in my life. Not sure that seeing the movie Ray really did it justice.
Well, Goodnight.

Stats

Album: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Artist: Ray Charles
Year: 1962
My Favorite Song: Half as Much
Next Up: Ramones

Sweet Baby James

Rolling Stone Rank: 103

Surprising album, at first listen. I was expecting a nonstop assault of acoustic guitar, singer-songwriter, soft singing, boring songs. Totally the opposite, and totally surprising.

btw, Food Network just went off-air for the night, I had no idea they weren't 24 hours. When they go off, they have this pretty neat graphic that says "good night". That was cool.

Ok, anyways, Fire and Rain, is so awesomely powerful, that it really sets the tone for the entire album. Taylor also plays a fair amount of blues, and even sings to an electric guitar on Steamroller blues. You can tell he's still looking for his voice though, he did a lot of experimenting with style and color throughout the album, like his arrangement of the Stephen Foster classic Oh Susanna.

Neat story about the final song, Suite for 20 G. Taylor didn't have enough songs to finish the album, but the record company had paid him twenty thousand dollars for the album, so he strung a few unfinished songs together, and gave it the appropriate title.

Stats

Album: Sweet Baby James
Artist: James Taylor
Year: 1970
My Favorite Song: Fire and rain
Next Up: Ray Charles

Giant Steps

Rolling Stone Rank: 102

Great listening, and a huge step in the jazz movement of the late 50s. I listened to this one on my way to and from golfing this afternoon, which got me thinking about how much I love the weather we had today. It was a perfect overcast day today. Not cold enough to force long sleeves or pants, but I didn't break out a sweat once today. This is kind of weather that you think of when you're thinking about fall. The kind of weather where at night, you can put on a long sleeve shirt or a sweatshirt, but you're not going to be shivering throughout the night. It's the kind of cold where you can sit hugged to your significant other, without it getting too hot or uncomfortable. Know what I mean? Maybe not, but that's what I think of when it's like this. can't believe that we're getting this in August though...

Stats

Album: Giant Steps
Artist: John Coltrane
Year: 1960
My Favorite Song: Spiral
Next Up: James Taylor

Fresh Cream

Rolling Stone Rank: 101

A great album from an awesome power trio. To be fair, Clapton could take any group to unbelievable heights, but combined with the jazzy drumming of Ginger Baker, and the melodic bass and voice of Jack Bruce. Clapton's playing shines through, he is the focal point of the group. A completely different sound than his big band sound he would conquer later. A wonderful start to the next 100, I Feel Free being a perfect song to start the 100.

Stats

Album: Fresh Cream
Artist: Cream
Year: 1967
My Favorite Song: I Feel Free
Next Up: Coltrane

In The Wee Small Hours

Rolling Stone Rank: 100

Man was this a great album. From beginning to end, this album stays with it's theme. A collection of melancholy anthems, said to be sung by Frank after his breakup from Ava Gardner. But, y'know have you seen Ava Gardner? She's definitely worth an album. Well, Mr. Sinatra, I feel for ya. Actually when you think about the background behind their relationship, you might not be all that empathetic towards the power couple. Ava had come from two previous marriages, and Frank left his famous wife Nancy for their 6 year relationship. I understand that Hollywood relationships are different from normal ones, but it's always a little bit harder to swallow for me. On the other hand, neither married again, so maybe their love was a bit more romantic

Musically, there's a lot to like, a lot to enjoy on this album. If I had a complaint, it would be that there's a bit too much Celeste. It's not my favorite instrument, and I like percussion.

Anyway, I loved it and 100 albums. Too many compilations, but I doubt I could have put together a better list. Could you?

Stats

Album: In The Wee Small Hours
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Year: 1955
My Favorite Song: Glad to Be Unhappy
Next Up: The Next 100

Not Quite 100

Hey all,

No, I'm not through Sinatra yet. I tried three times this weekend. But, well the weekend didn't go the way I thought I would. Anyway the album is emotional, to say the least, and I just haven't been in the mood to get all the way to the end. With school starting though, I know my mind will float back into order. Hey, have a great week.

There's a Riot Goin' On

Rolling Stone Rank: 99

I'm actually pretty nervous about getting to 100. It's hard for me to believe that I'm actually going to finish this first 100. To be honest, I never thought I would get through these. And when I think about it, these albums have been the constant in my life this past year. But more on that when i actually get through 'em.

This is a great groove album. There's a lot of passion in the lyrics and in the music, but what Sly and family do best is laying down that funky R&B. Not only are there some great songs on here, there's a few really good instrumental jams. It's a sound that defined the decade they were written in, and locked Sly and family in with the heart of many music fans.

Interesting fact about the title of the album. The record was originally going to be titled Africa Talks To You, but after the release of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On? the album was retitled There's a Riot Goin' On. The album was billed, and written as a response to Marvin's question.

Stats

Album: There's a Riot Goin' On
Artist: Sly and Family Stone
Year: 1971
My Favorite Song: Family Affair
Next Up: Perfect way to end the top 100- Old Blue Eyes

This Year's Model

Rolling Stone Rank: 98

I like the phrase RS used to describe this album, emotionally explosive. It says a lot about the writing, and the background music for his personal lyrics. This is his first album with the attractions, and their punk rock style shines through on this recording. Personally, I enjoyed the drum fills to songs like Chelsea. A really great album, through and through.

Stats

Album: This Year's Model
Artist: Elvis Costello
Year: 1978
My Favorite Song: No Action
Next Up: Sly and the Family Stone

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Rolling Stone Rank: 97

Back to the old Dylan for this album, back to the folk sound. The weird thing about listening to albums on a ranked list, is that I'm missing the progression of the albums. So that when I hear an album like this, all I can do is keep comparing to the earlier albums I heard, which in fact were later albums in Dylan's career. Which might not be such a big deal, except that Dylan changed his sound and his style so much over the years, he almost sounds like a different artist. Anyways, this album is great, it's classic Dylan. Tell me what you think

Stats

Album: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Artist: Bob Dylan
Year: 1963
My Favorite Song: Pinball Wizard
Next Up: Elvis Costello

Tommy

Rolling Stone Rank: 96

Ummm, wow. I can't believe this album slid all the way down to 96. It's perfect for what an album is, one of the first great concept albums. It most definitely defines what an album is, and what an album should be. My only thought is that the movie, which is not great, weighed pretty heavily on the thoughts of those RS voters. I don't agree though, the album is fantastic, the songs are great, hell there's even an overture.

Stats

Album: Tommy
Artist: The Who
Year: 1969
My Favorite Song: Pinball Wizard
Next Up: Bob Dylan