First Time Listen: Yes
Dr John's Prescription Gumbo. Take with food.
Impressions: Dr. John is one of those guys that you know for his cajun piano playin' voodoo image more than his songs. Okay, Doc, let's see what you got. Allons-y... Starts off with the oft-covered "Iko Iko" and it's distinct "bomp bomp bompbomp" rhythm. A decent enough song, but sort of been ruined to me by years of abuse by Grateful Dead cover … Continue Reading ››
Love this cover. No idea why.Impressions: I've made no secret of my worshipping at the altar of Big Star and their picture-perfect first album. It's too bad their legend has mostly swallowed up their songs, but let's put this one on and do the best we can... That funky, attention-grabbing guitar opening for "O My Soul" almost has an r&b sound. The herky jerky all-over-the-place drumming from Jody Stevens makes the tune feel like … Continue Reading ››
Of course, there'd be a black and white photo on the cover of this grey-sounding album.Impressions: Earlier, I felt like I missed the boat on PJ Harvey. Now I get a second chance with her most lauded record. Let's put it on… Hmm, I recognize that drum sound: Steve Albini! Well, if nothing else, maybe I'll at least enjoy the production of this record (then … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1980
Previously Owned: Yes
First Time Listen: No
"Italian mobster/Shoots a lobster/Seafood restaurant gets out of hand"
Impressions: I'm going to lay it down now: the Clash could be is probably my favorite band of all time (I rate The Replacements as 1A.) Even so, I'm surprised that their somewhat infamous sprawling triple-album follow-up to London Calling made this list. Since it's so long, let's hit play and get started… Hard to imagine a better opener than the funky, almost-rap … Continue Reading ››
#408
Sinead O' Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Release Date: 1990
Previously Owned: Yes
First Time Listen: No
Intense.
Impressions: Coming out just before Nirvana changed the whole popular music landscape, this huge-selling album made Sinead a one-of-a-kind cultural touchstone due to her strident no-bullshit attitude, trademarked bald head, and great pipes. Haven't heard it in years, let's get to it… The tone for the album is set with the slow-building, string-backed "Feel So Different." For all the mockery she's taken over the years, her cathartic emotional voice still manages … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1967
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Man, what a perfect, weird album cover.
Impressions: I think The Doors get kind of a bad rap-- probably due to a combination of classic rock overexposure, Jim Morrison's pretentous artiste/drunk/shaman clowning and maybe even a little fallout from the overbearing Oliver Stone movie. All of this overshadowed a completely underrated band that played a unique, jazzy, dramatic and, yes sometimes, pretentious style of '60s blues rock. Time for their second album... Starts off with the ominous sound of Ray Manzarek's organ … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1997
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Probably not going to be covering Steely Dan's song "Time Out Of Mind" on this albumImpressions: This is the first of ten Dylan albums on this list so I better start getting used to his distinct nasal, reedy voice. Let's put it on… Starts off in a sort of spooky, almost dub-like mode with "Love Sick." Production wise, Daniel Lanois favors spooky, shimmering, echoey atmospheric tracks that lack hooks but provide a decent and novel texture to support … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1974
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
"Welcome to the OCEAN BOULEVARD/Such a lovely place"Impressions: Eric Clapton usually doesn't get me fired up one way or the other, which is a recipe for a so-so review. But, WHO KNOWS? Anything can happen on this blog… including me figuring out Cheap Trick. Onward… "Motherless Children" (which is different from "Motherless Child") starts off the record with a galloping beat, bluesy slide guitar and Clapton's neutral-sounding voice (which, as I mentioned before, … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1977
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
This album isn't really about golf, I don't thinkImpressions: Wire is a British punk forefather band often name-checked in relationship to bands I enjoy (R.E.M., The Jam, The Futureheads, Devo, and the previously reviewed, Minutemen,) usually in reference to the start-stop dynamics and "angular" guitar. Somehow, I never bothered to listen to the source before. Today, I bother… "Reuters" opens with a slow riff and shouting vocal letting us know that the music will arty … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1984
Previously Owned: Yes
First Time Listen: No
Love how all these subtle things came together on this cover. Mike Watt's look on his face in the rear view mirror. The speedometer reading 55 mph. The San Pedro sign in the background.Impressions: Mea culpa: I really dig these dudes. So, I'll try not to slobber too much in this review. Simply put, there's never been anyone quite like them, outside of maybe, maybe, Wire (coming up at #412!) Let's get this started, since this … Continue Reading ››
A guy tries to listen to every album on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of all time list, and some other stuff
