Category Archives: Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #471: Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

#471

Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
What font is that?
Release Date: 1974
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions:  I only know of Richard Thompson vaguely from years of listening to WXRT, but I won't hold that against him. I've never ran into this album. Let's put it on. Holy cow, "When I Get To The Border" is an awesome opener! Doomed optimism. Stellar guitar work. Big, crisp, drum work. Well used accordion. Lyrics like "If you see a box … Continue Reading ››

RS #473: George Michael – Faith

"A quick sniff test will determine if I need a little Speed Stick."
#473

George Michael, Faith

Release Date: 1987
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions:  After being subjected to way too much Wham! on the radio/MTV,  I mostly passed on George Michael's solo career at the time.  I don't actively hate him, but I'm not coming at this album as a fan.  Let's get this over with...."Faith"  is a snappy Bo-Diddley/Elvis pop confection that is actually not bad. Actually kind of promising start. Then, we get "Father Figure," it features lots of "production." Same with "I Want … Continue Reading ››

RS #473: The Smiths -The Smiths

#473

The Smiths, The Smiths

Release Date: 1984
Previously Owned: Yes
Even the model in the album cover is super depressed.
Impressions: Let's get this out of the way immediately: Morrissey isn't everyone's taste. I'm not even sure he's my taste, but I do love The Smiths. There's something about the sweet-and-sour balance of Johnny Marr's casual guitar brillance and Morrissey's literate moaning that works for me. Their consistent catalog and somehow side stepping of the dreaded '80s sound (probably by avoiding keyboards and dated references) further seals the deal. Their songs come out as timeless, … Continue Reading ››

RS #474: Manu Chao, Proxima Estacion: Esperanza

Manu Chao, Proxima Estacion: Esperanza
He's trying to woo the birds with his sweet, sweet guitar.
#474

Manu Chao, Proxima Estacion: Esperanza

Release Date: 2001
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions:  At first, this album came off as generic worldbeat, but with samples ("Merry Blues,") but sort of warmed up and seemed to cover a lot of stylistic ground (reggae, jazz, rock, latin, etc)--albeit in a loping way, low-key way. So, sort of like Joe Strummer and the Mescalaros minus Strummer. Sometimes it sounded like a leaner version of The Clash's "Sandanista." Some of it seems sort-of-political also, but … Continue Reading ››

RS #475: Elvis Costello and the Attractions – Armed Forces

The fake-Pollock cover that the US fans are familiar with.
#475

Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Armed Forces

Release Date: 1979
Previously Owned: Yes
Impressions:  It's hard to imagine now, as Elvis' presence nowadays is merely tolerated or ignored by most people (his collaboration with The Roots sounds great on paper, but that sinking feeling is there.) When Armed Forces came out back in '79, Elvis was considered "cool," or at least he was at his personal coolest. He also seemed kind of dangerous, like a permanently-jilted version of Buddy Holly on speed. This angry, young … Continue Reading ››

RS #476: The Notorious B.I.G.- Life After Death

The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death
Creepy, right?
#476

The Notorious B.I.G., Life After Death 

Release Date: 1997
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: I'm usually way behind on pop culture trends. I tend to wait until the clamor all dies down and then I will peruse said album, movie, tv show, book, or trend without the glow of the excitement and hype that accompanied it in the first place. Then, if I like it, then I'll drive everyone crazy talking about how great, say, Battlestar Galactica is when everyone else is like "where … Continue Reading ››

RS #477: Merle Haggard – All Time Greatest Hits

#477

Merle Haggard, All Time Greatest Hits

Release Date: 2004
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: Oh, man. A FOUR DISC BOX SET?!? Rolling Stone! GRRR, why are you busting my chops like this and, to top it all off, SPOTIFY doesn't have it! So, I could buy it ($40!) or just cobble it together track-by-track online. Ugh, time to get to cobbling. I'm sure most people who have tried listening to the entire list have crashed and burned here, but I'm determined to continue for some reason. Let's listen..."Skid Row" is a nice snappy opener. (CUT TO: 20 songs later) Okay, so far, these tunes are really … Continue Reading ››

RS #478: Loretta Lynn – All Time Greatest Hits

#478

Loretta Lynn, All Time Greatest Hits

Release Date: 1971
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Loretta Lynn, All-Time Greatest Hits
Her All-Time Greatest Hits of All-Time
Impressions:  As I've mentioned before, I'm not big on country music-- mostly because of modern commericalization of the country style-- but, when in the mood, this collection of cryin-in-your-beer, vintage country from Ms. Lynn is completely aggreable. "Wine, Women and Song" is a perfect introduction to her basic style. It's all there: tasty, classic countryfied instrumental backup, her straightforward, yet singular voice … Continue Reading ››

RS #479: Funkadelic – Maggot Brain

#479

Funkadelic, Maggot Brain

Release Date: 1971
Previously Owned: Yes
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
The album cover is the least weird thing about this album
Impressions:  Okay, I loved this album back when I stumbled upon it in college. I'm 100%  sure I 'll still feel that way, but we'll listen to it anyway...  Starts off with George Clinton's opening spoken word schpiel about Mother Earth tasting maggots in the brain of universe and maybe drowning in his own shit, is just bonkers bizarre, but at least it let's … Continue Reading ››

RS #480: Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

#480

Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Release Date: 1994
Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes
Raekwon -
Is Raekwon getting photobombed here?
Impressions:  The title of the album itself is a challenge: "Are you tough enough for this?"  I guess we'll see. Hmmm, kinda takes a while to get going... "Knuckleheadz," production boring, but bouncy. Not bad, but seems a bit ordinary for '90s hip hop. "Criminology" clicked a bit more from me. This album's vibe takes me back to college; living in a post-graduate haze back in the "slums" of Champaign, IL,  shooting hoop and … Continue Reading ››