Release Date: 1972
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: In college, I had four roommates, so every one of us would get to choose one CD and throw that into the 5-disc changer for parties. Then we'd put it on uber-shuffle, lock the door and let it go all night without taking requests or having anyone mess with the music. A few of my roommates were big into War, so usually one of their CDs would make it … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1976
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: Like many red-blooded American males who have spent time at Boy Scout Camp, I have an appreciation for the occasional Steve Miller Band jam. My SMB dosage usually came in the form a tape of their greatest hits played loudly while tooling around Wisconsin in a Trans Am. Let's turn the clock back… Whooshy, familiar keyboard opening, woah, man. Then, it comes in: … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1970
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: All I knew of the Motor City 5 from before was "Kick Out The Jams," and, for whatever reason, they didn't win me over. Let's just say I respected them more than I enjoyed them. Time for a deeper dive… They waste no time with a pretty lean, mean rocking opening cover of "Tutti-Fruitti." The sound is a little compressed and thin at times, but it's exciting to hear this proto-punk, uber-garage band … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1964
Previously Owned: Yes (on vinyl)
I wish I could go on a vacation as perfect as this album.Impressions: I'm sure many would disagree,but I'm glad to see some jazz represented on this list. Trouble is, it seems like there are a lot more than the five or so jazz albums that are on the list worthy of being added. So, should they have just kept jazz off entirely, or settled for the token entries? A tough call. Either way, Getz/Gilberto would have been tough … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1983
Previously Owned: Yes (on tape, CD, vinyl)
I guess "Synchronicity" involves all three band members wanting to punch each other out equally.Impressions: Synchronicity is one of the first truly great albums I got my hands on as a youth. After floundering around with Huey Lewis and the News, the "Arthur" Soundtrack and Hooked on Classics, a friend of mine gave me a tape of this album (along with Michael Jackson's Thriller on the B Side) and I wore it out. I even started fast forwarding through Thriller, … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 1978
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
This album is no day at the beach, that's for sure.Impressions: As mentioned earlier, I'm pretty smitten with Big Star's catchy, influental '70s guitar pop. But, I've never touched their third (and last) "experimental" album that barely got released. Seems weird to review these in reverse order, but here we go….Oh man, from the first few notes on "Kizza Me" this album makes me anxious. With Chris Bell long gone, this is Alex … Continue Reading ››
My attempt to review the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time list continues! If you haven't already, please check out the infographic summary of albums 450-500.
So far so good. I'm just trying to enjoy the ride because, who knows, I could get bored and just stop doing this one day. Right? Anyhow, looking ahead to the next 50 records I see another varied group of music including all three Big Star albums. Again, I apologize in advance for any excessive gushing over their records, … Continue Reading ››
I'd thought I'd take a quick break from my quest to listen to the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time and reflect on the first 50 albums I've reviewed on this list. Attached is a infographic I put together covering my observations about Albums 450 through 500. It's got facts (Artist Gender, Album Relase Date Decades,) opinions (Dumbest Lyrics, Sneakiest Songs) and tons of other stuff.
Also, included is a separate graphic with a list of the albums and my corrections.
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This seems like the ne plus ultra of '70s soft-rock album covers.
#450
Jackson Browne, For Everyman
Release Date: 1974
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: Oh, here we go... Jackson Browne: another regular-guy '70s singer/songwriter that seems to over-populate this list. Luckily, his distinct hair insures I don't get him mixed up with some of the other sensitive performer types.Browne always seemed a little wan to me, but let's put the album on and give it a shot... I didn't know he co-wrote "Take It Easy" with Glenn Frey. Strange that he opened with … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 2006
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: No
Impressions: Oh, Winehouse. Your tragic, tabloid-ready life story could overshadow your music. That would be a shame, I mean, on top of you already dying. Years of drug abuse, bulemia, personal drama and old-fashioned alcoholism led to you to drinking yourself to death in 2010. So sad, but life must go on and so must this review..."Rehab" is the big hit from the album and, it's kind of hard to … 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
So far so good. I'm just trying to enjoy the ride because, who knows, I could get bored and just stop doing this one day. Right? Anyhow, looking ahead to the next 50 records I see another varied group of music including all three Big Star albums. Again, I apologize in advance for any excessive gushing over their records, … Continue Reading ›› 
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