Release Date 1969 Previously Owned: No First time listen? Yes
The ScaggsterImpressions: I wasn't expecting much. I don't think I was quite aware of Boz Scaggs and his name was kind of a weird turnoff to me. Boz. Scaggs. (shudders) I mentally lumped him in with other '60s/70s artists who were ostensibly tasteful, yet low-charisma blue-eyed soul/rock "regular guys" like John Hiatt, Dan Fogelberg, Randy Newman, George Thorogood. In other words, not really my cup of tea. Album starts off solidly with "I'm Easy"-- a … Continue Reading ››
Release Date: 2001
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
It looks like that shadow on the left is holding a dogImpressions: Pretty simple on the surface: dirty guitar+bashing drums+straightforward vocals= garage to counter the digital era. It works. The opening song, "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," fulfills that formula. But after that, they throw a few extra tricks: some acoustic guitars on Hotel Yorba and then keyboards on "I'm Finding It Harder To Be A Gentleman." Some nice, hummable tunes, especially the needle-in-the-red punk rock "Fell In Love With … Continue Reading ››
Impressions: Before this came out in the late '80s, there was music created by bands and music created by DJs. If you wanted to dance, you listened to music made by machines or samples, and when you didn't want to dance, you listened to music made by people. Okay, I'm oversimplifying, but it sure seemed that way back then. Outside of New Order, rarely did both strands meet without … Continue Reading ››
Previously Owned: Yes
Impressions: Well, well...I'm surprised this made the list. When I was a kid, I used to go from Evanston across the border to the Wilmette Public Library to ransack the music section for records, tapes and CDs. I check out the maximum amount, take them home, and dub them to add to my growing collection of tapes. Now, there wasn't anything too hip there … Continue Reading ››
Oh right, Ratings. I guess that's what thing whole deal is about. These are mostly if people who wants to cut to the chase. I'm sure I'll tweak this system later, (or at least regret adhering to it) but here's where it stands:
★★★★★
A Personal Favorite. A fully-realized, immensely listenable album that absolutely should be on this list (if not higher, if possible.) Huge historical importance, highly influential, and possibly visionary. I love these albums. 1990s Chicago Bull equivalent: Michael Jordan
★★★★
Good Stuff. Still should be on the list, by and large enjoyable, … Continue Reading ››
Previously Owned: No First time listen? Yes
One day, I'll pronounce "Aquemini" properly"Impressions: Eclectic, Southern-fried hip-hop that is at times wildly creative, yet still funky enough to please most hardcore hip hop heads. I got no idea why I missed the boat on them at the time. I'm positive I would have listened to this a lot in 1998--as I was starved for quality hip hop. There was a huge gap in the mid '90s after gangsta rap took over where I lost … Continue Reading ››
For some reason, I've decided to listen to every single album (and a few double albums) on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time list.
Starting with #500 all the way up to #1, I'll write up my impressions of each album, a rating, and a general comment of whether this selection should be on this list or not. Well, actually, that's a pretty silly notion, because if Rolling Stone put the album on the list, then it should be on Rolling Stone's list, right? End of story. So, I guess what I'm really asking is "would I … 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
