RS #444: War, The World Is A Ghetto

War, The World Is A Ghetto
Lot going on in this cover.
#444

War, The World Is A Ghetto

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 ››

RS #445: Steve Miller Band, Fly Like an Eagle

Steve Miller Band, Fly Like An Eagle
His hair is flying like an eagle, for sure.
#445

Steve Miller Band, Fly Like an Eagle

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 ››

RS #446: MC5, Back In The USA

MC5, Back In The USA
Meanwhile...
#447

MC5, Back In The USA

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 ››

RS #447: Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, Getz/Gilberto

#447

Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, Getz/Gilberto

Release Date: 1964 Previously Owned: Yes (on vinyl)
Getz/Gilberto
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 ››

RS #448: The Police, Synchronicity

#448

The Police, Synchronicity

Release Date: 1983 Previously Owned: Yes (on tape, CD, vinyl)
The Police, Synchronicity
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 ››

RS #449: Big Star, Third/Sister Lovers

#449

Big Star, Third/Sister Lovers

Release Date: 1978 Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes
Big Star Third/Sister Lovers
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 ››

A Little Preview of Albums #400-450

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 ››

The 50 ALBUM CHECK IN #1 (500-450)

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. TOP500_50_1.2        Continue Reading ››