Release Date: 1988
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: EPMD. Erick and Parrish Making Dollars. These guys were popular when I was in high school. Well-liked, but always seems to be overshadowed by some other act (LL, The Beasties, NWA, Run DMC.) Let's put it on... The opening track "Strictly Business" samples "I Shot The Sheriff" and, not surprisingly, these guys get down to business. These guys come across as no frills, workmanlike, solid, but that's probably because they rap in such a low-key style, like they were just talking to … Continue Reading ››
Piano men have always been kinda like gunslingers, right?
#458
Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection
Release Date: 1970
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: Not well-versed in Sir Elton outside of the big hits. I considre myself a fan nor a hater. Let's give this a spin... Weird choice for only his third album: a very loose old-West-themed concept album by two guys (Elton John, lyricist Bernie Taupin) who had never been to the US at the time. Hubris (and drugs) can only be the reason they'd do this. Oddly, this fake country … Continue Reading ››
I thought that was a dirty joke, but no, this album actually contains sixty-nine songs about love.
#465
The Magnetic Fields, 69 Love Songs
Release Date: 1999
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes
Impressions: I know almost nothing of these guys/this guy. Let's listen...Quirky, jaunty opener "Absolutely Cuckoo" then leads into the dour, but funny "I Don't Believe in the Sun." Kind of cynical, but affecting, interesting instrumentation. Sometimes the sound with rinky-dink keyboards, banjos, and ukuleles seems a bit too indie-cute, like something you'd see in a hipster movie or commercial, but still winning me over. Nifty songs with … Continue Reading ››
Impressions: Before he was doing the NCIS thing or battling sharks, L.L. (along with Run DMC) was one of the first big crossover rap stars that moved hip-hop from the secret mix tapes and 12" records we passed around at school to the mainstream. I haven't listened to this album since way back when. Let's take it for a spin... From the get-go, the sound is classic boom-bap minimal Rick Rubin production. "I Can't Live Without … Continue Reading ››
Impressions: Pretty rocking, soulful Stax-influenced blues record that came out during a huge year for music, but doesn't cop to psychedelic trends of that year. Still fairly modern and you can see why everyone stole from Albert King's stinging guitar style. The arrangements and funky back up from Booker T. & The MGs are predictably excellent, even for overly-familiar songs like "Kansas City." Songs are rock solid, and occasionally … 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
