Tag Archives: debut

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 ››

RS #482: Steve Earle – Guitar Town

#482

Steve Earle, Guitar Town

Release Date: 1986
Previously Owned: No First Time Listen: Yes
Steve Earle, Guitar Town
Steve is going to go to town on that guitar.
Impressions:  Modern country isn't exactly my bag, but over the years I've grown to appreciate older country stars like Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline, and so-called alt-country artists like Uncle Tupelo, but the sheen of modern Nashville country still bores me. I guess lots of these newer country stars just seem to me like they are doing lame arena rock dressed up with a "country" packaging. Steve Earle seems … Continue Reading ››

#496: Boz Scaggs – Boz Scaggs

# 496

Boz Scaggs/Self Titled

Release Date 1969
Previously Owned: No
First time listen? Yes
Boz Scaggs
The Scaggster
Impressions: 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 ››

#498: The Stone Roses

#498

The Stone Roses

Release Date: 1989
Previously Owned: Yes
The Stone Roses
Jackson Pollack, with lemons = The Stone Roses
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 ››