Tag Archives: First Time Listen

RS #375 – Jackson Browne – Late For The Sky

#375

Jackson Browne, Late For The Sky

Release Date: 1995
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen:  Yes

This is a soothing album cover. By Source, Fair use, Link

Impressions: Well, Mr. Browne...we meet again. I was pleasantly surprised by For Everyman. but didn't quite dig The Pretender. So, let's put on the tie-breaker ... Title track sounds a little closer to "For Everyman," so far, down-the-middle '70s soft-ifornia rock. Slow start. … Continue Reading ››

RS #377: John Lee Hooker – The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990)

#377 

John Lee Hooker The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990)

Release Date: 1990
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

 Very, very early '90s boxed-set album cover design. By Source, Fair use, Link

Impressions: Uh oh. I'm doomed. 1948-1990. That's DECADES of music. Oh whew, it's only 2 discs. And it's great stuff, so no big deal. Wow, there are an endless amount of compilations out there of his music. But of course, this specific one … Continue Reading ››

RS #378: Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?

#378 

Oasis (What's The Story) Morning Glory?

Release Date: 1995
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

 The story is middling Brit-pop that doesn't really leave a mark. By Source, Fair use, Link

Impressions: This falls into Cheap Trick category for me: I should like this, in theory. These guys throw The Smiths, Stone Roses, Beatles, The Jam, Stones, etc in a blender and make a Brit-pop smoothie. … Continue Reading ››

RS #379: TLC, Crazysexycool

#379

TLC Crazysexycool

Release Date: 1994
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Love a great '70s drawn album cover. By Source, Fair use, Link

Impressions: Well, if you want to try to win me over from the jump, throw a Phife cameo rap at the beginning that references A Tribe Called Quest in a almost Marvel comic crossover fashion. Good start. Sounds like vintage early '90s hip hop-infused new Jack Swingish, R&B. "Creep" showcases TLC at their best: solid samples, … Continue Reading ››

RS #380: Toots and the Maytals, Funky Kingston

#380

Toots and the Maytals Funky Kingston

Release Date: 1975
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Love a great '70s drawn album cover. By Source, Fair use, Link

Impressions: From the first beat, this classic reggae sound fits like your favorite t-shirt. The sound is like Al Green on the 1 and 3, with the gruff vocals of Toots Hibbert (who to Americans serves as the Kevin Durant to Bob Marley's LeBron James.) R&B, Soul, Rock, Ska, Funk, it's all in … Continue Reading ››

RS #384: The Who, A Quick One

#384

The Who, A Quick One

Release Date: 1966
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

By Source, Fair use, Link

Impressions: The Who's second album. When it comes to the Who, I probably respect them more than I enjoy them. Let's go...."Run Run Run" okay, but smells a little like the second album lull. "Boris the Spider" is pretty nutty and, of course, being a John Entwistle song, bass heavy. So, I guess everyone in the band wrote songs? Even … Continue Reading ››

RS #385: Bob Dylan, Love and Theft

#385

Bob Dylan, Love and Theft

Release Date: 2001
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Another late-career Dylan entry. Okay, let's get through this... Bluesy, rockabilly opener. His craggy, nasal vocal style doesn't really appeal to me, but this sounds lighter and looser already. Unpretentious production. Something about "Mississippi" snuck up on me: he's older and been through some stuff and it seems lived in with lyrics like "I'm … Continue Reading ››

RS: 388: Various Artists, The Indestructable Beat of Soweto – Vol 1

#388

Various Artists The Indestructable Beat of Soweto- Vol. 1

Release Date: 1985
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

"I would say, yes, this beat is quite indestructable " by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.

Impressions: Looking forward to this one. Well, not speaking the language, it loses a little in translation for me. But it's chockful of catchy, quirky tunes that are light, funky and don't have a ton of "world music" baggage. Rubbery basslines, … Continue Reading ››

#389 – RS #500: Don Henley, The End Of Innocence

#389

Don Henley The End Of Innocence

Release Date: 1989
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

"The End of Tasteful Late '80s, Cusp Of Desktop Publishing Graphic Design" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.

Impressions: Okay, let's give this a spin. (Listens) Hmmm, must have placed a Bruce Hornsby CD on by mistake...no? DON: "Hey Hornsby... don't forget to bring over your piano and drum machine for this track." Sounds like 1989 for sure, with a … Continue Reading ››

RS #390: White Stripes, Elephant

#390

White Stripes Elephant

Release Date: 2003
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

"I pledge allegance to the red, white and black album cover... " by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia.

Impressions: Well, even though it's been played to death..."Seven Nation Army" is a real winner. I must confess it's pretty undeniable. What's not to like? I mean, that massive riff... dummmm dum dum dudumm! It's perfect. Jack and Meg White are like the proprietors of … Continue Reading ››