Note: I think the book is batting about 60% with this group of five. Johnny Cash holds in up high. Plus a short rant on one left off.
American Beauty (1970) by The Grateful Dead
Label: Warner Bros.
Producers: The Grateful Dead, Robin Hurley
Running time: 41:23
This album spawned two of my favorite Dead songs – "Friend of the Devil" and "Sugar Magnolia." Those two song are different sounding and yet exceptional. Hunter, Weir and Lesh all step out on this album and show that the band wasn't just Jerry Garcia's backing band. We also get the Dead anthem "Truckin'." Which has grown on me over the years, although there are still times I reach for the skip button when it comes on.
American Gothic (1972) by David Ackles
Label: Elektra
Producer: Bernie Taupin
Running time: 43:13
I can tell if this is folk music or pop music. For the bits I've found, it sounds kind of like the folk being produced in the early 70s. Yet, you can hear Bernie Taupin (famed producer for Elton John) in the arrangement of songs. I wouldn't buy this album new. I think if I found it on record for a couple dollars, I might pick it up.
American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002) by Johnny Cash
Label: American
Producer: Rick Rubin
Running time: 51:56
I think Snake and I have expounded on this album on this blog before. This is Cash's final statement in a brillant 40-plus year career. From the emotion cracking through the every note on his covers of "Hurt" and "In My Life" to the vibrancy and defiance reflected on tunes like "The Man Comes Around" and "Sam Hall." If you don't have this album, you should buy it now. You won't regret it for a second.
American Pie (1971) by Don McLean
Label: EMI
Producer: Ed Freeman
Running time: 36:16
The title track obviously steals the show on this album. It's iconic in American culture, which means this album should be on this list. Although, I think everyone has heard this song hundreds of times without ever hearing the rest of the album. I love the quote that runs on this page by McLean "What does 'American Pie' mean? It means I don't have to work if I don't want to." I've heard "Vincent," the other single off this album. It's a folk song that's about all I have to say.
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990) by Ice Cube
Label: Priority
Producer: Bomb Squad
Running time: 49:20
Another rapper that grew chubby and started making movies. I didn't know Ice Cube's real name was O'Shea Jackson. No wonder he changed his name. This was Cube's first album after NWA, which is mainly why I think it's on the list. They even say some his albums after this are better. So I don't know why you need to hear this.
NOTE: I am going to interject with my first rant on a snub from the list. Green Day's – American Idiot is probably the timepiece album of the last decade and it's absent from the list. I think it was released before the books publication. The only thing I can see is that they don't really treat Green Day well in their review of one of their albums on this list, methinks they'd don't like Green Day.
That's a shame. I understand people think they sold out their punk origins. But they grew up. American Idiot was a bold statement in post 9-11 blind patriotism era.
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3 comments:
Friend of Devil is probably my favorite Dead song from that era. Truckin' got old to me not shortly after I first heard it. I would be intereted to hear what a normal Dead album sounded like.
The Man Comes Around is one of the most moving music experiences I have ever had. The entire album had this air of death, the end, saying goodbye etc. Which I am sure he knew somewhere inside that that was the case. Plus Rick Rubin doesn't produce bad albums. My favorite still to listen to is the title track that opens the album. Alot of meaning in there.
I can honestly say I have never heard another Don McLean song that I know of nor would I want to. Nothing will ever be better and he is set for life with that song.
As for the other two albums, whatever. I do agree with Red's statement as well on American Idiot. It took me a little while to understand the album. And selling out is a term used by those that can't figure out how to make money with what they do. I agree that they grew up. You can't stay a young punk forever.
Is there such a thing as a 'normal' Dead album :).
I am liking that "Ripple" song that you posted here. never heard that one before.
Next week I think you'll gain on me in the albums lists. I am pretty sure you have (or had) at least one of them.
Alright I've tried to post a comment 3 times over the past 2 days and it hasn't worked. So this one better. I liked Ripple as well. Might have to look into getting that album. The Ackles stuff just makes me wanna go to sleep. What does it say that I could only find 1 of the Ice Cube songs on the ilike playset?
Now I gotta wait till Wednesday to see if I can catch you. Oh the waiting is the hardest part.
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