Note: I am cranky and hungry, but I wanted to get this done before lunch. Therefore, I probably didn't spend enough time thinking about these albums or did I give them much props. This certainly isn't the best group we've had thus far. I'd say the book batted about 45% here.
Apple Venus Volume 1 (1999) by XTC
Label: TVT
Producer: Haydn Bendall, Nick Davis
Running time: 50:06
The book says this is sort of a throwback to late 1960s Brian Wilson-type music. I think that is pretty high praise. It's kind of catchy music, but the minutes I've listened to seems to be missing a hook to keep me really interested. It is a bit more musical and more orchestrated than most albums released in the last 10 years.
Aqualung (1971) by Jethro Tull
Label: Island
Producer: Ian Anderson, Terry Ellis
Running time: 44:51
Well I studied this one in class so I know I've heard this album, but its been a few years. This comes from the band that taught Metallica how to really be heavy or hard (I can't remember what the category name for grammy's is right now). There's no denying the unique nature of this group and this album is there pinnacle. I can't argue that it belongs on this list.
Architecture and Morality (1981) by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Label: Dindisc
Producer: Richard Manwaring, OMD
Running time: 37:02
This is called one of the best "synth-pop" albums ever. Is that a complement? These guys are from Liverpool, so of course the reviewer makes the reference to the Beatles, which turned me off right away. Sure these guys released three minutes songs with a lot instruments in some of their tunes and they happened to be born in the same town where the greatest rock band ever formed. But that fact is meaningless. The comparison has no bearing on anything. The fact is that I've never heard of this band or this album.
Arc of a Diver (1980) by Steve Winwood
Label: Island
Producer: C. Blackwell, S. Winwood
Running time: 40:01
Steve Winwood makes music that plays in dentist offices and waiting rooms. It's bad enough not to make you cringe, but not good enough for you really to notice it either. It's not offensive or abrasive. But it's also easily forgettable. He also pops up on those 80s radio stations a lot. I suppose he's not totally undeserving to be on this list, but I am not sure this album even has the songs that I've heard.
Aretha: Lady Soul (1968) by Aretha Franklin
Label: Atlantic
Producer: Jerry Wexler
Running time: 28:39
This is Aretha's third album with Atlantic after spending 12 years under the chains of Columbia. She delivers several of her now standard hits like "Chain of Fools" and "A Natural Woman." The queen of soul hit her stride in the late 60s. I am not going to deny that.
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I've decided I am only to comment on the two that I know and think are good. I have given up responding to the crap that comes out of this list sometimes. (i think i am cranky too)
First Aretha is the bomb. Looking over the track list, if I didn't have the luxury of getting a greatest hits or just the single songs I want off ITunes, this would be an album I would buy.
I have Aqualung. Locomotive Breath is probably top 50 my all time favorites (50 isnt that big if you think about it). Ian Anderson has vehemently stated over and over that it wasnt a concept album. Although the them on the second side (or last half of the CD) is very Pro-God Anit-Church often stating that organized religion can prohibit a person's close relationship to God. the first part seems to be more about characters that kind of have skecthy pasts, Aqualung, Cross-Eyed Mary etc. Overall I like this album I just dont listen to the whole thing very much. I dont know why either. I think parts of it are a little unbalanced for me, alot of short soft acoustic stuff.
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