Back in Black (1980) – AC/DC
The lads from Australia strutted out a new lead singer and rang in the new decade with one of the top hard rock albums of all time. From the title track to “Hells Bells” to “Shoot to Thrill” and mega-hit “You Shook Me All Night Long,” this album made AC/DC a staple of the world music scene for the next nearly 30 years.
Bat Out of Hell (1977) – Meatloaf
Over-the-top and amazing, Meatloaf and producer Todd Rundgren create the iconic Rock Album despite being led by a guy weighing over 300 pounds at the time. Everyone knows “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and many of the other tunes are catchy and at times pretty hard rocking.
Red’s Shameless Plug
The Band (1969) – The Band
One of the downfalls of the CD project is that I can’t shill some of the stuff I am listening too. While this isn’t the album I have of The Band, I recommend anyone to pick up a copy of their stuff. When I bought the Greatest Hits I knew about three songs, since then I have really started to enjoy most of their collection. They just have the sound of a group enjoying playing music. Sometimes that’s not the case.
No Doubt About It
Bad (1987) – Michael Jackson
Jackson had a big task following “Thriller” while this album doesn’t nearly match that level of greatness it does knock out big hits like “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and “Smooth Criminal.” This is the slow descent of the guy into the joke he is now.
Bad Company (1974) – Bad Company
Former Free members Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke formed this group and produced a big-time album in a haze of alcohol and drugs. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” “Ready for Love,” and the title track are some of the tunes that endured the test of time.
Band on the Run (1973) – Paul McCartney
McCartney finally created a pretty good album after leaving the Beatles. I am still not 100 percent sold on this being great. The title track is solid, but sometimes a little annoying also. “Jet” is also a pretty good tune.
Bayou Country (1969) – Creedence Clearwater Revival
This album gave the world “Proud Mary” and CCR just kept rolling after that. This is their first album, it’s not quite as loaded with hits as some of the ones to follow, but it certainly is the start for one of the biggest hit producing bands ever.
B.B. King Live at the Regal (1965) – B.B. King
There’s no denying King’s importance to Blues music and I am sure that a live album of his from the 60’s had to be a groundbreaking set to listen to.
Remember that one time (albums that represent an era of time whether good or bad)
The B-52’s (1979) – The B-52’s
The B-52’s ushered in New Wave and the sound of the 80s. Now we know whom to blame.
…Baby One More Time (1999) – Britney Spears
Here’s the album that convinced young girls to stop giving ‘it’ up and to start giving ‘it’ away. The music is bad, but it sold a ton a records and is representative of that era.
Back to Mystery City (1983) – Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rock was the Hair Band that never quite got over the hump. Supposedly this is Axl Rose’s favorite band and he thought they’d have eclipsed Guns ‘N’ Roses in popularity if death hadn’t hit the band hard.
Best of the rest
Bandwagonesque (1991) – Teenage Fanclub
The book makes this out to be the second-coming of everything great. Basically it’s an Indie band making a pretty good album and a reviewer overselling it. That being said, it beats out the rest of this weeks second (or third) tier offerings. It’s not bad to listen to.
The Rest
Back at the Chicken Shack (1960) – Jimmy Smith
This is organ music trying to be rock or jazz or something not church music.
Basket of Light (1969) – The Pentangle
This is kind of moody psychedelic guitar jam music. Maybe Snake would like it, but I didn’t get it.
Beach Samba (1967) – Astrud Gilberto
Yet another Brazilian act, I didn’t know they had such an innovative rock music scene.
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7 comments:
You're right I do kinda dig the Pentangle stuff. Seems like we should have studied them in Prog Rock classic. Lots of crazy time signatures and overlayed vocals. Apparently 'Light Flight' was the theme to the BBC's first colour (notice my correct spelling) drama series 'Take Three Girls'. It is like tripy folk music. I didnt know that was possible.
All I have to say about the B-52's album is that 'Rock Lobster' is one of the most non-sensical yet catchy songs I know. I can't get it out of my head ever!
Seems like we have a few, i dunno second best albums this week. Bad, Bad Company, Band on the Run, The Band, Bayou Country (which was CCR's second album by the way, they did have a self title debut) are like the second best albums they have, in my eyes.
It is hard to argue that 'Baby One More Time' doesn't deserve to be on this list. The music isn't horrible. And I remember it was everyone during high school.
I had heard that quote about Hanoi Rocks as well, Axl was a big fan. Which I guess may example their ultimate demise.
I am gonna post on an omission that I wanna give props too. And maybe talk more about the better entries here. Liking the new format!
What would McCartney's first best album be as a loner?
I thought you might like Pentangle. I didn't find much of theirs to listen too. This week was sort of nice, because I knew most of these bands and albums, I only had three or four that i had to look up and see if they sounded any good.
Hopefully it stays this way, but who knows what comes next. I guess I do, but that would require me to go get the book and look.
Well was Band on the Run credited to Wings? Either way it is all Paul. So that being said I think 'Ram' is probably a better album in that it seems for true to Paul and there are a couple of shots at Lennon in there. Otherwise, my personal favorite is 'Flaming Pie' cause I thought there is alot of emotion in that album as well. Kind of the opposite of Ram in the sense that he finally misses John and was kind of his opus with Linda as well. I still listen to that one all the time.
Paul McCartney and Wings was it's credit. I forgot to put Wings on there, but what did they matter anyways. They could have been a bunch of studio musicians.
Maybe your right about "Ram." I don't know.
I still contend this. Erase the Beatles history, do any of McCartney's solo albums make this list or even get made. How about Lennons? (I've grown to like post-Beatles Lennon stuff more, but still). Would any of their music have rose above the other noise going on?
These are just questions.
I think some of it does. It is good or else we wouldn't still hear it on the radio. Honestly some of McCartney and Lennon's solo stuff was crap and we dont hear about that anymore (see 'Two Virgins' or the time span between when Paul ditched Wings and made Flaming Pie). Obviously Lennon didn't have as much time to make as much crap as Paul, but I think he would have. There were flashes. I agree, there names help give them an initial boost off the ground, but some of their stuff lasts today and alot of it doesn't just like everyone else.
I know we are always on both sides of this debate because historically you have tended to favor John and I have been the Paul guy (I don't know how this happened, but it seems to always be this way).
It probably reveals alot about our styles. There is probably a whole case study right there!
I think it means your into head-bobbing action and I like screaming asian broads.
I agree with your analysis. I 'woooo' with the best of them. I think it is just because you wear glasses sometimes though.
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