Note: A pretty good group with I think for a couple possible sleepers toward the bottom of the list to find their way up if I ever get a chance to listen to them fully. There are 12 more 'B' albums, so we'll break into the 'Cs' next week.
Born to Run (1975) by Bruce Springsteen
I’ll let this also serve as my shameless plug for the week. Buy this album. “Born to Run” is a prototypical rock song; the album is a combination of everything else great about pop music. For years, Springsteen was sold as the next Dylan. This album proved that wasn’t who he was at all. Dylan was a folk singer and a songwriter. Springsteen was a performer and a songwriter. This album bursts with guitars, pianos, trumpets and drums. While there is always dark sadness behind many of Springsteen’s lyrics, there is also the fighting spirit not succumb to that sadness.
Two for One
Bookends (1968) and Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) by Simon and Garfunkel
Bookends reads like a greatest hits album. From the iconic “Mrs. Robinson” to the wistful “America,” the catchy “A Hazy Shade of Winter,” and the innuendo of “Fakin’ It,” this album delivers tunes that defined a generation of intellectuals. Bridge Over Troubled Water is the graceful swansong for the duo. With maybe the only exception being the “So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright” a jab by Simon toward Garfunkel, who studied architecture in college and missed some the recording to act in a movie. Another long list of classics run by on the track listing of this one.
No Doubt About It
Born in the USA (1984) by Bruce Springsteen
I know I shill Springsteen enough that it’s probably bad that I don’t own this album. I may actually look for it on vinyl. I think it’d fit well in that collection. There are seven top-10 singles on this album. There are bands that hang around a long time without getting that many in a career. People always confuse this album as a patriotic statement. Give another listen to the lyrics to the title track and to “Dancing in the Dark.” One condemns a country. The other condemns an industry pushing him to write singles. “My Hometown” and “I’m On Fire” are the gems for me from this album.
Boston (1976) by Boston
This is the signature album for soft rock bands. “More Than A Feeling,” continues to get plenty of air play while other classics like “Rock and Roll Band,” “Smokin,” and “Let Me Take You Home Tonight” have helped this album sell 17 million in sales over the last 30 years. On a side note, Aerosmith let Boston use their equipment to record parts of this album.
Bringing It All Back Home (1965) by Bob Dylan
Mr. Zimmerman makes his third appearance in two weeks. This album is Dylan on the cusp of greatness. He hits hard with “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and nails “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The rest of the album may be something I should check out.
British Steel (1980) by Judas Priest
No doubt this is the definitive album for this British Metal band. It spawned hits like “Living After Midnight,” and “Breaking the Law.” It also is loaded with a lot of hard rocking, great to see live tracks. It was also recorded at John Lennon’s former country estate outside of London. That’s pretty cool too.
Remember That Time
Blur (1997) by Blur
I couldn’t think of why I knew Blur until I looked up “Song 2” and played it. It’s that one with a little infectious guitar hook and the “Wahoo” popping up throughout the chorus. Not a bad tune, not sure if the rest of the album is much.
Go Away!
The Boatman’s Call – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
This guy is popping up a lot like Brian Eno. I don’t know if he’s good or not, but I haven’t heard anything that great from him to warrant this much attention. This another breakup album though, I feel a theme for this week.
The Best of the Rest
Bright Flight (2001) by Silver Jews
I enjoy this band’s name. Also, after to listening to a few tunes, I like their sound. It kind of reminds of Velvet Underground without maybe trying to be so artsy. Lead singer has a cool deep voice.
The Rest
Bone Machine (1992) by Tom Waits
I’ve always been tempted to buy a Tom Waits machine. There’s a raw craziness about his style, but I’ve never been brave enough to see if I liked a whole album of it. “Hold On” from a later album is a great song though.
Bongo Rock (1973) by Michael Viner’s Incredible Bongo Band
This is a group of session drummers that came together to make a soundtrack for the “B” movie The Thing With Two Heads. Apparently it’s been sampled a ton by everyone. I think I just sampled it.
Born To Be With You (1975) by Dion
Bronx natives Dion and Phil Spector united here to release an album that panned initially by critics, but later applauded by artists like Pete Townshend and Primal Scream’s Billy Gillespie.
Bossanova (1990) by Pixies
Sounds like another breakup album. I’ve heard the name Pixies a lot, but know little about them. They sound like a punk band that likes to jam a little more.
Boy In Da Corner (2003) by Dizzee Rascal
Rap straight outta London. Angry teen rap from across the big blue sea, might be worth a listen. Maybe.
Bright Flight (2001) by Silver Jews
I enjoy this band’s name. Also, after to listening to a few tunes, I like their sound. It kind of reminds of Velvet Underground without maybe trying to be so artsy. Lead singer has a cool deep voice.
The Rest
Bone Machine (1992) by Tom Waits
I’ve always been tempted to buy a Tom Waits machine. There’s a raw craziness about his style, but I’ve never been brave enough to see if I liked a whole album of it. “Hold On” from a later album is a great song though.
Bongo Rock (1973) by Michael Viner’s Incredible Bongo Band
This is a group of session drummers that came together to make a soundtrack for the “B” movie The Thing With Two Heads. Apparently it’s been sampled a ton by everyone. I think I just sampled it.
Born To Be With You (1975) by Dion
Bronx natives Dion and Phil Spector united here to release an album that panned initially by critics, but later applauded by artists like Pete Townshend and Primal Scream’s Billy Gillespie.
Bossanova (1990) by Pixies
Sounds like another breakup album. I’ve heard the name Pixies a lot, but know little about them. They sound like a punk band that likes to jam a little more.
Boy In Da Corner (2003) by Dizzee Rascal
Rap straight outta London. Angry teen rap from across the big blue sea, might be worth a listen. Maybe.
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4 comments:
There are a few typos in there, the biggest being Born to Run listed twice when the second can be figured out to be Born in the USA by your comments. He shouldn't release albusm with the same word in the beginning.
I think I have 4 albums in the group as I look back through the list. There are probably 3-4 overlooks as well as I search my Ipod. Should give me alot to talk about in the Encore.
Some crazy band names this week too, that is awesome. I can't believe we are almost done with B too. Moving along now.
There was one overlook here that came to mind right away that I didn't mention. I thought I'd see if you'd put it in the encore.
I'm not super excited about the 'Cs.' I know I didn't have too many albums in that bunch. But it is a short group too.
Well I am working on 4 overlooks although i split them into 2 different categories. I need to find a way to listen to some of these sleepers sometime. Looking back, hasnt Dion had quite a long career? there is alot more to him than Runaround Sue which is the only song by him i could name off the top of my head.
I figured we are gonna hit alot of shorter groups of Letters. Make it seem like we are going fast until we hit like the 400 albums with S or something like that.
I think I skipped over an album accidently. Don't worry, it's not one I've heard of before if you're worried about your encore getting messed up. I'll include it in next week's group.
I don't know much about Dion.
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