1001 Albums (116-130): Broken English - Cafe Bleu

Note: This is probably the weakest group we've had since changing the format. It made it pretty hard to separate some of these out. But we do get into the C's this week for a little change of scenery. Also, I added in the albums I accidently skipped over last week. 

In Red’s Collection

Nothing here. This could be a long week.

Red’s Shameless Plug

Brothers in Arms (1985) by Dire Straits

This is Mark Knopfler at his creative height. The first three tunes were sure fire hits and maybe one of the best starts to any album. The title track steals the show for me at this point of my life. The guitar is understated yet inviting. The voice is low and stunning. I don’t have this album, but I do have their greatest hits. Totally worth it.

No Doubt About It

Buffalo Springfield Again (1967) by Buffalo Springfield

I liken Buffalo Springfield as the American version of the Yardbirds. It just seems like everybody played in this band at some point. Stephen Stills and Neil Young are basically working to outdo each other here as songwriters with a couple other members tossing in a tune here or there.

Butterfly (1997) by Mariah Carey

I remember hearing a ton about this album. I am not a Mariah Carey fan, but this seems to be the point where she stops singing big over-produced ballads and delves more into hip-hop.

The Band Tree

Bug (1988) by Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr. were a trio hailed as the successors of Sonic Youth. It’s pretty hard-hitting stuff, but not so much that it offends the ears. This was the last studio album made by the original members. After this, bassist Lou Barlow was kicked out of the band.

Barlow went on to form. …

Bubble and Scrape (1993) by Sebadoh
Barlow’s second band became Indie legends supported by the likes of Kurt Cobain. This band seems to be a little less hard and a lot more melancholy stuff.

Not Sure Where These Belong

Broken English (1979) by Marianne Faithfull

Faithfull has ties to great rock bands from the Stones to the Sex Pistols to Metallica. Her voice is rough and she’s pretty angry and nasty on this album. She even snarls out the lyric “Why’d you spit on my snatch?” I don’t think you’d hear that from many other female artists.

Bryter Layter (1970) by Nick Drake

The folk martyr made his second attempt at fame with this album. He got a little help from various musicians including Velvet Underground alum John Cale. This was a couple years before depression and suicide grabbed complete hold.

Oops, I Didn’t See You There

Brilliant Corners (1957) by Thelonious Monk

This is the album I left off last week by accident. Monk breaks out here on an indie jazz label more interested in his talents then his previous record company.

The Best of the Rest

Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room (1988) by Dwight Yoakam

Stylistically banished from Nashville, Yoakam recreated classic country songs from California and added his modern twist making him one of the more influential artists in the genre during that time.

The Rest

Brown Sugar (1995) by D’Angelo

This album is credited as the rebirth of R&B, but this R&B has a little more attitude than Smokey Robinson.

Brutal Youth (1994) by Elvis Costello

Well this is what is. Another Costello album I know little about other than apparently he is angry. The only difference is that he is a little older.

Buena Vista Social Club (1997) by Buena Vista Social Club

This is a band of retired musicians in Cuba who made an album that hit No. 1 in Germany. Figure that out.

Bummed (1988) by Happy Mondays

I read the review of this one and I am still not sure what kind of music it is. They are British and are compared to the Stone Roses. Maybe that’ll point you in the right direction.

Caetano Veloso (1968) by Caetano Veloso
This Brazilian (although he’s been exiled to London since the 1960s) is described as hybrid of Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Syd Barrett, John Lennon and Bob Marley. Who do they think this guy is? Marrianne Faithful’s son perhaps! Ha. Ha.

Café Bleu (1984) by The Style Council

This is pretty smooth sounding British pop from the 80s. It adds a bit of blues and jazz in there in places also.