1001 Albums (191-205): The Dark Side of the Moon - Different Class

Note: Finally a group delivers. This have the heavyweights at the top that most people know and love. It also has a nice of group of hidden gems. I'd say The Mars Volta, TV on the Radio and Mercury Rev are all worth more study. Plus, there are a couple in the middle albums from well-known acts. Enjoy this bunch, it may not get much better.

In Red’s Collection

The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) by Pink Floyd

I think it’s safe to say that this is the best and most influential album we will encounter in the “D’s.” We have it in vinyl and every time I put in on the turner, I know I am going to hear something new or catch a new lyric. The album cover is as iconic as it gets in popular culture.

Déjà vu (1970) by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

It took 800 hours to record this gem as the boys brawled and squabbled and Crosby generally went into self-destruction mode. I don’t listen to this album a lot, but I can say that there’s nothing else in my collection that sound quite like this.

Devil Without a Cause (1998) by Kid Rock

My wife dismisses the merits of this entire book because this album is in it. She hates Kid Rock. I disagree. This album belongs here. “Bawitdaba” was an anthem among high school guys when I was 16. The string of hits after this made Kid Rock the hottest act around for about a year. He still pops up with decent tunes every once in a while, although he goes overboard with the sampling at times.


No Doubt About It

A Date With The Everly Brothers (1960) by The Everly Brothers

Don and Phil were entrenched in label problems, drugs and marital issues and gearing up to compete with a returning from war Elvis, when they went to work on this collection. The hit single “Cathy’s Clown appears here. Also, the duo released the first version of “Love Hurts” which was covered by Nazareth and several other bands later on.

Destroyer (1976) by Kiss
I bet Snake is going to have a lot to say about this album. Possibly about Ace Frehley being cut from a couple of the tracks. But in the end, this may be Kiss’ best studio album. There is the anthem “Detroit Rock City”, the ballad “Beth,” and Gene Simmons signature song (written by Paul Stanley) “God of Thunder.” There’s a handful of other greats here also.

Not sure where to put these

Daydream Nation (1988) by Sonic Youth

Sort of like Black Flag last week, this is a band whose name is dropped a lot but one that I’ve never listened too. I checked out “Teen Age Riot” from this album, it’s pretty good. Maybe I’ll have to explore further the fuss about this group.

Debut (1993) by Bjork

I thought about making this a no doubter, but I don’t really know this album that well. I’ll say this, there is no one that has a voice like Bjork and she finds some interesting ways to deliver her music.

Definitely Maybe (1994) by Oasis

Part of me really likes Oasis, another part finds them to conceited. “Live Forever” is the hit off this, there first big album, and in this tune they are already comparing themselves to rock legends like Hendrix, the Beatles and Kurt Cobain. It is a catchy tune though.


Wonder What This Is Like

De-Loused In the Crematorium (2003) by The Mars Volta

Maybe Snake already knows about these guys. He’s more hip to the music scene then I am, but this a group formed around former At The Drive In members Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (guitar) and Cedric Bixler Zavala (vocals). What I’ve listened to seems a bit toned down from some of the At The Drive In stuff.

Album Title of the Week

Desperate Youths, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004) by TV On The Radio

This has a different sound to it. It’s kind of under produced and heavy on vocal experimentation. Song like “Ambulance” and “Dreams” seem to be honest attempts at trying to say something important. The song “Robots” is just funny.

The Best of the Rest

Deserter’s Songs (1998) by Mercury Rev

They say this band is sort of like having Neil Young fronting Pink Floyd. That’s an interesting idea and the songs are kind of cool. If you get a chance check out songs like “Opus 40,” “Holes,” and “Endlessly,” they are pretty cool.

The Rest

Destroy Rock & Roll (2004) by Mylo

This is a guy making music with his computer. I think Snake would hate this guy.


Devotional Songs (1992) by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan And Party

This is spiritual music from Pakistan. I actually didn’t mind this much. The guy has a unique voice and the guys around him harmonize well. I don’t what there saying, but that’s all right.


Diamond Life (1984) by Sade

There’s a world tour influence on this R&B artist from the UK. Her tunes are heavily laced with Latin, Carribbean and other exotic sounds.

Different Class (1995) by Pulp

A lot of British acts this week. This another band that it seems like I know. I enjoy the tune “Common People.”