Exile On Main St - The Rolling Stones
This is the Rock 'N Roll opus from the Stones. Double albums are always a touchy subject and this one wasn't an instant classic. Out from the binds of their deal with Allen Klein, the Stones weren't pressed to pump out hit singles like a music machine, their biggest rival band had disbanded, and the drug use was getting heavier. The band ran away from the rising British tax system into 'Exile' in France to record this album. Mic is the noted detractor of this album. He was "bored with Rock 'N Roll" and wanted to do something different. One quote I've read said he thought the album "wasn't mixed very well." That makes no sense to me, and I have always thought that is a crutch artists fall back on as an excuse to use rather than say the real reason why they don't like an album (basically it wasn't what he wanted to do, he got out voted for once). Keith's love for the blues/rock roots are the entire album. It is that example of the classic rock album where the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. 'Tumbling Dice' is the only hit, but gems 'Rocks Off', 'Rip This Joint', 'Sweet Virginia', 'Sweet Black Angel', 'Turd on the Run', (which for some reason is shown T**d on the Run on ITunes, I guess turd is a bad word), 'Happy' & 'Shine A Light' are must listens. The whole album is really a must listen, especially if you love blues based rock and Keith Richards. As I've learned more about Keith's background and his self acclaim to have lifted every Chuck Berry riff he ever played, I can hear it more and more in their music. The obvious sounds of the covers aside, listen to the guitar solo in 'Tumbling Dice'. I just noticed it this week, total Chuck Berry sound. It is a riff lifted start from every song Berry ever did. The band had their share of turmoil during this time and that seems to be a running theme through this list for making good albums. I love this one!
The Women Fire Back!
Exile In Guyville - Liz Phair
Liz stated this breakout album was written as a song by song response to "Exile on Main St". Most seem to discredit that claim though. The first obvious connection is that they both have 18 songs. Some of the themes seem to match on the few songs I have listened to, '6'1"' to 'Rocks Off', 'Never Said' to 'Tumbling Dice', and a very obvious 'Fuck and Run' to 'Turd on the Run'. Definitely a very angry, candid sound for Phair. I am pretty sure if I bought it, I would like it.
The Blueprint for a Revolution
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Neil Young with Crazy Horse
In my short sample listening to this album, it does sound like a good foundation, solid song set of some classic Neil Young with two songs clocking in over 9 minutes each. I had never heard the comment before now that many apparent feel 'Cinnamon Girl' with his extra fuzzed out guitars laid the blueprint for grunge in the 90's. Now, I am not saying that couldn't be true, but there is 20 years between this album and the first beginnings of the grunge scene. Usually there are several more stepping stones. The comment came from journalists, not the musicians, so it loses cred in my book.
The Start of a Revolution
Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley
This is where Rock N Roll began. Elvis tears up a bunch of covers as he ranges through RCA's catalog and becomes an instant icon. The sound of this album is so classic, the hollow old mono recordings instantly bring about the memories of all those old records. This one is probably lost anymore to the sea of Elvis greatest hits, especially "#1 Hits" and "2nd to None".
Speaking of Grunge
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge - Mudhoney
This is a band that could have probably been very famous, but seemed to not make the right decisions with their career. Mudhoney has always been cited as a big influence to Nirvana and Cobain. They were first in the scene up in the northwest and even started their own label which housed alot of the grunge bands before they went big. That is where the tables turn. This album marks their choice to stay with their dying small time label after all the "big names" had jumped ship and taken major record deals and started making gobs of money. They turned down their offer and at the height of grunge decided to try a new sound that was a little more old school rock n roll. Doesn't seem like a smart business decisions to me. From what I've sampled on this album, they sound close to Nirvana. Better musicianship/instrumentation with not so insightful lyrics. But it makes me understand how they could have made it big and why they have the underground following they did. I guess this is an example of a band not 'selling out', i.e. staying poor.
Maybe In a Newer Revision
Enter The Chicken - Buckethead & Friends
This marked Buckethead's debut on Serj Tankian's (of System of a Down fame) label, Serjical Strike. It features the axe slinger being fronted by several different vocalists. I can never say enough good things about this album and I fear Big Red is probably sick of hearing about it, especially after he listens to the song samplings I sent him. This is an eclectic mix of metal, rock, pop, and all things awesome guitar. 'We Are On', 'Three Fingers', 'Waiting Hare', & 'Nottingham Lace' definitely stand above this already awesome pack.
Everyday Demons - The Answer
This is the Northern Irish rock band's second album. It is an amazing rock album. These guys can play it in that old school fashion that makes you go "Oh Yeah" as you crack it to 11. I owe ITunes for making 'Demon Eyes' a free single of the week. I was hooked instantly. It overly original, just some fresh Rock for your soul. 'On and On' and 'Pride', 'Dead of the Night', and the tender 'Comfort Zone' are awesome tracks, too.
Posts
5 comments:
Never doubt a journalist.
I believe about every other album I've read about in this book has been the start or the inspiration for one musical movement or another.
Man, you must be in a funk if that is all you got to say about my post. :) Seriously, listen to Tumbling Dice and Keith's solo in the middle. See if you hear Chuck. You can hear it on alot of their tracks, especially after i got one of those definitive collection (always a bad title) of Chuck Berry. Now there is an influence I can tell.
You're probably just sad I didn't expand on Sonic Youth.
Actually I was really hoping for some serious analysis of Rod Stewart. Come on you know you love it.
Does Klosterman talk about Mudhoney in either of the books you've been reading. I am pretty sure he mentions them somewhere, but I can't remember for sure?
that question carries with it the assumption that I have been reading those books :) I am probably 1/3 of the way through Fargo Rock City and i don;t think he has said anyting on Mudhoney yet, we are still in the 80s, like 88 I think. The little one finds now that it is summer, she doesnt need to go to bed till after 9, which kinda cuts down on reading time. I should try reading it to her, then she would really learn something.
I almost went there with Rod, just to give Ron Wood his props, but for some reason i didnt. I have disappointed you just like you let that other guy down on the Manic Street Preachers. How could you now give them their due?!?!?
I dole out praise sparingly. I will say they had the most creative band name of the bunch this week. Kudos for that :)
Yeah, I haven't read a lot lately. Although the current book I am reading is on criminal profiling. I haven't really decided why I am reading it.
Post a Comment