Fly or Die - N*E*R*D
This album takes on a very jazzy, cool feel. 'She Wants To Move' was the single that got me interested. The rest of the album sounds nothing like it. The boys decided they wanted to learn to play their own instruments so they could perform live. Pretty impressive in itself. Alot of adolescent issues addressed in the songs from back seat romance to hating your parents. It is definitely an interesting listen and shows they made this album for themselves.
Follow The Leader - Korn
The 12 blank tracks that start this classic are said to be for two different reasons. The album would have ended on track #13 if they started at 1 and they didn't want that and the 12 five second tracks add up to a minute of silence in honor of a fan of the band that lost his battle with cancer. The song 'Justin' is about this fan. Cheech Marin is a guest vocalist on the cover of 'Earache My Eye' at the end of the album.
This album set the blueprint for progressive rock in the 70's. 'Roundabout' is the coolest song I have ever heard. That opening is epic! Rik Wakeman had just joined the band prior to this album and his keyboard presence is felt big time. Most of the album is just a show case for the individual's mastery of their various instruments.
Frampton Comes Alive - Peter Frampton
"Everyone in the world knowns 'Frampton Comes Alive'" - Wayne Campbell. That quote from Wayne's World 2 and a chance encounter on the radio with 'Do You Feel Like We Do' got me hooked on classic rock. I still remember the moment of this epiphany. I was sitting in the car waiting for my mom to finish shopping and I flipped across the local classic rock station that I had never listened to before and happened to hear the DJ say he was going to play something from "Frampton Comes Alive." Having watched Wayne's World, I had to hear what the fuss was all about. That guitar spoke to me man! Well as a 15 year old impressionable mind, I was blown away by this 15 minute rock odyssey. The album as a whole is pretty good, save the cover of 'Jumping Jack Flash' (see worst covers list). Still, if 'Do You Feel Like We Do' was all the album was, it should still be a must listen for everyone.
Oh VH1, How I Miss Thee
First Band On The Moon - The Cardigans
'Lovefool' was the smash hit from this album and a consistent player in the Top 20 countdown on VH1 during the period I affectionately refer to as my 'Video Summer'. Oh to be able to sleep in and watch videos all morning again. Even if I could sleep in, this still isn't possible anymore. The songs on this album have an upbeat sound with sad and disturbing lyrics. There is even a cover of 'Iron Man' in there.
A Rebirth
461 Ocean Boulevard - Eric Clapton
This was his first solo album in 4 years and served as a rebirth for Clapton after kicking his heroine habit. He comes out trying to ditch the guitar god moniker and moving to more polished rock songs. 'I Shot The Sheriff', 'Let It Grow' and 'Willie And The Hand Jive' really showcase this new direction.
SNUBS (I know this is the part everyone looks forward to each week)
Flaming Pie - Paul McCartney
Also from my 'Video Summer', this was sort of a return to Beatle form for Sir Paul. He enlisted the help of Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller and Ringo to help create straight forward classic songs back up to the standards of the Beatles. What that really meant is Paul wasn't going to ruin these songs by trying to over produce them. The album is very good and has some fond memories associated with it. The title track points back to the story from Lennon about how he thought up the Beatle name and 'The Songs We Were Singing' which is about the gold old days writing with his Beatle partnet. The video to the single 'World Tonight' features some very sweet home video of Paul with Linda shortly before she passed away. I would put this in the top 2 or 3 of Paul's post-Beatle releases. Certainly if "Band On the Run" makes this list, I don't see why 'Flaming Pie" doesn't.
Fly - Dixie Chicks
This was their bust out album and helped usher in a new era in country and the cross over artist. These girls have attitude and it shows in some of their songs. They have the chops to make pop cross over hits ('Ready to Run' & 'Cowboy Take Me Away') and yet still stay really country ('Hello Mr. Heartache', 'Don't Waste Your Heart' & 'Sin Wagon'). The attitude is ever present in their big hit 'Goodbye Earl' and the in your face lyrics of 'Hole in My Head'. I think there is a little something for everyone in this album.
Fly By Night - Rush
Another Rush skip over. This was their second album and first with Neil Peart behind the drums and penning the lyrics. This is the bands beginning trek into prog rock stardom. The title track is the hit off the album, but 'Athem' and 'By-Tor And The Snow Dog' remain staples of their live shows. 'Rivendell' which is based off the Lord Of The Rings land, is the only Rush song not to have drums in it. Not their best, but certainly noteworthy.
For Those About To Rock - AC/DC
This was their follow-up to the massive hit that was "Back In Black". The title track is the encore for their concerts with full cannons. The album sounds like most other AC/DC albums full of great guitar and overtly sexual lyrics. Still better than any piece of crap Brian Eno can throw together.
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1 comment:
I don't remember the video to "World Tonight" maybe I'll have to check it out. I remember listening to "Young Boy" a lot and a few other tunes from that album. I don't remember your summer of videos. Of course, I think we got four channels at that point so I was probably having my summer of. ... Maybe I write so much because I had so little to watch growing up.
What is this the third Rush album in two weeks. Ever notice how some band's albums seem group up alphabetically. My theory is the opening consonant sound is the dominant sound of the language or language version of the area in which the band lives and/or grew up in. Yeah, I was an English major.
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