Snake's Encore: The Healer - Hot Rats

Note: Trying to put two groups together to make a decent posting here.

In Snake's Collection:

Highly Evolved - The Vines

I once described this album as manic depressive. There seems to be a definite effort to alternate between fast and slow songs with melancholy moods and frantic hysterics. I still listen to this album quite a bit. I think it is very good and probably a forgot gem from that time period over shadowed by similar sounds and lumped into the "The" band craze that seemed to hit in those two years. "Get Free" and "Outtathaway" are the hits. "Autumn Shade" is a slow gem. "Sunshin'" kind of has this old school early sixties vibe with the melodies in the verses. "Factory" is a personal favorite because Red and I experienced it first hand. This would fit into the upbeat, melancholy group. "Homesick" is a beautiful, soft piano song that should make most people's eyes water. "In The Jungle" hits with this awesome opening riff that you can't get out of your head. All in all a very good album which undoubtedly brought on a bit of a sophomore slump with Winning Days.

Highway 61 Revisted - Bob Dylan

The album starts off with probably the best period piece/shaming song that was made in the sixties. "Like A Rolling Stone" can mean so many things and probably a little different for everyone. 'You better take that diamond ring, you better pawn it babe!' I don't know why that line has always stuck with me. I could write a novel just dissecting six minutes of brilliance. The rest of the album is ok, but the opening track definitely over shadows every thing else. I would say it is on this list simply for that song and the musical relevance it had at the time.

Highway To Hell - AC/DC

This album was a beginning and an end all in one. It started the short time when AC/DC ruled the world with 3 straight mega albums and the end of Bon Scott's life. This album also brought on controversy for the boys as the "Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez killed people and left AC/DC hats at the scenes and was a noted fan of the song "Night Prowler" which is the last track on this album. So of course everyone thinks AC/DC lead him to kill. But seriously, I can't think of one AC/DC song that isn't some childish reference to sex and "Night Prowler" is no different. I would put this as the 2nd best of the 3 great albums behind Back in Black of course and ahead of For Those About To Rock.

Hot Fuss - The Killers

This is the one I've been waiting to write about. As I've said before, there are so many layers to their music. The top layer is this really tight pop, retro 80's sound that is totally infectious. Below that are these lyrics that don't always have the same mood the music presents, sad lyrics and meaning underneath this up beat super pop song. Every time I listen to this album, I get a little something different out of it. "Mr. Brightside", "Somebody Told Me", "Smile Like You Mean It" and "All The Things I've Done" were the singles that turned into some big hits. "Jenny Was A Friend of Mine" is the opening track and I believe told from the perspective of a man being interrogated for a murder. 'There's no motive for the crime, Jenny was a friend of mine' 'She couldn't scream as I held her close, I swore I'd never let her go'. My wife refused to listen to the Killers for the longest time because of the freaky video for "Mr. Brightside" featuring the ever freaky looking Eric Roberts. "Somebody Told Me" almost sounds like they are accusing their girlfriend of cheating on them with another woman. 'you had a boyfriend that looked like the girlfriend I had last February'. "Smile Like You Mean It" seems to be about remembering better times or further yet someone looking back on life now that they are dead. I highly recommend every Killers album to everyone. It is like a good book, listen quickly first to get the tunes and vibes of the song. Then go back and listen to the lyrics a little harder and see what you can get out of them.

SNUBS

Hefty Fine - The Bloodhound Gang

Not the greatest thing out there, but certainly catchy and funny. This is one of their newer albums full of blatant and sly sexual references. "Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo" is the single and a fun song to write down a bunch of sexual innuendo phrases. "Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss" is along the same lines. "No Hard Feelings" closes out the album and is my favorite of all time. It is a good breakup song for the perverted mind. 'It ain't my job, to f*** you on your birthday, anymore!'

Hellbilly Deluxe - Rob Zombie

This was Rob's debut as a solo artist and got heavy rotation in our football locker room in high school. "Living Dead Girl" "Superbeast" & "Dragula" are great songs. It was still creepy dark music like the White Zombie stuff but seemed to have a little more groove to it. Something that could suck in non-traditional metal fans in.

Help! - The Beatles

This is the first Beatles album that isn't on the list, I think. I can't say that I disagree really. It is an ok album mainly made as the soundtrack for the movie with some filler songs at the end. So you ask why is it in the Snubs area, well because I just wanted to point out that it was not on this list. Yeah makes no sense.

Here For The Party - Gretchen Wilson

This is her debut album. It featured "Redneck Woman" that I am confident everyone in the world has heard at least once. She was discovered by Jon Rich (of Big & Rich, more to come on them). She is in that group that sort of represents a new rebellion within country music. She mixes new attitude with old country stylings. Some of her more classic country songs are just amazing. "Homewrecker" and "Chariot" would fit into this group. The album finishes with "Pocahontas Proud" which is a heartfelt ode to her small home town and the weight that could be on her shoulders being the most famous person from the place.

Horse of a Different Color - Big & Rich

This marked the change in country music back in 2004. I remember flipping to the CMAs or some other country award show like that in the middle of a performance of "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" and being repulsed. I am sure that is the main reaction of anyone expecting country and getting that song. Really there are alot of great country roots in this album. Big & Rich just bring it into the 21st century. They had the same vibe as Gretchen Wilson. They have these rebellious/party songs and then turn around and hit you with this amazing deep rooted country song. Red can already attest to the power of "Wild West Show". It only recently fell to my second favorite song, now behind "Saved". "Six Foot Town" and "Live This Life" are other powerful songs that showcase their well fit together vocals. "Kick My Ass" and "Love Train" fit more into the rebellious party songs. This album continues to grow on me and I recommend it as a boundary pusher for both sides, old school country fans needing to grow into the new era and more rock fans needing to experience some deep rooted country songs.