Never sought out punk rock music but enjoy the music and respect the lifestyle. Often hard to understand the lyrics but who cares when the music grabs you and can change your mood in an instant. What’s not to love with hard core thrashing of instruments mixed with politics and shouting? Does get exhausting after a whole album of it.
Was instantly hooked right in with Janie Jones. Helps being able to relate to ‘He’s in love with gettin’ stoned world’ and ‘He don’t like his boring job, no’. ‘Remote Control’ didn’t do much for me and no offense with’ I’m so Bored with the USA’ but thought it was one of the weaker songs. And what does The Clash have against Kojak with the ‘Suck on Kojak’ line. Tony Savalas was the Man in his day! Back to the rapid head banging with White Riot but feel like the album starts to drag on in the middle. Maybe that’s when the monotony was kicking in. Career Opportunities, Protex Blue, Police and Thieves (change up from the beaten path) and 48 hours probably the best run of the album (less ‘Cheat’). Still, nothing really against any of the songs, and while I thought I might be adding to my Library, I’m already over it.
This is a tough one with no half star options. Easily a solid 3.5 rating so almost went with 4, and maybe back in the day I might have but with age and how many other killer albums I foresee rating as a 4, couldn't bring myself to give a 4 (still almost did based on a few songs). Used to listen to this album a lot when it first came out, enthralled by Alanis's unique voice, anger and aggression. And then there was the crush I used to have on her odd, lanky beauty😊. Close to a pop album but some hard, fun and insightful lyrics (will she go down on you in a theater, I'm brave but I'm chicken shit, you like pain but only if it doesn’t hurt too much) coupled with some good instrumental mixes (harmonica on All I Really Want, hard beat on Right Through You, guitar riff on Not the Doctor [along with style and lyrics vaguely reminds me think of Ani Difranco, save the chorus]), I can get pass the poppiness of Ironic (I preferred the other hit of Hand in my Pocket) and the ballad of Perfect, which I used to skip over. While I always appreciated the passion and emotion of Mary Jane, seemed to hit a little more close to home being on the downhill side of the roller coaster…The last chance street car went off the track and you're on it...What's the point of trying to dream anymore...Are you happy…
Album had me chuckling with just the name since could be Wilson Schmilsson. What a friggin’ fun, light, upbeat, boppy album with a scattering of deeper, perspective lyrics (you can see all the people who seem to have nothing to say to each other, each day they grow farther and farther from each other…faces so tired of facing each other). Immediately hooked from track #1 Gotta Get Up, grabbed by the lyrics of Driving Along, enthralled by the simple 5 note beat of Early in the Morning and who TF doesn’t love the Coconut song?!? Probably my Trek America passengers that I played it for at least once a day on our 6 week trip😊. Could do without The Moonbeam Song even though some interesting lyrics spattered throughout. Nice soulful tune with some solid horns in Down. Always thought Without You was sung by a woman albeit with a deep voice. Or maybe I just thought a man joined in on the chorus. A good song but I’m way over love songs. Didn’t know he had the more known version of Let The Good Times Roll; enjoyable enough. Nice bass on Jump Into The Fire, a good rockin’ tune. Ending on I’ll Never Leave You a little drag but interesting musical melody that some sections had me thinking of Dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Again, would have given 3 and a half stars but the repetitiveness and the few love songs definitely don’t constitute a 4 star rating. But album was definitely added to my library and glad I was exposed to it. And now all I can do is picture myself on my motorcycle driving along at 57,000 MPH, now that’s fast!
Lovely voice, pleasing music and some insightful, albeit obvious, lyrics (never really going anywhere, caught up in a web I was getting kind of use to staying there; to stop all this thinking, just keep on drinking) but also some cheesy ones (Texas is hot, I can be cold, Grandma cried when I pierced my nose). Not my cup of tea, too melancholy, a lot of fluff and light pop. At first, I thought if I was ever in that type of mood or feeling (not sure specifically what mood/feeling; positivity, optimistic [oh, what a world], heartache, gloomy, empathetic [Mother]) I’d enjoy the album, but the more I listened to it, just seemed like a lot of B side songs and I’d never be in a mood to listen to it. Looks like Slow Burn, Space Cowboy and the closing title Rainbow are liked the most on the album and I was hoping to find a diamond in the rough, but I was exhausted listening to the album by the end. Again, good voice and while I don’t have a problem of someone sounding like themselves; it’s who there are and if they have a specific ‘sound’ that people seem to like, go with it. But I was really bored with it, just dull and repetitive sound to me. I’m starting to think (hope?) that these 1001 albums are those you might not have necessarily listen to as a norm, partly since I haven’t been too exposed to the 14 I’ve seen so far. Because yeah, this album wouldn’t be on my list of top 10,001 albums, let alone 1,001 that you should listen to before you die.
Dig it! Added to my playlist. Immediately grabbed by the heavy beat of Beyond This World, enjoyed the dancing vibe of What 'U' Watin' '4', the great bass of Beeds on a String to the smooth listening of Doin' Our Own Dang. Although I understand how not everyone would be down with the infusion of Scat and Hip Hop as first apparent in the second song 'Feelin' Alright, along with the repetitive mumbo jumbo mix of Good Newz Comin' (reminded me of The Beatles Number 9) and not everyone wants to hear a 'message' and be all political when enjoying music. Can't help to think Arrested Development was influenced by Jungle Brothers, so much so I had to check to see if Speech was a member of Jungle Brothers.
‘Love’s in Need of Love Today’ is typical Stevie sounding song and didn’t think was a good opening song for where the album goes. Lennon sang ‘God is a concept by which we measure our pain’ and guess I haven’t had much pain because I don’t believe in that mumbo jumbo so ‘Have a Talk With God’ didn’t resonate with me. Lyrical flow of ‘Village Ghetto Land’ didn’t seem to work, odd and clunky. But then the album kicks into high gear. ‘Contusion’ was an enjoyable funky little ditty, even without. ‘Sir Duke’ and ‘I Wish’ were always a hit with me with the latter having me bopping in my chair wishing I was on a dance floor. ‘Knocks me off my feet’ slows things down pretty quickly and I’ve definitely have had enough of silly love songs, I don’t care what McCartney thinks. Embarrassed to admit but did not realize ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ was a remix of ‘Pastime Paradise’. Loved it! Meh to ‘Summer Soft’ and ‘Ordinary Pain’. ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ is what it is; a solid classic. More about love with ‘Joy Inside my Tears’ and I’m definitely over it. ‘Black Man’ brings it back up and possibly the song I liked the most as a whole; good tune, impactful and thought-provoking lyrics supported with Stevie’s unmistakable voice. Was considering 4 star, and I know many believe this is Stevie’s best album but the rest of the album didn’t do much for me (save maybe the music from ‘Another Star’ but just another love song) and dragged the album down to a 3 star rating for me.
Amanda said I wouldn't like so did not listen to.
Yes! Finally an album that I'm quite familiar with. Immersed my self in all the 60's classic bands when I was just a young pup coming of age to the realization of what music means. What an album. Hell, what a band! Full blown classic Zep' immediately on display in Led Zeppelin IV from the opening riff of Black Dog to the unmistakable hard drumming of Bonham in When the Levee Breaks. Been a long time since America simply rock and rolled and no one did it better than LZ. The fantasy interlude of The Battle of Evermore slows down the album and not one of my favorites but an enjoyable tune non the less. Admittedly, I switch the station if Stairway to Heaven comes on but still fully appreciate the impact and value of Stairway and the lyrics. And if I do listen to it, can still bring on the goose bumps...does anybody remember laughter (added in one of their live versions). Right back into the head banging, body thumpin' with Misty Mountain hop. Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see and Baby, Baby, Baby do you like it? Always thought the lyrics were drowned out in Four Sticks. Going to California is one of my favorites, not of just Led Zeppelin's. Could listen to it over and over. Meet you up there where the path runs straight and high...Tellin' myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems...it's hard (it's hard included in a live version). And one last full blown hard rock song with Plant's unique singing exhibited:
Don't it make you feel bad
When you're tryin' to find your way home
You don't know which way to go?
If you're goin' down south
They got no work to do
If you're going down to Chicago.
A-ah, a-ah, a-ah...
Can't go wrong with Bob Marley. Reggae wears on me though and I can't listen to it all day, every day. Starts to sound the same too i.e., All Day All Night sounds like the same mix as Kinky Reggae (just one more beat of percussions at the end).
Ha, don’t know about this one. Not sure I took it seriously. Lighthearted early ‘pop’ sound from the 60s. A little reminiscent of the Monkeys? Lead vocals are unimpressive, none of the lyrics really reached out and grabbed me and Painter of Woman reminded me of Bob Dylan, a few songs even, who I’ve never been impressed with. Was hoping to maybe find a diamond in the rough but gave up on that after the inspiring ‘Magic Hollow’. Surprised it’s in the 1001 before you die list; pretty sure I could have died happy without ever hearing this album. Almost went with a 1 star but figure it’s a product of it’s time. ‘Old Kentucky Home’ may have also saved the 1 star rating but song still wasn’t anything to write home about.
I enjoy Jazz well enough as a nice choice for background music; it's usually mellow, no lyrics to get distracted by and provides a noisy distraction during a lull in conversation. Don't really know what makes a good or bad Jazz album since a lot of it all sounds the same to me. Piano seemed to take more of a center stage than in many Jazz tunes which was immediately apparent on My Man's Gone Now and then throughout the album. I prefer more of the tsk, tsk, tsk of the drummer's cymbals and the bumb, bumb, bumb of the double bass along with some horns like the trumpet or sax. Album was pretty consistent throughout. A few tunes (can the be called songs?) started slow and thought they'd continue as such, Jade Visions being the exception. And what's with having the same tune multiple times on an album? I get they were different takes but sounded like the same versions to me.
6 stars muthafuckas! Admittedly, pretty biased when it comes to Zeppelin but from the opening guitar riff of ‘Whole Lotta Love’ to the last note from the Harmonica on ‘Bring it on Home’ is all epic. Zeppelin hit the ground running when Led Zeppelin dropped and they continue to be on full display with Led Zeppelin II with Plant’s screeching, Page’s jamming, John Paul Jones’s plucking of the Bass keeping rhythm and what can be said about Bonham’s drumming that hasn’t already been said (probably won’t be the last time I touch on my love for the way harsh, callous way he slams the drums). Gives me goddang chills, tell you what!
Not much in the way of lyrical depth on ‘Whole Lotta Love’ but the way they played with the music, including Plant’s voice, from 1:20 into the song to the next lyric at 3:20 is FRIGGIN’ AWESOME. Remember, this was probably recorded on 4 tracks, maybe 8. I know I’ve blasted love songs in past reviews i.e., Songs in the Key of Life but the emotions in ‘What is and What Should Never Be’ and the back and forth of the softness and the hardness of it all, the instrumentals in the middle of the tune (John Henry ‘Bonzo’ Bonham lives!) and Plant’s voice bringing it all together make it a timeless hit. I can relate to being with someone you should have quit a long time ago (fuck you bitch, for giving my money to another man!) sung about in ‘The Lemon Song’ but it’s not easy to leave when they squeeze you 'till the juice runs down your leg and you’re gonna fall right outta bed. Another love song with ‘Thank You’ (actually, most of this album, as with many of Led Zeppelin’s songs are, are love songs. But these aren’t you fluffy happy go lucky love songs now, are they. The fervor and zeal is just a different level)?!? No problem. You gotta love it when the feelings portrayed are as passionate and intense as Romeo’s and Juliet’s love and makes you think ‘the all-seeing sun, ne’er saw her match since first the world begun’ (even though Romeo is referring to Rosaline at this point). ‘Heartbreaker’ (Jimmy!) and ‘Living Loving Maid’ are the epitome of rock and roll songs that perfectly round out the middle of the album. Indeed, sometimes I grow so tired, but I know I've got one thing I got to do; Ramble on (life lesson right there!). What a story ‘Ramble On’ tells. Envious of the freedom but hoping the best for him none the less that he does find his baby. At this point you have to know what I think about Bonham and therefore his opus ‘Moby Dick’. And has there ever been a more aptly named closing song than ‘Bring it on Home’? The chugging of the Bass and the blasts of the Harmonica effortlessly bring up imagines of watching the train roll down the track. Starting off soft and slow, gradual crescendo to rock your socks off, and then measuredly brings you back home. Emotionally, physically and mentally drained like a $20 whore on payday.
Yes, yes yes! Break on Through muthafakkas! The Doors, consisting of the wailing, moaning and screeching of Morrison, the synthesized sounds of Manzarek’s keyboard, the thumping of Densmore on drums rounded out by Krieger’s guitar, took us on am emotional and psychedelic rock and roll rollercoaster that will never be matched. They broke into the scene with their first album The Doors. Maybe not their best but a well-rounded classic first album non the less. Break on Through and Soul Kitchen are funky, straight forward rock songs that can’t be denied. The Crystal Ship provides the first glimpse into Morrison’s often times fragile state. Right back to the rock and roll with Twentieth Century Fox, shifting back to their unique quirkiness with Alabama Song (and must have whisky, oh, you know why!). Their performance of Light My Fire on the Ed Sullivan show will live on in infamy (and is sooo tame by today’s standards, but at that time, Jim was breaking through). Back Door Man is one of my all time favorite songs, not just of the Doors. Despite there being so few lyrics. Don’t know why but just LOVE the line ‘I eat more chicken any man ever seen’. I Looked at You is probably the weakest song on the album for me. End of the Night is the first song that takes us on that psychedelic ride. Some sound advice in Take It as It Comes. And of course there’s The End with a full 11 minutes and 34 seconds peak into the psychosis that made up Jim Morrison, the intellectual, rebellious, loving, insecure bastard posing as a confidant man. Note: album was close to a 3 star rating because as I said, not their best. But taking into consideration it was their debut album, some of the specific tunes on the album along with the fact their is no 3 star rating, went with 4.
Never been big on Country but if there’s any I enjoy, it’s the older classics. That and the newish hick hop genre. Love how the title track kicks up the beat a minute and a half into the song, definitely got me bopping in my seat. I always appreciate a good harmonica solo. And who can’t relate to…’them lovable losers and no account boozers’. Old Five and Dimers is a classic slow country song where you can cry into your beer to…‘Good luck and fast bucks are too far and too few between’ for me too. Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me doesn’t pick up the pace too much but 3 songs in and I’m starting to thirst for a drink…’Three fingers whiskey pleasures the drinker’…SURE DOES! I could see adding Low Down Freedom to a play list. Nothing against Omaha and You Asked Me To; simple, straight forward little ditties. Ride Me Down Easy…OK, too much of this is getting to me, only 2 more songs to go. Whew, Ain’t No God In Mexico and Black Rose brings it back up and probably my favorites of the album. Respect for Waylon and a handful of songs makes this a solid 3.
Gotta respect the Rod and his impact on music. He was my second concert ever. Mom was a little bummed because was supposed to be my first, which she was pretty excited about to bring me to my first one but then my sister picked up some Yes tickets which ended up being before Rod. I remember Rod had a hell of a lot of energy, running all around the stage and kicking soccer balls into the crowd. I also remember the group next to my dad smoking weed and my dad asking me if I wanted to switch seats. Kind of a lot of slower songs on this album. Every Picture Tells a Story is classic rock and roll, Maggie May used to be one of my favorites and always liked Reason to Believe.
Started off on a relatively high note with Love Is Strange. Started losing it with I’ve Got An Angel. Jumped back up with Wrap It Up. Meh with I Could Give You and The Walk. Always really enjoyed Sweet Dreams. But the video was whacked, what the heck was up with all the cows?!? Feel like the video should have been more sexually visually. Could do without Jennifer. The Scooby Snacks we’re definitely kicking in when they composed This Is The House. Somebody Told Me is unremarkable. Too much guessing in The City Never Sleeps. I GET IT, YOU GUESS IT’S JUST A FEELING! Hate redundant loops that go on and on. Enough already! Home Is Where The Heart is was almost ok but then started to do the repeat thing. Had my hopes for Monkey, Monkey because who doesn’t like monkeys?!? Always said if I ever wrote a movie, I’d have a monkey in it. A monkey and a midget. Gotta have a scene or two with a midget too! And while I think Annie has an amazingly beautiful voice, I don’t want to listen to a song with a repeating beat and her saying monkey, monkey over and over. Baby’s gone Blue. Good, hopefully it’s dead. Not sure if I was listening to an album with some bonus tracks but don’t know what the difference was between Sweet Dreams Hot Remix and the original Sweet Dreams. Anyway, don’t need two versions of it. Same with Love Is A Stranger Coldcut Remix. 1 version was enough and now I’m turned off on the original version! I’ll stick with Lou Reed’s original version of Satellite of Love. Or maybe even U2’s. I could see Rob Snarski playing his version in the corner of a coffee shop. Not opposed to it. Men Without Hats version isn’t bad. Probably like Natalie Wouldn’t’s version the best (can you use an apostrophe s on a contraction when it’s part of a name to show possession? I think yes even though MS Word doesn’t like it). Nice upbeat and good use of horns which I always appreciate. But again, how many times can you say 1 word in a song?!? Apparently, a lot. I do wonder who Harry, Mark and John are though.
I thought about a 3 star because again, appreciation of the genre for those that like it and respect for Eurythmics impact and relative mainstream success. But never liked techno (always makes me think of Eminem’s Without Me line ‘Nobody listen to techno’). And while Eurythmics isn’t true techno, google search indicates synthpop, new wave, dance rock and even genre-fluid music (probably the start of gender fluid right there!), it’s too much for me and I’m not in total disagreement with bettywaxit in thinking yuck. So had to go with a 2 star.
First off, the album cover seems to have the title Come on feel the Illinoise (thinking ‘noise’ is a little play on words). The title song Part 1 was interesting. Dug Jacksonville. Was hoping for some lyrics for Mary Todd. Found myself bopping along to Decatur, or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother. Not sure why but Chicago was emotional for me. Enjoyed the plucking on Casimir Pulaski Day. Loved some of the mish mashed of jumbled lyrics in The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out To Get Us! ‘Oh how I meant to tease him, Oh how I meant no harm, Touching his back with my hand I kiss him…’. Don’t care for zombie movies too much and apparently song titles with Zombies in them either. Only 40 seconds long but the title Let’s hear that string part again, because I don’t think they heard it all the way out in Bushnell gave me a chuckle. Not sure who Emmanuel is from The Seer’s Tower and not one of my favorites. Last 5 tunes not much to talk about, some interesting lyrics in The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders but the music sounded like something out a Charlie Brown special. Now let’s talk about John Wayne Gacy, Jr. Can we all agree just friggin’ creepy! I know we can’t just sweep everything under the rug and look away but I don’t know if a song needs to be written about such a thing. Also, what’s with the lyrics ‘…and on my best behavior, I am really just like him, look beneath the floor bords, for the secrets I have hid’. We all have secrets we don’t share with the world, but nothing like JWC Jr. Hope not anyway because he was just fucked. I don’t understand why someone like this would be on death row for 14 fucking years. Sentenced to death on Thursday? Should be dead by Friday!
At first, I thought yeah, no, 2 stars. Maybe when I was younger and little more melancholy and kookier than I am now, I totally would have been into it. But it grew on me and I can appreciate the eclectic of it, and there are a lot of deep underlying meanings I’m too naïve to fully understand. Although definitely got some of it. But the album grew on me. At one point I was thinking maybe even 4 stars, but the last 5 tunes dragged it down to a 3. Again, if there were half stars, would have been 3.5. Added to my library though and I may have to give it another go even.
Down with it! Was only familiar with 'Take Me Out' which I enjoyed well enough when it first came out. I like how a lot of the songs changed up the tempos throughout. And some good bass lines. Possibly a little redundant on the sound but can't fault someone for sounding like themselves. While only a 3 star rating, adding to my library is a better indication than my rating.
Ugh, is it over yet? Yeah, could die happily without ever having heard this album. I might even choose Kacey Musgrave over this album (sorry feff). Doesn't help that American Pie is one of those songs like Stairway to Heaven or Hotel California where I just can't do it anymore and would change the station if it came on. MAYBE liked Winterwood was ok but note the big 'maybe'. Hate giving it a 2 with such a classic song but overall, just had to do it.
While I'm more of the Biggie camp, totally respect 2Pac and his impact upon the genre. Missed out on a lot of great music with the death of those 2 icons. And 'Fuck All Y'All is one of my all time favorite songs, not just from 2 Pac. A lot of solid tunes on this album; the title track, So Many Tears, Temptation, Lord Knows, Dear Mama, Old School, Death Around the Corner...heck, I guess most of the album! Glad a revisited, been a while since I listened to is and has been added to my library
Possibly the one genre I just can’t take. Thankfully all the songs were pretty short. I have been in a couple of mosh pits in my time and there’s something cleansing and exhilarating about them. And I could see System of a Down’s concerts being one massive mosh pit which I could’ve enjoyed when I was a young pup. Read thru the lyrics with each song because you can’t understand them otherwise! Hoping to find a gem but just couldn’t do it. Did chuckle at the Kombucha mushroom people line in Sugar. They were ahead of their time referencing Kombucha in 1998! But it’s like they try too hard with the lyrics, or maybe not at all? Shake your spear at Shakespeare? Loud and noisy, strong refrigerators? Makes me think of Eminem’s ‘Lucky You’; why don't we make a bunch of fuckin' songs about nothin' and mumble! Granted, Eminem was referring to rap and System of a Down definitely doesn’t mumble! But not sure screaming is any better. It’s like it’s a formula (but traditionally speaking, this shit works, right?). Say some shit about religion and gods (Suite-Pee, War, Darts), a song or two referencing the devil (DDevil), write a line for the chorus (‘We will fight the heathens’ ‘Humans everywhere, canned Cliche people organs rare’) and angrily scream it over and over into the microphone as loud as you can so it’s barely coherent. Rinse, repeat. Spiders may have been the most tolerable as far as listening. Thought Mind may have been something but then it went off the rails. Soil probably the best lyrically. Overall, I thought Peephole may have been something but feel the lyrics are contrived trying to be deep but really meaning nothing. P.L.U.C.K may have been the best…because it was the last song. But being the second longest song, truthfully, I shut it off with a minute left, just couldn’t do it anymore. I try to include an understanding and appreciation of the genre and the work and effort that goes into it all when I rate if it’s not my ‘cup of tea’ but I just can’t with Progressive/Thrash/Heavy Metal.
