I'm hard pressed to think of a more "mainstream" electronica album than this one. Partly because this album was sprayed all over pop culture when it came out, from the X-Files to TV commercials, it went everywhere. The album itself is solid, with the outstanding tracks for me being the ones where he uses blues singers and backing tracks as a foundation from which to build on.
Along with Nirvana's Nevermind Album, Pearl Jam's Ten ushered in the grunge movement in rock in 1991. The album's deeply intimate subjects like suicide, fidelity, first relationships and more really connected both in terms of lyrics and music, The album has a wild ride of sonic variety not typical of grunge, including syncopated hard rock, fragile ballads and Hendrix like trips. As a first album, and as sledgehammer that announced grunge to the world, it has few peers.
One of the most iconic if not THE most iconic voice in late 60s early 70s rock. Pearl is a good album, with the standout singles to my mind being "Me and Bobby McGee" and the a cappella "Mercedes Benz" Her backing band, the Full Tilt Boogie, keeps her on track to produce what I think is her greatest album.
The intro to Baba O'Riley marks the fifth album from British rockers, Who's Next, and what an intro it is! Possibly the most recognizable intro on an electric organ in rock music (with the possible exception of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida") But don't forget the drums! Keith Moon is brilliant in "Won't get fooled again" and "Baba O'Riley" and Pete Townshend's ballad "Behind Blue Eyes" is both creepy and heart wrenching. An iconic album from the 70s, that still enjoys radio time decades later, despite what they sing, the song is never over.
In 1997 "Bittersweet Symphony" was playing everywhere. Along with "The Drugs Don't Work" and "Lucky Man", Urban Hymns spoke to millions... just not me. The songs seem to bleed into each other, but not in a good way, by the time I got to the end, I was hard pressed to say what I liked or didn't like. It was all just "meh".
The debut of The Who, My Generation is a fairly standard album from The Who. That said, it is interesting to hear the 'edge' to their sound forming, and moving into the direction of hard rock. "My Generation" is the standout track, but the "The Kids are Alright" and "I Don't Mind" also show some of the directions the band would take in later albums. Not their best album in my opinion but still solid.
The first album by Roxy Music, did a lot to usher in the first inklings of glam rock, influenced the emerging British punk rock scene, and was noted as being one of David Bowie's favourite British bands. But where does this album leave us? With a wonderful melting pot of sound! Lots of unique takes on different musical instruments, even the oboe! In some ways I can hear a nascent Tool or System of a Down in some of the songs. Just a solid album that helped paved the way for may different genres of sound.
Full disclosure, I'm not a huge hip-hop fan. That said, I didn't mind this album. I thought that the beats were solid, I liked most of cover songs, and Lauryn Hill's vocals are great. Favorite tracks are probably the cover of "No Woman, No Cry", "Killing Me Softly With His Song", and "The Score".
"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" was Willie Nelson's first chart-topping single. It appears in this short concept album inspired by The Tale of the Red Headed Stranger. This is early Outlaw Country Willie, and while I did enjoy it, I found myself consistently looking at the track list, because some of the songs seemed to meld into each other.
I've always appreciated bands that take risks, and In Utero, when compared to the Nevermind, is a risk. Where Nevermind is more mainstream, In Utero is more visceral and much more punk. And to me feels very much like a 'don't fence me in' breakout of routine type album. The sound almost alienates the listener with songs like "Scentless Apprentice" and "Tourette's". The album is less polished by design and feels like it is just vomiting forth rage, emotion, dissatisfaction and it delivers. But while I can understand it is an important album, I can't say that it resonated with me very much, both in '93 and now.
This debut album (if stories are to be believed) was 'one and done' and finished in about 12 hours. Personally I believe it. It has a unity and energy that you don't get if you are doing take after take. It feels complete, even though it is short (at 39 minutes). Iommi's guitar sound (soon to define Sabbath's sound) and Ozzy's vocals made a good match. Overall, a good album, with hints about where they would go in the future.
Blonde on Blonde, Dylan's seventh studio album and his first double album is a great album, filled with Nashville sound. Outstanding tracks are "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35", "Visions of Johanna", "I Want You" and "Just Like a Woman" but really any track gives you sense of Dylans ability to write songs.
It is always great when an artist is "allowed" to include his own compositions. Brilliant Corners is one such album and the title track doesn't disappoint with a variety of themes and solos that allow Sonny and others to shine.
I mean, what is there to say about this album, a wave of sonic electronica moves over you from song to song, but are distinct enough to keep you engaged and not feel like it is really just one meandering song. Also, I love the fact that he produced the album on floppy discs.
Early Janis Joplin album, with a pretty great acid rock style backing band. The standout track for me isn't "Little Piece of my Heart" but rather "Ball and Chain" which just taxes Joplin's voice to the max, and delivers a very raw and emotional performance.
Nebraska is Bruce Springsteen's sixth album, and his best. The other albums might have the hits, but this one has an amazing dark and somber tone to it that really draws you in and covers you like a weighted blanket. Nebraska owes more to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams albums than to the typical rock and roll heritage. It exudes a country sentiment but still manages to get that Springsteen sound. An exceptional album for those looking for something a little off the mainstream Springsteen.
I always respect a band that tries to get away from its own shadow, and that's what the Beatles tried to do with this album. You can see some of the influences in later albums taking root here, and the evolution of their sound as well in songs like "A Day in the Life". A fun album full of experiments.
Classic folk Dylan. Solid from beginning to end with the outstanding tracks sprinkled throughout with "Blowin' in the Wind", "Girl from North Country", "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and "Masters of War". Just a great folk album.
meh. I appreciate the attempt to melt classic rock into pop/alternative sounds but I feel that at the end of the day it is unsuccessful.