Man, this took me back. To the year I graduated high school. To when so much rap and hip hop was rooted in activism, in changing a rapidly deteriorating world. And yet, all the themes and issues explored in this album are more problematic than ever. It really serves as a potent reminder of how little this country changes and how self-destructive Americans are. Even when we identify and understand the evil, we embrace it rather than destroy it. Really enjoyed "Music and Politics," maybe the most personal song on the album and a call for constant vigilance. We can't sleep on those parts of society that would kill us. Yet sleep we have.
Hard to find fault with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Talking Heads. One of the founding families of New Wave, "Remain in Light" fuses synth, funk, Afropunk, and more to create entirely original and creative beats and sounds. Byrne's lyrics only add to the originality. Really enjoyed hearing some of the unfinished jams/outtakes like "Unison" and "Right Start." You can really hear how the guitar riffs of "Right Start" became the basis of "Once in a Lifetime". "
"Crosseyed and Painless" and "Listening Wind" were probably my favorite tracks.
As much a triumph of songwriting as of singing, Tapestry is everything I love about music: simple, yet stirring, lyrics, timeless classics by the original songwriter, and a Bluesy, soulful, folksy, and, at times, downright spiritual composition.
I feel embarrassed I had never heard this album all the way through, and how I was more familiar with the popular covers of King by other epic musicians: Franklin, James Taylor, and others. King's voice, so powerful, projects her words in a way that make you feel like you're right next to her, sharing her emotions. I understand why so much critical success has been heaped on this album now.
Favorite tracks: "Way Over Yonder" and "Smackwater Jack," beyond the requisite well-loved classics.
This was my first experience with Deep Purple, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I incredibly enjoyed it. Fast, upbeat rock with excellent guitar and drum solos. "Living Wreck" and "Bloodsucker" stood out to me. "Child of Time" was beautiful, as well. Will definitely be diving into some more Purple in the future.
Really hard rock is probably the genre I know the least about. I know the trendy names, but its development and history are a mystery to me. I think listening to "In Rock" helped to demystify it a bit, but I hope I get more titles from the genre later on. If not, I'll need to explore it on my own.
Another throwback to the college years. I definitely leaned more into punk/grunge than heavy metal/grunge, and, honestly, Alice in Chains was a band I knew and liked but never loved. Still, listening to all of "Dirt," I definitely heard a bit more I was drawn to than in my earlier years. I feel like "Would?" was always my favorite on this LP, but now I liked "Untitled" and "Angry Chair" a tad more, though "Would?" still holds up.
Still, a like and not a love, but that's more personal preference. I completely respect what they brought to the grunge scene, but I was more a Nirvana and PJ kind of guy.
I can't say I am well-versed in jazz, but I do know I like it when I hear it. Live jazz, most of which this album was, is a special treat. It was interesting to hear the folks at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival reacting to the great Duke, even almost rioting at one point. Unlike the other albums I have listened to in this journey, however, most of this faded into the background. After listening to the entire two-hour recording, I realized it was good, but there wasn't a track that stood out. I suppose I am just not understanding enough of this music form yet.
Her voice talent is undeniable. For me, though, this is nice background noise, but I'm not a fan of the sort of Country "Shadowland" is. She seems to have gone through a number of iterations in her music style, so with that voice, I might be a fan of some of her other projects/albums. Another good, not great (to me).
I can listen to older R&B any day of the week, and The Temptations are an amazing example of why. Not their best album, but it's like pizza...even the not best is still incredible. Title track on this album seems to be the favorite, and it was a wonderful example of triumphing over adversity. Need more Motown on my list stat!
Laibach is why I launched this experiment. Completely new band and genre to me. Industrial music is something I had never encountered before, and it was really interesting to listen to and learn about. I didn't understand most of the lyrics because of the language difference, but I got the gist of what they were going for. A lot of it was really good, even without knowing the lyrics. Would definitely listen again.
It's funny. I just watched an Instagram reel on first albums that may also have been a band's best album, and Boston was the first group listed. It's hard to argue with that. While they have a large catalog, the number of hits and well-loved songs on this first album is hard to replicate. Music from my birth decade -- I will always remember it fondly. It was a joy to listen to this album again, and I will return to it over and over.
High energy, James, as always! This was a younger, powerful James Brown, full of excitement and power. Short bursts of dance music designed to whip the crowds into a frenzy. In it, I can definitely see the icon-to-be. This is my second live album on the journey, and I have to say, they don't appeal to me, so far, as much as studio albums. Not sure why. Maybe live recordings have matured since them, but they both seemed rather disjointed.
The Cure used to be one of my go-tos back in late middle school and high school, so it was great revisiting them. I don't think I ever really got into "Seventeen Seconds" when I was listening to them before, so most of this was fresh. Some of the tracks, like "The Forest," were familiar, but I really enjoyed the moody beats on this album. Not quite so -- theatric -- for lack of a better word -- than some of their later work. I really thought this elevated the album for me and made it an incredible listening experience.
I never tire of listening to CCR. Solid lyrics, great instruments, folksy feels. They just feel like home.
With 1001 great albums from which to choose, I get two CCR titles in a row! Not complaining, though. "Bayou Country" has such classics as "Born on the Bayou" and "Proud Mary." And I'm particularly fond of some of the longer, folksy jam songs, as well. I get the Bluesy Southern notes much more on this album than the last, and for that reason, I really like this one better. Just an incredible LP!
One of my favorite albums of all time! I love the Femmes so much and hearing their debut album again was amazing. Still one of the greatest debut albums of all time. Not just the hits like "Blister in the Sun," but songs like "Confessions" that still hold up to this day. I could listen to this over and over!
Maybe my new favorite album. I love concept albums and I love rock operas. Just the idea of a running narrative through an album gets me going. "Hazards of Love" by The Decemberists is one of my all-time faves. This album follows the two characters from Reed's song "Berlin," Jim and Caroline, and describes their abusive and tragic relationship. Sad themes, but really a wonderful album.
It's so interesting listening to this now and feeling how tame it is for 2025, but it was so revolutionary in its day. That's how I remember it. The album with explicit lyrics on every track that shocked mainstream America. The lyrics still hold up, again showing we have not advanced in the least as a country. And again, for me, the narratives in these songs really appeal to me and give me perspective on the lives of those considered the "other" in America.
Another absolute legend from my youth. I never knew much about their past, but they seem to have put our two absolute bangers then spent the rest of their lives breaking up and reforming in some combination. Really enjoy the fusion of rock and jazz and metal. I never really count them among my favorites, but I can respect what they created and love that Perry founded Lollapalooza.
Just an incredible funk album. The optimal combination of jazz, blues, rock, Latin, and more. "Four Cornered Room" is my favorite. I could use it as ambient music all day. "The Cisco Kid" continues a tradition of outlaw-on-the-run songs and is another excellent track.
Beautiful, harmonic, vintage 80s. Tears for Fears are still viable as a band. Their lyrics transcend. "Songs From the Big Chair" is timeless.
Like the Femmes' debut, this is in the argument for best debut album of all time. The B-52s transformed music with their lyrics, dance party aesthetic, and style. "Rock Lobster" is the poster child song for the entire history of this band. That IS who they are. Unpredictable. Different. Fun. Zany. And this album reflects that in every track.
"Lava" and "Hero Worship" are not available on Spotify, but were easily found on the B-52s YT channel.
What isn't there to love about one of the greatest albums of all time by one of the most transformative geniuses of all time. This is a must-listen.
It's Talking Heads. You know what you're getting and there are usually a few bangers per album. "Psycho Killer" is the one folks will recognize on this LP, but the entire album is just really good.
All I knew from them was their US hit, "Missing," so this was a tremendously pleasant surprise. Tracy Thorn's voice is amazing. Over top of the electronica, it works so well. I could definitely see using this for lo-fi background music.
Not my favorite U2 album, but it still has some solid hits. I'm also impressed with this era, since they went out on a limb and explored a new style (to them). Not as edgy as albums past, but it's certainly not something a lot of artists do. Most are stuck in their ways a bit. If it works, stick with it. Not our Irish lads, however. Bonus point for that.
This was a little like listening to a Harry Nilsson album. Lots of flights of fancy and high-voice singing. Not my usual style, but there was something about it that was interesting. A few songs stood out, but I doubt I'd actually search him out again. Definitely different, which I always appreciate, and wholly himself.
