This is the first time I'm getting an album I'm fully familiar with and have listened to plenty of times. It's crazy that it took the 4th album by the White Stripes to make it big but it does make sense. Seven Nation Army has stamped itself in the zeitgeist for eternity. It's been a radio staple for over 20 years and the pseudo-bass riff has even birthed its own chant for sporting events. But the whole of the album is all aspects of Jack and Meg. You'll fin frantic noise rock, bluesy ballads, and old country all through the album. "I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Heart" is a prototype to the sound prominently heard in their following album, Get Behind Me Satan. One of the best traits of the White Stripes is that a song never over stays their welcome. They are willing to let a song end under 2 minutes which is rare. They said what they said and did it succinctly. On the other end, you'll get a 7 minute barn burner in Ball and a Biscuit. It's that versatile talent of the duo. There's a beautiful dance between the two where drums and guitar shine individually and tango together beautifully. I would list any of their albums as an album you should listen to before you die, but it's undeniable that this belongs in every list.

"Don't You Want Me" has been a radio staple my entire life. Not a song I gravitated towards until I heard a cover I believe was used for "Secret Life Of Walter Mitty" which gave me a different perspective of it. I can appreciate this album for it's impact on and establishment of synth new wave music. Some of the synth and monotone singing does get a little grating. That might just be the environment I was in. Working at my desk is probably not an idea location for listening to this album. I could picture putting this album on during a late night drive or at a party when the vibes are mellow but fun. Some songs really reminded me of LCD Soundsystem, especially Do Or Die. Makes me wonder if they've ever mentioned being influenced by The Human League. This album wasn't totally my taste but it does make me want to listen to more of the band and see how their sound evolved. I see that they also made "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" which is a song I really enjoy. Also a great gateway to getting me to listen to more funky new wave music which I would enjoy.

So it ends up I was a lot more familiar with Peter Gabriel than I thought. A lot of songs on this album that I was already fond of. I really enjoyed getting his music in the full context of a curated album. I love an album that starts with a bang and Red Rain is a fucking great opening song. Has me ready for the rest of the album. Then leading into Sledgehammer is a great 1-2 punch. Ending an album is equally as important and In Your Eyes is a fantastic closer. One thing notable to me was the emphasis on the percussion throughout the album. The drums give the melodic passionate songs their power and the upbeat songs their energy. I'm not usually one to take notice on intentional instrumentation but this was pleasantly obvious during my listen.

This is the first time I'm getting an album I'm fully familiar with and have listened to plenty of times. It's crazy that it took the 4th album by the White Stripes to make it big but it does make sense. Seven Nation Army has stamped itself in the zeitgeist for eternity. It's been a radio staple for over 20 years and the pseudo-bass riff has even birthed its own chant for sporting events. But the whole of the album is all aspects of Jack and Meg. You'll fin frantic noise rock, bluesy ballads, and old country all through the album. "I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Heart" is a prototype to the sound prominently heard in their following album, Get Behind Me Satan. One of the best traits of the White Stripes is that a song never over stays their welcome. They are willing to let a song end under 2 minutes which is rare. They said what they said and did it succinctly. On the other end, you'll get a 7 minute barn burner in Ball and a Biscuit. It's that versatile talent of the duo. There's a beautiful dance between the two where drums and guitar shine individually and tango together beautifully. I would list any of their albums as an album you should listen to before you die, but it's undeniable that this belongs in every list.

This album makes me want to jump on a chopper and rip through the Mojave Desert. This is a great soundtrack for a southwestern road trip. Highway Star kicks the album into high gear from the very start and hardly lets off the gas with each song. You get the iconic Smoke on the Water riff but everything in-between is grooving and pulsing. Some great electric organ fiddling mixed with crashing cymbals makes a seven track album feel like a deluxe double disc set. It's a manifestation of "cool". Intense, groovy, and adventurous.

I love a piano ballad from time to time. I love great story-telling in music. But I just can't get into Billy Joel. I don't know what it is. Even his upbeat jams feel like someone trying to sound cool and I can't buy into it. I was hoping to come out of this album a fan of Mr. Joel but I'm left feeling the same.

There's a lot to like here in the sweet guitar licks, the harmonies, and the overall psychedelic sound. It's bluesy and experimental and I can see how it's influential. The album is never self indulgent with the average song sitting around 3 minutes. I think this is another album that's best in the right environment. If my tab just hit at a chill party, I could totally get down with it. It's too bad Eric Clapton is a total knob. 3.5 stars

I wouldn't consider myself a jazz connoisseur by any means. I enjoy a late night drive listening to 88.1 KJAZZ from time to time, but I am no expert. However, this album was a joy to listen to. It's palatable. You don't need to be a music snob to "get" it. At times, it's bombastic and swingin'. Others, it's smooth and groovin'. If I wasn't driving during my listen, I'd be on my feet shaking a leg. Jazz may be fading from the mainstream, but there's a reason Duke, his music, and his legacy have stood the rest of time. Looking forward to getting the full experience with the expanded version in the future.

I've heard "Love Will Tear Us Apart" a million times. I've seen this album cover a million times more. So in that regard I know who Joy Division is. At least I thought I did. Today I learned I didn't know shit about Joy Division. Because... I. Love. This. Album. If the Ramones were putting surf rock through an electric chair, Joy Division was laying it on a bed of nails. The gut punching bass lines counter the jangling guitar and mixed with Ian Curtis' crooning create a haunting but deeply relatable sound. I had to listen to this album while reading the lyrics because the writing is such a vital part of the whole package. It's such a beautiful and real exploration of self loathing and despair which would fit right in with today's songwriting. But this album was released in 1979! So far this adventure has led me to plenty of music from the 70s and 80s and none of them touch on this subjects. I used to think that Joy Division was a late 80s, early 90s band but they were in the throughs of the punk movement of the late 70s. Truly a shame that their fame came too late. RIP Ian Curtis. But they sure created magic with the time they had. I know understand why so many people have a T-shirt with this album cover on it. Think I might have to get myself one. This listen was truly a joy..... division. Okay I'll see myself out.