So much of this album I know, but because of radio and compilations, I’d forgotten the order and why that matters. Purple Haze, the forceful drums behind the guitar riff, then the bass joins in. Great intro to a psychedelic “experience”. Manic Depression - the up and down of the groove and Jimi’s lyrics convey what that emotional state must feel like. The loose strumming chord of Hey Joe, allows the drums and bass to build the tension of the story. A story of love rejected and abused, which leads perfectly to “Love or Confusion” where Jimi goes deep into the intoxication of love. Next a ballad of calm and peace, Jimi’s guitar recreates the water falling, then moves on to rebuttal to the doubters. I actually came to Jimi thru Electric Ladyland, and when I got to college, I finally got to hear this album all the way thru. This song shows how he developed his songwriting that evolved on EL. “Will I Live Tomorrow?” goes back to the psychedelic hippie mentality that flows here in defiance and declarations of freedom and rejection of the status quo’s idea of America. He’s already mastered studio effects that Led Zeppelin will use on their second album. Next is the beautiful “And the Wind Cries Mary” with his Dylanesque lyrics. “Fire” comes out swinging next. This isn’t a cute love song, this is lust seeking to explode. “Third Stone from the Sun” has more studio mixing and then just becomes this tight groove with a calm atmospheric sound that feels like outer space and inner space co-existing. This is also the longest song, and at times I could reduce its length. Where I don’t know from this listening. Now it’s “Foxes Lady” and the grinding mix of riff and soloing behind his macho voice. Coming to gitcha’. Last is “Are you Experienced?” This is the most psychedelic of the album. The effects and the lyrics create the urgent call to join his dangerous but valuable journey.
I agree with one review that Keith Relf is a weak singer. That being said, there are great songs here beyond “Jeff’s Boogie”, which shows off his technical prowess without really being a good song.. “Lost Woman”, “Rack my Mind”, “What Do You Want” are more blues/rock/r&b than the rest. It’s got some amazing material mixed with mediocre or failed/unrealized experimentation.
I’m a bit bummed because I wrote quite a bit and it wasn’t saved.
This is one of my early vinyl purchases, and as a youth of the 70s, Elton John was constantly playing somewhere. “Tiny Dancer” opens with piano and the world weary lyrics that will continue thru the album. Yet “Levon” is the song that really impacted me, with the chorus echoing the parental hopes and expectations contrasted with the actual materialistic Levon who Jesus would leave behind. All these songs also show how the 70s allowed songs to go past the 3.5 minutes, with all of them except the “Goodbye” coming in over 4 minutes. “Razor Face” rocks out a bit more , but still it has dark lyrics from Bernie Taupin. The title song also has great orchestration and a nice guitar lick. The lowered mid section shifts the mood for a moment. Tormented. Glimpse that Elton’s voice seems to exult with almost gospel tones. “Indian Sunset” begins acapella then adds piano. This is the parts of Bernie’s obsession about the American west that really always surprised me. It’s funny to hear Elton sing so sincerely about people he has no idea about. Like “Slave”. “Holiday Inn” is more believable since its story could happen anywhere. Elton’s ability to bring such joy and spirit to these lyrics almost misses their negative energy. “Rotten Peaches” doesn’t offer anything new, just a continuity to the sound and tone of the album. Though the line “ you’ll pick rotten peaches for the rest of your life” before discussing cocaine seems quite appropriate though. “All the Nasties” has the gospel feel over lyrics that ask for understanding about growing up. Why my teenage self gravitated to this album, even if I didn’t groove on the gospel then as I do now. This is the only song that goes too long, with the repeated “Oh my soul” chorus. Which makes me grateful for the brevity of “Goodbye”.
I loved Mellow Gold when it came out, and I looked forward to this album. “Where It’s At” more than met my expectations when I heard the single. So I’m looking forward to hearing this again. It’s been a while since I’ve listened to it complete.30 years to be exact. “Devil’s Haircut” begins big and strong. Funky Drummer beat. Fuzz guitar. The blues riff that begins “ Hotwax” becomes a funky groove. So many samples that the Dust Brothers bring, fresh off Paul’s Boutique. “Lord Only Knows” a mock country tearjerker beginning plays into Beck’s taunting skills at mastering while making fun of the genre at the same time. Delay as a sarcastic yodel, “just passing thru”. “The New Pollution” shifts gear again with a song that would fit in on Surrealistic Pillow with a Jorma guitar riff. “Derelict” sounds like the title. It’s hard to imagine that an album with such musical talent can have lyrics of little import, but the music is much more impressive than the lyrics. “Novacane” begins with a fuzz guitar but then has a sudden disco sample. Then back to industrial fuzz guitar then another sample in a completely different mood. It’s another song that shifts and morphs at will. Samples, even something that sounds like it could be part of Metal Machine Music. Now a whimsical “Jack-Ass” which credits Dylan. Not what we expect from the title. Aah yes, perhaps the harmonica during the last minute. Now a shift to “Where It’s At” beginning with a great organ groove, which the band joins and follows. The constant “Two Turntables and a Microphone” while samples fall like rain, including the lyrics. “Minus” sounds like it could be part of early Beastie’s singles until it winds down out of control. “Siisyneck” starts with a whistled intro could be an alternative Andy Griffith. Th en shifts to a slide guitar down and out country shuffle over a funky drummer drum pattern. Laying these different genres/styles over the basic hip-hop beats gives these songs depth, but also urgency of the now. “Readymade” continues this Beck’s road lyrics with the slowed down (is that possible) samba sounds of Jobim and Mendoza just before a direct sample of sample have a strange effect. “High-Five” with rapping in a manipulated voice shifting to Tchaikovsky then back to rapping followed by the ragged voices of the chorus. Even what sounds like a BDP sample with KRS-1 telling them to turn that off. Finally “Ramshackle” with an acoustic guitar, folk sounding tune. Lyrics matching the title, put together, haphazard, ramshackle. Silent tracking for over a minute until we get a techno repetition, designed to tell us the album is officially complete. 40 seconds of the same throat clearing with telephone sounds.
While I know nearly every song on this album, I don’t think I’ve listened to it through before. So thanks for recommending it. The shift to Muscle Shoals with its unique sound really works for Aretha, and the songs, covers and originals. Work together, none of them feel slight or unimportant to me whole. Bookending the album with Otis Redding”s “Reapect” and Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” was a bold move, and in doing so, Aretha didn’t just put her stamp on them, she stepped into the pantheon. There is much more to say, but I’m out of time tonight.
I remember this album coming out. I was waiting to go into the Marines. I was also a punk, and preferred Black Flag and Gang of Four. However I also loved Prince. I had begun my journey into jazz with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. So I liked what I heard, even though I knew it wasn’t jazz but a soul with jazz inflections. This made for great mood music. While I prefer her third album Stronger than Pride, this album has many memories. She has a distance in her voice that can feel cold, yet warm energy flows thru it. There was nothing like Sade in 1984. The third person portrayals, which tell stories that aren’t judgmental even if they are surgically precise. Aretha was my previous listen here, and there’s no comparison as to vocal skills, but Sade’s confidence creates the ambiance that these stories deserve. The last song asks why can’t we be together? Together. It’s the only rhetorical moment of an album that maintains a detachment throughout. By the way, why Diamond Life?
OK. Not a big fan, but they have AC/DC down without the Brian Johnson screech (Bon Scott whole different animal, RIP). Good for lifting weights and getting out some anger issues. “Wild Flower” would make a good running song. I have Sonic Temple” which is similar in texture, but it’s not on any rotation except when a song from that album randomly plays in shuffle mode. “Electric Ocean” has a decent beat. Rick Ruben produced, but that brings their best assets to the front without hiding the limitations: pedestrian guitar licks and solos, average vocals, very basic rhythm section. Hard to believe this rates being in anyone’s top 1001 albums. I was reading the user reviews in AllMusic, and most call it a great rock and roll album. I prefer Highway to Hell or Deep Purple in Japan any day. I can’t get into the lyrics either, mostly macho misogyny and bravado. In 1987, I was in the Marines, and even with that mindset, I didn’t find this very interesting, even if I mindlessly enjoyed it when someone or the radio played it. I was more interested in The Replacements and Husker Du. Oh my god, “Born to be Wild” just came on. This song really shows their weakness, especially the singer, who can’t even imitate John Kay much less put a spin on it, and the guitarist just phones it in. Why did Rubin let them put this on the album. I’ve heard bar bands do this much better. I just can’t. It gets worse with “Outlaw” where they can’t even keep the AC/DC pace. Guitar wise, the last song “Memphis Hip Shake” is the most interesting, but mainly because Duffy actually overdubs some more guitar work, but the vocals and lyrics are pointless. That’s over. Next please.
Slim Shady. So much anger, so much bitterness turned into humor. Eminem knows his hip hop roots, and he doesn’t pretend to be anything but what he sees around him. These characters, Stan, Clyde , Paul, Slim Shady. These character sketches and the story behind them each imply either a sense of guilt hidden behind bravado or outright need for forgiveness and understanding even as they dis and gross out and disgust everyone they can. This is nearly 30 years old, but it’s still fresh. The chorus voice of “Rock Bottom” sounds like the exactly where the character lives.
