Not the greatest Sinéad fan, but "Troy" truly is a splendidly emotional track. From what I know of her, her best moment yet; even if I can appreciate the Gospel Oak EP to some extent, and Universal Mother as well (with "Red Balloon" a suitable emulation for "Troy", if somewhat more brutal in tone).
RoundTheBendI miss the comfort in being sadProfile Ground Control
sethmadsen wrote:
Romanelli wrote:
Yeah. The whole apartheid thing.
I guess someone's always going to find the negative.
Not meaning to bogart Romanelli's log with more talk about something he's already suggested should have its own thread, but are you serious? "Find the negative"? He broke the U.N. boycott which was put in place to prevent any celebrities (artists or sports stars, mainly) giving a corrupt, morally bankrupt, semi-fascist government any credence. I don't necessarily think he meant to do anything wrong, but he was at the very least extremely naive, or - more likely - just embarrassingly arrogant. The boycott was put in place for a reason, and for an artist of his stature to break it seriously undermined the efforts of the anti-apartheid movement. But yeah, I guess someone is always going to find the negative. (And this is separate to the issue of his questionable cherry-picking of African musicians to help 'flavour' his work, which Norman alluded to.)
Wow, you apparently know way more than I do about the topic. I had no idea it was that bad. The way you quoted that, it sounded like you were thinking/making me look like Apartheid was no big deal... TOTALLY not what I was saying.
All I was saying is that I like the way the album sounds. Your account sounds even more terrible than I originally thought. I thought Paul Simon was getting crap for "using" African music to his gain, when I thought he was simply discovering it and bringing it to popular discourse, similar to what George Harrison did with Indian music. Although I'd say, if he was doing that, he DID NOT do a very good job representing it. I guess I was totally wrong... having said that, I never really looked into it.
Also sometime people forget Africa is a CONTINENT. We throw that word around like it means something specific. Not saying anyone on this site did that, but it's an easy way to describe something, which leads to ignorance. I'm probably more guilty of it than anyone else.
Sorry Romanelli :(, but I had to respond to something that looked like I was getting on to someone for blowing Apartheid out of proportion or something. Apartheid was a TERRIBLE thing.
On another Note: @Romanelli... I may have figured out a way to catalog my ratings WITHIN the tier better by giving it a more exact score. Before I was doing averages and rounding down or up to the next tier, but now I'm still doing that for the site, but for my own personal ranking I'm keeping the score more granular, like a 81.3 instead of an 80. That way it might help me sort through all my albums with an 80 and more properly rank them... I hope. Of course math and subject opinion don't always align (especially when averages probably isn't the best mathematical way to solve my problem), so sometimes my opinion will over-rule my rating.
PEARL JAM
VS.
1993-EPIC
Produced By BRENDAN O'BRIEN & PEARL JAM
1. Go
2. Animal
3. Glorified G
4. Dissident
5. W.M.A.
6. Blood
7. Rearviewmirror
8. Rats
9. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
10. Leash
11. Indifference
Vs. is the second album from Pearl Jam. The band takes a more aggressive approach on most of the album, and they were helped by their refusal to make videos for any of the songs, giving them a sort of a mystique. The album has more of a live sound, and contains some classic material. "Daughter", "Go", and "Rearviewmirror" are among the excellent tracks here. "Rats" and "Leash"...not so great. But it's a solid second outing, and proved that Pearl Jam was going to be in it for the long haul and not just a one album wonder. Eddie Vedder continues to grow as a singer, and the band shows that it can rock as fiercely as anyone. This is a very good Pearl Jam album...flawed, but very good.
Vedder has stated that this was the most uncomfortable album he's recorded. They've gone on to be pretty much the sole survivors of grunge, building a huge fanbase and continuing to put out good albums and being politically active. Vs. is a fine and important addition to a Pearl Jam collection. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
ANTHRAX
SPREADING THE DISEASE
1985-ISLAND
Produced By CARL CANEDY & ANTHRAX
1. A.I.R.
2. Lone Justice
3. Madhouse
4. S.S.C./Stand Or Fall
5. The Enemy
6. Aftershock
7. Armed And Dangerous
8. Medusa
9. Gung-Ho
Spreading The Disease is the second album from Anthrax, and the first featuring singer Joey Belladonna. It's a decent thrash record...all heavy, bounding, fast as lightening metal. They received a bit of a hit when the video for the first single "Medusa" (which may be their best song) was banned by MTV for its portrayal of the mentally ill. "Aftershock" and "Armed And Dangerous" (written by former lead singer Neil Turbin) are great as well. It's a solid, but unspectacular metal fest.
Anthrax had many greater moments to come, but this is a decent second effort. Bang thy head, y'all! _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
HUSKER DU
WAREHOUSE: SONGS AND STORIES
1987-WARNER BROTHERS
Produced By BOB MOULD & GRANT HART
1. These Important Years
2. Charity, Chastity, Prudence, And Hope
3. Standing In The Rain
4. Back From Somewhere
5. Ice Cold Ice
6. You're A Soldier
7. Could You Be The One?
8. Too Much Spice
9. Friend, You've Got To Fall
10. Visionary
11. She Floated Away
12. Bed Of Nails
13. Tell You Why Tomorrow
14. It's Not Peculiar
15. Actual Condition
16. No Reservations
17. Turn It Around
18. She's A Woman (And Now He Is A Man)
19. Up In The Air
20. You Can Live At Home
Warehouse is the 7th and final album from Minnesota's indie rock heroes Husker Du. A trio with 2 main songwriters, Bob Mould and Grant Hart, they were one of the first underground bands to get a major record deal, but they are better known for their internal fighting, which led to the breakup. Mould had famously told Hart, "You will never have more than 45% of the writing credits on any album". They broke up on tour for this album, with Hart having drug problems. Mould went on to form Sugar.
As for Warehouse, it's a double album which should have been pared down to a single. It's more polished than their previous work, which works well in spots but not so much in others. "Could You Be The One" and "Ice Cold Ice" are the standouts. They had grown in their approach by this time, but the in-fighting is as palable as it is on the White Album. Not the best farewell album, but still worth a listen...just keep the remote handy to change tracks. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
LOS LOBOS
KIKO
1992-SLASH
Produced By MITCHELL FROOM & LOS LOBOS
1. Dream In Blue
2. Wake Up Dolores
3. Angels With Dirty Faces
4. That Train Don't Stop Here
5. Kiko And The Lavender Moon
6. Saint Behind The Glass
7. Reva's House
8. When The Circus Comes
9. Arizona Skies
10. Short Side Of Nothing
11. Two Janes
12. Wicked Rain
13. Whiskey Trail
14. Just A Man
15. Peace
16. Rio De Tenampa
Los Lobos pulled out all of the stops for Kiko, their 9th and best album. It's experimental, with perfect songs and a stunning sound that takes it to another level. "Kiko And The Lavender Moon", "Short Side Of Nothing", and "Reva's House" are the best of the group, but there isn't a weak track to be found. The album was not a huge seller, which means that a lot of people missed out on a really great disc. Los Lobos has realeased many albums and has been going strong for over 30 years, but they never matched the greatness of Kiko.
Like Living Colour, this band is highly underrated. Being a minority rock band seems to do that...outside of "Will The Wolf Survive", they're pretty unknown except in the world of movie soundtracks. You should know this band. And you should have Kiko...it's simply brilliant. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
GEORGE HARRISON
ALL THINGS MUST PASS
1970-APPLE/EMI/CAPITOL
Produced By GEORGE HARRISON & PHIL SPECTOR
1. I'd Have You Anytime
2. My Sweet Lord
3. Wah-Wah
4. Isn't It A Pity
5. What Is Life
6. If Not For You
7. Behind That Locked Door
8. Let It Down
9. Run Of The Mill
Bonus Tracks
10. I Live For You
11. Beware Of Darkness
12. Let It Down
13. What Is Life
14. My Sweet Lord (2000)
1. Beware Of Darkness
2. Apple Scruffs
3. Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
4. Awaiting On You All
5. All Things Must Pass
6. I Dig Love
7. Art Of Dying
8. Isn't It A Pity (Version Two)
9. Hear Me Lord
10. It's Johnny's Birthday
11. Plug Me In
12. I Remember Jeep
13. Thanks For The Pepperoni
14. Out Of The Blue
To say that George Harrison had a stockpile of songs that didn't get to be recorded while he was with The Beatles is an understatement. All Things Must Pass, his third solo album, but his first of actual songs (the first two were experimental noise albums), is beyond what anyone imagined he was capable of. Released as a 3 record set (the first solo artist to ever do so), it's full of simply great songs, some of which dated back as far as the Revolver period. Song after song is simply amazing. Maybe the greatest coming out party ever recorded, Harrison showed once and for all that The Beatles were not just Lennon & McCartney. He was a great artist in his own right. Nothing is weak here at all. This album ranks right alongside his more famous bandmates best work...only there's 3 times as much of it. A true masterpiece.
The guest lineup isn't bad, either. Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Alan White, Gary Wright, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Dave Mason, and even Phil Collins are here. This is a 2000 remix (done one year before Harrison's death) with some alternate versions, and a remake of "My Sweet Lord" featuring his son Dhani. The package includes notes from George, lyrics, and alternate album covers. Even the last 4 tracks, which are instrumental jams, are excellent. A simple one...you must have this. It doesn't get any better. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM
OUT OF THE CRADLE
1992-REPRISE
Produced By LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM & RICHARD DASHUT
1. Instrumental Introduction To:
2. Don't Look Down
3. Wrong
4. Countdown
5. All My Sorrows
6. Soul Drifter
7. Instrumental Introduction To:
8. This Is The Time
9. You Do Or You Don't
10. Street Of Dreams
11. Spoken Introduction To:
12. Surrender The Rain
13. Doing What I Can
14. Turn It On
15. This Nearly Was Mine
16. Say We'll Meet Again
Lindsey Buckingham's third solo album, and his first after leaving Fleetwood Mac, is loaded with songs that would've made the Mac hitmakers again in the 90's. Recorded mostly as just a trio, the album is layered and perfected, as polished as it could be. People forget just how good he is as a guitarist...it's all over the wall here. His playing soars, using inventive sounds on some tracks and stunning acoustic work on others. "Wrong" and "Countdown" should have been hits. This is catchy and professional stuff. A very underrated album.
Buckingham hadn't done a solo album in 8 years, and it would be another 14 years before his next. He's always worth listening to, and Out Of The Cradle is as good as he gets. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
DAVID BAERWALD
HERE COMES THE NEW FOLK UNDERGROUND
2002-LOST HORIZON
Produced By DAVID KITOY, DAVID BAERWALD & WILL SEXTON
1. Why
2. Compassion
3. The Crash
4. Nothing's Gonna Bring Me Down
5. Bozo Weirdo Wacko Creep
6. Love #29
7. If (A Boy Whore In A Man's Jail)
8. Wondering
9. Hellbound Train
10. Me And My Girl
Man, I really wanted to like this one. David Baerwald was half of the duo David & David, whose 1986 (and only) album Boomtown was so very good. He was a founding member of the Tuesday Night Music Club which spawned the career of Sheryl Crow. He's been low key ever since, releasing highly acclaimed but invisible albums. This, his fifth solo album, begins nicely with "Why"...then spirals downhill. It seems that every track gets progressively worse and more uninspired. Horns are added as the album progresses, muddying things up even more. By track 5, I've tuned it out to background noise because the songs are just not there, and the arrangements are overdone. A major disappointment. I'd hoped for better from Baerwald.
There is a nice surprise at the end, though. A hidden track...something about a fat little cowboy...is excellent. As good as "Why", and better than anything else on the album. I guess I can keep hoping for that David & David reunion...it's only been 30 years so far. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
ELVIS PRESLEY
50 WORLDWIDE GOLD HITS VOLUME 1 PART 1
1988-BMG
VARIOUS PRODUCERS
1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. I Was The One
3. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
4. Hound Dog
5. Don't Be Cruel
6. Any Way You Want Me
7. Love Me Tender
8. Playin' For Keeps
9. Too Much
10. All Shook Up
11. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
12. I Beg Of You
13. Loving You
14. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
15. Jailhouse Rock
16. Treat Me Nice
17. Don't
18. Hard Headed Woman
19. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
20. A Big Hunk O' Love
21. Ain't That Loving You Baby
22. (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I
23. I Got Stung
24. Interviews (From "Elvis Sails")
25. Crying In The Chapel
26. Viva Las Vegas
There is only one artist who could have a compilation series with this title. Yes, there is a part 2. And 3. And 4. Elvis Presley has sold over a billion records, and still going strong. This set has long been out of print, replaced by pricey box sets. But you still might be able to find it. And it is impressive. Part one contains 26 gold records, all but one released between 1956 and 1960. In fact, 24 of them were from 56-58. Mighty impressive. This first disc is Presley at his best, pre movies, pre Army, pre bloated Vegas showman. It's easy to forget how important Presley really was, but this is the perfect reminder. These are truly his best songs.
If you want the box sets, they are out there. But a series like this is no nonsense, showing how really great his impact was on rock & roll. It's easy to forget. This will keep you in check. _________________ I'm leaning on the threshold
Of her mystery
And crashing through the walls
Of dying history
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Norman Bates
RoundTheBend
Romanelli
