BLUE OYSTER CULT
TYRANNY AND MUTATION
1973 – COLUMBIA
Produced By MURRAY KRUGMAN & SANDY PEARLMAN
1. The Red & The Black
2. O.D.’d On Life Itself
3. Hot Rails To Hell
4. 7 Screaming Diz-Busters
5. Baby Ice Dog
6. Wings Wetted Down
7. Teen Archer
8. Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)
Blue Oyster Cult has been going steadily since 1967, but their entire career has been fueled by basically three songs. At the time of their second album, Tyranny And Mutation, none of those songs had happened yet…but the band was surviving on the strength of a rabid…cult…following, and the fact that they were loved by critics and certain literary folk. Patti Smith was so much a fan of them that she contributed lyrics for “Baby Ice Dog”, and music journalist and critic Sandy Pearlman wrote for them and produced this album. And they were quite likeable, even without hits…how could you not love a band in the seventies that had a song called “7 Screaming Diz-Busters”?
This album is actually one of their best all-around works. Led by guitarists Eric Bloom and Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser, BOC were heavy and smart, and could kick out a rocker as well as anyone. The first four tracks, in particular, are as good as anything they’ve ever done since. In their history, Tyranny And Mutation has long been overshadowed by “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”, “Godzilla” and “Burnin’ For You”. Those songs are all great, and are all that the casual fan needs to know about this band. But if you’re a fan of heavy seventies rock, then you should really give this record a shot. It wasn’t a hit…you’ll never hear it on the radio, but it’s also mostly as good as anything from its time. This is their most consistent album, which makes it, overall, their best.
I often think Tyranny and Mutation is my favorite BOC album. NO big hits, and maybe none of the 8 cuts would be among my all time favorite songs, but each and every one of those 8 cuts give me genuine pleasure. It's hard to rank individual songs because they all are so darned good and all reach my, despite their overall darkness. BOC had an uncanny knack of making the dark/borderline or even overtly cult... dare I say fun? This album, along with Secret Treaties that would follow, are the apex of those BOC moody musings. But this is the one where I always look forward to hearing each and every cut, the deepest of the deep cuts and songs that never became part of their live sets sit just as well with me as the favorites of that cult following the band enjoys. Were I to make a BOC top 10, I'd spread it around across the catalog, but it'd be damn hard to decide just which of these would be cut to make room for the others.
PAULA COLE
HARBINGER
1994 – IMAGO
Produced By KEVIN KILLEN
1. Happy Home
2. I Am So Ordinary
3. Saturn Girl
4. Watch The Woman’s Hands
5. Bethlehem
6. Chiaroscuro
7. Black Boots
8. Oh John
9. Our Revenge
10. Dear Gertrude
11. Hitler’s Brothers
12. She Can’t Feel Anything Anymore
13. Garden Of Eden
14. The Ladder
Paula Cole gained label attention as a backup singer for Peter Gabriel in the early nineties. She would have great success with her album This Fire…but first, there was her debut album, 1994’s Harbinger. If you’ve followed Cole’s career at all, you know that she is rarely the same person from album to album, which has been her ultimate downfall. The same exciting singer who gave us the Dawson’s Creek theme (“I Don’t Want To Wait”) and the amazingly bright single “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone” on her next album was a scowling, dark and depressing tortured artist just two years earlier. Rumor has it that this album makes even the best shoegaze bands cry.
And to make matters even more depressing, right after this was released, her label (Imago) went out of business, meaning that Harbinger got pretty much zero support. Which turns out to be okay…while this isn’t terrible, the only track really worth hearing more than once is “I Am So Ordinary”…which hardly inspires a party. There are some good moments here, and the seeds of the much finer This Fire are indeed planted here…but ultimately, Harbinger is an average downer of a record. Cole followed up her excellent second album by completely changing course again and alienating her fans…but at least we have that album. Paula Cole is a fine talent who just never seemed to figure out what she wanted to sound like. Too bad for her, and for us.
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ARTO LINDSAY
INVOKE
2002 – RIGHTEOUS BABE
Produced By ANDRES LEVIN, ARTO LINDSAY, BERNA CEPPAS, KASSIN & MELVIN GIBBS
1. Illuminated
2. Predigo
3. Ultra Privileged
4. Over / Run
5. Invoke
6. You Decide
7. In The City That Reads
8. Delegada
9. Uma
10. Clemency
11. Unseen
12. Beija-Me
Arto Lindsay is an interesting guy, for sure. He’s American born, but grew up in Brazil. He played early on with some of the most off kilter bands of the 80’s, including DNA and Ambitious Lovers. His voice of soft and strange, and his guitar playing is rough and strange. He’s avant-garde, no wave, and brings it all together with a Brazilian flair. Invoke is Lindsay’s sixth solo album. The cover art is from a placard used in the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers strike, which was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (“I AM A MAN”). Musically, it’s about what you expect from Lindsay as a solo artist. The music here is challenging at times, but there are also moments where he switches to an almost gentle style.
There aren’t any hits here, and while the album is expertly played, there’s nothing that really stands out and makes you take notice. The Brazilian rhythms are cool, but you get the feeling that Lindsay is kind of playing it safe on this one. The chances he takes aren’t too far from the center, which is unlike the Arto Lindsay norm. Overall, Invoke plays out as a very average work, pleasant and at times interesting, but also at times on the verge of maybe putting his audience to sleep. Earlier solo outings like Mundo Civilizado and Noon Chill are better albums, and his earlier band work is much stronger. Lindsay can also be found collaborating with the likes of John Zorn, Caetano Veloso, David Byrne and They Might Be Giants.
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RADIOHEAD
HAIL TO THE THIEF
2003 – CAPITOL
Produced By NIGEL GODRICH & RADIOHEAD
1. 2 + 2 = 5
2. Sit Down. Stand Up
3. Sail To The Moon
4. Backdrifts
5. Go To Sleep
6. Where I End And You Begin
7. We Suck Young Blood
8. The Gloaming
9. There There
10. I Will
11. A Punch Up At A Wedding
12. Myxomatosis
13. Scatterbrain
14. A Wolf At The Door
Hail To The Thief, Radiohead’s sixth studio album, sits as a kind of transitional record for the band. Coming two years after Amnesiac and four years before In Rainbows, it can be seen as a sort of a weak period for the band. And yet…Hail To The Thief is still considered one of the greatest albums of all time. And for good reason. While it’s not as immediate as the more familiar titles in their discography, this shows the band playing more traditional and less experimental music, but still showcasing their creative abilities. Lyrically, Thom Yorke is focused on the period’s “war on terror” and the ridiculous public reactions to it all. And it works, without sounding the least bit dated.
The best songs here rank high on the list of their best of all time. “2 +2 = 5”, “There There” and “Go To Sleep” are not just album highlights. “A Wolf At The Door” is also excellent. The songs all have subtitles shown in parentheses on the tracklist (to be clever? I’m not sure). Hail To The Thief gets flack for being too long, and the band themselves have said that it was somewhat rushed and could have been better. As good as it is nonetheless, for a band like Radiohead, it’s not at the top shelf. Still, for many bands, this would rank as their best work…it’s middle of the road for Radiohead. Meaning that you may not find it up to the standards of OK Computer or The Bends or In Rainbows. But that doesn’t mean it’s not still a fine effort.
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BIG STAR
#1 RECORD
1972 – ARDENT
Produced By JOHN FRY
1. Feel
2. The Ballad Of El Goodo
3. In The Street
4. Thirteen
5. Don’t Lie To Me
6. The India Song
7. When My Baby’s Beside Me
8. My Life Is Right
9. Give Me Another Chance
10. Try Again
11. Watch The Sunrise
12. ST 100/6
In 1972, Big Star’s debut album was released to incredibly positive reviews…and no sales. Their record label gave #1 Record no distribution and no promotion, and it sank like a stone, selling less than 10,000 copies. But in the late seventies, it started to become a cult classic, and sales exploded in 1992 when it was reissued on CD as part of a 2fer with their second album, Radio City. It is now regularly viewed as one of the greatest albums of all time, and its influence can now be heard everywhere. Alex Chilton (who had already had stardom as a teen in The Box Tops) and Chris Bell were Beatles enthusiasts who found a strong bond and crafted excellent power pop songs together with ease.
Every song on #1 Record is great. “Thirteen” is considered one of the greatest songs ever. “The Ballad Of El Goodo”, “Watch The Sunrise”, and “In The Street” (which was used as the theme song for “That Seventies Show”, although re-recorded by Cheap Trick) are pop rock masterpieces. Bell and Chilton trade lead vocals (with bassist Andy Hummel singing his “The India Song”), and #1 Record is simply 37 minutes of pure rock and roll joy. This is one of the greatest of the 70’s…and one of the greatest ever. Bell left after this album, and died in a car accident six years later at the age of 27. The remaining members made Radio City, then Chilton started on his own strange path with the final Big Star album, Third (or Sister Lovers). This is a must have, a masterpiece.
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SONNY & THE SUNSETS
TOMORROW IS ALRIGHT
2009 – SOFT ABUSE
No Production Credit
1. Too Young To Burn
2. Death Cream
3. Strange Love
4. Planet Of Women
5. The Houris
6. Stranded
7. Bad Vibes And Evil Thoughts
8. Chapters
9. Love Among Social Animals
10. Lovin’ On An Older Gal
Sonny Smith is a not so well known American singer and songwriter who has carved out quite the interesting career. Since 2000, he has released fourteen albums, some of which are credited to him and his band, The Sunsets. Tomorrow Is Alright is his sixth album, and it has all of the things that make Sonny’s music a satisfying find. The songs can be a bit sloppy, but that kind of adds to the charm. And Sonny’s deadpan vocal delivery can sound like he’s off key…but he’s not at all. These songs are folksy, bluesy, with a hint of a twang and a nod to Sonny’s time spent in South America. What’s not to like about that? Maybe that’s why the fans he does have are devoted and loudly sing his praises.
There are no hits to be found here, but there very well could have been. “Too Young To Burn” is a fine opener, and the catchiness of “Stranded” can’t be overstated. This is a fine and catchy little gem of an album that will certainly grow on you in time. With or without The Sunsets, Sonny, who has spent his career hopping from one unknown label to the next, will probably never be well known. That’s okay…we know he’s out there now, and there’s plenty of his music to keep us going for years. Pick this up if you see it…you will be pleasantly surprised by Sonny & The Sunsets.
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WARREN ZEVON
MR. BAD EXAMPLE
1991 – GIANT
Produced By WADDY WACHTEL
1. Finishing Touches
2. Suzie Lightning
3. Model Citizen
4. Angel Dressed In Black
5. Mr. Bad Example
6. Renegade
7. Heartache Spoken Here
8. Quite Ugly One Morning
9. Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead
10. Searching For A Heart
Warren Zevon never made a bad album…but he sure did come close a time or two. From 1989’s Transverse City through the mid nineties, Zevon did some struggling. Mr. Bad Example sits right in the middle of that period. It’s an album that finds Zevon sounding uninspired a lot of the time. And there’s nothing sadder than sad Warren Zevon. The first single, “Finishing Touches”, sounds as if it was mailed in, as does the only real hit here, “Searching For A Heart”. Other tracks, like “Suzie Lightning” and “Angel Dressed In Black” simply don’t work. There’s nothing terrible on this record…but you have to be patient to catch the glimpses of what made him so great.
There are three songs here that save the day. The title track is a true Zevon hoot (“I loaded up their furniture and took it to Spokane / Auctioned off every last naugahyde divan”). The others are “Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead”, which inspired a movie title that Zevon got his song into, and the surprisingly perfect country of “Heartache Spoken Here” with guest Dwight Yoakam. For these three tracks alone, you should at least give this one a spin. It is, after all, Warren Zevon, who could somehow make even his lesser work seem more interesting than most. And ultimately, average Zevon beats average pretty much everyone else.
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FRANK BLACK
TEENAGER OF THE YEAR
1994 – 4AD
Produced By ERIC DREW FELDMAN, Frank Black & Alistair Clay
1. Whatever Happened To Pong?
2. Thalassocracy
3. (I Want To Live On An) Abstract Plain
4. Calistan
5. The Vanishing Spies
6. Speedy Marie
7. Headache
8. Sir Rockaby
9. Freedom Rock
10. Two Reelers
11. Fiddle Riddle
12. Ole Mulholland
13. Fazer Eyes
14. I Could Stay Here Forever
15. The Hostess With The Mostest
16. Superabound
17. Big Red
18. Space Is Gonna Do Me Good
19. White Noise Maker
20. Pure Denizen Of The Citizens Band
21. Bad, Wicked World
22. Pie In The Sky
Some albums are immediately praised by critics and beloved by fans. Teenager Of The Year is not one of those albums. The second solo album by the artist also known as Black Francis, this follow up to his self titled debut fell, at first, on deaf ears. It was viewed as a step backward for Black, but in retrospect, is now seen as a real return to Pixies form and a sharp, clever work. Many of the songs here are shorter, and more imaginative and risky than the ones from his debut, and given the chance, this record grows on you. 22 tracks may seem like a daunting task to listen to, but Teenager Of The Year actually flows very, very well.
Black is joined here by keyboardist Eric Drew Feldman of Pere Ubu, and his former Pixies bandmate Joey Santiago. The one single here, “Headache”, topped out at only #53 on the charts…but this is not a hit singles kind of guy. He is, however, never boring. From “Whatever Happened To Pong?” to “Space Is Gonna Do Me Good”, his songs can be a hell of a lot of fun. His next record, The Cult Of Ray, is a serious step backward for Black, but if you want to hear the very best of his post-Pixies and pre-Catholics period, the first two albums are the best way to go. Plus, here, you get that awesome shot of Black Francis being crowned Teenager Of The Year. Great stuff.
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KANYE WEST
MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY
2010 – DEF JAM / ROC-A-FELLA
Produced By BINK, DJ FRANK E, KANYE WEST, MIKE DEAN, NO I.D., RZA & S1
1. Dark Fantasy
2. Gorgeous (Feat. Kid Cudi & Raekwon)
3. Power
4. All Of The Lights (Interlude)
5. All Of The Lights
6. Monster (Feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver)
7. So Appalled (Feat. Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z, Pusha T, Cyhi The Prynce & RZA)
8. Devil In A New Dress (Feat. Rick Ross)
9. Runaway (Feat. Pusha T)
10. Hell Of A Life
11. Blame Game (Feat. John Legend)
12. Lost In The World (Feat. Bon Iver)
13. Who Will Survive In America
Not saying anything about what Kanye West does outside of his music…but My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time…it’s one of the greatest albums of the 2010’s…and it’s probably the best of 2010. His fifth album, West really shows his strengths here. Meaning that the production here is stunning. There is never a dull moment here musically, and Kanye expands his sound to include elements of just about anything imaginable. Unlike a lot of hip hop, the sound here is relentlessly rich and full, and the songs are all musically engaging to the point that, even though it runs over an hour in length, you don’t find yourself wondering when it’s going to be over.
The standout tracks here are “Runaway”, “Dark Fantasy” and “Power”. “Monster” and “All Of The Lights” are outstanding as well. And while the album’s weakness can be considered the lyrics, those are good enough to not spoil the party. West considers this album as an apology for his past bad behaviors, as he wanted to show his detractors that he really was worthy of his stardom. It works here, and although West continues to be something of a celebrity train wreck, he is also talented enough, as he shows on this record, to gain some level of forgiveness. This really is a great album, and deserves to be listened to. With an open mind.
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LITTLE WINGS
LIGHT GREEN LEAVES
2002 – K
No Production Credit
1. Boom
2. Look At What The Light Did Now
3. Next Time
4. Sandbar
5. Fall Flood
6. Light Green Leaves
7. Under Your Blanket
8. Ill
9. Fall Sweep
10. Uh-Oh (It’s Morningtime Again)
11. The Way I Deux
12. What Wonder
Little Wings is the moniker used by Kyle Fields. Born in Alabama, he has members come and go, but he is the main element of Little Wings. Light Green Leaves is his fourth album, and his third from a very busy year of 2002. He’s quite prolific, with well over 20 releases in the last 22 years and counting. Fields plays several instruments, and his songs are mostly light and catchy. His voice is the thing…it takes some getting used to. He is not a strong singer, and at times can be completely off key. And then he’ll show you that he really CAN sing. It takes some getting used to, but it’s not enough to be a complete turn off.
“Look At What The Light Did Now” is Fields at his catchiest best. It’s the kind of song that you’ll be singing to yourself the next day. There’s a charm to this music that will keep you coming back for more, and will have you wanting to hear more from Little Wings. What he lacks in vocal chops, he more than makes up for with his songwriting, and the casual mood of this record is instantly refreshing. He’s also an acclaimed visual artist, and has played on works by artists like Devendra Banhart, The Microphones and Feist. If this album works for you, then there’s a large catalog of other works by him to choose from. Happy hunting!
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