- Genesis - A Trick Of The Tail. I used to love this record, when I was 15. Now it's 50% cringe-worthy and 25% meh. The other 25% is OK; I can still listen to "Dance On A Volcano" and "Squonk". For some reason, the iTunes version of this album is nothing like the official release: some of the songs are replaced with live versions, and many of the songs are completely missing. Looking at the original track list, I can't say it matters: I'd still give it one thorn: Þ
- The Who - Live At Leeds (deluxe edition). This is a hugely expanded version, with like 30 songs (including all of Tommy). But, I want to like The Who more than I actually do like The Who. Basically, I really do not dig rock-operas - except for "A Quick One While He's Away", which is funny, goofy, and quick (but which gets a 5 minute spoken intro on this). Most of Tommy makes me yawn and I won't even bother with Quadrophenia. Still, the rest of it ("Young Man's Blues", "Substitute", "Summertime Blues", etc. - the early songs) is fantastic. Three thorns: ÞÞÞ for the whole.
- Beck - Modern Guilt. Beck being Beck... always a good thing. Most of his records run together for me. But, I still like them. Three thorns: ÞÞÞ
- Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff. This is growing into a new favorite. It's a chunk of enthusiastic alternative pop: very catchy, but just quirky enough to keep it from a broader audience. They're a bit louder than their fellow Swedish indies Peter, Bjorn and John - not heavy, but more guitars, louder drums, more-aggressive vocals; and the singer's style reminded my wife of Steven Malkmus from Pavement (whom she Does Not Like) because he goes willfully off-key here and there. I think it's charming. Four thorns: ÞÞÞÞ
- Cassandra Wilson - Loverly. On this record, she goes back to jazz standards and classics - there are no covers of contemporary pop songs on this record, for a (welcome, IMO) change. But, old or new, nobody covers a song like Cassandra Wilson. Between her unique vocal style and her amazing and unconventional band, every song she does becomes, unmistakably, a Cassandra Wilson song. Another solid record. Three thorns: ÞÞÞ
- Faces - Best Of The Faces (Good Songs From Bad Boys). There are some good songs here ("Ooh La La", "Stay With Me", "Sweet Lady Mary", etc.). But that early 70's style grates on me: too much noodling, too much of that heavy "one and TWO and three and FOUR and..." chugging. I can't help but picture Rod Stewart stiffly strutting around, pouting to the beat, ridiculously. I hear they're going to do a reunion soon. On the revelatory side, after listening to him here it seems like the most obvious thing in the world that Ron Wood would eventually end up with the Stones. Either two or three thorns: ÞÞ / ÞÞÞ
- Sea and Cake - Car Alarm. Their last album had only one or two memorable songs. This one has zero. It's all flat and samey. I know they're still capable of good ideas, but they're putting all the good stuff on their solo records. When they get together, it's just flat. Which is not to say it's offensively bad or anything. I can certainly listen to it if I want to - I just don't want to. One thorn: Þ
ok-cleek
Man I had a dreadful flight
Is the scale out of, like, five thorns, or four?
let’s go with five
Live at Leeds … I only ever listen to CD1 and as live albums go, it’s one of my favourites.
My 12 fave live albums in no particular order:
1. The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads.
2. I Might Be Wrong – Radiohead.
3. Live At Leeds – The Who
4. From Here To Eternity – The Clash
5. Live In Santa Monica ’72 – David Bowie
6. Bowie At The Beeb – David Bowie
7. Bullet In A Bible – Green Day
8. BBC Sessions – Jimi Hendrix
9. HAARP – Muse
10. Weld – Neil Young
11. Live At Carnegie Hall – Stevie Ray Vaughan
12. Under A Blood Read Sky – U2
yeah. favorite live albums is a good one, too.
in order:
1. Robyn Hitchcock – Storefront Hitchcock
2. Nirvana – Unplugged
3. Neil Young – Live Rust
4. U2 – Under a Blood Red Sky
5. Adrian Belew – Side Four
at various times i’ve really liked:
Neil Young – Weld. i just keep going back to Live Rust.
Judas Priest – Unleashed in the East. it has my two favorite JP songs, which are both covers (Fleetwood Mac’s “Green Manalishi” and Joan Baez’s “Diamonds And Rust”). but it turns out that most of this record was overdubbed in the studio.
Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense. i played this one to death, when i was in high school. i played it so much i almost wore myself out on the Talking Heads completely.
The Doors – Alive She Cried. it’s still not bad, but The Doors don’t age well.
The Doors – Absolutely Live. this was a tough listen even when i really liked The Doors. but, it has “The Celebration Of The Lizard”, the 21 minute epic poem/song that i memorized when i was 15.
Iron Maiden – Maiden Japan. this was when they were almost a punk band, before they got Bruce Dickinson and turned all serious.
The Cure – Concert. “Huhlaow. This is called ‘Shake Dog Shake’ [bwwwaaaaooooonnnnnggg]”
Rolling Stones – Still Life. my first Stones record.
How could I not of included Stop Making Sense! Ack! Mmm … concert movies …
The Kinks – One For the Road, another fine live album.
I used to love this record, when I was 15. Now it’s 50% cringe-worthy and 25% meh. The other 25% is OK
You are dead to me. lol.
Faces – Best Of The Faces (Good Songs From Bad Boys). …..But that early 70’s style grates on me
If we are ever at a party together, I am totally in charge of the stereo. STAY BACK!
we can let iTunes Genius run the stereo. it’s pretty freakin amazing. mostly.
Yep, Genius is fantastic. I only wish I could create new Genius playlits on my 5G iPod itself. I got myself an iPod car kit recently, and it would be the icing on the cake. Looks like I’d need a new iPod for full Genius support…