Son of JayJamJah

68.

Pink Floyd – The Wall (1979)
Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” is of course a rock opera concept album and if you didn’t know I am a total sucker for the format. This is one of many that will appear on the list so if you don’t dig the Progressive concept stuff, this is not the review for you. The eighty minute masterpiece chronicles the story of Pink the protagonist and survivor of childhood trauma. His tale is one of isolation out of anxiety turned to fame and fortune only to find the same need for seclusion. After completing his “wall” to the outside world, Pink goes mad and obligations of his notoriety afflict his madness on the outside world. Musically the Wall is near perfection it tells the story note by note and supplies poetic narration with each verse. The first five tracks include the first two sections of “Another Brick in the Wall” tell the story of Pinks childhood up until grammar school and allude to the events that have lead to Pinks current state of being. “Mother” is a wonderful and concentrated track narrating a macabre type of motherly instinct in action. The Depression is still haunting the protagonist however in the next track “Goodbye Blue Sky” which despite its innocent appearance has a sinister tranquility that you can’t help but feel. The next portion of the album addresses Pink’s rise to stardom entrance into marriage and contemplation of abandoning construction of the wall but eventually in part three of “Another Brick in the Wall” he completes it in response to his wife’s betrayal. The final track of the first record is “Goodbye Cruel World” indicates Pink’s complete withdrawal from the outside world. The second half of the experience starts with “Hey You” the first song on the second side is out of its intended order and was cut from the film. It was intended to be the prelude to what is in my opinion the musical highlight of the album “Comfortably Numb” A rhythm driven song with two outstanding Gilmour guitar solos. Following Comfortably Numbs’ eerie atmosphere is another disquieting allusion in “The show must go on” which shows Pink’s angst and frustration with the burden of fame. The next three tracks are a psychedelic departure into a hallucination of Pink as a fascist dictator. He snaps out of it just in time for the penultimate chapter of the story “The Trial” with amazing vocals by Waters and complex song composition requiring over the top musical execution. Detailing Pink’s self afflicted examination in the form of a courtroom trial. Despite the verdict “The Wall” stands as one of my favorite Rock Operas of all-time and among the best stories told within one.
Musical Content: ***
Artistic Content: *****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: The Trial



67.

Green Day – American Idiot (2004)
I was surprised to see how poorly this album was regarded by this forum; I still think its brilliant and critically the best of 2004. For me it conjures up images of the Who, Pink Floyd and the Beatles and seems like a band producing the best they are capable of in any given genre. Beyond the unnecessary title track you enter a, you guessed it Rock Opera, beginning the five part introduction “Jesus of Suburbia” which presents Jimmy the title character aka Jesus of Suburbia. The punk rock eponymous first fifth transitions in the ascending “City of the Damned” showing Jimmy’s feelings of isolation similar to the Wall’s Pink. The energetic middle section “I Don’t Care” serves to turn the energy in a more ominous direction as “Dearly Beloved” and it’s soothing chimes serve to confuse the issue further, leading into the final movement “Tales of another broken home” which brings resolution to the introduction with Jimmy leaving behind the city he calls home. Despite its borderline retarded message “Holiday” is a wonderfully addictive song and a lot of fun with wonderful crescendo and lyrical phrasing. The radio played the shit out “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” I’ll give you that, but has not stopped me from appreciating it just the same. In addition to moving along the story and showing the state of Jimmy on his travels it is a solid instrumental composition from a band whose singles are noted for being such. The anthemic chorus of “Are we the Waiting” coupled with its powerfully simple verses and creative imagery created via poignant lyrics act to validate it as a concept album musically and artistically. The protagonist’s second title track “St. Jimmy” is a pure punk romp from the doppelganger alter ego of Jesus of Suburbia which is followed by the appropriately relaxing “Give me Novocaine” a mirror of “She’s a Rebel”. The songs present Jimmy and Whatshername respectively from the others perspective this serves to show the union of the two a sort of exchanging of vows. Their relationship is detailed in the next two songs “Extraordinary Girl” and “Letterbomb”. Before the eccentric conclusion Billy Joe's personal ballad “Wake me up when September Ends” soothes you with a comfortable build up from isolated lyrical recounting to electric hard rock anthem. before bleeding out into the “Homecoming” the five part counterpart and climax of the story. Beginning with victorious “The Death of St. Jimmy” announcing the removal of Jimmy’s destructive alter ego before modifying into East 12th street as Jimmy fills out police work as a metaphor for his ambivalence to his burdens. The middle movement “Nobody Likes You” was originally written to relieve stress created by making the album. Turns out it fit perfect as a light hearted intro to the heavy handed “Rock and Roll Girlfriend” and bends into Jimmy’s announcement to return home in “We’re coming Home Again” which leaves an indelible mark with its deliberate methodical drumming and affecting purposeful lyrics. In my opinion it should have ended the album and will end my review. Except for noting that if the master tracks of what was intended to be their seventh album were not stolen this would never have been made.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Homecoming





66.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – Let’s Face It (1997)
This album is overrated on my list, I am sure of it, but I can’t help myself. If you have a band and you want me to be a fan there are a few things you can do to increase your odds…#1 Add a brass section; #2 Have a lead singer with a distinctive voice; #3 Work Reggae into your music somehow. The Bosstones succeed at all three and never more impressively then in their fifth album Let’s Face It. Featuring the immensely popular “The Impression that I Get” with its memorable ska driven guitar rhythm and smashing horn section. It is the biggest single the band ever had and a song it’s tough to get tired of. Joining it as radio singles from the album were the surf music inspired “Royal Oil” and jazz ska “Rascal King” a personal favorite of mine from the first time I heard until today. In addition title track “Let’s Face it” has a great message and is presented in a quick passed brass powered way. There are heavier electric tracks as well like “A bug bit me” “Nevermind Me” and “Numbered Days” which is among the bands most overlooked and under-rated songs. To me it is their best lyrical effort on the album as well and has the most dynamic chorus despite its short length. The surreal “Another Drinking song” I’ve found serves its purpose quite effectively. “1-2-8” shows the greatest range in terms of song structure on the album, but that’s not what this music is for. The overwhelming strength of this album comes from its fluidity each song lends momentum to the next. It flows so nicely it’s over before you realize you put it on. Probably the last CD I bought on the day of its release at a store.
Musical Content: *****
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Rascal King