Ashes to Ashes: A reintroduction to my personal music library
 

Ashes to Ashes: A reintroduction to my personal music library

As I have shared with a select few of you, recently tragedy struck my personal life when my home caught on fire destroying our library and den all my PC’s and Stereo equipment and years of books collected and received as gifts. Also my entire digital music library was destroyed and I am forced to slowly piece a nearly 50,000 song collection back together.
So as a way for me to occupy my mind in the wake of this misfortune and to help speed up the process of reorganizing and cataloguing my music online I’ll be adding entries\reviews relating to specific albums as they get there first listen on my new PC in new digital format. The is no ranking, ordering, organizing within the reviews, they really won’t even be reviews in the traditional sense, just a stream of consciousness reaction to the music as I take it in again for the first time.
Thanks in advance and as always reaction, comments, critique and feedback are welcomed and encouraged from the Music Banter community.

Thread Index:

#1 Dig Lazarus Dig - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - page 1
#2 Fevers and Mirrors - Bright Eyes - page 1
#3 Beggars Banquet - The Rolling Stones - page 1
#4 Fight for Your Mind - Ben Harper - page 2
#5 four - Blues Traveler - page 2
#6 Tomorrow The Green Grass - The Jayhawks - page 3
#7 Boston - Boston - page 3
#8 Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul - Otis Redding - page 3
#9 Doolittle - The Pixies - page 4
#10 Morning View - Incubus - page 4
#11 Hurdy Gurdy Man - Donovan - page 4
#12 For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver - page 5
#13 Paris 1919 - John Cale - page 5
#14 Transformer - Lou Reed - page 5
#15 Loaded - The Velvet Underground - page 6
#16 Camper Van Beethoven - Camper Van Beethoven - page 6
#17 The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan - page 6
#18 Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel - page 6
#19 Consolers of the Lonley - The Raconteurs\Saboteurs - page 6
#20 Tommy - The Who - page 6
#21 Comfort Eagle - Cake - page 6
#22 Way To Normal - Ben Folds - page 7
#23 The Exciting Wilson Pickett - Wilson Pickett - page 7
#24 Gimmie Some Lovin' - The Spencer Davis Group - coming soon

Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!
 

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Album #1: Dig Lazarus Dig (2008)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Genre: Post Punk
Dedicated to MB Member: Jackhammer

• "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!"
• "Today's Lesson"
• "Moonland"
• "Night of the Lotus Eaters”
• "Albert Goes West"
• "We Call Upon the Author”
• "Hold on to Yourself"
• "Lie Down Here (& Be My Girl)"
• "Jesus of the Moon”
• "Midnight Man"
• “More News From Nowhere"

From the hypnotic title line that welcomes you to the controlled chaos that is this gem of an album; the unorthodox and unforgiving manner in which Cave delivers the endlessly intriguing and metaphorical lyrics of the song set a new standard for cool. The song’s energy is infectious and you’re instantly pulled into the albums soothing abyss of sound. Flash forward to the subsequent track and you’ll feel like mercury in thermometer rising and falling at an unrealistic pace. With a catchy, free spirited chorus and a straight and narrow diversion of a verse placed in between, the song’s drama builds as the tempo and fullness of the music coincides.
What works so well about this album is the thoughtful nature of each track; there are several layers which allow you to discover new elements you enjoy on almost every listen. The lyrics are fascinating and funny and beyond hip. Moonland is the real tantalizer of the bunch; an apocalyptic march with a heart of gold. “…It must feel nice…” The song just sort of shrugs its way along leaving the listener helplessly bobbing his or her head. The entire album oozes style and this song is no exception, with dramatic showmanship and a remarkable understanding of rhythm it’s the mellow highlight of the album for me. The eerie ode that follows, “Night of the Lotus Eaters” is a wraithlike waltz on muscle relaxers. Humming its way from stanza to stanza it soothes and stings simultaneously throughout. The album has a fairly good flow, especially considering its eclectic nature, this is demonstrated as the album moves through the fifth and six tracks some of the most energetic mixes of the bunch. The outro to “Albert Goes West” is great and “We Call Upon the Author” is a brilliant bastard of a song. Just fascinating from the first note, the song mixes instruments, ideas and ingenuity never before combined. It’s like being raped by the 1980’s using Fonzie’s leather jacket as a condom. Cave just sort of throws the lyrics onto the canvas of music; we even get to meet Doug in this song.

“Bukowski was a jerk! Berryman was best! He wrote like wet paper Mache, went the Heming-way weirdly on wings and with maximum pain”

“Prolix! Prolix! Nothing a pair of scissors can't fix!”

Before you can catch your breath you’re supplanted into the Wild West and feverish philosophy. “Hold on (to yourself)” is the song Chris Isaac wishes he was smart and talented enough to have recorded 15 years ago. The melody is mesmerizing and exotic and the lyrics and desperate and delicate the combination is overwhelming and propels the song into the albums top half. Next up is the energetic and jumpy time warp “Lie Down here and be My Girl”, a sort of afterthought for me, but easy to listen to amongst the mass of the album. When you first hear “Jesus of the Moon” you know it’s good, but its mastery is the way it evolves throughout. There is a psychedelic element amongst mundane rhythm and crisp execution. Hauntingly elegant with a flawless style and endless grace a near perfect penultimate number. “Midnight Man” is the penultimate and sets the bar with confidence and precision. You might find this song playing in your head in the middle of a jewel heist, I don’t know, I get that feel. “More news from nowhere” plays appropriately like a closing credits dubbed over with a synth track cut from a late 1980’s Cure album. More beguiling lyrical precision and free spirited feeling encapsulate this song and really the album as a whole. This album is an example or intelligent direction, sophisticated planning and passionate execution. It was my intro into Nick Cave in album form, as I had previously only sampled his soundtrack contributions. It’s a fantastic product and the first one I reached for when I decided to start this project.

A future classic? I seriously haven't heard anything negative about this album at all.

I think it well could be, it's one of those albums that starts off sounding good and then manages to grow on you more with every listen.

This is looking to be a very interesting thread. Sorry to hear about the fire...

That sucks. If you need any help re-obtaining certain albums, I'd be more than glad to help.

Great review JJJ, and easily my favourite album of the year (from what I've heard of the rest anyway). Looking forward to some more updates man

Fevers and Mirrors
 

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Album #2: Fevers and Mirrors (2000)
Bright Eyes
Genre: Indie Folk
Dedicated to MB Member: Crowquill\Sleepy Jack

1. "A Spindle, a Darkness, a Fever, and a Necklace"
2. "A Scale, a Mirror, and Those Indifferent Clocks"
3. "The Calendar Hung Itself..."
4. "Something Vague"
5. "The Movement of a Hand"
6. "Arienette”
7. "When the Curious Girl Realizes She Is Under Glass"
8. "Haligh, Haligh, a Lie, Haligh"
9. "The Center of the World"
10. "Sunrise, Sunset"
11. "An Attempt to Tip the Scales"
12. "A Song to Pass the Time"

Quite simply some of the most emotionally consuming music I’ve ever come across. Connor Oberst can seem as naïve and innocent as a child as a ferocious and ominous as any audible evil. Each song is in some way an expulsion of emotion personified best by the painstaking vocal patterns that catapult the listener through chaos within each narrative, each melody, each measure. The first third of the album is a wonderfully orchestrated progression culminating with the absolutely flawless “Something Vague” A song so moving in its simple familiarity and conviction driven delivery as to bring one to tears. It’s not that the lyrics are great, it’s just a wonderful way of arranging words to tell a story that takes so much longer then 3 and a half minutes,
That is one of the inherent qualities of the album that has always intrigued me. Each song is so effective at reaching you and forcing you tolerate or tune out. Very powerful but easy music. The middle third of the album opens with “The Movement of a Hand” which has a precious and proverbial chorus that finds its way into your subconscious and digs in. The album has hit its stride at this point, it’s impossible to tell if this is done with intent, but it’s a common theme within good albums; the momentum intensifies and resides with the ebb and flow of the music at just the right times. The peak of the album is probably tracks seven and eight as Oberests’ most personally cathartic performance "When the Curious Girl Realizes She Is Under Glass” a two verse explosion of a song gives way to “Haligh, Haligh, a lie, Haligh” maybe the most mass-appeal number on the album and a very easy song to enjoy. It has elements of the emotional first half plus of the album and still a hint of a bit more polish and attention to detail without sacrificing honesty or conviction.
It didn’t take many listens for me to develop an interest in this album. I’ve pretty much enjoyed it from the start; still I’ve can’t say I’ve ever really understood the final third of this album. There is a sort of distant ballad of a song within foreshadowing elements of the bands future direction, a gentle but eerie almost sinister number in “Sunrise Sunset”, a sweet little song with a mock interview that I can’t even begin to understand and a distorted closing number that seems to have little or nothing to do with anything. Still I enjoy it externally as the music is irresistible to people like me who have always been drawn to simple raw acoustic guitar driven music. I like this album a lot more then most of you’d probably expect.

Beggars Banquet
 

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Album #3: Beggars Banquet (1968)
The Rolling Stones
Genre: Blues\Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Urban Hatemonger

1. "Sympathy for the Devil"
2. "No Expectations"
3. "Dear Doctor"
4. "Parachute Woman"
5. "Jigsaw Puzzle"
6. "Street Fighting Man"
7. "Prodigal Son"
8. "Stray Cat Blues"
9. "Factory Girl"
10. "Salt of the Earth"

Sometime around my 10th birthday I decided I liked the Beatles better then the Rolling Stones then I listened to this album in 1972 and changed my mind for like two years. Still this album has left an indelible mark on me and still stimulates my subconscious, mind and memory and gets my toes a tappin’. Starting out with Sympathy for the devil, still the Stones best song in my opinion; with great lyrics, energy and musical arrangement, plus several signature riffs it’s a great example of the Rolling Stones are their most primitive blues heavy best. I feel like I’m a part of that song when I listen to it, being hypnotized by the howling background singer’s continuous cry and the guitars surly screech and scream. It’s one of the quickest seven minute songs in rock and as good as it is the following less revered track “No Expectations” is only slightly less satisfying and even more melodic and relaxing. As the bluesy acoustic guitar riffs lift my spirits, Jagger snarls on with sorrowful conviction. This slow country blues ballad is a staple of most Rolling Stones comp CD’s\Tapes I’ve made for students in the past. The acoustic blues formula is all over this album especially the remainder of side one; especially Dear Doctor the following number. A true blues standard style and a Sympathy for the Devil mirror finalize the first side of the record in frightful fashion and it has you hooked.

The second half of the album opens with another popular Stones hit, “Sympathy for the Devil” an energetic exclamation of youthful rebellion and energetic aspirations. Everyone dipped their song writing pens in the political protest ink in this era and the Stones were no exception; this song is the album flag of rebellion helping cement the group’s edgy reputation. There is something comforting about the blues and when mixed with a little getty-up like “Prodigal Son” it can become a very fun and free style of music with a wonderful sense of humour within. Almost every song on this album has a great opening, and “Stray Cat Blues” might be the best, grabbing you from the first note it’s another simple song, simply brilliant of course. Chalk this one up to Occams Razor yet again, simplicity is a wonderful asset in a band and when combined with humility and dedication this is the result. “Factory Girl” comes on next and I find myself remembering August 1983 and the first time my daughter was real sick. Holding her in my arms under the stars as this song played. I should have nicknamed her Factory Girl; instead I went with Cheerio, well live and learn. As good as the first nine songs are this album would be nothing in the archives of my mind without the moving finale “Salt of the Earth” and it’s chilling rhythm, somber, emerging verse and emphatic chorus lined with sweet notes of ivory and crashing cymbals. This is how to close an album; with all the soul and spirit of a live performance encapsulated in your best written song by pure music standards. They even get the choir to take you home. Fuck yeah.

I was not even planning on doing this album next, but it came up in my record player and 30 seconds into sympathy for the devil I started typing. This is so many times the origin of inspiration within music for me. Spontaneity, the thrill of the moment the excitement of surprise, not expecting the expected so to speak. Beggars Banquet is an amazing album, the Stones most overlooked, miles better then Exile on Mainstreet in my eyes and don’t get me started on Sticky Fingers. I like the Beatles better know, but the Stones will always have a place in my heart, mind and soul.

As someone else has said, if you need help obtaining albums that are in my collection I'd be more than happy to help. Let me know what sort of music you're into (I have, for instance, all of Nick Cave's catalogue up to "Nocturama", which you can certainly have...)

I would love an album or two from Cave, pick your favs please.

Ooh, hard to choose! :)
Let's see, let's see...
"The good son" was the first I ever heard of Nick, swiftly followed by "Henry's dream", so I would say those two plus perhaps "Let love in" and "Murder ballads"? But then there's "No more shall we part", and the excellent "Boatman's song".... well, I can do all of those for you if you like, or just choose and let me know.
The other stuff I'm into that may or not interest you, briefly...
Asia
Arena
Bon Jovi
Dire Straits
ELO
Pendragon
Mostly Autumn
Rory Gallagher
Supertramp
Genesis
Marillion
Fish
Steve Earle
Nanci Griffith
Kamelot
Journey
Iron Maiden
Alan Parsons Project
Judie Tzuke
Ten
Peter Gabriel
Floyd
Chris Rea
Bruce Springsteen
Bryan Adams
Bob Seger
Vangelis
Gandalf
Tom Waits

That's just a sampling: if there's something you think I might have post or PM me, and if I have it I'll make sure to upload it.

Fight for Your Mind
 

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Album #4: Fight for your mind (1995)
Ben Harper
Genre: Alternative Folk Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Spike*Spiegel

1. "Oppression"
2. "Ground on Down"
3. "Another Lonely Day"
4. "Please Me Like You Want To"
5. "Gold to Me"
6. "Burn One Down"
7. "Excuse Me Mr."
8. "People Lead"
9. "Fight for Your Mind"
10. "Give a Man a Home"
11. "By My Side"
12. "Power of the Gospel"
13. "God Fearing Man"
14. "One Road to Freedom"

Out of the gates with a steady, mellow reggae influenced number, “Oppression” sets the tone for Harper’s final solo project which is already nearly 15 years old. This album melds all of Harpers musical influences, jazz, soul, gospel, R&B, reggae and rock with his spiritual and political ones and finds a delightfully peaceful balance. The pass jumps up and back down on the next two tracks with the electric “Ground on Down” and the peaceful whispered ballad “Another Lonely Day” The simplicity of his soulful voice and a austere acoustic guitar are undeniable; transporting the listener and filling them with peace and serenity. The cascading guitar rhythm that propels the fourth track is among the albums highlights. Carrying the music along with a barely noticeable bass and drum section; these are the type of Songs that made me a fan for life shortly after seeing Harper live on the San Jose streets in 1993.

Innocent love songs are another signature of Harpers music unparticular his earlier stuff. “Gold to me” is a simple bass and drum driven song with a pure message of adoration of conviction. Including a fun and free performance on the slide guitar for an instrumental outro. The dynamic nature of reggae music is on display within the next two tracks as a light hearted casual song and a political tinged stinger are the next two numbers and both stepped in the Island funk. “Excuse me Mister” features heavy production that gives the vocals a distant but defiant sound to go with the heavy bass and screeching guitars projecting the memory or identity of the melody. “People lead is next” followed by the title track. Both find a place somewhere between electric and acoustic and let the bass take the lead. A couple of energetic songs before the album takes a very melancholy leap.

Rounding out the album are some of my favorite and least favorite tracks. This final third’s inconsistency is the only disconcerting flaw I find in this album. The strongest song on the album and what I feel should be the closing track “Give a Man a Home” is a powerful, morose but hopeful song about unconditional love and faith. The song hits like a wave and momentarily paralyzes you; just the right atmosphere for the message. Next is the country tinged “By my Side” which is solid and strong, but out of place on the tail end of the album. Still its casual country rhythm with gospel piano compliment provides ample reason to enjoy. There are some startlingly brilliant moments throughout the final tracks, but overall it’s a bit heavy handed for a musician like Harper and almost waters down an otherwise cohesive excellent album. It’s not the religious message, quite the contrary, despite being an atheist I love Gospel and enjoy hearing people pour their faith into music. Five combined minutes of intro, six more of outro and repetitive lyrics relegate this to background music, and even if enjoyable it’s a step down from the rest of the album. The finale “One Road to Freedom” sort of gets back to the formula and foreshadows the direction of the music of Harper’s next project his first of what would be many with the Innocent Criminals. This is still my favorite Ben Harper album just ahead of Lifeline and Welcome to the Cruel World. It’s full of hits and has a great flow for the first ¾ and never has an off putting note.

Let's try Let Love in and Henry's Dream. I've heard and liked both. I'll probably go buy a few more this week and add them to the PC as well.

If anything else comes up I can't find, I'll dial you up on the PM.

Nice Beggars Banquet review , easily my favourite Stones album as well.

As for Nick Cave Tender Prey is my favourite album by him.

Arrgh! It's so long since I played an ACTUAL CD, I'm having trouble finding my Nick Caves! Bear with me....

If you need some more Nick Cave, I have:

From Her to Eternity
The Firstborn Is Dead
Kicking Against the Pricks
Your Funeral ... My Trial
Tender Prey
Henry's Dream
Let Love In
Murder Ballads
The Boatman's Call
No More Shall We Part
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Can you send me Tender prey and Henry's Dream please.

Anything I can fetch for you in return anytime let me know.

No problem, I'm upping them now. I'll send you a PM soon.

four
 

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Album #5: four (1994)
Blues Traveler
Genre: Jam Rock
Dedicated to MB Member:

1. "Run-Around"
2. "Stand"
3. "Look Around"
4. "Fallible"
5. "The Mountains Win Again"
6. "Freedom"
7. "Crash Burn"
8. "Price to Pay"
9. "Hook"
10. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"
11. "Just Wait"
12. "Brother John"

The second Blues Traveler album I ever heard and the one that made me go to a concert that turned into six straight concerts and made me a fan for life. This is not a great album in the traditional sense. There are several very good songs, like "Run Around", the opening track and one of two major hit singles from the album. The other massiv single "Hook" is very good, as is "Just Wait", "The Mountains Win Again", "Look Around" and a few others. It's always enjoyable and Popper is an undeniable talent, presence and star. If you enjoy the harmonica, this is about as good as it gets. Even the average to bad songs contain great moments like the psychedelic escalating bridge and skat-a-tat-tat outro in "Stand". These particular portions of the song raise it from average to memorable.

The beautiful, touching and moving element of this album, with songs like "Look Around" and "Just Wait" is chilling. These songs demonstrate the often overlooked or under rated force of Poppers powerful vocal prowess. More then anything this is what has made this album last for me. A lot of the music I listened to at this has fallen from my radar, but not Blues Traveler, I still make a point to buy all their new albums and see them whenever they come to town. It's also worth mentioning that "The Mountains Win again" is that song from all those Busch Beer commercials. Don't hold that against it though.

What is clear from this album is that these people are having fun playing this music. It's a talented band and Popper as mentioned above is a phenom. This guy just drives the music with each lyric and breath into that harp. This is why Bob Dylan fans piss me off, this guy is 100 times the singer and harpist that Dylan was and gets half the due for both because of Dylan's song writing and cultural significance. But I digress, I love this album and am glad to add it to my list and introduce it to you.

Funk to funky?

Tomorrow the Green Grass
 

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Album #6: Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995)
The Jayhawks
Genre: Alternative Folk Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Adidasss


A little bit of Americana\Country rock with the one of the nineties most sincere and original acts. From the captivating opening number “Blue” all the way through the “Ten little Kids” finale this is a fantastic listen. Soft and simple with just enough grandiose to pull off the melodramatic melancholy that makes this album work. It’s like being broken up with by your first girlfriend; so overwhelming in the moment but in retrospect so small in the grand scheme of things. (Redundant) The music conducts itself with just the right amount of seriousness. “Mrs. Williams Guitar” is the only song I find annoying and it’s one of the most well received from the album especially by the hipsters. I like the overwhelmingly sweet country ballad “Two hearts” a whole lot more. That song just exemplifies sorrow; this album is a sad sad album, but you feel better after you listen to it. Even the most testosterone loaded double Xers.

Some of the best songs on this album are the ones that a casual observer would like at as filler. “Over my Shoulder” is a beautiful tune; a song sort of tossed amongst the album nonchalantly but when given a chance is irrespirable in its honesty and openness. The vocal harmonies sort of shaking together is an evocative touch that makes it one of two flawless songs on the album. It’s hard to find a song that someone doesn’t love on this album “Bad Time” feels like a top 40 hit from a decade before or after it was released. “See him on the Street” and “Nothing Left to Borrow” each trade in very contrasting genres but each find a way to convey a very pure and melodic message and each has an uplifting moment that catches you instantly.

As I mentioned earlier there is not a truly bad song on this album; they all have a very specific sound and are excellent individual and collective compositions. Maybe it’s just because I do most of my album reviews under the influence, but lets face it, when I have time to sit at my computer and hack out an album review for absolutely no monetary compensation is exactly the same time I’m going to see to it that I am not 100% sober. Also **** grammar. I don’t know if the Jayhawks have ever really been talked about on here, but I guess that’s my fault as much as anyone’s it took me 1,500 posts to bring em’ up. Adidasss posted about them once before I was hee (Use your search function Newbs **Upper Right**) no one responded, this is your response buddy. This one’s for Croatia. Arbitrary rating: 9.9534\10

Nice review that seems hard to resist. Anything with a country-ish feel has rarely appealed to me. But, I'm definitely willing to give this a listen. Maybe it won't click immediately, but it's definitely a winner if I could sit through the entire thing.(at least, that's the first step :p:)
I'll get back here after listening to this.

Boston
 

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Album #7: Boston (1976)
Boston
Genre: Rock & Roll
Dedicated to MB Member: Boo Boo


This album is great; It came out summer after my senior year of high school and it’s all we requested from the radio for weeks while we drove around the back roads getting drunk in the back of a Ford pick-up truck. Even smoked grass with the cops listening to “More then a Feeling”. This is ultimate summer time music; energetic, heavy and pure and simple straight forward rock and roll. They never came close after this enigmatic eponymous debut; but Boston still has a place as a quintessential Classic Rock band and this as one the “genres” best works.


I am going to try and keep this brief as it’s time to speed these reviews up. (Got about 10,000 more albums still to review after all) Most of you know the album anyway. “More then a Feeling” is a fantastic opener and one of the best songs with clapping in it ever. The slow build sets the albums powerful, dramatic mood. Brad Delp had the perfect voice to front this band and it’s on full display throughout the opening track as are Tom Scholz violent screaming guitar riffs and fills. Those two were the unquestioned nucleus of the band and drove its success in 1976 and even through just recently with Delp’s unfortunate suicide. The second track “Piece of Mind” is sort of rock out while sticking it to the man stuff that made being stoned and unemployed in the 1970’s fun. So gas is two bucks a gallon and you got to wait hours for it and call only fuel up on odd days, at least we can were tight jeans and tell our bosses to take this job and shove it. Awesome stuff.

The first three tracks of the album are the three best, Foreplay\Longtime is a progressive rock instrumental opener followed by a ballad-like single. Good times people, good times. Smokin’ is four minutes and twenty seconds long hmmm that’s a weird coincidence. “Hitchin’ a Ride” was inspired by that scene at the end of Lou Ferrigno’s Incredible Hulk…just kidding it’s a Green Day cover of course. They also have a song called Rock and Roll Band…get the idea these guys had a little fun. The lyrics include “Love, Music, yeah, yeah, yeah” Again, you’d like to be these guys in 1976. The last song “Let me Take You Home Tonight” is a good song, but so ridiculous when you evaluate lyrically.

“Now Im not like this, Im really kind of shy” – Just as shy as most guys who sing shirtless in front of 25,000 people.

”But I get this feeling whenever you walk by” - That’s called a boner

”I dont wanna down you, I wanna make you high” - Heavy stuff man

”Let me take you home tonight, Mamma now its alright

Let me take you home tonight, Ill show you sweet delight.” - Straight from the heart to be sure.

Anyway great album.

Nice review! Like so many others, I love Boston's debut .. A true classic rock album!

Right now, I think my favourite song is "Rock and Roll Band", although it changes every now and then. I'll say to anyone who somehow don't already know this album (you should because it's sold 17x platinum), it's about time you get your hands on it.

I'd definitely agree Boston never reached the heights they did on their debut with subsequent albums --- MTAF was such an iconic track I think we all thought the album was going to be mostly filler. Boy was it not!
But I do think that although they sort of lost their way on "Dont look back", they got back on track years later with "Third stage", which is, I think, an underappreciated classic, almost conceptual in its nature, with most of the songs flowing into each other, so that it's basically one long track. Very ambitious for a band who had by then been largely forgotten, or written off as "that band that did More than a feeling", but I think it really worked.
Standout tracks for me were "Cool the engines", "To be a man", and the two ballads "Hollyann" and "Amanda". Great stuff.
Unfortunately they then blew it with "Walk on", but that's another story.
Sorry to hijack your thread! :D

Not at all, exactly the type of feedback I am looking for.

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Top album. I have also been listening to the very good Hollywood Town Hall.
I was introduced to The Jayhawks about 3 months back and have not looked back.

I don't know if it will carry well enough.

Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
 

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Album #8: Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)
Otis Redding
Genre: Soul
Dedicated to MB Member: Everyone under 20

1. "Ole Man Trouble"
2. "Respect"
3. "A Change Is Gonna Come"
4. "Down in the Valley"
5. "I've Been Loving You Too Long"
6. "Shake"
7. "My Girl"
8. "Wonderful World"
9. "Rock Me Baby"
10. "Satisfaction”
11. "You Don't Miss Your Water"

This is a distinct sound, a seminal piece of the Soul collection and one of my absolute favorites. Featuring just two songs credited to Redding; The first two tracks “Ole Man Trouble” and “Respect”. The rest of the tracks are covers from the likes of Sam Cooke, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King, The Rolling Stones and more. Each song is reimagined in a characteristic manner that is pure Soul, pure Otis. Putting my personal bias aside (well maybe not) this album contains the best recorded versions of “My Girl”, “Respect”, “Down in the Valley”, “Wonderful World” and “Satisfaction” of which Redding says "I use a lot of words different than the Stones' version. That's because I made them up".

Released just two years before his untimely passing; the then twenty four year old Redding performed with the gusto and fervor of the young man he was and related the anguish and spirit of an old Soul. His dynamic and dexterous demeanor is evident throughout the album as is his maturing yet still raw delivery. The energetic songs feature a more ferocious and raw tone while the slower numbers feel like a tenderer and methodical Redding delicately improvising over the splendor of the songs construct.

Recorded shortly after the death of his Idol, the album is in many ways a tribute to Sam Cooke. Otis covers “Shake” “Wonderful World” and “A Change is Gonna Come” doing each more then justice. The memory of Cooke’s music is what many claimed motivated Redding to do this album. Producer Issac Hayes described Redding as “…in the zone…” during the recording session. The albums final track “You Don’t Miss Your Water” slides of stage closing a near perfect collection.

^^ Tis a great album, soul or otherwise.

Definitely Otis' best.

There are so many Soul music gaps in my collection and this is a timely reminder.

I love that you dedicated Otis to us members under 20, there are far too few of us youngsters who don't know anything about music, luckily i'm not one of them, great albums so far!

Doolittle
 

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Album #9: Doolittle (1989)
The Pixies
Genre: Alternative Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Big3…

1. "Debaser"
2. "Tame"
3. "Wave of Mutilation"
4. "I Bleed"
5. "Here Comes Your Man”
6. "Dead"
7. "Monkey Gone to Heaven"
8. "Mr. Grieves"
9. "Crackity Jones"
10. "La La Love You"
11. "No. 13 Baby"
12. "There Goes My Gun"
13. "Hey"
14. "Silver"
15. "Gouge Away"

Fuckin eh. This is one of those sort of misunderstood masterpieces, by the mainstream anyway I think. It has elements of the Kinks, VU, Beach Boys and is arguably better then, and in the mold of, a lot of the grunge music that popularized American radio shortly after its release. To further name drop; this eclectic collection of songs all wrapped up under one alternative umbrella, a constant lack of satisfaction reminds me a bit of London Calling. Still these guys are never mentioned in the same breath when the mainstream compiles lists of the greatest and most influential. I understand why, but this place has opened my eyes to just how easily overlooked great music and artists can be. This place finds time to listen to just about everything I could have imagined.

Opening with what is arguably the albums strongest track “Debaser” the energetic Doolittle roars out of the gates with a classic in the style that best features their talents. In fact the first five tracks are an amazing opening line-up. “Tame” is a sort of emo\grunge combination before either existed; with just a smidge of post-punk for good measure. It is savage and raw by design. “Wave of Mutilation” is another critically acclaimed tracked that lives up to its billing with a killer riff and soft penetrating vocals. Another element of appeal from this album is the quick 2-3 minute songs that keep the listener on their toes. “I Bleed” shows of two of albums best features; the common place duffy bass lines and the sort of Lou Reed version 2.0 evolution of singer Charles “Black Francis” Thompson. Running on the complete opposite end of the spectrum as Tame is “Here Comes Your Man” a sort of happy-go-lucky pop number. Hard not to enjoy this one; fun, friendly and free with interesting composition.

The final tow thirds of album are not as favorable in my opinion and maybe that’s part of the albums sort of lukewarm reception, still it’s not without an occasional highlight. Reggae fueled “Mr. Grieves” and the crazy bilingual “Crackity Jones” have very much their own sound and style and both are very good songs in their respective sub-genres. I also like “No. 13 Baby” which reminds me of Spinal Tap to be honest and “There goes my Gun” which has a sort of end of the earth feel to it; music from beyond if you know what I mean. Then there is “Hey” the longest song on the album with the shortest title. All in all it’s an album I am always reminded of how much I like and why I bought every listen. A keeper.

Lukewarm reception? Are you crazy? Every man and his dog loves the Pixies, one of the few bands i barely ever hear a bad thing about.

Not in my experience. I was teaching in the early 90's in college and it was a trendy pick but most kids were indifferent and ambivalent towards it. It is fantastic music though no doubt about it.

There's a worrying lack of classic soul in my music library, so this is definitely an album I should get my paws on. Good review man

You want it?

Donate $20 to cancer research sometime in the next year and I'll up for you and PM the link.

Morning View
 

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Album #10: Morning View (2001)
Incubus
Genre: Alternative Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Rezz

1. "Nice to Know You"
2. "Circles"
3. "Wish You Were Here"
4. "Just a Phase"
5. "11am"
6. "Blood on the Ground"
7. "Mexico"
8. "Warning"
9. "Echo"
10. "Have You Ever"
11. "Are You In?”
12. "Under My Umbrella"
13. "Aqueous Transmission"

The last really good Incubus album and, in retrospect, perhaps not coincidentally their last effort featuring bassist Alex Katunich. This is probably their third best album, I prefer the previous two efforts (S.C.I.E.N.C.E and Make Yourself) which are a little heavier in particular “Science”. Still there are some very good and memorable tracks that hold up quite well. “Just a Phase” “Mexico” and “Warning” were all really enjoyable to listen to and “Echo” and “Are You In” were much better then I remembered. There is still a fading element of that sort of cosmic sound that has always set Incubus apart from the rest of their contemporary alternative rockers of the late nineties and early part of this decade.
Variety is not a typical characteristic of an Incubus album and despite this being far from an eclectic collection does feature a good deal more range then previous albums. The opening tracks are energetic and typical of Incubus at first glance, there is that typical presence of a softer side underneath but it’s more intentional on this album. “11 am” “Have You Ever” and “Aqueous Transmission sound nothing like any other Incubus songs before them. It’s an album that’s easy to forget about or overlook hidden between the Commercial mega success “Make Yourself” and the Shark Jumping “A Crow Left of the Murder” but it’s a satisfying final chapter to my favorite alternative rock trilogy of its span.

I was just re-listening to this album in my car today after a very long time of separation. This, and 'Make Yourself' are my two favourite Incubus albums. I agree that so much of Incubus' stuff is very typical, but that's what I like about them I think. Great band.

The Hurdy Gurdy Man
 

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Album #11: The Hurdy Gurdy Man (1968)
Donovan
Genre: Folk Rock
Dedicated to MB Member:

1. "The Hurdy Gurdy Man"
2. "Peregrine"
3. "The Entertaining of a Shy Girl"
4. "As I Recall It"
5. "Get Thy Bearings”
6. "Hi It's Been a Long Time"
7. "West Indian Lady"

Side Two

1. "Jennifer Juniper"
2. "The River Song"
3. "Tangier"
4. "A Sunny Day"
5. "The Sun Is a Very Magic Fellow"
6. "Teas"

From the first acoustic strums of the A chord on the opening\title track, Hurdy Gurdy Man is a misstep off the curb spraining the metaphorical listening ankles of all who indulge. For those who have never, imagine David Bowie a decade prior to his debut, or Beck born thirty years earlier, and you’ll be close enough. Donovan Leitch followed his smash hits “Mellow Yellow” and “Sunshine Superman” with this open over looked but in retrospect outstanding sixth studio effort; 1968’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man”.
The same influences that powered his early releases; peace, love, flower power and the rest of 1960’s culture, are present in this album any in many ways it’s mundane in that regard. But the defining element of this album is an often misreported story about the title track, the visit to India that inspired it, and the set of collateral circumstances including Donovan’s admiration for the Beatles that may have been responsible for the explosion of Led Zeppelin on the Rock & Roll scene in the months and years to come.
Hurdy Gurdy Man draws it’s name not directly from the instrument donning it’s name but as an ode to Mac MacLeod, a musical mentor of Donovan’s who had formed a band called “Hurdy Gurdy” , after the instrument of course. Inspired by the Beatles and John Lennon’s relationship with the Maharishi Mahesh and his teachings, Leitch traveled to India and found inspiration for his music and realized that inspiration while playing with Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones. The trio were part time studio musicians for Donovan in the time he was recording the album. The album credits and Leitch himself credit them as having played on the title track, however Jones the songs musical director clarified that while Page and Bonham did play the song several times in studio the recorded version actually features Alan Parker on lead guitar and Clem Cattini on drums. All four have confirmed this now and it was Jones who in fact booked the musicians for much of the album. Regardless the three Jones, Bonham and Page had joined Robert Plant and formed Zeppelin before this record hit the shelves.
Speaking frankly “Hurdy Gurdy Man” is more an exception then a rule for Donovan and even the album itself; but it embodies the movement and the time which was always Leitch’s aspiration. The use of the Tambura, the production and arrangement of Jones, who also stole the show on the hit singles “Mellow Yellow” and “Sunshine Superman” and the imagination of Donovan. The whining psychedelic guitar and the heavy guitar, drum and bass rhythm on which it lays are ahead of their time and reason enough to check the album out if the era appeals to or interests you.