1001 Albums: 0370 - 0379: My Nightmare Came True

I knew I would screw this up, and I did. Now none of my ones of readers will realize this, but I seem to be off by a number. I think. Based on how I have these numbered in my MP3 player, and how they are listed here, I'm off by one. I'm guessing I doubled up a number somewhere on this blog, but I'll be damned where that happened. Damn it all! Anyways, I know for a fact that I haven't missed an album, so I'm still hitting this fine, and I'm going to continue on like nothing is wrong. The last post in this blog might end up being 1002, or 1000. It's just the way it's going to roll. We have to hold each others hands, and comfort each other in the knowledge that despite appearances, I am not perfect. The world is not perfect and mistakes will happen. Now lets hang our head in mutual shame and see what is in this ten pack.


0370 Kraftwerk – Trans-Europe Express - Krautrockers Kraftwerk are back again! Apparently it's OK to call German bands "Krautrock" since it's on Wikipedia. So I don't want to hear any complaints or accusations that I'm racist. Anyways, this one was not that good. I think the novelty that was "Autobahn" wore off, because the singing parts on this was annoying, and the bloopy beeps bits were also annoying. None of it was charming. So this one is a pass. NOTE- The album art is wrong, blame Kraftwork, they keep changing stuff.


0371 Billy Joel – The Stranger - Billy Joel has been the punchline to many a joke that I have made. And never in a positive way. Which is really unfair of me, because it ends up that this is really good. It's rather sophisticated and over produced, but I liked it. That's about it.


0372 Bob Marley & the Wailers – Exodus - Alright, Bob Marley has officially over stayed his welcome on this list. All these albums sound the same. All the songs practically sound the same. The message- ALL THE SAME! No more Bob Marley please!


0373 Electric Light Orchestra – Out of the Blue - This is Jeff Lynn's band. You may not know who that is, but he's responsible for producing a ton of hit records (which equals one of each) by George Harrison and Tom Petty in the 80's. So it's neat to hear him making those sounds back in 77 or whatever year this list is for. The bad news though is this was a double album and it goes on to long.


0374 Weather Report – Heavy Weather - This is a jazz album, and it's the type of jazz that people who hate jazz like to point at to describe why they hate jazz music. It sounds like peppy 70's sitcom music, until it starts to go free form and really shitty. So pass on this one.


0375 Muddy Waters – Hard Again - Holy shit this was great! Really great! Muddy Waters totally owns the blues on this, the band is loud and tight, yet it all comes off incredibly loose and juicy. So if you want to know what electric blues can be like, GET THIS ALBUM!


0376 The Stranglers – Rattus Norvegicus - A fairly decent punk offering. This stands out from other punk in sounding rather accomplished and oddly American with songs about going to the beach. I'm guessing they are making fun of that sort of thing. Anyways, it's better then I thought it would be, but I doubt I'll ever listen to it again outside of a list.


0377 The Clash – The Clash (1st Album) - I've been a big fan of The Clash since Junior High (about 50 years.) so this one wasn't a surprise. I loved it again as I've loved it before. Joe Strummer had the best voice for punk rock. Not a bad track on here, this raw first album is dead solid. And recommended! (Note - The link on this one is for the American version, which is still pretty good)


0378 David Bowie – Low - This one was basically a bunch of droning instrumentals, and the song "Sound & Vision". It's the start of something that is called "The Berlin Trilogy" and is considered highly influential. It was boring and completely forgettable.


0379 Steely Dan – Aja - Steely Dan can fuck off.

Well that's it. Not a great list of albums admittedly. Maybe if I enjoyed the albums more I wouldn't of made a mistake somewhere in the numbering. That works for me, blame the list itself! Bwaa ha haaa!

1001 Albums: 0360 - 0369, It's Still '76, And It Sucks!

The run had to end sometime. After a few posts of nearly non-stop greatness, the list has petered out into mid 70's hell. 1976 ends with a whimper folks. The high light is "The Ramones", but it's a bit of a meh still since I'm such a big fan of the band already. Hell, I'm wearing my Ramones converse as I type this! Anyway, here's how it fizzles out. Bleh! I should also probably mention that many of these were listened too while I was sick with my annual cold and flu, so I'm probably being extra miserable instead of my usual snarky.


0360 Aerosmith – Rocks - Huh! Aerosmith show up again? It's more of the same, this one has "Back In the Saddle." That's about all I got on this one. Just not a very memorable album.


0361 Parliament – Mothership Connection - I really liked this one! It's a more dance-y album compared to "Maggot Brain", and just a ton-o-funk-fun!


0362 Penguin Café Orchestra – Music from the Penguin Café - I did not like this one! It's kind of a classical music sounding jazz thing, and it's problem was this. I would start to like it, then it would get a little too jazzy and I'd find it annoying. So this one too is a big pass.


0363 Jean Michel Jarre – Oxygene - A friend asked me if I had this album, and I was all pleased to say that I did! Then I listened to it and hated it. I really hated it. It's boring ambient music. Stupid ambient music. God damn did I hate this, and now I hate my asshole friend for getting me all excited.


0364 Ramones – Ramones (1st Album) - This is the silver lining to this batch of records. The Ramones first album is perfect in every way. I've also loved it for a long time, so it's sad that this is the high light.


0365 Fela Kuti – Zombie - Not a rock concept album sadly, but a funky jazz album. Not a very good one either.


0366 Peter Tosh – Legalize It - The title track is about marijuana in case you were wondering. So this album does nothing to try to sway you into thinking there is more to the reggae lifestyle then smoking blunts. That said, I actually prefer Tosh to all the Bob Marley that has been showing up on this list. The music is a bit more bouncy, I don't know, it just works.


0367 Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life - This is a shock since I was positive when reviewing all those other Stevie Wonder albums that I already listened to this on this list! Anyways, it's still too long in my opinion, and hit and miss. I'm just not a fan of this type of sophisticated R&B. I like fast and loose soul music.


0368 Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive - This one is just fucking stupid. How it got to be so iconic is beyond me. Actually, I do know why. Frampton uses a "Talk Box" on a couple of tracks, and that was hot shit in the seventies and music clods ate it up. Aside from the talk box, all that you will find here is pedestrian white rock and blues performed by a mediocre guitarist. It's a giant bore, the acoustic part of the set is absolutely terrible. The cover art even looks idiotic (though not as bad as the follow up "I'm In You", look it up...), like he's going to come in your face any second... fuck this record and Peter Frampton. The asshole.


0369 Brian Eno – Before & After Science - I was dreading this since I didn't care for the ambient last album Eno put out on this list. So it was a nice surprise to see him return to more proper songs and what not. Not nice enough for me to be impressed though.

Actually, to be fair, that Parliament album was pretty sweet too. And Brina Eno is actually from 1977, so maybe that's a sign that the next batch of albums will be better. 1977 means The Clash and some punk faves should be showing up. Let's hold thumbs shall we?

1001 Albums: 0349 - 0359, It's 1976!

As the tile says, it's 1976. Friends, 1976 is no 1975. No sirree Bob! It's not all terrible, it just seems very bland compared to the dizzying heights reached in the last blog. It stars out pretty strong, but quickly slides down hill. Only one personal favourite is to be found. It's a little disappointing, but I suppose to be expected as well. Genre albums that no one gives a hoot about have returned in great quantity after taking a break, and it slows everything down. Here it is, you'll see what I mean.


0349 Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1st Album) - It's weird to think that Tom Petty goes back this far since I discovered him due to his cool videos in the late 80's. Anyways, this Tom Petty is more of a straight ahead rock guy, and not as jingle jangely as the later Tom Petty. He is good, American Girl and Breakdown are both great songs. So don't let the idiotic album art fool you.


0350 The Modern Lovers – Modern Lovers - I love this album a ridiculous amount. Some may know Jonathan Richman as the lovable balladeer in "Something About Mary". Before that, he did this, an amazing lo-fi album that sounds like The Velvet Underground with a sense of humour and naive romance. It's truly great stuff, Richmans thick Boston accent is perfect for these types of songs. That said, buy the re-issue with bonus tracks since it has my favourite song "I'm Straight" on it. RECOMMEND!


0351 David Bowie – Station to Station - This appears to be the album that introduced the "Thin White Duke" persona. Bowie mentions it in a lyric anyways. The big song on this one is "Golden Years" and it really is a great song. Nothing else though really stood out. The album sounds remarkably cold, and worse, kind of boring. Sorry Mr. Bowie, but I think this is where we start to part ways.


0352 Joni Mitchel – Hejira -Holy shit, ANOTHER JONI MITCHEL ALBUM?!?! Alright then! It starts out with the song "Coyote", which is a fave song of mine. I've listened to it 100's of time on "The Last Waltz" by The Band. The rest of the album is a bit of a blur already even though I listened to it yesterday (as I type this). I remember liking it more then the previous album, but it's not exceptional in any way. I'm also going to stop predicting Joni Mitchel albums...


0353 Boston – Boston (1st Album) - People who hate over indulgent seventies music can point their fingers at this scoundrel. It was practically made by one guy, and everything is polished to a glossy glow. That said, it's actually really good, it's hard not to get caught up in the joy of rock on this. It really does manage to come off as fun and full of life, and ROCKS. Plus it has a cool UFO on the cover. Recommend.


0354 Eagles – Hotel California - My hatred of the Eagles and this album are well documented. All I'll add is, this is as perfect and polished as that Boston album and it shows a huge difference. Boston is full of life, while this is a dead, soulless husk. Avoid!


0355 ABBA – Arrival - My friend Steve Lensman gets his wish, as his favourite band appears! I might be exaggerating, I'm sure he asked about them at some point. Anyways, this is the ridiculously popular bands fourth album so I guess it took a while for them to get up to speed. I've never been huge on them, and I still don't understand their popularity. I mean, grand mothers too little kids like these guys! Big hits like "Dancing Queen" and "Money, Money, Money" can be found here, and are decent enough. Otherwise, I'm a bit meh on this. The awkward "Kiss the Teacher" is no help, that's for damn sure, and the girls sing so loud they sound shrill to my ears. Or this is just evidence that I have no soul since I'm clearly in the minority.


0356 Kiss – Destroyer - The mighty KISS make an appearance. I was never much of a fan, and consider to be not much of a fan to this day. This is still a fun little rock'n record and worth a spin. Detroit Rock City and Beth are the big hits, but the song about Gene licking your pussy is the camp highlight.


0357 Rush – 2112 - Being a Canadian means that I am hardwired by birth to like Rush probably more then I should. This was their big breakout album, and features the 20 odd minute title track. It tells some story that frankly I never full understood. It's certainly no "Bytor Vs. Snow Dog". Anyways, it's dead solid prog-Rush, with amazing playing. Hell, there's more riffs in the first 5 minutes of 2112 then most bands use in 5 years.


0358 Jorge Ben – África Brasil - African Brazil jazz I guess. Did nothing for me.

Joan Armatrading
0359 Joan Armatrading – Joan Armatrading (1st Album) - Overly earnest folk with very little style. This one did nothing for me either.

See? Modern Lovers is the big one here, with Boston and Rush following for the top 3. When Boston and Rush are in the top three recommends, well, that says it all.

The silver lining? The numbering makes sense again since I'm mostly caught up! Hurray!* Let's hope the next batch is better. Come on 1976! You can do it!

Till next time!
*I screwed up the numbering, so fixing it means it makes no sense again. Rats!