Post by Mr. Atari on Jul 16, 2007 14:00:18 GMT -5
Today's Specials:
#1- "Ruby Vroom" by Soul Coughing
Re: the above discussion...If you're looking for lyrics more than groove, you will hate this album. But I love it. Beatnik ramblings over the funkiest rhythm section you'll ever hear. There's really no way to describe it, you just have to experience it. Nothing on the planet sounds like this album. Just try to sit still while listening. I dare you.
#2- "Puzzle" by Dada
Another overlooked one-hit wonder. You might remember them from such hit as "Dizz Knee Land", but there is sooo much more gold buried here. They are the '90s version of The Outfield: a power trio with untouchable harmonies, great hooks & middle eights, and a blues-pop vibe that is sadly getting rarer every year. Oh yeah, Michael Gurley should be in any "greatest living guitarists" debate. He does the "Fender through a Fender" sound better than anyone else around today. And they're a tremendous live band. Their recent stuff holds up nicely, as well.
#3- "Ben Folds Five" by Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds is a genius. That's all there is to it. He mixes punk, jazz, pop, humor and irony into a beautiful and angry mess. Plus, he singlehandedly resurrected piano rock. This debut with the old band is scary good. They recorded it the old fashioned way: no overdubs, all live. Just 3 guys in a studio for a couple days, ripping through their set list. Now that I think about it, I don't know why I waited this long to put Ben on this list. If you've never listened to a Ben Folds album, go do it right now. Seriously. Now.
#4- "The Joshua Tree" by U2
Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny the impact of this album. I love 'em, and I think this is a top 10 album by any measurement. Thematically, it's consistent. Musically, it sets a warm mood throughout. And the production and songs are spotless. "With or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", and "Where the Streets Have No Name" are the obvious gems. But I'm a sucker for "Red Hill Mining Town", "One Tree Hill" and "Mothers of the Disappeared". By the way, I'm a HUGE Edge fan. Being able to think of and play the right notes at the right time is far more impressive to me than being able to play fast. And this album is a clinic on that.
#5- "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska" by King's X
King's X is often noted as being the "best band never to make it big", and here's another vote for that. I always describe this band as "if John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix had both lived and started a band together." Doug Pinnick (bass) and Ty Tabor (guitar) share lead vocal duties and it's a great mix. Beatle-ish harmonies are prevalent throughout, but there's a Jimi edge at work, too. On "Gretchen", their songwriting is as its most tight and polished. It's intelligent, impressive rock & roll played by incomparable musicians.
#6- "Headhunters" by Herbie Hancock
More groove, baby. This album introduced funk to jazz and it was two great tastes that taste great together. I mean, just look at that cover! You know you're gonna be in for something funky. And for you "Danger: Death Ray" fans, this is where you'll find the definitive version of "Watermelon Man". I would put this with Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" as a jazz album even non-jazz fans need to own.
#7- "Sticks and Stones" by the 77s
Another one you've never heard of. At one point in 1987, Island Records had 2 new releases, but only enough money to push one. They picked "The Joshua Tree" (good choice), and the 77s got lost in the shuffle. The breakthrough never happened and one of the best bands of the late '80s disappeared. Mike Roe, the creative force behind the 77s, was an amazing mix of new wave, Brian Wilson, Elvis, Keith Richards, and Chuck Berry. He was a child of the '60s who was able to bring those influences to play in a top-notch '80s-'90s band. An amazing frontman and guitarist, his live shows would leave you stunned. I promise you, a quest to find any 77s music will be absolutely worth the effort.
#1- "Ruby Vroom" by Soul Coughing
Re: the above discussion...If you're looking for lyrics more than groove, you will hate this album. But I love it. Beatnik ramblings over the funkiest rhythm section you'll ever hear. There's really no way to describe it, you just have to experience it. Nothing on the planet sounds like this album. Just try to sit still while listening. I dare you.
#2- "Puzzle" by Dada
Another overlooked one-hit wonder. You might remember them from such hit as "Dizz Knee Land", but there is sooo much more gold buried here. They are the '90s version of The Outfield: a power trio with untouchable harmonies, great hooks & middle eights, and a blues-pop vibe that is sadly getting rarer every year. Oh yeah, Michael Gurley should be in any "greatest living guitarists" debate. He does the "Fender through a Fender" sound better than anyone else around today. And they're a tremendous live band. Their recent stuff holds up nicely, as well.
#3- "Ben Folds Five" by Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds is a genius. That's all there is to it. He mixes punk, jazz, pop, humor and irony into a beautiful and angry mess. Plus, he singlehandedly resurrected piano rock. This debut with the old band is scary good. They recorded it the old fashioned way: no overdubs, all live. Just 3 guys in a studio for a couple days, ripping through their set list. Now that I think about it, I don't know why I waited this long to put Ben on this list. If you've never listened to a Ben Folds album, go do it right now. Seriously. Now.
#4- "The Joshua Tree" by U2
Love 'em or hate 'em, you can't deny the impact of this album. I love 'em, and I think this is a top 10 album by any measurement. Thematically, it's consistent. Musically, it sets a warm mood throughout. And the production and songs are spotless. "With or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", and "Where the Streets Have No Name" are the obvious gems. But I'm a sucker for "Red Hill Mining Town", "One Tree Hill" and "Mothers of the Disappeared". By the way, I'm a HUGE Edge fan. Being able to think of and play the right notes at the right time is far more impressive to me than being able to play fast. And this album is a clinic on that.
#5- "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska" by King's X
King's X is often noted as being the "best band never to make it big", and here's another vote for that. I always describe this band as "if John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix had both lived and started a band together." Doug Pinnick (bass) and Ty Tabor (guitar) share lead vocal duties and it's a great mix. Beatle-ish harmonies are prevalent throughout, but there's a Jimi edge at work, too. On "Gretchen", their songwriting is as its most tight and polished. It's intelligent, impressive rock & roll played by incomparable musicians.
#6- "Headhunters" by Herbie Hancock
More groove, baby. This album introduced funk to jazz and it was two great tastes that taste great together. I mean, just look at that cover! You know you're gonna be in for something funky. And for you "Danger: Death Ray" fans, this is where you'll find the definitive version of "Watermelon Man". I would put this with Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" as a jazz album even non-jazz fans need to own.
#7- "Sticks and Stones" by the 77s
Another one you've never heard of. At one point in 1987, Island Records had 2 new releases, but only enough money to push one. They picked "The Joshua Tree" (good choice), and the 77s got lost in the shuffle. The breakthrough never happened and one of the best bands of the late '80s disappeared. Mike Roe, the creative force behind the 77s, was an amazing mix of new wave, Brian Wilson, Elvis, Keith Richards, and Chuck Berry. He was a child of the '60s who was able to bring those influences to play in a top-notch '80s-'90s band. An amazing frontman and guitarist, his live shows would leave you stunned. I promise you, a quest to find any 77s music will be absolutely worth the effort.