jackhammer

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

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Purple_Maestro

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!

Son of JayJamJah

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.

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Piss Me Off

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.

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Son of JayJamJah

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.

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Bulldog

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

Son of JayJamJah

You want it?

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

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If you're posting in the music forums make sure to be thoughtful and expressive, if you're posting in the lounge ask yourself "is this something that adds to the conversation?" It's important to remember that a lot of people use each thread. You're probably not as funny or clever as you think, I know I'm not.

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Son of JayJamJah

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.

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Astronomer

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.

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Son of JayJamJah

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.

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