Comus' 1001 Albums you should listen to before you die

Comus · 12-26-2022, 04:36 AM

Album 930

Jerusalem - Jerusalem
Year: 1972

Produced by Ian Gillian who saw a great deal of potential in Jerusalem, they were only able to release this one raw and heavy entry. This is a very interesting, and often frustrating listen and it has taken me awhile to get to grips with why I keep returning to it every now and then. First impressions could leave you thinking they basically play a variation of the same song nine times, and to an extent they do. This album carries a story of lost potential, but at the same time it's a fun listen that definitely deserves at least a few spins. The guitar definitely carries the album hard and for me that's not a negative, you can definitely see they wear their influences on their sleeves.

3 Choice Tracks: Hooded Eagle, When the Wolf Sits, Primitive Man

Comus · 12-26-2022, 04:49 AM

On a side note, find me a better year in music than 1972. The original 1001 has 30 albums from 1972 across all versions and I could (and most likely will) probably fill this list with a significant amount of 1972 releases. Bear in mind the limitations of no albums from the original 1001 and only one album per artist/band. Also merry christmas to all

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Comus · 12-26-2022, 07:25 AM

Album 929

Genesis - Foxtrot
Year: 1972

Supper's Ready folks, and it's waiting for you. Ideally you'd want to listen to the holy trinity that is Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot and Selling England by the Pound. Gabriel's Genesis (not you Lamb) will forever stand the test of time as some of the finest music ever produced. We don't get the pure perfection of Close to the Edge but we get really close. Foxtrot always has something new for you on every listen. But let's talk about Supper's Ready, this is easily one of the greatest songs ever crafted, musical genius in seven parts. The solo during Ikhnaton and Itsacon and Their Band of Merry Men lets you know what this is all about. We have Gabriels whimsical hastily written lyrics best displayed in the utter chaos that is Apocalypse in 9/8, just listen to it, it is an utter masterpiece.

3 Choice Tracks: There's six, listen to the whole bloody thing.

Queen Boo · 12-29-2022, 01:28 AM

First side of Foxtrot was pretty much doomed to be underrated because of Supper's Ready taking up most of the second side.

Watcher of the Skies is a fantastic opener and that mellotron intro alone is one of the most iconic Genesis moments for me, so simple yet so effective, it's spine tingling, and the song overall has that really cool and hypnotic staccato rhythm to it.

Time Table is really nice even if the lyrics get a bit silly with the medieval-isms, Banks's piano work is the star here and I always loved the outro which goes to show that even in prog the simplest of musical phrases can work better than something super complex.

Get 'Em Out by Friday is one I'm quite fond of and wish it got more love, it's one of their better social commentary songs, yeah sure dunking on landlords isn't the bravest of statements but it's just as relevant as ever, I like that it blends it's social commentary with a bit of absurdist humor especially near the end, and the music really nails that feeling of claustrophobia, the gentle instrumental sections are my favorite bits though and provide some much needed solace from the chaos. This would feel like a grand epic on most other albums but here it just happens to be overshadowed by Supper's Ready.

Can-Utility and the Coastliners is really beautiful though it's a little light on hooks compared to the other tracks and I often forget how it goes when I'm not listening to it, still great though and it has this nautical feel that perfectly fits with the lyrics.

Horizons is a super short but still lovely little baroque acoustic guitar diddy from Hackett and it makes for a nice breather right before the big finale.

Supper's Ready is perfect and that's all I have to say about it really, nothing I can say about it that hasn't already been said.

All in all Foxtrot definitely earns it's place as one of the greats and it's probably only my 4th favorite Genesis album overall.

Comus · 12-31-2022, 03:55 AM

Ah, now I remember why you said arch nemesis, 4th!? I mean it's in the holy trinity of the three really great Genesis albums, and then you only have Trespass left of their good work. I would say I switch between Foxtrot and Selling England myself, but the switch always happens after i listen to Supper's Ready again. My mind always remembers Battle of Epping Forest more fondly than SR until I actually listen to Foxtrot again and I change my mind.

Comus · 12-31-2022, 04:17 AM

Album 928

Michael Hurley, The Unholy Modal Rounders, Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones - Have Moicy!
Year: 1976

This album celebrates it's 47th Anniversary tomorrow, wish it well! OK, me and Robert Christgau rarely see eye to eye, but this album actually hit the Dean's List. I mean it certainly didn't lead to long term popularity, and that just goes to show how useless music critics actually are. Now to why you should listen to this album, I mean don't you also love robbing banks and drinking whiskey? Jeffrey Frederick really knocks the album up a notch with his efforts and the switching between artists every song just makes the whole album feel really cozy and special. The album is catchy, funny, irreverent and everything that artists like Beck spend their whole career chasing, only sometimes successfully. If you have a 41 minutes to spare when you're nursing your hangover tomorrow, chuck it on and maybe raise a glass of something nice and strong for 47 years.

3 Choice Tracks: Robbin' Banks, Griselda, Sweet Lucy (best effort from each artist)

Comus · 12-31-2022, 04:18 AM

As a side note, why the **** was this album of all the ones listed not on the original list?

Comus · 12-31-2022, 05:28 AM

Album 927

The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers Band
Year: 1969

The jury is still out on what is the ideal number of lead guitars, the only thing we know for certain is that it's more than one and this debut album proves this brilliantly. Everyone knows I love my dueling guitars, and just the lead guitar as an instrument in general. Duane and Dickey really shine here, of course the true experience comes from their live performances but what they put down in the studio is a great introduction for those that don't want to listen to 20 minute guitar solos (savages). At Fillmore East is also in the original list so that of course has something to say. I adore this album, and so should you.

3 Choice Tracks: It's Not My Cross to Bear, Trouble No More, Whipping Post

TheBig3 · 12-31-2022, 08:14 AM

This is a great thread, Comus. And I'm glad you're doing it. Thanks for keeping up with it.

Trollheart · 12-31-2022, 08:51 AM

Yeah I echo that. Great to see you back and picking up where you left off.
Now to Genesis.

For me, I will always consider two post-Gabriel albums the pinnacle of their art, these being A Trick of the Tail and Wind and Wuthering. How the hell did they manage, having lost their "star", to record not one but two all but perfect albums in ONE YEAR? And the year following Gabriel's departure, too? Both albums also stand as final testimonies to the influence Hackett had on the band, easily noticed once ... And Then There Were Three rolls around, and we see the loss of quiet guitar passages, pastoral feelings and the slow and somewhat ugly rise into their music of pop sounds. Blech. For all that, I do rate ATTWT and I love Duke, but it definitely starts to fall after that.

Gabriel albums I have to confess I'm a Trespass head. I used not to like "The Knife" but I've come to love it. I think it was just that it's such a jolt initially, such a change from the mostly slower, quieter songs like "Visions of Angels", "White Mountain" and "Stagnation" but yeah, I think this album is almost flawless. Then it would be Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme. I'm in two minds as to whether The Lamb comes before Selling England - both have flaws and both are masterpieces, but which is better overall? Selling England probably takes it by a nose but it is close.

12-31-2022, 08:51 AM	#210 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Yeah I echo that. Great to see you back and picking up where you left off. Now to Genesis. For me, I will always consider two post-Gabriel albums the pinnacle of their art, these being A Trick of the Tail and Wind and Wuthering. How the hell did they manage, having lost their "star", to record not one but two all but perfect albums in ONE YEAR? And the year following Gabriel's departure, too? Both albums also stand as final testimonies to the influence Hackett had on the band, easily noticed once ... And Then There Were Three rolls around, and we see the loss of quiet guitar passages, pastoral feelings and the slow and somewhat ugly rise into their music of pop sounds. Blech. For all that, I do rate ATTWT and I love Duke, but it definitely starts to fall after that. Gabriel albums I have to confess I'm a Trespass head. I used not to like "The Knife" but I've come to love it. I think it was just that it's such a jolt initially, such a change from the mostly slower, quieter songs like "Visions of Angels", "White Mountain" and "Stagnation" but yeah, I think this album is almost flawless. Then it would be Foxtrot and Nursery Cryme. I'm in two minds as to whether The Lamb comes before Selling England - both have flaws and both are masterpieces, but which is better overall? Selling England probably takes it by a nose but it is close. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

12-31-2022, 08:14 AM	#209 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	This is a great thread, Comus. And I'm glad you're doing it. Thanks for keeping up with it.