jackhammer

[QUOTE=JayJamJah;655974]Bloody hell. Talk about admiration

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Bulldog

Great album, and as for it being underrated because it was overrated for so long, I couldn't have put it better myself. I do prefer Berlin, but that's probably just because Caroline Says #1 is my favourite Lou Reed song. I haven't given this album a good end-to-end listen in an age or two either, so I must remember to do so again sometime soon.

Good job with the review as well.

Son of JayJamJah

Album #15: Loaded (1970)
The Velvet Underground
Genre: Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Sweet Nothing


1. "Who Loves the Sun"
2. "Sweet Jane"
3. "Rock & Roll"
4. "Cool It Down"
5. "New Age"

Side two

6. "Head Held High"
7. "Lonesome Cowboy Bill"
8. "I Found a Reason"
9. "Train Round the Bend"
10. "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'"

“…it’s still called a Velvet Underground record. But what it really is something else."
-Lou Reed

Marketed or intended to be marketed as the new direction of the band; “Loaded” with hits, the radio friendly fourth Velvet Underground album and second since the departure of founding member John Cale was ultimately the last with front man Lou Reed who left the band in a then suspected publicity stunt a few weeks before the albums release. Reed sighted some ill will associated with the editing and direction of the album and the influence and involvement of the label. Reed wrote all the songs for the album however and its legacy is that of the most Lou Reed influenced VU album of the bands short reign atop the Avant-Garde psychedelic scene. Adding to the tension and unhappiness for Reed was the influence and spotlighting of Doug Yule who saw himself as much the front man as he did Reed. Still the dichotomy that is a Reed\Yule lead vocal works for the album adding nuance and interest to what is a relatively safe and generic album otherwise.
Kicking off with the sublime “Who Loves the Sun” (featuring Doug Yule on lead vocals) “Loaded” is a lighter, more free and fun Velvet Underground far removed from the Warhol influence. Every time I hear “Sweet Jane” I am brought back to the high school days, the song’s rough and rigid melody chugs between a four chord progression with ease as Reed advances a philosophical narrative of kindness and love. “Rock and Roll” is a bit more typical of the band’s earlier days but still a distinct modern VU sound more mainstream then before. When I listen to music I like to be taken away from the everyday, nostalgia is a powerful component pertaining to one’s visceral reaction to the music. What does it remind you of, what emotions, memories or images does it evoke for you.
Ultimately it has to be viewed both as a success and a failure. It succeeded in producing the two longest lasting radio hits of the Velvet Underground catalogue as it intended to do and is critically acclaimed as one of the best albums of the year and the era. Contrast that with the bad taste and conflicting accounts of the albums participants and the fact it eventually led to the bands, for all intents and relative purposes, demise. An album I love for the music but hate for what it did to the band; In addition to the absence of Cale, VU standard Mo Tucker was not on drums either, a fact that irked Reed in retrospect. The growing disinterest of Reed may be evident in the albums run of the mill second side with occasional highlights and the satisfying finale “Oh Sweet Nuthin’” the only notable inclusions. Closing the album with the soulful and poignant R&B inspired classic was more fitting then they could have ever foreseen. In “I Found Reason” Reed sings “I found a reason to keep living…to keep singing.” These are both true but no longer would either be with the Velvets. The end of the era was officially on.

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My Van Morrison Discography Thread

Son of JayJamJah

Album #16: Camper Van Beethoven (1986)
Camper Van Beethoven
Genre: Alternative
Dedicated to MB Member: Urban Hatemonger

1. "Good Guys and Bad Guys"
2. "Joe Stalin's Cadillac"
3. "Five Sticks"
4. "Lulu Land"
5. "Une Fois"
6. "We Saw Jerry's Daughter"
7. "Surprise Truck"
8. "Stairway to Heavan"
9. "The History of Utah"
10. "Still Wishing to Course"
11. "We Love You"
12. "Hoe Yourself Down"
13. "Peace & Love"
14. "Folly
15. "Interstellar Overdrive"
16. "Shut Us Down"

Exploring multiple genres and mixing praise and satire so subtle as to only clue in the initiated, an overlooked gem of the mid-1980’s is Camper Van Beethoven both the band and in particular their eponymous album. Featuring everything from Country to Reggae influence and touching on just about everything in between, they are at their best right out of the shoot with a peppy rock number “Good Guys and Bad Guys”. You might hear a hint of the Clash in there from time to time, you might feel like you’re listening to modern Indie rock music, you might think your having an acid flashback. One thing is for certain, there is something for everyone on this album and if nothing else you’ll enjoy the ride. Blathering incoherent (See “Five Sticks”) or manically senseless (“LuLu Land”) lyrics and political popular musical satire abound; they ask “Where’s the Bridge, has anyone seen the Bridge?’ as they threaten to drive “Joe Stalin’s Cadillac” off of it. And that’s just the first quarter of the album.
I discovered the band and the album in 1991 while I was living and working in Minneapolis. I remember my peak interest in the album coincided with my fervor for the Minnesota North Stars Hockey team which was in the middle of an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. After winning just 27 times in 80 tries during the regular season the North Stars were the last team to qualify for the playoffs in the Norris division and had to play the Presidents Trophy (Best regular season record) winning Chicago Blackhawks in the opening round. The Blackhawk’s had Ed Belfour and Dominick Hasek as goalies and the best defenseman in the NHL Chris Chelios and yet the Stars pummeled them 4 games to 2 and advanced to play team with the next best record in the NHL’s regular season the St. Louis Blues. (The middle of the album is very mellow by the way) The Blues were led by the leagues top goal scorer Brett Hull who had 86 that year. Again the Stars rose to the challenge and again in six games advanced. After that all that was left for them to do now was face the Defending Stanley Cup Champions and winners of five of the previous seven overall, Edmonton Oilers. There was something special about those Stars though and they prevailed losing just once and advancing to the cup finals in five games. Their run came to an end their as Mario Lemuiex and the Penguins beat them in six games to win their first of two consecutive cups. Still it was pleasure to watch them defy the odds again and again and well back to the album.
The energy of the album picks up again the “Love the Witch” which feels like a medieval melody tromping away gallantly to the beat of it’s own snare drum. Another favorite of mine is “The History of Utah” which has some punk and world music elements to it I really like. It’s all over the place and leaves, as usual, and ominous feeling as to the point of it all. There are references to classic rock throughout the album (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Charlie Daniels, Grateful Dead) The Band incorporates a myriad of instruments including violin, banjo, mandolin, steel guitar and the sitar; helping them bridge the genres without changing their basic mood or style. There are a number of full instrumental and well as instrumental heavy tracks throughout the album which are a nice change of pace and a chance for the band to really flex their musical muscle. The Pink Floyd cover of Syd Barrett’s Interstellar Overdrive is the highlight of the album for me and is perfectly followed by the 90 second grand finale. I highly recommend seeking this album out to all fans of interesting music, it will not disappoint.

“Remember I’m only responsible for all this”

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My Van Morrison Discography Thread

Son of JayJamJah

Album #17: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)
Bob Dylan
Genre: Folk
Dedicated to MB Member: Mirrorball95

Side one
1. "Blowin' in the Wind"
2. "Girl from the North Country"
3. "Masters of War"
4. "Down the Highway"
5. "Bob Dylan's Blues"
6. "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall"

Side two
1. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"
2. "Bob Dylan's Dream"
3. "Oxford Town"
4. "Talkin' World War III Blues"
5. "Corrina, Corrina"
6. "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance"
7. "I Shall Be Free"


One of the defining albums of a generation and it’s greatest spokesman’s career. Featuring two traditional folk songs and 11 of his first sensational originals all done with the timeless combination of thoughtfulness, sense of humour and effortlessness that is the signature of Bobby D. His second of now seemingly countless albums and for my money still his best. The Poignant plucking notes of “Girl from the North Country”, the poised presentation of “Bob Dylan’s Dream”, the profound prophecy of …Hard Rain…” and the consistency of the record as a whole. The foreboding snarl and circular musical dissension of “Masters of War”, the sprightly charm of “Oxford Town”, the musical and lyrical carnival that is “Talkin WWIII Blues” and the timing of this titanic release. “Don’t Think Twice” with it’s beautiful relaxing honesty is from the heart, “Down the Highway” is from the soul of a poet who speaks in riddles and metaphors, and “Corrina Corrina” is from the debut album’s spirit, a mostly cover song record. Is it “Bob Dylan’s Blues” the ironically joyful and hilarious song, “Honey Just allow me…” the possibly sincere and certainly sporadic plea for absolution or “I shall be free” and it’s self effacing charm matched with cutting wit, that tells the messengers message best? …discuss…
At times intense, at times pleasant at times poignant. Even his most ardent detractors who argue his yeoman-like but certainly not spectacular guitar and harmonica skills and less then rangy singing voice preclude him from being an all-time great must be softened in their stance by the diabolical sincerity that reigns from ever note. The people of the mid-1960s needed folk music, because they wanted to feel that someone heard them and wondered, cared, worried and wanted to change the same things they did. Their was no music banter, there wasn’t even Ipods, MTV didn’t exist yet, but if it did they’d have been playing music videos not win a venereal disease contests. Bob Dylan understood what they were going through because he and many of his less heralded counterparts of the era were going through it too.
Chances are most everyone here has heard the album a number of times and first heard it quite a longtime ago, those who haven’t probably don’t care to and probably aren’t reading this. That in mind, an editorial: What blows my mind about Dylan is how he has crossed the generations so seamlessly. Let’s face it there are a lot of folk singers and otherwise rockers of the era who’s stuff is a lot more accessible and instantly palatable when presented in a single song form. My first reaction, any maybe yours, is too suggest the saturation of his name and music on all the “best of” lists and “100 greatest…” etc et al. But that doesn’t explain my one-time student and Dylan admirer Andrew Festian, who loved the “New Morning” album more then anything else; Andrew had developed this adoration at the age of 15 in 2002. I conclude it’s something specific to the human condition, that we without knowing it, can connect with like minded, like principled and if you’ll excuse my departure from the pragmatic, similar spirited people of any generation or time.

“I catch dinosaurs, make love to Elizabeth Taylor, catch hell from Richard Burton.”

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My Van Morrison Discography Thread

Son of JayJamJah

Album #18: Bookends (1968)
Simon and Garfunkel
Genre: Folk Rock
Dedicated to MB Member: Proggy Man

Side one
1. "Bookends Theme"
2. "Save the Life of My Child"
3. "America"
4. "Overs"
5. "Voices of Old People"
6. "Old Friends"
7. "Bookends"

Side two
1. "Fakin' It"
2. "Punky's Dilemma"
3. "Mrs. Robinson"
4. "A Hazy Shade of Winter"
5. "At the Zoo"


In 2006 when Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel put their past differences behind them and teamed up for a reunion tour which was not to be missed, it reminded a lot of us of old friends and maybe one particular between you and them has grown a wall, a grudge held. Their dialog, though scripted surely was sincere throughout the performance. At one point following a strong ovation Garfunkel remarks “It’s easy to sing when the songs are so good”; there is a moral to the story but anymore on that from this point would be redundant.
The first song on the album is the second track “Save the Life of my child” which feels like a Beatles song from the same era except much better written. There is an eerie brilliance within the chorus of this track which is perfectly apropos to kick off an album that is a perfect example of what makes Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel one of the best musical duos of all-time. The aforementioned “America”, maybe their best song, “Fakin’ It” and their less heralded original composition of “Hazy Shade of Winter” are among my favorite of their collective works. I’ll be the first one to admit that , even now as I am one, “Voices of Old People” does not make sense to me included amongst this album, yet it certainly does not ruin anything as some have opined. In addition to my tastes, “At the Zoo” and the famous “Mrs. Robinson” are among their most popular singles ever. Cu-cu-ca-choo indeed.
There are some slow parts to be sure, but they only serve to better amplify the energetic and poetic highlights of the album. The super smooth, super cool “Fakin’ it” is a shining example of Simon and Garfunkel at their most fun and best. Do you thin Jesus Loves you more then you will know? Question: What do the Bangles and Simon and Garfunkel have in common? Answer: **** the Bangles. Add this one to the song vs. song list Jackhammer. The cover is hazy shade of decent when compared to the original. This album is a perfect place to start if you’re not that familiar with the duo.

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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.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread

S. Flavious Mercurius

I love this album especially Sweet Jane and Rock and Roll

Son of JayJamJah

Album #19: Consolers of the Lonely (2008)
The Raconteurs\Saboteurs
Genre: Rock & Roll
Dedicated to MB Member: Big3killedmyraindog

1. "Consoler of the Lonely"
2. "Salute Your Solution"
3. "You Don't Understand Me"
4. "Old Enough"
5. "The Switch and the Spur"
6. "Hold Up"
7. "Top Yourself"
8. "Many Shades of Black"
9. "Five on the Five"
10. "Attention"
11. "Pull This Blanket Off"
12. "Rich Kid Blues"
13. "These Stones Will Shout"
14. "Carolina Drama"

The White Stripes left a bad taste in my mouth initially. Something about that incestual rock combo made my skin crawl and my stomach turn initially, but my kids who were teens when they broke on the scene loved them and over time I’ve come to understand that they were right and I was wrong. (I’ll never tell them that) So you think I’d have learned by the time Jack White spun off into the Raconteurs to follow the paraphrased words of the Beatles and “give (the four) piece a chance. But no I was again to cool for school and turned the other way. Then I started working at my brothers bar during days to keep busy and help him save a few bucks, one of the albums that came up a lot on the jukebox was “Broken Boy Soldiers” the debut album of the aforementioned Raconteurs. At first I dismissed it as simply catchy, but after a year of growing increasingly fond of it, I’ve come around fully and now embrace the album and the band.
This takes us to the second and latest installment from the futuristic foursome. From the outlandish and irrepressible title track, to the melodic and sinister “You Don’t Understand Me” the skiffle reminiscent “Old Enough”, the fun and funky charming roller rink couples only ballad “Many Shades of Black” and truly throughout fourteen song melee, this amalgamation of creativity and talent has demonstrated that they’ve found the formula for popular, unique and interesting rock and roll music in the modern digital heavy generation. The “Looking for an accomplice” change of tempo 90 seconds into the first track tells you all you need to know about what this band thinks of “the rules” to writing a pop song. These are pop songs, like all great rock and roll, soul, funk, jazz, blues and anything, the ability to relate and transcend the listeners preconceptions is a keystone to writing great and timeless music. The Book is out on this band, but I’d safely say, so far so good.
I think it’s intentional but it’s no less magnetic because. They seem to have a sort of raw beauty and simplicity to them, like a hot 70’s chick in playboy with real breasts a little hair down there and no airbrushing. (Sorry for that) It’s like they recorded themselves in the one with the richest parents’ basement in high school, I fuckin’ love it. The longer I listen to this album the more songs I discover I really like, this is not S.O.P for me, I usually tire of music quickly and then find a nostalgic connection has emerged there after. If I was to critique it would be that they are still legitimately a bit raw as song writers. They are a little hit and miss lyrically I think and they are times where find myself waiting fro a bridge or outro that never comes. These are knit picking of course and if I was the kind of guy who rated albums before I’d come to a complete opinion on them this one rate very high like 4 of 5 stars or 9 out 10 or 1 ¾ thumbs up. As a fan of 1960's and 1970's hard rock, it's impossible for me to look past the influence and the similarities here. This is exactly the album "The Who" would make being boring 40 years later. This is a band of exceptional indivdiuals who were already part of su8ccesful projects, yet they saw a chance to dso something bigger and better. This is how Cream, Zeppelin the Who and so many more were created it's not the only way to do it, but thankfully they took this route and I happened upon them when I did.

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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.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread

Son of JayJamJah

Album #20: Tommy (1969)
The Who
Genre: Rock & Roll
Dedicated to MB Member(s): Boo Boo\Alfred

1. "Overture"
2. "It's a Boy"
3. "1921"
4. "Amazing Journey"
5. "Sparks"
6. "Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)"
7. "Christmas"
8. "Cousin Kevin"
9. "The Acid Queen"
10. "Underture"
11. "Do You Think It's Alright?"
12. "Fiddle About"
13. "Pinball Wizard"
14. "There's a Doctor"
15. "Go to the Mirror!"
16. "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?"
17. "Smash the Mirror"
18. "Sensation"
19. "Miracle Cure"
20. "Sally Simpson"
21. "I'm Free"
22. "Welcome"
23. "Tommy's Holiday Camp"
24. "We're Not Gonna Take It" / "See Me, Feel Me"

Doubtful I'll tell you anything about the album you've not already heard or already knew. The fourth album for the band and the one where they really started hitting their stride. One of the most acclaimed albums in music history, the Who's inaugural Rock Opera offering serves up a vivid compilation of interconnected story telling songs linked into the storyline that moves the music. Ranging from a melodic soft pop pace to a frantically orchestral gait, it's Pete Townshend's metaphorical state of enlightenment, dark and controversial, it's essentially the messianic title character's quest to fulfill the same storyline we should have already known. The album to me couldn't be less about this.
What's so exceptional about this album to me is the ability of the music to emote and essentially tell the story to the equal if not exceeding that of the lyrics. At the core of the music is Pete Townshend and mainly the acoustic guitar, the songs primarily were written around his melody and lyrics. The result are a set of songs that feel completely connected and intertwined amongst each other. Despite their relatively pop rock natured style none of the songs are really designed as singles and none of them stand out for most. I'd say Pinball Wizard is the most popular and probably the best suited for a single on the album but amongst the rest of the tunes it just fits in well.
Cutting this one a little short, not much interesting to say, I wouldn't recommend this album as a starting place for people looking to get into the band, but once you've started to enjoy the genre it's a great way to invest yourself in a new and interesting style of rock and roll music.

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My Van Morrison Discography Thread

Son of JayJamJah

Album #21: Comfort Eagle (2001)
Cake
Genre: Alternative
Dedicated to MB Member: Big3

1. "Opera Singer"
2. "Meanwhile, Rick James..."
3. "Shadow Stabbing" – 3:07
4. "Short Skirt/Long Jacket"
5. "Commissioning a Symphony in C"
6. "Arco Arena"
7. "Comfort Eagle"
8. "Long Line of Cars"
9. "Love You Madly"
10. "Pretty Pink Ribbon"
11. "World of Two"

It’s not as if I’d forgotten about them, I just had other music filling up my time and to be perfectly forthright I didn’t realize how much I liked the band and this album in particular. But inspired a few weeks back by Brennan’s Discography thread, I re-listened to the albums I owned, and not only found myself thoroughly enjoying the entirety of their catalogue but this album above all else. It’s moved into my regular rotation and I find myself finding more and more nuance with every track and having a whole new appreciation for the music and its makers. The bands fourth studio effort released in 2001 it got caught up in the maddening wake of the 9\11 tragedy in New York City. The album was meet with apathetic and dismissive reviews and only rated average or slightly above by most publications and critics.
The CD begins with “Opera Singer” which is a cavalcade of sound that reeled me in from the first brass section fill. The groove continues to stream into the next track “Meanwhile, Rick James” which is a funky mellow march towards ambiguity. The meaning is impossible to predict and the lyrics are impossible to ignore. The third track “Shadow Stabbing” is the highlight of the album for me. Acting as a precursor to the initial radio single “Short Skirt\Long Jacket”, there is never a dull moment amongst the blissfully melodic madness. Following the popular fourth track, the album begins to move in a new direction. Starting with “Commissioning a Symphony in C” there is a distinct middle eastern influence in the sound, particularly in the short but sweet instrumental track “Arco Arena” (A reference to the bands Cow Town roots) and the enigmatic title track that follows. The heaviest and most intense track on the album, with a satirical lyrical composition and an intense musical progression the song has an unmatched charisma. Finally, the gruelingly dynamic “Long Line of Cars” featuring a myriad of songs surrounding a discipline and repetitive rhythm section. The last third of the album includes the albums second radio single “Love Her Madly” which holds up well, the low point of the album for me in “Pretty Pink Ribbon” and the satisfying if maybe anti-climactic “World of Two” A melancholic finale with enough heart and a little heartbreak to boot.
One of the common criticisms I hear from people lukewarm on the band is the repetitive nature within the songs and the similarity of said songs within the albums. My counterpoint is why change what works. I never find the songs boring, quite the contrary actually. The bands ability to layer their songs and arrange them in such an order as to tell a brief if not interconnected then at least related chapters with a consistent tone and an unmistakable air of acquiescence and humility. The first four songs are immaculate, the first seven are fantastic, the whole album is more then acceptable it’s irresistible. “To resist it is useless; it is useless to resist it”. When I think of the band, I think of artists with a unique interpretation of their influences producing a sound that expresses an undeniable to enjoy the music the make and allow the people around them listening to share in that exhilaration.

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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.

My Van Morrison Discography Thread