73. John Mayall's Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton
John Mayall's Bluesbreakers
1966

Tracks
1. All Your Love
2. Hideaway
3. Little Girl
4. Another Man
5. Double Crossin' Time
6. What'd I Say
7. Key To Love
8. Parchman Farm
9. Have You Heard
10. Rambling On My Mind
11. Stepping Out
12. It Ain't Right

Amanda: I skipped yesterday because I was having a really bad day and was afraid that this music would be really bad and fuel my bad mood.  I think that was a good move because this album wasn't great.  There is nothing outwardly wrong with it, but I just found it rather emotionless.  I think if you are listening to a blues album, you should really feel something, but I didn't for this one.  For instance, "Have You Heard" was eight minutes long and utterly boring.  Even the singer sounded bored.  It was a total yawn.  I also watched 8 1/2 today which was another complete bore.  Maybe I am just hard to please.

RATING:

Brie: Gasp! I agree with Amanda. Hehe. Yeah, Amanda, do we have impossibly high standards or something? Before everyone jumps down my throat: Yes, I understand that the guitar playing was incredible. I thought I loved the blues, but now I'm questioning everything I know... Maybe I am just too tired today and wasn't in the mood for Claptons extensive guitar jams, but I just wasn't feeling it. There is a lack of emotion, or personality, or... something. This is so disappointing because I had heard so many amazing things about Eric Clapton. I guess it just isn't for me.
RATING:

72. Psychadelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

Psychadelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
13th Floor Elevators
1966

Tracks
 1. You're Gonna Miss Me
2. Rollercoaster
3. Splash 1
4. Reverberation (Doubt)
5. Don't Fall Down
6. Fire Engine
7. Thru The Rhythm
8. You Don't Know
9. Kingdom Of Heaven
10. Monkey Island
11. Tried To Hide

Amanda: This album is the birth of acid rock, which I must admit, isn't a genre that I have frequently listened to.  I have actually never been a fan of drug induced works (I don't even like Alice in Wonderland).  The idea of not being in control of my reality has always freaked me out.  Of course, this sentiment might have more to do with...um...past experiences that I don't want to dwell on.  Let's move on!

Overall, I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.  It was very rhythmic and a lot less overwhelming than I feared it would be.  I had kind of a long day and Sarah Palin-ed it up by making up a new word, much to my embarrassment (manomphony).  I really needed something to unwind to, and surprisingly enough this album fit the bill.  Just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover (even if you can judge how much it costs, according to Mary Stuart Masterson).

RATING:

Brie: This album is majorly insane. In the best way possible. It basically set precedent for acid rock, psychedelic and garage rock, influencing such bands as Primal Scream. You might think I am joking, but I am not, when I say that The 13th Floor Elevators used an electric jug. An electric jug! I wonder how many other bands in history have done the same.

"You're Gonna Miss Me" and "Fire Engine" were the stand-outs for me. I would definitely reccommend listening to this album. For lack of a better word, "The Psychedelic Sounds Of The 13th Floor Elevators" was fun. The 13th Floor Elevators broke up not too long after achieving success, unfortunately. But the music they did put out was pure gold.

RATING:

71. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Simon and Garfunkel
1966

Tracks
1. Scarborough Fair/Canticle
2. Patterns
3. Cloudy
4. Homeward Bound
5. Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine
6. 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)
7. Dangling Conversation
8. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall
9. Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert MacNamara'd Into Submission)
10. For Emily Whenever I May Find Her
11. Poem On The Underground Wall
12. 7 O'clock News/Silent Night

Amanda: The only experience I have had with Simon and Garfunkel was from the movie The Graduate.  If you haven't seen that (do those people exist?), S and G's song Mrs. Robinson played whenever Dustin was driving his car.  You should really check out that song, it is fantastic.

I should move on to the album at hand.  This album is really beautiful.  I know that is a weird word to use to describe music, but it really describes this album perfectly.  This is another collection that is protesting (surprise) the Vietnam War, but it is done so subtly, that it is not in the least bit obnoxious.  Track 12 is really the most touching song on the album but the all of the tracks have something special about them.  So listen to it!

RATING:

Brie: Wow, where to begin? The first song, "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" was haunting on many different levels. It also mirrors the style of Brian Wilson in some ways. "Patterns" follows the sixties pop album tradition of including Middle Eastern influence. "Patterns" also has beautiful, yet very bleak, desolate lyrics. "Cloudy" was just delightful. Here's a line from the song: "my thoughts are scattered and they're cloudy/they have no borders, no boundaries." Ahhh.... *sighs contently* "Homeward Bound" is the perfect on-the-road tune. Kerouac, anyone? The album picks up a bit with "The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine". And "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" might just be the most mellow song ever composed.

This album puts the Mamas and The Papas to shame, even I must admit. :) And... you knew this was coming... does "Simple Desultory Phillipic" make fun of Bob Dylan? Who do they think they are? This is sickening. I'm shaking my head in disgust. Their harmonica playing is in such poor taste. Bob Dylan has more songwriting ability in one fingernail than Simon & Garfunkel had put together. Also, Simon calls Dylan "unhip"... I beg to differ. Bob Dylan was/is the definition of hip. The song also references a lot of people, reminding me of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire". Which is good; I really like Billy Joel.

Simon & Garfunkel do a beautiful rendition of "Silent Night" as a newscast is read in the background and gets progressively louder. The Civil Rights bill, the death of Lenny Bruce, Dr. Martin Luther King's Civil Rights march in Illinois, the indictment of Richard Speck, anti-Vietnam protests and the House Un-American Activities Committee are all mentioned in the news report. It was very moving, the way the song was produced.

RATING:

70. The Aftermath

The Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
1966

Tracks
1. Mother’s Little Helper
2. Stupid Girl
3. Lady Jane
4. Under My Thumb
5. Doncha Bother Me
6. Goin’ Home
7. Flight 505
8. High And Dry
9. Out Of Time
10. It’s Not Easy
11. I Am Waiting
12. Take It Or Leave It
13. Think
14. What To Do

Amanda: I think I mentioned in a previous post that people have told me I would love The Rolling Stones.  Frankly, I am insulted.  It is universally acknowledged that the first Rolling Stones album sucked, but I happened to despise this one as well.  It was long, the lyrics were completely forgettable, and the songs were really sexist.  I did enjoy a few of the songs like "Out of Time" but it went on for around five minutes and it was not worth it. The book said that this was the Stones' version of A Hard Day's Night in terms of the songwriting and success.  I think The Beatles should be insulted just as much as I am.

RATING:

Brie: "Stupid Girl". Really, Rolling Stones? I now hate you. I hated your first album, and I now hate this one. *Crosses her arms in defiance* What's even worse is that our 1001 Albums book marks "Stupid Girl" as one of the notable tracks. Uh, I beg to differ.

"Lady Jane" was an okay ballad, but it wasn't mind blowing. The Stones go up a level in my book for using a harpsichord, though.  "Under My Thumb" might be even more sexist and offensive than "Stupid Girl". Also, bonus points for the harmonica on "Doncha Bother Me". "Goin' Home" was okay, but, come on, eleven minutes?!? It's no "Desolation Row". I think it is actually the Rolling Stones' longest song to date. The album got better as it progressed.

I want to love you, Rolling Stones. But I can't.

RATING:

69. Freak Out!

Freak Out!
The Mothers of Invention
1966

Tracks
1. Hungry Freaks Daddy
2. I Ain't Got No Heart
3. Who Are The Brain Police
4. Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder
5. Motherly Love
6. How Could I Be Such A Fool
7. Wowie Zowie
8. You Didn't Try To Call Me
9. Any Way The Wind Blows
10. I'm Not Satisfied
11. You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here
12. Trouble Every Day
13. Help I'm A Rock
14. It Can't Happen Here
15. Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet

Amanda: When I read about this album, it seemed like Frank Zappa was so pleased with himself for being different and controversial that he could barely contain himself.  Of course, that turned me off because I have always preferred the casual edginess of someone like John Lennon (will we ever get through these posts without a Beatles or Bob Dylan reference?).  But I have to give Zappa props; this album is extremely different that what we have been used to.

With this album, there were no harmonies or casual, light-hearted love songs.  The instruments were really jarring, and vocals were very unpolished.  I did enjoy the song "Go Cry on Someone Else's Shoulder".  Their anti-government message was something that people of our age have heard many times before (in fact, I think it is considered cool now for young people to be anarchists) but it must have been a shock in 1966.  Overall, interesting but did not make a huge impression on me.  So there, Zappa.

RATING:

Hated the last couple of songs.

Brie: It was certainly an abnormal collection of songs. "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder" and "Wowie Zowie" sounded like something you would hear in a diner or at a 1960s school dance. "Who Are The Brain Police" was bizarre. "Help, I'm A Rock" and "The Return Of The Son Of The Monster Magnet" were also weird and obnoxiously long. Also, the chanting of "help, I'm a rock," really began to annoy. How profound. On the up side, though, I enjoyed "Trouble Every Day" for its bluesy influence and use of the harmonica.

Frank Zappa said, "Each tune had a function within an overall satirical concept."

I just feel like I cannot give Freak Out! a proper review because it was so different than everything else we have been listening to from this period in time. I can't draw any comparisons. Except to maybe Radiohead, but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself on that one. 

RATING:

68. Midnight Ride

Midnight Ride
Paul Revere and The Raiders
1966

Tracks

1. Kicks
2. There's Always Tomorrow
3. Little Girl in the 4th Row
4. Ballad of a Useless Man
5. I'm Not Your Stepping Stone
6. There She Goes
7. All I Really Need Is You
8. Get It On
9. Louie, Go Home
10. Take a Look at Yourself
11. Melody for an Unknown Girl

Amanda: It has been an extremely long week and I am just ready to go to sleep and watch 12 Angry Men. 

I feel like all the albums we have been listening to lately have been poor imitations of
A. The Byrds
B. The Beach Boys
C. The Beatles


As I understand it, apparently this group was really "quirky" and a bit of a joke, actually.  This album was comprised of random songs with no real direction.  I kind of enjoyed them when I was listening to them, but now I can barely remember a single one of the tunes.  So overall really forgettable but not annoying.

RATING:

This blog just beat my movie blog numerically.  I knew this day would arrive...

Brie: You're right, Amanda, Midnight Ride was very forgettable. And they were a joke. I mean, they were known for performing in Revolutionary War costumes. I really liked their hit songs "Kicks", and "Louie, Go Home".  But that was pretty much it. I remember liking it while I was listening to it... but I have no recollection of anything else. :) By the way, who told these guys it was a good idea to play dress up on every television appearance? Obviously it wasn't very good for their careers.

RATING:

67. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears

If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
The Mamas and The Papas
1966

Tracks
1. Monday Monday
2. Straight Shooter
3. Got A Feelin'
4. I Call Your Name
5. Do You Wanna Dance
6. Go Where You Wanna Go
7. California Dreamin'
8. Spanish Harlem
9. Somebody Groovy
10. Hey Girl
11. You Baby
12. In Crowd

Amanda: One of the season premieres of the once beautiful show, Lost,  included the song "Make Your Own Kind of Music" by Mama Cass.  Ever since that episode, that has been my "jam" and it always makes me feel better. I expected to fall in love with this album and it fell very short.  I was familar with the song "Monday, Monday" (I hated school so much when I was younger that my mom once said it was my theme song).  This album sounded a lot like The Beach Boys, with the only difference being the presence of two women in the band.  That was kind of refreshing.  When was the last time we listened to a woman?  Was that Joan Baez?

Mediocre at best.  You are certainly not going to wow the cafe crowds by pulling out a reference to The Mamas and The Papas.  Still, sometimes we are in a cheesy mood and must listen to, read, and watch trash.  If you feel like that, then this is the album for you!

RATING:

Brie: I disagree with Amanda. I will agree that this album has its low points (there could not have been more appalling versions of "Do You Wanna Dance" or "Spanish Harlem") There are many high points. For example, "Straight Shooter", and "Go Where You Wanna Go". Even though I have been way overexposed to "California Dreamin'", I still enjoyed listening to it. I like the Mamas and The Papas harmonies much better than the Beach Boys. John Phillips was such a great songwriter! "Go Where You Wanna Go" and "The In Crowd" were both songs were about nonconformity. Who doesn't love that? Yes, it is cheesy, but it embodies the freewheelin' spirit of the sixties! I do have a lot of hippie tendencies... so if you are not in touch with your inner hippie, you will most likely not agree with my review. Whatever. I am not ashamed of liking this album.

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