332. Toys in the Attic

Toys in the Attic
Aerosmith
1975

Tracks
1. Toys In The Attic
2. Uncle Salty
3. Adam's Apple
4. Walk This Way
5. Big Ten Inch Record
6. Sweet Emotion
7. No More
8. Round And Round
9. You See Me Crying

I have been trouble getting to this blog; the time I am not working I have been dedicating to movies.  Sorry, album blog; you will never be my favorite child.  However, I was excited to get back to this project today; this was my very first Aerosmith album.

So we went from Keith Jarrett, who played beautiful piano sets, to this album and they could not be more different.  I am not saying one is better than the other, but one of the lyrics in this album is "suck on my ten inch".  So we have got a couple different approaches to music.

"Sweet Emotion" was a beautiful song, however, and "No More" is extremely catchy.  I am not looking down on this album: I actually think it was a lot of fun.  I think Aerosmith falls under the "guilty pleasure" column for a lot of people and after listening to this album, I am adding it to mine.

RATING: 5/5

331. The Koln Concert

The Koln Concert
1975
Keith Jarret

Tracks

1. Part I 
2. Part IIa 
3. Part IIb 
4. Part Iic

Between recovering from clavicle surgery and returning to work, I haven't had a lot of time to work on the album list.  However, I streamed this record a couple of days ago and I couldn't ask for a better welcome back album.  I have officially found a jazz album that I enjoy and one that I will insist on playing at my next dinner party (you know, if I am ever invited to a dinner party or, an even more laughable idea, if I have one).

Jarret plays the piano like no one I ever heard before.  It is not slow and sad or upbeat and quick.  It hovers somewhere in the middle, so instead of having an emotional reaction, I had more of a thoughtful one.  I am probably not doing a good job of explaining this, but this album made me feel mellow and pensive.  These are particular welcome feelings after brooding and not feeling good for two weeks after my surgery.

I would definitely recommend this album for anyone who thinks jazz is strictly for stuffy intellectuals (ahem..me).  I assure you: it is highly accessible and incredibly beautiful.

RATING: 5/5