340. Shalimar

Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
1975

Tracks
1.Title Music 
2.One Two Cha Cha Cha 
3. Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na Thay 
4. Countess Caper (Music) 
5. Naag Devta 
6. Aaina Wohi Rehta Hai 
7. Baby Let's Dance Together 
8. Romantic Theme (Music) 
9. Mrea Pyar Shalimar 
10. Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na Thay (Happy)

Due to a shitty internet connection last night, I was unable to finish this post last night.  My goal lately has been to do an album every weekend.  Hopefully, when I am done with my movie blog, I will be able to do one every day.  We shall see.

Anyway, I had a fun Bollywood weekend at home.  I watched The Brave Hearted Will Take The Bride, which is a fantastic musical and high recommended, and then, by coincidence, I listened to Shalimar.  It was really hard to find information on this album but I am pretty sure it either is a soundtrack to a movie or was later used in a movie.  Can anyone in the comment section clear that up for me?

I knew going into this that this genre of music isn't everyone's cup of tea.  In fact, I played one of the songs for my sister and she practically covered her ears and ran out screaming.  However, I actually enjoyed it.  Maybe I was just in the mood after watching an Indian film, but I found it to be charming.

Now, this certainly is not the kind of music that will find its way to my iPod but if you just surrender yourself to the atmosphere that the music creates, you can have a lot of fun with it.  So bring out the hookahs and chapati!

RATING: 4/5

339. Nighthawks at the Diner

Nighthawks at the Diner
Tom Waits
1975

Tracks
1. Opening Intro
2. Emotional Weather Report
3. Intro
4. On a Foggy Night
5. Intro
6. Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)
7. Intro
8. Better off Without a Wife
9. Nighthawk Postcards
10. Intro
11. Warm Beer and Cold Women
12. Intro
13. Putnam County
14. Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emission)
15. Nobody
16. Intro
17. Big Joe and Phantom 309
18. Spare Parts II and Closing

I had heard Tom Waits referenced in several tv shows, but I had never a single song of his today.  Oh, I should have appreciated the ignorance more when I had the chance.

First of all, he had one of the worst singing voices I have ever heard.  I can certainly see why it would appeal to some (after all, I love Nico and that is certainly an…acquired taste) but it was so scratchy and deep that I couldn't stand it.

I will give him some props on the lyrics.  One song in particular detailed why he never wants to get married and as someone who is perpetually single, I can relate.

This album was recorded in studio with an audience, which I think was supposed to make it sound like a concert.  The laugh track that went off every time he made a lame joke got extremely annoying; it was like watching an episode of Happy Days.

I don't think this is the last we have seen of Waits and hopefully, he will impress me more next time.

Sorry for the short review; it is Sunday afternoon and I must prepare for the crappy week ahead.

RATING: 2/5

338. The Hissing of Summer Lawns

The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
1975

Tracks
1. In France They Kiss On Main Street
2. Jungle Line
3. Edith And The Kingpin
4. Don't Interrupt The Sorrow
5. Shades Of Scarlet Conquering
6. Hissing Of Summer Lawns
7. Boho Dance
8. Harry's House
9. Sweet Bird
10. Shadows And Light

My sister Rachel constantly makes fun of me for liking Joni Mitchell's which is undeniable ahem…a bit pitchy.  However, her voice is in this album is a lot different than in songs like "Carey" or "California" and stays low.  Oh wait, I forgot about the end of "Edith and The Kingpin" which nearly blew out my speakers.  Okay, so let's change that statement "mostly stays low".

This is a really weird album for MItchell.   Most of her songs from "Blue" seemed to be about traveling and loneliness.  While the majority of her songs from this album followed that same line of thought, there were some jarring exceptions.  "Jungle Line" sounded like an Afro-Cuban song and while I have been known to enjoy that genre, it is not genre that I typically associate with Joni and I am not sure it was pulled off particularly well.

However, as a whole, I had a good time with this album.  Listening to Mitchell is always a bit of a sad task, but I love her voice and her lyrics are beautiful.

RATING: 4/5

337. Born To Be With You

Born To Be With You
Dion
1975

Tracks
1. Born To Be With You
2. Make The Woman Love Me
3. Your Own Back Yard
4. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
5. Only You Know
6. New York City Song
7. In And Out Of The Shadows
8. Good Lovin' Man
9. Baby Let's Stick Together

I have been writing for three hours now and still have to write a book review.  Oh, the woes of procrastination.

When I first saw the track list for this album, I was convinced that it was going to have an underlying religious theme.  I remember the song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" from my Catholic classes in elementary school.  Those aren't exactly good memories for me.

However, I ended up really liking this album and detected no religious message.  The songs are catchy , though I read that the a frequent complain is that the instrumentals make it sound like funeral music.  I didn't get that vibe at all and was actually uplifted by the end of the album.  It was a weird mix of lounge music and rock that for some weird reason seemed to work.

As far as the lyrics go, I wasn't blown away by any specific song.  Still, easy listening and not a total wash.

RATING: 4/5

In and Out of Shadows: