Horses
Patti Smith
1975
Tracks
1. Gloria
2. Redondo Beach
3. Birdland
4. Free Money
5. Kimberly
6. Break It Up
7. Land
8. Elegie
Ha! I actually did this album last night which means no "I am failure" post on Monday and we are sticking with me doing one album per weekend, at least while I am still doing the movie blog.
So I had never heard of Patti Smith and was not even sure if she was a man or a woman when I started listening to the album. I am grateful for The Book though because, even though it puts me through a lot of crap, it does come up with some great gems, including this album.
I absolutely loved Smith's voice. It's hard to describe but she had one of those powerful voices that turns one syllable words into two syllables and makes every word significant. I wouldn't have even cared what she was saying but she happened to have great lyrics. For instance, "Gloria" has the lyrics: "Jesus died for everybody's sins but not mine/ melting in a pot of thieves/ wild card up my sleeve/ thick heart of stone/ my sins my own/ they belong with me, me."
So a great album. Go girl power! Wait, guy power? No, girl power!
RATING: 5/5
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
1975
Tracks
1. Tangled Up In Blue
2. Simple Twist Of Fate
3. You're A Big Girl Now
4. Idiot Wind
5. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
6. Meet Me In The Morning
7. Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts
8. If You See Her, Say Hello
9. Shelter From The Storm
10. Buckets Of Rain
I have discovered something quite strange from my 1001 journeys. While most of my views on books and movies conform to the general consensus, my music taste seems to be the exact opposite of what most people believe. Although some might consider me a hipster, I am pretty most people, myself included, just believe I am missing something.
I could not find a single negative review of this album, but I just didn't like it. At all. Now, my feelings toward Bob Dylan have been lukewarm at best. I don't have a problem with his voice like some people do, but I find his songwriting style choppy and not particularly clever. Side note: if any music fan feels the need to burn an effigy of me at this moment, can I request that you make the waist tiny? Please and thank you.
This album is mostly about loneliness, which is something we can all relate to. I did enjoy a few lyrics and I actually did not hate the song "If You See Her, Say Hello". It is actually probably my favorite Dylan song but since I am not a fan, that is not saying much.
Is there a more annoying instrument than a harmonica? I would rather listen to the bongo band again.
So yeah, I am never going to be a Bob Dylan fan. That being said, I completely understand why he appeals to most. Am I covering my ass enough with this post? Well, I tried. Bring on the nasty comments.
RATING: 2/5
Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
1975
Tracks
1. Tonight's The Night
2. Speakin' Out
3. World On A String
4. Borrowed Tune
5. Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown
6. Mellow My Mind
7. Roll Another Number (For The Road)
8. Albuquerque
9. New Mama
10. Look Out Joe
11. Tired Eyes
12. Tonight's The Night
I am sorry it has been a couple weeks since I last wrote. I have been out of town for the last two weekends. One weekend went quite well, another was an unmitigated disaster. Anyway, I was excited to sit down with another Neil Young album.
Recently, I heard that my sister's boyfriend didn't like Neil Young. I demanded an explanation of why last time I saw him. Startled he said "well, the Allman Brothers don't like him." Unable to think of anything to say (I had never heard of the Allman Brothers) I continued to glare until he finally said (possibly out of fear) "I guess he isn't that bad." So I guess that is my version of having an intelligent conversation about music. Oh well, it worked and Neil Young got some respect.
Although Harvest still reigns as my favorite Neil Young album, he certainly held his own with Tonight's The Night. This album was a lot different than his other work, although I am having trouble putting my finger on the change. It seemed rawer somehow and maybe more country? In any case, it was lovely, both instrumentally and lyrically.
Another great album by a great artist.
RATING: 5/5
