362. Music From the Penguin Cafe

Music From the Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
1976

Tracks
1. Penguin Cafe Single 
2. From The Colonies
3. In A Sydney Motel
4. Surface Tension (Where The Trees Meet The Sky) 
5. Milk 
6. Coronation 
7. Giles Farnaby's Dream 
8. Pigtail
9. The Sound Of Someone You Love Who's Going Away And It Doesn't Matter
10. Hugebaby
11. Chartered Flight

As I have been explaining (whining about) on my other blogs, I recently had ankle and foot surgery.  I am not allowed to put weight on my right leg for seven more weeks.  You would think that since I am in bed all day I would be posting three albums daily.  However, I have been napping and aching so much that I haven't really had time. Today, though, I was ready to give this album a try and I am so happy that I did.

"Penguin Cafe Single" immediately put me in a good mood.  I know I am always complaining about an album's lyrics, whether because they are incoherent or simply poorly written, but I was quite content that only a few of these tracks had words.  I am a huge fan of the cello and the violin, both of which were featured prominently.

The Book mentioned that this was an important album for the progression of pop.  Maybe that is why I liked it so much, since I love pop.  

I think this is an album that will please the music snobs and well...people like me.  I will say that I think the first half was a lot stronger than the second, but the entire album still deserves five stars.

I will try to get back on here soon; I am trying to do a rotation of books, movies, and albums since each post wears me out.

RATING: 5/5

361. Mothership Connection

Mothership Connection
Parliament
1976

Tracks
1. P-Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up) 
2. Mothership Connection (Starchild) 
3. Unfunky UFO 
4. Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication 
5. Handcuffs 
6. Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker) 
7. Night Of The Thumpasorus People

I apologize for not posting in awhile.  It was partly due to personal stuff that I don't want to whine about here, but mostly due to the fact that listening to an album with a song called "Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication" on it didn't make it high on my to do list.  

This album really has nothing to offer but quintessential funk.  There is absolutely original in this album, which is perfectly fine if you are a funk fan.  I, however, am not and after five minutes of "Give Up The Funk" which essentially repeats the same verse over and over again, I was ready toss my laptop out of the conveniently open window next to me.

I simply don't like funk that much, so I was set against this album from the beginning.  However, I will not entirely excuse this album since I think great music transcends genres.  And believe me, there was nothing great about this album.

RATING: 2/5