365. Zombie

Zombie
Fela Kuti and The Africa '70
1976

Tracks
1. Zombie
2. Mister Follow Follow

Ladies and gentlemen, I have posted twice in one week.  Don't call me a hero.   If you absolutely have to call me that make sure I am within hearing distance.

After a string of great albums, we get to this one, which was somewhat of a dud for me.  Thirty minutes of essentially the same song was a bit tiresome.  However, with an album like this, enjoyment isn't exactly necessary.

This album evidently criticized the Nigerian government heavily (it's a bit hard to divine this meaning after just one listening).  Consequently, Fela Kuti's mother was murdered and his commune was destroyed by Nigerian soldiers.

I didn't enjoy this album.  However, listening to it, and remembering what it cost to make, is an important experience that I think we should all have.

RATING: 3/5

364. The Ramones

The Ramones

The Ramones

1976

Tracks

1. Blitzkrieg Bop 
2. Beat On The Brat 
3. Judy Is A Punk 
4. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend 
5. Chainsaw 
6. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue 
7. I Don't Wanna Go Down In The Basement 
8. Loud Mouth 
9. Havana Affair 
10. Listen To My Heart 
11. 53rd And 3rd 
12. Let's Dance 
13. I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You 
14. Today Your Love Tomorrow The World

I know a lot of my readers have been scanning this blog lately, trying to find at least one artist or album that they recognize and can actually enjoy reading about. So here is a band that we probably all know and like.  I say we probably all like them because the song "I Wanna Be Sedated" is damn infectious and anyone who says differently will  be on the receiving end of a hissy fit by yours truly.

Anyway, I never actually heard any of their other songs.  I only heard the above one because the character Spike in Buffy The Vampire Slayer mentioned it and in my effort to be his perfect woman, I looked it up.

Everyone, including me, seems to agree that all of their songs sound the same.  Well, at least the melody they keep repeating over and over again is fun.  I do have to say there are some subtle differences; at least, enough for me to decide that "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" is my favorite.

I will dock one star for their lack of originality but honestly, I had a lot of fun with this one.  Definitely worth a listen and hey, it is only 29 minutes of your life.

RATING: 4/5

Does anyone know all the lyrics to "I Wanna Be Sedated"?  I can only repeat the title in an endless loop!

363. Oxygene

Oxygene
Jean-Michel Jarre
1976

Tracks
1. Oxygene I
2. Oxygene II
3. Oxygene III
4. Oxygene IV
5. Oxygene V
6. Oxygene VI

We have been hit with a lot of instrumental albums lately and I have to say, I have been enjoying the ride.  Whenever someone says "electronica" I usually picture weird guys in their basement playing with their keyboard's sound effects.  However, this was pretty beautiful album; it was certainly better than some symphonies I have heard.

I don't really have a whole lot to say about this album.  It is pretty hard to tell the tracks apart, but every once awhile you will hear a melody that is truly gorgeous.  I was writing at the time and had to stop sometimes just to sit and listen.

I hope this string of good albums doesn't end soon; if you are looking for a good rant, however, check out my movie blogs.  We are in a real slump over there.

RATING: 4/5