Public Image
Public Image Ltd.
1978
Tracks
1. Theme
2. Religion 1
3. Religion 2
4. Annalisa
5. Public Image
6. Low Life
7. Attack
8. Fodderstompf
Is it odd that I enjoy punk a lot more than post punk? Shouldn't post punk be an improvement? I can't help feeling we are moving in the opposite direction. Although considering the dip that music takes in the eighties, I suppose it is something I should get used to.
I guess I can't really claim that the Sex Pistols' lyrics were that much better than this. At least that just felt like the band was telling us they were angry that they had no future. I felt like Public Image was trying to teach me something. The "Religion" tracks were all about how hypocritical organized religions are. I am aware. In fact, I think every is aware of that fact by high school. It just sounded very juvenile to me.
Of course, in "Fodderstompf" they get this lyric in "We only wanted to finish the album with the minimum amount of effort which we are now doing very successfully." I found this lyric to be very cowardly. If you are making something, you should stand by it. I just think if you make something that someone doesn't like, your response shouldn't be "well, I really didn't try anyway."
RATING: 1/5
Duck Stab!
The Residents
1978
Tracks
1. Constantinople
2. Sinister Exaggerator
3. Booker Tease
4. Blue Rosebuds
5. Laughing Song
6. Bach Is Dead
7. Elvis and His Boss
8. Lizard Lady
9. Semolina
10. Birthday Boy
11. Weight Lifting Lula
12. Krafty Cheese
13. Hello Skinny
14. Electrocutioner
I really don't know what to say about this one. I try and I try with this Book. But honestly, how I possibly supposed to enjoy this? For those of you who don't know (oh how I envy your ignorance) this could essentially be described as a horror album. They speak in cartoonish voices and do their best to scare the pants off of you. For example, in Birthday Boy the song sounds like the recording of a birthday party where all the guests were massacred. Ugh.
I looked into this band and I think I threw my neck out rolling my eyes (seriously, if you are not using your neck when you do it, you aren't doing it right). Apparently this band is an "art collective" which tries to maintain an air of anonymity. They wear tuxedos, eyeball helmets, and top hats. They have released over 60 albums, heaven help us, and produce short movies. Pretentious doesn't even begin to cover it.
I suppose no one actually listens to this music for fun. There must be something else they get out of it, like when I force myself to watch upsetting documentaries. I just have no idea what it is.
RATING: 1/5
Third/Sister Lovers
Big Star
1978
Tracks
1. Kizza Me
2. Thank You Friends
3. Big Black Car
4. Jesus Christ
5. Femme Fatale
6. O, Dana
7. Holocaust
8. Kangaroo
9. Stroke It Noel
10. For You
11. You Can't Have Me
12. Nightime
13. Blue Moon
14. Take Care
15. Nature Boy
16. Till The End Of The Day
17. Dream Lover
18. Downs
19. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
I had never heard of Big Star before and was a bit wary of an album that had a song called "Holocaust" on it. There were a few tracks I could have done without, and quite a few unnecessary covers, but it was overall a lot less frightening that I expected.
Every time I was truly impressed with the lyrics, I would look up the song and it would be a cover. The band clearly has good taste, as they take songs from Nat King Cole and the Velvet Underground, but I still don't think a 1001 album should have so many unoriginal songs, especially when they weren't doing anything particularly inspired with their source material.
I am bitching quite a lot; I actually did enjoy this album. The singers certainly have charisma. And you know what? "Holocaust" wasn't that bad! Wait, let me rephrase that...
RATING: 4/5
