459. Peter Gabriel III

Peter Gabriel III
Peter Gabriel
1980

Tracks
1. Intruder
2. No Self Control
3. Start
4. I Don't Remember
5. Family Snapshot
6. And Through The Wire
7. Games Without Frontiers
8. Not One Of Us
9. Lead A Normal Life
10. Biko

Any album that people refer to as "Melty Face" has got to be good, right?

It's been a long time since we had a Peter Gabriel album on the List.  I had almost forgotten if I liked him or not.  This album left me with a "meh" feeling; I will have to delve back into the archives to see if I was just as ambivalent in my previous reviews of Gabriel.  I have been complaining lately that the lyrics in these albums haven't been very good.  Lyrically, this album actually is impressive.  I particularly enjoyed "Not One of Us."  I still don't know what "Biko" means, though.  I tried to look it up and found definitions ranging from "please" to "blow job."  Maybe it's a combination of both.

In any case, yes, the lyrics are intelligent.   Still, none of the songs really grabbed me.  In my opinion, not one of the tracks had a catchy beat.  This is, of course, a very subjective barometer.  However, I still need at least one song to catch my interest to give an album a high rating.

RATING: 3/5

458. Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
The Dead Kennedys
1980

Tracks
1. Kill The Poor
2. Forward To Death
3. When Ya Get Drafted
4. Let's Lynch The Landlord
5. Drug Me
6. Your Emotions
7. Chemical Warfare
8. California Uber Alles
9. I Kill Children
10. Stealing People's Mail
11. Funland At The Beach
12. Ill In The Head
13. Holiday In Cambodia
14. Viva Las Vegas

You can already tell from the band name that is going to be a tasteful album.  Here is another unremarkable punk album with the typical childish agenda.  At the very least, we get an interesting cover of "Viva Las Vegas." Bands have been making some weird cover choices lately.

I don't have a whole lot more to say about this album, as it seems like something that has been done so often.  Songs like "I Kill Children" are just ridiculous.  It's like they tried to figure out what the most upsetting thing for people to hear would be and then added some dismal music in the background.  Is that art?  I hope not.

Peter Gabriel is next, so hopefully conditions will improve.

RATING: 2/5

457. Songs The Lord Taught Us

Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
1980

Tracks
1. TV Set 
2. Rock On The Moon 
3. Garbageman 
4. I Was A Teenage Werewolf 
5. Sunglasses After Dark
6. Mad Daddy 
7. Mystery Plane
8. Zombie Dance 
9. What's Behind The Mask 
10. Strychnine 
11. I'm Cramped
12. Tear It Up 
13. Fever

Apparently, psychobilly is a real genre that combines rhythm and blues with punk music.  It sounds like a rather lethal combination.  Thankfully, this wasn't quite as disturbing as it could have been, but I am still glad it is behind us.

So this is strange album that is already fading from my memory a bit, as I have waited a few days to write this review.  I know, I know.  I had other stimulating activities to take care of, like attending painful physical therapy sessions and writing pieces of the benefits of acne clearing facials.  Anyway, the lyrics are decidedly odd, although I suppose the Cramps can't be blamed for that, as there are a lot of covers on this album.  The most baffling cover for me was "Fever."  I guess I have only heard women sing "Fever" in insanely sexualized performances.  

In any case, songs like "I Was A Teenage Werewolf" weren't exactly relatable to me (I only became a wolf in my twenties).  I would take a pass on this one.

RATING: 3/5

456. Back In Black

Back In Black
AC/DC
1980

Tracks
1. Hell's Bells
2. Shoot To Thrill
3. What Do You Do For Money Honey
4. Giving The Dog A Bone
5. Let Me Put My Love Into You
6. Back In Black
7. You Shook Me All Night Long
8. Have A Drink On Me
9. Shake A Leg
10. Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

I don't have to start this album with the usual proclamation of ignorance, as I am quite familiar with AC/DC.  Everyone is; "Back In Black" is one of the most famous rock songs of all time.  Most importantly, of course, a title of a Buffy episode is taken from the song "Hell's Bells."

Lyrically, there is nothing too impressive about this album; songs like "Let Me Put My Love Into You" have all the subtlety of a Juggs magazine cover.  It's still fun music, although I will admit I didn't find any track quite as catchy as "Back in Black."  It's not really music to analyze or write a post about, but it is fun to have on in the background.  It certainly served as an interesting soundtrack as I wrote about peridontitis for a dentist's office.

So one to listen to because of its widespread fame, but it certainly won't blow you away.

RATING: 3/5

455. Searching For The Young Soul Rebels

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
1980

Tracks
1. Burn It Down
2. Tell Me When My Lights Turn Green
3. The Teams That Meet In Caffs
4. I'm Just Looking
5. Geno
6. Seven Days Too Long
7. I Couldn't Help It If I Tried
8. Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply
9. Keep It
10. Love Part One
11. There, There My Dear

Yesterday's album didn't exactly mark an auspicious start to the eighties.  I wish this had been our first album of the decade, as it is absolutely fantastic and definitely a more promising beginning than Adam and the Ants.

I had never heard of this band before, although apparently "Geno" was a big hit.  I expected it to sound familiar, but it didn't.  My ignorance frightens even me sometimes.  Anyway, "Geno" wasn't the best song on the album.  I much preferred "Seven Days Too Long."  It is nice that this band didn't feel like they were too good to include a love song.  I also enjoyed "I Couldn't Help It If I Tried," which was about...I'm not quite sure.  Catchy, though.

A great album and it's official: the term "new wave" no longer scares me.

RATING: 4/5

454. Kings of the Wild Frontier

Kings of the Wild Frontier
Adam And The Ants
1980

Tracks
1. Dog Eat Dog
2. Ant Music
3. Feed Me To The Lions
4. Los Rancheros
5. Ants Invasion
6. Killer In The Home
7. Kings Of The Wild Frontier
8. Magnificent Five
9. Don't Be Square (Be There)
10. Jolly Roger
11. Making History
12. Human Beings

Welcome to the 1980s, everyone!  I am actually quite nervous to enter the 80s musical scene...you don't exactly hear lovely things.  Of course, if everyone else hates 80s music, I might enjoy it.   Some of you have been kind enough to inform me I have no taste.  Perhaps its absence will come in handy!

So this was...strange.  I was quite familiar with the Adam and the Ants legacy, but hadn't heard any of their songs.  I am not sure I missed much.  I suppose it wasn't that bad, but I am not sure I know what the point was.  It seemed like inserted the song "Jolly Roger" simply so their costumes would make sense.  I guess the band wanted to make some sort of statement (mostly related to fashion) and the actual music is just secondary.  The music isn't good enough to stand on its own.

I don't necessarily think this was a bad album, but I do think it's sort of a "I guess you had to be there" kind of situation.

RATING: 3/5

453. The Specials

The Specials
The Specials
1979

Tracks
1. A Message To You Rudy 
2. Do The Dog 
3. It's Up To You 
4. Nite Klub 
5. Doesn't Make It Alright 
6. Concrete Jungle 
7. Too Hot 
8. Monkey Man 
9. (Dawning Of A) New Era 
10. Blank Expression 
11. Stupid Marriage 
12. Too Much Too Young 
13. Little Bitch 
14. You're Wondering Now

This is the last album of the 1970s.  I just looked back in the archives and apparently I started the 1970s in 2012.  Have I really been listening to 70s music for the last four years? That's a rather startling statistic.  Hopefully, I will pick up speed on this project a bit.  Anyway, this should be a celebratory paragraph, not a paragraph that contemplates my own mortality.  We can do that later when I listen to the Dead Kennedy's.

I didn't think I knew who the Specials were, but I recognized the song "A Message To You Rudy" as soon as it started playing.  I think I saw the music video in a class once.  Anyway, it is catchy as hell with an interesting political message.  Unfortunately, none of the other songs quite live up to that one (although "Doesn't Make It Alright" was close).  In fact, the dip in lyrical quality was quite surprising.  Were the other songs covers or something?  We went from an intelligent comment on Jamaican street life to lyrics like "all the girls are slags and the beer tastes just like piss."

I suppose I should say a word or two about the seventies, since you are all obviously clamoring for me to make a speech.  I know I complain (A LOT) but honestly, I really enjoy this project, even though some of the albums want to make me pull my hair out.  I suppose you could say it is the Special albums that make it all worth it.  

I am feeling generous today, so I will go with four stars, just because of the brilliance of the first track.  Too bad they couldn't keep it up.

RATING: 4/5

452. The Pleasure Principle

The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan
1979

Tracks
1. Airlane 
2. Metal 
3. Complex 
4. Films 
5. M.E.
6. Tracks
7. Observer
8. Conversation 
9. Cars 
10. Engineers

Wow, the last few albums have been decidedly lackluster.  I hope we are not spiraling into a suck streak.  Tomorrow's album is The Specials...with any luck, it will be special.  HA!  It's my humor and wit that keeps my readers hooked.

I have come to realize that most of the albums on this List are extremely pretentious, so I should stop rolling my eyes and try to work with the music instead.  Still, I struggled with this one.  I felt like I was listening to a guy in his basement playing with his keyboard.  I expect some of the lyrics were supposed to be haunting, but none really stood out to me.  "Films" in particular was obnoxious.

Decidedly not my thing.  Hopefully, either the albums will get better from here or I will get more patient.

RATING: 2/5

451. Machine Gun Etiquette

Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
1979

Tracks
1. Love Song
2. Machine Gun Etiquette
3. I Just Can't Be Happy Today
4. Melody Lee
5. Anti Pope
6. These Hands
7. Plan 9 Channel 7
8. Noise Noise Noise
9. Looking At You
10. Liar
11. Smash It Up (I)
12. Smash It Up (II)

I keep thinking we are done with this genre and getting disappointed when another punk album comes along.  I just have to accept that I will never be done with this type of music; in fact, a punk album will probably play at my funeral.  I don't hate the genre, but by 1979 it is certainly a case of been there, done that.

So it is pretty much exactly what you expect from a punk band.  Lots of noise...noise, noise.  I suppose the lyrics were a bit more specific than the usual "everything is terrible and there is nothing we can do about it" spiel you get from these albums.  "Anti Pope" took on organized religion while "These Hands" are about clown stranglers.  Well, that last one might be open to interpretation. 

Two more albums until we are done with the seventies!

RATING: 3/5

450. Off the Wall

Off the Wall
Michael Jackson
1979

Tracks
1. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
2. Rock With You
3. Working Day And Night
4. Get On The Floor
5. Off The Wall
6. Girlfriend
7. She's Out Of My Life
8. I Can't Help It
9. It's The Falling In Love
10. Burn This Disco Out

Michael Jackson always creeped me out, but this feeling has been amplified ever since I saw footage of the 1996 Brit Awards.  I still think it is a bit weird that our society continues to worship a child molester, but I suppose Off The Wall wasn't too bad.  It was also wasn't spectacular, so it is quite confusing why people refuse to let this guy go.

I was most familiar with the song "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" which is annoyingly catchy; I haven't been able to get it out of my head since I listened to this.  His vocals never impressed me either.  I always wished he was more authentic instead of relying on the strange noises he can make with his mouth.  I have been trying to come up with an onomatopoeia for them.  Would "tsch" be accurate?

I suppose this is fun music to dance to, but I don't think it is worth the feeling of ickiness that comes with anything Michael Jackson.

RATING: 3/5

449. Metal Box

Metal Box
Public Image Ltd.
1979

Tracks
1. Albatross
2. Memories
3. Swan Lake
4. Poptones
5. Careering
6. No Birds
7. Graveyard
8. Suit
9. Bad Baby
10. Socialist
11. Chant
12. Radio 4

I feel like we might have time traveled back to the mid seventies with these last two albums.  This is technically "post punk" but it sounds more like good old fashioned punk than...um...post.

One of the most famous things about this album was the bizarre packaging.  Apparently, it was sold in a film canister and the individual discs were hard to remove without scratching them.  Thankfully, I listened to this album on YouTube.  Should you really be punishing people for trying to listen to your music?  I guess we should be thankful they abandoned the sandpaper idea.

I don't have a lot to say about this album; it left with an overwhelming feeling of "meh."  No stand out songs, no stand out lyrics.  Not offensively bad, but just kind of dull.

RATING: 3/5

448. The Wall

The Wall
Pink Floyd
1979

Tracks
1. In The Flesh?
2. Thin Ice 
3. Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 1
4. Happiest Days Of Our Lives 
5. Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2
6. Mother 
7. Goodbye Blue Sky 
8. Empty Spaces 
9. Young Lust 
10. One Of My Turns 
11. Don't Leave Me Now 
12. Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 3
13. Goodbye Cruel World
14. Hey You
15. Is There Anybody Out There 
16. Nobody Home
17. Vera
18. Bring The Boys Back Home 
19. Comfortably Numb 
20. Show Must Go On 
21. In The Flesh 
22. Run Like Hell 
23. Waiting For The Worms 
24. Stop 
25. The Trial 
26. Outside The Wall

Should an album really be an hour and twenty minutes long?  I know I gave Fleetwood Mac a pass yesterday (Tusk clocked in at around an hour and fifteen minutes), but those guys can get away with anything.  Also this one is longer by a whole five minutes.  So, you know...not a hypocrite.

I really don't like rock operas.  I didn't like it when the Who did it and I don't like it now.  I know I am supposed to worship all things Pink Floyd, but this album really seemed like a dip in quality from Wish You Were Here.  There were a few standout tracks (with "The Trial" being my favorite) but most of the songs sounded like filler.  I think that is why I hate rock operas so much.  Inevitably, there will be songs that are simply there to push the story along and don't really add that much artistic value.

Too long and too pretentious.  I know Pink Floyd can do better than this.

RATING: 2/5

447. Tusk

Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
1979

Tracks
1. Over & Over 
2. The Ledge 
3. Think About Me 
4. Save Me A Place
5. Sara 
6. What Makes You Think You’re The One 
7. Storms 
8. That’s All For Everyone 
9. Not That Funny 
10. Sisters Of The Moon 
11. Angel 
12. That’s Enough For Me 
13. Brown Eyes Never Make Me Cry 
14. I Know I’m Not Wrong
15. Honey Hi 
16. Beautiful Child
17. Walk A Thin Line 
18. Tusk 
19. Never Forget

Everybody's biggest complaint about Rumours seems to be that it is overplayed.  No one can really say that about Tusk; in fact, I was only familiar with a few of these songs.  So find something else to complain about, nerds!  I am sure you will.

I was quite nervous for Fleetwood Mac before I listened to this album (because, obviously, if I didn't like it they would be quite upset).  It is an hour and fifteen minutes long.  I was unsure if the band could fill that time without sounding like they were stalling.  Thankfully, not one track sounded like filler.  All of the songs were beautiful; it just doesn't get better than Stevie Nicks.

It's hard to pick the best tracks off this album, but I would probably go with "Angel" or "Beautiful Child" (because you asked).  It's strange that more people don't know about this album, as it is just as good as Rumours.

RATING: 4/5

446. Cheap Trick At Budokan

Cheap Trick At Budokan
Cheap Trick
1979

Tracks
1. Hello There
2. Come on, Come On
3. Lookout
4. Big Eyes
5. Need Your Love
6. Ain't That a Shame
7. I Want You to Want Me
8. Surrender
9. Goodnight
10. Clock Strikes Ten

I really don't like live albums.  I think the benefit of listening to an album at home should be that you don't have to hear the crowd cheering.  That's my curmudgeon thought of the day. Actually, I ended up enjoying this, so maybe I have to amend my cranky stance.

I am sure most people are familiar with the song "I Want You To Want Me," although I didn't realize that it was Cheap Trick until I heard this album.  To me it was just one of those songs that played at eighties dances.  It is definitely one of the best songs on the album, with "Surrender" and "Ain't That a Shame" competing for second.

It was just fun; they weren't necessarily doing anything innovative but they did come up with some catchy songs.  With all the exhausting, avant garde albums on the List, this kind of thing can be quite refreshing.

RATING: 4/5

445. Entertainment!

Entertainment!
Gang of Four
1979

Tracks
1. Ether
2. Naturals Not In It
3. Not Great Men
4. Damaged Goods
5. Return The Gift
6. Guns Before Butter
7. I Found That Essence Rare
8. Glass
9. Contract
10. At Home He's A Tourist
11. 5.45
12. Anthrax

The Gang of Four...isn't it too soon in 1979?  Apparently not.

Punk has really been transforming and progressing in exciting ways with our recent albums (with the exception of The Slits, which took us back a few steps).  Lyrically, Entertainment! is just as angry as our previous hard core entries.  "Anthrax" condemns bands that only sing about the subject of love, while "Not Great Men" talks about the corruption of leaders.  I felt like the band was more interested in relating their messages intelligently to their audience, rather than just screaming naive complaints at us.

I appreciated the lyrics of the album far more than the music as I have to admit that not one melody really grabbed me.  Still, I am glad I listened to it and it is definitely worth hearing.

RATING: 4/5

444. Rust Never Sleeps

Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young and Crazy Horse
1979

Tracks
1. My My Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue)
2. Thrasher 
3. Ride My Llama 
4. Pocahontas 
5. Sail Away 
6. Powderfinger 
7. Welfare Mothers 
8. Sedan Delivery 
9. Hey Hey My My (Into The Black)

I was really hyping up this album in my head.  While it wasn't a complete disappointment, I still think it came across as an attempt from a slightly washed up artist to try to appear relevant.

Young's signature voice is still magnificent here, but it is angrier and rougher than we have ever heard before.  I suppose this is his own attempt to progress past punk, but I still prefer his old sound (although I can hardly fault him for innovating).  But to me, his voice simply doesn't work with this kind of music.  The album was, on the whole, cohesive, but at times it bordered on repetitive.

The songwriting is still incredibly, with his lyrical talent displayed beautifully in "Pocahontas." Not what I was expecting or hoping for, but I am not sure that is a bad thing.

RATING: 4/5

443. Armed Forces

Armed Forces
Elvis Costello And The Attractions
1979

Tracks
1. Accidents Will Happen
2. Senior Service
3. Oliver's Army
4. Big Boys
5. Green Shirt
6. Party Girl
7. Goon Squad
8. Busy Bodies
9. Sunday's Best
10. Moods For Moderns
11. Chemistry Class
12. Two Little Hitlers

Man, did I need this after The Slits.  Who knew a song called "Two Little Hitlers" would make me so happy?

I think everyone can agree that his songs are damn catchy.  Costello has a unique voice that sounds rougher than most pop artists'.  I suppose this album would be categorized as art punk or new wave, but a few of these songs sounded very infectious and poppy ("Green Shirt" comes to mind). My personal favorite was "Accidents Will Happen."  Or maybe "Oliver's Army."  Really, you can't go wrong with any of these tracks.

I believe this is the third Costello album on the List and it is fascinating watching him improve each time as most artists tend to plateau.

Neil Young tomorrow, ladies and gentlemen.  It's been awhile.

RATING: 5/5

442. Cut

Cut
The Slits
1979

Tracks
1. Instant Hit
2. So Tough
3. Spend Spend Spend
4. Shoplifting
5. FM
6. Newtown
7. Ping Pong Affair
8. Love und Romance
9. Typical Girls
10. Adventures Close To Home

This is technically classified as post punk, but when I think "post punk," I think innovation.  This sounded like any other classic punk album: lots of screaming and very little talent.

I usually get excited when there is more female representation on The List, particularly in a genre that is typically dominated by males.  But oh dear lord, the shrieking.  I was ready to punch my screen, which might of have been the point of the album.  I mean, down with consumerism right?  At least, I think that is what their point was.  It's hard to penetrate the artistic truth behind the lyrics "Do a runner, run.  I've pissed in my knickers."

Brutal to get through.  Up next...ELVIS!

RATING: 1/5

441. Broken English

Broken English
Marianne Faithfull
1979

Tracks
1. Broken English 
2. Witch's Song 
3. Brain Drain 
4. Guilt 
5. Ballad Of Lucy Jordan 
6. What's The Hurry 
7. Working Class Hero 
8. Why D'Ya Do It?

I am quite behind on this blog, which I am blaming on Marianne Faithfull.  Do I like her?  Do I not like her?  I can't decide.  Damn you, Marianne.  Or maybe bless you...

Faithfull has a really odd voice.  She reminds of Amy Winehouse, in that you suspect her vocal uniqueness comes from the effects of chain smoking and less from natural talent.  It is still intriguing to listen to, although apparently she bombs live.

Strangely enough, her voice isn't the weirdest thing about this album.  The lyrics are quite shocking, particularly in "Why D'Ya Do It?"  The song is from the point of view of a man and relates the angry tirade his girlfriend went on after he cheated on her.  I'm not sure why this would be on Faithfull's album, unless she just wanted an excuse to say cock a lot.

In the end, I liked the energy of the album.  Not everything worked, but enough did to make it worth its place on The List.

RATING: 4/5