Picture Book
Simply Red
1985
Tracks
1. Come to My Aid
2. Sad Old Red
3. Look at You Now
4. Heaven
5. Jericho
6. Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
7. Holding Back the Years
8. Red Box
9. No Direction
10. Picture Book
The 1001 Album book is probably the riskiest to take on out of the entire series. Sure, a movie or book can be bad, but then you can walk away from it and it's over. But you listen to a terrible album and the songs can be stuck in your head for days.
That's exactly what happened with "Jericho" and "Money's Too Tight." Thankfully, I have some experience drowning out the voices in my head. Also, a very creepy album cover.
A ginger soul album. The thing we were all clamoring for. And yet, it wasn't good. How is that possible?
RATING: 2/5
Low Life
New Order
1985
Tracks
1. Love Vigilantes
2. Perfect Kiss
3. This Time of Night
4. Sunrise
5. Elegia
6. Sooner Than You Think
7. Subculture
8. Face Up
It's strange how different this is from Joy Division. I feel like music can't help but reflect the souls of its creators; Ian Curtis was really dragging that band down. Mood wise, of course, not talent wise. Or maybe they decided after Ian died that the world didn't need any more depression fodder.
Instead the world needs more synthpop, which is the general consensus of every 80s group. Actually, this is much better than most 80s music, so well done.
I've heard bad things about the next album, so gird your loins.
RATING: 4/5
Psychocandy
The Jesus and Mary Chain
1985
Tracks
1. Just Like Honey
2. Living End
3. Taste The Floor
4. Hardest Walk
5. Cut Dead
6. In A Hole
7. Taste Of Cindy
8. Never Understand
9. Inside Me
10. Sowing Seeds
11. My Little Underground
12. You Trip Me Up
13. Something's Wrong
14. It's So Hard
I haven't posted on this blog in awhile, because the only music I have been listening to lately has been Taylor Swift's new album. Have we not reached a place free of judgment yet? Anyway, I listened to this album on YouTube, and YouTube kept interjecting the playlist with Taylor Swift songs. I think it was self defense.
This album falls under the category of "noise pop." Basically it means they play fairly normal pop music, only they drown it out with feedback and background noise. This is supposed to enhance the experience in some way, I suppose, but I am at a loss to say how.
It's almost as if I declared I was no longer going to proofread anything I published and expected to be praised for that choice. Actually, I haven't proofread a lot of my posts and I expect a lot of praise. Point to The Jesus and Mary Chain.
RATING: 2/5
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
1985
Tracks
1. Singapore
2. Clap Hands
3. Cemetery Polka
4. Jockey Full Of Bourbon
5. Tango Till They're Sore
6. Big Black Mariah
7. Diamonds And Gold
8. Hang Down Your Head
9. Time
10. Rain Dogs
11. Midtown
12. 9th & Hennepin
13. Gun Street Girl
14. Union Square
15. Blind Love
16. Walking Spanish
17. Downtown Train
18. Bride Of Rain Dog
19. Anywhere I Lay My Head
It's pretty hard not to like Tom Waits. There is something intriguing about his music that invites further scrutiny no matter how many times you listen to him.
In terms of lyrical quality, it's hard to outdo Waits. It will definitely take me a few more listens to understand the meaning of the some of these tracks. According to the great man himself, every song should have a few sailors in it. Which is totally what a Rain Dog is, right?
So slightly confused, but satisfied.
RATING: 4/5
