135. We Are Only In It For The Money

We Are Only In It For The Money
Mother of Invention
1968

1. Are You Hung Up?

2. Who Needs the Peace Corps? 

3. Concentration Moon

4. Mom & Dad

5. Bow Tie Daddy

6. Harry, You're a Beast

7. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?  

8. Absolutely Free

9. Flower Punk

10. Hot Poop

11. Nasal Retentive Calliope Music

12.Let's Make the Water Turn Black

13. The Idiot Bastard Son

14. Lonely Little Girl

15. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance

16. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (Reprise)

17. Mother People

18.The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny

Amanda: I am going to try to communicate in calm terms why I hate this album so much, though I cannot promise you that I will succeed.  First of all, what is blogger doing?  Why is the text showing up like this??? F*CK!!!!!  Anyway, this isn't music.  This is a bunch of self indulgent sounds that mean nothing.  Besides, Frank Zappa likes himself too much for anyone else to go to the trouble. HATED IT!

RATING: 0/5

134. The Beatles/The White Album

The Beatles/The White Album
The Beatles
1968

Tracks
1. Back In The U.S.S.R.
2. Dear Prudence
3. Glass Onion
4. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
5. Wild Honey Pie
6. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
8. Happiness Is A Warm Gun
9. Martha My Dear
10. Im So Tired
11. Blackbird
12. Piggies
13. Rocky Raccoon
14. Don't Pass Me By
15. Why Don't We Do It In The Road
16. I Will
17. Julia
18. Birthday
19. Yer Blues
20. Mother Nature's Son
21. Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me & My Monkey
22. Sexy Sadie
23. Helter Skelter
24. Long Long Long
25. Revolution 1
26. Honey Pie
27. Savoy Truffle
28. Cry Baby Cry
29. Revolution 9
30. Good Night


Amanda: Oh, how I have missed you, boys.  We only have one more Beatles album after this.  We have to stay strong.  Anyway, by the time this album came out, the Beatles were pretty much breaking up.  I actually think this is one of the album's strengths.  Ringo, Paul, George, and John all stand out as different personalities during this album.  The album is pretty long; I had Ella Fitzgerald flashbacks.  It is entirely worth it, though.  I must admit that "Revolution 9" got on my nerves; it sounded like it would be playing in the background of a nightmare sequence.

RATING: 5/5

133. Sweetheart of the Rodeo

Sweetheart of the Rodeo
The Byrds
1968

Tracks
1. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
2. I Am A Pilgrim
3. Christian Life
4. You Don't Miss Your Water
5. You're Still On My Mind
6. Pretty Boy Floyd
7. Hickory Wind
8. One Hundred Years From Now
9. Blue Canadian Rockies
10. Life In Prison
11. Nothing Was Delivered


Amanda: The last Byrds album.  I will miss these guys.  But why are they always trying to reinvent themselves?  They are really all over the place.  I liked them the way there were in their first album.  Now they have moved on to country rock.  Blech.  This album was really honky tonky which, in my opinion, is revolting.  I had horrific Louvin Brothers flashbacks.   Overall, it was the worst album that they made and I am sorry to see them go out like this.  Oh well, let's remember the good times.

RATING: 2/5

132. Astral Weeks

Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
1968

Tracks
1. Astral Weeks
2. Beside You
3. Sweet Thing 
4. Cyprus Avenue
5. The Way Young Lovers Do 
6. Madame George
7. Ballerina
8. Slim Slow Rider


Amanda: In eighth grade, I was part of the morning news show (though I always refused to be an anchor even though it was a performing arts class).  We had to come into school early every day and play a video that would loop until the announcements started.  The video that I had to play for about four months was a montage of photos set to "Brown Eyed Girl".  I played this everyday for about a hour for four months.  I hate that song with every inch of my being.  I did not have high hopes going into this album.


Now, I didn't hate this album though it didn't impress me much.  All the songs sounded exactly alike and it was hard to understand what he was talking about.  I still don't know what "Astral Weeks" mean.  Not great but not obnoxious.

RATING: 2/5

131. The Odessey and the Oracle

The Odessey and the Oracle
Zombies
1968

Tracks
1. Care Of Cell 44
2. Rose For Emily
3. Maybe After He's Gone
4. Beechwood Park
5. Brief Candles
6. Hung Up On A Dream
7. Changes
8. I Want Her She Wants Me
9. This Will Be Our Year
10. Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)
11. Friends Of Mine
12. Time Of The Season


Amanda: As a grammar freak, it cut me deep to purposely misspell the word Odyssey.  Apparently the guy that did the cover art misspelled the word and so instead of admitting they were wrong, they decided to just go with it (typical male move).  I absolutely adored this album, though; it was a very pleasant surprise.  With a name like "Zombies" I figured the band would be heavy metal or insane.  Instead, we got really pleasant Beach Boy music!  These guys were really bad at naming!  Anyway, this is probably one of favorite albums so far, mostly for its novelty.  Simply wonderful.

RATING: 5/5

130. Scott 2

Scott 2
Scott Walker
1968

Tracks
1. Jackie
2. Best Of Both Worlds
3. Black Sheep Boy
4. Amourous Humphrey Plugg
5. Next
6. Girls From The Streets
7. Plastic Palace People
8. Wait Until Dark
9. Girls And The Dogs
10. Windows Of The World
11. Bridge
12. Come Next Spring


Amanda: I have to admit that I was pretty nervous to listen to this album.  I did some research and everyone kept comparing it to Jacques Brel.  I wasn't much of fan of Brel.  However, this album was phenomenal.  Walker had one of the best male voices I have ever heard!  His songs were fun and dirty.  He covered several Brel songs but in a very different, enjoyable way.  I wish I had more time to rave but there is work to be done!  LISTEN TO IT!

RATING: 5/5

129. Caetano Veloso

Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
1968

Tracks
1. Tropicália
2. Clarice
3. No Dia Em Que Eu Vim-me Embora
4. Alegria, Alegria
5. Onde Andarás
6. Anunciação
7. Superbacana
8. Paisagem Util
9. Clara
10. Soy Loco Por Tí, América
11. Ave Maria
12. Eles


Amanda: Disclaimer: I speak zero Portuguese or Spanish.  I felt a bit idiotic getting really into an album when I had no idea what was being said.  Still, I really enjoyed this album.  It was fun and new; I have never heard anything like it before.  This guy got banished from Brazil by the dictator and moved to London.  In other words, he is a major bad ass.  Track 10 is really the best of the album but, of course, there is not a bad song listed.  Good, different, and unsurpassed.

RATING: 4/5

128. Truth

Truth
Jeff Beck
1968

Tracks
1. Shapes Of Things
2. Let Me Love You
3. Morning Dew
4. You Shook Me
5. Ol' Man River
6. Greensleeves
7. Rock My Plimsoul
8. Beck's Bolero
9. Blues Deluxe
10. I Ain't Superstitious


Amanda: Apparently, the fact that Rod Stewart sang in this album is a big deal.  I know a Jimmy and a John Stewart but I have never heard of Rod (don't hurt me!).  Anyway, I thought he was pretty good.  However, this entire album reeks of pretentiousness; just look at the track names.  "Shapes of Things" and "Morning Dew"?  Come on.  I didn't think the lyrics were even unique/thoughtful.  Of course, the lyrics weren't really important in this album; the guitar was.  I must confess, I was tempted to do a couple of air guitars.  Embarrassing, right?

RATING: 3/5

127. Music From Big Pink

Music From Big Pink
The Band
1968

Tracks
1. Tears Of Rage
2. To Kingdom Come
3. In A Station
4. Caledonian Mission
5. Weight
6. We Can Talk
7. Long Black Veil
8. Chest Fever
9. Lonesome Suzie
10. This Wheel's On Fire
11. I Shall Be Released


Amanda: I just got one of those fun iPhone apps that is a chatting robot.  You can order it to do things and have conversations with it.  Mine started preaching with me about the Bible.  After I had a heated theological discussion with my phone, it called me mean and I called it a bitch.  Now, it wants an apology and won't work if it doesn't get one.  Isn't technology fun?


I didn't expect a lot of creativity from a band named The Band but I was pleasantly surprised.  This album is nice and bluesy with some awesome vocals and guitar.  Oops, my sister and mom have just arrived for a visit.  Good album!

RATING: 5/5

126. Ogden's Nuts Gone Flake

Ogden's Nuts Gone Flake
Small Faces
1968

Tracks
1. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
2. Afterglow Of Your Love
3. Long Agos And Worlds Apart
4. Rene
5. Song Of A Baker
6. Lazy Sunday
7. Happiness Stan
8. Rollin' Over
9. Hungry Intruder
10. Journey
11. Mad John
12. Happy Days Toy Town


Amanda: You know what I want more than anything on god's green earth right now?  Goat cheese pizza.  I truly believe that if we could all just sit down and grab a slice of goat cheese pizza we would all be in harmony with our surroundings and treat each other so much better.  That and french fries could bring the world together.

Enough philosophy for the day.  Let's get to this weirdo album.  I really don't get it.  It was confusing and I think there was a fairy tale somewhere in there but I can't stay for sure.  This album was partly why I was skipping days; I didn't want to finish it.  Cool cover art, though.


RATING: 2/5

125. Bookends

Bookends
Simon and Garfunkel
1968

Tracks
1. Bookends Theme
2. Save The Life Of My Child
3. America
4. Overs
5. Voice Of Old People
6. Old Friends
7. Fakin' It
8. Punky's Dilemma
9. Mrs. Robinson
10. Hazy Shade Of Winter
11. At The Zoo


Amanda: I listened to "Mrs. Robinson" almost every day a couple of years ago when I was in the car.  Whenever you listen to it, you feel like you are going somewhere extremely important.  I was really excited to see the song in this album.  Brie, have you seen The Graduate?  It is a great movie and an even greater song.


This is a really sophisticated album.  You can tell from the serious album cover that it is a bit pretentious.  However, everyone can join in the pretentiousness when you listen to this album so it is a lot of fun.  I just kept clearing my throat a lot and saying "quite!".  I didn't fall in love with any particular new song, though.  Still, lots of fun and good quality.

RATING: 4/5

124. S.F. Sorrow

S.F. Sorrow
The Pretty Things
1968

Tracks
1. SF Sorrow Is Born
2. Bracelets Of Fingers
3. She Says Good Morning
4. Private Sorrow
5. Balloon Burning
6. Death
7. Baron Saturday
8. Journey
9. I See You
10. Well Of Destiny
11. Trust
12. Old Man Going
13. Loneliest Person


Amanda: I was a bad girl again yesterday and didn't post an album, mostly because I was too lazy even to blink last night.  But today, I gave The Pretty Things all the attention they deserved!


I think I mentioned this at the very beginning of our journey but I will say it again anyway.  I have always been more into books or movies than music.  I feel like this album was especially designed for me, because it not only has a coherent story line, but it also felt like a movie soundtrack!  This probably means that it will annoy all you music people out there because it isn't really innovative or impressive.  This made me want to watch Jesus Christ Superstar again...

RATING: 5/5

123. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
1968

Tracks
1. Most Anything You Want
2. Flowers And Beads
3. My Mirage
4. Termination
5. Are You Happy
6. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida


Amanda: Iron Butterfly?  What the hell does that mean?  I am sick of band names that try to be all profound and thoughtful but really are just nonsense.  Apparently the title of the album was supposed to be "In the Garden of Eden" but the main singer was so drunk that it sounded like he said  "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".  At least that kind of makes sense.  A little bit...


So it doesn't seem necessary to do a review on the entire album since all anyone really seems to care about is the final, twenty minute long, track.  It is actually worth the twenty minutes, believe it or not.  It is really catchy and fun.  The rest of the album is just...meh.


RATING: 3/5

122. Gris Gris

Gris Gris
Dr. John and the Nighttripper
1968

Tracks
1. Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
2. Danse Kalinda Ba Doom
3. Mama Roux
4. Danse Fambeaux
5. Croker Courtbullion
6. Jump Sturdy
7. Walk On Gilded Splinters


Amanda: All right, this is getting ridiculous.  I am on album number 122 and right now Brie just published 86.  I really need to start bothering her about this.  Best guess: Brie is reading this July of 2012.


So this is one of those really weird albums that is just a mess of crazy sounds and psychedelia.  I have always wanted to go to New Orleans; it sounds awesome (though it also sounds pretty scary in this album).  There is crazy voodoo and noises and in truth, I just wanted it to end.  It was just...messy.


RATING: 3/5

121. The United States of America

The United States of America
The United States of America
1968

Tracks
1. The American Metaphysical Circus
2. Hard Coming Love
3. Cloud Song
4. The Garden Of Earthly Delights
5. I Won’t Leave My Wooden-Wife For You, Sugar
6. Where Is Yesterday
7. Coming Down
8. Love Song For The Dead Ché
9. Stranded In Time
10. The American Way Of Love


Amanda: USA! USA! USA!


Actually, I am pretty sure that the title was more of a "fuck you" since the lead singer was a Communist in 1960s America.  Now, I appreciate sticking it to the man, but I really hated this album.  It reminded me of those obnoxious radio shows that use way to many sound effects.  Plus, what was with "The American Way of Love"? My memories of your previous songs are not that fond, guys.  People hated this album when it came out.  According to Byrd, it was because "they didn't understand the politics of it".  I am not saying that is not a factor, but maybe they just hated it because it sucked.  Just a thought.

RATING: 1/5

120. Cheap Thrills

Cheap Thrills
Big Brother and The Holding Company
1968

Tracks
1. Combination Of The Two
2. I Need A Man To Love
3. Summertime
4. Piece Of My Heart
5. Turtle Blues
6. Oh Sweet Mary
7. Ball And Chain


Amanda: Blah.  I haven't really hated any of the albums lately but this one was awful.  I hate Janis Joplin's voice and personality.  This may seem like an outrageous opinion but I think if you have a bad voice, you shouldn't be a singer.  Her grating voice is only matched with the obnoxious guitar in the background.  She sounds a lot like Bonnie Tyler.  I am all for unique voices but at a certain point, people cross the line from different to pure awfulness.  Yikes.


RATING: 1/5

119. The Notorious Byrd Brothers

The Notorious Byrds Brothers
The Byrds
1968

Tracks
1. Artificial Energy
2. Goin' Back
3. Natural Harmony
4. Draft Morning
5. Wasn't Born To Follow
6. Get To You
7. Change Is Now
8. Old John Robertson
9. Tribal Gathering
10. Dolphin's Smile
11. Space Odyssey


Amanda: Good thing I love The Byrds.  I think there are more Byrds albums than any other artist's albums on the list...let me verify that...all right, that was an exaggeration.  There are more David Bowie albums.  Damn you, Bowie (just kidding of course; I love you!).


Oh my. What a waste of a first paragraph.  Moving on.  This is a really amazing album.  The great thing about the Byrds is that they get better each album so even if you don't really like them, their albums at least improve each time.  This was their last album before they became die hard country singers (cherish the moment!).  The songs are really bluesy and political; they seem much more relaxed about their music than before.  Good job, boys.


RATING: 5/5

118. Vincebus Eruptum

Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer
1968

Tracks
1. Summertime Blues
2. Rock Me Baby
3. Doctor Please
4. Out Of Focus
5. Parchment Farm
6. Second Time Around


Amanda: This album was the birth of heavy metal.  I, for one, was not exactly looking forward to this day; I have never been into that kind of music.  However, I do appreciate how awesome these guys were.  The first time they recorded one of their songs, the blew out the soundboard (they could give Joan Baez a run for her money).  They were extremely loud and crazy; they never held back.  Most of the tracks are instrumental but "Summertime Blues" was actually really catchy.


Overall, I liked them as much as I could like a heavy metal band.

RATING: 4/5


P.S.  I watched Shutter Island last night and it was amazing!!!

117. Lady Soul

Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
1968

Tracks
1. Chain Of Fools
2. Money Won't Change You
3. People Get Ready
4. Niki Hoeky
5. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
6. Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)
7. Good To Me As I Am To You
8. Come Back Baby
9. Groovin'
10. Ain't No Way


Amanda: I listened to this album in between obsessive listenings to the song "Countdown" by Beyonce.  I am completely obsessed.


Anyway, this was a great album and we all knew it would be.  I like the song "Natural Women" a lot more than "Respect" so that was a pleasant surprise.  Franklin has really hit her stride with this album, and she deserves her title.  I didn't think the songs were as motivating as her previous album, but they still clearly had her imprint and were enjoyable.  Really, I am surprised that I was able to stop listening to "Countdown" for a second to do this (it is on in the background now).  Why can't I dance like Beyonce???


RATING: 4/5


Here is the link to obsession.  Someone help me!!!

116. Eli and The 13th Confession

Eli and The 13th Confession
Laura Nyro
1968

Tracks
1. Luckie
2. Lu
3. Sweet Blindness
4. Poverty Train
5. Lonely Women
6. Eli's Comin'
7. Timer
8. Stoned Soul Picnic
9. Emmie
10. Woman's Blues
11. Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)
12. December's Boudoir
13. Confession


Amanda: I was bad yesterday. I genuinely forgot to do an album last night.  What will our zero faithful readers do?!?!


Laura Nyro is certainly different.  Prepare to be amazed at her voice; she is as unique as Nico.  It is hard to describe her voice; it goes from extreme highs to extreme lows.  I thought from the album cover that she was going to be really depressing but she is actually really cheerful.  I loved this album.  I have said this before, but I enjoy unique voices.  She was fun and different.  Who could ask for anything more??


RATING: 5/5