741. Fuzzy

Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
1993

Tracks
1. Shining Hour
2. Jupiter And Teardrop
3. Fuzzy
4. Wish You Well
5. Hook
6. Soft Wolf Tread
7. Stars 'n' Stripes
8. Dixie Drugstore
9. America Snoring
10. Grace
11. You Just Have To Be Crazy

Okay, is 1993 the greatest year ever? So far it's been a parade of talented songwriters with no end sight. 

The stand out track for me is "America Snoring" which I felt was a wonderful combination of Nick Cave, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young. The lyrics were clever and beautiful, and I was really digging Buffalo's vocals.

It's was nice listening to some Americana that didn't make every muscle of my body cringe. This is one of those albums that benefits from repeated listenings.

RATING: 4/5

657. Nick of Time

Nick of Time
Bonnie Raitt
1989

Tracks
1. Nick Of Time
2. Thing Called Love
3. Love Letters
4. Cry On My Shoulder
5. Real Man
6. Nobody's Girl
7. Have A Heart
8. Too Soon To Tell
9. I Will Not Be Denied
10. I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again
11. Road's My Middle Name

Well, we are back to country and apparently women can't sing country unless they have the requisite large hairdo (that's where they keep their talent!). This isn't my favorite genre and I found it a bit of chore to get through.

So this album touches on familiar themes, e.g. musing about the kind of man you want and why the previous man isn't up to snuff. I still don't really understand what a "Real Man" is based on the song. According to Bonnie, a real man is somebody that doesn't buy you things. There are plenty of those around, girl, you must not be looking very hard.

That being said, there were a few catchy songs in there and she's a great vocalist. 

RATING: 3/5

629. California

California
American Music Club
1988

Tracks
1. Firefly
2. Somewhere
3. Laughing Stock
4. Lonely
5. Pale Skinny Girl
6. Blue And Grey Shirt
7. Bad Liquor
8. Now You're Defeated
9. Jenny
10. Western Sky
11. Highway 5
12. Last Harbor

Well, if this is supposed to the music of my country, I'm a little embarrassed. But just a little. Although my country can be pretty embarrassing as well, so maybe it's fitting. Okay, the whole thing wasn't embarrassing, I am specifically speaking about certain tracks like "Bad Liquor." 

Other than that, there were some really good tracks on here. "Jenny" and "Last Harbor" were both excellent songs. I wish the album had been more consistent in quality, but that's America for you.

Only one more week of 1988, and it looks like we have some great albums coming up. Hopefully, I didn't jinx us.

RATING: 3/5

175. Cosmo's Factory

Cosmo's Factory
The Creedence Clearwater Revival
1970

Tracks
1. Ramble Tamble
2. Before You Accuse Me
3. Travelin' Band
4. Ooby Dooby
5. Lookin' Out My Back Door
6. Run Through the Jungle 
7. Up Around the Bend 
8. My Baby Left Me 
9. Who'll Stop the Rain 
10. I Heard It Through the Grapevine 
11. Long as I Can See the Light


We are starting the 70s!!!  To be honest, I am a bit scared.  Wasn't this the era of disco?  Yikes. By the way, thanks for leaving such great comments on my awards post.  I love the controversy you guys invoked!  Jerks.


Anyway, I really like The Creedence Clearwater Revival.  I never remember, though, until I listen to one of their albums.  They have a really folksy, Americana vibe that I get really into.  This is odd, because I hated Easy Rider.  I think the highlight in this album is definitely "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".  They really make the song their own and I actually prefer it to Marvin Gaye's.  Great way to start the 70s!

RATING: 4/5

156. The Band

The Band
The Band
1969

Tracks
1. Across The Great Divide
2. Rag Mama Rag
3. Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
4. When You Awake
5. Up On Cripple Creek
6. Whispering Pines
7. Jemima Surrender
8. Rockin' Chair
9. Lookout Cleveland 
10. Jawbone
11. Unfaithful Servant
12. King Harvest (Has Surely Come)


Amanda: This is truly a great and fun album.  The kind that I just wanted to sit back in my chair and let soak in, which is rare for me.  I looked back at my review of the previous Band album and it seems I was impressed by I didn't rush to iTunes like I did with this one.  The songs are fun and bluesy, with a wee bit of country in there.  The voices were great and I was relieved that every song was mostly lyrics; I was getting sick of the purely instrumentals tracks I have been listening to lately.  Lots of fun, especially "Up On Cripple Creek".


RATING: 5/5

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