520. Swordfishtrombones

Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
1983

Tracks
1. Underground 
2. Shore Leave 
3. Dave The Butcher 
4. Johnsburg, Illinois 
5. 16 Shells From A 30.6 
6. Town With No Cheer 
7. In The Neighbourhood 
8. Just Another Sucker On The Vine 
9. Frank's Wild Years 
10. Swordfishtrombone 
11. Down, Down, Down 
12. Soldier's Things 
13. Gin Soaked Boy 
14. Trouble Braids 
15. Rainbirds

Well that was a lot odder than I expected.  Many moons ago I reviewed Heart Attack and Vine and, understandably, fell in love with it.  By 1983, Waits had left Asylum for Island Records; perhaps the new label allowed him to do whatever he wanted for the first time.  This album is a lot more experimental than his previous work; I almost didn't recognize him.

I can't say I was 100% behind all of his creative decisions.  I wish he had stuck to more conventional instruments (even Waits can't make bagpipes work).  However, I did like how eclectic this album was, while still remaining strangely coherent.

RATING: 3/5

485. My Life in The Bush of Ghosts

My Life in The Bush of Ghosts
Brian Eno and David Byrne
1981

Tracks
1. America Is Waiting 
2. Mea Culpa 
3. Regiment 
4. Help Me Somebody 
5. Jezebel Spirit 
6. Very Very Hungry 
7. Moonlight In Glory 
8. Carrier 
9. Secret Life 
10. Come With Us 
11. Mountain Of Needles 

I have been accused of using the word pretentious in a lazy manner, but really, is there any other word for this?  I mean, the title alone elicited a groan and an eye roll for me.  I am going to really screw up my neck one of these days.  In any case, through the haze of self indulgence and pretension, I managed to catch glimpses of some talent, but ultimately it wasn't worth it.

It is hard for me to discern one track from another, but parts of the album actually did resemble my definition of music.  Well, I suppose if that is the nicest thing I can think of to say, the album wasn't that good, was it?  Still, I am sure it will lauded as a masterpiece by people who enjoy Eno's unique...um, sound effects.

Anyway, this genre is definitely not for me, and I look forward to at least having lyrics in the next album.

RATING: 2/5

283. For Your Pleasure

For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
1973

Tracks
1. Do The Strand 
2. Beauty Queen 
3. Strictly Confidential 
4. Editions Of You
5. In Every Dream Home A Heartache 
6. Bogus Man 
7. Grey Lagoons 
8. For Your Pleasure

All right, I don't know what the hell I am doing.  I have to leave in about forty five minutes but right now I am still in my pajamas, writing this blog instead of getting ready.  I blame it on Monday morning inertia.

Well, more experimental rock.  This is apparently right before the band collapsed because of artistic differences.  So, this is awkward.  I guess this is when they were at their best...and I didn't like it.  At all.

It was just so pretentious; immediately when you start listening to it, they go into this spacey jam.  Not to mention the song about the inflatable sex doll.  What?

I guess I am just not uppity enough to enjoy this.

RATING: 2/5

137. Trout Mask Replica

Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart and His Magical Band
1969

Tracks

1. Frownland
2. The Dust Blows Forward 'n the Dust Blows Back
3. Dachau Blues
4. Ella Guru
5. Hair Pie: Bake 1
6. Moonlight on Vermont
7. Pachuco Cadaver
8. Bills Corpse
9. Sweet Sweet Bulbs
10. Neon Meate Dream of a Octafish
11. China Pig
12. My Human Gets Me Blues
13. Dali's Car
14. Hair Pie: Bake 2
15. Pena
16. Well
17. When Big Joan Sets Up
18. Fallin' Ditch
19. Sugar 'n Spikes
20. Ant Man Bee
21. Orange Claw Hammer
22. Wild Life
23. She's Too Much for My Mirror
24. Hobo Chang Ba
25. The Blimp (mousetrapreplica)
26. Steal Softly thru Snow
27. Old Fart at Play
28. Veteran's Day Poppy


Amanda: I could, of course, attempt to convey in the following post the extent of my hatred for this album.  I feel, however, that this would not do the hate justice.  Another option would be to direct you to a link so you could hear exactly how god awful this album was.  I am ruling that out too because what few readers we have are very precious to me.  So, I am just deciding to give my rating and hope you take my word for it.


RATING: 0/5

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

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

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

105. Axis: Bold as Love

Axis: Bold as Love
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
1967

Tracks
1. EXP
2. Up From The Skies
3. Spanish Castle Magic
4. Wait Until Tomorrow 
5. Ain't No Tellin'
6. Little Wing 
7. If 6 Was 9
8. You Got Me Floating 
9. Castles Made Of Sand
10. She's So Fine 
11. One Rainy Wish
12. Little Miss Lover
13. Bold As Love


Amanda: Jimi, we meet again.  This time I liked him a lot better.  I feel like he got all his crazy out in the first album and now he is able to just make music.  He was pretty mellow in this album and the music was a lot catchier.   I particularly enjoyed "Castles Made of Sand" and "You Got Me Floating."  I felt like everything that Hendrix had been forcing in his previous album was genuine and relaxed with Axis.  He was no longer completely focused on wowing us or impressing us with his originality.  Instead, he was unique all on his own.  Great job, Jimi, you nailed it!

RATING: 4/5

100. Are You Experienced

Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
1967

Tracks
1. Foxy Lady
2. Manic Depression
3. Red House
4. Can You See Me
5. Love Or Confusion
6. I Don't Live Today
7. May This Be Love
8. Fire
9. Third Stone From The Sun
10. Remember
11. Are You Experienced


Amanda: Wow.  100.  I cannot believe I have done 100 music reviews.  Me, the girl who could not name a single Pink Floyd song and liked The Beatles purely for the song "Help!".  I thought Nico was strictly a guy's name and thought Billie Holiday and Buddy Holly were the same person.  I have learned a lot but there is still a long journey ahead.  So to answer your question, Jimi, I am experienced but I still have so much to learn.

So, onward with the task!  Jimi Hendrix.  Everyone has heard of ole Jimi, myself (surprisingly) included.  Right next to the article on this album in our book is a picture of Jimi with two topless ladies.  There is no explanation provided so I have no idea what that has to do with anything.  Anyway, the lyrics seem to be a minor part of the songs, with the major part being the electric guitar.  After awhile, the guitar playing got old and I wanted it to be over.  Not bad, though.


RATING: 3/5

91. Velvet Underground and Nico

Velvet Underground
Velvet Underground and Nico
1967

Tracks
1. Sunday Morning
2. I'm Waiting For The Man
3. Femme Fatale
4. Venus In Furs
5. Run Run Run
6. All Tomorrow's Parties
7. Heroin
8. There She Goes Again
9. I'll Be Your Mirror
10. Black Angel's Death Song
11. European Son


Amanda: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


At least, it is for me.  Brie will probably put this up later and it will be November.  Which practically makes me a time traveler by the way.


I was trying desperately to fit this album into a Halloween theme.  I got nothing, though it is pretty dark.  It actually discusses drugs really candidly which got it banned off a few radio stations and ignored by others.  In fact, people pretty much hated it when it came out, but now it is called one of the most influential albums of all time.  Brie said I would hate it.  I liked it but didn't love it.  Nico has an amazing voice but she rarely sings in this album.  The main singer did have an interesting voice.  I thought a lot of the songs sounded too similar.  Loved "All Tomorrow's Parties."


RATING: 4/5


Brie saw someone dressed like Buddy Holly today.

Brie: This is my favorite album we have reviewed since Blonde On Blonde. I've actually been a fan of the Velvet Underground for a while now. Not one track on this album can be singled out. They are all so amazing and special in their own way; they are all worth listening to. The album was recorded in New York in an eight hour session that cost $2000. It was produced by Andy Warhol, so I love it even more for that. I have never heard another album quite like this.

Listen to John Cale's viola on "Venus In Furs"! Love it. If I had to pick out a few favorites, they would be "Femme Fatale", and "All Tomorrow's Parties" (which was also Andy Warhol's favorite by the Velvets). By the way, the Velvet Underground is probably the coolest band name I have ever heard.

As Amanda said, Lou Reed's lyrics about sex and drugs are in pretty plain terms, which got the album banned on radio stations. This album, and the Velvet Underground in general, have influenced too many new age, punk and alternative bands to count.

Side note: I am in love with Lou Reed, and our love has endured his recent collaboration with Metallica. Ugh, that was tragic. I still love you, Lou.

RATING: 5/5

81. Safe as Milk

Safe as Milk
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1967

Tracks
1. Sure Nuff 'n' Yes I Do
2. Zig Zag Wanderer
3. Call On Me
4. Dropout Boogie
5. I'm Glad
6. Electricity
7. Yellow Brick Road
8. Abba Zaba
9. Plastic Factory
10. Where There's A Woman
11. Grown So Ugly
12. Autumn's Child

Amanda: This is getting ridiculous.  I mean, I think I have been pretty flexible with all the weird albums lately but this is absurd.  I am not saying I need a completely ordinary, boring album but a dose of normality would be nice.

This album was especially weird but it also had the added bonus of being pretty obnoxious.  Captain Beefheart (what kind of name is that?) has a pretty annoying voice; he sounds like he is whining all the time.  "Dropout Boogie" was particularly excrutiating.  Christ, will I be glad when psychadelic rock is over.  I liked it at first but now it is just getting on my nerves.  Damn kids, with their music!

RATING:

Brie: Oh my gosh, I cannot tell you how much I loved this album! I took my laptop around the house making people listen to these songs. The great Tom Waits cites Captain Beefheart as an influence, and I can certainly see that, especially in Rain Dogs. I really love his voice. He has a down-and-out growl kind of thing going on. Some songs were safer than others, but I guess Captain Beefheart (real name Don Van Vliet) didn't want to go too crazy for his first album. "Zig Zag Wanderer" and "Where There's A Woman" were my favorites, although the whole album was amazing. I also appreciated the bluesy "Sure Nuff 'n' Yes I Do".

RATING:

So, Captain Beefheart influenced Tom Waits. And I see some Tom Waits influence in Nick Cave (even though Cave is just a few years younger than Waits). They all have similar qualities in their voices and they all look very similar....

Captain Beefheart
 
Tom Waits

Nick Cave


Maybe it's the sideburns

69. Freak Out!

Freak Out!
The Mothers of Invention
1966

Tracks
1. Hungry Freaks Daddy
2. I Ain't Got No Heart
3. Who Are The Brain Police
4. Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder
5. Motherly Love
6. How Could I Be Such A Fool
7. Wowie Zowie
8. You Didn't Try To Call Me
9. Any Way The Wind Blows
10. I'm Not Satisfied
11. You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here
12. Trouble Every Day
13. Help I'm A Rock
14. It Can't Happen Here
15. Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet

Amanda: When I read about this album, it seemed like Frank Zappa was so pleased with himself for being different and controversial that he could barely contain himself.  Of course, that turned me off because I have always preferred the casual edginess of someone like John Lennon (will we ever get through these posts without a Beatles or Bob Dylan reference?).  But I have to give Zappa props; this album is extremely different that what we have been used to.

With this album, there were no harmonies or casual, light-hearted love songs.  The instruments were really jarring, and vocals were very unpolished.  I did enjoy the song "Go Cry on Someone Else's Shoulder".  Their anti-government message was something that people of our age have heard many times before (in fact, I think it is considered cool now for young people to be anarchists) but it must have been a shock in 1966.  Overall, interesting but did not make a huge impression on me.  So there, Zappa.

RATING:

Hated the last couple of songs.

Brie: It was certainly an abnormal collection of songs. "Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder" and "Wowie Zowie" sounded like something you would hear in a diner or at a 1960s school dance. "Who Are The Brain Police" was bizarre. "Help, I'm A Rock" and "The Return Of The Son Of The Monster Magnet" were also weird and obnoxiously long. Also, the chanting of "help, I'm a rock," really began to annoy. How profound. On the up side, though, I enjoyed "Trouble Every Day" for its bluesy influence and use of the harmonica.

Frank Zappa said, "Each tune had a function within an overall satirical concept."

I just feel like I cannot give Freak Out! a proper review because it was so different than everything else we have been listening to from this period in time. I can't draw any comparisons. Except to maybe Radiohead, but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself on that one. 

RATING: