744. Very

Very
Pet Shop Boys
1993

Tracks
1. Can You Forgive Her?
2. I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
3. Liberation
4. A Different Point of View
5. Dreaming of the Queen
6. Yesterday, When I Was Mad
7. The Theatre
8. One and One Make Five
9. To Speak is a Sin
10. Young Offender
11. One in a Million
12. Go West

The multi entry story arc of me cleaning out my closet will be ending soon, and what a rollercoaster it's been. There are no significant twists, but methinks perhaps that's a twist in itself.

This was such a quality batch of albums for my cleaning soundtrack. I can't imagine if I tried to motivate myself with some of the other entries on this List. Like Jamiroquai, this was just fun music. I guess this could be considered dated, but I enjoyed the nostalgic feeling.

Great music to dance to, with quality lyrics. You can't ask for much more than that.

RATING: 4/5

673. Behaviour

Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
1990

Tracks
1. Being Boring
2. This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave
3. To Face the Truth
4. How Can You Expect to be Taken Seriously?
5. Only the Wind
6. My October Symphony
7. So Hard
8. Nervously
9. The End of the World
10. Jealousy

I remember the previous Pet Shop Boys album on the List was a rather unimpressive but harmless affair. This was definitely an improvement, in terms of lyrical quality and music.

That being said, synthpop hasn't exactly aged gracefully as a genre. Still, I enjoyed the more introspective lyrics and really enjoyed "Jealousy" and "Being Boring" in particular. 

So not an especially memorable album but still rather enjoyable. In other words, a solid 3. 
RATING: 3/5

669. Violator

Violator
Depeche Mode
1990

Tracks
1. World in My Eyes
2. Sweetest Perfection
3. Personal Jesus
4. Halo
5. Waiting for the Night
6. Enjoy the Silence
7. Policy of Truth
8. Blue Dress
9. Clean

Violator? I hardly know her!

Ahem. Anyway, we are happily continuing our streak of good albums as this was very enjoyable. I've always associated synthpop with tackiness, which isn't always a bad thing; sometimes that can be quite fun. But this was sophisticated synthpop, which isn't the easiest thing to achieve.

So a solid and unique entry on the List, and I am digging the 90s more and more.

RATING: 4/5

561. Low Life

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

549. Hunting High and Low

Hunting High and Low
A-Ha
1985

Tracks
1. Take On Me
2. Train Of Thought
3. Hunting High And Low
4. Blue Sky
5. Living A Boy's Adventures Tale
6. Sun Always Shines On TV
7. And You Tell Me
8. Love Is Reason
9. I Dream Myself Alive
10. Here I Stand And Face The Rain

I find it difficult to identify musical trends based on this List, as the editors like to choose albums like, say, Abdullah Ibrahim's Water from an Ancient Well which a total of 52 people alive have heard, as opposed to the mainstream trash that is constantly clogging up radio airwaves. I am not necessarily saying that's a bad thing, but I do like it when we come across something that is iconic of its time.

We are all pretty familiar with "Take On Me" and while that is the best song on the album, there are a couple of other gems on the track listing. "Hunting High and Low" and "Love Is Reason" are both quite good. 

You don't get more 80s than this and I'm loving the vibes. Next up, we are getting into Dire Straits. 

RATING: 4/5

532. Welcome to the Pleasuredome

Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
1984

Tracks
1. World is My Oyster
2. Welcome to the Pleasuredome
3. Relax
4. War
5. Two Tribes
6. (Tag)
7. Snatch of Fury
8. Born to Run
9. San Jose
10. Wish the Lads Were Here
11. Ballad of '32
12. Krisco Kisses
13. Black Night White Light
14. Only Star in Heaven
15. Power of Love
16. Bang...

I am currently in bed with a nasty case of tonsillitis that doesn't seem to respond to our earthly antibiotics. Oh well, it's giving me a chance to catch up on my blogs and albums! Here we have another amazing album and I do believe we are on a roll.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood performs quite a few covers on this album, including "San Jose," "War," and "Born to Run." Those were certainly my favorite tracks, though that's not to say that the original songs weren't good. I probably could have done without "Ballad of '32," which was pretty creepy, but I ended up loving "Power of Love."

There's something really fun about this band and if I didn't sound like Kathleen Turner right now, I probably would have sang along. 

RATING: 5/5

527. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Eurythmics
1983

Tracks
1. Love Is a Stranger 
2. I've Got an Angel 
3. Wrap It Up 
4. I Could Give You (A Mirror) 
5. Walk 
6. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) 
7. Jennifer 
8. This Is the House 
9. Somebody Told Me 
10. This City Never Sleeps

Well I have been looking for an album to break the "meh" streak we have been having lately.  These albums aren't bad, but I keep waiting to be swept off my feet.  Once again, this was a decent album, but my socks are still firmly in place.

We've probably all heard "Sweet Dreams," although I would have never been able to name the band that sang it.  It's been awhile since I was greatly impressed by vocals, but I loved the sound of this album.  It's like Annie Lennox was angry and friendly sounding at the same time.  It was an odd combination, but it worked.

However, it did get a bit redundant by the end and I was ready for it to be over.  Next up, U2! 

RATING: 3/5

523. She's So Unusual

She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
1983

Tracks
1. Money Changes Everything
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
3. When You Were Mine
4. Time After Time
5. She Bop
6. All Through The Night
7. Witness
8. I'll Kiss You
9. He's So Unusual
10. Yeah Yeah

And now, for something completely different.  An album that people have actually heard of.

So most of the songs were familiar to the point of tired, but I didn't mind.  Anytime I hear "Time After Time" I think of Romy and Michele and what could be wrong with that?  It was interesting to hear this album; we tend to think of female pop as being defined by Madonna, but Lauper nails it before anyone else.  I probably could have done without "He's So Unusual" though.  That was just weird.

A great album that really holds up and I always appreciate female inclusion on the List.

RATING: 4/5

514. Rio

Rio
Duran Duran
1982

Tracks
1. Rio
2. My Own Way
3. Lonely In Your Nightmare
4. Hungry Like The Wolf
5. Hold Back The Rain
6. New Religion
7. Last Chance On The Stairway
8. Save A Prayer
9. Chauffeur

I have lost track of how many times I have said this on this blog, but once again, I am on the verge of nervous breakdown for how much I have to get done.  So, naturally, I am prioritizing this blog over my other assignments, because sanity is a fleeting thing.

How can this music not make you happy?  It was nice to hear something relatively upbeat for once; I feel like the recent goal of these albums have been to make me have a breakdown (as though I need any nudging).  The best songs on this album are the ones that everyone knows, but the entire album is extremely fun.

So a nice break from heavy metal.  Back to reality...

RATING: 4/5

497. 1999

1999
Prince
1982

Tracks
1. 1999
2. Little Red Corvette 
3. Delirious 
4. Let's Pretend We're Married
5. DMSR
6. Automatic 
7. Something In The Water (Does Not Compute) 
8. Free 
9. Lady Cab Driver
10. All The Critics Love You In New York
11. International Lover

I have never been the biggest Prince fan, which I am sure would result in a public flogging in many circles.  I really hadn't been exposed to his stuff, so this is my first foray into the Princeverse.  It was interesting...

I was actually enjoying it quite a bit until "Lady Cab Driver."  It sounded vaguely rape-y, what with the sound effects that I can only imagine were added to please the male listener. I ended up googling the song and apparently a lot of people have reached the same conclusion.  So...um.  That was weird, I guess.

Other than that, though, I genuinely enjoyed it.  I do think the album peaked a little early in its runtime, but only means that it went from great to pretty good. RIP Prince.

RATING: 3/5

496. The Lexicon of Love

The Lexicon of Love
ABC
1982

Tracks
1. Show Me 
2. Poison Arrow 
3. Many Happy Returns 
4. Tears Are Not Enough 
5. Valentine's Day 
6. Look of Love (Part One) 
7. Date Stamp 
8. All Of My Heart
9. 4 Ever 2 Gether 
10. The Look of Love (Part Four) 

We have finally reached 1982, which means, like it or not, synthpop is now a major part of our lives.  I don't particularly mind it.  It isn't quite as tacky as disco but it is just as fun.  And speaking of embracing the cheese, how about that album cover?

Martin Fry spends the album lamenting his lack of success in romantic relationships.  While this is a somewhat tired theme in the musical world, I was pleased by the vocals and production, particularly during "The Look of Love."  

There is no denying the corn factor of this album, but hey, 1982 is the year of Porky's and ET.  So it could be worse.

RATING: 3/5

493. Tom Tom Club

Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
1981

Tracks
1. Wordy Rappinghood
2. Genius of Love
3. Tom Tom Theme
4. L'elephant
5. As Above So Below
6. Lorelei
7. On On On On
8. Booming and Zooming

I apologize for my long delay in posting.  I have had so many writing assignments lately that I am feeling a tad burned out.  Still, I am excited to reach the 500 milestone, so, like an unfaithful Irish Catholic husband, I will always return, no matter how long I have been gone.

I made the rather horrifying mistake of listening to the CD version, rather than the original release.  This meant that I listened to "Lorelei" for approximately eleven minutes.  Needless to say, it was pretty grueling but luckily I escaped with only minor brain damage.

Anyway, if I base my opinion off the original release, sans remixes, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.  I wouldn't have recognized the name "Tom Tom Club" but a lot of the songs did sound quite familiar, which speaks to its influence as an album.  Worth giving a try.

RATING: 3/5

484. Architecture and Morality

Architecture and Morality

OMD

1981

Tracks

1. New Stone Age 
2. She's Leaving 
3. Souvenir 
4. Sealand 
5. Joan Of Arc 
6. Joan Of Arc (Maid Of Orleans) 
7. Architecture And Morality 
8. Georgia 
9. Beginning And The End

Well I suppose the synth pop movement is in full swing.  It's certainly not the most alarming genre we have dealt with here, although I don't know if listening to synth pop everyday will do wonders for my mood.  Still, for the time being I am enjoying the trend.

Some of these songs were quite fun, others seemed like poor imitations of Brian Eno's most pretentious works.  I think it would have been a fine album if OMD had taken themselves a little less seriously, as there was obviously a lot of talent behind this.  Still, I guess if an album is titled "Architecture and Morality," it can't be expected to be free of ostentation.

Speaking of Eno, he is coming up again tomorrow, so hold onto your butts.

RATING: 3/5

483. Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
1981

Tracks
1. Frustration 
2. Tainted Love
3. Seedy Films 
4. Youth 
5. Sex Dwarf 
6. Entertain Me 
7. Chips on My Shoulder 
8. Bedsitter 
9. Secret Life 
10. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

Happy belated Independence Day!  I celebrated by eating way too much candy and popcorn at the movies.  My sister and I went to see The Shallows.  It was just as mediocre as I imagined it would be, but it was better alternative than listening to loud explosions in the sweltering heat.  In any case, I am doubling up on albums today, as I missed yesterday's post.

Well, that certainly wasn't what I expected (how often do I say that?  I should just stop making music related predictions).  I thoroughly enjoyed this, proving once again that you shouldn't judge an album by its slightly intimidating title.  I even listened to all the bonus tracks, and was particularly pleased that the band did a cover of "Where Did Our Love Go." I haven't been too impressed with the vocals lately, but I found Marc Almond's voice to be oddly soothing.  Anyone who writes a song like "Sex Dwarf" probably doesn't want to be referred to as "soothing," but I can't help it.

Anyway, definitely worth listening to.  At the very least, check out "Tainted Love."

RATING: 4/5

480. Penthouse and Pavement

Penthouse and Pavement
Heaven 17
1981

Tracks
1. We Don't Need This Fascist Groove Thing 
2. Penthouse And Pavement 
3. Play To Win 
4. Soul Warfare 
5. Geisha Boys And Temple Girls 
6. Let's All Make A Bomb 
7. Height Of The Fighting 
8. Song With No Name 
9. We're Going To Live For A Very Long Time

I have officially finished the 1001 movie list.  I think my rapid pace threw a lot of people off, but hey, that's what happens when you are recovering from my surgery.  At least, in my world.  Anyway, while I am still going to be updating my film blog with entries from other editions, my main focus will now be my music blog.  I am hoping to start updating this blog daily.  I am almost at the halfway mark, after all (I am becoming a milestone junkie).

I cringed when this album first started.  It was loud, in your face, and very jarring.  That might be appealing to some people, but to an old geezer like me, is rather off-putting.  However, I warmed up to this considerably.  I was even singing along to "We're Going To Live For A Very Long Time" (it's not hard to learn the words to that one).  I am not saying it was incredible.  In fact, it's probably one of those albums that is only on the List because of its influence and not its timelessness.  Still, I have certainly endured worst from this List.

Anyway, hopefully my declaration above will keep me coming back daily, for fear of public humiliation from going back on my word.  Come to think of it, though, public humiliation has never stopped me before...

RATING: 3/5

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