471. Sound Affects

Sound Affects
The Jam
1980

Tracks
1. Pretty Green
2. Monday 
3. But I'm Different Now 
4. Set The House Ablaze
5. Start 
6. That's Entertainment
7. Dreamtime
8. Man in the Corner Shop
9. Music for the Last Couple 
10. Boy About Town 
11. Scrape Away

This album felt like a throwback and I loved every minute of it.  Uh oh.  I am lamenting that music isn't as good as it was "back in the old days."  I'm apparently one of those people now.

It is hard not to like this album, as it is catchy as hell.  "That's Entertainment" is probably the best known track from this album and rightfully so, as it is by far the highlight of the album.  That's not to say the other tracks are bad, but none stand out so clearly.  "Monday" also impressed me lyrically and it was actually quite sweet.  I'm glad we are done with punk and I can start referring to things as sweet again.

So an easy five stars and hopefully an indication of Brit pop to come.

RATING: 5/5

470. Hypnotised

Hypnotised
The Undertones
1980

Tracks
1. More Songs About Chocolate And Girls
2. There Goes Norman
3. Hypnotised
4. See That Girl
5. Whizz Kids
6. Under The Boardwalk
7. Way Girls Talk
8. Hard Luck
9. My Perfect Cousin
10. Boys Will Be Boys
11. Tearproof
12. Wednesday Week
13. Nine Times Out Of Ten
14. Girls That Don't Talk
15. What's With Terry

I'm really loving the Undertones and I hope this isn't the last we see of them.  Once again, we get an album with great hooks, great melodies, and great cover art.  Well, the first two things were true at least.

Yeah, so I loved this album.  Maybe this isn't the deepest, most progressive album on the list but it is still a lot of fun.  Lyrically, it is not overly impressive. I am not even sure what half of the songs mean, but I don't get the feeling anything was going over my head (although I am so short I probably wouldn't even notice).  I know I usually say I need intelligent lyrics to enjoy an album, but I still ended up liking this.  All of the albums have been rather dark lately; it was fun to cut loose.

Next up: The Jam!

RATING: 4/5

469. Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
1980

Tracks
1. Prowler
2. Sanctuary
3. Remember Tomorrow
4. Running Free
5. Phantom Of The Opera
6. Transylvania
7. Strange World
8. Charlotte The Harlot
9. Iron Maiden

I was convinced that Iron Maiden and Iron Butterfly were the same band, which is probably a musical sin that some believe should be punishable by death.  I found that I much prefer Iron Maiden on all counts, except maybe when it comes to cover art.

I have always thought that heavy metal was fun, but didn't come with much substance.  I am pleased to report that a more thoughtful heavy metal does, in fact, exist.  "Remember Tomorrow" was particularly poetic.  Of course, the machoism returned with songs like "Iron Maiden" but I did enjoy the brief respites from the testosterone outpourings.

Far more melodic than I would believed from seeing the cover art.  Tomorrow: more Undertones!

RATING: 4/5

468. Closer

Closer
Joy Division
1980

Tracks
1. Atrocity Exhibition
2. Isolation
3. Passover
4. Colony
5. Means To An End
6. Heart And Soul
7. Twenty Four Hours
8. Eternal
9. Decades

First The Talking Heads and now Joy Division.  My prayers have been answered and we are finally free from our mediocre streak of albums. I have high hopes for the immediate future as well; we have Tom Waits and the Undertones on deck.

It is hard to know if this album would hold the same power if it hadn't been for Ian Curtis' suicide shortly after they had finished recording.  It is definitely darker and more gothic than Unknown Pleasures and it gets even more depressing when you think about it in context.  I wouldn't exactly call it a pleasure to listen to, but it is certainly atmospheric.

Definitely one to listen to before you die.  I like the sound we are moving towards.  It is just as emotional as punk music but much more sophisticated. 

RATING: 4/5 

467. Remain In Light

Remain In Light
Talking Heads
1980

Tracks
1. Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)
2. Crosseyed And Painless
3. The Great Curve
4. Once In A Lifetime
5. Houses In Motion
6. Seen And Not Seen
7. Listening Wind
8. The Overload

This is the Talking Heads album I have been waiting for, the one that finally made me understand the hype.  I previously enjoyed their past albums, but I still didn't feel the need to worship on my knees like I was expected to.  Now I am ready to worship or, at the very least, provide the ritual sacrifice.

I loved this album, with my favorite song being "Once In A Lifetime."  Apparently, that is the Talking Heads' biggest hit, although I had never heard it before.  Really, there is not a bad song on the album.  I loved how cohesive the whole thing was, while still managing to be experimental.

Anyway, we hit a rough patch with an albums lately, so hopefully, this is a turning point.   The best thing I have heard in awhile.

RATING: 5/5

466. Group Sex

Group Sex
Circle Jerks
1980

Tracks
1. Deny Everything 
2. I Just Want Some Skank 
3. Beverly Hills 
4. Operation 
5. Back Against The Wall 
6. Wasted 
7. Behind The Door 
8. World Up My Ass
9. Paid Vacation 
10. Don't Care 
11. Live Fast Die Young
12. What's Your Problem 
13. Group Sex 
14. Red Tape

This is probably one of the shortest albums on the List.  Usually they clock in at around 40 minutes, but this album was a little more than 15 minutes.  But hey, I am not complaining as I don't exactly want to dwell on hardcore punk.

So each song is about a minute, although the first track is only 26 seconds.   All punk songs are fairly manic, but this album took it to the next level.  I suppose the style appeals to people who are into punk music.  But as this album is completely devoid of hooks, lyrical quality, or memorable songs.  Do I have to quote any of the lyrics here?  I think you can well imagine what the words to a song titled "I Just Want Some Skank" would be.

Are we back to pure punk?  I thought we had moved on to post punk.  In any case, I wouldn't call this album a complete waste of time, as it is so short.  But I suppose if the best thing you can say about something is that it was short, there isn't much quality there.

RATING: 2/5

465. British Steel

British Steel

Judas Priest

1980

Tracks

1. Rapid Fire
2. Metal Gods
3. Breaking The Law
4. Grinder
5. United
6. You Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise
7. Living After Midnight
8. Rage
9. Steeler

Is every album on this List going forward heavy metal?  Where are our quieter artists, our Joni Mitchells and Carole Kings?  I guess this is the trend now but I really wish some songwriters with a bit more talent will come along soon.

So not much else to say about this album.  We can tell from the track listing that this album is not for someone like me, who owns a "Reading is Sexy" t-shirt with a picture of Jane Austen on it.  Usually, I can find a few stanzas that I like in at least one of the songs, but no such luck here.

We are in a bit of a slump, but hopefully, we will get out of it with Group Sex, a fine solution to any problem.

RATING: 2/5