287. Tubular Bells

Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
1973

Tracks
1. Part One
2. Part Two

I red flagged this album immediately after reading its description in the book.  The book described the album as music to play while eating dinner and a tad bit annoying.  Even Mike Oldfield thought it wasn't that good.  So why are we listening to it again?

Well, anyway, I wasn't expecting The Exorcist theme to play for like ten minutes at the beginning.  It sort of creeped me out, to be honest, since I was alone.  He then proceeds to outline what instruments he is playing throughout the album (i.e. "glockenspiel" and then a glockenspiel plays; fascinating, right?).

Overall, that was just weird.  I mean, some of the melodies were pretty but his stupid voice ruined it (can you tell I am fussy from being sick?).  An album filled with bells.  Represents the early seventies perfectly:p.

RATING: 3/5 (ok, so I always appreciate a movie soundtrack; get off my back)

286. Mott

Mott
Mott The Hoople (wtf does that mean?)
1973

Tracks
1. All The Way From Memphis
2. Whizz Kidd
3. Hymn For The Dudes
4. Honaloochie Boogie
5. Violence
6. Drivin' Sister
7. Ballad Of Mott The Hoople (26th March 1972 Zurich) 
8. I'm A Cadillac/El Camino Doloroso
9. I Wish I Was Your Mother

Now, this is a strange one.  I think they were trying to imitate David Bowie.  It reminded me of when I listened to the Monkees and you could tell they were trying their best to sound like The Beatles.

All in all, Bowie is not the worst person they could try to model themselves after.  I mean, if they were trying to imitate Frank Zappa, I would have to pitch myself off of the highest building I could find.  Still, I think they should try to find their own "sound"; they were very talented but lacked originality.

Don't get me wrong, this album is entertaining.   But I am sure there were tons of copycats during this era trying to capitalize on Bowie's success.  Do they really deserve a place on the list?

RATING: 3/5

285. Headhunters

Headhunters
Herbie Hancock
1973

Tracks
1. Chameleon
2. Watermelon Man
3. Sly
4. Vein Melter

So I would really rather be watching a movie right now but I am being picky and can't seem to find one that suits my fancy.  So instead I am listening to funk jazz.  Yay…

All right, unless I want to change this blog to 1001 Albums That Amanda Bitches About, I should change my attitude towards these albums and start trying to find the positive.  Let's see …

Well…um…it is different.  It is so repetitive though, that it gives you a chance to…take it in.

All right, that is the best I can do.  I will try again tomorrow.

RATING: 2/5

See for yourself:

284. Faust IV

Faust IV
Faust
1973

Tracks
1. Krautrock 
2. Sad Skinhead 
3. Jennifer 
4. Just A Second (Starts Like That)/Picnic On A Frozen River/Deuxieme Tableux
5. Giggy Smile 
6. Lauft... Heist Das Es Lauft Oder Es Kommt Bald... Lauft
7. It's A Bit Of A Pain

In exciting Amanda news, I finished one of my blogs yesterday, Happy on Purpose.  Just goes to show that these are achievable tasks and I am not crazy!  Well, maybe just a little bit.

Anyway, for some reason the book is obsessed with krautrock.  It is certainly…different.  It sounds kind of like early sixties acid rock's less talented little brother.  The same genre but just not as exciting or interesting.

I still don't understand krautrock or why they keep putting it in.  Maybe it is an acquired taste?

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

282. Solid Air

Solid Air
John Martyn
1973

Tracks
1. Solid Air
2. Over The Hill

3. Don't Want To Know 
4. I'd Rather Be The Devil

5. Go Down Easy

6. Dreams By The Sea

7. May You Never

8. The Man In The Station 
9. The Easy Blues 

Wow, it is Nick Drake with a better singing voice!  What a find!

I was really excited about this album.  It is dedicated to Nick Drake, who actually died 18 months later. Anyway, I haven't been too...enthused about the recent albums and this was a pleasant break.  Sad but pleasant.

This is folk but it is vibrant folk; it is full of sorrow but actually really catchy.  "Don't Want To Know" is pretty much him saying he only wants to know about love not hate over and over again.  Still, I found myself singing along.  Check it out.

RATING: 5/5

281. Let's Get It On

Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
1973

Tracks
1. Let's Get It On
2. Please Stay (Once You Go Away)
3. If I Should Die Tonight
4. Keep Getting It On
5. Come Get To This
6. Distant Lover
7. You Sure Love To Ball
8. Just To Keep You Satisfied

Oh my.  That was...um...intimate.

All right so this album is pretty much song porn.  It actually feels like the kind of music that Quagmire would put on in Family Guy.

Now, I am a wee bit of a prude.  Of course, these 1001 journeys are forcing me to get over it since the listmakers keep making me read and watch porn.  Still, this is not my scene.  He certainly sounds sexy and the music is smooth but just not my style.

RATING: 2/5