46. Rolling Stones (England's Newest Hitmakers)

Rolling Stones (England's Newest Hitmaker's)
Rolling Stones
1964

Amanda: I was really excited by this album because I have been told that I would really love The Rolling Stones, particularly because they were often compared to The Beatles.  However, I wasn't really impressed.  I kind of built them up in my mind a lot, and they certainly did not reach my expectations.  They really only covered other people's songs, so it wasn't very orginal.  Jagger has always freaked me out (especially in that infamous music video with Bowie) but even his personality didn't shine through.  I think I will have to wait for the later albums to give a real opinion.  This was so...underwhelming.

RATING:

Brie: I expected greatness from the Rolling Stones. Concur, Amanda, it was underwhelming for sure. In the live videos of the Stones performing these songs in '64 (the year this came out), they were so goody two shoes boy band-esque. Like early pop star Beatles. Ugh. No substance. This album was quite mindless, and the only song I can say I liked was "Not Fade Away". And that is just because it reminded me of the Crickets. But I look forward to later Rolling Stones albums when they find their own musical voice.

RATING:

45. A Girl Called Dusty

A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
1964

Amanda: Surprisingly enough, I don't think I had ever heard a Dusty Springfield song before this.  I have heard "Mama Said" by the Shirelles and "You Don't Own Me" by Leslie Gore (and of course Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, and Bette Midler) but I had never heard her rendtions.  She also sang a song from The Sound of Music.  This album wasn't boring, however, because none of songs were cliches or tiresome.  I love her voice (and her name!).  My favorite track was "When the Love Light Starts Shining Through His Eyes," even though I think that is a ridiculously long name for a track.

RATING:

Check out our new blog located on our blog roll, non-existent readers!

Brie: I've heard a few Dusty Springfield songs before this, but I didn't have a good appreciation for her until hearing this album. Her voice is one of the best female soul voices I've heard yet. All of the songs on this album were so fun and cheery to listen to! My favorites include "Wishin' and Hopin'", and "Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa". Also, if you look up some of these songs on YouTube, specifically "Mockingbird" and watch the live version you will see that Dusty was such a delight to see perform. Definitely one of my new faves!


RATING:

44. Rock n Soul

Rock n Soul
Solomon Burke
1964

Amanda: I haven't done an album in the last two days because I have been out of town visiting my sister and attending a wedding.  Of course, at the wedding I was only one of seven single women (two girls under nine, my sister, my aunt, and two bridesmaids).  There then was the degrading "catch the bouquet" activity and I just let it fall to the ground much to the chagrin of the photographers, onlookers, and probably the bride.  My marital future is not promising.

This is one of those albums that is mixed with familar songs and pleasant new ones.  I heard "Cry to Me" of course, but the version I always heard was from The Four Seasons.  Brie, which version was the one in Dirty Dancing?  Anyways, this album is really Sam Cooke-y and really nice.  Not very interesting, but nice.

RATING:

This guy had twenty-one kids!  I bet he caught a bouquet!

Brie: I agree that it was tres Sam Cooke. But Sam Cooke is WAY better. "Rock 'n' Soul" has the Cooke feel with a bit of a Bobby Vee/Crickets vibe on some of the songs. "Cry to Me" definitely was the highlight, and the rest kind of blurred together. I wouldn't listen to it again. I have a lot of work to do, so this review is like the album. Short, sweet, and to the point.

RATING:

43. A L'Olympia 1964

A L'Olympia 1964
Jacques Brel
1964

Amanda: I have had the most pleasant evening.  I went to dinner with my cousin at this cool Caribbean place.  The food was actually pretty awful (we are talking sunny side up egg on tofu on goatcheese on tomatoes on bread) but I tried it.  I have been trying so many new things lately (props to the 1001 books!).  Anyway, I actually have free time so I can watch a movie and go to bed early!  Woohoo!

So this is our first French album.  French people have some pretty odd tastes.  I mean, the Prime Minister gave Jerry Lewis an honorary award.  Jerry Lewis.  Still, I expected to like this because pretty much everyone else does.  I was disapointed however.  The music was kind of boring, the kind I heard people singing in the Metro.  It also sounded choppy to me.  I think that makes me the only person in the world who dislikes this album.  Prove me wrong, Brie.  Prove me wrong.

RATING:

Click here for a link to a really good French song.

Brie: If my French was more fluent I probably could appreciate the wonderful songwriting of Jacques Brel a lot more. But, as it is, I completely adored this! (Sorry, Mandy) Some of these made me want to be very stereotypically French (see Le Dernier Repas) and wear horizontal striped shirts, black skinny pants, and smoke cigarettes. Someday, someday. Brel uses a very tender, pensive tone to his voice on some of the songs. Also I became a bit depressed when listening to this because it just reminded me that my French accent will never be that good. :( So overall an awesome album to listen to if you want a taste of critically acclaimed French music. It won't be a waste of your time, I promise.

RATING:

42. A Hard Day's Night

A Hard Day's Night
The Beatles
1964

Amanda: First of all, I would just like to say to Brie that I was hysterical when I read your Christmas post. 

So I am sitting in my room, writing about The Beatles and watching The Goodbye Girl (shut up!; it's quality!).  I am having dinner with my brother today as well, so I would say I am in a pretty good mood.  The Beatles are the best artists of all time.  I mentioned before that I had seen the actual movie A Hard Day's Night.  That is a quality film, and it really goes with the theme of the album.  You also really get to know each member which is really exciting.

Now, you will hear some people say that these songs are overdone.  Most people, however, can't recite the lyrics so suck it!  Since the Beatles are so famous, everyone has a story for each song, which makes it timeless.  For instance, "Can't Buy Me Love" reminds me of the Patrick Dempsey movie, which reminds me of movie nights with my sister.  Love it!

RATING:

Brie: I sort of cringed away from the over played songs like "A Hard Days Night" and "Can't Buy Me Love". Everybody. Stop. Playing. Those. Songs. "I Should Have Known Better" and "Any Time At All" are so much better!!! This is a huge improvement from "With The Beatles", but still nothing compared to their later work (Abbey Road, anybody?) As with the last Beatles album, I just liked it.

RATING: