270. Exile On Main Street

Exile On Main Street
Rolling Stones
1972

Tracks

1. Rocks Off 
2. Rip This Joint 
3. Shake Your Hips 
4. Casino Boogie 
5. Tumbling Dice 
6. Sweet Virginia 
7. Torn And Frayed 
8. Sweet Black Angel 
9. Loving Cup 
10. Happy 
11. Turd On The Run 
12. Ventilator Blues 
13. I Just Want To See His Face 
14. Let It Loose 
15. All Down The Line 
16. Stop Breakin' Down 
17. Shine A Light 
18. Soul Survivor

Yay!  We are officially done with 1972! This is a big deal to me, at least; since we have been stuck in this year since Randy Newman.  We are finishing this year off with some Rolling Stones, who I believed were bound to disappoint once again.

However, I was pleasantly surprised with this album.  Apparently the band was a total mess with drugs and wedding plans (a lethal combination) during the making of this album but you would never know it from listening to this album.  Everything just seems to fit.  Not innovative in the least but still some fun classic rock and roll.

RATING: 4/5

269. Let's Stay Together

Let's Stay Together
Al Green
1972

Tracks
1. Let's Stay Together
2. La La For You
3. So You're Leaving
4. What Is This Feeling
5. Old Time Lovin'
6. I've Never Found A Girl
7. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
8. Judy
9. Ain't No Fun To Me

This album is really a throwback.  I feel like usually I am either listening to funk or some sort of weird futuristic, spacey shit.  This, however, sounds like The Temptations from the fifties.  Whereas some people like progressing, I would rather regress especially since we are nearing disco.

Al Green has the smoothest, sexiest voice since Sam Cooke.  In fact, this entire album could be Sam Cooke and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.  He also covers a Bee Gees song which, surprisingly, is not the disaster it could have been.

You are certainly not going to be stunned by the originality of this album but you are going to enjoy the easy listening.

RATING: 4/5

268. The World Is A Ghetto

The World Is A Ghetto
War
1972

Tracks

1. Cisco Kid
2. Where Was You At
3. City, Country, City 
4. Four Cornered Room
5. World Is a Ghetto 
6. Beetles in the Bog 

I really had no idea what to expect with this album, mostly because I have never heard of the album or the band.  And honestly, I am pretty sure I will forget about this album rather quickly.  Another funk album that is against things that generally everyone is against (or at least will say they are against): war, poverty, and urban decay.

I felt the same way when I had to listen to album after album about how the Vietnam War was bad.  I am not saying that their opinions don't have merit; it just gets boring after awhile.  I suppose it would have been exciting if I was living in that era, but as a nineties baby, it is just redundant.

In any case, this album as a few catchy songs like "Cisco Kid" but overall it is just...meh.

RATING: 2/5

267. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars
David Bowie
1972

Tracks
1. Five Years 
2. Soul Love 
3. Moonage Daydream 
4. Starman 
5. It Ain't Easy 
6. Lady Stardust
7. Star 
8. Hang on to Yourself 
9. Ziggy Stardust 
10. Suffragette City 
11. Rock & Roll Suicide 

I listened to about half of this album, stopped, and then didn't finish until five days later.  I don't know why it didn't interest me; I am usually quite the Bowie fan despite his weirdness.  Still, this this album was missing something that was definitely present in his other albums.

Don't get me wrong; this is not a bad album.  I guess David Bowie had got me expecting the best.  It is simply not as interesting or original as Hunky Dory was, though it was much rockier. Is that a term?

Anyway, check it out but don't expect to be wowed.

RATING: 3/5

266. All Directions

All Directions
The Temptations
1972

Tracks
1. Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On
2. Run Charlie Run
3. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
4. Love Woke Me Up This Morning
5. I Ain't Got Nothn'
6. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Mother Nature
8. Do Your Thing

All right, so I was anticipating some nice harmonies in the same vein as "My Girl" with this album.  I certainly was not expecting this.  The Temptations get funky!  Just look out how funky the purple pantsuit is on the cover!

You can tell you are going to get some serious funk with the first track.  However, the album progresses into something more.  "Run Charlie Run", for instance, is a song about how white people ran to the suburbs when African Americans started populating the cities.  I never thought that the Temptations would be political.  I mean, does this look political to you?

Even though there is a definite shift in the tone of this album, The Temptations keep their old harmonic charm.  A pleasant surprise.

RATING: 4/5

265. School's Out

School's Out
Alice Cooper (who, incidentally, is a guy)
1972

Tracks
1. School's Out 
2. Luney Tune 
3. Gutter Cat Vs. The Jets 
4. Street Fight 
5. Blue Turk 
6. My Stars 
7. Public Animal #9
8. Alma Mater 
9. Grande Finale

Oh my god.  I am so sick of books, movies, or albums that think that because they shock some people, that makes them works of art.  Well, newsflash: it does not take a lot of skill to surprise people.  All you have to do is take off your pants in a grocery line to get the desired reaction.  Does that make you an artist?  Absolutely not.

So since shock is the sole purpose of this album, I am not impressed.  This guy inspired Marilyn Manson.  Enough said.

I do, however, enjoy West Side Story and appreciated some of the references to it in track 3.  Still, I absolutely detest concept albums and every thing this guy is.  Just look at him:

RATING: 1/5

264. Roxy Music

Roxy Music
Roxy Music
1972

Tracks
1. Re-make/Re-model 
2. Ladytron 
3. If There Is Something
4. Virginia Plain
5. 2 H.B. 
6. The Bob (Medley) 
7. Chance Meeting 
8. Would You Believe? 
9. Sea Breezes 
10. Bitters End

I was listening to this album while getting ready for work.  Since this album was the background music for me poking myself in the eye with a mascara wand, feeling fat, and trying to smooth down frizz, you might think I am bias while reviewing this album.  I am strongly convinced, however, I would hate it anyway.

This album is a real clusterfuck.  There is acapella, space sounds, synthesizers, and, if I am not mistaken, didgeridoos.  I really don't think this counts as music.  In fact, it saddens me that it does.  These are just random jarring sounds!!! Where is the beauty?  I am going to go be disillusioned with life now.

RATING: 1/5

263. Paul Simon

Paul Simon
Paul Simon
1972

Tracks
1. Mother and Child Reunion 
2. Duncan 
3. Everything Put Together Falls Apart 
4. Run That Body Down 
5. Armistice Day 
6. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard 
7. Peace Like a River 
8. Papa Hobo 
9. Hobo's Blues 
10. Paranoia Blues 
11. Congratulations

A time comes in all of our lives where we must choose: Simon or Garfunkel?  I think most people pick Simon and you can certainly see why from this album.  Garfunkel seems a lot less of a tight ass though.  Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

Anyway, this is a really experimental album.  Simon incorporates all different kinds of music in it, from Jamaican to folk rock.  He also happens to possess one of the sweetest voices known to mankind.  All this makes for a pretty beautiful album.  Still, it is not the most interesting one I have ever heard.  Worth a listen though.

RATING: 3/5

262. Pink Moon

Pink Moon
Nick Drake
1972

Tracks
1. Pink Moon 
2. Place To Be 
3. Road 
4. Which Will 
5. Horn 
6. Things Behind The Sun 
7. Know 
8. Parasite
9. Ride 
10. Harvest Breed
11. From The Morning


Well that was horrifically depressing.  Less than two years after this album came out, Nick Drake committed suicide.  This whole album actually plays out like one long suicide note.  There is no anger, angst, or desperation.  It is just so full of resignation and sadness.


I am not a huge Nick Drake fan (though thanks to the list I have listened to all his albums) but there is something extraordinarily tender and sweet in his songs.  Maybe the world just wasn't good for a soul as beautiful as his. I would say get ready to cry if you listen to this album, but I feel like misrepresents it.  It won't leave you sobbing, it will just leave you forlorn and lonely.  Listen to it if you must.


RATING: 4/5

261. Greetings From L.A.

Greetings From L.A.
Tim Buckley
1972

Tracks
1. Move With Me
2. Get On Top
3. Sweet Surrender
4. Night Hawkin'
5. Devil Eyes
6. Hong Kong Bar
7. Make It Right


I am having a wonderful day off work; I am getting a lot done but still relaxing.  I also happen to be stuffing my face with Skittles right now which is always a guarantee for happiness.  


I am really struggling for something to write about this album.  I also happen to be listening to the next album on the list right now and Nick Drake is really distracting me.  Anyway, the book seemed to think that this album was just about the sexiest thing they have ever heard.  I think, though, that you make anything sound dirty you believe that it was meant to sound so.  I did not get that it was sexy at all; to me, it just sounded folksy and fun.  But what the hell do I know?  I never know when a guy is even flirting with me.  Probably because they never are, but I choosing to believe I am simply oblivious.

RATING: 3/5 

260. The Eagles

The Eagles
The Eagles
1972

Tracks
1. Take It Easy 
2. Witchy Woman 
3. Chug All Night 
4. Most Of Us Are Sad 
5. Nightingale 
6. Train Leaves Here This Morning 
7. Take The Devil 
8. Earlybird 
9. Peaceful Easy Feeling 
10. Tryin'


FINALLY!  An album that is generally panned by critics.  Do you know what this means???  It means I will probably like it!


I was familiar with the The Eagles for awhile; I think everyone has heard "Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong".  Of course, Stewie sings it best:

Anyway, I was excited to see what other poppy hits they would come up with.  Believe me, I was not disappointed.  This album is full of catchy tunes, my favorite being "Take It Easy".  This album as much depth as a puddle, but that is the beauty of it!  It was so nice to take a break from all the pretentious, intellectual albums.  Now I am refreshed and ready to listen to Tim Buckley tomorrow. RATING: 4/5

259. American Gothic

American Gothic
David Ackles
1972

Tracks
1. American Gothic
2. Love's Enough
3. Ballad Of The Ship Of State
4. One Night Stand
5. Oh California
6. Another Friday Night
7. Family Band
8. Midnight Carousel
9. Waiting For The Moving Van
10. Blues For Billy Whitecloud
11. Montana Song


This album is weird for several reasons.  One, it is actually a normal sized album which is quite refreshing after listening to all the excruciatingly long albums we have been treated to lately.  This album is also strange because it sounds like it is all from a Broadway show.


No one has ever heard of this guy, David Ackles, the reason being that his albums were huge flops.  Of course, now they are considered musical masterpieces; I suppose the reasoning is that the masses simply didn't understand his genius and only snobby critics can appreciate this gem.  Actually, to me, this album seemed like the parodies they do of Broadway songs.  An example from 30 Rock:

Overall it was just a weird experience; I like show tunes as much as the next guy, but that is when they come from...ahem...shows.

RATING: 2/5

258. The Slider

The Slider
T-Rex
1972

Tracks
1. Metal Guru
2. Mystic Lady
3. Rock On
4. Slider
5. Baby Boomerang
6. Spaceball Ricochet
7. Buick Mackane
8. Telegram Sam
9. Rabbit Fighter
10. Baby Strange
11. Ballrooms Of Mars
12. Chariot Choogle
13. Main Man


More glam rock, which is always slightly frightening.  Besides the ridiculous costumes, it makes me feel like they are trying to distract me from the fact that they may not be that talented.  However, I was pleasantly surprised with this album.


I gave the previous T-Rex album four stars but I am feeling a little less generous with this one.  It technically isn't worse; it is just more of the same.  Luckily for them, more of the same for this band is actually quite good, just not original.  I found myself singing along to a couple songs like "Metal Guru"; others got on my nerves like "Rock On".  Still a good album, but certainly not their best work and I am not really sure it deserves a place on the list.


RATING: 3/5

257. Manassas

Manassas
Stephen Stills
1972

Tracks
1. Song Of Love
2. Crazies
3. Cuban Bluegrass
4. Jet Set 
5. Anyway
6. Both Of Us (Bound To Lose) 
7. Fallen Eagle 
8. Jesus Gave Love Away For Free 
9. Colorado 
10. So Begins The Task 
11. Hide It So Deep 
12. Don't Look At My Shadow 
13. It Doesn't Matter 
14. Johnny's Garden 
15. Bound To Fall 
16. How Far 
17. Move Around 
18. Love Gangster 
19. What To Do 
20. Right Now 
21. Treasure 
22. Blues Man


I am in an extremely foul mood, mostly because my mom and I just got in a fight.  Blah x 10.  Stephen Stills didn't exactly help; I am so sick of him.  I feel like I am in an endless CSNY vortex. I mean, I like the guys but not that much.


Here is a string of your pretty standard folk songs, some sadder than others.  As you can see from the album cover, this was actually more of a group effort than a solo act.  In fact, Stills rarely sings alone in this album.


I will probably come back and add to this when I don't want to kick something.

RATING: 2/5

256. Talking Book

Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
1972

Tracks
1. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life 
2. Maybe Your Baby 
3. You And I 
4. Tuesday Heartbreak 
5. You've Got It Bad Girl 
6. Superstition 
7. Big Brother 
8. Blame It On The Sun 
9. Lookin' For Another Pure Love
10. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) 


Honestly, just to be listening to anything other than bluegrass is a relief; I wouldn't care if it was someone scratching a chalkboard on loop.  However, I didn't risk listening to an album yesterday because it was my birthday and a bad album can put me in a horrible mood.  I am not sure if this is a good thing or not.


Anyway, everyone on Earth has heard of Stevie Wonder.  I myself have three songs on my iPod by him and that is saying something, since I am me.  Although you probably heard "Superstition" before, a lot of this album are unknown gems.  No one is as comforting or smooth as Stevie Wonder when he delivers a lyric.  Maybe these songs aren't the deepest ones he has ever come  out with (with the exception of "Big Brother") but it is still fun.  Check it out.

RATING: 4/5

255. Will The Circle Be Unbroken

Will The Circle Be Unbroken
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
1972

Tracks
1. Grand Ole Opry Song 
2. Keep On The Sunny Side 
3. Nashville Blues 
4. You Are My Flower 
5. Precious Jewel 
6. Dark As A Dungeon 
7. Tennessee Stud 
8. Black Mountain Rag 
9. Wreck On The Highway
10. End Of The World
11. I Saw The Light 
12. Sunny Side Of The Mountain 
13. Nine Pound Hammer 
14. Losin' You (Might Be The Best Thing Yet) 
15. Honky Tonkin'
16. You Don't Know My Mind 
17. My Walkin' Shoes 
18. Lonesome Fiddle Blues 
19. Cannonball Rag
20. Avalanche 
21. Flint Hill Special 
22. Togary Mountain 
23. Earl's Breakdown 
24. Orange Blossom Special 
25. Wabash Cannonball 
26. Lost Highway 
27. First Meetin' - Watson, Doc & Merle
28. Way Downtown 
29. Down Yonder 
30. Pins And Needles (In My Heart)
31. Honky Tonk Blues 
32. Sailin' On To Hawaii 
33. I'm Thinking Of My Blue Eyes
34. I Am A Pilgrim 
35. Wildwood Flower 
36. Soldier's Joy 
37. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
38. Both Sides Now


Oh dear god, the HORROR!!!!!  A pure bluegrass album complete with the twang, banjos, and songs about stupid subjects.  And it is extremely long.

Man, I haven't been this frightened since we listened to the Louvin Brothers.  This is probably of the most grating albums on the list.  I know I am not a hundred percent objective here, considering this is my least favorite genre.  I guess the best I can do is recommend listening to it if you want to track early bluegrass groups.

RATING: 1/5

254. Something/Anything?

Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
1972

Tracks
1. I Saw The Light 
2. I Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference 
3. Wolfman Jack 
4. Cold Morning Light 
5. Takes Two To Tango 
6. Sweeter Memories 
7. Intro 
8. Breathless 
9. Night The Carousel Burned Down 
10. Saving Grace 
11. Marlene 
12. Song Of The Viking 
13. I Went To The Mirror 
14. Black Maria
15. One More Day (No Word)
16. Couldn't I Just Tell You
17. Torch Song 
18. Little Red Lights
19. Overture 
20. Money/Messin' With The Kid 
21. Dust In The Wind 
22. Piss Aaron 
23. Hell It's Me 
24. Some Folks Is Even Whiter Than Me 
25. You Left Me Sore 26. Slut


This is one of those glorious hodge podges of pure gems.  I have no idea how to categorize this album; it represents so many genres.  This seems like it would be a Nina Simone-esque mess but it actually comes together beautifully.


All right, so the "game" he comes up with in the middle of the album is really strange.  Still, I think this is one of the best albums of the 70s.  He has a very sweet voice, whether he is singing a ballad or a fast song.  My personal favorite was "I Wouldn't Have Made A Difference" which is really bittersweet:

A really fun album that is hard to describe so check it out! RATING: 5/5

253. Clube Da Esquina

Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges
1972

Tracks
1. Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser
2. Cais 
3. O Trem Azul
4. Saidas E Bandeiras 
5. Nuvem Cigana 
6. Cravo E Canela 
7. Dos Cruces 
8. Um Girassol Da Cor De Seu Cabelo
9. San Vincente 
10. Estrelas 
11. Clube Da Esquina No 2 
12. Paisagem Da Janela
13. Me Deixe Em Pas
14. Os Povos 
15. Saidas E Bandeiras (2) 
16. Um Gosto De Sol 
17. Pelo Amor De Deus 
18. Lilia 
19. Trem De Doido
20. Nada Sera Como Antes
21. Ao Que Vai Nascer


More international music which is always a treat; we are exposed to it so little.  There are a lot of musical languages out there and I hardly think English tops the list.  This time it is Portuguese!


I cannot speak a word of Portuguese.  In fact, I don't think I have ever even heard someone speaking Portuguese, except of course, in this journey.  Maybe I just need to get out more!  Anyway, the language is already beautiful but setting it to music is like a poetic explosion.  Of course, I can't understand the lyrics but from what I looked up, the lyrics are just as beautiful as the music.


The book says that this band was heavily influenced by the Beatles and it is clearly seen throughout this album that their main source of inspiration was Sgt. Pepper.  Check it out; this is certainly another treasure I wouldn't have experienced without the list.


RATING: 5/5

252. Home Is Where The Music Is

Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
1972

Tracks
1. Part Of A Whole
2. Minawa
3. The Big Apple
4. Unhome
5. Maseru
6. Inner Crisis
7. Blues For Huey
8. Nomali
9. Maesha
10. Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children's Song)


Well, the hand surgery is over and it has seemed to affect me in a way I can't quite put my finger on (no pun intended).  I just feel overwhelmingly apathetic to almost everything, even reading and watching movies.  I am trying to push through it, of course, starting with this album.  And, as luck would have it, it is jazz.  FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Not just jazz.  Really long tracks of jazz that was extremely hard to find.  We here at the 1001 blog (me) are familiar with this guy because he was married to a much loved favorite, Miriam Makeba.  Yes, it was interesting to hear a African twist on American jazz.  But not exactly the welcoming hug I was hoping for.  I might have to scroll through the sunshine pop archives.

RATING: 3/5

251. Transformer

Transformer
Lou Reed
1972

Tracks
1. Vicious
2. Andy's Chest
3. Perfect Day
4. Hangin' 'Round
5. Walk On The Wild Side
6. Make Up
7. Satellite Of Love
8. Wagon Wheel
9. New York Telephone Conversation
10. I'm So Free
11. Goodnight Ladies


I have surgery tomorrow that I am really nervous about.  All I want to do is get my mind off it, read my book, and listen to some good music.  Maybe have some cupcakes too.


This album has a big personality, which you have to respect, whether you like it or not.  I happened to like it.  Once David Bowie got popular, he concentrated his efforts on making his friends popular, like Lou Reed.  You can definitely hear Bowie's influence in this album.  This may seem surprising from the cover, but Lou actually has a really calming voice which I need right now.


His songs were wild and fun.  Definitely something you should check out.

RATING: 5/5