822. Oedipus Schmoedipus

Oedipus Schmoedipus
Barry Adamson
1996

Tracks
1. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Pelvis
2. Something Wicked This Way Comes
3. The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes
4. It's Business As Usual
5. Miles
6. Dirty Barry
7. In A Moment Of Clarity
8. Achieved In The Valley In The Dolls (Original Version)
9. Vermillion Kisses
10. The Big Bamboozle
11. State Of Contraction
12. The Sweetest Embrace
13. Set The Controls Again

We had a previous Barry Adamson album on the List that was an interesting concept:  a soundtrack for a non existent movie. I sort of thought he was a passing novelty, but apparently the Listmakers thought he was worthy of two precious spots on the List. I'm not so sure about that.

On the whole the album felt rather disjointed, with some tracks much better than others. But I can't imagine anybody playing any of these songs on repeat. Which of course isn't a requirement for an album to be on the List, but it does make it way less fun.

This album benefits from Nick Cave and Jarvis Cocker's touch, and you can't argue that this is unoriginal. Still, I find myself repulsed by him, because I know David Lynch is a fan. 

RATING: 2/5

777. The Holy Bible

The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
1994

Tracks
1. Yes
2. Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart
3. Of Walking Abortion
4. She Is Suffering
5. Archives Of Pain
6. Revol
7. 4st 7lb
8. Mausoleum
9. Faster
10. This Is Yesterday
11. Die In The Summertime
12. The Intense Humming Of Evil
13. P.C.P.

If you didn't know, 70% of the lyrics in this album were written by Richey Edwards, who disappeared in 1995. He was obviously a deeply troubled person, which is very apparent in this album.

Which kind of sucks the fun out of listening to it. I am sure to some it lends the album a good deal of mystique. But to me it just felt pretty morbid. This isn't the kind of music I would like to listen to anyway.

And I'm not a fan of the cover art either.

RATING: 2/5

689. Peggy Suicide

Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
1991

Tracks
1. Pristeen
2. Double Vegetation
3. East Easy Rider
4. Promised Land
5. Hanging Out And Hung Up On The Line
6. Safesurfer
7. If You Loved Me At All
8. Drive, She Said
9. Soldier Blue
10. You...
11. Not Raving But Drowning
12. Head
13. Leperskin
14. Beautiful Love
15. Western Front 1992 C.E.
16. Hung Up And Hanging Out To Dry
17. The American Lite
18. Las Vegas Basement

I initially rolled my eyes at the album at the 75 minute length of this album (it's pure reflex at this point; I would control it if I could). But I actually enjoyed this immensely and was quite disappointed when it ended.

It's rare to listen to an artist who has such a distinct sound, it was almost like he was his own genre. Cope pulls in a variety of styles, but still manages to make a cohesive album. We have certainly seen many attempt it on this blog, and few are as successful as Cope.

So a pleasant surprise and I hope to see him featured on the List more. 

RATING: 4/5

632. Life's Too Good

Life's Too Good
Sugarcubes
1988

Tracks
1. Traitor
2. Motorcrash
3. Birthday
4. Delicious Demon
5. Mama
6. Coldsweat
7. Blue Eyed Pop
8. Deus
9. Sick for Toys
10. Fucking in Rhythm & Sorrow
11. Take Some Petrol Darling

I have loved Bjork for a long time, but I was much more familiar with her solo work than this. I think her weirdness always steals the show, but this was enjoyable for more reasons than Bjork. 

This entire band is quirky and funny, just like Bjork is. Her voice is really one a kind; she Is constantly taking unexpected pivots with the vocals, making them entirely unique to herself. It's also a very short album, so it's punchy and never overstays its welcome. I didn't enjoy the Bjork lite tracks quite as much, but that's to be expected.

So if you are craving something a little frantic, a little weird, this might be the album for you. We won't be treated to Bjork again for another 100 albums or so, so I am savoring this moment. Particularly in light of the next two entries.

RATING: 4/5

584. The Queen is Dead

The Queen is Dead
The Smiths
1986

Tracks
1. Queen Is Dead
2. Frankly Mr Shankly
3. I Know It's Over
4. Never Had No One Ever
5. Cemetery Gates
6. Bigmouth Strikes Again
7. Boy With The Thorn In His Side
8. Vicar In A Tu Tu
9. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
10. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

I was all prepared to turn my nose up at this album, like I did for the most part with "Meat is Murder." But after the first track, the album kept getting better and better. 

In comparison to other albums on the List, this one has great lyrical quality. That doesn't mean that a few of the songs aren't obnoxious, but overall, this album is a lot more fun and less self righteous than Meat is Murder.

There is only one more album of 1986. I glanced briefly at the menu for 1987, and it looks like we will be Iistening to Dolly Parton, The Butthole Surfers, and something called Dinosaur Jr. Eek.

RATING: 3/5

569. Infected

Infected
The The
1986

Tracks
1. Infected
2. Out Of The Blue (Into The Fire)
3. Heartland
4. Angels Of Deception
5. Sweet Bird Of Truth
6. Slow Train To Dawn
7. Twilight Of A Champion
8. Mercy Beat

I find the name of this group to be embarrassing, like it was the exasperated idea for a band name after a night of heavy drug use. The ambiguous monster on the album cover points to the problem with this album. They were very angry at something; I am not really sure about what.

Possibly I am not well acquainted enough with the political climate of 1986 that this album was hellbent on commentating on, so it's not really the band's fault. On the other hand, I didn't find any of the songs compelling, which is definitely the band's fault (I'm an easy audience, I swear!).

Ugh, is this the last The The album on this List? Grammatically, that last sentence rubs me the wrong way and it's coloring my judgment.

RATING: 2/5

558. Meat is Murder

Meat is Murder
The Smiths
1985

Tracks
1. Headmaster Ritual
2. Rusholme Ruffians
3. I Want The One I Can't Have
4. What She Said
5. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
6. How Soon Is Now
7. Nowhere Fast
8. Well I Wonder
9. Barbarism Begins At Home
10. Meat Is Murder

I am pretty sure liking the Smiths was teen television code for being a cool girl, rather than liking Britney Spears like those other useless skanks. I have to confess though, that because I'm not a cool girl (or a useless skank), I never really given the Smiths a chance before. I assumed this album was right up my alley, though, because I am also a self righteous vegetarian.

But...pass. My least favorite song was definitely the title track, which was a lecture crudely disguised as a song. In fact, the entire album was rather holier than thou, which is not the attitude I would have expected from the post punk scene. 

Overall, very skippable.  A Disney movie would be more effective in converting someone to vegetarianism.

RATING: 3/5

547. This Nation's Saving Grace

This Nation's Saving Grace
The Fall
1985

Tracks
1. Mansion
2. Bombast
3. Barmy
4. What You Need
5. Spoilt Victorian Child
6. LA
7. Gut Of The Quantifier
8. My New House
9. Paintwork
10. I Am Damo Suzuki
11. To Nkroachment/Yarbles

We have finally arrived at the famed 1985, which is the best year of music according to Bowling for Soup. I know it might be considered blasphemous to reference that band in these hallowed pages, but I think we waved goodbye to any form of musical dignity after I couldn't appreciate the Rolling Stones.

Anyway, this was pretty good, with some interesting guitar work that I didn't expect to hear in 1985. The times they sure are a'changin'. I waited a few days between listening to this and writing down my thoughts, so this isn't as fresh in my mind as the albums usually are. Still, an enjoyable experience and a nice kick off to a new year.


RATING: 3/5

543. Double Nickels on the Dime

Double Nickels on the Dime
The Minutemen
1984

Tracks
1. D.'s Car Jam/Anxious Mo-Fo 
2. Theatre Is The Life Of You 
3. Viet Nam 
4. Cohesion 
5. It's Expected I'm Gone 
6. #1 Hit Song 
7. Two Beads At The End 
8. Do You Want New Wave Or Do You Want The Truth 
9. Don't Look Now 
10. Shit From An Old Notebook 
11. Nature Without Man 
12. One Reporter's Opinion 
13. Political Song For Michael Jackson To Sing 
14. Maybe Partying Will Help 
15. Toadies 
16. Retreat 
17. Big Foist 
18. God Bows To Math 
19. Corona 
20. Glory Of Man 
21. Take 5 D. 
22. My Heart And The Real World 
23. History Lesson 
24. You Need The Glory 
25. Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts 
26. West Germany 
27. Politics Of Time 
28. Themselves 
29. Please Don't Be Gentle With Me 
30. Nothing Indeed 
31. No Exchange 
32. There Ain't Shit On T.V. Tonight 
33. This Ain't No Picnic 
34. Spillage 
35. Untitled Song For Latin America 
36. Jesus And Tequila 
37. June 16th 
38. Storm In My House 
39. Martin's Story 
40. Dr. Wu 
41. World According To Nouns 
42. Love Dance 
43. Three Car Jam

Thankfully, this album is not as long as it seems, as some of the songs don't even reach the two minute mark. Perhaps this is the reason for the band's name. As far as nicknames go, it seems rather cruel.

This band has a really great sense of humor, but that didn't exactly translate into music I enjoyed listening to. Sometimes it's hard to articulate why you don't like a certain album and if I knew how, I probably wouldn't have so many haters. I would be a beach somewhere, drinking mai tais and dissing Queen.

Anyway, a perfectly acceptable album, and maybe good for a few laughs. Otherwise, can easily be skipped.

RATING: 3/5

542. Ocean Rain

Ocean Rain
Echo and the Bunnymen
1984

Tracks
1. Silver 
2. Nocturnal Me 
3. Crystal Days 
4. Yo Yo Man 
5. Thorn of Crowns 
6. Killing Moon 
7. Seven Seas 
8. My Kingdom 
9. Ocean Rain

I wasn't able to find this album in its entirety on YouTube, but I did watch live versions of all the tracks, which I think still counts. I am going to assume that Ian McCulloch's voice didn't crack quite as much on the studio version, but who knows. Perhaps "Nocturnal Me" was meant to be a painful experience.

That being said, I did enjoy this album. Sure, it's a bit pretentious, but "Killing Moon" and "Crystal Days" made it worth it. While it was a bit gothic for my tastes, I am still ultimately pleased with this entry.

RATING: 3/5

539. Let It Be

Let It Be
The Replacements
1984

Tracks
1. I Will Dare 
2. Favorite Thing
3. We're Comin' Out 
4. Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out 
5. Androgynous 
6. Black Diamond 
7. Unsatisfied 
8. Seen Your Video
9. Gary's Got a Boner 
10. Sixteen Blue 
11. Answering Machine

Well, that was a mixed bag. Predictably, I did not find the song "Gary's Got a Boner" to be particularly enjoyable. But other tracks, such as "I Will Dare" really blew me away, and I was surprised that I hadn't heard it before.

Still, the unevenness of this album prevents it from ever being a favorite. I would only recommend "Androgynous," "I Will Dare," and "Black Diamond." Everything else is skippable.

Apologies for the short review, but I am trying to catch up on quite a few writing assignments today. Next up, The Style Council! Uh oh.


RATING: 4/5

525. Porcupine

Porcupine
Echo and the Bunnymen
1983

Tracks
1. The Cutter
2. The Back Of Love
3. My White Devil
4. Clay
5. Porcupine
6. Heads Will Roll 
7. Ripeness
8. Higher Hell
9. Gods Will Be Gods
10. In Bluer Skies

This album started off great; unfortunately, it peaked too early.  Maybe "The Cutter" should have been a track in the middle; then the entire album wouldn't have felt like a downhill slog.

I am being much too harsh, but you all know by now how much I enjoy my jabs and semicolons.  This was actually a pretty decent album.  I suppose my expectations were a bit too high after "Crocodiles" and I just wanted this one to live up to its predecessor.  "The Cutter" did.  The rest...well...

The rest was okay and I do really like the vocals (don't ask me why).  But I felt like the lyrics were reaching for something that wasn't there.  "Gods Will Be Gods," for instance, felt way too lofty for this band to pull off.  This isn't their last album on the List though and I can truthfully say I look forward to the next one.

RATING: 4/5

519. Soul Mining

Soul Mining
The The
1983

Tracks
1. I've Been Waiting for Tomorrow (All My Life)
2. This is the Day
3. The Sinking Feeling
4. Uncertain Smile
5. The Twilight Hour
6. Soul Mining
7. Giant
8. Perfect

Once again, I was greatly confused by which version to listen to, as this album has approximately a thousand rereleases (or you know...five).  I ended up choosing US 1983 version, which is fortunate, as "Perfect" was easily the best song on this album (and wasn't included in the UK release).

This album is somewhat dated, although in the best way possible.  I feel like it really captures the British spirit at the time (this is just a conjecture though; I wasn't there).  Overall, a great album and I hope The The is featured more on this List.  Sorry for making fun of your name earlier.
  
RATING: 4/5

512. Sulk

Sulk
Associates
1982

Tracks
1. Arrogance Gave Him Up
2. No
3. Bap De La Bap
4. Gloomy Sunday
5. Nude Spoons
6. Skipping
7. It's Better This Way
8. Party Fears Two
9. Club Country
10. nothinginsomethingparticular

After the greatness that was Nebraska, we get kind of a meh album here.  It wasn't particularly bad, it just didn't really seem remarkable in any way.  It seems so non descript compared to the other albums on this list; I am curious why it was included.

That said, after the recent string of terrible albums, "not bad" is actually refreshing.  It was music I could write to without getting overly distracted, so there is some value in that.  I could clearly see some of the influences behind the album (Bowie perhaps?), but unfortunately, it didn't have a distinct voice of its own.

Apparently, the band would urinate in their guitars while they were recording this.  Artists are such sensitive souls.

RATING: 3/5

509. Junkyard

Junkyard
Birthday Party
1982

Tracks
1. Blast Off 
2. She's Hit 
3. Dead Joe 
4. The Dim Locator
5. Hamlet (Pow, Pow, Pow)
6. Several Sins 
7. Big-Jesus-Trash-Can 
8. Kiss Me Black 
9. 6" Gold Blade 
10. Kewpie Doll 
11. Junkyard

I really thought that after "Thriller" I would be accepting of anything.  Well, once again, the List proved me wrong.  These are dark times, and I don't think the next album will likely improve the situation.

Well, we can tell from the cover art that I am not the target demographic for this album.  I am not sure who is...angry teenage boys perhaps.  This was just unpleasant to listen to.  I'm not saying every album has to be Duran Duran-level upbeat but it was moody without much substance, at least to me.  It might appeal to some people, but I hope we can at least agree that this album is probably only accessible to a small group of people.

I miss "Thriller."

RATING: 2/5

507. Rip It Up

Rip It Up
Orange Juice
1982

Tracks
1. Rip It Up
2. Mud In Your Eye
3. Breakfast Time
4. Flesh Of My Flesh
5. Hokoyo
6. Million Pleading Faces
7. Turn Away
8. I Can't Help Myself
9. Louise Louise
10. Tenterhooks

Why do I keep listening to the rereleases of these albums?  It's always worse than the original.  It's like movie reboots and sequels.  Why can't they leave well enough alone?  Instead they had to include this extra strange track where the band jokes about touching kids?  Considering the next album on this List, this might be a case of ominous foreshadowing.

Other than that, this was a perfectly respectable album.  Perhaps a little generic and forgettable, but enjoyable nonetheless.  With some notable exceptions, there haven't been a lot of risk taking albums lately.  Child molestation references outside.

Still worth listening to, but don't expect to be wowed.

RATING: 3/5

488. Talk, Talk, Talk

Talk, Talk, Talk
Psychedelic Furs
1981

Tracks
1. Dumb Waiters
2. Pretty In Pink
3. I Wanna Sleep With You
4. No Tears
5. Mr. Jones
6. Into You Like A Train
7. It Goes On
8. So Run Down
9. All Of This And Nothing
10. She Is Mine

I hang my head in shame for not keeping my promise of daily posts.  I just moved so I have been pretty busy.  But I guess it is a poor workman who blames his tools.  Or in this case a poor blogger who blames her heavy picture frames that she isn't tall enough to hang up herself.

The quickest way to my heart is through my love of movies and cheese, so, in my opinion, no song tops "Pretty in Pink."  I found the rest of the songs entertaining too, although the the song "I Wanna Sleep With You" seems like the anthem of douchey single men everywhere.  

Anyway, I am quite excited for the next album, so I will try to get back on here asap.

RATING: 3/5

479. Juju

Juju
Siouxsie and the Banshees
1981

Tracks
1. Spellbound
2. Into The Light
3. Arabian Knights
4. Halloween
5. Monitor
6. Night Shift
7. Sin In My Heart
8. Head Cut
9. Voodoo Dolly

It was many moons ago that I reviewed Scream, which was Siouxsie and the Banshees' first album on The List.  By "many moons ago" I mean February, but hey, it is hard enough trying to remember albums from the week before, let alone from several months earlier.  I revisited the archives and saw that I had given it a 3 star rating.  I might have been too harsh, because this was some of the best music I have heard in awhile.

This is still dark, but it almost feels like the band isn't taking itself as seriously as anymore.  I know those two statements seem antithetical, but what I mean is they seem more interested in making enjoyable music (that still has a distinct element of gloom) than in creating experimental sounds.

Okay, I may not making a lot of sense as I am seriously burned out from writing my movie blog (hoping to finish that 1001 project tomorrow).  A definite thumbs up, which I desperately needed after Kollaps.

RATING: 4/5

474. Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
1980

Tracks
1. Ha Ha I'm Drowning 
2. Sleeping Gas 
3. Treason 
4. Second Head 
5. Poppies In The Field
6. Went Crazy 
7. Brave Boys Keep Their Promises 
8. Bouncing Babies 
9. Books 
10. The Thief Of Baghdad
11. When I Dream

I had never heard of the Teardrop Explodes before today.  It's not entirely shocking, as I don't believe they are truly musical geniuses or anything.  Still, it was enjoyable album and after all the shit this List has put me through, decent is good enough.

Lyrically, this album is quite impressive.  I was blown away by how sweet the songs were; just a quite glance at the track listing made me think this was going to be intense.  However, it was surprisingly tender.  It actually had me searching to see how good-looking the members of this band were and if any of them are still single.  It's a negative to both those questions if anyone is interested.

Anyway, definitely an improvement from yesterday and worth checking out.

RATING: 4/5

464. Killing Joke

Killing Joke
Killing Joke
1980

Tracks
1. Requiem
2. War Dance
3. Tomorrow's World
4. Bloodsport 
5. Wait
6. Complications 
7. So 36
8. Primitive

According to the Wikipedia page, this album influenced Nirvana and Marilyn Manson.  This is why it is so hard to review older albums; what sounded fresh in 1980 sounds tired now.  To me, this sounded like literally a hundred albums I have already listened to, which limited my enjoyment factor.

Still, it was original for the time and I suppose that makes it worth listening to.  "Wardance" is certainly the most intelligent of the songs, with lyrics like "The atmosphere's strange out on town, Music for pleasure, it's not music anymore.  Music to dance to, music to move.  This is music to march to."

So an album that deserves its place on the List, but not one that left much of an impression on me.  Thankfully, it did for other people.

RATING: 3/5