340. Shalimar

Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
1975

Tracks
1.Title Music 
2.One Two Cha Cha Cha 
3. Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na Thay 
4. Countess Caper (Music) 
5. Naag Devta 
6. Aaina Wohi Rehta Hai 
7. Baby Let's Dance Together 
8. Romantic Theme (Music) 
9. Mrea Pyar Shalimar 
10. Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na Thay (Happy)

Due to a shitty internet connection last night, I was unable to finish this post last night.  My goal lately has been to do an album every weekend.  Hopefully, when I am done with my movie blog, I will be able to do one every day.  We shall see.

Anyway, I had a fun Bollywood weekend at home.  I watched The Brave Hearted Will Take The Bride, which is a fantastic musical and high recommended, and then, by coincidence, I listened to Shalimar.  It was really hard to find information on this album but I am pretty sure it either is a soundtrack to a movie or was later used in a movie.  Can anyone in the comment section clear that up for me?

I knew going into this that this genre of music isn't everyone's cup of tea.  In fact, I played one of the songs for my sister and she practically covered her ears and ran out screaming.  However, I actually enjoyed it.  Maybe I was just in the mood after watching an Indian film, but I found it to be charming.

Now, this certainly is not the kind of music that will find its way to my iPod but if you just surrender yourself to the atmosphere that the music creates, you can have a lot of fun with it.  So bring out the hookahs and chapati!

RATING: 4/5

339. Nighthawks at the Diner

Nighthawks at the Diner
Tom Waits
1975

Tracks
1. Opening Intro
2. Emotional Weather Report
3. Intro
4. On a Foggy Night
5. Intro
6. Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)
7. Intro
8. Better off Without a Wife
9. Nighthawk Postcards
10. Intro
11. Warm Beer and Cold Women
12. Intro
13. Putnam County
14. Spare Parts I (A Nocturnal Emission)
15. Nobody
16. Intro
17. Big Joe and Phantom 309
18. Spare Parts II and Closing

I had heard Tom Waits referenced in several tv shows, but I had never a single song of his today.  Oh, I should have appreciated the ignorance more when I had the chance.

First of all, he had one of the worst singing voices I have ever heard.  I can certainly see why it would appeal to some (after all, I love Nico and that is certainly an…acquired taste) but it was so scratchy and deep that I couldn't stand it.

I will give him some props on the lyrics.  One song in particular detailed why he never wants to get married and as someone who is perpetually single, I can relate.

This album was recorded in studio with an audience, which I think was supposed to make it sound like a concert.  The laugh track that went off every time he made a lame joke got extremely annoying; it was like watching an episode of Happy Days.

I don't think this is the last we have seen of Waits and hopefully, he will impress me more next time.

Sorry for the short review; it is Sunday afternoon and I must prepare for the crappy week ahead.

RATING: 2/5

338. The Hissing of Summer Lawns

The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
1975

Tracks
1. In France They Kiss On Main Street
2. Jungle Line
3. Edith And The Kingpin
4. Don't Interrupt The Sorrow
5. Shades Of Scarlet Conquering
6. Hissing Of Summer Lawns
7. Boho Dance
8. Harry's House
9. Sweet Bird
10. Shadows And Light

My sister Rachel constantly makes fun of me for liking Joni Mitchell's which is undeniable ahem…a bit pitchy.  However, her voice is in this album is a lot different than in songs like "Carey" or "California" and stays low.  Oh wait, I forgot about the end of "Edith and The Kingpin" which nearly blew out my speakers.  Okay, so let's change that statement "mostly stays low".

This is a really weird album for MItchell.   Most of her songs from "Blue" seemed to be about traveling and loneliness.  While the majority of her songs from this album followed that same line of thought, there were some jarring exceptions.  "Jungle Line" sounded like an Afro-Cuban song and while I have been known to enjoy that genre, it is not genre that I typically associate with Joni and I am not sure it was pulled off particularly well.

However, as a whole, I had a good time with this album.  Listening to Mitchell is always a bit of a sad task, but I love her voice and her lyrics are beautiful.

RATING: 4/5

337. Born To Be With You

Born To Be With You
Dion
1975

Tracks
1. Born To Be With You
2. Make The Woman Love Me
3. Your Own Back Yard
4. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
5. Only You Know
6. New York City Song
7. In And Out Of The Shadows
8. Good Lovin' Man
9. Baby Let's Stick Together

I have been writing for three hours now and still have to write a book review.  Oh, the woes of procrastination.

When I first saw the track list for this album, I was convinced that it was going to have an underlying religious theme.  I remember the song "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" from my Catholic classes in elementary school.  Those aren't exactly good memories for me.

However, I ended up really liking this album and detected no religious message.  The songs are catchy , though I read that the a frequent complain is that the instrumentals make it sound like funeral music.  I didn't get that vibe at all and was actually uplifted by the end of the album.  It was a weird mix of lounge music and rock that for some weird reason seemed to work.

As far as the lyrics go, I wasn't blown away by any specific song.  Still, easy listening and not a total wash.

RATING: 4/5

In and Out of Shadows:

336. Pieces of the Sky

Pieces of the Sky
Emmylou Harris
1975

Tracks
1. Bluebird Wine 
2. Too Far Gone 
3. If I Could Only Win Your Love
4. Boulder To Birmingham 
5. Before Believing
6. Bottle Let Me Down 
7. Sleepless Nights 
8. Coat Of Many Colors 
9. For No One 
10. Queen Of The Silver Dollar

Well I am sick with some cold that seems designed to make me as unattractive as possible (we are talking Gollum voice and runny and raw nose).  Subsequently, I missed a fun family dinner and spent my Saturday night listening to this album and I have to say, there are worse ways to spend your time.

I loved Emmylou's voice; it was very unique and interesting.  My main problem with this album is the backing vocals, which seemed to be mostly comprised of men.  I would have preferred to just hear her voice; the backing vocals seemed to transform the ballads into songs that almost sounded like hymns.

I was pleased to see that the album contained a few love songs, my favorite being "Too Far Gone".  It was kind of refreshing to get such personal songs; I am used to songs about how much society sucks: we are in the seventies after all.

This is not necessarily my genre of choice but it was a good album that I would definitely recommend.

RATING: 4/5

Too Far Gone:

335. Born to Run

Born to Run
Bruce Springsteen
1975

Tracks
1. Thunder Road
2. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
3. Night
4. Backstreets
5. Born to Run
6. She's the One
7. Meeting Across the River
8. Jungleland

It seems like it has become somewhat of a tradition to start each post on this blog by apologizing for not updating more.  I have been trying a lot of new things lately (including skydiving and shooting guns) and I am afraid my album blog is paying the price for my new carpe diem lifestyle.

I learned two things today about Bruce Springsteen.  One, he is super attractive.  I had only ever seen pictures of him in his sixties.  I mean, look at this guy:

Ahem.  Anyway, I also learned that I love his music (although as I understand it, it got progressively worse so this may be a one time thing).

"She's The One" was by far my favorite song and one that will definitely make it to my iPod playlist.  Springsteen writes catchy songs but unlike bands like say, Aerosmith, his lyrics actually have some depth.

Lyrics today seem to either be about partying or how annoying it is to have paparazzi in your life.  Now, I am not saying I don't enjoy those songs, but Springsteen truly had a talent and it was a pleasure listening to him.

RATING: 5/5

334. Burning Spear

Burning Spear
Marcus Garvey
1975

Tracks
1. Marcus Garvey
2. Slavery Days
3. Invasion
4. Live Good
5. Give Me
6. Old Marcus Garvey
7. Tradition
8. Jordan River
9. Red Gold And Green
10. Resting Place

Well, that wasn't very impressive.  Don't get me wrong, it was a decent reggae album.  But after listening to Bob Marley, this kind of feels like a poor imitation.  Even his name sounds like a rip off of Marvin Gaye.  I was distinctly reminded of the band The Monkees that just were never quite as good as the Beatles.

Of course, I am not that much of reggae fan so delving deeper into the genre isn't really my idea of a good time.  Still, it wasn't all bad.  The lyrics of "Slavery Days" are deeply moving while "Old Marcus Garvey" had a nice melody.  Still, lyric wise and talent wise, Garvey is no Marley.  It is probably a bit unfair to compare him to the best, but it was hard not to when the style was so similar.

Overall, it didn't blow me away but it wasn't a complete waste of time.

RATING: 2/5