347. That's The Way Of The World

That's The Way of The World
Earth, Wind, and Fire
1975

Tracks
1. Shining Star
2. That's The Way Of The World
3. Happy Feelin'
4. All About Love
5. Yearnin' Learnin'
6. Reasons
7. Africano
8. See The Light

I really hoped to do a bunch of albums during the holidays but I had so much work to do that it just did not happen.  Also, I was around my family a lot and I didn't want to subject them to potentially terrible music (it really is a dice roll every time I try a new one).  Oh well. We will try again with the Christmas holidays.

I had heard of this band before but couldn't tell you anything about it except maybe "didn't they mention it in the movie Hitch?".  However, I did recognize a few of the songs (I think everyone has heard "Shining Star") and was really pleased with the ones I didn't know.

This is simply a fun funk album, which I can see dancing to (or flailing around to in my case).  Of course, there is not much lyrical depth but I wasn't really looking for any.  We get some great saxophone solos, as well.

So it gets kind of old fast but it was still a fun pick.

RATING: 3/5

You, my reader, are a shining star!  Ugh, don't hate me too much for that one:

346. Red Headed Stranger

Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
1975

Tracks
1. Time of the Preacher
2. I Couldn't Believe It Was True 
3. Time of the Preacher (Theme) 
4. Medley: Blue Rock Montana/Red Headed Stranger 
5. Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain 
6. Red Headed Stranger 
7. Time of the Preacher (Theme) 
8. Just as I Am 
9. Denver 
10. O'er the Waves 
11. Down Yonder 
12. Can I Sleep in Your Arms? 
13. Remember Me (When the Candlelights Are Gleaming) 
14. Hands on the Wheel 
15. Bandera

The idea of having to listen to more honky tonk music after suffering through the Louvin Brothers was almost too much to bare.  However, after listening to this album, even I had to admit that there was something special about this one and maybe even about the whole genre (although I suppose this is more outlaw country than *shiver* honky tonk).

This is a concept album that tells the story of a fugitive on the run after killing his wife, her lover, and some random woman who steals his horse.  The story was actually so popular that a movie, starring Nelson, was made.  Is it possible that the movie didn't completely suck?  I don't know and I don't intend to find out.

I wasn't too crazy about the concept since it sounded like Nelson wanted us to feel sorry for this man, who obviously was a raging monster.  However, I actually liked each song individually.  For instance, the song "I Couldn't Believe It Was True" was poetic and sweet (although that sweetness was slightly negated since he ended up killing his wife but still claimed he wanted her to be happy).

So when I looked at the songs without thinking of the concept I actually liked quite a few of them.  However, when "Down Yonder" started playing, which was a purely instrumental (i.e. banjo) song, I was ready to turn it off.

RATING: 3/5

345. A Night At The Opera

A Night At The Opera
Queen
1975

Tracks
1. Death On Two Legs 
2. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon 
3. I'm In Love With My Car 
4. You're My Best Friend 
5. '39 
6. Sweet Lady 
7. Seaside Rendezvous 
8. Prophet's Song 
9. Love Of My Life 
10. Good Company 
11. Bohemian Rhapsody 
12. God Save The Queen

This was a real puzzle of an album and I am not quite sure what to think of it yet.  Now, I know I must seem like a bit of an idiot trying to figure out a Queen album.  But I faced the same problem that I do constantly with my sister's boyfriend.  Is he serious or not?  Should I be offended or not?  Tell me, if you are making fun of me, dammit!  

So was Queen being pretentious or making fun of pretentious albums?  I would assume if I had to ask that question it means it is being ironic.  But I still feel like I am missing part of the joke.  Oh well, I certainly have enough practice with that.

Everyone has heard the song "Bohemian Rhapsody".  It gave me a smile this time around since it seemed to making fun of the absurdity of Tommy.  "You're My Best Friend" was a fun find on this album and one that will definitely get repeated listenings.

So Queen can be fun, if only in small doses. 

RATING: 3/5

344. Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
1975

Tracks
1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond 
2. Welcome To The Machine 
3. Have A Cigar 
4. Wish You Were Here 
5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond

It's been a long time since we heard from Pink Floyd and now they give us one of those albums that you know, even before listening to it, that it has probably been labeled a masterpiece.  Fortunately, I liked it, although music critics will still no doubt think I am an idiot for not liking it for the right reasons.  God, I hate these non existent people I am talking about right now!

Anyway, this is probably the most normal Pink Floyd album I have heard so far.  Normal, for me, meaning an album that does not make me feel like I have been abducted on an alien spaceship with a bunch of teenage boys that are tripping on LSD.  I absolutely loved the song "Wish You Were Here".  I think everyone has someone who they wished lived closer so the sentiment is pretty familiar, but the lyrics were beautiful and unique.  What have we found?  The same old fears.  Wish you were here.  

Well, that didn't quite sound as good without the haunting music in the background.  But hopefully, you get the point.  I never really looked to Pink Floyd for lyrical truth or beauty but this album definitely changed my mind about them.

So a lovely album and one that definitely surprised me.  I think I liked it so much because it was so different than their earlier work; that might be precisely the reason why you don't like if you are a Pink Floyd fan.  Still, worth a listen.

RATING: 5/5

343. Horses

Horses
Patti Smith
1975

Tracks
1. Gloria 
2. Redondo Beach 
3. Birdland
4. Free Money 
5. Kimberly 
6. Break It Up 
7. Land 
8. Elegie

Ha!  I actually did this album last night which means no "I am failure" post on Monday and we are sticking with me doing one album per weekend, at least while I am still doing the movie blog.

So I had never heard of Patti Smith and was not even sure if she was a man or a woman when I started listening to the album.  I am grateful for The Book though because, even though it puts me through a lot of crap, it does come up with some great gems, including this album.

I absolutely loved Smith's voice.  It's hard to describe but she had one of those powerful voices that turns one syllable words into two syllables and makes every word significant.  I wouldn't have even cared what she was saying but she happened to have great lyrics.  For instance, "Gloria" has the lyrics: "Jesus died for everybody's sins but not mine/ melting in a pot of thieves/ wild card up my sleeve/ thick heart of stone/ my sins my own/ they belong with me, me."

So a great album.  Go girl power!  Wait, guy power?  No, girl power!

RATING: 5/5

342. Blood On The Tracks

Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
1975

Tracks
1. Tangled Up In Blue
2. Simple Twist Of Fate
3. You're A Big Girl Now
4. Idiot Wind
5. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
6. Meet Me In The Morning
7. Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts
8. If You See Her, Say Hello
9. Shelter From The Storm
10. Buckets Of Rain

I have discovered something quite strange from my 1001 journeys.  While most of my views on books and movies conform to the general consensus, my music taste seems to be the exact opposite of what most people believe.  Although some might consider me a hipster, I am pretty most people, myself included, just believe I am missing something.

I could not find a single negative review of this album, but I just didn't like it.  At all.  Now, my feelings toward Bob Dylan have been lukewarm at best.  I don't have a problem with his voice like some people do, but I find his songwriting style choppy and not particularly clever.  Side note: if any music fan feels the need to burn an effigy of me at this moment, can I request that you make the waist tiny?  Please and thank you.

This album is mostly about loneliness, which is something we can all relate to.  I did enjoy a few lyrics and I actually did not hate the song "If You See Her, Say Hello".  It is actually probably my favorite Dylan song but since I am not a fan, that is not saying much.

Is there a more annoying instrument than a harmonica?  I would rather listen to the bongo band again.

So yeah, I am never going to be a Bob Dylan fan.  That being said, I completely understand why he appeals to most.  Am I covering my ass enough with this post?  Well, I tried.  Bring on the nasty comments.

RATING: 2/5

341. Tonight's The Night

Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
1975

Tracks
1. Tonight's The Night 
2. Speakin' Out 
3. World On A String 
4. Borrowed Tune 
5. Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown
6. Mellow My Mind 
7. Roll Another Number (For The Road) 
8. Albuquerque 
9. New Mama 
10. Look Out Joe
11. Tired Eyes 
12. Tonight's The Night

I am sorry it has been a couple weeks since I last wrote.  I have been out of town for the last two weekends.  One weekend went quite well, another was an unmitigated disaster.  Anyway, I was excited to sit down with another Neil Young album.

Recently, I heard that my sister's boyfriend didn't like Neil Young.  I demanded an explanation of why last time I saw him.  Startled he said "well, the Allman Brothers don't like him."  Unable to think of anything to say (I had never heard of the Allman Brothers) I continued to glare until he finally said (possibly out of fear) "I guess he isn't that bad."  So I guess that is my version of having an intelligent conversation about music.  Oh well, it worked and Neil Young got some respect.

Although Harvest still reigns as my favorite Neil Young album, he certainly held his own with Tonight's The Night.  This album was a lot different than his other work, although I am having trouble putting my finger on the change.  It seemed rawer somehow and maybe more country?  In any case, it was lovely, both instrumentally and lyrically.

Another great album by a great artist.

RATING: 5/5