719. Automatic For The People

Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
1992

Tracks
1. Drive
2. Try Not To Breathe
3. Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
4. Everybody Hurts
5. New Orleans Instrumental No 1
6. Sweetness Follows
7. Monty Got A Raw Deal
8. Ignoreland
9. Star Me Kitten
10. Man On The Moon
11. Nightswimming
12. Find The River

I think everybody has heard at least a couple songs on this album. The most famous track is probably "Everybody Hurts" which is just the sort of cheerful ditty that really invigorates your Tuesday morning. I might need a minute.

There actually isn't a bad song on this album. Each track is thoughtful, accessible, and catchy. I particularly enjoyed "Man On The Moon" and "Nightswimming," both of which I had never heard before. So a familiar album, but it still held some unexpected treats.

This is just an excellent album and sorely needed after yesterday's Dr. Dre disaster. Five stars, easy.

RATING: 5/5

718. The Chronic

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

717. Ingenue

Ingenue
k.d. lang
1992

Tracks
1. Save Me
2. Mind Of Love
3. Miss Chatelaine
4. Wash Me Clean
5. So It Shall Be
6. Still Thrives This Love
7. Seasons Of Hollow Soul
8. Outside Myself
9. Tear Of Love's Recall
10. Constant Craving

k.d. lang came out as a lesbian the same year this was released, and had to face a picket line outside the Grammies (where she won for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance). Good for you k.d. I hope she did a victory lap outside after winning.

k.d has an amazing voice and is a fantastic songwriter to boot. I feel like it is impossible not to make a comparison to Joni Mitchell here, in terms of talent and style. Every song is pretty slow and melodic. I would have preferred some jauntier tunes sprinkled in there; I felt like I had been lulled into a stupor after listening to this.

It was interesting to see her move away from country to a more cabaret-esque feel. And, as always, it was nice to get a woman on the List. 

RATING: 4/5

716. Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury

Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury
Disposable Heroes of Hyphoprisy
1992

Tracks

1. Satanic Reverses
2. Famous And Dandy (Like Amos 'N' Andy)
3. Television The Drug Of The Nation
4. Language Of Violence
5. The Winter Of The Long Hot Summer
6. Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
7. Everyday Life Has Become A Health Risk
8. INS Greencard A-19 191 500
9. Socio-Genetic Experiment
10. Music And Politics
11. Financial Leprosy
12. California Uber Alles
13. Water Pistol Man

I'll like pretty much any album that contains literary references. This is a far cry from other West Coast hip hop albums coming out around the same time.

The best part about this album is the lyrics, which are smart and, unfortunately, still relevant today even if 2020 has redefined "dysfunction." It's an angry album, but doesn't contain the kind of blind, almost childish anger present in entries like Rage Against the Machine. This album actually has something to say.

I know it's my daily ritual to complain that the List is oversaturated with hip hop and/or metal albums, but I honestly wouldn't mind if there were all as good as this. They are not.

RATING: 4/5

715. Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
1992

Tracks
1. Bombtrack
2. Killing in the Name
3. Take the Power Back
4. Settle for Nothing
5. Bullet in the Head
6. Know Your Enemy
7. Wake Up
8. Fistful of Steel
9. Township Rebellion
10. Freedom

I think this album is for teenage boys who are attempting to sort through their rage and sexual frustration. Men might like it in their later years because it reminds them of being a teenage boy, or maybe they are still attempting to sort through their rage and sexual frustration and this album helps in some way. Having never been a teenage boy, I didn't enjoy this.

I think rage at a certain point renders you incoherent. That is what this album was to me: musically incoherent. It also felt very repetitive and just plain boring.

So it didn't offend me (maybe it was trying to?), but it didn't really interest me either.

RATING: 1/5

714. It's a Shame About Ray

It's a Shame About Ray
Lemonheads
1992

Tracks

1. Rockin' Stroll
2. Confetti
3. It's A Shame About Ray
4. Rudderless
5. My Drug Buddy
6. Turnpike Down
7. Bit Part
8. Alison's Starting To Happen
9. Hannah And Gabi
10. Kitchen
11. Ceiling Fan In My Spoon
12. Frank Mills
13. Mrs Robinson

I would be forgiving of most albums if they came with a cover of Mrs. Robinson. Thankfully, this is a great album and the Mrs. Robinson cover might actually be its weakest spot.

This was just a pure joy to listen to. The songs were light and catchy. Lyrically, I haven't seen such an impressive album in a long time. Each song was punchy and undemanding.

Most artists can't resist overstaying their welcome, but this album is only a half hour long. It left me wanting more, which is exactly what you want from any work of art. 

RATING: 5/5

713. Lam Toro

Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
1992

Tracks

1. Hamady Boiro (Yelle)
2. Daande Lenol
3. Lem Gi (Le Miel)
4. Ndelorel
5. Yela
6. Toro (Tioulel l'Oiseau)
7. Daniibe (Les Exilés)
8. Olel (I'écho)
9. Sy Sawande
10. Hamady Bogle

I am finding out that I like Senegalese music, which is something I never would discovered without the help of the List. And unlike Koffi Olomide, as far as I know Baaba Maal has never been accused of rape, so we can actually enjoy our foray into world music this time.

We've actually had a Baaba Maal album before on this List, which I also really enjoyed despite not understanding a word (although you still have to admire the vocals). It's strange, this is very different than the other 1992 music from the List but it still had a distinct 90s feel I can't explain.

So a nice, unproblematic, change of pace.

RATING: 4/5