Face to Face
The Kinks
1966
Tracks
1. Party Line
2. Rosie Won't You Please Come Home
3. Dandy
4. Too Much on My Mind
5. Session Man
6. Rainy Day in June
7. House in the Country
8. Holiday in Waikiki
9. Most Exclusive Residence for Sale
10. Fancy
11. Little Miss Queen of Darkness
12. You're Lookin' Fine
13. Sunny Afternoon
14. I'll Remember
Amanda: Our sixty-sixth album in 1966. My mind just exploded!!
This album is an attempted replica of the works of The Beatles. Of course, this isn't a bad thing. If I was part of a band in the 1960s, I would attempt to copy the works of The Beatles and The Beach Boys; we all know how successful they are. This album was entertaining and most of the songs are interesting, particularly the one about Hawaii. I have always a dream of moving to Hawaii, even if it was just for a year. What a fascinating culture that I know absolutely nothing about. We will see if that dream is ever realized. Anyways, this album was really enjoyable. However, I have to give a zero on the innovation scale. Like I said, they are major copycats. At least they chose to copy geniuses.
RATING: 
Brie: As Amanda said, the Kinks are basically a blend of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys. The album was pure fun; not that there's anything wrong with that. It doesn't really stand out to me as one of the greatest albums of all time, especially after some of the masterpieces we have reviewed already. I guess it was a fad in 1966 to have a song with some kind of Indian influence on your album. For the Kinks it was "Fancy". My favorite songs were "Sunny Afternoon" and "Rosy Won't You Please Come Home". Some people consider Face To Face to be the first pop/rock album, which is pretty neat. I think it is in our book because it kickstarted the Kinks successful period. So, I liked it but my mind wasn't blown.
RATING:
Black Monk Time
The Monks
1966
Tracks
1. Monk Time
2. Shut Up
3. Boys Are Boys And Girls Are Choice
4. Higgle-Dy-Piggle-Dy
5. I Hate You
6. Oh How To Do Now
7. Complication
8. We Do Wie Du
9. Drunken Maria
10. Love Came Tumblin' Down
11. Blast Off
12. That's My Girl
Amanda: If you have never heard of this group, do not be surprised. The Monks were an early punk band who never hit it big in the states. They don't exactly have the sound that would strike a lot of peoples' fancies; forgive the early 1700s term (I am reading Tom Jones).
This album had a really new sound, not just for people in 1960s but for me as well since I am not a huge punk fan. I really got into though. It made me want to push or kick something (in a good way if that is possible). They were really anti-Vietnam which is always appreciated by a pacifist. Very enjoyable especially after Bob Dylan.
RATING:
Brie: Even though "Monk Time" protested the war in Vietnam, it was far from a serious album. It was full of nonsense and loud instruments. I really liked on "Monk Time" (the song) when the singer shouted about his protest to the war. That was pretty cool and unexpected. "Drunken Maria" was also enjoyable.The Monks were actually a group of ex-US servicemen, so go figure. I couldn't really put my finger on exactly how to describe this album... I would say that it is 'radical' if that word can be applied in the political sense and the slang term simultaneously. "Monk Time" was even more punk than the Sonics, but I think I like the Sonics better. Don't get me wrong, I like punk (Patti Smith is one of my faves). I just liked the Sonics' songs more.
It wasn't my favorite, but I didn't hate it. I am very tired and feeling a bit under the weather today, so I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't feeling so run down.
RATING:
By the way, sorry I couldn't be more articulate, as I said I am very, very tired.
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
1966
1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. Pledging My Time
3. Visions Of Johanna
4. One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)
5. I Want You
6. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
7. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
8. Just Like A Woman
9. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
10. Temporary Like Achilles
11. Absolutely Sweet Marie
12. 4th Time Around
13. Obviously Five Believers
14. Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands
Brie: This is the first Bob Dylan album I ever heard. I swear I haven't been the same since. Blonde On Blonde is often considered one of the best rock 'n' roll albums in history. I challenge you to find me a better album than Blonde On Blonde. It is also thought of as the conclusion to Bob Dylan's remarkable trilogy of his prime. (Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde On Blonde). This album has elements of folk, rock, and blues all rolled into one. It was also revolutionary because of its incredible length (it was a four sided album), and the final song takes up an entire side. These songs cannot be put into words, but I will try.
"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" was probably the biggest shocker to the folkies in '66. There is a great story about how the song was recorded. Apparently Bob didn't like how the recording musicians were playing at the time, so he took them out to the parking lot and had them smoke who knows what. Then he took them back inside and switched all of their instruments around and told them to just play. After a few minutes, they stopped and one of the musicians asked when they were going to record "Rainy Day Women" and Bob replied, we just did. Ha! Who knows if it is true. It is one of those stories that no one checks up on because everybody wants to believe that it's true.
"Visions Of Johanna" is one of Dylan's most beautiful ballads. It never ceases to amaze me how Bob can capture the most transcendental feelings into words, and brilliantly at that. "Visions" is kind of soft rock, but the guitar (played by Robbie Robertson) is hard rock. "One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)" is a rockin' little number about a failed relationship and discovering what went wrong. Dylan's overenunciation is perfection.
"I Want You" is too stunning for me to put into words, so I will include Bob's own words here: "It's not just pretty words to a tune or putting tunes to words... it's the words and the music together - I can hear the sound of what I want to say."
"Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again" is so groovin' and jovial, yet there is a sense of desperation. Is that a Casio keyboard? It also includes one of the most quoted Dylan lyrics, "here I sit so patiently, waiting to find out what price, you have to pay to get out of, going through all these things twice." I feel the need to say this to people in my daily life.
"Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" has some pretty rad guitar solos by Robertson (Do people still say rad? I'm bringing it back) and some pretty witty lyrics. "You might think he loves you for your money, but I know what he really loves you for, It's your brand new leopard-skin pillbox hat". "Just Like A Woman" is so tender and delicate as it describes feminine vulnerability.
"Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)", "Temporary Like Achilles", and "Obviously Five Believers" have prominent blues influences. Again with the fab keyboard on "Absolutely Sweet Marie" which has one of the best life lessons by Bob: "To live outside the law you must be honest".
"4th Time Around" was inspired by the Beatles song "Norwegian Wood". Norwegian Wood's lyrics were inspired by Bob Dylan's writing style. One critic said that "4th Time Around" was "Bob Dylan impersonating John Lennon impersonating Bob Dylan".
"Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands" is, in my opinion, the most beautiful song ever composed. It is magical, celestial, and lovelorn. At the time it was recorded, Dylan said "This is the best song I've ever written." Indeed, Bob, indeed.
I love every single song on Blonde On Blonde. I think this is as close to a perfect album as mankind will get. This album was startling in a sense when it came out. Dylan was light years ahead. And I think the rest of us still haven't caught up.
Bob's words in the ninties:
"The closest I've ever got to the sound I hear in my mind was on the individual bands in the Blonde On Blonde album. It's that thin, that wild mercury sound. It's metallic and bright gold, with whatever that conjures up!"
Below I have included an outtake from the Blonde On Blonde cover photoshoot for your viewing enjoyment.
RATING:
Amanda: Something seriously seems to be wrong with me.
I mentioned in a previous post that everyone I have read about who attempted this crazy project eventually warms up to Dylan. I seem to be the opposite. The more I listen to him, the more I hate him. I am sorry, Brie, I gave this album a shot (and I will take your challenge; Rubber Soul!) but these songs are really obnoxious. If anyone who read our blog left comments, I am afraid they would be quite nasty. I find his songs choppy and I really hate the harmonica. Who the hell invented that horrible instrument? Since when is a screeching sound enjoyable to anyone? I know Dylan is apparently deep but I would refer to get my wisdom from Henry Fielding or Joseph Heller. Not Choppy McScreechie here. Two more albums of his...
RATING:
Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
1966
Tracks
1. 5D Fifth Dimension
2. Wild Mountain Thyme
3. Mr Spaceman
4. I See You
5. What's Happening
6. I Come And Stand At Every Door
7. Eight Miles High
8. Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)
9. Captain Soul
10. John Riley
11. 2 4 2 Foxtrot (The Lear Jet Song)
Amanda: The book was on the defensive for including this album in the list. A lot of people think this album is uneven and The Byrds' worst work. Which of course, means that I loved it because my taste in music is just awful.
I prefer the term "varied" over "uneven". The song "John Riley" is completely different than "5D Fifth Dimension" but they are both fantastic. The Byrds have such calming, unique voices. I did like their previous album better, but that is not to say that this album sucked. It is just underrated. Brie called me a hipster yesterday when we were watching Nightmare on Elm Street. Does this solidify your claim, Brie?:)
RATING:
Brie: Question: why is this album so bad? Well, I don't have an answer for you. There is a track called "What's Happening?!?!". Yeah, I'm asking myself the same question. The only good song on the album was "Eight Miles High". I actually found myself laughing at how absurd it is that we have to listen to this. I mean, come on! Fifth Dimension is so half-assed and unimpressive. And why would the critics who put together the 1001 book include The Byrds' worst album? Next! (The next album is actually Blonde On Blonde!!!) There are butterflies in my stomach because of how excited I am. :)
Actually, I take back calling you a hipster. After all of this time being your best friend, I still have no idea what your taste in music is. Also, you didn't get defensive when I called you that, so you are definitely not a hipster. (Ironically, they say you can tell if someone is a hipster by calling them a hipster, then if they freak out they are a hipster, but if they don't mind being called a hipster, they are not a hipster.... so, yeah.) Woah, I typed 'hipster' an overwhelming amount of times in this paragraph. Sorry about that.
RATING:
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
1966
Tracks
1. Wouldn't It Be Nice
2. You Still Believe
3. That's Not Me
4. Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)
5. I'm Waiting for the Day
6. Let's Go Away for Awhile
7. Sloop John B.
8. God Only Knows
9. I Know There's an Answer
10. Here Today
11. I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
12. Pet Sounds
13. Caroline, No
Amanda: We are on an excellent roll here. I mean, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and The Beatles? I am really paranoid that these enjoyable albums will reach a screeching halt with Fred Neil. We will have to see!
I had never seen this side of The Beach Boys before. I thought all their songs sounded the same and were only to be used in surfing montages. This album, however, is poetic, beautiful, and innovative. "I Know There's an Answer" is completely different than "Wouldn't it Be Nice" though they are both wonderful. I am like the girl at the 75 minute mark who sees a different side of the guy when he talks to a little boy who is comically wise for his age. I watch too many movies...
RATING:
Brie: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" was probably the high point of the album, then it was just all down hill from there. "I'm Waiting For The Day" was the only other stand out for me. The harmonies on "You Still Believe In Me" went on for an annoyingly long time.
Most Beach Boys fans ignored/hated this album when it came out in 1966. They didn't like that the Beach Boys were helping to create a new sound for pop music. This album set the bar higher as far as the standards for pop music went at the time. I guess Brian Wilson felt inspired by the Beatles' Rubber Soul, so he took on the challenge to try to create something better. I personally still prefer Rubber Soul. I really respect the Beach Boys for their song writing and innovation, but their music just isn't for me.
RATING:
Revolver
The Beatles
1966
Tracks
1. Taxman
2. Eleanor Rigby
3. I'm Only Sleeping
4. Love You To
5. Here There and Everywhere
6. Yellow Submarine
7. She Said She Said
8. Good Day Sunshine
9. And Your Bird Can Sing
10. For No One
11. Dr Robert
12. I Want to Tell You
13. Got to Get You Into My Life
14. Tomorrow Never Knows
Amanda: I am a little embarrassed about the confusion on this blog. I am sorry; I know the poll has been a bit cryptic. You are not supposed to vote for your least favorite artist. You are supposed to vote for you favorite. I apologize for all the confusion and I am sure our followers will remedy it in no time.
Moving on, this is really a revolutionary album. I despise the song "Yellow Submarine" though. Making these songs was so complicated (they required very creative guitar playing) that The Beatles never performed this album live. They played the guitar and then played it backwards apparently. I love it!
RATING:
Brie: I can safely say now that I am a Beatles fan. Their earlier music just didn't live up to the hype, or more importantly, my expectations. I really liked the last Beatles album we reviewed, Rubber Soul, which showed a lot of progress, and I loved Revolver. When this album came out in the sixties, it was unlike anything people had ever heard before. I loved the Indian influence on songs such as "Love You Too". Go George! The best Beatles song we have listened to up to this point is defininitely "Eleanor Rigby". I also loved "Here, There, and Everywhere". I think we have to give a little bit of credit to Bob Dylan here, though. I mean, he did introduce the Beatles to drugs. Without marijuana or LSD, this album and the albums that followed would not have been possible. So, you're welcome. I can't wait to listen to Revolver again!
RATING:
