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Tag Archives: Kraftwerk

Spinning Sunday or: The Haul 2/5/22

06 Sunday Feb 2022

Posted by TGBII in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Tags

Crosby Stills and Nash, Damn Yankees, Discogs, Kraftwerk, Music, Superchunk, Underdog Records, WSNC

©Philips

Salutations™!!

I was stuck in class all day yesterday, so The BCPF and I got to Underdog Records late. That’s really all we got to do outside having dinner with friends. So, let’s just jump in…

Damn Yankees – Damn Yankees — This is really the only way I can tolerate Ted Nugent. Mainly, that’s because of Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades. I paid a good deal for this. It is in EX condition and it looks unplayed. This is a rare find. Club Edition.

Kraftwerk – Techno Pop — 1986 reissue that is best known as a record that took a half-decade to complete. One member got more into cycling than recording, the sound wasn’t up to par, etc. Limited Edition, Misprint, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo, Clear, 180g, German Text On Cover. New.

Kraftwerk – Autobahn — This is a reissue of a reissue. The original was released in 1974. The official reissue was in 2009 for the 35th anniversary. This is a reissue of that. Five total songs, the first side is the 22:30 long title track. New. Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Special Edition, Stereo, Blue Translucent, 180g.

Superchunk – Majesty Shredding — The BCPF and I were both very surprised to find a Superchunk album that we didn’t have. New.

Crosby Stills Nash – Live It Up — This was a live album recorded after David Crosby got out of jail in the late 80s. On name only, I don’t recognize any of the songs on this. It’s a Columbia House club version. EX.

Here’s a PSA that Underdog Records will not be open next Saturday. Jonathan and his girlfriend Kerri are hoping to start a new tradition (this being the second annual time) of going on a mini-vacation the weekend of the Super Bowl. Good for him. He deserves it. But, you can purchase new vinyl, day or night by visiting the website. And, use Discogs to curate and track your collection.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I don’t want to live without you anymore. Can’t you see I’m in misery? And you know for sure. I would live and die for you and I know just what to do when you call me baby. Don’t say goodbye. Say you’re gonna stay forever. Oh, whoa, all the way. Can you take me high enough?” – “High Enough” (Blades/Nugent/Shaw)

Spinning Monday or: The Haul 12/26/20

28 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by TGBII in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Discogs, Donovan, Kraftwerk, Music, Patachou, The BCPF, The Hu, The Rascals, Underdog Records

Salutations™!!

I moved this to Monday because yesterday was Ma Mère’s birthday and I wanted to honor her. So, here we are today. The BCPF and I went to Underdog Records and ate at Willows for the first time in 287 days on Saturday. We came home and listened to records whilst watching football. Here’s the haul:

©Eleven Seven Music

The Hu – The Gereg — If you haven’t heard (or heard of) The Hu (pronounced just like the British Invasion band), you’re truly missing out. It’s Mongolian folk metal. Mongolian throat singing, using Morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), Tovshuur (a two- or three-stringed lute) and hard rock. All that in one place. It’s really interesting and a great listen. This is the 2×LP deluxe edition that has all the bonus tracks with The Hu doing tunes with Lzzy Hale, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach and From Ashes to New. It’s in cream colored vinyl. New.

Kraftwerk – The Man•Machine — Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo, Red Translucent, 180g. “SPEZIAL EDITION FARBIGES VINYL” says the hype sticker. Reissue of the 1978 album from one of the most famous electronic bands ever. I have never heard it, so I’m excited. New.

Donovan – Mellow Yellow — Contains the title track and a lot of Donovan goodness. He was definitely the influence on Belle and Sebastian. They are both from Glasgow, after all. Mono. VG+.

The Rascals – Search And Nearness — From 1971. VG+.

Patachou – Paris C’est Une Blonde — Parisian fare and we love that. VG+.

There are actually several $1 records that we bought but I’m out of practice with those and after I cleaned them… forgot to put them in Discogs. I’ll do that later.

Underdog is open odd hours this week. He’s open Monday-Wednesday (he’s usually closed during those times) 11a-7p and is closed from Thursday, 12/31 until Wednesday, 1/6, reopening on 1/7. No porch deliveries until 1/11. Did you get gift certs or gift cards? Go buy some records! Jonathan is taking a well-deserved Staycation. Jonathan and I will have news after the first of the year! I use Discogs to track my collection.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“I’m-a just mad about Saffron. She’s just mad about me. They call me mellow yellow (quite rightly).” – “Mellow Yellow” (Donovan)

Spinning Monday or: The Listen 5/9/20

11 Monday May 2020

Posted by TGBII in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Chicago, Dire Straits, Discogs, Fleetwood Mac, George Harrison, Iron Maiden, Jackson Browne, Kraftwerk, Laura Branigan, Love, Music, Pretenders, Prince, Records, Rush, Simply Red, Sufjan Stevens, The BCPF, The Cars, The Less Desirables, Timbuk3, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Underdog Records

Salutations™!!

Yep, I am a day behind on this because yesterday was Mother’s Day.

So, Underdog Records is still “closed” and Jonathan says that while he does see reopening in the near future, it will still be several weeks, and procedures within the store will be different. He’s doing a shload of deliveries right now, though. Head over to the Underdog Records website, or follow on Instagram (Jonathan’s preferred method) and Facebook to see what you can purchase.

And, per usual, this week’s streaming listens comes from Discogs’ shuffle feature and it has to be an album that I own on vinyl (outside of peripheral things like Beeswax Vinyl & More listens), that way it’s like listening to my vinyl but with headphones from my computer whilst The BCPF works 10 feet away. Here’s the list:

collageA51020

©record companies/not me

  • The Cars – Heartbeat City
  • Prince And The Revolution – Parade
  • Bruce Springsteen – The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle
  • Love – Forever Changes
  • George Harrison – Cloud Nine
  • Timbuk 3 – Greetings From Timbuk 3
  • Chicago – Chicago 16
  • The Honeydrippers – Volume One
  • Rush – Permanent Waves
  • Simply Red – Picture Book
  • Iron Maiden – Piece Of Mind
  • Laura Branigan – Self Control
  • Traffic – The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys

    CollageB51020

    ©record companies/not me

That’s a pretty good “listen” list, I think. Not my favorite Prince album and I’m not a huge Springsteen fan, but overall, it was enjoyable.

Then there were the ones that The BCPF and I listened to on Saturday on vinyl:

  • Kraftwerk – Trans Europe Express
  • The Pretenders – Learning To Crawl
  • Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – Hard Promises
  • Fleetwood Mac – The Alternate Fleetwood Mac
  • Sufjan Stevens – Greetings From Michigan The Great Lake State
  • Jackson Browne – Running On Empty
  • Dire Straits – Love Over Gold

CollageC51020

©record companies/not me

That was a really good listening session, other than I need to find a better copy of Running on Empty because that was clearly a $1 bin find and is in really bad shape. Almost unlistenable at times. So, it’s on my hunt list, I guess.

I cannot wait to flip through the used records again. I want to buy a lot of them! I have an impressive collection now but that’s not enough. I want more! Part of the experience is the ability to collect. We’ll work on it. Patience, old man… patience.

Again, check out Underdog Records’ social and web stuffs. Buy records. Use Discogs to keep track of your collection and use it’s groovy (see what I did there) shuffle feature.

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill. I will choose a path that’s clear, I will choose freewill.” – “Freewill” (Peart/Lee/Lifeson)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 8/1-5/17

06 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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101 Strings Orchestra, A Chorus Line, Aerosmith, American Graffiti, Aretha Franklin, Barbara Streisand, Buddy Holly, Chicago, David Bowie, Discogs, Donovan, Echo and the Bunnymen, Elton John, France, Frank Mills, Glenn Miller, Harry Chapin, Henry Mancini, Hot Tuna, Jackson Browne, John Cougar Mellencamp, KISS, Kraftwerk, Kris Kristofferson, Nat King Cole, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Peter Paul and Mary, Pink Floyd, Ray Parker Jr., Simon and Garfunkel, Sonic Youth, Squeeze, Steely Dan, Talking Heads, The Carpenters, The Doobie Brothers, The Kingston Trio, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground and Nico, Tony Bennett, Underdog Records, Windham Hill Records

Salutations™!!

This week’s haul spans several days as we visited Underdog Records on Tuesday upon our return from Raleigh, seeing Belle and Sebastian. So it’s extra long today. Let’s hit it!

Peter_criss_solo_album_cover

©Casablanca/UMe

 

  • Kiss, Peter Criss – Peter Criss (purchased off of Discogs because it’s on back order and rumor has it that the company isn’t pressing them anymore, new, sealed)
  • Kiss, Paul Stanley – Paul Stanley (used original pressing that I purchased off of Discogs for the same reason as above. I also have a picture disc that I’m looking to sell. It’s in VG++ condition, this is VG+. This is also missing the poster… argh!!)
  • The Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground & Nico (I hate this album but it is classic and needs to be in a collection, new reissue)
  • Talking Heads – Speaking In Tongues (freshly used still in original sleeve bag with hype stickers)
  • Donovan – For Little Ones (part two of a two-record set, we got the first last week)
  • Squeeze – Frank
  • The Rolling Stones – Between The Buttons (early stereo pressing)
  • Squeeze – Sweets From A Stranger 
  • Peter, Paul And Mary* – In The Wind
  • The Doobie Brothers – Best Of The Doobies
  • Elton John – Blue Moves ($1 bin find – some liquid damage to the cover but it actually looked like it belonged there and the vinyl is in really good shape)
  • Ray Parker Jr. – Greatest Hits
  • Aretha Franklin – Aretha’s Gold
  • Nat King Cole – Ramblin’ Rose
  • Various – A Chorus Line – Original Cast Recording
  • David Bowie – Let’s Dance
  • Various – 41 Original Hits From The Sound Track Of American Graffiti
  • 101 Strings – 101 Strings Play Songs Of France (because we are both enamored with just about anything French)
  • Echo & The Bunnymen – Ocean Rain (new)
  • Kraftwerk – Trans Europe Express (reissue, new)
  • Sonic Youth – Goo (2xLP box set, which is pretty cool)
  • Buddy Holly – Reminiscing (sealed)
  • Windham Hill Artists – A Winter’s Solstice
  • Donovan – Donovan’s Greatest Hits
  • Harry Chapin – Verities & Balderdash (NM copy)
  • Tony Bennett – All Time Greatest Hits (2xLP VG++)
  • Frank Mills – Music Box Dancer
  • Chicago – Chicago At Carnegie Hall (Volumes I, II, III And IV) (Jonathan said he rarely, if ever, sees the full collection, just bits and pieces. This is the complete box set in VG++ condition with all posters and materials. Great find)
  • Aerosmith – Rocks (Meh, it was $1)
  • Hot Tuna – Burgers
  • Jackson Browne – Running On Empty
  • Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
  • Kingston Trio – The Kingston Trio
  • The Kingston Trio – String Along
  • Carpenters – Close To You
  • Streisand, Kristofferson – A Star Is Born
  • Henry Mancini – 10 – Original Motion Picture Sound Track
  • John Cougar Mellencamp – Uh-Huh
  • Simon & Garfunkel – Vol. 1: New Gold Disc (Weird import from the Philippines with faded, probably copied cover art, it sounds pretty good and has a decent track listing and was only $1)
  • Pink Floyd – Meddle
  • Glenn Miller And His Orchestra – Glenn Miller – A Memorial 1944-1969 (2xLP Mono pressing that was only $1 but is in really good shape. I’d say VG/VG+)

So, as you can see, that’s a pretty good haul. Some stuff we’re really excited to get, some we just needed for the collection and some “must haves.” It’s always fun to go in Underdog Records. We have a little community that we’ve formed being customers over there. I know Jonathan has a few quality turntables for sale in the store right now and some receivers and speakers, as well. If you’re looking to get into vinyl for the first time, or again, or just want/need to upgrade your setup, then you’ve choices over there. And, we all use Discogs to manage and archive our collection (and to provide you links for this blog).

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“My house! Is out of the ordinary. That’s right! Don’t wanna hurt nobody. Some things sure can sweep me off my feet. Burning down the house.” – “Burning Down the House” (Frantz, Byrne, Harrison, Weymouth)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 7/22/17

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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1812 Overture, Barrel Fingers Barry, Bee Gees, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Bon Iver, Cabaret, Discogs, Elliott Smith, George Hamilton IV, Iron Butterfly, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Joan Baez, Journey, Judy Collins, Kansas, KISS, Kraftwerk, Lawrence of Arabia, Leonard Bernstein, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Madonna, Maurice Jarre, Music, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond, Ralph Burns, Records, Ryan Adams, Seth Avett, Shirley Bassey, Tchaikovsky, The Kingston Trio, The Less Desirables, The Rolling Stones, Underdog Records, West Side Story

Salutations™!!

Underdog Records had some good stuff this week and The BCPF and I rocked it, at least I think we think we did. Right, dear? Well, you decide. Here it is:

R-7896531-1451178579-3152.jpeg

©Rolling Stones Records

 

  • Kiss – (Music From) The Elder (as I mentioned on Monday, I received this last Sunday after I posted the Haul list, read my post from Monday to find more, new)
  • The Rolling Stones – Some Girls (my favorite Stones album, new)
  • Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (new)
  • Bon Iver – 22, A Million (new)
  • Ryan Adams – Gold (a few years back, The BCPF and I were at a Mediocre Bad Guys show and they played a tune from this album. The BCPF had never been asked to dance, we slow-danced. I couldn’t not get it)
  • Neil Diamond – The Jazz Singer (Original Songs From The Motion Picture)
  • Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield – Sing Elliott Smith  (Elliott Smith is one of The BCPF’s favorite artists)
  • Journey – Escape
  • Kraftwerk – Musique Non Stop (12″ single)
  • Madonna – Madonna
  • Shirley Bassey – Never Never Never
  • Judy Collins – Whales And Nightingales
  • Joan Baez – Blessed Are…
  • Kansas  – Two For The Show
  • Billy Joel – Glass Houses
  • Nat King Cole With The First Church Of Deliverance Choir – Every Time I Feel The Spirit
  • Leonard Bernstein – West Side Story (Original Sound Track Recording)
  • Ralph Burns – Cabaret / Original Sound Track Recording
  • George Hamilton IV – Abilene (WSNC native, I should have at least one by him, right? $1)
  • The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy / Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Mussorgsky – 1812 Overture
  • Bee Gees – Children Of The World
  • Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (cover is in really great shape, the LP, however, is rough, $1)
  • The Kingston Trio – Sold Out
  • Barrel Fingers Barry – Beer Garden Piano (weirdness that I wanted, $1)
  • Gossec, Saint-Georges, Schobert – Petit Trianon: A Concert For Queen Marie-Antoinette
  • Maurice Jarre With The London Philharmonic Orchestra – Original Soundtrack Recording: Lawrence Of Arabia (I loved the film and the soundtrack was amazing, so, yes…)
  • Ben Folds Five – Whatever And Ever Amen (another WSNC native that I have grown to really, really love listening to)

And, with the $1 records, the Underdog Records/The Less Desirables involved the extensive section of $1 if you mention you heard the ad on the podcast. That’s why you should listen to TLD every week and hear the special. I’ll not give that away, you’ll have to listen to hear what it was and what to do! Also, if you’re looking to get into vinyl, Underdog has a good bit of used, quality turntables to get you started, a plethora of selections to listen to on your new turntable and accessories to keep it in tip top shape. The list above is brought to you by Discogs, which you should use to archive your collection!

Until tomorrow, happy listening…
Scorp out!

—
“Where do you go when you’re lonely? Where do you go when you’re blue? Where do you go when you’re lonely? I’ll follow you when the stars go blue.” – “When Stars Go Blue” (Adams)

 

Rope Burn or: Drying the Stardust (RS Part 25)

03 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

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Bruce Springsteen, Janet Jackson, Kraftwerk, Metallica, Otis Redding, The Kinks, Whitney Houston, Willie Nelson

Salutations™!!

Five of the last ten were good so I’m hoping this leg of Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums of All Time will be just as productive. I see some of the stuff on it, so I’m hoping it’s better than the preview. Anywhat! Let’s get steppin’…

#260 – Stardust by Willie Nelson. I keep thinking of Willie and Ray doing “Seven Spanish Angels” and funny that they’re both this close to each other (Ray was #265) doing standards. I think Ray beats him (they should be reversed), but this isn’t a bad disc. It’s relaxing. I know the record label was scared that Willie was losing his “outlaw country” edge, but I would rather hear this kind of stuff anyway. That being said, the songs were good but nothing, other than “Georgia on my Mind,” and I think that’s just because I knew it already. The album is relatively short, it breezed on by, and don’t know that I’d really wan to hear it again. Willie does ok with the songs, but, it’s Willie. Anymore it’s like watching an ASPCA commercial whenever I see or hear anything from him. Meh, at best.

#259 – The Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson. I’m constantly surprised by Janet. I’d say that I liked Rhythm Nation better and that I can do without all the interspersed “interludes,” but hey, it’s not my album. Janet’s work is smooth, as always, and the songwriting is solid. I am not going to be gullible enough to think that it’s her writing1Janet_Jackson_-_The_Velvet_Rope the majority of the songs but, the writing credits do, each and everyone, go to her, Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam and a slew of collaborators. The only exception is Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night,” which she did an admirable job on. I have to say that “Rope Burn” is a sexy-as-all-get-out song. It’s supposed to be. “Together Again,” “Every Time,” and “You” are my faves, right after “Rope Burn.” I mean, dang! There are plenty of songs on this that can be called “sexy,” however, that song was (not quite) literally dripping from my studio monitors. I dug it.

#258 – The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society by The Kinks. Yep, it’s 1968, alright. It seems a bit older than that, though. I like The Kinks and all, but so far in this, I’m not hearing a lot that moves me. Not saying it doesn’t belong on the list, but at this high a number? It’s also the first time that I knowing listened to a “mono” mix of something. I’m going to show my ignorance but I don’t know what I was hearing that I wouldn’t have already heard or why that’s such a big deal. Someone, please explain that to me. I’m not being facetious, I’m seriously interested in why “mono” is such a big deal or why I should care or even, what am I hearing differently? Anywhat! This album does have some good stuff on it, even if the overall falls short for me. Those being: “All of My Friends Were There,” “Animal Farm,” “Wicked Annabella” and “People Take Pictures of Each Other” is kind of fun. Overall, I haven’t much to say yea or nay. But, somehow it’s higher than a “meh.”

#257 – Whitney Houston by Whitney Houston. This was Whitney Houston. Just about anything after this was a shell of the talent this album portrayed. And, I’ve made no bones about it that, to me, once Mariah Carey showed up, Whitney was irrelevant. Mariah, also, however, lost a lot after the first two albums. I think this is really the same 1WhitneyHoustonfor both, but especially Whitney: she spent too much time later trying to imitate “Whitney” instead of showing the talent she shows in this album. That and drugs. At least Mariah has something to do with her songwriting. To me, that means a lot. “You Give Good Love” was the first single I ever remember hearing from her and it was powerful then. I was only 14, I’ll admit, but I was taken aback by her voice. She was just 21, then. When I see the cover and hear the songs, it’s hard for me to put this honest voice to the diva she would become. I’m trying to not be too judgmental of her for her lifestyle later, but at the same time, it’s hard to let go of, sometimes.  “Saving All My Love For You” is a great song, too. It certainly gives off that gospel ballad feel that is reminiscent of what I’m sure she sang in church on Sunday mornings. Enough breath and power to make you go, “wow!,” when she opens her mouth. And that song was co-written by Gerry Goffin who was a collaborator (in more than one way) with Carole King. I could do without Jermaine Jackson’s duets on the album, though (he’s on two). I don’t mind Jermaine, exactly, just he dumbs her voice down, in my opinion. I never really cared for “How Will I Know” and this didn’t change anything for me. “All at Once” is co-penned by Jeffrey Osborne and Michael Masser, who passed away on July 10. Most of the songs on this album had Masser’s hands on it. In fact, he wrote “Greatest Love of All” with Linda Creed (who died in the 80s) for the 1977 biopic The Greatest about Muhammad Ali, recorded originally by George Benson. It had “The” in front of it back then. Is that considered a cover if the writers actually give it to you and produce it? Hmmm… Also, I don’t mind Teddy Pendergrass doing the duet with her. All in all, this album is great and as much as I grew to really loathe anything Whitney Houston, this album, at least belongs in this list, if not even higher than this. DUG!

#256 – Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk. This is certainly not for anyone with a short attention span or ADD or ADHD. I have a short attention span, but the advantage I have is that I am a fan of electronic music so it does keep my attention. The first TWO songs are 17 minutes 38 seconds long. There is one song of about two minutes and the final track is just at a minute. Other than that, it’s a long journey. I’ve said before that I’ve never done any drugs and I can only imagine what it would be like to be on something listening to this. It’s very trippy. However, I can hear inspiration for Depeche Mode, Royksöpp, Tosca, New Order and other techno-driven artists that we listen to today, especially D-Mode. This is new wavy goodness, and if you’ve not the stomach for repetitive trance-like sounds, this also, will not be for you. If you like catchy musical melodies over top the repetitive trance-like sounds, along with a jokingly simple German-laden English vocal style (not a knock), then this will for you. “Showroom Dummies” is a favorite of mine. The last four tracks, “Metal on Metal,” “Abzug,” “Franz Schubert” and “Endless Endless” is a “suite” and all connected to each other in, well “movements,” if you will.  It’s a great listen and don’t let the long track times scare you. You’ll hear elements that you are familiar with, even if you’re not familiar with Kraftwerk. I highly recommend it and I’ll say DUG!

#255 – Metallica by Metallica. This album gets a lot of black, I mean… flack. I don’t think that’s deserved. Yes, it was “mainstream” and to some they may have “sold out” but how is making money selling out? Let’s stay in this for the art, let’s not make any videos, let’s not get radio play, let’s just stay “underground.” ANYONE who says they’re not in it to make SOME money, is full of crapola. This was a milestone album in many 1cover_blackalbum_lgways. It did take them more of a hard rock direction from the original heavy metal they were known for. But, it also got them a bigger fan base. The “fanboys” who thought that Metallica was just for them were disappointed when they became everyone’s heavy darlings. “Enter Sandman” is fun to play and yes, it was definitely overplayed as was everything on this album, but if it’s not getting a shload of play, then it’s not making much money. I still listen to it almost every time it comes on. Yes, they cut their hair after this but, while it does look cool, they’re not playing with their hair. One big difference in this album to its immediate predecessor…? This one actually had bass on it. I know Jason Newstead put a lot of sweat into those lines and Lars buried it, although he denies it, everyone else says it was him. Not only is it present on this album, it’s in your face. That’s really what keeps this album heavy instead of just “hard.” Five singles that each got good airplay on MTV, not too shabby. I was a fan of this album. I was a fan of Ride the Lightning and most of Kill ‘Em All. Take away the bass craziness and I liked …And Justice for All. However, I never have been a fan of their most popular album ever, Master of Puppets. It was just too heavy for me, I guess. I like catchy and it missed that in lieu of crushing skulls. I get it, but I didn’t care for it. The Black Album was the last of the good Metallica. From there, they became jokingly called MeSUCKllica, to me. “The Unforgiven” was a novelty at the time. Many – countless – songs had softer verses and then crank the chorus really heavily. “The Unforgiven” does the opposite (heavy verse/soft chorus) and would become used all over the music spectrum, but overdone by Metallica themselves. I was a fan of the songs that weren’t singles, which I’ll admit is weird for me. Those being: “Of Wolf and Man,” “The God that Failed,” “Through the Never” and “My Friend of Misery.” But, combine those with the singles (before they were worn out) and it was a monster album. It solidified them as powerhouses to all audiences. During this tour, which was “in the round” I got to sing “Seek and Destroy” with James Hetfield all by myself as he pulled me over the rail. People said I was so loud they couldn’t hear the band. I was second row. Ah, memories. DUG this album, so very much.

#254 – Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul by Otis Redding. I was afraid this was a compilation album by the title (which I think is the longest title thus far, along with the Kink’s album in this segment – #258). It’s not, it’s a twelve song studio album, whew! I am not at all a fan of blues, but soul and R&B? Those, I like. Some of it is cover songs, but, I’m thinking a lot of albums in the soul genre was like that back in 1966. My favorite cover is clearly, “Day Tripper” from The Beatles. If you’re not listening to the lyrics, you’d almost never know it was that song. He drags that song through the streets and we’re all along for the ride. “She Put the Hurt on Me” is righteous, as well. It always sounds like he’s just about to lose his voice. It almost makes my head hurt thinking of the strain it sounds like he’s exerting, there. All in all, the album is really good. Other than a few songs, though, nothing really made me go, “wow! this belongs on this countdown!” but I’d certainly not kick it off of it. Dug.

#253 – The River by Bruce Springsteen. It’s cool that this one comes up just a few days removed from me performing some Bruce songs with the VSS and just a week before I do it again. Four of the twenty-six songs from the Bruce shows are on this album. That’s almost a sixth of the show, right? I hate maths. None of them are mine, though. The general feeling I have about his album is that it is way too much album for what we’re getting in return. I like a lot of the songs, but a lot of it is standard Bruce fare and not really an overall representation of his unique story-telling style. That’s not say I don’t think it’s good, because it is, just do we need that many filler songs? To 1Bruce_Springsteen_-_The_Riverthose that are Bruce fans – I say I have an appreciation for Bruce – I mean no disrespect and I find him to be a grand songwriter, but some of it seems “put” on. I like “Out in the Street,” “Cadillac Ranch” and even though it’s depressing, I like “The River.” I haven’t even listened to the other disc yet. I had to take a break in the middle. I’ll be right back with you. I am a fan of the tango-esque rhythm of “Point Blank.” He talks a lot about dancing in his his songs. I must say, though, with the exceptions above, the second disc, I could have done without it. Too much extra, for me, But, again, the overall product is good. Dug.

#252 – The Blueprint by Jay Z. I believe the first song I ever heard from Mr. Carter was “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” back in ’01. I think what I like about this is that it’s not too aggressive. It’s more approachable, at least that I’m feeling. “Izzo,” along with “Girls, Girls, Girls” are great songs. I also love how Jay Z seems to master the art of sampling for the song instead of just sampling the song. “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)” is a great example where they use the sample of “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” from Bobby Blue Bland. Also the background stuff, even with vocoders (in which I’m a fan) like in “U Don’t Know.” I actually enjoyed listening to this album, which I’ll be honest, I dreaded. But, it’s not at all bad. I even listened to the two “hidden” tracks: “Lyrical Exercise” and “Girls, Girls, Girls (Part 2).” I dig it.

#251 – Low by David Bowie. Starting off with an instrumental, not bad. “Speed of Life” is a good start. I love the choppy lyrics that made his style the norm from here on in. The odd harmonies (either by machine or him “doubling”) are very Bowie. I’ll admit, I don’t think I know any of the songs on this album, previously. That’s good, this gives me an unbiased opinion herein. “Sound and Vision” is the song from this album, I think. It encompasses all that I have come to know as Bowie. There are things by Bowie that I don’t like but there is plenty that I do and this is definitely it. The sounds and the ethereal feel of the production is so fantastic. And holy moley! I absolutely love love love1Bowie love love “Warszawa” into “Art Decade;” “Weeping Wall” to “Subterraneans,” this is fantastic stuff and some of the best listening on this segment and on this list. I’d listen to full albums of just “Side Two” of this album. It reminds me of some of the Kraftwerk from earlier this segment. This, and into the next two albums from Bowie, Heroes and Lodger, are the tremendous work of collaboration with Brian Eno, whom I think is genius anyways.  Nothing about the songs are overly complicated but completely where they need to be. Sometimes I’ll listen to albums and as a musician think to myself that I could change this or that (just sometimes, not all the time). Well this I wouldn’t change a thing. Do I think it’s the best thing since sliced bread? It’s not supposed to be. It’s supposed to be solid and that’s exactly what you get here. It’s Bowie in his post-coke craziness time and he shines like the “Starman” that he is. Dug infinitesimally!

So that’s this segment. Also, I’ve made it halfway. I think I’ll write a separate post about my findings from halfway, sort of along the lines of the “what I’ve learned” every hundred that I finish. This is a milestone. When I first started it was sporadic at best but I have somewhat of a rhythm going with them now. ANYWHAT! All digs except for one complete meh and one “I couldn’t figure out how to rate it” one. This segment was pretty good and I’m hoping this kind of trend continues. We’ll see, of course. I thank you for joining me on this journey and I know my reviews can be somewhat polarizing to some as my last one was. I don’t begin to think or portray that I know what I’m talking about, as I hope that’s known.  I just say what I feel. I can be wrong and I can be opinionated, but I’m me and this is what I do. Thanks again, Dear Reader.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“You coulda been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with me
I appreciate that”
 – “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” by Jay-Z

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