Album #81: An Innocent Man by Billy Joel

1.      

Sound: Singer/Songwriter with a 50’s twist

Mood: Varied

Important Songs: Tell Her About It, Uptown Girl, An Innocent Man

Song You Must Hear: This Night

Quote: “Some people find that it’s easier to hate than to wait anymore.”

Notes: This is Joel’s tribute to the 50’s songs he grew up with.  It only occasionally sounds like 50’s music, but it gives him the focus he needed to really reach with his music and make an album that feels like a whole. 

Album #82: Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues

1.       

Sound: 60’s rock with a symphony

Mood: Varied

Important Songs: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?); Nights In White Satin

Song You Must Hear: Nights in White Satin

Quote: “...fantasy strides, over colourful skies, Of form disappearing from view.”

Notes: This is the Moody Blues’ most ambitious project.  They created a full rock symphony which passes through all the moods and colors of the day.  It sometimes is as pretentious as it sounds, and sometimes it doesn’t work.  But when it does, it is amazing, especially what is arguably the most haunting song ever written, Nights in White Satin and the powerful Twilight Time.  As a whole, it works brilliantly. 

Album #83: Rumors by Fleetwood Mac

1.   

Sound: Folksy pop rock

Mood: Varied

Important Songs: Dreams, Don’t Stop, You Make Lovin’ Fun

Song You Must Hear: The Chain

Quote: “Is it over now?  Do you know how?  Pick up the pieces and go home.”

Notes: Growing up in the late 70s, it seemed that everyone had this album.  And for good reason.  It feels like a rock symphony, covering a lot of emotional territory but it all holds together.  And the music is so varied.  Excellent.

Album #84: Joshua Judges Ruth by Lyle Lovett

1.       

Sound: Folk gospel

Mood: Lighthearted but reflective

Important Songs: Church; Baltimore

One Song You Must Hear: Flyswatter/Ice Water Blues

Quote: “And the dove flew down beside him/And a fork appeared right in his hand/And with everybody watching/The preacher ate that bird right there and then.”

Notes: Lovett toned the country down here and turned up the gospel blues.  There is great whimsy, but also somber ballads to have a wonderfully mixed album.

Album #85: Metallica by Metallica (The Black Album)

1.       

Sound: Mainstream metal

Mood: Dark

Important Songs: The Unforgiven, Wherever I May Roam, Enter Sandman

One Song You Must Hear: Enter Sandman

Quote: “Broken is the promise, betrayal/The healing hand held back by the deepened nail.”

Notes: Metallica is always dark, but the music in this album has both more variety, but also a common sound throughout and the tone of rejection adds to its unity.

Album #86: Trimmed and Burning by Glenn Kaiser and Darrel Mansfield

1.       

Sound: Old time acoustic blues

Mood: Serious, old style preachy

Important Songs: Great Change Since I Been Born; Nobody’s Fault But Mine

One Song You Must Hear: Jesus is Comin’ Soon

Quote: “Roads I useta would walk, I don’t walk no more.”

Notes: Glenn Kaiser is one of the great Chicago bluesmen and Darrel Mansfield is a So Cal rocker.  They got together to play this collection of covers from Blind Willie Johnson and Rev. Gary Davis.  Kaiser’s vocals and Mansfild’s harp almost make the blues sound metal. Wow. 

Album #87: The Beautiful Letdown by Switchfoot

1.   

Sound: Rock/Pop

Mood: “Get over yourself, already.”

Important Songs: Meant To Live; Dare You To Move

One Song You Must Hear: Ammunition

Quote: “If we’re adding to the noise, turn off this song.”

Notes: A bunch of songs with great hooks and with lyrics that don’t take any excuses.

Album #88: Nevermind by Nirvana

1.       

Sound: Grunge with hooks

Mood: Angry/insane

Important Songs: Smells Like Teen Spirit; Come As You Are

One Song You Must Hear: Lithium

Quote: “I’d rather be dead than cool (I don’t know why)

Notes: Nirvana put out the most powerful rock of the 90’s. Yeah, they were influential, but the fact is, they knew how to put together some powerful songs.  Perhaps In Utero is the better album, but I can listen to Nevermind over and over. 

Album #89: Funny Girl Soundtrack

1.       

Sound: Broadway Streisand

Mood: Over the top

Important Songs: People, My Man

One Song You Must Hear: Don’t Rain On My Parade

Quote: “One shot, one gun shot and BAM!  Hey Mr. Arnstein, here I am!”

Notes:  I grew up with my mother listening to Barbara Streisand, especially this album.  This is a great musical and some fantastic music.  If you like Streisand, this album is a must.  If you don’t, well, you should probably avoid it. 

Album #90: Name Above All Names by Chuck Girard

1.       

Sound: Prophetic folk

Mood: Preachy but encouraging

Important Songs: Name Above All Names; When The Rain Came Down

One Song You Must Hear: When The Rain Came Down

Quote: “Don’t shoot the wounded, they need us more than ever.”

Notes: Chuck is a charismatic Christian and it certainly comes through in this album in which he is often speaking with God’s voice.  This might seem a little weird and maybe in the song Kingdom Come it is, but most of the time it is comforting and encouraging.