Common | Be (2005)

This was a tough album to get through. I'm not saying that the album is bad, but Rap and Hip Hop are not my favorite genres and it's difficult for me to listen to a whole album (or even multiple songs) in one sitting. I tend to lose concentration and am not able to focus on the lyrics which is where I view the value in this music. But I finally made it through.

In a moving and meaningful way, Common tells the story of his neighborhood and urges them to BE.

Also check out the Golden Globe winning song "Glory" by Common and John Legend. That award was well deserved.

Goldie | Timeless (1995)

I shared this "discovery" with my son who typically likes Electronica, Dance, House, whatever-the-hell this is called. (Dads often want to appear cool to their kids.) "Yes, Dad, Goldie is pretty good for old school." It was sort of like I had just discovered, and then shared, an Atari Game Console with him.

Do I like it? Musically? It's so repetitive. Dancing to it? I no longer have the energy. Listening to it? It makes me feel old. And bored.

The Who | The Who Sings My Generation (1966)

I found it interesting that the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die included this first release from The Who (The Who Sings My Generation, 1966) and the first release from the Rolling Stones ( The Rolling Stones, 1964) but not the Beatles debut (Please Please Me, 1963). I'd already listened to the Stones album, but needed to buy Please Please Me from iTunes to compare the opening salvos from these three British Invasion powerhouses.

The Who's debut doesn't forsake the past with nods to the Blues and early 1960s pop but adds an edge and a hint of the social upheaval to come later. This is particularly evident in the rebellious take-us-as-we-are attitude n the title track "My Generation" and the pop sounding melody, but angst ridden lyrics of "The Kids Are Alright". They take a "surfing sound" drum track and lay on a highly distorted electric guitar in "The Ox" instrumental -- a hint of experimentation to come by The Who.

The Rolling Stones debut is blues-driven with the debut of the over-the-top showmanship that Mick Jagger later masters.

The Beatles Please Please Me is fun, mop head bopping pop. I like it but in today's context, it doesn't seem ground breaking or interesting. Several other Beatles albums made the 1001 Albums list but not this one. I can now see why.