It's always good to be remInded to listen to The Kinks. This will serve as that reminder.
Elliott Smith | Figure 8 (2000)
Wonderful. Timeless.
I didn't know Elliott Smith's work before this 1001 Albums project but if his life had not been cut short, everyone would have known that name. The music is that good.
Steely Dan | Can't Buy a Thrill (1972)
Not surprisingly, there are some familiar, catchy tunes here which will get a daily play on a classic rock station, but as an album and as a musical group they fall short of classic in my book.
Black Sabbath | Black Sabbath Vol. 4
I've always been a super big fan of Ozzy's voice. He's a talent even without the reality show career. LOL
London Suede | Suede (1993) = meh.
Grinding guitars. Okay vocals. But I couldn't get excited about this album. Their Dog Man Star album is better, in my opinion.
Depeche Mode | Violator (1990) = music from the 'old days'
25 years!!
Seems like just yesterday I purchased this album and had it playing in the background while taking an after-work nap in the Lazy-Boy. [sigh] It sounds even better in this 2006 Remaster over headphones.
If I was a chill latin lover, Gotan Project's La Revancha Del Tango would be the soundtrack of my home
But I'm not.
Nevertheless, I'm keeping this album on my iPhone.
Dagmar Krause | Tank Battles (1988) = a cross between Les Mis and Lili Von Schtupp in Blazing Saddles
Okay, I guess that's a mean comparison, but I did keep picturing Madeline Kahn singing "I'm Tired" in the music hall scene. I couldn't find the Krause album, but there is a recording (in 3 parts) on You Tube.
Not much joy in Joy Division | Closer (1980) but they are masters of melancholy
Distinctive and talented. A "quiet storm of musical restraint and emotive power". [John Bush, Rovi] Ian Curtis' vocals effectively achieve the mood and I really like the guitar's sort of wild thrashing about.
Grant Lee Buffalo | Fuzzy (1993) = music 20 years too early
They received critical acclaim and lead singer Grant Lee Phillips was Rolling Stone Magazine's Male Vocalist of the Year, but they never enjoyed much commercial success. That's too bad. They are really good and I can't help but wonder what would've happened if their debut was 20 years later. Male voiced, country tinged music is in.