Back in Late October I discovered a site that will feed you an album every day, working (randomly) through the classic book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. I decided to give it a try, and maybe find some good music that would be new to me. After each day, you make a 1-5 rating, and can provide a review.
Well, I'm 72 albums in, and it has been fun. I decided to add some posts here summarizing my listens. Since I'm already 10+ weeks in, I'll do batches. I don't see doing daily posts, probably weekly (one I catch up). So here you go, hope you enjoy:
SUMMARY
# Date Year Album - Artist - My Rating - Global Rating
1 1969 At San Quentin - Johnny Cash - 3 - 3.81
2 1978 C'est Chic - CHIC - 3 - 3.37
3 1993 Debut - Björk - 2 - 3.40
4 1967 The Doors - The Doors - 5 - 3.97
5 1999 S&M - Metallica - 2 - 3.30
6 11971 At Fillmore East - The Allman Brothers Band - 4 - 3.40
67 1963 A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Various Artists - 3 - 3.28
Note that #67 is out of order, but it was delivered to everyone on Christmas Day. I decided to bump it up since we're still in the holidyas
And the Reviews:
67- A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Various Artists - 3
This is certainly a niche record, a "once a year" kind of thing. That's ok, of course, and these are solid versions of Christmas classics. It's bathed in that Phil Spector Wall-Of-Sound (TM), which works in this early 60's framing. Members of the Wrecking Crew ensure the music is perfect.
The Ronettes' version of Sleigh Bell is especially good. All of it is good, and several of the arrangements have become "standard". But, it's just not a record with broad appeal. I' don't own this one, and won't be adding it to my collection. 3/5
6- At Fillmore East- The Allman Brothers Band- 4
An iconic album, deserved. This captures the spirit of Allman Brothers Band, arguably at their peak. Widely considered one of the best live albums in rock. They’re the original Southern Rock band, but don’t have the same foot-stomping, honky tonking feel that a lot of most of the bands that followed. ABB has more of a bluesy, jamming musical style, a bit “smoother”. But they can certainly rock out, too. If there’s a downside, it’s that the extended jams can go on, evidenced by Whipping Post which takes the 5 minute studio version and stretches it out to 22+ minutes. Or Elizabeth Reed which doubles from its studio version to almost 13 minutes. This is 7 songs in 76 minutes, it is not concise. Still, one of the essential albums of 70’s rock. 4/5
5- S&M - Metallica - 2
I’ve never been much of a Metallica fan, but tried to go into this with an open mind. But over 1hr into this 133 minute album, I’m wondering if I can slog through to the end. It doesn’t suck, it just that too much of it is essentially the same to me, kind of a a constant beating drone. Not enough melody, lots of head banging wall of sound. I like the symphonic part, but that loses its novelty pretty quickly. “Hero for the Day” is a nice change of pace, and the symphony is really good on that one. Likewise with “Devil’s Dance”, with it’s “Kashmir” inspired strings. But I had to wade through over 45 minutes of wall-of-sound to get to those. It doesn’t help that I’ve never liked James Hetfield’s vocals, just not my “thing”. I can see why lots of people love Metallica, but I’m not one of them. I guess that summarizes the whole experience. I’ll finish disc 1, and give myself a break before disc 2. Which isn’t much of an endorsement. 2/5
4- The Doors - The Doors - 5
One of the best debut albums ever, one of the best albums of the late 60’s. One of the best keyboard based rock albums. From the opening of “Break On Through” to the last strains of “The End”, this album doesn’t let up. I’ve had this on vinyl since the 70s, and on CD since it was available. HIGHLY recommended, 5/5
3- Debut - Björk - 2
This album was completely new to me. By mid 1993 I was pretty much out of the "popular" music scene. I think I've heard the name, but don't think I've ever heard any of Bjork's music. So I went into this with an open mind and a blank slate. I thought the first couple of songs were pretty good. Sort of an ambient, ethereal feel. But with each passing song it held y interest less and less. Just not really my "thing". 2/5
2- C'est Chic - CHIC - 3
"Le Freak" is one of the huge songs of the disco era, a real high-point of the genre. Also the only song from this album I had heard (and have). The whole album is very solid and stays in it's lane (disco / Funk), but does it well.
Further, it sounds great (I'm listening to the 2018 remaster via Spotify). Bernard Edwards' bass is strong in the mix and quite enjoyable. All said, a good representative of the genre; C'est Chic was Billboard's 1979 R&B Album of the Year. All good, but not a genre I'm all that excited about. A very solid 3/5.
1- At San Quentin - Johnny Cash - 3
More interesting as a “moment” than a musical collection. It seems like Cash made a living playing prisons, and this is one of those shows. The interactions with the inmates are as interesting as the songs, but there’s an awful lot of random talk that doesn’t add anything. Even still this is only 34 minutes, and includes playing the song “San Quentin” twice. And an abbreviated version of “Folsom Prison Blues”. It leaves me wishing for more meat. Perhaps a bit more editing of the talking would’ve allowed some additional material. Overall OK, 3 of 5. I won’t be adding it to my collection. 3/5
