Top Ten Albums
Urban Hymns
The Verve
Cited by critics as among the most inventive and spellbinding bands to come out of Britain in the last twenty years, The Verve managed to do in their short life what many never accomplish- produce a masterpiece. After over decade and three albums in, 1996 saw the bands end as internal strife caused their implosion thanks to friction between frontman Richard Ashcroft and lead guitarist, Nick McCabe. It was this conflict that created quite possibly the best album of the 1990’s.
Described by it’s creators as “Charlie Pride on Quaaludes”, The Verve create something so astonishingly unique; the wonderful flourishes of strings sprinkled throughout give us a wonderful respite from the usual guitar-laden rockers. Inspired by the '60s-era psychedelia and Phil Spector’s oceanic Wall of Sound, the album is underscored by an emotional theme of addiction, hurt, longing and coping that begins with the grandiose “Bitter Sweet Symphony” and the heartbreaking, country tinged “The Drugs Don’t Work”, sounding off about the dangers of drugs, yet missing their effects. “Sonnet” is an exquisite, inconspicuous ballad that could be about imminent death. A rich album that resulted in the band’s demise is one of the most multifaceted, gratifying pieces of work ever produced by a mainstream band. Verve fans rejoice, a reunion album and tour is planned for November, 2007.
Midnight Vultures
Beck
One of the most diverse artists to emerge from the early 90’s alternative rock has always enjoyed showing off his influences like a kid with a new toy on Christmas. To peg Beck in just one genre of music is to misunderstand him. Ranging from pop, folk, psychedelia, hip-hop, country, blues, R&B, funk, indie rock, noise rock, experimental rock, jazz, lounge- Beck has created one of the most interesting bodies of work of any artist active today. MV may not be his best, but it certainly is his most easy-going. Moving away from his previous mastering of using samples, more traditional songs are used, but they are assembled in exciting ways. The first track, Sexx Laws, is fun and engaging, blending several music styles into one. Nicotine & Gravy takes it a step further and shows his love of hip hop. Always known for his sense of humor, the album has fun with the lyrics, filled with his little quirks, best displayed in “Jenny” when a young man spies his future lover and asks her to step inside his Hyundai. This is Beck at his most playful.
From Elvis in Memphis
Elvis Presley
After a decade in Hollywood wasting away in one awful musical after another, Presley returned to Memphis in 1969 after a 14 years absence to record one of the best white soul albums (soul albums period) ever made.
Realizing his talent was on the verge of being squandered, Presley’s 68 comeback reassured him that he could still be a vital and entertaining performer. In an unprecedented move, his long time Manager Col. Tom Parker was cut out of the making of this album resulting in a fresh, live-wire of sexual charisma. Elvis draws blood many times with his new found passion that can be heard in his velvety baritone, which has never sounded more powerful, refined. Guitarist James Burton offers excellent back up and so impressed Presley with his playing that he would tour with him for the rest of his life.
Not just soul as there are several magnificent forays into country, pop, and blues as well. The standouts are the first track, “You’re Wearing that Love On Look,” and a funky version of Glenn Campbell’s “Gentle on my Mind.” My favorites are “If You Talk in Your sleep,” “Power of My love”, two of the finest songs of his career; the latter solidifying his comeback as the most important musical figure of the 20th century.
The Sun Sessions
Rock & Roll was originally slang for “intercourse”, explaining its initial controversy when the title went public. Besides its intrinsic rebellious spark, who better to give rock music its introductory salvo and sexual stamp than Elvis Presley, the industry’s first super star.
Described by a writer of the day as “Sex on two legs”, Presley’s overt animal magnetism comes out best on his first official recordings at Sam Phillips’ now iconic Sun Studios in Memphis TN. Released in 1976, the album proves to the listener that the music still retains its unprocessed authority that feeds into Presley’s pop mythology christening.
Simple and raw, the tracks play as one very long foreplay session and by the end we realize it’s the best coitus we’ve ever had. We don’t know it, but Presley buggers us a good one with his sneering and gyrating that comes through in his unspoiled powerful falsetto.
Nashville Skyline
Bob Dylan
Not usually placing on the best of lists, Dylan’s 1969’s first foray into all country songs is his most accessible. Replete with steel guitars and simple songs, it’s a warm and friendly production with no political agenda or protesting, just some pickin and grinin. Singing in an unfamiliar croon, his voice doesn’t sound like vintage Dylan; a plus for some listeners, but it suits the simple, catchy songs. Not up to the classics of “Tangled up in Blue” or “Just like Woman”, there’s plenty of gold to be mined here, “Lay Lady Lay”, "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," as well as a duet with Johnny Cash on "Girl From the North Country." Dylan at his simplest and best, it is also a terrific way to introduce yourself or someone else to country music.
Abbey Road
The Beatles
Eschewing the conceptual format and going for more traditional structure, the group’s last studio effort is tight and immaculately produced, full of more rock-oriented ensemble work resulting some of the best harmonies ever recorded, especially on “Because” and “Octopuses Garden.” None of the pretentious wanking on display as on The White Album, George Harrison emerges as an economic, but eloquent singer/songwriter with his wonderful “Something” and the sparkling “Here Comes the Sun.” Like a meteor headed for imminent destruction, the group pushed forward it’s talents in all facets of its art destroying itself soon after the album was released. Although it may not be the group’s masterpiece, it is a testament to their prescience that AR is almost unrecognizable when listened to “Meet the Beatles.” Never in the history of rock music has a group’s evolution been so quick, so effortless and so sophisticated.
Moondance
Van Morrison
Ireland’s best known soul singer has tried to live as pure as the songs he sings avoiding commercial trends as much as possible. Blending the perfect mix of jazz, R &B, soul and occasionally pop, Morrison never strays far from his own poet-seeker musings. This was Morrison’s first mainstream hit exploring themes of redemption and renewal; a light, jazzy and soulful mix that personifies Morrison unlike any other effort. The dominant lyrical motif in almost every track applauds natural wonder, from the title track, “Moondance”, a breezy rift on the beauty of the moon and being in love, to the uninhibited optimism and promise offered in “Brand New Day.” The albums stand out songs are “Caravan”, a wonderfully proud ode to the power of radio. The final and best songs is “Into the Mystic,” a surprisingly upbeat song of essential grace and beauty about death and the transition to the afterlife.
The Wind
Warren Zevon
At the time of the album’s production, Zevon knew he was dying of a terminal form of lung cancer. This was his way to say goodbye, an appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman” to promote the album allowed him to announce to the world his time was limited and for everyone to heed his credo, “Enjoy every Sandwich.”
One can not help but feel the regret and sadness reverberate throughout as the singer bids his life adieu. Although the songs do touch on his illness, the album is surprisingly optimistic and full of Zevon’s trademark off-kilter romantism and sardonic humor. The masterpiece is the poignant “Keep Me in Your Heart for Awhile”, a heartfelt request to his wife to think of him when he’s gone. A cover of “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” has never felt more genuine. Some stellar guest stars join in to say their goodbyes as well as help their ailing friend in carrying some of the weight, Bruce Springsteen on "Disorder in the House" sings back-up, Tom Petty does some fine harmonies on "The Rest of the Night," and the rest of the assembled musicians: Don Henley, Joe Walsh Ry Cooder, Dwight Yokam all do their best by never stealing the spotlight away from Zevon who exited this world with no regrets and dignity fully intact.
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Despite being despised by the industry press, Rolling Stone panned all of their albums; Zep emerged from the 1970’s as legends and are considered the fathers of heavy metal as it exists today. Their fourth untitled album personifies the band perfectly as they take their trademark ingredients of; mysticism, mythology, some British folk rock, loaded with plenty of blues and served very loud. The reviews and lack of respect never bothered the band as they had a bond with their fans unlike any other. Released in 1971, the albums best track is the traditional “Rock & Roll” kicked off by a thundering drum intro by Jon Bonham and carried off with Jimmy Paige’s maniac riffing and Robert Plant’s intense falsetto. For me, the most overrated song, “Stairway to Heaven” gets too much attention as “Black Dog” is superior in production and execution. The bands mysticism and religious themes play heavily throughout, most notably in “The Battle of Evermore.” They have fun with the hippie satire of “Misty Mountain Hop,” and ends with the apocalyptic hammering of “When the Levee Breaks.” A cue to the imitators that it was futile to even attempt to copy them.
Sam Cooke -The Man Who Invented Soul
Sam Cooke
The inventor of soul music, Cooke, a former gospel singer, managed not only to bridge the gaps between the generations, but the racial one as well. He is the single most important soul singer in music history who became beloved by everyone who heard him. It’s easy to dismiss the man’s importance because of the effortless quality about each song, but one must realize he was inventing new sounds and style choices that stretched beyond musical genres creating completely new categories and left the experts scratching their heads on how to define Cooke’s music. Audiences didn’t care as they embraced his silky smooth voice and movie star good looks. 1957’s You Send Me, sounds tame today, but upon release it shook the industry as it was the first of R&B/pop music love child. Too many songs to list here as nearly all of his peak year hits are represented. A listen from my favorites, “Bring it on Home to Me,” “Twistin the Night Away,” and “What a Wonderful World” not only best represents Cooke’s easy-going style, but the heart of a true entertainer.
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