aretzorn

Why the HELL did Dimery think it made sense to add yet another Rolling Stones album to the 1001?? Ridiculous. Well, let's put that aside for a moment and just assess the album on its own merit: it's OK. Some catchy tracks, but fundamentally it doesn't sound all that unique compared to the rest of their catalog. Good for them, they can still rock around 80 years old, but did we really need this album in the 1001? High points - Steve Jordan's drumming is outstanding, Bite My Head Off is awesome (and love the gritty bass line played by Sir Paul himself), and a clutch of catchy tunes - Angry, Get Close, Whole Wide World, and Mess It Up. Ok album, and a complete waste of a spot in the 1001.

Absolutely hysterical that our final pick is an Elvis Costello album. Sure, I know statistically it was more likely, but hysterical nonetheless. He's way over-represented in the 1001, but at least I like his music (unlike freakin' Leonard Cohen, the other criminally over-represented artist in the 1001). One of my biggest complaints of his over-representation is that the albums sound too similar to each other, but this album at least has the distinction of being a little different and it grew on me with each listen. Good songs, well-arranged and played, excellent recording quality. I can't give EC a 5 - he's a little too goofy for that, but I would definitely revisit. Favorite tracks: Beyond Belief, Tears Before Bedtime, Shabby Doll, The Long Honeymoon (the first four tracks are just really strong - overall Side 1 is better than Side 2), The Loved Ones.

Catchy punk tunes with slightly off-key (but energetic) singing and somewhat amateurish sax playing - I want to say the sax sounds "flat" - not in an out-of-tune way, but just lacking energy, despite the speed of the playing. Supporting this impression, when I heard Identity I thought, "Hey, the sax sounds a lot better now!"...and then saw it was a different sax player. Still, the sax is a nice touch and the whole album has a ton of energy. Poly Styrene's singing style grew on me, even the occasional off-key moments, and she was clearly influential so credit where credit's due. Finally, I've got to imagine the live shows were a lot of fun. Favorite tracks: Warrior in the Woolworths, Let's Submerge, Germ Free Adolescents, The Day the World Turned Day-Glo.

Starting with a wall of feedback is an automatic 1 star deduction for me. The Concept was a decent song, but they already put my back up with that opening. The next track Satan didn't help (although the last 15 seconds were good?). Eventually, most of the songs were decent jangle pop songs pulled down by the slacker singing style. A lot of the time the songs made me think of Matthew Sweet, who I prefer (he was releasing albums at the same time, so it's not a who was first kinda question). I think what makes Matthew Sweet better is that he has more energy in his singing - there are a lot of songs on this album with great music but boring singing (e.g., I Don't Know and Star Sign) and the album got more boring on close listen - never a good sign. Can't believe Spin Magazine picked this for Album of the Year 1991. That's insane, and shows that music critics generally have their heads inserted in certain orifices - I don't think the band should be punished for that, though. I'll give it a 3 despite the noise in the first two tracks and the lazy vocal style that detracts from far too many songs. Didn't mind listening, wouldn't seek it out again. Favorite tracks: What You Do to Me, Is This Music? (nice closing instrumental).

Good heavy blues rocker - before the 1001, I never really listened to anything Rod Stewart did before his 80s big hair days, and I can't say I was a fan but I'm really appreciating his early work, both here and with Jeff Beck. Every song is good, but they sound like a lot of other bands (even contemporaries - I try to be sensitive to appreciating who were the trendsetters). The lack of originality keeps them from getting a 5, but they get the 4 because I'd happily queue this one up again. Favorite tracks: Miss Judy's Farm, Love Lives Here, Stay With Me (one of those "hey I know this one!" moments), Debris (with Ronnie Lane singing lead with Stewart on backing vocals - nice chill song), Memphis Tennessee (fun Chuck Berry cover), That's All You Need (love the slide guitar - Ronnie Wood, soon to join the Rolling Stones). Yeah, that's 2/3 of the album. Good stuff.