Reviews by aretzorn

I'm a big classic rock fan, but even though Fleetwood Mac is pretty central in classic rock, they never "did it" for me. At least part of it was Stevie Nicks' warble. Never been a fan of that. However, as always, I'm trying to listen with fresh ears. It's certainly a very good album, with plenty of classic songs. My overall impression is that they have great vocal interplay (with even a bit more appreciation for Stevie Nicks, despite the warble), excellent guitar playing, and very nice composition. The big ding I'll give the album is it's very OF ITS TIME. There are plenty of classic rock albums that still sound fresh...this sounds like peak 70s, and that's what keeps it from a 5 for me. 5's are timeless, and this ain't. Favorite tracks: Dreams (really good lyrics and I like the vocal line), Go Your Own Way (never knew this and Dreams were a pair - Nicks (Dreams) and Buckingham's (Own Way) takes on their breakup - interesting, and must have made for some awkward days at the office), The Chain (dark and brooding with some great musicianship), You Make Loving Fun (very 70s, but nice song), Gold Dust Woman (really like the guitar line and the outro).

Simply one of the best albums of all time, and my personal favorite Beatles album, hands down. Absolutely timeless. Favorite tracks: Come Together (perfect in every way - Ringo's great tom line, the bass-line, everything), Something (love the simple understated guitar solo - Frank Sinatra famously called Something the "greatest love song ever written" and said it was his favorite Lennon-McCartney song - sigh), I Want You (such great guitar lines and composition - the ending repeated motif gets more ominous as it goes, which makes for a great segue into...), Here Comes the Sun (another masterpiece by George Harrison), Golden Slumbers (loved seeing Paul play this live a few years ago), Carry that Weight (really the whole ending medley). It's a little irritating to hear all the shit Lennon said about the album and McCartney's contributions. The more I learn about John Lennon, the more I think he was a sad little man who tragically never got a chance to show maturity and growth. But enough of that - this is a perfect album start to finish. Definition of a 5-star album.

This album is very similar to the other Randy Newman album we got, Good Old Boys. Neither are bad albums, but I'm unclear why I needed to hear both (and I'd give the edge to Good Old Boys). With limited space in the 1001 albums, there should only be multiple albums by the same artists if either they are essential (e.g., Led Zeppelin) or if each album demonstrates very different sides of the same artist (e.g., Tom Waits...yes, I said it). Some artists tick both boxes (e.g., the Beatles and David Bowie). I just feel it was unnecessary to have two Randy Newman albums on the list (I'm also very sensitive to this issue right now since we just heard our THIRD Kraftwerk album). That said, there were certainly some good songs on the album. God's Song hits hard (and ironic given that this album also has "He Gives Us All His Love"). Political Science is amusing and Sail Away is thought provoking. Most notable song: Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear, but only because I remember the Muppets version: https://youtu.be/SK1HVj3qM-k :D Giving it a 3 because it's not a bad album, but definitely not essential.

Now is zee time on Sprockets ven ve dance!

Why, oh, why did I need to hear 3 Kraftwerk albums before I die? I would have been fine with just The Man Machine, my favorite of the three. I just don't need more Kraftwerk in my life. On this one, the title track was ok, but went for too long. Then a few noodling tracks. I know this album is groundbreaking, but it's just too much.

I think that to fully appreciate Dylan, you have to consider context. If you just listen to his music, you might like it, but you might think the music is kinda basic and you might ask "what's the big deal?" You particularly might not like his voice or you might find the whole thing pretentious. But even if you aren't a fan of his voice or music, this is an album you should hear before you die if you truly want to understand how rock evolved. I'm often annoyed by all the "Bob Dylan alienated his fans by going electric on this album" comments. Like, get over yourselves people! But then I watched a video of Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964 versus 1965. In 1964, he's a folk troubadour. Acoustic guitar, harmonica holder around his neck. But just one year later he's up there with a full band and he's playing a Strat. I suppose it was a jarring change at the time, as if Taylor Swift suddenly switched to death metal (don't knock it - I'm sure it would be catchy). Most importantly, this evolution was an important part of music history and he influenced countless others - the Rolling Stones and The Beatles among them.

I like a lot of the tracks, particularly the classics - Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggie's Farm, Mr. Tambourine Man (I like this version better than the Byrds' version, which is surprisingly toned down compared to Dylan's original, even though Dylan's original is acoustic and the Byrds had a full electric band), and It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, although in that case I marginally prefer the cover by Them (also, check out Marianne Faithfull's cover). Great lyrics on Baby Blue ("Strike another match, go start anew / And it's all over now, Baby Blue"). Of the less famous tracks, I particularly liked Bob Dylan's 115th dream (great lyrics - same with Outlaw Blues). I also don't mind his voice - he later became a parody of himself, but on songs like Love Minus Zero, I think he sounds great. Also liked Gates of Eden. I found a couple of tracks less interesting, including On the Road Again (pretty basic progression and absurd lyrics) and It's Alright Ma (I like the guitar in that song, but it's just too long and repetitive). Personally, I would rate this a 4 to a 4.5 on its own merits. Add its historic significance, and it's a clear 5.

Mostly harmless. Tracks that caught my ear: Liberation, A Different Point of View, The Theatre. Moving on...

This is just a fun album. Standout tracks: The Celtic Soul Brothers (More, Please, Thank You) - great opening track, Jackie Wilson Said - fun version of the Van Morrison song, Come On Eileen - a worthy hit. Would definitely revisit.

Now this is great example of why listening to the 1001 Albums is so worth it. I never heard of Fred Neil and I had no idea what to expect given the album cover, but I'm really glad this is on the list. Here's a guy who invited a young Bob Dylan on stage with him and who influenced Steven Stills, David Crosby, and Joni Mitchell. Wow. Really nice vibe on this album and his voice is outstanding. Great album from start to finish. Everybody's Talkin' became a hit when covered by Harry Nillson in 1969 for the movie Midnight Cowboy. I think the original version on this album is better. His voice is fantastic. Really liked the vibe on songs like I've Got a Secret, Faretheewell, and Green Rocky Road. The Dolphins was a nice chill opener. Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raja has a pretentious name, but it's a cool vibe to end an excellent album.

Pretty sure that the Who invented the rock anthem. This album is practically one rock anthem after another. Baba O'Riley is a stone cold classic - the opening is iconic, the "teenage wasteland" section is iconic, the whole song is iconic. Bargain is a fantastic rocker. The Song is Over and Getting in Tune are both also anthemic rockers. Then the album ends with two absolute classics: Behind Blue Eyes and Won't Get Fooled Again. The latter is arguably one of the greatest rock songs ever. Even the "weaker" songs are good. Pretty much a perfect album. Super-easy 5 rating.

By far my favorite Radiohead album, before they went off the electronica deep end (OK Computer is also great, but is more consistent with the direction they were headed). So many great songs: The Bends, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees (one of my favorites - love how it builds), Nice Dream, Street Spirit (Fade Out). Not a bad track on the album. Easy 5.

Moderately enjoyable album by the Thompson Twins. No? Simple Minds? No? A Flock of Seagulls? Huh? Who? The Triffids? Never heard of them.

Definitely a classic, but I can't call it a 5. I appreciate Nirvana for the way they changed music at the time, but I was never a huge fan of Kurt Cobain's whiney singing (and way too much feedback/sloppiness on their recorded albums - a non-issue here). It has a lot of great moments and I can appreciate it for its historical significance. Certainly worth hearing. Favorite tracks - Come As You Are (great version), The Man Who Sold the World (fantastic Bowie cover), Plateau, Lake of Fire. Least favorite: Pennyroyal Tea - can't stand his voice on this. But RIP. Respect.

I had never listened to the Smiths before, but my daughter is a fan and she's been making me listen to their albums. Who knew emo can be fun! Count me as a big Johnny Marr fan - the guitar playing and songwriting are both outstanding. Lots of variety - fun rockabilly (Rusholme Ruffians), rockers (What She Said), jangle pop (The Headmaster Ritual, Nowhere Fast), funk (Well I Wonder - love the bass at the end), and some songs that just soar (That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore). Lots of powerful lyrics on the album. I Want the One I Can't Have: "A double bed and a stalwart lover, for sure / These are the riches of the poor." Well I Wonder: "Gasping, but somehow still alive / This is the fierce last stand of all I am." Barbarianism Begins at Home: "A crack on the head is what you get for not asking / and a crack on the head is what you get for asking"). The song Meat is Murder is really powerful, but not enough for me to think steak isn't delicious, sorry. Loved every song. This is just a great album that I will definitely return to many times.

On my first few listens, I felt this album makes for pleasant background music. I missed out by not listening closely. When I finally focused on it, I found depth and layers worth exploring. Jaco's bass playing certainly impressed right up front, but I appreciated the interplay of his bass and Joni's guitar much better when I focused (e.g., Coyote, Hejira, Refuge of the Roads). Her lyrics are always worth paying attention to. A couple of lines that hit me regarded life and death: "the granite markers / those tribute to finality to eternity / and then I looked at myself here / chicken scratching for my immortality" (Hejira); "It seems we all live so close to that line and so far from satisfaction" (Song for Sharon - after singing about a suicide). Refuge of the Roads made me want to drop everything and go drive aimlessly, even though there's a negative side to travel in this album. Overall, there's lots to like about this album, but I'm giving it a 4 mainly because the music itself was a bit repetitive in style. That said, I definitely will return to this album. Favorite tracks: Coyote (great bass!), Furry Sings the Blues (the background was interesting - seems she ticked off blues musician Furry Lewis by writing about their encounter without his ok), Hejira (this was one well worth focusing on), Song for Sharon, Refuge of the Roads.

Absolutely didn't need to hear this before I died, which is probably why it's no longer in the book. Very derivative. Had a few good tracks (Separate and Deadly and The Chamber), but generally completely forgettable. Did my two listens and done.

This is a grower. My first impression was "I didn't need to hear this before I die" and I wasn't surprised to see it was removed from the book. By the third listen, I was really enjoying it and by the fourth listen I was liking every track. I definitely want to keep listening. Tracks I really liked (usually by the third listen): Ready Start, Modern Man, Rococo, City with No Children, Half Light (I and II), Suburban War, We Used to Wait, and Sprawl II (sounds like Daft Punk meets 70s disco - I like).

This is the fourth Tom Waits album I'm reviewing. For every other one, my first few listens had me deciding whether it should be a 1 or 2 and my last few listens had me deciding between a 4 and 5. This time I decided to skip those first couple of listens and go right to the ones where I like it. Right from the start my reaction was, "Here we go!" "Singapore" sounded like it would make a good Primus song. Really liked "Clap Hands." Very cool song. "Jockey Full of Bourbon" sounds like it belongs in a Quentin Tarantino movie. Tango Till They're Sore got me thinking "He's so weird, but I dig it." Love "Time" - it's an absolutely beautiful song. "Rain Dogs" sounds like it belongs in a Tim Burton movie. Really liked "Blind Love" - it's a case where his voice suits the music (same with "Walking Spanish"). "Downtown Train" was a surprise - I had no idea he wrote it and performed it before Rod Stewart. Don't know what it says about me that I like Tom Waits' version better. The last track "Anywhere I Lay My Head" was definitely pushing how far I can handle his voice, though. I'm giving it a 4 for the same reason as the others - weird stuff, but I continue to dig it.

I've always liked Lenny but never dug deep into his albums (with the exception of "5", which I've listened to a lot). Great groove, funk, rock, psychedelic. Lots of great moments - I particularly like the transition from Let Love Rule to Freedom Train. Every song is good, but the main strike against the album is a lot of it is pretty derivative. That said, I'd listen again any day, which makes it at least a 4 for me.

On the plus side, this album RAWKS. On the minus side, Liam Gallagher's voice and his behavior annoy the crap out of me. Not to mention all the "second coming of the Beatles" over-hype crap makes me automatically want to knock this down a point or two. Funny thing is I wrote almost the same thing for their second album. At least they're consistent. 3.

Good stuff. I was familiar with several of these songs because I'm a fan of the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack (with Thom Yorke singing them instead, channeling his best Brian Ferry). That made me a little more drawn to those tracks (Ladytron, Virginia Plain, 2 H.B. and Bitters End. 2 H.B. is probably my favorite of those). Of the ones I didn't previously know, I really liked Re-Make/Re-Model (great guitar) and If There is Something (the warbly singing was a little much, but it's a good song and that ending is great). The album didn't blow me away, even after many listens, but I'd definitely listen again which makes it a 4.