300 of 1001 Albums: Eric Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard

This second solo album from former member of Cream and The Yardbirds came 4 years later, and from a lot of growth. Eric Clapton might be one of the most talked about guitarist there is. Anyone who is a guitarist wants to have the talent he does, and 461 Ocean Boulevard showcases it well. It's a great introduction for someone who hasn't listened to much Clapton, and most likely a favorite of his that he has released.

For someone who doesn't have much familiarity you'll appreciate the tunes like "I Shot the Sheriff" that have become ones that most people can at least recite the main chorus to. It's interesting how on this album a beach vibe, and a blues sound have come together that hasn't quite been heard before. The blues sound is heavy enough to cause listeners who may not be huge fans of the genre to not become repeat listeners.

There is something cool about how Clapton presents his music though. Whether you like it or not you can't deny that it has attitude to it. From the opening of "Motherless Children" Clapton is opening about the intent of the sound of the album. You get a sound that stays throughout, which most will appreciate. It doesn't seem people like everything to sound the same, nor for everything to be so different they don't enjoy the genre being played.

When you learn about Clapton, and what brought forth this album you will at least be able to appreciate it. It is not only a remedy for Clapton for his listeners that followed through the tribulations that probably pushed forth this album. It's more so what this album means though that might make it more a classic along with what it represents. The sound verges on being repetitive at times with a few things in each song to spice it up at intervals.

Rating 2 of 5.