206 of 1001 Movies: Cria Cuervos (1976)

Carlos Saura has a made a dark film with no point. It's got all the vibe of the 70's in it, and some great actors. The movie though lacks a little in making a connection with the whole point of the movie, and with disjointed scenes thrown in that interrupt the flow it just leaves you feeling empty by the end. It's got a surreal tone, and unless you're into the artsy overtures then it might be a miss. Saura takes the colors, music, and atmosphere of the time to make something that plays as real life though.

Summary: After the death of their father, Ana, Irene, and Maite are left orphaned and in the care of their aunt. Ana becomes oddly fascinated with death though after witnessing her mother dying at home alone, and her father dead in his bed. This leaves her to be a problematic child with an uncertain future that is only hinted at by her future self sometimes doing the voice over. Ana still is a child though, and while a lot of her childhood is messed up it still shows her treasuring and trying to enjoy the things that most other children do growing up.

148 of 1001 Movies: Carrie (1976)

After reading the book, and before the next movie comes out, I figured it would be a good idea to check out the movie, Carrie. I think I got my hopes up just a tad as far as what to expect from the horror though, which is a tad disappointing. Sissy Spacek brings her A game though, and some of the scene are eerie, but the lack of character development and some of the weaker actors take away from what could have been a much more terrifying experience. Also, I really was wanting the town destroyed! What happened to that?

Summary: Carrie has always been the oddball at school. Her mother can be mostly blamed for that though, since her overbearing zealot ways are quite terrifying and oppressive to the growth and maturity of her daughter. When she gets her period though after gym one day things get really awkward as she freaks out not knowing what is happening, and the other girls take that advantage to tease her. With puberty though comes more power as Carrie finds. One girl wants to make it up to Carrie though, and she gets an invite to prom, but sadly for Carrie trouble follows her, and her power is about to explode at an all time high.

358 of 1001 Albums: Ramones' Self Titled

There was a lot of excitement when I saw the Ramones were the next band on the list I would be listening to. While liking the few songs I had heard I definitely hadn't heard enough to know if I liked the band. It was also exciting to see a few songs on the album that I had already heard before, and would be getting to listen to again. While the themes of Nazism, male prostitution, violence, and and drug use are a little different the album still sounds good, and it's no doubt these guys really spurred the punk genre.

"Blitzkrieg Bop" is the song that kicks off the album, and as most the songs on the album it at least gets you jumping and ready to hear the rest of the album. The third song is one of my favorites though, so I was definitely more excited to hear "Judy is a Punk". It's one of the better songs on the album, and one of my prior favorites even before hearing the whole album.

355 of 1001 Albums: Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life

I don't think an album has contained as many popular songs I've heard from one as this one. Also, it was more enjoyable than expected, and definitely a more mature and well crafted album than his previous ones. All of his album had been success though, and he was one of the most influential figures in pop music by 1976.  It's one of the few albums to debut straight at number 1. There are lots of fun tunes that merge the old sounds of Wonder with a few new ones as well.

The album is divided up into two sides that almost creates the effect of this just being two albums in one. The first side definitely has a different vibe than the second side you hear. "Sir Duke" was the song that did begin changing my perception of the album. It was a familiar sound, and slowly I began getting into the song. Most the songs are long enough to give you time to really see if you're into the music, or you're wanting to move on to the next one.

355 of 1001 Albums: Rush's 2112

There seems to be a fascination with making album covers that look sort of Sci-Fi in the 70s.  Rush though knows how to make an epic album with great guitars, and vocals to match though. It's very monumental rock music. Actually, the band was being pressured to not do another concept album from their record label after the previous failure of Caress of Steel, but the band did what they want, and proved them wrong. This is definitely one of the better concept albums out there.

The first of the album is "2112", which is compiled of songs into one. This really showcases some of the best moments of the whole album. The way it picks up and slows back down creates a great vibe. Geddy Lee does lead vocals, and honestly I haven't heard anything like his voice so far on the list. It's definitely bringing in more of the vocal sounds you'll here in the 80s too. These guys though have proven me wrong so far on my hesitance about prog rock though.

354 of 1001 Albums: Peter Tosh's Legalize It

Peter Tosh would leave The Wailers, the band fronted by Bob Marley, and go on to record his debut album, Legalize It. With enough good critics review, and the following he had it was a hit. He would be one of the three members of the group to go on to release his own album. To start while Bob Marley is more well known, I enjoyed Peter Tosh a bit more. There was something more rhythmic about his beats.

The title song, "Legalize It" kicks off the album, and it's really a great way to start. The song just sways, and it sort of throws in some rhymes that liven it up even more. Oddly, with the second song "Burial" it does sound a bit different while staying in the genre of reggae. It fits the mood you would expect from seeing the title though.

353 of 1001 Albums: Parliament's Mothership Connection

Funk band, Parliament, would go on to make one of their longest living singles in this album, Mothership Connection. The National Recording Registry added the album since the Library of Congress stated that it impacted the genres of dance, rock, and jazz. Vocalist, George Clinton explained the concept of the album being one that would put African Americans in situations that no one would consider in the time of 1975, Clinton included the White House as an example.

I have to say that when "Give Up the Funk" came on that I did dance a bit, and if this album had entirely just consisted of that song I would have been a happy person, but sadly that is not the case there were other songs to listen to that just weren't as enjoyable. Maybe it was enjoyable because it's a familiar tune that has been a while around without a band name to place to it.

352 of 1001 Albums: Kiss' Destroyer

Kiss' fourth album, Destroyer, is considered a different venture than their previous ones. The guys made an album that is overly long, but does try to vary as far as sound. Some critics were right though when they noted the lack of real performance. There isn't really anything that stick out highly about the album, and it doesn't contain some of their bigger hits. This album does appear on very list in recognition of metal though.

The album kicks off with "Detroit Rock City" it tries to give it some personality by adding in a little intro, and build up toward the song itself. Then the song gets to rolling, but with the hype that surrounded the band it isn't necessarily what is expected. The guys include plenty of guitar, and drums but sometimes they need more of their moment.

351 of 1001 Albums: Jorge Ben's Africa/Brasil

Jorge Ben has created one of the most unique Brazilian albums with his 1976 release, Africa Brasil. It's one of those albums that really do get funner as it goes. You'll hear a lot of recognizable genres mixed in as well. You hear a bit of American, and African mixed in with the native sounds to his Brazilian country.  There are a lot of fun sounds though on the album especially as it progresses to the last few songs and seems to really find it's riff.

Along with all the mixes of different cultures Jorge Ben also seems to even mixed a little bit of funk into the whole sound from American that comes through quite heavily at times like in songs, Cavaleiro Do Cavalo Imaculado. Along with that the song does choose a good song to begin with, 'Ponta de Lança Africano". After that the album does get a little bit slow, but it's find it's way back to being interesting over a little midway through it.

350 of 1001 Albums: Joni Mitchell's Hejra

The cool thing about Joni Mitchell's album, Hejra is that it was written while she was traveling across the country giving it this journey flare that she shot for by even titling it in relation to the Arabic word, hijira, meaning journey. You've probably decided by this point whether you like Joni Mitchell or not, and this is very reminiscent of Hissing of Summer Lawns as it seems to continue her journey into jazz and rock.

Most of the songs sort of have a bit of the folksy flare to them, but most of them area also quite slow. It's relaxing, but not an album that ever seemed fitting to listen to. "Coyote" definitely is a good way to start off as it is one of the lighter tunes that conveys well her traveling experience she was going through. From the album continues at the same pace. When we hit "Song for Sharon" you get an eight minute long epic song that never really picks up pace, but does deal with interesting themes like marriage and freedom, and mostly how the two are conflicting with each other for the woman in the story.

349 of 1001 Albums: Joan Armatrading's Self Titled

Joan Armatrading was an unique artist to come from the U.K. She was one of the first African American singers to really make a hit overseas from the country, and the country sort of deemed her their  own Joni Mitchell at the time. Her voice is very strong, and soulful. Also, there is a lot of musical talent to enjoy. She is a different artist we are seeing from the U.K though as the majority seem to be a bunch of bands that basically built up rock.  Somewhere in the middle of the album though you may drift off a bit, and somewhere near the end tune back in.

"Down to Zero" was a great song to kick off the album with, and sort of set me up to think I might be about to listen to some country. The song has a lot of personality with it's attitude, but then the second song kicks in, and sounds good, but you're hoping to return to what the first song presented.

348 of 1001 Albums: David Bowie's Station to Station

It's 1976 and David Bowie is continuing to mix it up. So far every album has a had a different flare, and Station to Station is no exception to this. It sounds like he has come back to combine elements of his Ziggy Stardust days with some of the blend of what he was beginning to explore on Fame, and what you get is a new mix from David Bowie. This might leave Bowie fans of his older sound a little conflicted, but you can't help but like the new spin he has put on it.

"Station to Station" is the longest song, and the opener. Give it a few minutes and the song really kicks into a great opening. The fact that it does have the build test your patient, but it also makes it an epic way to begin the album. The album continues on after this with strong songs that keep you listening.

346 of 1001 Albums: Aerosmith's Rocks

Aerosmith captured everyone's attention with Toys in the Attic. It was different at the time, and sort of mixed up rock a bit. Rocks definitely takes on more of that metal vibe in 1976. Steven Tyler's vocals almost sound a tad different at times, and this album definitely has a little bit more going for it. This album would go on to influence many bands including Guns N' Roses (which you can tell), and Metallica. It's very staple in the rock community.

"Back in the Saddle" was a good way to kick off the album. It has a good beat, and gets whoever the listener is off their feet. It just has a lot of movement about the song. Something about it halfway through loses it's flare though. Aerosmith establishes their sound pretty early in this one after the first couple of minutes with that song.