454 of 1001 Albums: The Replacements' Let It Be

I was shocked I hadn't listened to Let It Be after I had already fallen in love with songs like Unsatisfied and Androgynous. Sadly, it had been a while since I had heard the band until a cover of Androgynous popped up on social media outlets. I remembered how much I enjoyed those songs, and the next thing I know I was checking the album out.

I enjoyed it so much so I was discussing it with Brandon, so he decided to surprise me with the album on a car trip home. Perfect night time driving music. It's soft, loud, erratic, nostalgic, and you get the point. It's a bit of everything. Whether you like the range of punk, alternative, or indie on the album I think the diversity can be admired.

No two songs sound the same on the album. We jump from piano ballads to hardcore sounding punk songs. Then there is a range of songs that fit into more a classic rock sound. The talent of the vocalist, Paul Westerberg, who at some points is putting a bit more melody in his voice and others a bit more yell.  The instrumentals also come together as a collaborative effort to follow the pattern they've put together. I like how sometimes it does resort to the more garage rock they were known for, but gives a lot more songs also showcasing the talent Chris Mars, Bob Stinson, and Tommy Stinson, and Westerberg have. Plus, it's very awesome Peter Buck from R.E.M. did a guitar solo for "I Will Dare." I did love that song.

Recorded at Blackberry Way Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and released in 1984, the album would be well received by fans and critics. Not only that but it would still hold a lot of lyrics people still value listening to today.

The band does still tour, and they recently released an E.P. for Record Store Day last month. The Replacements had been around since before Let It Be, but I feel this album is ultimately what sealed them in music history. Listening through the whole album I found other songs I enjoyed, and something that carried the times with it. Brandon ended up enjoying listening to the album as well. It's a great way to stay awake at eleven at night!

450 of 1001 Albums: The Divine Comedy's Casanova

Next up to listen to was a guy I remember being very interesting to listen to previously. The combination of unique arrangement of instrumentals, and a voice that shows a lot of presence make it hard to forget. The album lives up to the theme of the name though, and as you're listening you're not only intent on hearing the instrumentals, but also trying to understand the sentiment of the lyrics.

History: The album is the fourth for the band, debuting n 1996, and the one that would chart their commercial breakthrough. The album after this, A Short Album About Love, is the one I've also heard. There are many British influences in this album, and it combines those influences with the talent of the band for an unique sound. Several singles were released from the album as well.

As I was listening to this album I noticed that sometimes I couldn't help but listen. I would be writing, and then be paused to listen. Now I don't think this is an album I would go and listen to again, but it is intriguing. It sets the mood for an overall theme, and the instrumentals align to make that vibe almost seem like a soundtrack for the tone they are going for.

Neil Hannon is the singer, and he does have a talented voice. I think I was more so a fan of the vocals than the instruments. Then again, I'm not a person who follows pop closely, which is what this genre most falls into. I found it interesting I stumbled onto The National and The Divine Comedy comparisons, I did pick up on a few crossovers, and I could see where there were influences. I'm a huge fan of The National.

One of the memorable songs from the album is also a single, Something For the Weekend. Don't get me wrong, there are many memorable songs because they all have an unique flare, but this one maybe the one listeners most likely recognize at first.

Not all the songs are so dramatic. There are gentler ones like "Songs of Love", which I did prefer. There is a theatrical sound throughout most the album that pours a lot of emotion into the songs. There are songs like "Through a Sleepless Night" that go far to utilize that. They have two types of vocals to strengthen the pattern like from high to low.  The lyrics were a hurtle for me. I don't know that I personally related to much, but the performers know how to weave together a story with lots of passion.

449 of 1001 Albums: Tears for Fears' Songs From the Big Chair

I have an open love for music from the 80's. The middle of the decade brought some of the best music of that time, including Tears For Fears' Songs From The Big Chair. I hadn't heard the whole album till I got the record for Christmas, and it now stands as one of my favorite albums I've heard.

History: This album spawned many singles including the popular ones, "Shout", and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." It was a hit in multiple countries, and it was received well by critics a like. This album goes carefree in sound, and meshes all types of genres and instrumentals to compose an album that is unique from other new wave bands' directions at the time. You never know what is coming next on this album. Also, I do recommend looking up the meaning behind the title of the album...

One of the singles I enjoyed from the album was, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." This song is still a popular one from them, and it has modern elements to the tune that keep it appealing even to listen to today. The guitar arrangement is one of my favorite parts, especially at the opening, and I like how the drumming beat of the tune rolls in the rest of the song with the new wave effects. Overall, the song is upbeat, but it's also easy to relate to in a serious way.

Another favorite single from the song is "Head Over Heels." This is a song I hadn't heard from the group before, and immediately liked when it came on. It has a lighter, 80's vibe, that I enjoy in 80's songs. The single, "Mother's Talk", is also a good tune, and their first single from the album.

The most popular song from the album might be, "Shout." Before having the album it was the only one I knew was from Tears For Fears. The song is dramatic, and unlike the other tunes not easy listening outside of a certain mood, but I love it. The pounding of the drums, the jazzy saxophone, make this song come together to have intense emotion.

There is a bit of everything on this album, and it will be unexpected. You kick off with the serious and dramatic song, "Shout," and end with a more culturally drive song, "Listen." In between there is an array of sound and themes that will provide more than much 80's music of the time. It's not a bunch of light beats and romantic lyrics, but instead a bit of rebellious hit back from the band.

448 of 1001 Albums: Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road was a deviation in what I'm currently listening to in music. The combination of the rock, folk, and heavily country influence come together to be suiting for Williams voicing. This might just be an album you can turn on while traveling on a gravel road in your car...preferably I hope to be on gravel roads as little as possible.

Williams' fifth album would be released in 1998 with much acclaim and success. It would even score her a first album to go gold. With the multiple genres layered on the album in the realm of country it is very appealing for many audiences. Not only with the musical talent though, there is Williams' voicing that impressively conveys the content of her lyrics, and relates to you. It's definitely one of the pioneering albums in music for women.

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The imagery of the album gets off to a great start by presenting this image of driving on a car on a gravel road, and then from there your mind can grasp the deeper meanings and feelings you will be grasping in the album. If you're from the country as I am, then you might remember when roads were more graveled than paved as they are now even. It not only allures to the rough parts of life as we are going over them, but it brings out the nostalgia effect as well if you're thinking back to certain times.

Enough about me though. The album itself is a good one, but the main thing that will hold me back from enjoying it again is my lack of enjoyment of country toned music. Don't get me wrong, this isn't like your mainstream country station that was occurring even in the 90's. It's much better than that, and the talent shines through all elements of the album.

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The best way to listen to this album might just be turning it on while you're driving. Not driving to work or to the grocery store, but on a road trip. It's reflective, and the lyrics are well crafted. Lucinda Williams is a very talented voice, and the power she exudes when singing showcases the talent she has. You can also feel the emotions she has toward her lyrics, and for the listener this brings you in closer to what is being sang.

Fans of genres that fall into rock, country, and folk will find something to like about this album. It has a tone that resonates with the listener, and makes you feel what is being sang. Better than listening to the album might be giving the song a listen to live though to hear the talent.

447 of 1001 Albums: Red Hot Chili Pepper's Californication

When you think about it Red Hot Chili Peppers have been around a very long time. There career actually spans back before I was even before. These guys have been making music since 1983, and are working on an 11th album now. One of their most popular albums, and arguably the most popular at that, is Californication. Even at the age of 11 I remember the hits that came from this album.

History: Dave Navarro leaving the band must have let loose a lot of pent up creative energy they wanted to disperse that they hadn't been able to since John Frusciante had departed the band after Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The album seems to emerge with a lot more maturity than even that album, and it channels sounds that sound more intentional. It would spawn many hit singles as well including "Californication" and the one I remember most clearly, "Scar Tissue".

Vocals: Anthony Keidis are very noticeable whether he is singing fast, or in a more serious tone. While I can hear the appeal of faster tracks like "Parallel Universe" I'm more into the tracks where not only the instrumentals slow down a bit, but also the vocals. Some of the favorite tracks where I thought the vocals were some of the highlights were "Around the World" or "Otherside". There seems to be a lot more burst of emotion throughout as well. You can't forget "Scar Tissue" though, which features some of the most impressive vocals because without the little emphasis on certain words you wouldn't have near as memorable a song that stuck with you after listening, which is also why it was such a memorable single.

Instrumentals:  I assume that most fans of Red Hot Chili Peppers were very glad to have the guitar work of Frusciante back. While the various other musicians are good the other unique signature of Red Hot Chili Peppers is the way the guitar sounds. With the darker themes on the album the guitar still has a more upbeat vibe that just doesn't quite match the lyrical content of what ranges from drugs to suicide. For the listener it provides some introspective thoughts while also not getting us down in the dumps listening to the album.

Did I hear any tunes from this album prior to listening?: I was vaguely familiar with this album before listening, but this isn't one of the albums I had listened to as I had other albums from the band. It lives up to expectations though from the one single I had heard, "Scar Tissue". There were many songs that kept catching my attention on the album, to be honest though I still don't prefer the faster ones though and remain a fan of the slower tunes.

I think any album like this could be enough to convert a person into a fan of the band. There is a reason this band has found longevity in their music. It's remained consistent over the years in making music that stays in line with what fans know from the band, but always keeping it unique. This album provides a different offering with each tune, but regardless of what you like it sounds like the band.

446 of 1001 Albums: The Triffids' Calenture

I do enjoy 80's music, but the past couple of albums have been some underwhelming 80's music. There was The Style Council and now The Triffids. They have the 80's sound, but there is something missing that completely gets me into it. The Australian singer even has a good solid voice. The album has it's moments though, but maybe it was the 17 songs on the album that made it lull.

History: This song was the fourth album the band, The Triffids, and despite the sound of the 80's this album explores themes that are quite deep within in the lyrical content. The sounds are more upbeat than the message itself. Several singles would generate from this album, and not only would fans like the album, but critics would as well. The album also took place in several recording places instead of one.

443 of 1001 Albums: Happy Mondays' Bummed

I've been really wanting to hear some music like this from the 80's. It's got this electronic vibe that is something you will only hear in the 80's. This song has some great guitar riffs as well, and I like the upbeat tone of the songs as well. Happy Mondays also has a really great band name! Anyways, I ended enjoying and welcoming this album to listen to.

History: Released in 1988, the album would be met with generally good reviews and a sound that was a bit different than what others had known them for. The band added in more echoes and other sounds for a style of electronic that would inspire the future of Madchester genre. You'll hear a variety of genres meshed in from rock to funk on this album for a sound that really does bring something interesting for the ears.