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!

453 of 1001 Albums: Joy Division's Closer

Closer would arrive in 1980 after the suicide of singer, Ian Curtis. The album would go on to be a hit for the band though. The album closely reflects what was to come though. Not only by the cover, but by the dark lyrics including themes of isolation and depression.

The cover of the album was chosen before the death of Ian Curtis. This did cause much concern for the record company. The photo was done by Bernard Pierre Wolfe, and is of the Appiani Family Tomb. The tomb is in Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno in Genoa, Italy. Martyn Atkins and Peter Saville were behind the cover design, which depicts a funeral. While they might have been concerned, I think it reflects the atmosphere and deeper workings of the album well.

Unknown Pleasures, their debut album, was a hit for the band, so much success was predicted for the follow up. They even had their first United States tour on the books, but it was never done since the singer died before they could embark on it.

My favorite parts of Closer were the instrumentals. With the English post-punk and gothic rock mixings it makes for an innovative blend of genres and sounds that progress the tunes past the 80s. With Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook on bass and guitar they carry much of the rhythm of the music. Stephen Morris contributes with drums and other percussion for a beat you won't forget as well. 

The talent of the musicians give the best backing there can be for Ian Curtis' voice. The gothic, baritone voice is given light with the instruments. Most of all I would recommend emotionally preparing for the album. The lyrics are depressing. The sound is goth. For many you might be thinking of death of the singer taking place around the release of this album as well. Putting all that together it makes the experience of listening a lot darker. This makes the album real and honest though. I was in the mood to listen to something I figured I might enjoy and also contributed to diving into a bit of music history. This was the perfect listen for that. It also gave me a new book to potentially check out, Deborah Curtis' Touching From a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division.

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.

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.

445 of 1001 Albums: The Style Council's Cafe Bleu

I do really love 80's music, and for some reason I was expecting The Style Council to sound a lot different than they turned out sounding. Instead of just new wave or rock, you get a bit of jazz fused in as well. It sounds good, and catchy, but it's not some of my favorite from the 80's so far, but there is something still unique about the sounds.

History: This album was at first a huge hit in the U.K. It would reach number two on the charts there before finding itself a hit in other countries. Oddly, after it became a hit in the U.S. they even changed the name of the album so it was more appealing to Americans. The album though would prove a success for the band that was trying out new sounds that included more jazz and soul than the straight up pop they dealt with.

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.

442 of 1001 Albums: Dinosaur Jr.'s Bug

I often see that Dinosaur Jr. is playing in a nearby city, but yet I had never heard what the band sounded like before. Today they made an appearance on the list as I was reading through to see what was next, and I was finally going to give a listen. I can definitely see why they have a strong appeal to the Athens, Ga scene. They are very indie sounding. The songs are raw, but show case the talent of the band.

History: This album is from the alternative rock band, and is the third one. The band released this in 1988, and honestly it sounds so different from the sounds associated with the 80's. The band is getting in gear for more of the 90's sound I'm familiar with. The album has mostly positive reviews from critics as well. If you're not familiar, the album also falls under the category noise rock.

441 of 1001 Albums: Dwight Yoakam's Buenes Noches From A Lonely Room

So if you grew up in the south as I did, then you probably were around a lot of country music. Maybe your parents left the radio station on it, or perhaps you even rode a bus to school that played it on the radio. It might have even just been your peers that listened to it, or well you were probably the fan yourself. I was a fan of country music in the style of Yoakam when I was a little kid. This is also the first album on the list so far where I heard country music like this.

History: Dwight Yoakam was already having hits with his music from the first two albums, but once again his third album, Buenes Noches From A Lonely Room would be number one on the Billboards once again. He even had country classic, Buck Owens, on the song "Streets of Bakersfield." The album would be a definite hit with fans of his music, and get some good critical feedback.

436 of 1001 Albums: Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits is easy to see why people find appealing musically. They have a lot of instrumental talent that is blended with the sounds of the 80's that would have heavily appealed to that audience at the time. There is some great guitar playing, and I wish the keyboard sounds had been turned down a bit just so I could hear them better.

History: Something very cool and very notable about this album from Dire Straits is that it was the first channeled to the CD market. Cassettes and vinyls were still heavily around in the 80's, but the fact they were already channeling stuff in that direction is pretty cool. It also would be one of the albums to outsell it's vinyl version, and make more CD sales of the album. While audiences were really enjoying the album critics were mixed in their reception of the album. Some would rate it very positively while others were mixed.

433 of 1001 Albums: Judas Priest's British Steel

It was unexpected, but there were some catchy songs on the album. I even had "United" stuck in my head all day as well today. I was walking through my workplace with that song on repeat in my head. Judas Priest though thankfully left a lot of their darker lyrically themed music behind for this one. I don't like that sort of music, and it would have just made me more hesitant to listen. This album is a little more safer for the mainstream audience.

History: It's 1980 and Judas Priest would release their sixth album. The sound they would return to for this album would be classified as more commercial, and for the fans who enjoyed their darker metal stuff, this would be drawing away from that. The album would also feature some new musician lineups. The reviews for this album are quite positive with critics.

429 of 1001 Albums: Bruce Springsteen's Born In the U.S.A

Bruce Springsteen might be one of the most popular artist spawned from the U.S.A, and with this album Springsteen has made almost a tribute to American music with the variety of sounds and music involved on the album, and he shows he has the voicing to flow with it all. The consistent vibe of the 80's is very strong, and with it being 1984 the 80's sounds were at their peak.

History: Bruce Springsteen would release another hit with his seventh album. The album would be a bit of a change up for Springsteen who would go to a lighter sound in this album that had a message filled with more hope. It's obvious just by the beat what the tone of the album was. The album would also finally give Springsteen a lot of fame. This would be his best selling album, and the best seller of the year 1985. The album would also be a hit with critics who put it on chart lists, and well reviewed the album, and it's popularization of the type of rock he was performing.

427 of 1001 Albums: Bob Dylan's Live 1966 "The Royal Albert Concert Hall"

There are two types of people in live. Those who like Bob Dylan and those who don't. I fall into the category of liking Bob Dylan. There is something about his music, particularly the writing, that is interesting. Whether he is singing about women, faith, things that make no sense, or most notably social and political activism the way he sings evokes something in the person listening and enjoying the tunes.

History: This album was recorded during the shift in Bob Dylan's music from acoustic to electric. It was recorded at the Manchester Free Trade Hall during his 1966 tour. The place where it says on this recording it was recorded is actually even a mistake, but I guess no one wanted to change it. If you watched Don't Look Back you see how the changes in his music were received by the audience, because when he brought out the electric guitar the crowd actually got nasty. This would end up being the last tour he took until 1974.

422 of 1001 Albums: Elvis Costello and The Attractions' Blood and Chocolate

Some Elvis Costello songs are good where as others were a bit rougher. With this one it seems that Costello puts the roughest songs to get through at the beginning, and puts his better stuff about halfway to the end of the album. Costello has an unique style, and maybe I just wish he would go back to more of that 50's rock and roll that matches his flare so well musically.

History: This album was a return for Costello to his usual backing group, The Attractions. The album reached #16 on the charts, and was a success with critics who reviewed the album. Costello even used his nickname for some of the album, Napoleon Dynamite. You may associate this name with the 2004 movie, but Costello believes they stole it from him though it's been denied. The singles that were released from this album struggled to chart.

418 of 1001 Albums: Go Go's Beauty and the Beat

Yes! Just what I've been waiting for. A catchy, cool, new wave, female band. I'm definitely picking up this vinyl. Anyways, this album was a lot of fun, and once I remembered they were the writers and performers of "We Got the Beat" I was very excited. There is probably no person who doesn't know the Go Go's tunes.

History: The Go Go's debuted their album in 1981, and incorporated the sounds of California into their album. The album would go on to be at number one on the Billboards and a club hit. The album was a hit also critically, and has been garnered for pioneering new wave music. It's also credited with be an inspiration for music after it, with many coves of their songs following.  Even celebrities have noted the impact the album had on their lives early on.

413 of 1001 Albums: Michael Jackson's Bad

It's true. I had been awaiting the day that Michael Jackson arrived on the list, and he finally did. I've thought Thriller sounded good and it's a tune that gets stuck in my head when the Halloween time of year happens. This isn't the album that contains that hit, but it has other enjoyable tunes like "Smooth Criminal", which I did give a couple of listens.

History: Michael Jackson didn't have everyone so welcoming to the follow up to Thriller, but that isn't very shocking considering how huge of an album that went on to be. Bad showed a bit more a serious side of Michael Jackson with tunes like "Man in the Mirror". This album would be one of the first albums in music history to produce five hit singles as well. Jackson did intend for this album to have more duets to it, but the duets actually fell through. Recently, a 25th anniversary of this album was released falling Jackson's death.

412 of 1001 Albums: Hanoi Rocks' Back to Mystery City

Hanoi Rocks' fun sound was something much needed. All these albums just sound so serious! It doesn't really surprise me though that the critical reviews are everywhere for this album. Some don't like all the guitar riffs or added in sounds, but I felt like the livened the album for a time when it's easy for rock for rock to blend. This just embodies something the 80's that I really like, even the crazy style on the cover art of the two musicians.

History: This album had a lot of outside involvement from people who had already made themselves music classics. Dale Griffin and Overend Watts who used to be members of Mott the Hoople were involved in producing and Miriam Stockley sung as backing vocals after previously performing music with Pink Floyd. The other cool thing is that the band is open about the history of the songs. The band members weren't always in agreement with what they wrote and released either. Monroe hugely disliked "Lick Summer Love" because of the strong sexual content. Michael Monroe got to include some of his own writing though like in "Mental Beat" that is about himself as a wild child.

411 of 1001 Albums: AC/DC Back in Black

AC/DC is probably one of the hugest bands out there. Most people can name a song by them, and a lot of people enjoy their music. It makes sense though because it does have a lot of attitude and instrumental talent. They also have a ton of history to explore through if you're someone who is a music historian.

History: Bon Scott instantly began putting together a new album after their hit album, Highway to Hell. The band would encounter some major setbacks though before they could bring Back in Black though. Scott died during songwriting for the new album leaving the band without a vocalist. Brian Johnson would later arrive to be the vocalist of the band for this album. Not only that but the band decided to record in the Bahamas where they were met with storms that caused power outages and also they experience some luggage problems at the airport. With all the problems though this album would become worth it of for the band. It is now the 2nd biggest album worldwide and the 6th most best selling album in the U.S. of all time.

408 of 1001 Albums: Big Black's Atomizer

Big Black definitely sounds like an innovative punk band for 1986. It isn't as reminiscent of what we associate with the genre as The Clash or Ramones are. Thankfully, if you get the album there is a note included with some versions explaining the songs. The shaky sounds and distorted vocals are staple of this album though, and provide it with a certain appeal for some fans.

History: Big Black's Atomizer is an album that is popular with critics. In 1986 the lyrics of the album caught the public's attention with the particular violent content, which includes discussing being set on fire  like in Kerosene. The band had some struggles though with the album, like their record label going behind their back's to market. On top of that the band just doesn't seem naturally kind to all fans anyways, even taking a jab at fans who bought the CD format of the music because one member was personally against the digital format.

406 or 1001 Albums: Astor Piazzolla and Gary Burton's The New Tango

The New Tango is very modern, a little jazzy, and has a lot of dance. It has so many flavor of instruments in this album. The instrumentals are well composed, and you of course don't need lyrics for music like this. It's more about hearing it and just letting the music flow as you listen to the tunes. While I can appreciate all the artistic arrangements of this album I don't think I will be one to embark on the instrumental listening of tango anytime soon.

History: Astor Piazzolla was an artist who would update the genre of tango into something called the nuevo tango. It mixed in elements of jazz with classical styles to create the new sound. For this album he teamed up with musician, Gary Burton, to add more musical variety to the music and composure of the sound.

404 of 1001 Albums: OMD's Architecture and Morality

Orchestrl Manoeuvres In the Dark is a really long name to write out and say, so to keep it simple I will write OMD, which is what most know them as anyways. I have to say I was really excited about this album though.  The only song I had heard from the band was "If You Leave", and this album has a different tone than I had heard on that song that I liked even better. It fits in more with the tones of bands like Depeche Mode or Joy Division.

History: Architecture and Morality is known as one of OMD's best work. It reached success critically and commercially, and reached number three on the charts. To this day it's said to be a huge influence on popular music. It's made several greatest albums list in popular magazines. The album itself produced three singles that were also successful. While critics did have some mixed feedback at first over time it has come become more acclaimed.