Music 365
 

So I started a small project on Facebook with a photo album I've titled Music 365.

I'm going to attempt to listen to an album a day for one year. Each day I will post an album cover with a small blurb about the album, as well as a few selected/favorite tracks.

I figure I can chronicle this here as well, feel free to follow along.



Day 001: Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

The first CD I ever purchased with my own money is the first listen through here. My favorite album of all time.

Favorite tracks:

1. Hello, 4. Don't Look Back in Anger, 5. Hey Now, 7. Some Might Say, 8. Cast No Shadow

Nice!

Day 002: The Strokes - Is This It

The first effort from Julian Casablancas and crew is fantastic. The music itself is excellent, as are the thoughtful lyrics. Easily the band's best album.

Favorite tracks:

2. The Modern Age, 4. Barely Legal, 5. Someday, 7. Last Nite, 10. Trying Your Luck

Nice thread. It's a very cool idea.

Nice. A definite fan.

/tk

Hope I can pick up on something new here. Have fun!

Day 003: John Frusciante - To Record Only Water For Ten Days

We all know that the best Red Hot Chili Peppers albums are the ones that Frusciante was around to play lead guitar on. Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Californication, etc. I picked up this album as a junior in high school and fell in love with it on first listen. It was my first time hearing Frusciante sing and it's a far cry from RHCP's funky punk grooves. Frusciante shows a pained emotional depth with his lyrics coming in over his expert guitar playing (more acoustic than electric here). If you're a fan of the Chili Peppers, this album deserves your attention.

Favorite tracks:

1. Going Inside, 3. The First Season, 5. Away and Anywhere, 10. Murderers, 15. Moments Have You

Day 004: Iggy and The Stooges - Raw Power

Definitely the hardest or heaviest of the albums of Music 365 thus far. It's rock and roll to its core. Dirty, sleazy, you'll come away feeling like you need a shower after you listen to it. A true toss-up between this and Fun House for best album from Iggy and The Stooges.

Favorite tracks:

1. Search and Destroy, 2. Gimme Danger, 6. I Need Somebody, 8. Death Trip

Day 005: Queen - The Game

Ah, the first album where Queen put themselves into current music and don't sound light-years ahead of their time. It's a little bit of disco, a little bit rock-a-billy and pure pop-rock, but Brian May's searing solos are still in there, not to mention some globe conquering bass lines. And Freddie Mercury's voice. Oh, that voice.

Favorite tracks:

2. Dragon Attack, 3. Another One Bites the Dust, 5. Crazy Little Thing Called Love, 7. Don't Try Suicide

Day 006: The La's - The La's

Released in November 1990, this is an album that sounds like it's straight out of the British Invasion of 1964, but manages to sound like it also comes out of the hey-day of Britpop in the mid-90s. It is a perfect pop album. Fantastic melodies, catchy songs, the kind of stuff you can bob your head to. The album is short (35 minutes), but packs a punch in its acoustic driven arrangements. The La's best known song is a tune that you probably know better from cover versions and I can tell you what a shame that is. The song is "There She Goes" and is quite possibly (in my opinion) the greatest pop song of all time. This is an album that inspired the likes of Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn, Alex Turner, Peter Doherty and on and on and on. If you've never heard anything from Lee Mavers and The La's, YouTube it as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed.

Favorite tracks:

1. Son of a Gun, 2. I Can't Sleep, 5. There She Goes, 6. Doledrum, 11. Failure

Someone told me you mentioned Britpop and summoned me in here. :D

Should move this to dynasty! :)

If a mod thinks it'd be better suited to the dynasty thread that'd be fine with me.

Brit - there's more of that coming this afternoon.

CF: I've been waiting for you to pop into this thread!

Day 007: Graham Coxon - Happiness in Magazines

Best known as the lead guitarist for Britpop legends Blur, this was Coxon's fifth solo album, but the first that was on par with any of his work in Blur. Tightly spun songs, great guitar work from the infectious hooks and phenomenal solos, coupled with a strong sense of lyrical nous. Coxon shows here that he's much, much more than just Damon Albarn's sidekick. The first of four straight fantastic solo offerings from Coxon.

Favorite tracks:

1. Spectacular, 2. No Good Time, 4. Bittersweet Bundle of Misery, 6. Freakin' Out, 9. Are You Ready?

Awesome stuff Grover. Already a few I need to check out.

Day 008: Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

I admittedly have a man crush on Alex Turner, so I might be a wee bit biased here. This album is phenomenal, the second fastest selling debut album in UK history (behind Leona Lewis and ahead of Oasis). It's a wonderful mash-up of The Strokes and The Libertines. Turner spits and growls out lyrics, chronicling the every man. It's music that you can relate, tightly wound songs, countless guitar riffs, clanging and clattering drumming and brilliant songwriting. My second favorite album of the 2000s.

Favorite tracks:

3. Fake Tales of San Francisco, 5. You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights, But You Were Staring Straight At Me, 9. Mardy Bum, 10. Perhaps Vampires is a Bit Strong, But..., 11. When The Sun Goes Down

Day 009: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - B.R.M.C.

Take the Stooges, Jesus and Mary Chain, early Verve and Stone Roses. Mash them all together and what you get is San Francisco outfit Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The album sounds distinctly British. It's filled with loud, hazy guitars, hard rock rhythm and a little bit of the blues. It's a wonderful debut album if you like rock and roll.

Favorite tracks:

1. Love Burns, 3. Whatever Happened to my Rock 'N Roll, 5. White Palms, 9. Spread Your Love

*pop pop*

Thanks and that's great to hear! That's why I've put it here, just to see if anyone finds something new to listen to.

Day 010: T. Rex - Electric Warrior

In 1971 when Electric Warrior was released, T. Rex were known as hippie folk-rockers. When Marc Bolan brought this album to the world, he had transformed and brought glam-rock to the forefront of popular rock music. Bolan's warm guitar, trashy song content and overt sexual lyrics are a fun, shake your hips affair. The God of Glam delivers here.

And you've got to admit, this is one of the most bad-ass album covers ever.

Favorite tracks:

1. Mambo Sun, 3. Jeepster, 5. Lean Woman Blues, 6. Bang A Gong (Get It On), 11. Rip Off

I've had diminishing returns with Arctic Monkeys. Loved Whatever..., and I thoroughly enjoyed his Last Shadow Puppets side project, but it seemed to seep into the Arctic Monkeys. He stopped his quick vocal rhythm and started to croon/sing more. I understand that they grew up and aren't the smart-ass kids they were when they started, but they lost pretty much all of the edge in their music.

Still, of the British re-invasion albums of the mid 2000's, this is probably my second favorite (behind Franz Ferdinand, that album is pretty much perfect).

I thought Humbug was a great album. Suck It and See is probably their weakest effort, but it's got some terrific tracks. I agree that they need to find that edge again, get back to the frenetic guitars, stuffing as many riffs and solos in as possible. Throughout the changes, Turner's lyrics have been top notch all the way.

I'm enjoying this too. I'm a big fan of the methodical consumption of art for some reason. You know, taking in stuff whether it be by list, or a project like this. There's some psychological reason why that's so appealing.

I'm the same way you are. That's why I'm doing it. It's hugely satisfying for me. It's also a good way to get into my music catalog and see what's in there.

Day 011: My Morning Jacket - At Dawn

Country, pop, rock and the blues all jam packed into one excellent album. This is Jim James and Co's second album and in my humble opinion, 11 years later is still their best. Acoustic strumming, James' sometimes hauntingly, but always soothing voice guide you through the record. You'll notice bits and pieces of Americana scattered throughout, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, even the Velvet Underground. This is an album that might take 4-5 listens for someone to fully appreciate, but it's worth the time.

I'm still upset that they didn't play Honest Man in Portland two years ago. By far my favorite track from the band.

Favorite tracks:

2. Lowdown, 4. Death Is The Easy Way, 7. Honest Man, 8. X-Mas Curtain, 12. Phone Went West

Can't believe I missed the entry on the La's. My favorite track was "Liberty Ship".

My son, now aged 13, used to have a hard time falling asleep for his afternoon nap. I used to pick him up and dance with him in my arms to the beginning of this album. By the time we would get to "Liberty Ship", he was out like a light :).

That is awesome.

I used to use the album as a sleep aid myself. I once included it in a list of 15 albums I wouldn't live without.

Day 012: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes

Tom Petty's magnum opus. At the time the band were in dire straits, in a major tussle with their record label and nearly bankrupt. From the wreckage came the band's third album in 1979 and it still holds up as one of the best of the late 70's and early 80's. Petty's songwriting and crafting are tight and masterful, the fusion of the Byrds and Rolling Stones and the excellent production give Damn the Torpedoes an incredibly modern, yet timeless feel.

Favorite tracks:

1. Refugee, 2. Here Comes My Girl, 3. Even the Losers, 6. Don't Do Me Like That

Day 013: The Libertines - Up The Bracket

My favorite album of the 2000's. Peter Doherty and Carl Barat possess a partnership that is magical. There's something about the way they arrange songs and the way their guitars intertwine between each other. Some call The Libertines the United Kingdom's answer to The Strokes, but they're so much better. Indie rock, Britpop, garage rock, all produced by The Clash legend Mick Jones. Listen to this album, I can't say enough good things about it.

Favorite tracks:

1. Vertigo, 2. Death on the Stairs, 4. Time For Heroes, 5. Boys in the Band, 11. The Good Old Days

Day 014: Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin

Yes. So many memories, so many good times. This album is rock and roll. One of the best albums of all time. Undeniable.

Favorite tracks:

2. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, 3. You Shook Me, 4. Dazed and Confused, 8. I Can't Quit You Baby, 9. How Many More Times

then you must watch this:

Day 015: Matthew Good Band - Beautiful Midnight

Pretty much the definition of 'alternative' music. Good has a love it or hate it voice. He pens thought provoking lyrics and the music here is sublime, all the way through.

3. Strange Days, 4. I Miss New Wave, 5. Load Me Up, 12. The Future Is X-Rated, 13. Born to Kill

Day 016: Noah & the Whale - Last Night On Earth

This is a feel good album. Light and happy indie pop-rock tunes with clever songwriting from Charlie Fink. The group has a good sound and has moved in a different direction on this album in comparison to their first two which were darker and a bit more ambient.

Favorite tracks:

2. Tonight's the Kind of Night, 3. L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N, 4. Wild Thing, 7. Paradise Stars

Day 017: Tom Waits - Blue Valentine

Bluesy, hard-edged blues and jazz songs about the lowlifes of the world. Waits is in his element on this album, his gravelly voice putting vivid imagery into stories that span four or five minutes. It can be funny, sad, depressing, sarcastic or hopeless, Waits always takes a listener through an emotional roller coaster on his albums.

Favorite tracks:

3. Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis, 4. Romeo is Bleeding, 5. $29.00, 9. A Sweet Little Bullet from a Pretty Blue Gun, 10. Blue Valentines

Day 018: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Phenomenal record. Winehouse switches from jazz singer to soul siren and the results are astounding. Winehouse's songs with slick production from Remi and Ronson make this a breakthrough record. Unfortunately, with hindsight, it seems as if a lot of the songs were calls for help. Regardless, Winehouse's powerful and gorgeous voice guide the listener over contemporary R&B tunes, some jazzy overtures and songs about heartache, loss, drugs and more.

Favorite tracks:

1. Rehab, 2. You Know I'm No Good, 5. Back to Black,

Day 019: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Déjà Vu

An album that explores folk, country, hard rock, blues, psychedelia and metal all in ten tracks. Though its members were rarely present and the album took a reported 800 hours to finish, it is a masterpiece. I've got a lot of good memories attached to it and couldn't imagine it being absent from my collection.

Favorite tracks:

1. Carry On, 2. Teach Your Children, 3. Almost Cut My Hair, 4. Helpless, 7. Our House

Definitely some great albums in here...I like the idea.

Have you listened to the new Neil Young album? Its streaming in crazy high quality on his website. Listening to it on my lone expensive audio system was pretty awesome. I may or may not have compared it to an mp3 version. Blew it out of the water.

And it makes me wonder....what's goin on...
oooooooooooon

I was just listening to Back To Black about a week ago!

Guru: thanks!

EasyMac: I haven't, though I plan to get on that. New Neil is always good.

Passacaglia: So good, right?

Day 020: David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Absolutely brilliant album. Perfect glam, the loose concept of a foreign alien named Ziggy and the decadent, but decaying future. It should be in your collection.

Favorite tracks:

3. Moonage Daydream, 4. Starman, 9. Ziggy Stardust, 10. Suffragette City, 11. Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

A perfect album. In my frequent top three
My favorites: Five Years, Soul Love, Moonage Daydream, Starman, Hang Onto YOurself, ROck and Roll Suicide

The transition between Soul Love and Moonage is probably my favorite transiotion of all time.

Day 021: Gorillaz - Demon Days

One of those albums that can be considered perfect. With Danger Mouse producing and a host of famous cameos (De La Soul, Shaun Ryder, Dennis Hopper, etc), Damon Albarn proves his genius with Demon Days. All of the material is antecedent from Albarn's previous days with Blur, but the collaborations make them seem fresh and exciting. The album is aurally fantastic and is worth numerous listens.

4. O Green World, 6. Feel Good Inc., 8. Every Planet We Reach Is Dead, 12. Dare, 15. Demon Days

So far, I like the albums you chose, and while I know most of them, some are a little obsucre to me (Tom Waits, Tom Petty) but all those are very pop-rock oriented. Do you listen to some other type of music ? I'm just curious.

Tom Petty being considered obscure, something I never thought I would ever hear. :)

There is some blues, a little hip hop, some jazz, but mostly rock. Especially British Rock.

Different continents, different pop-rock culture.

Have you ever heard of Telephone, Noir Desir, Dyonisos ?

I'll be following along as apart from hip-hop, that's the kind of music I enjoy listening to.

Day 022: José González - In Our Nature

Beautiful melodies and a skillfully played classical guitar. José González is awesome in a very, very understated way. This album is a bit fuller than his debut Veneer, with a little more drum, bass and keys to compliment his voice and guitar work. On multiple listens, the songs reveal themselves to be much deeper than originally thought. Not to mention an absolutely incredible cover of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop.' Terrific piece of music from start to finish.

Favorite tracks:

2. Down the Line, 3. Killing for Love, 5. Teardrop, 10. Cycling Trivialities

I'm just saying, Tom Petty is one of the most recognizable rock icons of the 70s and 80s in the US. Forgot you weren't in 'Merica. ;)

Day 023: Medeski, Martin & Wood - End of the World Party (Just in Case)

The first appearance of a fully instrumental album and it only took 23 days. Even if you're not a big jazz fan, MMW can pull you win with a bit of a pop overlay without sacrificing any of the jazz sound. It's a great album for a party (see album title) and for having a good time in general. The craftsman ship of all three members is evident, each of them highlighted along the way. A can't miss album.

Favorite tracks:

2. End of the World Party, 4. Bloody Oil, 5. New Planet, 7. Shine It, 12. Queen Bee

I can see that argument for some artists, but Petty? Maybe not as universally renowned as Aerosmith, Springsteen, and The Eagles, but certainly in that next tier. I'm somewhat surprised he isn't a bit more well known in Europe.

Day 024: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

In my opinion, the best album of the 21st century. It sounds so modern, but at the same time recalls the lavish sounds of the late 60's and early 70's. Alex Turner and Miles Kane work together with drummer James Ford and Owen Pallett of the London Metropolitan Orchestra to create an album that is urgent, beautiful, deep, full, lush. It is outstanding. Easily in my top five albums of all time. If you like the Arctic Monkeys or indie rock in general, you will most likely love this. Give it a try.

Favorite tracks:

1. The Age of the Understatement, 3. Calm Like You, 4. Separate and Ever Deadly, 7. My Mistakes Were Made For You, 11. The Meeting Place

Last Shadow Puppets, this was a great album. Good call, and good summary.

Also, liked the Jose Gonzalez callout. "Cycling Trivialities" is a personal favorite.

Day 025: Screaming Females - Ugly

Hooky, filled with riffs and jam packed with guitar-worship goodness. Screaming Females produce a sound on their fourth album that sits somewhere between Sleater-Kinney and Dinosaur Jr. It's fun, high energy, and catchy. The power trio has no use for anything fancy, they deliver pure, solid rock and roll.

Favorite tracks:

1. It All Means Nothing, 4. Red Hand, 10. Doom 84, 11. Help Me, 12. Something Ugly

Day 026: Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block

Pretty much the perfect indie rock album. It deserved every last iota of hype it got in 2006 when it was released. Even though the album is about relationships (mostly the lows), it still comes across as happy, bouncy and positive. It's one of the catchier albums I own, every song has its own style, but still fits within the framework of the album. Phenomenal piece of music.

Favorite tracks:

2. Objects Of My Affection, 3. Young Folks, 6. Up Against The Wall, 7. Paris 2004, 8. Let's Call It Off

Day 027: Supergrass - I Should Coco

More Britpop brilliance from the mid-90's. The trio's debut album is a fun romp through all styles and decades of British rock from stompers to psychedelia to music hall rave-ups. It's pure fun, catchy, you'll be nodding your head and tapping your foot.

Favorite tracks:

1. I'd Like To Know, 3. Mansize Rooster, 4. Alright, 7. Strange Ones, 9. She's So Loose

Day 028: Cream - Disraeli Gears

One of the best psychedelic albums ever. The power trio move from the blues driven rock of their first album to psychedelic rock and the transition is phenomenal. The album is British as British can get, right down to the core. Clapton's guitar, Bruce's rich voice and Baker's driving drums. Cream paint a picture like few other bands can.

Favorite tracks:

1. Strange Brew, 2. Sunshine of Your Love, 4. Dance the Night Away, 6. Tales of Brave Ulysses, 7. Swlabr

Day 029: Interpol - Antics

Ah, this one holds a special place in my heart. It got me through a rough patch and I am eternally grateful to it. This is a fairly low tempo album with infrequent bursts of energy. More than the music for me, it's in the lyrics. That's what I take away from Antics.

Favorite tracks:

2. Evil, 3. Narc, 4. Take You On A Cruise, 5. Slow Hands, 8. C'mere

Day 030: The Doors - L.A. Woman

The perfect driving album. The Doors at their bluesiest on their final effort with the original quarter. Some of their best songs. I've got a lot of history with this album too, lots of great times. It's my favorite album of theirs and contains one of my favorite songs of all time, the title track.

Favorite tracks:

2. Love Her Madly, 5. L.A. Woman, 6. L'America, 9. The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat), 10. Riders on the Storm

Day 031: Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures

If you've never heard (or heard of) Joy Divsion, you're really missing out. Guitarist Bernard Sumner was an inspiration to sludge metal guitarists. Peter Hook's bass was both enough to get you moving, but also make you feel dread. Morris' drumming smacking above the noise, and then of course Ian Curtis' synthesizers and harrowing vocals. This is a perfect album with a band at it's peak. It's dark, melodic, moody, heavy, upbeat... it is a roller-coaster. And it's one of the best albums of all time. Seriously.

Favorite tracks:

1. Disorder, 5. New Dawn Fades, 6. She's Lost Control, 7. Shadowplay

Nice one. I saw New Order in concert a couple weeks ago (without Peter Hook, but whatevs). Some of you may have seen me post this on FB, but I'll post it here, so everyone can laugh at Sumner's lame dance moves and gestures.

Day 032: The Kings - Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One

This is an album filled with angst and anger. Ray Davies had been beaten down by the record companies and execs and this album takes the gun and turns the sights on them. Davies takes shots at publishers, ex-managers, label executives and society at large. However, the album is as funny as it is angry. It's one of the band's best works. Classic rock perfection.

Favorite tracks:

2. Strangers, 4. Get Back in Line, 5. Lola, 6. Top of the Pops, 11. Apeman

Day 033: Mother Love Bone - Apple

A band who truly ended well before their time, unfortunately so due to lead singer Andrew Wood's heroin problem. As many know, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard helped form Pearl Jam after the end of MLB. But enough of the history, about the music: it's hard rock. Fantastic hard rock. Soaring vocals, screeching guitars, thumping bass and drums. It's an interesting album for 1990 Seattle, especially with grunge coming into full force at the time. It's very possible that this could have been the best of the Seattle bands of this era. This album is phenomenal start to finish, so sad it's the only one there will ever be.

Favorite tracks:

1. This is Shangrila, 2. Stardog Champion, 3. Holy Roller, 6. Stargazer, 9. Man of Golden Words

Day 034: The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses

Absolutely, without a doubt in my top five albums of all time. It is perfect. The Stone Roses were the leaders of the 'Madchester' movement in Manchester, England. Madchester was typified by guitar pop fused with drug-fueled rave and dance culture. While Ian Brown's laid back, nonchalant and almost arrogant vocals are very, very important to the sound, it is songwriter and lead guitarist John Squire who shines. His effortless hooks, the layers of simplicity that come together into something much, much more than the sum of its parts. A must own piece of music. One of the best albums of the late 80's - early 90's British music movement and one of the best albums of the 1980's across all genres, period.

Favorite tracks:

2. She Bangs the Drums, 3. Elephant Stone, 9. Made of Stone, 12. I Am the Resurrection, 13. Fool's Gold

Represent!

Day 035: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Rust Never Sleeps

I'll be honest, I love Neil Young more than any musician except for Noel Gallagher and Tom Waits. This album has a certain something about it and I think it stems from the concept of starting out acoustic and over the course of nine track, progressively turning into hard rock, complete with Young's signature guitar sound. 'Thrasher' might be one of the greatest metaphorical songs ever written and is an underrated tune in Young's vast songbook. The scope and breadth of the album captures all of Young's various styles, his imagination and daring.

Favorite tracks:

2. Thrasher, 4. Pocahontas, 6. Powderfinger, 9. Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)

Day 036: Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Ah... quite possibly the best indie rock record of all time. It's massive in scope, the album flows from song to song without relenting. It's either a completely genius recording or completely insane. I'm guessing it lands somewhere in between. It's a must own for indie rock fans and anyone who loves 90's music in general.

It also possesses the only song in the world that can reduce me to tears, so there's that.

Favorite tracks:

3. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, 4. Two-Headed Boy, 6. Holland, 1945, 8. Oh Comely, 9. Ghost




Note: I realize I missed yesterday. I was going to double down and listen to two albums today, but I plan to launch this project through my website in January, so missing a day or two here and there won't be so bad. Plenty of time to make up.

A friend of mine posted a video to Facebook wherein the Avett Brothers covered "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." It was pretty cool... but the audience had no idea what was going on. And that's part of the chasm I perceive between fans of the Avetts before and after they signed with Columbia.

Dola, I also caught Jeff Mangum at an early date on his recent tour... it was excellent. Played pretty much the entirety of this album, along with some other interesting stuff.

Awesome news, he's coming to my neck of the woods soon, I'm definitely grabbing tix.

Day 037: The Verve - A Northern Soul

With their second album, The Verve left some of the shoegazer elements of the first behind, but still managed to craft a album that is epic in scope with more traditional elements of psychedelia. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe are at their best on A Northern Soul, the group created an album that is harrowing, intense and was created under reportedly heavy drug use. I personally find this album to be better than Urban Hymns, but it really is a toss up between the two of them. This album is why The Verve is in my top five or six bands of all time. It is simply fantastic, from psychedelic rockers like A Northern Soul and This Is Music from the beautiful, but terribly sad songs like History or Drive You Home. Add this album to your collection.

Favorite tracks:

1. A New Decade, 2. This is Music, 3. On Your Own, 5. A Northern Soul, 8. History

Day 038: TOOL - Lateralus

Progressive rock at it's finest. Reminiscent of Pink Floyd during their "Meddle" days and King Crimson, Maynard and Co. push the envelope with this epic album. Filled with the band's signature time changes, metaphorically loaded lyrics, Maynard's incredible voice and Danny Carey's ridiculous drumming, this is an album current prog-rock and metal bands could learn to take a page from. This is an album that cannot be accepted at face value and needs to be listened to a few times to fully understand the scope of... and to be quite honest, I still don't understand it. What does it mean? There's plenty of theories out there, but my guess is that only Maynard truly knows what Lateralus' message is.

Favorite tracks:

1. The Grudge, 3. The Patient, 5. Schism, 7. Parabola, 8. Ticks & Leeches, 9. Lateralus

Day 039: The Beatles - Revolver

Revolver is the album where it all started to change for the Fab Four. Expansions in their sound and lyrical content, they have started to discover a little bit of the psychedelic undertones that would come in subsequent albums. George Harrison starts experimenting with Indian music and the sitar, Lennon even writes an ode to his drug dealer with 'Doctor Robert.' While Sgt. Peppers' may get all the acclaim, this is the album that forged a new path for The Beatles and is still as emulated today as it was back then.

Favorite tracks:

1. Taxman, 2. Elanor Rigby, 9. And Your Bird Can Sing, 13. Got To Get You Into My Life, 14. Tomorrow Never Knows

I have to say that thus far, this has probably been the most difficult album to pare down the "favorite tracks" portion. The quality is stunning throughout and if you ask 100 people, you'll get 100 different answers on this.

Man, these last two are two of my favorite albums. Good selections!

I'm hoping to do something similar, possibly on Jan 1. Right now I'm still doing my photo365 project.

They actually made more than one album?

Yes! Their first EP was awesome as well!

They have four.

A Storm in Heaven, A Northern Soul, Urban Hymns and Forth.

The first three are outstanding, the fourth is merely very good.

Awesome!

I'm going to start putting this stuff on inherentlymeaningless.com in January. I'm hoping to try and get some others involved!

Day 040: Rory Gallagher - Tattoo

Rory Gallagher is bar-none my favorite guitarist of all time. He's one of the most underrated to boot. Tattoo catches him in fine form, recorded in the midst of a full tour and laced with passion from Rory's voice to the sound of his guitar. If you've never heard any of his work, this is the place to start.

Favorite tracks:

1. Tattoo'd Lady, 2. Cradle Rock, 7. Who's That Coming?, 8. A Million Miles Away

Also, Jimi Hendrix was once asked by a reporter what it was like to the greatest guitar player in the world. Hendrix responded: "You'd have to ask Rory Gallagher."

Day 041: The Smiths - The Smiths

Morrissey and Marr. Two things that just fit together perfectly. Marr's brilliant rhythm, hooks and songwriting paired with Morrissey's challenging, quixotic and thoughtful lyrics and his crooning, completely unique voice. It just works. The Smith came into 1984 with an album not unlike most British rock, except it wasn't dominated with synthesizers like everything else at the time. I've got a lot of love for The Smiths, especially this album.

Favorite tracks:

1. Reel Around the Fountain, 4. Pretty Girls Make Graves, 6. This Charming Man, 7. Still Ill, 9. What Difference Does it Make?

Day 042: The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed

The first album in the post-Brian Jones era, though he does play on two tracks. Let It Bleed furthers the rock and blues fusion from Beggars Banquet, though the lyrics have become darker and much more sexually driven. Like most Stones albums, there are a couple of filler songs, but this includes songs that are among their very best.

Favorite tracks:

1. Gimme Shelter, 5. Let It Bleed, 6. Midnight Rambler, 9. You Can't Always Get What You Want

Day 043: Oasis - Definitely Maybe

The debut album that took England by storm. Loud, guitar-oriented rock and roll penned by songwriter Noel Gallagher. The album encapsulates the best of British rock and roll from The Beatles to the Stone Roses all in the space of 11 excellent songs. Noel writes tracks with grooves and melodies, doing both better than most of the post-punk bands of the era. An album to get your hands on.

Favorite tracks:

2. Shakermaker, 3. Live Forever, 6. Supersonic, 8. Cigarettes & Alcohol, 10. Slide Away

Day 044: Muddy Waters - Hard Again

After a series of below average albums came Hard Again. The comeback album of comeback albums. Muddy Waters at the top of his blues game proving why he was one of the most important men of blues history. Great, great blues.

Favorite tracks:

1. Mannish Boy, 2. Bus Driver, 7. Deep Down In Florida, 8. Crosseyed Cat

Day 045: Two Gallants - What The Toll Tells

I found Two Gallants quite accidentally in 2007. I was perusing the shelves in Bullmoose Music and stumbled across this album cover. Something about it caught my eye and without ever hearing the album, I purchased it. That could have been a great mistake (it has been before!), but when I slipped the CD into my car's stereo system I was taken aback. The music, melodies, songcraft, interplay between drummer and guitarist are simple phenomenal. This is lo-fi indie rock, with elements of folk, bluegrass, country and punk thrown in for good measure. It's a terrific album from a band who deserves more attention than they've gotten. They're one of the more talented musical duos and could be the next hugely popular music pair in music if their trajectory continues pushing upward.

Favorite tracks:

1. Las Cruces Jail, 2. Steady Rollin', 5. The Prodigal Son, 7. 16th St. Dozens

I seem to have similar tastes as you do and do not own several of those "gem" albums. Rolling Stones one for example.

Day 046: Pulp - Different Class

Jarvis Cocker and group's masterclass. The music is theatrical, synth-pop spiked with new wave and even some slight disco flourishes. Cocker is brilliant at writing songs about sex and social class, delving deep inside the characters of the songs and making them come alive. Not to mention the album contains one of the biggest and most influential singles in the history of British music, Common People.

Favorite tracks:

1. Mis-Shapes, 3. Common People, 4. I Spy, 5. Disco 2000, 8. Sorted For E's & Wizz

Day 047: Jeff Buckley - Grace

A man taken far too soon, far before his time and well before he had ever reached his musical piece. Grace was his debut and only studio released during his lifetime and it is an outstanding and audacious effort. Sweeping choruses, a full backing band, deep and searching lyrics, and one of the sweetest, most incredible voices in all of music. It also includes one of the best cover songs ever, an absolutely brilliant version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" that Buckley completely makes his own. So sad that such an outstanding album was the only one Buckley ever had a chance to record in full.

Favorite tracks:

2. Grace, 3. Last Goodbye, 5. So Real, 6. Hallelujah, 9. Eternal Life

Day 048: Supertramp - Breakfast in America

Such a brilliant prog-rock album. For the most part, Supertramp are a pretty hit-or-miss and self-indulgent band on the remainder of their albums, however, Breakfast in America is ace. Absolutely, positively ace. It's a perfect album. It spawned three top-20 hits, while topping the US charts for four weeks in 1979. It's a must own album.

Favorite tracks:

2. The Logical Song, 3. Goodbye Stranger, 4. Breakfast in America, 6. Take the Long Way Home, 10. Child of Vision

Way to get back on track! :D

Did I get off track somewhere along the way? ;)

Also, today feels like it could be a double album day, I'm not sure though. I'm still technically two days behind.

Day 049: Stereophonics - Language. Sex. Violence. Other?

The Welsh rockers were brash and on full blast for this album. Their previous efforts had glimpses of their potential, which is fully realized here. The song titles, much like the album is to the point, only one word titles with the exception of one track. Thick, merciless riffs and Kelly Jones' rough vocals make this a fun album from start to finish.

Favorite tracks:

1. Superman, 2. Doorman, 4. Devil, 5. Dakota, 7. Pedal Pusher

Heh, not really. We jive for the most part, but my knowledge base drops off considerably after the late '70s (Buckley is one exception). I'll probably actually use this as a way to explore, whenever I get around to it.

Day 050: Ocean Colour Scene - Moseley Shoals

Traditional rock and roll enthusiasts OCS hit a home run in 1996 with Moseley Shoals. It's a loose feeling album, a bit funky with some heavy R&B influences reminiscent of the Small Faces and Paul Weller's solo work. There are also callbacks to The Beatles and Stone Roses and a little bit of prog rock flair thrown in. This is one of my favorite albums of the Britpop era from start to finish. It's an album that makes you feel pretty good about life.

Favorite tracks:

1. The Riverboat Song, 2. The Day We Caught the Train, 5. Fleeting Mind, 10. The Downstream, 12. Get Away

Day 051: Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape

The Foos' sophomore effort finally sees Dave Grohl introducing a band into the project for a studio album. Although, he did do all of the drumming himself, and why not? He's Dave Grohl. This is highly polished, well produced and slickly engineered. Grohl's got a knack for precision and and crafting song and melody. This album is one of the defining sounds of post-grunge rock and roll.

Favorite tracks:

2. Monkey Wrench, 3. Hey, Johnny Park!, 7. My Hero, 11. Everlong

I love love love love this album. Their best, in my opinion.

/tk

Agree 100%, it's my favorite of theirs too.

Could we have cookies for breakfast, mommy dear, mommy dear...

They've got to have them in Texas, 'cause everyone's a millionaire...