The BOMB

Two Hundred Eighty-Five

Artist - Menomena
Album - Mines
Released - 2010
Label - Barsuk/City Slang
Genre - Indie Rock

Tracks:
Queen Black Acid
TAOS
Killemall
Dirty Cartoons
Tithe
BOTE
Lunchmeat
Oh Pretty Boy, You're Such a Big Boy
Five Little Rooms
Sleeping Beauty
INTIL

The self-produced, self-recorded fourth album by Menomena, Mines is it!  An album that I consider to be one of the top albums of 2010, it was on heavy rotation in my car for quite some time.  For me, when an album is on heavy rotation for me, that means every single song on the record is AMAZING!  So here, as I state (in my opinion of course) the awesomeness of this record, I'm glad my roommate let me spin it this evening.  It brought back a lot of memories of the what was going on at the time this album was in my life.  Something about the way this album is put together, it just flows nicely and perfectly.  There are not a lot of records out there that can pull that off, but this one is definitely one of them. Ahhhhh, yes....the vocals alone are mesmerizing.  

Enjoy!

Well, Well

Two Hundred Eighty

Artist - Caspian
Album - Tertia
Released - 2009
Label - The Mylene Sheath
Genre - Post Rock

Tracks:
Mie
La Cerva
Ghosts of the Garden City
Malacoda
Epochs in Dmaj
Of Foam and Wave
Concrescence
The Raven
Vienna
Sycamore

This is such a fantastic record and a new listen for me, since I am not caught up on any Caspian records.  This is Caspian's second album and I gave this one a double listen, that's how much I liked it.  The reason why this entry is out of sync (number-wise) is because I was thinking of something to say that would be more interesting than just liking it, but with the week I am having and work draining all my energy, I forgot about it.  My roommate reminded me that I did not post it and when I came on to see why, I remembered.  How forgetful have I been these days.  I sincerely apologize for not posting a good review on this one.  But I promise you this, this will definitely be one I post about after I finish this year long expedition, which is ending in about 3 months.  How I will miss this.

Enjoy!

Really, Only

Two Hundred Eighty-Four

Artist - The Rolling Stones
Album - It's Only Rock 'N Roll
Released - 1974
Label - Rolling Stones
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
Side 1
If you can't rock me
Ain't too proud to bed
It's only Rock 'n Roll
Till the next goodbye
Time waits for no one
Side 2
Lucury
Dance little sister
If you really want to be my friend
Short and curlies
Fingerprint file

Enjoy!

Easy Listening

Two Hundred Eighty-Three

Artist - Eddy Arnold
Album - This Is Eddy Arnold
Released - 1970
Label - RCA Victor
Genre - Country/Pop Music

Tracks:
Side 1
Anytime
Misty Blue
Lay Some Happiness on Me
I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl I Love)
It's Such a Pretty World Today
Side 2
Lonely Girl
The Lovebug Itch
Here Comes Heaven
They Don't Make Love Like They Used To
But for Love
Side 3
Bouquet of Roses
Here Comes My Baby
Somebody Like Me
I Started a Joke
That Do Make It Nice
Side 4
Soul Deep
You Fool
Mary in the Morning
I'll Hold You In My Heart
(Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)
Cattle Call

Enjoy!

Not Entirely in Space

Two Hundred Eighty-Two

Artist - Jefferson Starship
Album - Spitfire
Released - 1976
Label - Grunt/RCA
Genre - AOR (Album Oriented Rock)

Tracks:
Side One
Crusin'
Dance with the Dragon
Hot Water
St. Charles
Side Two
Song to the Sun: Part I: Ozymandias/Part II: Don't Let it Rain
With Your Love
Switchblade
Big City
Love Lovely Love

Enjoy!

Heads are Talkin'

Two Hundred Eighty-One

Artist - Talking Heads
Album - Fear of Music
Released - 1979
Label - Sire
Genre - New Wave/Post Punk/Art Punk

Tracks:
Side 1
I Zimbra
Mind
Paper
Cities
Life During Wartime
Memories Can't Wait
Side 2
Air
Heaven
Animals
Electric Guitar
Drugs

By the name of the tracks alone, one can't help but to listen to it.  Another reason, Brian Eno and David Byrne.  The fantastic mastermind of so much, Talking Heads Fear of Music is interesting to say the least.  The third studio album is filled with eclectic sounds and it definitely has your dose of post punk, new wave mixed right into this.  

Enjoy!

Life...Forever

Two Hundred Seventy-Nine

Artist - Foals
Album - Total Life Forever
Released - 2010
Label - Transgressive
Genre - Post/Indie Rock

Tracks:
A
Blue Blood
Miami
Total Life Forever
B
Black Gold
Spanish Sahara
C
This Orient
Fugue
After Glow
D
Alabaster
2 Trees
What Remains

Enjoy!

EP'n

Two Hundred Seventy-Eight

Artist - Caspian
Album - You Are The Conductor
Released - 2005
Label - Dopamine Records
Genre - Post-Rock

Tracks:
Side A
Quovis
Further Up
Further In
Side B
Loft
For Protection

I love records that come in different colors.  Not only that, EPs are, to me, a shorter, more intense abridged version of what is to come and this EP by Caspian is magnificent.  My roommate loves Caspian and I believe this is the first time I've heard them.  Let me mention that my boyfriend likes them as well.  I would have to listen to more of their stuff to make a determination of how this album proceeds the rest, but for now, I like this.

Enjoy!

To Become, Become an...

Two Hundred Seventy-Seven

Artist - The Association
Album - Greatest Hits
Released - 1968
Label - Warner Bros.
Genre - Sunshine/Baroque Pop

Tracks:
Side One
The Time It Is Today
Everything That Touches You
Like Always
Never My Love
Requiem For The Masses
Along Comes Mary
Side Two
Enter The Young
No Fair At All
Time for Livin'
We Love
Cherish
Windy
Six Man Band

Enjoy!

So Fantastic

Two Hundred Seventy-Six

Artist - Elton John
Album - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Released - 1975
Label - MCA
Genre - Rock/Pop

Tracks:
Side One
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Tower of Babel
Bitter Fingers
Tell Me When the Whistle Blows
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Side Two
(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket
Better Off Dead
Writing
We All Fall In Love Sometimes
Curtains

Enjoy!

Just Be Calm

Two Hundred Seventy-Five

Artist - The Calm Blue Sea
Album - The Calm Blue Sea
Released - 2008
Label - No Label
Genre - Post-Rock

Tracks:
Side 1
We Happy Few
Literal
This Will Happen Again
Side 2
The Rivers That Run Beneath The City
After the Legions
Now Those Ashes Are At The Bottom

Enjoy!

Wondering

Two Hundred Seventy-Four

Artist - Stevie Wonder
Album - Talking Book
Released - 1972
Label - Tamla
Genre - Soul/Funk

Tracks:
You Are The Sunshine of My Life
Maybe Your Baby
You and I (We Can Conquer The World)
Tuesday Heartbreak
You've Got It Bad Girl
Superstition
Big Brother
Blame It On The Sun
Lookin' For Another Pure Love
I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)

The FIFTEENTH album by Stevie Wonder.  WOW, I guess no words can express this being his fifteenth album and it coming out in 1972.  Stevie Wonder has a long track record of just pure awesomeness and I've always enjoyed his music since I was a little kid.  At about the age where I was old enough to watch television and watch MTV, I became fixated on music videos from all different areas.  Stevie Wonder is definitely a favorite of mine and as much success as he's had, I'm sometimes forget that he is blind.  A great artist, a great musician, this album is one of my favorites.

Enjoy!

Very Scenic

Two Hundred Seventy-Three

Artist - Dorothy Ashby
Album - The Best of Dorothy Ashby
Released - 1972
Label - Prestige
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side A
Pawky
Moonlight in Vermont
Back Talk
Side B
Dancing in the Dark
Charmaine
Jolllity
There's a Small Hotel

The best of the best and that is Dorothy Ashby.  Something about how the sound of the harp comes together with the flute, drums and saxophone.  It's musical genius if you are in the mood to sit back, relax and enjoy some time to yourself (or with a special someone).  You cannot go wrong with this album if you like a good jazz record.  Definitely one to have in your collection.

Enjoy!

Essential

Two Hundred Seventy-Two

Artist - Big Star
Album - No. 1 Record
Released - 1972
Label - Ardent
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
Side One
Feel
The Ballad of El Goodo
In the Street
Thirteen
Don't Lie To Me
The India Song
Side Two
When My Baby's Beside Me
My Life is Right
Give Me Another Chance
Try Again
Watch the Sunrise
ST 100/6

Enjoy!

Enchanting

Two Hundred Seventy-One

Album - Beethoven Symphonies No. 5 ans No. 6
              Philharmonia Orchestra
              Vladimir Ashkenazy
Label - London Records
Released - 2010
Genre - Classical

Tracks:

Beethoven Symphony No. 5
In C Minor, OP. 67

Side One
1. 1st Movt. - Allegro con brio
2. 2nd Movt. - Andante con moto
Side Two
3rd Movt. - Allegro
4th Movt. - Allegro

Beethoven Symphony No. 6 In
F Major, OP. 67. 'Pastoral'
Side One
1. 1st Movt. - Allegro ma non troppo
2. 2nd Movt. - Andante molto moto
Side Two
3rd Movt. - Allegro
4th Movt. - Allegro
5th Movt. - Allegretto

I. Awakening of happy feelings on arriving in the country.
II. By the brook.
III. Merry gathering of the country folk.
IV. Thunderstorm.
V. Shepherd's Song.  Happy and thankful feelings after the storm.

Enjoy!

A Man, A Man and Love

Two Hundred Seventy

Artist - Engelbert Humperdinck
Album - A Man Without Love
Released - 1968
Label - Decca
Genre - Pop

Tracks:
A Man Without Love
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Up, Up and Away
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
The Shadow of Your Smile
Spanish Eyes
A Man and a Woman
What A Wonderful World
Wonderland By Night
From Here to Eternity
Quando Quando Quando
Call On Me

Enjoy!

The City

Two Hundred Sixty-Nine

Artist - Chicago
Album - Chicago X
Released - 1976
Label - Columbia
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
Once or Twice
You Are On My Mind
Skin Tight
If You Leave Me Now
Together Again
Another Rainy Day In New York City
Mama Mama
Scrapbook
Gently I'll Wake You
You Get It Up

Enjoy!

Fudge

Two Hundred Sixty-Eight

Artist - Vanilla Fudge
Album - Vanilla Fudge
Released - 1967
Label - ATCO Records
Genre - Psychedelic Rock

Tracks:
Side 1
Ticket to Ride
People Get Ready
She's Not There
Bang Bang
Side 2
Illusions of My Childhood - Part One
You Keep Me Hanging On
Illusions of My Childhood - Part Two
Take Me for a Little While
Illusions of My Childhood - Part Three
Eleanor Rigby

Enjoy!

Art, Artistic and Artsy

Two Hundred Sixty-Seven

Artist - Wolfe Parade
Album - At Mount Zoomer
Released - 2008
Label - Sup Pop
Genre - Indie Rock

Tracks:
Soldier's Grin
Call It a Ritual
Language City
California Dreamer
They Grey Estates
Fine Young Cannibals
An Animal In Your Care
Kissing the Beehive

Enjoy!

Pretty on the Inside

Two Hundred Sixty-Six

Artist - A Place To Bury Strangers
Album - Exploding Head
Released - 2009
Label - Mute
Genre - Shoegazing/Noise Rock

Tracks:
It Is Nothing
In Your Heart
Lost Feeling
Dead Beat
Keep Slipping Away
Ego Death
Smile When You Smile
Everything Always Goes Wrong
Exploding Head
I Lived My Life to Stand in the Shadow of Your Heart

I remember hearing this band for the first time.  I honestly thought I was going to go deaf and that's when I realized, for the first time every, I should consider wearing earplugs at shows, especially seeing A Place To Bury Strangers.  The second album by the New York based rock band, Exploding Head will literally make your head explode, with all the good intentions that you can take.  This is, I believe, the first album I head by the trio and since then, I've seen them a few times and just recently at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2013.  Definitely worth seeing live, but make sure to bring your earplugs!!

Enjoy!

Thursday

Two Hundred Sixty-Five

Artist - Andy Williams
Album - The Great Songs from My Fair Lady
Released - 1964
Label - Columbia
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side 1
On the Street Where You Live
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
I Could Have Danced All Night
Get Me to the Church on Time
Wouldn't It Be Loverly
Show Me

------------------------------------
And other Broadway Hits

Side 2
Hello Dolly (From "Hello Dolly")
Where or When (From "Babes in Arms")
Begin The Beguine (From "Jubilee")
Once Upon A Time (From "All American")
People (From "Funny Girl")
The Sweetest Sounds (From "No Strings")

So the whole idea of playing this record today has a lot do to with my co-worker Berwyn.  When I say her name, it seems like such a strange thing.  I've never heard of a Berwyn and when I tell her that (she's from New Zealand), she tells me about the different "Berwyn's" there are all around.  It's a first for me but I don't think it will be a last.  That being said, my morning did not go as well as I hoped it would.  Starting off at 4am, getting to the gym 10 minutes early (4:50 a.m.) and having a very emotional conversation at that.  There is nothing like getting teary-eyed while working out.  Also, most of the morning, I thought today was Wednesday.  So getting back to Berwyn, when I went into the copy room to scan some documents, I asked her to play some music.  She asked me what I wanted to hear when I turned to her and said, "Let's hear some CHRISTMAS MUSIC!  Is it too early for that?  Or too late?"  She laughed.  I told her to surprise me and that's when she played My Fair Lady.  I told her I have a vinyl record that I would play in connection with that.  So here we are, at the end of my day and I put on Andy Williams' The Great Songs from My Fair Lady.

Enjoy!

LSP

Two Hundred Sixty-Four

Album - The New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Released - 1964
Album - RCA
Genre - Jazz/Big Band/Swing

Tracks:
Side 1
Introduction: I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Opus #1
A Lot of Livin' to Do (with Jeannie Thomas)
The Best Things in Life Are Free (featuring Charlie Shavers)
A Song of India (with Larry O'Brien)
Body and Soul
Side 2
Marie (with Larry O'Brien)
Just One of Those Things (featuring Helen Forrest)
That Lonesome Road (featuring Helen Forrest)
I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate (featuring Helen Forrest)
My Melancholy Baby (featuring Helen Forrest)
Well, Git It

Enjoy!

I Love it All Over Again

Two Hundred Sixty-Three

Artist - Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass
Album - South of the Border
Released - 1964
Label - A&M
Genre - Jazz/Instrumental

Tracks:
South of the Border
The Girl From Ipanema
Hello, Dolly!
I've Grown Accustomed to her Face
Up Cherry Street
Mexican Shuffle
El Presidente
All My Loving
Angelito
Salud, Amor y Dinero
Numero Cinco
Adios, Mi Corazon

Welcome to another dozen great songs with the modern mariachi touch of Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass. "South of the Border" is the third set from this rousing versatile group. We have every reason to believe that you will enjoy this album at least as much as their other two best-selling works.  Please sit back, relax and enjoy thirty minutes or so of the most original and exciting instrumental congregation on record, Herb Alpert and his Tijuana Brass.

Enjoy!

Birthday Part Duex

Two Hundred Sixty-Two

Artist - Elvis Presley
Album - Blue Hawaii
Released - 1961
Label - RCA
Genre - Rock n Roll/Hawaiian Music

Tracks:
Side 1
Blue Hawaii
Almost Always True
Aloha Oe
No More
Can't Help Falling in Love
Rock-A-Hula Baby
Moonlight Swim
Side 2
Ku-u-i-po
Ito Eats
Slicin' Sand
Hawaiian Sunset
Beach Boy Blues
Island of Love
Hawaiian Wedding Song

Happy Birthday Elvis!!

Enjoy!!!!!

Birthday Part One

Two Hundred Sixty-One

Artist - David Bowie
Album - Aladdin Sane
Released - 1973
Label - RCA
Genre - Rock/Glam Rock

Tracks:
Side One
Watch That Man
Aladdin Sane
Drive-In Saturday
Panic In Detroit
Cracked Actor
Side Two
Time
The Prettiest Star
Let's Spend The Night Together
The Jean Genie
Lady Grinning Soul

What perfect way to celebrate David Bowie's birthday than playing this fantastic record.  The sixth album by glam rocker David Bowie, his rendition of Let's Spend The Night Together is my favorite.  David Bowie is a man to respect, since he has had a lot of changes in his style throughout the years.  So for today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. BOWIE!!

Enjoy!

Lovely, lovely Music

Two Hundred Sixty

Artist - Johnny Mathis
Album - Heavenly
Released - 1959
Label - Columbia
Genre - Pop

Tracks:
Heavenly
Hello, Young Lovers
A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening
A Ride on a Rainbow
More Than You Know
Something I Dreamed Last Night
Misty
Stranger in Paradise
Moonlight Becomes You
They Say It's Wonderful
I'll Be Easy to Find
That's All

Surely one of the most soothing sounds in the world is that made by Johnny Mathis when he comes up against a superior ballad.  That such is the case in this album can only cause rejoicing among his millions of fans, who have snapped up an astonishing number of records by the talented and gifted young artist.  Herein are a dozen fine songs, some old, some new, all of the burnished to a lovely romantic glow by the unique Mathis phrasing and voicing.

Enjoy!

Lover Indeed

Two Hundred Sixty

Artist - Sunset Rubdown
Album - Random Spirit Lover
Released - 2007
Label - Jagjagwuar
Genre - Indie Rock

Tracks:
Side A
The Mending of the Gown
Magic vs. Midas
Up On Your Leopard, Upon The End of Your Feral Ways
Side B
The Courtesan Has Sung
Winged/Wicked Things
Colt Stands Up, Grows Horns
Side C
Stallion
For the Pier (And Dead Shimmering)
Side D
The Taming of the Hands That Came Back to Life
Setting vs. Rising
Trumpet, Trumpet, TOOT! TOOT!
Child-Heart Losers

Enjoy!

The Boss Part Deux

Two Hundred Fifty-Nine

Artist - Bruce Springsteen
Album - Born to Run
Released - 1975
Label - Columbia
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
Thunder Road
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Night
Backstreets
Born to Run
She's the One
Meeting Across the River
Jungleland

Enjoy!

Two of my Favorite Things

Two Hundred Fifty-Eight

Artist - Husker Du
Album - Zen Arcade
Released - 1984
Label - SST
Genre - Post-Hardcore/Hardcore Punk

Tracks:
1
Something I Learned Today
Broken Home, Broken Heart
Never Talking To You Again
Chartered Trips
Dreams Reoccuring
Indecision Time
Hare Krsna
2
Beyond The Threshold
Pride
I'll Never Forget You
The Biggest Lie
What's Going On
Masochism World
Standing By The Sea
3
Somewhere
One Step At A Time
Pink Turns To Blue
Newest Industry
Monday Will Never Be The Same
Whatever
The Tooth Fairy and the Princess
4
Turn on the News
Reoccuring Dreams

Enjoy!

Powerful

Two Hundred Fifty-Seven

Artist - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Album - I Love Rock 'N Roll
Released - 1981
Label - Boardwalk Records
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
I Love Rock 'N Roll
(I'm Gonna) Run Away
Love is Pain
Nag
Crimson and Clover
Victim of Circumstance
Bits and Pieces
Be Straight
You're Too Possessive
Little Drummer Boy

Enjoy!

The One

Two Hundred Fifty-Six

Artist - Nirvana
Album - Nevermind (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
Released - 2011
Label - David GeffenRecords/Sub Pop
Genre - Alternative/Grunge

Tracks:
LP One
Original Album
Side A
Smells Like Teen Spirit
In Bloom
Come As You Are
Breed
Lithium
Polly
Side B
Territorial Pissings
Drain You
Lounge Act
Stay Away
On A Plain
Something In The Way

LP Two
B-Sides
Side C
Even In His Youth
Aneurysm
Curmudgeon
D-7 (live at the BBC)
Been A Son (live)
School (live)
B-Sides and the Smart Studio Sessions
Side D
Drain You (live)
Sliver (live)
Polly (live)
In Bloom
Immodium (Breed)
Lithium

LP Three
The Smart Studio Sessions
Side E
Polly
Pay to Play
Here She Comes Now
Dive
Sappy
The Boombox Rehearsals
Side F
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Verse Chorus Verse
Territorial Pissings
Lounge Act

LP Four
The Boombox Rehearsals
Side G
Come As You Are
Old Age
Something In The Way
On A Plain
Side H
Drain You
Something In The Way

With such an extensive playlist, there are no words for an album of this magnitude.

Enjoy!

Warmth

Two Hundred Fifty-Five

Artist - Sharon Van Etten
Album - Tramp
Released - 2012
Label - Jagjaguwar
Genre - Indie Rock/Folk

Tracks
Side A
Warsaw
Give Out
Serpents
Kevin's
Leonard
In Line
Side B
All I Can
We Are Fine
Magic Chords
Ask
I'm Wrong
Joke or a Lie

Enjoy!

One of My TOPS

Two Hundred Fifty-Four

Artist - Hot Chip
Album - In Our Heads
Released - 2012
Label - Domino
Genre - Indietronica/Synth-Pop

Tracks:
Motion Sickness
How Do You Do?
Don't Deny Your Heart
Look At Where We Are
These Chains
Night & Day
Flutes
Now There Is Nothing
Ends of the Earth
Let Me Be Him
Always Been Your Love

What A Great record!!  This one will definitely be listed as one of my top 12 albums (of the year review) once I complete my year long expedition of this blog, which will sadly end in April.  Well I can't say it will end indefinitely, but I probably won't post as much.  I guess I can keep it up as long and as much as I want to.  I do have to say this, keeping up with this blog has been quite a commitment challenge, especially since I've traveled a lot but have still managed to keep up and catch up.  Now, as I sit here and think how April is in four (4) months, I'm getting a little sad.  I must think of a new goal with this blog and my records.  For now, Hot Chip -- this is their fifth album and it is a frickin' fantastic record!!

Enjoy!

A Little Cooky

Two Hundred Fifty-Three

Artists - David Byrne-Brian Eno
Album - My Life In The Bush of Ghosts
Released - 1981
Label - Sire/Warner Bros
Genre - Experimental/Art Rock

Tracks:
America Is Waiting
Mea Culpa
Regiment
Help Me Somebody
The Jezebel Sporit
Qu'ran
Moonlight In Glory
The Carrier
A Secret Life
Come With Us
Mountain of Needles

Enjoy!

Monophonic

Two Hundred Fifty-Two

Artist - Wed Montgomery
Album - Full House
Released - 1962
Label - Riverside
Genre - Jazz

Tracks:
Side 1
Full House
I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
Blue' n' Boogie
Side 2
Cariba
Come Rain or Come Shine
S.O.S.

Enjoy!

A Little Ballet

Two Hundred Fifty-One

Artist - Tchaikovsky
Album - Swan Lake
Recording first published - 1958
Label - EMI Records Limited
Genre - Classical

Tracks:
Side One
Band 1 - (a)  Introduction
             (b)  No. 2 - Valse (Act I)
             (c)  No. 4 - Pas de trois, Nos. 1 to 6 (Act I)
Band 2 - No. 5 - Pas de deux, Nos. 1 and 2 (Act II)
Side Two
Band 1 - (a)  No. 5 - Pas de deux, Nos. 3 and 4 (Act I)
             (b)  No. 10 - Scene (Act II)
             (c)  No. 13 - Danses des cygnes, Nos. 1, 2 and 4  (Act II)
Band 2 - (a)  No. 13 - Danses des cygnes, No. 5 (Act II)
             (b)  No. 20 - Danse hongroise (Czardas) (Act III)
             (c)  Danse russe (from Supplement)

Enjoy!