Listening Made Simple

One Hundred Eighty-Second

Artist - U2
Album - The Joshua Tree
Released - 1987
Label - Island
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
Side One
Where the Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With or Without You
Bullet the Blue Sky
Running to Stand Still
Side Two
Red Hill Mining Town
In God's Country
Trip Through Your Wires
One Tree Hill
Exit
Mothers of the Disappeared

The fifth album by U2, The Joshua Tree is, to me, one of their best albums.  When rummaging through my rows of records, I came across U2 and thought to myself, "Man, I haven't heard this band in a long time."  Of course, some of their newer albums are not as good as this 1987 classic, but you have to respect this album for what it is.  Produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, the tracks on this album are just so amazing.  Where the Streets Have No Name and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For are two of my favorite tracks on this record.  I believe that these are the first songs I heard growing up when I discovered U2.  Then I guess you could say the rest became history.  I respect U2, but sometimes I think their musical direction shifted at some point, but slowly came back.  Then you had Bono, who is quite the Activist, use his popularity and fame to help others less fortunate.  This album topped the charts in 20 countries and sold record-breaking numbers.  That is impressive for a band that's been around for 36 years!

Enjoy!

X

One Hundred Sixty-Sixth

Artist - X
Album - See How We Are
Released - 1987
Label - Elektra
Genre - Alternative Rock

Tracks:
I'm Lost
You
4th of July
In the time it takes
Anyone can fill your shoes
See How We Are
Left & Right
When it rains...
Holiday Story
Surprise Surprise
Cyrano de Berger's Back

The sixth album by X, See How We Are is a mixture of fast, punk rock with a flow of mellow alternative rock.  If that mix were to make sense to you, you know what I mean.  X is a band that's been around since 1977 and to this day they still tour.  I find it incredibly entertaining when a band with that track record can tour and still play, though I'm sure Exene has had some healthy issues that has prevented her from touring.  I remember last year, they were supposed to make an appearance at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin or was it Austin City Limits Music Festival.  I forget which one, but it would've been pretty awesome to see them live. A great song on this record is Cyrano de Berger's Back and I love Exene's voice along with the more than stellar guitar playing.  A nice record to have playing when you're in a laid back mood.

Enjoy!

Slow it Down, Slowing it Down

Sometimes you have to have a little FAITH and I do believe my eighty-third pick has exactly that!

Artist - George Michael
Album - Faith
Released - 1987
Label - Columbia, Epic
Genre - Pop, Pop Rock


Tracks:
Side One
Faith
Father Figure
I Want Your Sex
One More Try
Side Two
Hard Day
Hand to Mouth
Looking At Your Hands
Monkey
Kissing A Fool

George Michael's first solo album, Faith is a really interesting record, now that I think about it.  For the most part, when I first heard some of these songs, I danced my little heart out.  I was about seven years old when this album came out and I specifically remember hearing I Want Your Sex and thinking, what does this mean?!?!?  A confused little girl, I simply skipped the chorus and sang the lyrics and dances to the beat.  I guess what's funny to me, hearing it now, 26 years later, I laugh at what it says.  The main song on this record, I would think, would have to be Faith, because it has a pop beat, which typically makes for a good dance record.  On that note, if you didn't know, George Michael was from the pop group Wham! before he went solo.

Enjoy!