The Best Of

Two Hundred Five

Artist - The Doobie Brothers
Album - Best of the Doobies
Released - 1976
Label - Warner Bros.
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
Side One
China Grove
Long Train Runnin'
Takin' it to the Streets
Listen to the Music
Black Water
Rockin' Down the Highway
Side Two
Jesus is just Alright
It Keeps You Runnin'
South City Midnight Lady
Take Me In Your Arms
Without You

The first greatest hits by The Doobie Brothers, this album is just all kinds of awesome.  Amazing hits back to back, you literally have to play this loud -- and proud.  Sometimes I find it rather difficult to write about "The Best Of" albums because it's literally the best songs by the artist/band.  I just enjoy each song and appreciate!

Enjoy!

Animal Instinct

Two Hundred Four

Artist - Okkervil River
Album - Black Sheep Boy
Released - 2005
Label - Jagjaguwar
Genre - Indie/Folk Rock

Tracks:
Black Sheep Boy
For Real
In A Radio Song
Black
Get Big
A King and a Queen
A Stone
The Latest Toughs
Song of Our So-Called Friend
So Come Back, I Am Waiting
A Glow

The third album by Okkervil River, Black Sheep Boy is an emotional and sensitive record, at least that's what I gathered. Hailing from Austin, Texas (w00t w00t), the cover art is quite interesting and the songs are just as good.  One could say that this is their best album to date and I would agree.  When I was listening to this album, I felt that to fully feel an album, sound and lyric wise, you have to relax and take in what the ears are receiving.  Often times one might thing they are listening to a record when, in reality, they are just hearing it and not listening.  To put effort into a good listen, you have to appreciate all the album has to offer.  So this record, being as in depth and intense as it is amazes me with the quality of how amazing it is.  It's beautiful!

Enjoy!

Numbers Up

Two Hundred Third

Artist - Blonde Redhead
Album - Fake Can Be Just As Good
Released - 1997
Label - Touch and Go Records
Genre - Alternative Rock

Tracks:
Kasuality
Symphony of Treble
Water
Ego Maniac Kid
Bipolar
Pier Paolo
Oh James
Futurism vs Passeism

The third album by Blonde Redhead, Fake Can Be Just As Good is not fake, but really good.  I suppose turning the title of their words into a statement to justify this record was a point on my part, but if you don't think so, it's doesn't really matter because this is my blog and I can type what I want, within reason of course. This record is what I have been wanting to listen to for some time, since every time I browse through my records to see what I feel like playing for the day, I always debate on weather or not I wanted to listen to this one.  Since today is one of those relaxing/lazy days, I decided it would be perfect.  I literally laid in my bed listening and I thought to myself, "I miss Blonde Redhead.  I need more Blonde Redhead in my life as of late."  It's been quite sometime since I listened to this record and the vibe I get is more like a experimental sound.  The direction of this band and their music is a rarity and Kazu's voice is like icing on the cake.

Enjoy!

Talking Sense

Two Hundred Two

Artist - Talking Heads
Album - Stop Making Sense
Released - 1984
Label - Sire/EMI
Genre - Post-Punk/New Wave

Tracks:
Side One
Psycho Killer
Swamp
Slippery People
Burning Down the House
Girlfriend is Better
Side Two
Once in a Lifetime
What a Day That Was
Life During Wartime
Take Me To the River

A live album from the Talking Head's motion picture Stop Making Sense, this soundtrack highlights the great tracks by the band.  David Byrne at his most cutest, if that is a good way to put it.  Byrne's intention was not to make a traditional soundtrack, but to have a separate experience.

Why "Stop Making Sense"?

Why a movie? Why tour?

Why do the musicians come out gradually?

What will the next band do?

Where do the odd movements come from?

Are live concerts better or worse than records?

Why no "special effects" in the movie?

Why a booklet? Why a big suit?

Why was a digital system used for the sound?

I find it fascinating when bands put together documentaries when they go on tour, to specifically give us, the fans, a dose of what it's like on the road for them and to also give us a perspective on the inner workings of what goes on when a band goes on the road.  Listening to this record, Psycho Killer and Burning Down the House are two of my favorites, because I feel like it best forms Byrne's vocal range.  Questions left unanswered, some left to get the mind thinking of future directions.

Enjoy!

Drawings

Two Hundred First

Artist - Cat Stevens
Album - Izitso
Released - 1977
Label - A&M Records
Genre - Folk/Pop/Rock

Tracks:
Side 1
Old Schoolyard
Life
Killin' Time
Kypros
Bonfire
Side 2
To Be A Star
Crazy
Sweet Jamacia
Was Dog a Doughnut
Child For a Day

Cat Stevens is an interesting character, from what I gather, but this album is definitely an interesting one.  With more synthesizer and an electronic feel, this record is more as a pop type record than I would imagine what other folk type rock comes from Cat Stevens.  Quite an enjoyable record, I still think there are other great records by Cat Stevens out there.  For now, here you go!

Enjoy!!!

Rolled Tide

Two Hundred

Album - Famous Football Songs of the Southwest Conference
Released - 1960

Tracks:
University of Arkansas "Marching Razorbacks"
Baylor University "Golden Wave" Band
The Rice University Band
Southern Methodist University "Mustang" Band
University of Texas "Longhorn Band"
Texas A&M "Aggie" Band
Texas Christian University "Horned Frog" Band
Texas Tech "Red Raider" Band

To help celebrate the triumphant win over the undefeated Alabama, here's to you Texas A&M!!  I know this is not much of a pick, but I don't think I have ever been so enthusiastic about College Football.  Why not play the Famous Football Songs of the Southwest Conference!!

As Kevin would say, "Gigg 'em!"

Enjoy!!!

Its a Concept

One Hundred Ninety-Nine

Artist - Cursive
Album - The Ugly Organ
Released - 2003
Label - Saddle Creek
Genre - Emo/Indie Rock

Tracks:
The Ugly Organist
Some Red Handed Slight of Hand
Art is Hard
The Recluse
Herald! Frankenstein
Butcher the Song
Driftwood: A Fairy Tale
A Gentleman Caller
Harold Weathervein
Bloody Murder
Sierra
Staying Alive

Enjoy!!