289. Elton John | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Track

1. Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
2. Candle in the Wind
3. Bennie and the Jets
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
5. This Song Has No Title
6. Grey Seal
7. Jamaica Jerk-Off
8. I've Seen That Movie Too
9. Sweet Painted Lady
10. The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909–34)
11. Dirty Little Girl
12. All the Girls Love Alice
13. Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'n Roll)
14. Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
15. Roy Rogers
16. Social Disease
17. Harmony

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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a deceptive album. The music is rock and at times glam rock. The music is catchy and it rocks. There's also a wide assortment of styles which is appropriate I guess for a double album clocking in at seventy minutes.

The polished quality, catchy tunes and clever lyrics make this album seem innocuous and friendly, appealing to mainstream music listeners. Yet, it's neither. Candle in the Wind is so phony and creepy, criticizing exactly what the song is doing, treating Marilyn Monroe as an object for profit.

Sweet Painted Lady, Dirty Little Girl and All the Girls Love Alice are misogynist to the core. With so many other songs, it was unnecessary to include these. Of course, it's not like these are the only songs in rock and roll that celebrate hating women. Those should be called out and rightly condemned, too. But three is pushing the misogyny boundary to an extreme.

Like Paul Simon, Bernie Taupin bores me—a pseudo-intellectual who impresses low-brow pop rock listeners with clever lyrics. Lyrics that seem so profound yet ring hollow when subjected to analysis no more critical than reading them. Again, it's not like there isn't nonsense in rock and roll, but very few are peddling albums based on the clever factor.

There are decent songs within, but they're few and far between. The rest are just boring which could be because the album is too long, but they could also just be plain boring songs. Jamaica Jerk-Off has no business being on the album. Is it now standard to include a token reggae song on every album now that Bob Marley has made the style respectable? (Hell, even Led Zeppelin gets into the act in 1973 with D'Yer Ma'ker. Ugh.)

I liked this album until I started paying attention to the lyrics. Then it just turned me off. If someone else wrote the lyrics and if the album were shorter it would be a big improvement. There's no need to listen to this album, unless you don't think women are worthy of respect. It's got no business being on the 1001 Albums list. Of course, the reason it's there is because of the hits. If only listeners scrutinized more carefully the shit they were fed.

There are some good songs. The stand outs are Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (except for the Funeral for a Friend bit), Bennie and the Jets, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I've Seen That Movie Too, Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting and Social Disease. If you like your songs misogynistic then Sweet Painted Lady is OK too.

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

283. Roxy Music | For Your Pleasure (1973)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Do the Strand
2. Beauty Queen
3. Strictly Confidential
4. Editions of You
5. In Every Dream Home a Heartache
6. The Bogus Man
7. Grey Lagoons
8. For Your Pleasure

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For Your Pleasure is an unruly album. The music is combination of glam rock and art rock. This album immediately charges out of the gate with the opening song. It's a manic ride for the first half of the album. There's pulsating drums, loud and frenzied guitar playing and moody synthesizers. Above it all is Bryan Ferry singing in the most dignified manner. The album takes a disturbed turn with In Every Dream Home a Heartache, which is about a blow-up sex doll. The remainder of the album is more mellow and ethereal.

Musically, Roxy Music reinforces my belief that glam rock bands and artists are the ones who remain the truest to original rock and roll. Lyrically, however, they demonstrate a greater maturity, much like David Bowie, which is not in keeping with the spirit of rock and roll.

Furthermore there seem to elements within the glam rock scene, like Brian Eno and even David Bowie, who are moving toward a more experimental kind of music. Both seem interested in expanding the boundaries of rock music, although Brian Eno doesn't seem so concerned about keeping himself within those boundaries, no matter how expansive they may become.

Thus, the real sleeper here For Your Pleasure. There's nothing awry at first. It's like any other slow rock song, but then it begins to morph a third of the way in to a repetitive, moody piece of piano and drums with mantric vocals. While this is not anything out of the ordinary—the Beatles were doing Tomorrow Never Knows nearly a decade ago, for instance—it's a herald to what's just beyond the horizon. In hindsight, it's easy to see how influential Brian Eno will become. The question then is: was it easy to see it then? I think so. He was no different from Peter Gabriel, in that his talent is undeniable and that by leaving Roxy Music he would be better able to actualize his potential.

This album is so good. There are quite a few things to like a lot about it: it's outrageous, it's moody and it's melodic. This is worth listening to and it belongs in every serious album collection. It deserves to be on 1001 Albums list because this album is a herald of big changes to come.

All the songs are amazing. The stand outs are Do the Strand, Beauty Queen, Strictly Confidential, Editions of You, In Every Dream Home a Heartache, Grey Lagoons and For Your Pleasure.

★★★★★★★★★★

273. David Bowie | Aladdin Sane (1973)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Watch That Man
2. Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?)
3. Drive-In Saturday
4. Panic in Detroit
5. Cracked Actor
6. Time
7. The Prettiest Star
8. Let's Spend the Night Together
9. The Jean Genie
10. Lady Grinning Soul

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Aladdin Sane is a riotous album. The music is rock. Most songs move forward on a powerful and relentless rhythm. The melodies are infectious and bountiful. David Bowie's lyrics may or may not be meaningful, but they are fun and colorful; there's nothing like songs referencing drugs, riots, transvestites, masturbation and Che Guevara.

David Bowie is coming on fast and furious now. One might think he's a lot like the Beatles, seeing how he's at the vanguard, but they'd be wrong. Whereas everyone was able to follow the Beatles, I don't even think anybody can see where Bowie is—he's that far ahead! It may not even be that Bowie's better than the Beatles; it's possible that it's just that the music has gotten worse, except, that is, for Bowie. He's not innovative or experimental like the Beatles, but that's gone out of fashion anyway; he just knows how to write a great song.

I think this album is absolutely magnificent. David Bowie seems at his best on this album. Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust are masterpieces, but this album seems so sophisticated and profound. Bowie has certainly expanded his range. I also believe he's at his charismatic best on this one. He so entertaining and makes androgyny sexy! This album is a must for serious collectors and it certainly belongs on the 1001 Albums list.

All the songs are outstanding!

★★★★★★★★★★

267. David Bowie | The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Five Years
2. Soul Love
3. Moonage Daydream
4. Starman
5. It Ain't Easy
6. Lady Stardust
7. Star
8. Hang On to Yourself
9. Ziggy Stardust
10. Suffragette City
11. Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a quintessential album. The music is rock. Give an album the simple sensibility of rock and roll and weave a story through the songs and the result will be something like Ziggy Stardust, albeit probably less outlandish. To achieve that requires the sensibility of progressive rock.

Ziggy Stardust tells the story of the last five years before the earth is destroyed when an alien named Ziggy Stardust comes to earth to bring hope to the doomed inhabitants. This album is filled with brilliant riffs and melodies, but what makes this album so catchy is David Bowie and his powerful charisma. He adds emotion and fun to a potentially uninteresting and uncompelling story.

I think this is an absolutely brilliant album. Without a doubt, it's worth listening to and belongs in any serious collector's collection. This album belongs on the 1001 Albums list because like most other glam albums it breathes new life into rock music. David Bowie has made an album that tells a story and rocks while doing so. This is one of the benefits of listening to this list. I had little understanding or appreciation for David Bowie before. Now his music is indispensable to my collection.

All the songs are equally outstanding after listening to them many, many times. My favorites are: Moonage Daydream, Starman, It Ain't Easy, Star, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.

★★★★★★★★★★

264. Roxy Music | Roxy Music (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Re-Make/Re-Model
2. Ladytron
3. If There Is Something
4. 2 H. B.
5. The Bob (Medley)
6. Chance Meeting
7. Would You Believe?
8. Sea Breezes
9. Bitters End

N.B. This is the track listing for the original UK release. The original US release and all subsequent releases contain the song "Virginia Plain" which is located between the third and fourth songs. 

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Roxy Music is an energetic album. The music is glam rock or art rock. What that means for Roxy Music is that they are a more accessible kind of progressive rock. The style is just as adventurous, but the songs are more manageable and it's more melodic. The topics are also more down-to-earth, like skirt chasing.

This album really just explodes out of the gate and maintains a hectic pace until it loses some steam and focus on the second half. It's been a while since music has been this animated.  They share the energy of The Stooges, MC5 and The Flamin' Groovies, but are more intellectually challenging.

I think this is a fantastic album. It seems to breathe life into the music world which is otherwise suffering from too many vapid pop artists, and too much dominance from bloated and introverted prog rock and hard rock bands. It's also another indication that music is finally getting away from the psychedelic, Beatles-dominated '60s. I don't what Roxy Music's relevance is to the future bands to come, but it is clear that, at that point in time, they belonged to the future rather than the past. (Certainly some of Brian Eno's electronic sounds appear in music two or three decades from this point as if it were something new and innovative.) This album is certainly worth listening to and most definitely belong on the 1001 Albums list.

All the songs are excellent. The stand-outs are: Re-Make/Re-Model, Ladytron, If There Is Something, 2 H. B., Sea Breezes and Bitters End. If the US release is included, then Virginia Plain is also among the stand-outs.

★★★★★★★★★☆

258. T. Rex | The Slider (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Metal Guru
2. Mystic Lady
3. Rock On
4. The Slider
5. Baby Boomerang
6. Spaceball Ricochet
7. Buick Mackane
8. Telegram Sam
9. Rabbit Fighter
10. Baby Strange
11. Ballrooms of Mars
12. Chariot Choogle
13. Main Man

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The Slider is a playful album. The music is glam rock. Most of the songs feature a slow groove. The guitar-playing is slow, heavy and catchy. The vocals are the most interesting. The lead vocal is supported by a background vocal singing in falsetto. Combined with the tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the effect is seductive and sexy.

There's not much to this album. It's simple and harmless fun. So, far glam rock has been keeping rock music honest. This album succeeds on that front by virtue of not deviating much from the music on Electric Warrior, their previous album.

This album immediately and immensely enjoyable. It's worth listening to and either this album or Electric Warrior should be part of any serious music listener's collection. But because it sounds so much like their previous effort, there's no reason for this to be on the 1001 Albums list.

All the songs are quite good, although the middle songs flag a little bit relative to the opening and closing songs. The stand outs are: Metal Guru, Mystic Lady, Rock On, The Slider, Spaceball Ricochet, Telegram Sam, Rabbit Fighter, Baby Strange, Chariot Choogle and Main Man.

★★★★★★★★★★

251. Lou Reed | Transformer (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Vicious
2. Andy's Chest
3. Perfect Day
4. Hangin' 'Round
5. Walk on the Wild Side
6. Make Up
7. Satellite of Love
8. Wagon Wheel
9. New York Telephone Conversation
10. I'm So Free
11. Goodnight Ladies

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Transformer is a rebellious album. The music is art rock. Song topics aside, this is a rock album. It's the countercultural themes that make this art rock or glam rock. There's a hint of David Bowie in the music which is because Mick Ronson, Bowie's guitarist, was heavily involved, producing the album and playing lead guitar.

When it was released, this album probably freaked a lot of people with the homosexual and drag references. Today, listeners might wonder why Lou Reed dwells on things which are commonplace.

It takes patience to "discover" this album. Vicious, Perfect Day, and Walk on the Wild Side are excellent from the start. Then after listening a couple more times, Hangin' Round, Satellite of Love and Wagon Wheel become enjoyable. Next to grow on me after a few more listenings were Andy's Chest, Make Up and I'm So Free. New York Telephone Conversation and Goodnight Ladies are just weeds in the way.

This is a decent album, but that's not immediately apparent. Lou Reed might just be a subtle genius. If that's true then this album certainly deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list because it contains the spirit of rock and roll: rebelliousness. Otherwise, it's just a waste of time.

Most songs are quite good. Vicious, Perfect Day, Walk on the Wild Side, Hangin' Round, Satellite of Love and Wagon Wheel are the stand outs.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

248. Slade | Slayed? (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. How D'You Ride
2. The Whole World's Goin' Crazee
3. Look at Last Nite
4. I Won't Let It 'Appen Agen
5. Move Over
6. Gudbuy T'Jane
7. Gudbuy Gudbuy
8. Mama Weer All Crazee Now
9. I Don' Mind
10. Let the Good Times Roll

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Slayed? is a coarse album. The music is rock—drums, guitar, bass and vocals. And these guys make the most of it. They've got stadium-stomping anthemic beats and a singer who does a great banshee imitation. What else does there need to be?

They should be classified as blues rock, too. Check out I Don' Mind and they do a great cover of Janis Joplin's Move Over.

This is rock and roll in the same tradition and spirit as the early pre-Beatles rock and rollers and contemporaries like Rod Stewart. This is pure fun, probably a bit more lowbrow and mindless than the others, but those descriptors are not meant as insults. This is rock and roll arguably at its purest and best.

The album is an unexpected breath of fresh air. It's simple, loud and fun. Glam rock is surprisingly the genre that's doing the most to keep rock and roll pure. This album was meant for the 1001 Albums list since it's really a thinly-veiled list of the top rock albums anyway.

All of the songs are great. The stand outs are How D'You Ride, The Whole World's Goin' Crazee, Look at Last Night, Move Over, Gudbuy T'Jane and I Don' Mind.

★★★★★★★★★★

240. David Bowie | Hunky Dory (1971)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Changes
2. Oh! You Pretty Things
3. Eight Line Poem
4. Life on Mars?
5. Kooks
6. Quicksand
7. Fill Your Heart
8. Andy Warhol
9. Song for Bob Dylan
10. Queen Bitch
11. The Bewlay Brothers

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Hunky Dory is a charming album. The music is glam rock. The songs have a hard edge to them, but they aren't bluesy enough to be called hard rock. The lyrics are impenetrable, but there are sensible fragments that evoke interesting imagery and humor. The album is also replete with melody which is its strength.

There's not a whole lot to say about this album. It's not a profound album, but neither is it pretentious or smug. It's just a set of incredibly catchy songs with song weird, funny and evocative lyrics. It won't change your life, but it'll brighten your day.

The album is wonderful. It's worth listening to and would make a fine addition to a collection. I'm not sure it deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list, though.

All the songs on this album are excellent. The stand outs are Changes, Oh! You Pretty Things, Eight Line Poem, Life on Mars?, Kooks, Quicksand, Fill Your Heart, Andy Warhol, Song for Bob Dylan, Queen Bitch and The Bewlay Brothers.

★★★★★★★★★★

239. T. Rex | Electric Warrior (1971)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Mambo Sun
2. Cosmic Dancer
3. Jeepster
4. Monolith
5. Lean Woman Blues
6. Get It On
7. Planet Queen
8. Girl
9. The Motivator
10. Life's a Gas
11. Rip Off

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Electric Warrior is a sultry album. The music is glam rock. For this album, that seems to mean pop songs with a hard rock edge. The lyrics are really neat. I don't know what it all means, but as snippets, they drip sexuality and attitude.

The music is slow and grinding and Marc Bolan's voice is seductive. This is nothing but the blues. However, the bluesmen were men in a man's world, but Marc Bolan's world is sexually ambiguous and anyone can play the role of seducer.

The album is fantastic. I never had much faith in glam rock and T. Rex was no exception, but I've come to adore the style. I like the sexuality and the sexual ambiguity implied by both the music and the art and the artists. That's the real attraction to this album. It's worth listening to and would make a fine addition to a collection. I think it also deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list since this is the strongest example of glam to appear.

All the songs on this album are excellent. The stand outs are Mambo Sun, Cosmic Sun, Jeepster, Monolith, Lean Woman Blues, Get It On, Planet Queen, Girl, The Motivator, Life's a Gas and Rip Off. Yes, that's all of them. Truly amazing stuff.

★★★★★★★★★★