20 March, 2012

137. Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band | Trout Mask Replica (1969)



Tracks
  1. Frownland
  2. The Dust Blows Forward 'n the Dust Blows Back
  3. Dachau Blues
  4. Ella Guru
  5. Hair Pie: Bake 1
  6. Moonlight on Vermont
  7. Pachuco Cadaver
  8. Bills Corpse
  9. Sweet Sweet Bulbs
  10. Neon Meate Dream of a Octafish
  11. China Pig
  12. My Human Gets Me Blues
  13. Dali's Car
  14. Hair Pie: Bake 2
  15. Pena
  16. Well
  17. When Big Joan Sets Up
  18. Fallin' Ditch
  19. Sugar 'n Spikes
  20. Ant Man Bee
  21. Orange Claw Hammer
  22. Wild Life
  23. She's Too Much for My Mirror
  24. Hobo Chang Ba
  25. The Blimp (mousetrapreplica)
  26. Steal Softly thru Snow
  27. Old Fart at Play
  28. Veteran's Day Poppy

Trout Mask Replica is an incomprehensible album. It's the insane man's "White Album". Most of the songs are based on the blues—a crazed mutation of the blues. The lyrics are impenetrable, perhaps incomprehensible, but at least they are grammatical.

Listen to this album once and it's a noisy mess. However, after some finite number of listenings, the melody and rhythm will reveal themselves and it will suddenly become a masterpiece. I had to listen to it five times for it to happen to me.

I highly recommend this album. This album is essential to own for any music collection to be taken seriously. Every song is worth listening to, but the truly exceptional songs are: Frownland, Dachau Blues, Ella Guru, Moonlight on Vermont, Pachuco Cadaver, Sweet Sweet Bulbs, Neon Meate Dream of a Octafish, China Pig, My Human Gets Me Blues, Well, Sugar 'n Spikes, Ant Man Bee, Orange Claw Hammer, Wild Life, Hobo Chang Ba, Old Fart at Play, Veteran's Day Poppy.

★★★★★★★★★★

18 March, 2012

136. Neil Young with Crazy Horse | Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)



Tracks
  1. Cinnamon Girl
  2. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
  3. Round & Round (It Won't Be Long)
  4. Down by the River
  5. The Losing End (When You're On)
  6. Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets)
  7. Cowgirl in the Sand

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is a somber album. The songs are stripped down rock and roll which feel like country rock. The album actually starts off upbeat, but after Cinnamon Girl it's all gloom.

I like this album a lot.  I don't know if it was intentional, but each song creates a darker mood than the one before it. Neil Young is also good for cutting away nonsense and idealism (of psychedelia) and singing about real people, real feelings in the here-and-now. This is definitely an album worth listening to. It's also definitely a worthy addition to any collection.

The songs are all great. Cinnamon Girl may the most recognizable song on the album, but it's the least solemn. The stand outs are Cinnamon Girl, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Down By the River, Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets) and Cowgirl in the Sand.

★★★★★★★★★★

17 March, 2012

135. The Mothers of Invention | We're Only in It for the Money (1968)



Tracks
  1. Are You Hung Up?
  2. Who Needs the Peace Corps?
  3. Concentration Moon
  4. Mom & Dad
  5. Telephone Conversation
  6. Bow Tie Daddy
  7. Harry, You're a Beast
  8. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?
  9. Absolutely Free
  10. Flower Punk
  11. Hot Poop
  12. Nasal Retentive Calliope Music
  13. Let's Make the Water Turn Black
  14. The Idiot Bastard Son
  15. Lonely Little Girl
  16. Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
  17. What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body? (Reprise)
  18. Mother People
  19. The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny

Note: The cover on the left was supposed to be the album cover of this album with the cover on the right. The reason for the change is explained in the Wikipedia Entry.

We're Only in It for the Money is a satirical album, as the name suggests. The Mothers of Invention take aim at hippies and left- and right-wingers—pretty much anyone who takes themselves too seriously. The songs are a mix of rock and roll and monologue.

Oftentimes, genius and insanity are one and the same. Frank Zappa suffers from that kind of genius. He is so creative and so far beyond the bounds of normal society that he can't take it seriously. Unfortunately, for us mere mortals it's sometimes too hard to take his music seriously.

In a later era, the music on this album would be fodder for Dr. Demento. I think if Frank Zappa had toned down the lyrical satire a notch his music would have been more accessible because the music is beyond reproach.

I do enjoy this album a lot, but it is certainly dated and there's only so much fun to have with mocking a groups of people that you have no connection with. I think it's worth listening to for the music and to get a  taste of Zappa's satire, but this album is definitely more of a historical piece. The stand out songs are Who Needs the Peace Corps?Concentration Moon, Mom & Dad, Harry, You're A BeastWhat's the Ugliest Part of Your Body?, Absolute FreeFlower PunkThe Idiot Bastard Son, Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance and The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

16 March, 2012

134. The Beatles | The Beatles (a.k.a. The White Album) (1968)



Tracks
  1. Back in the U.S.S.R.
  2. Dear Prudence
  3. Glass Onion
  4. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
  5. Wild Honey Pie
  6. The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
  7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
  8. Happiness Is a Warm Gun
  9. Martha My Dear
  10. I'm So Tired
  11. Blackbird
  12. Piggies
  13. Rocky Raccoon
  14. Don't Pass Me By
  15. Why Don't We Do It in the Road?
  16. I Will
  17. Julia
  18. Birthday
  19. Yer Blues
  20. Mother Nature's Son
  21. Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
  22. Sexy Sadie
  23. Helter Skelter
  24. Long, Long, Long
  25. Revolution 1
  26. Honey Pie
  27. Savoy Truffle
  28. Cry Baby Cry
  29. Revolution 9
  30. Good Night

The Beatles is a stunning album. Aside from Revolution 9, this is the Beatles' most straightforward rock and roll album in a while. Compare this album to With the Beatles and you get to see how much they have developed musically in five years. In general, the songs are louder and heavier, but the songs retain that signature Beatles melody. The music sounds leaner and less-layered than Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Revolver.

I don't think there's a bad song on this album. There are instant classics and there are songs that grow on you after repeated listenings. However, this album lacks a focus that other Beatles albums have had. It's more like a collection of great songs all made at the same time. The lack of focus is definitely a consequence of being a double album. Had they made just a single album, it would have been the most incredible album ever made.

I know I predicted that every Beatles album would be ten stars and musically this album is a ten-star album, but it gets nine stars for lacking focus. Actually, it deserves nine-and-a-half stars, but my ratings aren't that precise.

All the songs are worth listening to and they are all outstanding. The stratospherically exceptional songs are: Back in the U.S.S.R., Dear Prudence, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness is a Warm Gun, Birthday, Helter Skelter and Revolution 9.

★★★★★★★★★☆

15 March, 2012

133. The Byrds | Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968)



Tracks
  1. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
  2. I Am a Pilgrim
  3. The Christian Life
  4. You Don't Miss Your Water
  5. You're Still on My Mind
  6. Pretty Boy Floyd
  7. Hickory Wind
  8. One Hundred Years from Now
  9. Blue Canadian Rockies
  10. Life in Prison
  11. Nothing Was Delivered

Sweetheart of the Rodeo is n superb album. On this album, and with the addition of Gram Parsons who wanted to blend rock and roll and country, the Byrds decided to go country. Most of the songs are written by folk and country musicians like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, the Louvin Brothers and Merle Haggard. However, Gram Parsons contributed two songs and Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman co-wrote one.

I don't have an ear for country music and I don't have a deep sense of the culture, but to me it's impressive that a folk rock/psychedelic rock band was able to pull this off as well as they did. To me, it's the real deal. In fact, I think of the five albums that the Byrds have on the 1001 Albums list, this is the best one by far. (Roger McGuinn snotty, smarmy singing is at a minimum.)

This album certainly deserves to be on the list and would be a great addition to any collection. The only negative thing I have is that, with this album, the Byrds probably helped usher in the easy-listening country rock music that emerged in the 1970s and continues to plague radio stations to this day.

All of the songs are excellent, but the stand outs are: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, I Am a Pilgrim, The Christian Life, You Don't Miss Your Water, Pretty Boy Floyd, Hickory Wind, Blue Canadian Rockies and Life in Prison.

★★★★★★★★★★

14 March, 2012

132. Van Morrison | Astral Weeks (1968)



Tracks
  1. Astral Weeks
  2. Beside You
  3. Sweet Thing
  4. Cyprus Avenue
  5. The Way Young Lovers Do
  6. Madame George
  7. Ballerina
  8. Slim Slow Slider

Astral Weeks is a sublime album. (I could have said it's an ethereal album, but that would just be a bad joke.) Without Van Morrison singing, this album would be a very strange jazz album. The double bass plays a significant role throughout each song to compensate for the more subtle presence of the drums and other percussion.

In some songs there's often a flute, strings or a guitar playing in the background without an obvious connection to the music. Van Morrison has an undulating singing style. It's hypnotic and would grow tiresome if he weren't so passionate. All together, it makes for a unique album.

I've never thought much of Van Morrison, but I think this album is wonderful. It certainly deserves to be on the list and is a must for any serious collector. All the songs are outstanding, but Astral Weeks, Sweet Thing, Cyprus Avenue, The Way Young Lovers Do, Madame George and Ballerina are the stand outs.

★★★★★★★★★★

13 March, 2012

131. The Zombies | Odessey And Oracle (1968)



Tracks
  1. Care of Cell 44
  2. A Rose for Emily
  3. Maybe After He's Gone
  4. Beechwood Park
  5. Brief Candles
  6. Hung Up on a Dream
  7. Changes
  8. I Want Her, She Wants Me
  9. This Will Be Our Year
  10. Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)
  11. Friends of Mine
  12. Time of the Season

Odessey And Oracle is a feel-good album. It's the musical equivalent of fluffy bunnies, rainbows and unicorns. The songs are mainly pop rock, but it's not the kind that leads to AOR hell. 

Everybody has heard Time of the Season which is a great song, but none of the other songs sound anything like it. It's easier to appreciate the other songs knowing that a priori. Furthermore, Time of the Season is out of place. Up to now, it's the only hit song that has disrupted the flow of an album. Fortunately, it's at the end.

I liked this album a lot which surprises me. When I first heard it, I didn't think I'd get through all the upbeat and positive music. I thought the songs were downright sappy. But while listening to it for the fourth time, I began to enjoy it. There's a lot of variety and the songs are really catchy.

This album is definitely worth listening to. I'd also think it would be an excellent addition to any collection. All the songs are great, but the stand outs are Care of Cell 44, A Rose for Emily, Beechwood Park, Brief Candles, Changes, Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914) and Time of the Season.

★★★★★★★★★☆

12 March, 2012

130. Scott Walker | Scott 2 (1968)



Tracks
  1. Jackie
  2. Best of Both Worlds
  3. Black Sheep Boy
  4. The Amorous Humphrey Plugg
  5. Next
  6. The Girls from the Streets
  7. Plastic Palace People
  8. Wait Until Dark
  9. The Girls and the Dogs
  10. Windows of the World
  11. The Bridge
  12. Come Next Spring

Scott 2 is an entertaining album. The music reminds me of a stage show. Scott Walker has a wonderfully dramatic voice that breathes life into each song. He is one of the best male singers on the 1001 Albums list up to this point.

Scott Walker performs songs written by a whole host of songwriters. Scott Walker assembled the songs well, though. The pacing is really good and the music maintains the album's continuity. In short, these songs work so well together as if they were all meant for each other.

I really liked this album. It certainly has breathed life into this part of the 1001 Albums list. There's only so much psychedelic rock a person can take and the year 1968, like its predecessor 1967, just continues without end. Of course, there's more to this album; it's smart, entertaining and has a nice sound.

The best songs were written by Jacques Brel. Those songs are devilishly clever. I'm not sure if Jacques Brel wrote the English lyrics or if they were translated. If they were translated, the translator is a genius.

The stand out songs are: Jackie, Best of Both Worlds, The Amorous Humphrey Plugg, Next, Plastic Palace People, The Girls and the Dogs and Windows of the World.

★★★★★★★★★★

09 March, 2012

129. Caetano Veloso | Caetano Veloso (1968)



Tracks
  1. Tropicália
  2. Clarice
  3. No dia em que eu vim-me embora
  4. Alegria, Alegria
  5. Onde andarás
  6. Anunciação
  7. Superbacana
  8. Paisagem útil
  9. Clara
  10. Soy loco por tí, América
  11. Ave Maria
  12. Eles

Caetano Veloso is a playful album. The songs are a mix of tropicália and psychedelic rock, but there is much more tropicália than psychedelia.

I don't have a lot to say about this album. The music is pleasant enough, but it didn't capture my attention. The songs sound too similar to me and I'm still unable to understand Portuguese. And although the songs were melodic and had a variety of instruments, they lacked energy.

However, I can see why this album and Os Mutantes' album are on the 1001 Albums list. They both created a unique rock and roll sound. For that reason, I do recommend this album. TropicáliaAlegria, AlegriaAnunciaçãoSuperbacana and Soy loco por tí, América are stand out songs.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

08 March, 2012

128. Jeff Beck | Truth (1968)



  1. Shapes of Things
  2. Let Me Love You
  3. Morning Dew
  4. You Shook Me
  5. Ol' Man River
  6. Greensleeves
  7. Rock My Plimsoul
  8. Beck's Bolero
  9. Blues Deluxe
  10. I Ain't Superstitious

Truth is an intense album. The rhythm section lays down a loud and deep groove. On top of that is Rod Stewart's powerful and raspy vocals and Jeff Beck's guitar-playing which is a mix of soloing and fuzz. Up to this point, Jeff Beck is the only one who even comes close to doing what Hendrix can do.


This album re-invents blues rock to be louder, deeper-sounding and more aggressive. This lyrics generously borrow from the blues. There are longer breaks for guitar soloing. This might be what Jimi Hendrix would sound like minus the psychedelic stuff.


This is an outstanding album. It's definitely worth listening to and it's a must for anyone who like 70s hard rock. It's apparent that this band was a direct influence on Led Zeppelin and that Jeff Beck was an influence on Jimmy Page. The songs are all worth listening to, but the stand outs are Shapes of Things, Morning Dew, You Shook Me, 'Ol Man RiverBeck's Bolero and Blues Deluxe.


★★★★★★★★★☆

07 March, 2012

127. The Band | Music from Big Pink (1968)



  1. Tears of Rage
  2. To Kingdom Come
  3. In a Station
  4. Caledonia Mission
  5. The Weight
  6. We Can Talk
  7. Long Black Veil
  8. Chest Fever
  9. Lonesome Suzie
  10. This Wheel's on Fire
  11. I Shall Be Released

Music from Big Pink is a bittersweet album. The songs are a mix of country and rock and roll–a re-invention or re-interpretation of country music. Presumably, the musicians are quite capable seeing that they were Bob Dylan's supporting band for a time.

At first blush, the music is likable, but then I get a nagging feeling that the music is inauthentic and superficial. It's a feeling that won't go away. To me, it's a soulless re-invention of country music. I suppose I make it sound worse than it really is. However, this album is another foreshadowing of the dreaded adult-oriented rock that is soon to come.

I can see why it's on the 1001 Albums list, but it's a toss up whether it's worth listening to. There is a lot of filler, but the stand out songs: Tears of Rage, The Weight, Long Black Veil and Chest Fever are pretty solid.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

05 March, 2012

126. Small Faces | Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (1968)



Tracks
  1. Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake
  2. Afterglow (Of Your Love)
  3. Long Agos and Worlds Apart
  4. Rene
  5. Song of a Baker
  6. Lazy Sunday
  7. Happiness Stan
  8. Rollin' Over
  9. The Hungry Intruder
  10. The Journey
  11. Mad John
  12. Happydaystoytown

Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake is an unusual album. The first half of the album is a collection of hard rock and psychedelic rock songs. The second half is a fairy tale about a boy named Happiness Stan. The songs are a mix of psychedelic rock and progressive rock.

The music is good when it's not silly and unfortunately that silliness becomes a distraction. The narrator who narrates the Happiness Stan fairy tale is another distraction. It's never been clearer to me that English is no longer spoken by the English. Either that or the narrator using slang from the 1960s that didn't survive to the present day.

As the album stands, it's quite good, but I think if it had more focus, it would have been a lot better. Steve Marriott has a great voice, and should have been used to better effect on this album. The stand out songs are Afterglow (Of Your Love), Song of a Baker, Lazy Sunday, Happiness Stan and The Hungry Intruder.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

04 March, 2012

125. Simon and Garfunkel | Bookends (1968)



Tracks
  1. Bookends Theme
  2. Save the Life of My Child
  3. America
  4. Overs
  5. Voices of Old People
  6. Old Friends
  7. Bookends
  8. Fakin' It
  9. Punky's Dilemma
  10. Mrs. Robinson
  11. A Hazy Shade of Winter
  12. At the Zoo

Bookends is an uninspiring album. Most of the songs are pseudo-intellectual folk or folk rock.

The music is good enough and Simon and Garfunkel sing well and they sound especially good when they sing close harmony. And, maybe I just don't get it, but I think the lyrics are pretentious crap pretending to unveil universal or personal truths. Maybe wit is confused with wisdom. If you are going to be smart with your lyrics then be smart, otherwise don't. There is no directive for rock and roll music to enlighten the masses.

I can see why this album is on the 1001 Albums list, though. It's paving the way to that Hell also known as Adult Contemporary Rock. So, if you like that kind of music, this will be perfect and if you must listen to this album, the better songs are Mrs. Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter. America is a popular song but it epitomizes the pretentious crap that Paul Simon writes.

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

03 March, 2012

124. The Pretty Things | S. F. Sorrow (1968)



Tracks
  1. S.F. Sorrow is Born
  2. Bracelets of Fingers
  3. She Says Good Morning
  4. Private Sorrow
  5. Balloon Burning
  6. Death
  7. Baron Saturday
  8. The Journey
  9. I See You
  10. Well of Destiny
  11. Trust
  12. Old Man Going
  13. Loneliest Person

Note: The album cover on the left is from the UK release and the cover on the right is from the US release.

S. F. Sorrow is a brilliant album. The album is a rock opera about the life of a character named S. F. Sorrow. The songs are are frenetic and roll from one right into another. It is varied a mix of pop rock and heavy rock. For songs of short duration, they are quite detailed and intricate. Many of the songs are reminiscent of early psychedelic albums like Sgt. Peppers, but other songs really breaks ground deep into progressive rock territory.

I had never even heard of this album before embarking on this 1001 Albums challenge. However, it has now become one of my favorite albums of all time. It's disappointing that this album isn't more well-known. Not only is it worth listening to, I think it's also essential for anyone who takes their rock music collection seriously.

All of the songs are worth listening to and I'm hesitant to make a list of stand out songs, so I won't.

★★★★★★★★★★

02 March, 2012

123. Iron Butterfly | In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968)



Tracks
  1. Most Anything You Want
  2. Flowers and Beads
  3. My Mirage
  4. Termination
  5. Are You Happy
  6. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a muti-faceted album. On the first listening, it may seem like a straightforward heavy rock and roll album, but there are power ballads, riff-heavy songs and an epic seventeen-minute jam. For just six songs, that's pretty good variety.

This album is significant because it's pushing psychedelic rock in a couple of new directions. It's riff-heavy and loud and it's got lyrics which contain fantastical imagery and it has a song that is almost twenty minutes in length. As we now know, one direction leads to heavy metal and the other leads to progressive rock. To me, that's why this album is on the 1001 Albums list.

I thought the album was good, but nothing great. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a tiresome and tedious song. However, because it's so self-indulgent, there's no doubt it's precursor to prog rock. The first five songs aren't terrible, but the organ needs to sound more sinister. As it is, it sounds pretty cheesy. Also, Flowers and Beads and My Mirage are perfect power ballad material, but flowery hippie imagery and heavy metal riffs don't work well together.

The stand out songs are: Most Anything You Want, Termination and Are You Happy. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is worth listening to at least once.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

01 March, 2012

122. Dr. John, The Night Tripper | Gris-Gris (1968)



Tracks
  1. Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
  2. Danse Kalinda Ba Doom
  3. Mama Roux
  4. Danse Fambeaux
  5. Croker Courtbullion
  6. Jump Sturdy
  7. I Walk On Guilded Splinters

Gris-Gris is a unique album. This is what Captain Beefheart's music might sound like if it were filtered through the bayous of Louisiana.

I like this album. The New Orleans style of rhythm and blues creates an eerie sound and mood. It's an interesting sound, but too much of this type of music would get old quickly. It's certainly worth listening to simply for its unique style.

The stand out songs are: Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya, Mama Roux, Danse Fambeaux and I Walk On Guilded Splinters.

★★★★★★★★★☆

22 February, 2012

121. The United States of America | The United States of America (1968)


 

Tracks
  1. The American Metaphysical Circus
  2. Hard Coming Love
  3. Cloud Song
  4. The Garden of Earthly Delights
  5. I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife for You, Sugar
  6. Where Is Yesterday
  7. Coming Down
  8. Love Song for the Dead Ché
  9. Stranded in Time
  10. The American Way of Love
    • Part I - Metaphor for an Older Man
    • Part II - California Good-time Music
    • Part III - Love Is All

Wikipedia suggests there were two covers for this album. However, I think the cover on the left is a paper outer wrapper that the album was contained in and the cover on the right is the actual album cover.

The United States of America is a colorful album. The songs are rock and roll. This music is experimental and heavy like the music of the Mothers of Invention and the Velvet Underground and has a similarly mischievous like the Mothers of Invention. However, their music does push the boundaries like the music of the other two. It's certainly more listener-friendly.

I liked this album—I really liked Dorothy Moskovitz's singing—and I think it's worth listening to, but I'm not yet convinced this album should be on the list. The album is certainly a more refined type of psychedelic music and seems to be suggesting a new direction for that style. It's certainly a lot more interesting than a lot of the rock and roll from 1967 and 1968 that has been on the list, but I'm not sure it's noticeably different either.

The stand out songs are The American Metaphysical Circus, Hard Coming Love, Cloud SongThe Garden of Earthly Delights, Where Is Yesterday, Coming DownLove Song for the Dead Ché and The American Way of Love.

★★★★★★★★★☆

21 February, 2012

120. Big Brother and the Holding Company | Cheap Thrills (1968)



Tracks
  1. Combination of the Two
  2. I Need a Man to Love
  3. Summertime
  4. Piece of My Heart
  5. Turtle Blues
  6. Oh, Sweet Mary
  7. Ball and Chain

Cheap Thrills is an exceptionally unexceptional album. The songs are blues rock. The music is good, but it's nothing new, but other bands play blues rock much better. What makes this album great is Janis Joplin. This album reminds me of Jerry Lee Lewis's Live at the Star Club, Hamburg. On that album, the band is trying to keep up with Jerry's piano playing. On this album, the band is trying to keep with Janis's singing.

Janis Joplin has a damn great voice. I'd have to go back to the 1950s vocal jazz singers to find someone comparable. What differentiates her from other female singers is that she can and does sing with the same force and power as a guy. With this album, Janis has opened up a lot of opportunities for future female singers. Janis is the reason this album is on the 1001 Albums list.

My parents had this album and I never listened to it. My mother even talked about how much she liked Janis whenever Piece of My Heart or Me and Bobby McGee was playing on the radio. How I regret not listening to this album now! This album is definitely worth listening to. All the songs are good, but Combination of the Two, I Need a Man to Love, Piece of My Heart and Oh, Sweet Mary are the stand outs.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

20 February, 2012

119. The Byrds | The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)



Tracks
  1. Artificial Energy
  2. Goin' Back
  3. Natural Harmony
  4. Draft Morning
  5. Wasn't Born to Follow
  6. Get to You
  7. Change Is Now
  8. Old John Robertson
  9. Tribal Gathering
  10. Dolphin's Smile
  11. Space Odyssey

The Notorious Byrd Brothers is an understated album. The songs are a combination of rock and roll, country and folk. They are short, but well developed and efficient.

I'm by no means a fan of the Byrds. Their music tends to annoy me more than it entertains me, but this album is really good. Maybe because the songs are short they don't have enough time to get under my skin. I really like how the songs flow from one to another. Conceptually, they are all different, but they all seem like extensions of each other.

My only guess why this album deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list is that it mixes folk, country and rock and roll in such a way that all three remain distinct styles. In that sense it's really interesting to see how much separation there is between country and rock and roll.

This album is the best so far by the Byrds and it's certainly worth listening to. Of course, Roger McGuinn still writes songs about outer space which always seemed out of place, but this time he's done much better making it work with the rest of the album. Another annoyance that is not so prevalent on this album are the snotty, smarmy vocals. Thank goodness for that.

There's not much variance in the quality of the songs, so despite the contradiction, they are all stand outs.

★★★★★★★★★★

19 February, 2012

118. Blue Cheer | Vincebus Eruptum (1968)



Tracks
  1. Summertime Blues
  2. Rock Me Baby
  3. Doctor Please
  4. Out of Focus
  5. Parchment Farm
  6. Second Time Around

Vincebus Eruptum is a loud album. The songs are rock and roll, but they are louder and noisier.

There is something new going on her, but it's not what it may seem initially. Certainly, there have been bands that have been loud and noisy—the Monks, the Sonics, the Velvet Underground and the Jimi Hendrix Experience come to mind. It would seem that for those bands, loudness and noisiness were not ends in themselves. With Blue Cheer however, their sole purpose is to be loud and noisy.

Dickie Peterson, the bassist and lead singer of Blue Cheer, is quoted in 1001 Albums as saying rock and roll is 10 percent technique and 90 percent attitude. With this album, Blue Cheer has put that observation into practice and it's that observation which makes this album innovative.

I really enjoyed this album. However, the songs did sound a little too similar. Fortunately, the album isn't very long. The stand out songs are Summertime Blues, Rock Me Baby and Parchment Farm.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

18 February, 2012

117. Aretha Franklin | Aretha: Lady Soul (1968)



Tracks
  1. Chain Of Fools
  2. Money Won't Change You
  3. People Get Ready
  4. Niki Hoeky
  5. (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman
  6. (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone
  7. Good to Me As I Am to You
  8. Come Back Baby
  9. Groovin'
  10. Ain't No Way

Aretha: Lady Soul is an energetic album. The songs are soul, naturally. Aretha Franklin sounds great. The music is great, too. The bass creates nice grooves and is really dynamic at the same time.

For some reason though, great music and great singing don't combine to make a great album. One reason is that most of the songs are too short. Another reason is that the songs, while great individually, don't connect together very well.

I wish I could like this album more, but it just doesn't keep me interested all the way through. The first half of the album is certainly better than the second half. So, I recommend listening to the first half. But, since it's short enough, you might as well listen to the second half as well. The stand out songs are: Chain of Fools, Money Won't Change You, People Get Ready, Niki Hoeky and (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

17 February, 2012

116. Laura Nyro | Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968)



Tracks
  1. Luckie
  2. Lu
  3. Sweet Blindness
  4. Poverty Train
  5. Lonely Women
  6. Eli's Comin'
  7. Timer
  8. Stoned Soul Picnic
  9. Emmie
  10. Woman's Blues
  11. Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)
  12. December's Boudoir
  13. The Confession

Eli and the Thirteenth Confession is an uplifting album. The songs are pop. Laura Nyro has a high-pitched, yet powerful voice. The songs are deceptively catchy.

The lyrics border on being vacuous. The music is competent, but it borders on being generic. Any pop album with saxophone and other horns in it is a good indicator that it's not very good.

I'd like to characterize this album as insipid because it really is. (This album really reminds me of all the bad 1970s pop music that I've heard over the years.) However, Laura Nyro's vocals are really good and oblige me to think better of this album. And I did think highly of this album the first time I heard it.

Despite my distaste for the lyrics and music, I do think this album deservers to be on the 1001 Albums list if the list is a list of albums that charted new territory in pop and rock and roll music. This album is certainly something new, although not for the better.

So, for those who like music without any depth or substance, I heartily recommend it. Otherwise, stay clear of it. The stand out songs on this album are: Luckie, Lu, Eli's Comin'Stoned Soul Picnic and Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe).

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

16 February, 2012

115. Johnny Cash | At Folsom Prison (1968)



Tracks

Original release
  1. Folsom Prison Blues
  2. Dark as a Dungeon
  3. I Still Miss Someone
  4. Cocaine Blues
  5. 25 Minutes to Go
  6. Orange Blossom Special
  7. The Long Black Veil
  8. Send a Picture of Mother
  9. The Wall
  10. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
  11. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
  12. Jackson
  13. Give My Love to Rose
  14. I Got Stripes
  15. Green, Green Grass of Home
  16. Greystone Chapel
Re-release
  1. Folsom Prison Blues
  2. Busted
  3. Dark as a Dungeon
  4. I Still Miss Someone
  5. Cocaine Blues
  6. 25 Minutes to Go
  7. Orange Blossom Special
  8. The Long Black Veil
  9. Send a Picture of Mother
  10. The Wall
  11. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
  12. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
  13. Joe Bean
  14. Jackson
  15. Give My Love to Rose
  16. I Got Stripes
  17. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
  18. Green, Green Grass of Home
  19. Greystone Chapel
Legacy Edition

First Show
  1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
  2. Blue Suede Shoes
  3. (performed by Carl Perkins)
  4. This Ole House
  5. (performed by The Statler Brothers)
  6. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
  7. Folsom Prison Blues
  8. Busted
  9. Dark as a Dungeon
  10. I Still Miss Someone
  11. Cocaine Blues
  12. 25 Minutes to Go
  13. I'm Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail
  14. Orange Blossom Special
  15. The Long Black Veil
  16. Send a Picture of Mother
  17. The Wall
  18. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
  19. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
  20. Joe Bean
  21. Jackson
  22. I Got a Woman
  23. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
  24. June's Poem
  25. Green, Green Grass of Home
  26. Greystone Chapel
  27. Closing announcements
  28. The Old Spinning Wheel
Second Show
  1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
  2. Matchbox
  3. (performed by Carl Perkins)
  4. Blue Suede Shoes
  5. (performed by Carl Perkins)
  6. You Can't Have Your Kate and Edith, Too
  7. (performed by The Statler Brothers)
  8. Flowers on the Wall
  9. (performed by The Statler Brothers)
  10. How Great Thou Art
  11. (performed by The Statler Brothers)
  12. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
  13. Folsom Prison Blues
  14. Busted
  15. Dark as a Dungeon
  16. Cocaine Blues
  17. 25 Minutes To Go
  18. Orange Blossom Special
  19. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
  20. Give My Love to Rose
  21. Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog
  22. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
  23. Joe Bean
  24. Jackson
  25. Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man
  26. I Got Stripes
  27. Green, Green Grass Of Home
  28. Greystone Chapel
  29. Greystone Chapel
  30. Hugh Cherry Introduces Johnny's father, Ray Cash, Associate Warden Walter E. Craven and Floyd Gressett, and closing announcements

Note: As the track listing indicates, there are three different versions of At Folsom Prison: the original release, an extended release and a so-called legacy version. The extended release adds three songs not included on the original release. The legacy version a complete uncut recording of the two shows Johnny Cash performed at Folsom Prison for the recording. The legacy version includes several songs not found on the original release, as well as opening songs performed by Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers. It also includes a poem recited by June Carter.
The legacy version is important as a historical record and perfect for die-hard fans, but the original or extended releases are sufficient enough. I think the extended release is the best because of its inclusion of The Legend of John Henry's Hammer.

At Folsom Prison is an entertaining album. Most songs are country. Many of the songs deal with prison life or criminal acts. The songs are full of black humor. I suppose the choice of songs are apt for Johnny's reputation and because they are performing at a prison, but perhaps the prisoners might have liked something more upbeat.

No matter, the prisoners seemed to enjoy the performance and Johnny Cash is a great showman who easily connects with his audience. I think it's great that he performed for prisoners. I wonder how many entertainers perform for prisoners these days.

This is certainly an album worth owning. Johnny Cash and his supporting musicians—June Carter, The Tennessee Three, The Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins—sound excellent live. The songs are great. Johnny Cash's strength and appeal lie in his lyrics and his voice; he sure knows how to convincingly tell a compelling story. The stand out songs are Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Orange Blossom Special, The Wall, Jackson, Green, Green Grass of Home and Greystone Chapel.

★★★★★★★★★★

14 February, 2012

114. Leonard Cohen | Songs of Leonard Cohen (1968)



Tracks
  1. Suzanne
  2. Master Song
  3. Winter Lady
  4. The Stranger Song
  5. Sisters of Mercy
  6. So Long, Marianne
  7. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye
  8. Stories of the Street
  9. Teachers
  10. One of Us Cannot Be Wrong

Songs of Leonard Cohen is a calm album. The songs are folk. The songs center on Leonard Cohen's guitar-playing and singing. There are exceptions, of course. Perhaps, because of a lack of a rhythm section, many of the songs lack energy and seem sad. Even the ones with some bass accompaniment aren't terribly uplifting, either. The lyrics, which are well-written and interesting, and Cohen's voice, which is not very strong, might contribute to the sense of sadness, too.

I really liked this album. I'm not very good at interpreting lyrics, but I enjoy painting a mental image from them. Leonard Cohen writes lyrics and creates a mood where the mental images are clear.

Yet, I'm not exactly clear why this album is on the 1001 Albums list. I'm guessing that it's because he is at the forefront of a group of folk singers who perform their own songs and write lyrics which are more introspective than political or universal.

I think this album is certainly worth listening to, but for those who aren't keen on folk, it's not going to win them over. It's a well-balanced album song-wise, so it's hard to pick out any stand outs, but if I were pressed to choose them, I would say Suzanne, Master Song, So Long, Marianne, Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye and One of Us Cannot Be Wrong are the ones I'd choose.

★★★★★★★★★☆

13 February, 2012

113. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | Electric Ladyland (1968)



Wikipedia Entry

Tracks
  1. ...And the Gods Made Love
  2. Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)
  3. Crosstown Traffic
  4. Voodoo Chile
  5. Little Miss Strange
  6. Long Hot Summer Night
  7. Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)
  8. Gypsy Eyes
  9. Burning of the Midnight Lamp
  10. Rainy Day, Dream Away
  11. 1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)
  12. Moon, Turn the Tides...Gently Gently Away
  13. Still Raining, Still Dreaming
  14. House Burning Down
  15. All Along the Watchtower
  16. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Note: the US release used the cover at the top left; the UK release used the cover at the top right. Jimi Hendrix didn't approve of either. See the Wikipedia entry for Electric Ladyland for more information.


Electric Ladyland is a mighty album. From the groove-heavy rhythm section to the near-vocal lead guitar, from the double album length to the more-than-ten minute length of several tracks, from the Olympian allusions in the lyrics to the godlike guitar solos, this album exudes power and masculinity. This is the natural consequence of electrifying the blues. This is the pinnacle of hard rock.
Jimi Hendrix pushes the boundary of the role of the guitar in rock and roll. He clearly demonstrates that the guitar can be an alternative to a singer, yet retaining a vocal similarity. Not only does Jimi do that, but he also charts the future course of hard rock. Since he's so far ahead of his time, it's hard to tell if anyone can even try to match his skill. So he may have pushed the boundary, but the trail, if any, that he left might be to obscure to follow.

Listening to this album all the way through is a real workout. It's one outstanding song after another. There's no question about this album being a "must" to listen to. It's an album for the ages. There's not a bad track on the album, although ...And the Gods Made Love isn't necessary. The real stand outs are Crosstown Traffic, Voodoo Chile, Gypsy Eyes, Burning of the Midnight Lamp, 1983...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be), House Burning Down, All Along the Watchtower and Voodoo Child (Slight Return).

★★★★★★★★★★

09 February, 2012

112. Os Mutantes | Os Mutantes (1968)



Tracks
  1. Panis et circenses
  2. A minha menina
  3. O relógio
  4. Adeus, Maria Fulô
  5. Baby
  6. Senhor F
  7. Bat macumba
  8. Le premier bonheur du jour
  9. Trem fantasma
  10. Tempo no tempo (Once was a time I thought)
  11. Ave, Gengis Khan

Os Mutantes is a fun album. The lyrics are in Portuguese so it's not clear what's going on, but I've read elsewhere that the lyrics are pretty nonsensical anyway. The songs are tropicália with a slight nod toward psychedelic rock. Actually, there seem to be a lot of different styles represented which I'm mostly unfamiliar with.

When I first listened to this album, it seemed amateurish and gimmicky. However, the most recent listening has convinced me that it's quite good. The music is catchy, creative and never taken seriously.

I think this album is definitely worth listening to. Give it a chance and you'll be grateful you did. It would certainly be a curious addition to any collection. All the songs are very good, but the stand outs are: Panis et circenses, A minha menina, Adeus, Maria Fulô, Bat macumba, Le premier bonheur du jour and Ave, Gengis Khan.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

07 February, 2012

111. Ravi Shankar | The Sounds of India (1968)



Tracks
  1. An Introduction to Indian Music
  2. Dádrá
  3. Máru-Bihág
  4. Bhimpalási
  5. Sindhi-Bhairavi

The Sounds of India is a hypnotic album. The pieces are classical Hindustani music. On the first track, Ravi Shankar describes what Indian music is and makes it clear that it doesn't follow the conventions of Western music. He also explains what the three instruments featured on the album are and what they do. Then, before each piece, he explains a little about its structure like scale and beats. I understood some of what he talks about, but his explanations are meant for smart people and musicians.

Of course, I'm not sure why this is on the 1001 Albums list. This album certainly has significance in the late 1960s for Western musicians and Western music listeners. This album would best be considered for a list that isn't devoted primarily to Western popular music.

I liked the album a lot. The music has a distinct boundaries, but within those boundaries, there's a lot of opportunity for variation. It's good music to put on and relax to. Despite not thinking it should be on the 1001 Albums list, I do think it's worth listening to. All four pieces are excellent and intricate. And if you do pay attention to Ravi Shankar's introductions, they really are informative despite their brevity.

★★★★★★★★★★

06 February, 2012

110. The Kinks | The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (1968)



Tracks
  1. The Village Green Preservation Society
  2. Do You Remember Walter?
  3. Picture Book
  4. Johnny Thunder
  5. Last of the Steam-powered Trains
  6. Big Sky
  7. Sitting by the Riverside
  8. Animal Farm
  9. Village Green
  10. Starstruck
  11. Phenomenal Cat
  12. All of My Friends Were There
  13. Wicked Annabella
  14. Monica
  15. People Take Pictures of Each Other

The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society is a nostalgic album.  The songs are a mix of heavy rock and roll and pop. The music is conservative, never dull and does what it is meant to do: support the lyrics. The lyrics generally reflect on a past that does not manifest itself in the present, except either in mental or physical memories (photographs): the village green, steam trains, relationships and experiences.

This is one of the finest albums I've ever heard. Ray Davies has a comforting voice. The music and lyrics are catchy, clever and fun. However, some of the lyrics and music prevent this album from transcending the 1960s. That doesn't mean it's not worth listening to or owning, though.

There isn't a weak song on the album, but the stand outs are: The Village Green Preservation Society, Do You Remember Walter?, Picture Book, Last of the Steam-powered Trains, Big Sky, Animal Farm, Village Green, Starstruck, Phenomenal Cat, Wicked Annabella, People Take Pictures of Each Other.

★★★★★★★★★★

05 February, 2012

109. The Incredible String Band | The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter (1968)



Wikipedia Entry

Tracks
  1. Koeeoaddi There
  2. The Minotaur's Song
  3. Witches Hat
  4. A Very Cellular Song
  5. Mercy I Cry City
  6. Waltz of the New Moon
  7. The Water Song
  8. Three Is a Green Crown
  9. Swift as the Wind
  10. Nightfall

Note: The album cover shown in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is not the original album cover. The one above on the right is the original album cover according to Discogs and Wikipedia. It seems the album cover was changed to the one above on the left at some point. The Wikipedia entry makes mention of it, but it's not very clear and the Discogs entry for the album just has LP images.

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter is a medieval album. That is to say, the songs remind me of the minstrel music one might hear at popular medieval fairs. Perhaps, they also remind me of English children's nursery rhymes that I learned as a child. While those might be impressions one also might get when listening to this album, to say this sounds like medieval music, children's nursery rhymes or psychedelic folk music is overly simplistic. This album is a mix of traditional folk songs from around the world and that becomes clearer the more one listens to it. Apparently, the bards, Robin Williamson and Mike Heron, can play any instrument put in front of them.

Most of the songs have different parts to them, so the music critic who wrote the entry for this album in the 1001 Albums book notes that these songs might be better called suites. I would agree with that, but I will call them pieces. No matter, I think it's an important distinction, especially with A Very Cellular Song. Expecting each piece to be like normal a song will lead to frustration. Understanding that there are different movements in each piece will make it less confusing. However, the lyrics of these pieces can still be impenetrable.

I love the music, though. The variety of instruments keeps the music fresh and despite the different styles and musical instruments, there isn't a piece out of place. I do think this is an album worth listening to, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea.

The pieces are all worth listening to. A Very Cellular Song is the epic piece, but Koeeoaddi There, The Minotaur's Song, Witches Hat and Three Is a Green Crown are stand outs, too.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

04 February, 2012

108. Traffic | Traffic (1968)



Tracks
  1. You Can All Join In
  2. Pearly Queen
  3. Don't Be Sad
  4. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring
  5. Feelin' Alright
  6. Vagabond Virgin
  7. (Roamin' Thru the Gloamin' with) 40,000 Headmen
  8. Cryin' to Be Heard
  9. No Time to Live
  10. Means to an End

Traffic is a mature album. It's also dynamic and smart. The songs are rock and roll, but there's a more subtle and intricate structure to them. Traffic isn't the first rock and roll band to come up with this type of album. Certainly, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Pet Sounds come to mind, but I don't they achieved what this album has.

I believe this album signals a new and positive development in rock and roll. Channeling pure rock and roll energy is great, but controlling it and giving it more structure is about time. ('Structure' may not even be the right term. The right word might be 'polish'. It certainly isn't 'restraint'.) Of course, knowing the course of rock and roll, it's clear this direction rock and roll took led down some undesirable paths, too.

I've heard this album once or twice before and I thought it was good. Certainly, You Can All Join In and Pearly Queen are instantly likable. But the rest of the album took me by surprise this time. I do think the songs works well together musically, but I'm not sure about the lyrics. They seem to be all over the map. (Roamin' Thru the Gloamin' with) 40,000 Headmen is a good example. No matter, this album is definitely worth a listen and might even be worth owning.

All the songs are enjoyable, but the real stand outs are You Can All Join In, Pearly Queen, Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring, Vagabond Virgin, (Roamin' Thru the Gloamin' with) 40,000 Headmen and Cryin' to Be Heard.

★★★★★★★★★☆

03 February, 2012

107. The Rolling Stones | Beggars Banquet (1968)



Tracks
  1. Sympathy for the Devil
  2. No Expectations
  3. Dear Doctor
  4. Parachute Woman
  5. Jig-Saw Puzzle
  6. Street Fighting Man
  7. Prodigal Son
  8. Stray Cat Blues
  9. Factory Girl
  10. Salt of the Earth

Note: The album was originally meant to be released with the left album cover, but it was released with the right cover instead. See the Wikipedia entry for the details why the bottom cover was used.

Beggars Banquet is an edgy album. The songs are a mix of hard edged and quiet acoustic rock and roll. The mix of songs surprisingly works well together. The Rolling Stones certainly draw more directly from the blues than more of the recent rock and roll albums.

The album has a transcendent quality to it, something akin to what the Beatles accomplished from Revolver on. After listening to the album one time, there's no question about how great it is. I've yet to figure out for myself why there are albums like this. Is it just a convergence of production quality, mature song writing and mature playing? Maybe there's no way to define it; instead, you just feel it in your bones.

I've never been a big fan of the Rolling Stones, but the 1001 Albums list is making me one. Naturally, it follows from the observation above that this is not only an album that must be listened to, but it's an album that should be part of any serious music listener's collection. 

There isn't a bad track on this album, but the real stand outs are Sympathy for the Devil, Jig-Saw Man, Street Fighting Man, Prodigal Son, Stray Cat Blues and Salt of the Earth.

★★★★★★★★★★

02 February, 2012

106. Aretha Franklin | I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)



Tracks
  1. Respect
  2. Drown in My Own Tears
  3. I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)
  4. Soul Serenade
  5. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
  6. Baby, Baby, Baby
  7. Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)
  8. Good Times
  9. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
  10. Save Me
  11. A Change Is Gonna Come

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is a passionate album. The songs are soul. It's been a while since there's been a singer who invests so much emotion in the songs—and boy are these refreshing. 

Usually vocalists are accompanied by a competent band that lets them shine. Aretha has an outstanding band with a great rhythm section—see if you can keep from tapping your feet—and she's got some wonderful backup singers. But that's not what makes her great; she'd be great even without a band. 

This is a great album. It is consistent all the way through, yet there's a lot of variety. Without a doubt, this album is worth owning. It doesn't distract if you want to have it as background music, and≠ it's compelling enough to listen carefully to.

There's not a bad song on this album and typically I'd list them all, but the real stand outs are Respect, I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You), Do Right Woman, Do Right Man, Save Me and A Change Is Gonna Come.

★★★★★★★★★★

01 February, 2012

105. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | Axis: Bold as Love (1967)



Tracks
  1. EXP
  2. Up from the Skies
  3. Spanish Castle Magic
  4. Wait Until Tomorrow
  5. Ain't No Telling
  6. Little Wing
  7. If 6 Was 9
  8. You Got Me Floatin'
  9. Castles Made of Sand
  10. She's So Fine
  11. One Rainy Wish
  12. Little Miss Lover
  13. Bold as Love

Axis: Bold as Love is a tight album. The songs are straight up rock and roll. The album has a really rich and clear sound which really emphasizes each of the main three instruments: guitar, bass and drums.

Jimi Hendrix is an amazing guitar player. He makes it sound so natural. He doesn't so much play the guitar as he wills it to make sound. Does anyone even come close to playing as naturally as Jimi could?


Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell are completely overshadowed and underrated. Mitch Mitchell is an aggressive and assertive drummer and Noel Redding's bass playing is solid, sounds great and really complements Jimi's guitar playing.

Aside from Spanish Castle Magic, the album doesn't really get going until a few songs in. But from Little Wing to Bold as Love, it's nearly flawless. This album is definitely worth listening to, but I'm ambivalent about whether it's worth owning. Are You Experienced certainly overshadows this album which its heavy riffs. This album is more subtle and the guitar is more lyrical.

Every song is worth listening to. EXP is a distraction. The stand out songs are Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, You Got Me Floatin', Castles Made of Sand, She's So Fine, One Rainy Wish and Bold as Love.

★★★★★★★★★★