Album: Spirituals Artist: Santigold Release Date: September 9, 2022 Label: Little Jerk Records Favorite Tracks:
High Priestess
No Paradise
Ain’t Ready
Fall First
Thoughts: Genre-defying Santigold’s new release reimagines the African American folk tradition with synths, electric guitar, and her own ethereal vocals. Like many recent releases, the music grew out of the pandemic and addresses the feelings of grief, loneliness, and rage of our times. It’s a short album, 10 tracks in just over 30 minutes, but it packs a punch.
Having listened to every album on the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, I’m making my own list. This list will be only 250 albums, although I had to make some tough cuts. The list includes a mix of works of musical genius with the pure nostalgia of some albums I’ve loved throughout my life. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about these albums and what your favorite albums are. I will continue the countdown every other Wednesday throughout 2022.
Artist: Various Title: Hamilton: An American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) Year: 2015 Favorite Tracks:
Alexander Hamilton
My Shot
The Story of Tonight
Right Hand Man
Helpless
Wait For It
Guns & Ships
Dear Theodosia
Cabinet Battle #1
The Room Where It Happened
One Last Time
It’s Quiet Uptown
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2015
Thoughts: I never thought too highly of Alexander Hamilton the person (I’m a bit of an Aaron Burr buff) but I was transfixed by this musical that combines Broadway musical traditions with hip hop with American history. I especially like how Hamilton’s story is adapted to that of the immigrant striver relating the story to modern day Black and Latin American people who don’t often get to see people who look like themselves in American history.
Bonus Sounds: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical In The Heights was adapted into an excellent movie with a great soundtrack.
Thoughts: Billy Bragg is a folk/punk musicians and leftist activist from England whose music I like but I still need to listen to more of. Wilco are a band from Chicago beloved by NPR hipsters whose music never interested me much. But when they came together to put lyrics written by Woody Guthrie to music, it was magic.
Bonus Sounds: The next step is to listen to actual recordings by Woody Guthrie. Smithsonian Folkways has you covered.
“King Kong Kitchie Kitchie Ki-Me-O” (1928) – Chubby Parker
“John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Man” (1930) – The Carter Family
“White House Blues” (1926) – Charlie Poole w/ North Carolina Ramblers
“Frankie” (1928) – Mississippi John Hurt
“When That Great Ship Went Down” (1927) – William and Versey Smith
Mississippi Boweavil Blues” (1929) – Charlie Patton (under the pseudonym “The Masked Marvel”)
“Sail Away Lady” (1926) – Uncle Bunt Stephens
“Wake Up Jacob” (1929) – Prince Albert Hunt’s Texas Ramblers
“Indian War Whoop” (1928) – Floyd Ming and his Pep-Steppers
“Saut Crapaud” (1929) – Columbus Fruge
“Moonshiner’s Dance Part One” (1927) – Frank Cloutier and the Victoria Cafe Orchestra
“John the Revelator” (1930) – Blind Willie Johnson
“Bob Lee Junior Blues” (1927) – The Memphis Jug Band
“Poor Boy Blues” (1929) – Ramblin’ Thomas
“See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” (1928) – Blind Lemon Jefferson
“Way Down the Old Plank Road” (1926) – Uncle Dave Macon
“Fishing Blues” (1928) Henry Thomas
“Black Jack David” — Carter Family
“How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?” (1929) — Blind Alfred Reed
The First Time I Heard This Album …: When I first got an iPod, around 2005 or so, I listened to a history of Folkways Records which prompted me to get this collection
Thoughts:
Experimental filmmaker Harry Smith pulled together this anthology in 1952 with selections from his collection of old 78 rpm records and it ended up becoming a major influence of the Folk Revival of the 50s and 60s. Smith’s temerity in calling it “Anthology” instead of “An Anthology” and subsequent popularity skewed the real history of American folk music. Nevertheless, as a compilation of recorded music enjoyed by ordinary Americans from 1927 to 1932, it is an excellent time capsule. Selections include folk songs with roots in England, Scotland, and Ireland still enjoyed by rural Americans, Black American folk music (including blues and gospel), and old time music from a time when country and bluegrass are emerging.
The Internet Archive has the entire collection available to stream, including a fourth collection of folk songs chosen by Harry Smith that didn’t get a release until 2000.
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1991, because everyone in my Freshman dorm seemed to have this album
Thoughts: Speaking of leftist activism in music, the Washington, D.C. post-hardcore band took the DIY ethos to the limits making their shows as accessible as possible to all their fans. Their debut album (actually a compilation of tracks from previously released EPs) was highly influential on the sound of the burgeoning alternative rock explosion.
Thoughts: Richard Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky, and Dar Williams united to form a folk supergroup, recording this one album of cover songs. They also had a very successful tour and I managed to see them twice on that tour including their end of tour performance at Somerville Theatre on New Year’s Day in 2000.
Bonus Sounds: Richard Shindell’s album Courier appeared earlier in this list, but my favorite Dar Williams’ albums are Mortal City (1996) and End of the Summer (1997), and favorite Lucy Kaplansky album is Ten Year Night (1999).
Coincidentally, Cry Cry Cry was named after a song by …
65
Artist: Johnny Cash Title: At Folsom Prison Year: 1968 Favorite Tracks:
Folsom Prison Blues
I Still Miss Someone
25 Minutes To Go
The Long Black Veil
Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart
Jackson
Green, Green Grass of Home”
The First Time I Heard This Album …: early 2000s
Thoughts: I came to this late due to a general disinterest in country music, not knowing that Johnny Cash is really good country. Not only was Cash a good musician, he was a good person when it came to following Christ’s teaching of visiting people in prison. This album recorded in a prison contains songs about prison, by prisoners, and most importantly, to entertain prisoners. The enthusiastic response of the audience of imprisoned men complements the perfect performances of these songs by Cash along with June Carter, Carl Perkins, and the Tennessee Three. You can feel the disappointment when the prisoners are dismissed at the end.
Bonus Sounds: Johnny Cash had a late career resurgence with the American Recordings series which included interpretations of songs by decidedly non-country artists such as Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus.”
64
Artist: The Beat Title: I Just Can’t Stop It Year:1980 Favorite Tracks:
Mirror in the Bathroom
Twist & Crawl
The Tears of a Clown
Ranking Full Stop
Big Shot
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1990s
Thoughts: Known as The English Beat in the USA, the band emerged from the UK two-tone ska scene with a debut album that mixed ska with New Wave. It was a new sound for a new decade and remains one of the best albums of the 80s.
Thoughts: A debut album for Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley of sorts collaborating with Chandra and Leigh Watson, also making their debut. The pop/alt-country sound with a gospel tinge contains impressive harmonies and thoughtful lyrics.
Bonus Sounds: Jenny Lewis has continued to release great music including 2014’s “Just One of the Guys.”
Thoughts: Monáe’s first full-length album continues her on-going science fiction dystopia about a messiasiac android. Musically, it’s a tour de force jumping among genres from song to song and even within songs. Funk, soul, new wave, afrobeat, psychedelia, and even punk rock are in the mix.
Bonus Sounds: There’s more Janelle Monáe to come in this list, but until then you can also read my Music Discovery on her work from 2016 or read her recently-released sci-fi story collection The Memory Librarian.
Thoughts: The first time I heard “Rolling in the Deep” it blew me away and I’ve been following Adele ever since (along with most of the rest of the world). The weary wisdom of Adele’s voice belies her youthful age at the time it was recorded.
Bonus Sounds: Adele is still pretty young even though she’s now a veteran artists continuing to release great works like last year’s 30.
Having listened to every album on the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, I’m making my own list. This list will be only 250 albums, although I had to make some tough cuts. The list includes a mix of works of musical genius with the pure nostalgia of some albums I’ve loved throughout my life. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about these albums and what your favorite albums are. I will continue the countdown every other Wednesday throughout 2022.
Artist: Various Title: This Are Two Tone Year: 1983 Favorite Tracks:
The Specials – “Gangsters”
The Selecter – “On My Radio”
The (English) Beat – “Tears of a Clown”
The Specials – “A Message To You, Rudy”
The (English) Beat – “Ranking Full Stop”
The Specials – “Stereotype”
The Specials – “Do Nothing”
Rhoda Dakar with The Specials – “The Boiler”
The Specials – “Ghost Town”
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1990
Thoughts: I was listening to the “Modern Rock” radio station and heard “Ghost Town” by The Specials and HAD TO HAVE that song. The thing is that my suburban Connecticut home town’s record stores had limited selections. I looked everywhere I could think of in the store where I might find The Specials. Finally, I did a last ditch look in the compilations section where I found This Are Two Tone. Even though the songs were ~10 years old at this time, it is no exaggeration when I say that this album CHANGED MY LIFE!
Bonus Sounds: 2 Tone Records didn’t release many albums as bands like The Beat and Madness moved on to other labels, but a stunning three albums from the label will be on my list. One great song that’s not on any of these albums is “Nelson Mandela” by The Special A.K.A.
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Artist: The Go-Go’s Title:Beauty and the Beat Year: 1981 Favorite Tracks:
Our Lips Are Sealed
How Much More
Tonite
This Town
We Got the Beat
You Can’t Walk In Your Sleep (If You Can’t Sleep)
Skidmarks On My Heart
The First Time I Heard This Album …: early 80s, although it was my sister’s album
Thoughts: The most successful all-woman rock band of all time released this perfect collection of pop punk gems in 1981. It seems to get better with each passing year.
Bonus Sounds: The Go-Go’s album discography is small but strong! Their 80s follow-up albums Vacation (1982) and Talk Show (1984) also have a lot of great tracks and Belinda Carlisle’s early solo work is also quite good.
78
Artist: Kris Delmhorst Title: Songs For a Hurricane Year: 2003 Favorite Tracks:
Waiting Under the Waves
East of the Mountains
Bobby Lee
Juice & June (NOT to be confused with Juice & Gin)
Hummingbird
Hurricane
Short Work
Mingalay
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2003
Thoughts: Kris Delmhorst was already one of my favorite artists in the Boston folk scene, but this remarkable album saw her further incorporating old-time/Americana influences into music with a contemporary sensibility. Since most of the songs work on meteorological themes, you could even say it’s a concept album.
Bonus Sounds: This is Kris Delmhorst’s 4th appearance in my countdown (two of her solo albums, one as member of a group, and one compilation). I’d also recommend the 2005 album Redbird, the eponymous debut of a trio featuring Delmhorst with with Peter Mulvey and Jeffrey Foucault.
77
Artist: Jolie Holland Title: Escondida Year: 2004 Favorite Tracks:
Sascha
Old Fashioned Morphine
Amen
Mad Tom of Bedlam
Darlin Ukelele
Damn Shame
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2004
Thoughts: A friend gave us this album and the Americana/alt-country/folk rock/je ne sais quoi sound blew my mind. Jolie Holland was originally a member of The Be-Good Tanyas before going solo and it has the same old timey-goes-modern vibe with an extra kick.
Bonus Sounds: Despite loving Escondida, I never got any of the Holland’s other albums! I need to address that.
Thoughts: R.E.M. were already top ten artists by the time I learned of them, but I enjoyed going back to their debut album. I can’t imagine what it was like for listeners trying make sense of Murmur in 1983. It’s too melodic for punk, too folk for New Wave, and too cryptic for pop. Despite not being of its time, the songs on Murmur have a timeless quality.
Bonus Sounds: There is one more R.E.M. album coming up, but I like everything the band released in the 1980s, and even have a soft spot for 1998’s Up.
75
Artist: Pixies Title: Surfer Rosa Year: 1988 Favorite Tracks:
Bone Machine
Gigantic
River Euphrates
Cactus
Oh My Golly!
Vamos
I’m Amazed
The First Time I Heard This Album …: late 80s
Thoughts: I kind of went backwards with the Pixies from Bossanova to Doolittle to Surfer Rosa. It took me some time to become accustomed to the harder-edged sound of their debut album, but over a gazillion plays it became an all-time favorite.
Bonus Sounds: More Pixies to come! The band’s post-80s releases are spotty, but I do like Frank Black’s second solo album Teenager of the Year.
74
Artist: The Muppets Title: The Muppet Movie: Original Soundtrack Recording Year: 1978 Favorite Tracks:
Rainbow Connection
Movin’ Right Along
I Hope That Somethin’ Better Comes Along
I’m Going To Go Back There Someday
The First Time I Heard This Album …: College, early 90s, but I knew the songs for much longer
Thoughts: Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher went hard in making the original songs from a movie about puppets road tripping across America some of the most memorable in Hollywood history.
Bonus Sounds: The Muppets have a considerably lengthy discography including soundtracks from their tv shows and movies, Christmas albums, and various compilations. I remember liking John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979) as a kid but it’s been a long time since I’ve given it a listen.
73
Artist: Nirvana Title: Nevermind Year: 1991 Favorite Tracks:
Smells Like Teen Spirit
In Bloom
Come As You Are
Lithium
Endless, Nameless
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1991
Thoughts: My opinion of Nevermind is colored by the fact that I was 17-years-old and a freshman at college when the album was released and seemingly changed the music industry overnight. Despite the nostalgia I might have for this album, I actually never owned a physical copy of the album, I just listened to it in other peoples’ dorm rooms. Thirty years later, this album still sounds fresh and different to me. Which is strange, because Nirvan were drawing on influences going back decades earlier and have inspired infinite soundalike bands since.
Bonus Sounds: Nirvana’s three original studio albums and the groundbreaking MTV Unplugged in New York live album are all worth a listen.
Probably a perfect album. Portishead combines a lot of things that were going on at the time in the 90s – hip-hop rhythms, creative samples, and ambience galore. The music could be described as “chill-out” if only the tension were not constantly be ratcheting up. The alluring vocals of Beth Gibbons carry the songs into an effervescent place.
Bonus Sounds: Portishead has three studio albums but I’ve only listened to this one. I guess it’s about time to check out the other ones. In the meantime, enjoy “6 Underground” by fellow trip hop artists Sneaker Pimps.
71
Artist: The Beach Boys Title: Pet Sounds Year: 1966 Favorite Tracks:
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
Sloop John B.
God Only Knows
I Know There’s An Answer
I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
Caroline, No
Hang On To Your Ego
The First Time I Heard This Album …: early 2000s
Thoughts: The Beach Boys, a band known for fun songs about surfing and fast cars, put out this album with mature and introspective lyrics and more complex musicality in 1966. It proved to be a stepping stone in the evolution of Rock to a more artistic form of music and the dawn of the Album Era. It took a long time for me to warm up to the Beach Boys were actually really good, serious artists (I grew up in the time of “Kokomo” after all) but this album really won me over.
Album: Silver Lining Artist: Courtney Swain Release Date: April 29, 2022 Label: Many Hats Distribution Favorite Tracks:
Silver Lining (enough with the)
Camenti
Inanimate Object
Magic Mirror
Thoughts: Providence-based artist Courtney Swain released this album in the spring but I just learned about from WERS’ list of “Our Favorite Local Albums of 2022 So Far…” Their synopsis compares Swain to Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple, but I also see similarities to Laurie Anderson and oddly Norah Jones (at least in Swain’s unadorned singing voice). The music draws from everything from jazz to electronica. And the artiness of this album just sounds like something an alum of Berklee College of Music would create. Rating: ****
Having listened to every album on the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, I’m making my own list. This list will be only 250 albums, although I had to make some tough cuts. The list includes a mix of works of musical genius with the pure nostalgia of some albums I’ve loved throughout my life. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about these albums and what your favorite albums are. I will continue the countdown every other Wednesday throughout 2022.
Artist: The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem Title: A Spontaneous Performance Recording Year: 1961 Favorite Tracks:
The Moonshiner
The Whistling Gypsy
Brennan on the Moor
Tim Finnegan’s Wake
Haul Away Joe
Young Roddy McCorley
The First Time I Heard This Album …: childhood
Thoughts: The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem were the icons of the Irish folk music revival and part of the soundtrack of my youth. This album captures an unadorned concert performance with the energy of an audience singing along.
Bonus Sounds: I saw the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem in various permutations as a group or a duo as a kid with my parents (as well as seeing Liam Clancy solo as an adult) so the concert recordings resonate with me best. Recorded Live in Ireland (1965) is an excellent companion to A Spontaneous Performance Recording and includes the ultimate pub singalong tune “The Wild Rover.”
89
Artist: Debo Band Title: Debo Band Year: 2012 Favorite Tracks:
Akale Wube
Ney Ney Weleba
Asha Gedawo
And Lay
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2012
Thoughts: The Boston-based band plays jazz-inflected contemporary Ethiopian music. I remember the Debo Band being the hit of many local dance parties about a decade ago.
Bonus Sounds: I wasn’t aware of this but the Debo Band released a second album in 2016 called Ere Gobez. Otherwise they do not appear to have been active since then.
Thoughts: I was certainly aware of Beyoncé before 2016, but Lemonade made stand up and take notice. The musically eclectic album is a statement on Black feminism in the era of Black Lives Matter and a tribute to Black history and culture.
Bonus Sounds: It’s hard to believe that Beyoncé didn’t follow up Lemonade until just a few weeks. Renaissance is an exuberant party album.
Thoughts: The Mothership, an icon of George Clinton’s P-Funk collaborative, debuted with this album. The album is the pinnacle of Afro-Futurist funk with a collection of party tunes that celebrate the Black community and funk itself.
Bonus Sounds: Parliament’s discography is not as strong as Funkadelic’s but I do love Chocolate City(1975).
86
Artist: Paul Simon Title: The Rhythm of the Saints Year: 1990 Favorite Tracks:
The Obvious Child
Can’t Run But
The Coast
She Moves On
Born at the Right Time
Spirit Voices
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1990
Thoughts: This was Simon’s long-awaited follow-up to Graceland. Whereas the previous album incorporated South African styles of music, The Rhythm of the Saints draws upon musical Afro-Brazilian and West African musical traditions. The album particularly emphasizes percussion which is what made me fall in love with it as a kid, and why I still love it now.
Bonus Sounds: There’s another solo album from Paul Simon coming up on the list (I bet you can guess which one!) but Simon continues to create interesting new music. As recently as 2016 he released Stranger to Stranger which included the great track “The Werewolf.”
85
Artist: Courtney Barnett Title: Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit Year: 2015 Favorite Tracks:
Pedestrian at Best
Small Poppies
Depreston
Kim’s Caravan
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2015
Thoughts: Australian singer/songwriter/musician delivers witty lyrics with a deadpan voice and a punk rock rage.
Thoughts:A jazzier sound for Stevie Wonder with some funk sound as well. “Living for the City” and “Higher Ground” are examples of Wonder at his best, and “He’s Misstra Know-It-All” is a critique of a corrupt President that became all-too-relevant again in recent years.
Thoughts: Not content to be a one-hit wonder with the quirky “Loser,” Beck made a statement with his first of many great albums in the late 90s/early 00s.
Bonus Sounds: All of Beck’s albums from Odelay to Guero (which appeared earlier in this countdown) are excellent but I’m particularly fond of Mutations (1998), which shows more of Beck’s folk rock side.
82
Artist: Peter Mulvey Title: Ten Thousand Mornings Year: 2002 Favorite Tracks:
Stranded in a Limousine
Inner City Blues
Comes Love
Running Up the Stairs
Oliver’s Army
Rain and Snow
The Ocean
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2002
Thoughts: A lot of Boston-area musicians practice new songs by busking in the MBTA subway system. Among them was Peter Mulvey a folk singer/songwriter who got his start in the biz in Boston back in the 90s. In tribute, Mulvey recorded this album of cover songs live at various subway stations. This may be the only album I was present for the creation of since I saw Mulvey at Davis Square station in Somerville and he told me he was recording an album.
Bonus Sounds: Mulvey has released great albums from 1992 to earlier this month, but my favorites include Glencree (1998), The Trouble with Poets (2000), Kitchen Radio (2004), and The Knuckleball Suite (2006).
81
Artist: The Pogues Title: If I Should Fall From Grace With God Year: 1988 Favorite Tracks:
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
Turkish Song of the Damned
Fairytale of New York
Thousands Are Sailing
Fiesta
Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/The Galway Races
Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six
The Broad Majestic Shannon
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1988 or 89?
Thoughts: Remember Columbia House? The catalog description for this album said “The Clancy Brothers meet Sex Pistols” and that was something I had to hear. In the ensuing decades, Celtic Rock has become so ubiquitous it’s hard to recall how groundbreaking it was to hear fiddles and flutes with electric guitars and punk rock attitude. But The Pogues have always done it the best.
Having listened to every album on the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, I’m making my own list. This list will be only 250 albums, although I had to make some tough cuts. The list includes a mix of works of musical genius with the pure nostalgia of some albums I’ve loved throughout my life. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about these albums and what your favorite albums are. I will continue the countdown every other Wednesday throughout 2022.
Artist: Joy Division Title:Unknown Pleasures Year: 1979 Favorite Tracks:
Disorder
New Dawn Fades
She’s Lost Control
Shadowplay
Interzone
The First Time I Heard This Album …: Last year, although I think I’ve heard it in dribs & drabs going back to my college days
Thoughts: Before it was t-shirt, the cover of Unknown Pleasures contained one of the great albums of the Punk Rock era. The album sounds like it could’ve been recorded by an indie band within the past decade, which is sign of either how far ahead of the time Joy Division was or how rock music has been frozen stylistically for some time
Bonus Sounds: Joy Division released only two albums and their follow-up from 1980, Closer, is also excellent.
99
Artist: Stevie Wonder Title: Fulfillingness’ First Finale Year: 1974 Favorite Tracks:
Heaven Is 10 Zillion Light Years Away
Boogie On Reggae Woman
You Haven’t Done Nothin’
It Ain’t No Use
They Won’t Go When I Go
Please Don’t Go
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2016
Thoughts: A somber and less-optimistic album for Stevie Wonder, both musically and lyrically, compared with its predecessors. A strong gospel influence runs through the album alongside funk, soul, and jazz improvisation.
Bonus Sounds: There’s more Stevie Wonder to come in this countdown, but don’t sleep on Stevie’s early 70s albums Where I’m Coming From (1971) and Music of My Mind (1972).
Thoughts: This was the first rap album I ever owned and it’s still one of my favorites. The funny thing is that I never heard of Aerosmith before their collaboration with RUN-DMC on “Walk this Way.”
Bonus Sounds: RUN-DMC’s eponymous debut album from 1983 is also a milestone of hip hop.
Thoughts: Sharon Jones’ confident voice brings retro-soul sounds into the present.
Bonus Sounds: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings shined like a bright star in their brief career before Jones’ death in 2016. Check out my thoughts on their discography here.
96
Artist: David Bowie Title: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars Year: 1972 Favorite Tracks:
Five Years
Moonage Daydream
Starman
Lady Stardust
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2016
Thoughts: This concept album offers a lot to chew on regarding aliens, fictional rock stars, and impending doom. Musically it’s a compilation of rock and roll styles bridging rockabilly to punk rock. Another classic.
Bonus Sounds: There’s more Bowie to come although his discography is full of treasures. Check out On Bowie by Rob Sheffield for a fan’s experience with Bowie’s music
Thoughts: Weezer’s debut came toward the end of the peak of the alternative rock era and featured songs and lyrics that the nerds among us could relate to set to quasi-metal guitar riffs. It still sounds fresh today.
Bonus Sounds: Weezer is notoriously hated for not being as good as they once were, but I’ve enjoyed listening to Pinkerton (1996), Weezer (Green Album) (2001), and Maladroit (2002).
94
Artist: St. Vincent Title: St. Vincent Year: 2014 Favorite Tracks:
Birth in Reverse
Huey Newton
Digital Witness
I Prefer Your Love
Severed Crossed Fingers
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2014
Thoughts: Annie Clark had released some great music prior to this eponymous album, but it really blue me away with it’s crunching guitars, catchy riffs, and esoteric lyrics.
Bonus Sounds: Actor (2009) and Strange Mercy (2011) are also excellent albums.
93
Artist: The Halluci Nation Title:We Are the Halluci Nation Year: 2016 Favorite Tracks:
R.E.D.
The Virus
Sila
Maima Koopi
How I Feel
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2016
Thoughts: The Halluci Nation, originally known as A Tribe Called Red, mix indigenous pow wow music with hip hop beats. This concept album is strong social justice statement on the effects of colonization on aboriginal peoples.
Bonus Sounds: A Tribe Called Red (2012), Nation II Nation (2013), and One More Saturday Night (2021) are also excellent collections
92
Artist: The B‐52’s Title:The B‐52’s Year:1979 Favorite Tracks:
Planet Claire
52 Girls
Dance This Mess Around
Rock Lobster
The First Time I Heard This Album …: early 1990s
Thoughts: I first listened to this album after The B-52s more commercial success with Cosmic Thing and it was mindblowing just how weird it was. But it’s brilliantly weird.
Bonus Sounds: The B-52s’ follow-up album Wild Planet (1980) and of course, Cosmic Thing (1989), are also classic albums.
91
Artist: The Operators Title: Citizens Band Year:2002 Favorite Tracks:
Bottle
Rock City
Running Late
The Tarpit
The Old Man Doesn’t Like It
Xxer
Parasite Rex
Victoria
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 2002
Thoughts: This is another of my more obscure choices. The members of the Operators were friends of a friend who participated in musical collective called Handstand Command based in Somerville, MA. In fact, I was on an adult kickball team with one of The Operators. Anyway, I really loved this melodic postpunk collection and wish I’d picked up another one of their albums while I’d had the chance.
Album: Baby Artist: Petrol Girls Release Date: June 24, 2022 Label: Hassle Records Favorite Tracks:
Preachers
Feed My Fire
Baby, I Had An Abortion
Fight For Our Lives
Thoughts: London’s hardcore punk quartet, Petrol Girls, unleashes an absolutely necessary torrent of feminist rage on their latest release. The stripped down sound is minimalist punk at its best.
Album: Clouds Artist: The Ballroom Thieves Release Date: July 15, 2022 Label: Nettwerk Music Group Inc. Favorite Tracks:
The Lightning
Trodden
Harry Styles
Borderline
Thoughts: The Ballroom Thieves are Boston-based folk duo responsible for one of my favorite albums of 2020, Unlovely. They were once a trio but have lost a member in the intervening years and are now Calin Peters (vocals, cello, bass) and Martin Earley (vocals, guitar). Their sound has softened some and feels more meditative. As one might expect, the lyrics deal with the isolation and disruption of the pandemic years and the hope to return to old habits like touring. In this summer when Harry Styles seems to be everywhere, they’re also thinking of him. What I like best is Peters’ sweet voice.
Having listened to every album on the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, I’m making my own list. This list will be only 250 albums, although I had to make some tough cuts. The list includes a mix of works of musical genius with the pure nostalgia of some albums I’ve loved throughout my life. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about these albums and what your favorite albums are. I will continue the countdown every other Wednesday throughout 2022.
Artist: Various Title: Camelot: 1982 Original London Cast Year: 1982 Favorite Tracks:
Camelot
How To Handle A Woman
If Ever I Would Leave You
What Do The Simple Folks Do?
The First Time I Heard This Album …: mid-80s, sort of
Thoughts: Technically, the album I want to put in this spot does not exist. As a child I watched and loved the HBO presentation of Camelotstarring Richard Harris, filmed on Broadway as part of its 1981-1982 revival. While the movie exists there doesn’t seem to be a cast recording, so I go with this West End version which also stars Richard Harris but different actors in the other parts.
Bonus Sounds: Richard Harris’ most famous vocal performance, of course, is on “MacArthur Park,” one of the weirdest ballads ever composed.
109
Artist: Otis Redding Title: Otis Blue Year: 1966 Favorite Tracks:
Ole Man Trouble
Respect
A Change Is Gonna Come
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)
Shake
Rock Me Baby
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
You Don’t Miss Your Water
The First Time I Heard This Album …: ca. 1987
Thoughts: I can’t remember the first time I heard Otis Redding, but I know I began a lifelong obsession with Otis after watching Monterey Pop on television celebrating the the 20th-anniversary of the festival. Like a lot of R&B artists of the time, Redding focused on singles but this album is a concerted effort to interpret the top soul songs of the era, including 3 songs by the recently deceased Sam Cooke. There are three original songs, although even Redding would have to admit that Aretha Franklin took ownership of “Respect.” On the flip side, Keith Richards would praise Redding’s take on “Satisfaction” as being how he envisioned the song.
Bonus Sounds: If there’s one Otis Redding song everyone should know, it’s his posthumous hit “Dock of the Bay.” But really, you can’t go wrong with any of Redding’s recordings. If you want to learn more about his life and artistry, read Dreams to Remember by Mark Ribowsky.
108
Artist: The Clash Title: The Clash Year: 1977 Favorite Tracks:
Remote Control
I’m So Bored With the U.S.A.
White Riot
Career Opportunities
Police & Thieves
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1991
Thoughts: The debut album from The Clash is hands down one of the greatest statements of punk rock ever.
Bonus Sounds: There’s one more very obvious selection from The Clash coming up in this list, but I also consider Sandinista!, Combat Rock, and Live At Shea Stadium to be among my favorite albums. Read my Music Discovery on The Clash for more of my thoughts.
107
Artist: Traffic Title: John Barleycorn Must Die Year: 1970 Favorite Tracks:
Glad
Freedom Rider
Empty Pages
John Barleycorn
Every Mother’s Son
The First Time I Heard This Album …: Late 80s
Thoughts: A little bit jazz, a lit bit folk, a whole lot of fusion. It’s really a feast for the ears. I remember the tape I got back in high school had all six songs on both sides. In the streaming era, the album has gained two songs but they’re not as good as the original 6.
Bonus Sounds: I never liked what I heard of Traffic’s other releases. Steve Winwood, of course, participated in another of my favorite albums with Blind Faith. I remember really liking is solo song “Higher Love” when I was a kid, and listening to it now, it’s still not so bad.
106
Artist:Pete Seeger Title: We Shall Overcome: The Complete Carnegie Hall Concert, June 8, 1963 Year: 1963 Favorite Tracks:
Banjo Medley: Cripple Creek/Old Joe Clark/Leather Britches
Mail Myself to You
What Did You Learn In School Today?
Little Boxes
Farewell
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Oh Freedom!
Sweet Potatoes
Oh, What a Beautiful City!
We Shall Overcome
Guantanamera
The First Time I Heard This Album …: mid-90s
Thoughts: A live concert recording of Pete Seeger at the height of his career. As always he turned the spotlight off himself, dedicating an entire set to music of the Civil Rights Movement and another to the songs of new artists (specifically Bob Dylan, Malvina Reynolds, and Tom Paxton). I also love the audience singalong aspect.
Bonus Sounds: There are so many Pete Seeger recordings to choose from, but a good starting point is his children’s albums American Folk Songs for Children, Birds, Beasts, Bugs and Little Fishes, and Folk Songs for Young People.
105
Artist: Stereolab Title: Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night Year:1999 Favorite Tracks:
Fuses
Blips Drips and Strips
Italian Shoes Continuum
Infinity Girl
The Spiracles
Blue Milk
Strobo Acceleration
The First Time I Heard This Album …: Early 2000s
Thoughts: I was introduced to Stereolab by a co-worker in the early 2000s and associate listening to the their version of space-age bachelor pad music with the time I spent working in a windowless warehouse during a library renovation. It’s good music to keep one’s sanity.
Bonus Sounds: There’s another Stereolab album coming up on this list, but in the meantime you can read my Stereolab Music Discovery.
104
Artist: Various Title: Free to Be … You and Me Year: 1972 Favorite Tracks:
The New Seekers – “Free to Be … You and Me”
Rosey Grier – “It’s Alright to Cry”
The Voices of East Harlem – “Sisters and Brothers”
Alan Alda & Marlo Thomas – “William’s Doll”
Marlo Thomas – “Glad to Have a Friend Like You”
The First Time I Heard This Album …: Infancy?
Thoughts: I didn’t have many records of children’s music when I was a kid, but I did have this album that Marlo Thomas made with the Ms. Foundation. The songs and stories focus on ideas of gender equality, growing up, friendship, feeling emotions, and compassion, but done in a way that makes it fun and funny (or terrifying, in the case of “Girl Land” which creeped me out as a child). Surprisingly, my father (who voted for Nixon) loved this album and was the one who bought it for me and my sister! A lot of great celebrities participated in making the album including Alan Alda, Harry Belafonte, Mel Brooks, Diana Ross, Tom Smothers, Carol Channing, Diana Sands, and Rosey Grier. A couple of years after the album came out they made it into a tv special, but I never saw that.
Bonus Sounds: When my own kids were young we listened to a lot of the locals superstar of the preschool set Wayne Potash. We even saw him at Club Passim!
The First Time I Heard This Album …: around the turn of the century
Thoughts: DJ Dimitri From Paris’ tribute to his adopted city is a collection of electronic beats with samples from lounge and bossa nova tunes and classic movies. It’s a very French vibe with a midcentury twist.
Bonus Sounds:
102
Artist: Carl Stalling Title: The Carl Stalling Project: Music From Warner Bros. Cartoons, 1936–1958 Year: 1990 Favorite Tracks:
The Good Egg (1939) – A Vintage Merrie Melodie
There They Go Go Go (1956) – A Complete Road Runner
Anxiety Montage (1952-1955)
Porky In Wackyland (1938) / Dough For The Do Do (1949)
The First Time I Heard This Album …: 1990
Thoughts: Film composer Carl Stalling created over 600 tiny symphonies to score the Warner Bros. cartoon shorts from the 1930s to the 1950s. His genius lay in drawing on his knowledge of classical music and the latest pop tunes and working them into his scores. If you’ve ever watched a Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies cartoon, you will know how essential the music score is to the comedy. This album allows one to appreciate Stalling’s work without the visuals and most of the dialogue. The album includes collections of Stalling’s best musical cues tropes as well as full cartoon scores.
Bonus Sounds: If this album doesn’t fulfill your needs for cartoon music, a sequel album was released in 1995: The Carl Stalling Project Volume 2: More Music From Warner Bros. Cartoons, 1939–1957.
101
Artist:Yo La Tengo Title: And Then Nothing Turned Itself Out Year: 2000 Favorite Tracks:
Everyday
Let’s Save Tony Orlando’s House
Last Days of Disco
The First Time I Heard This Album …: Around 2000
Thoughts:
New Jersey indie rock trio Yo La Tengo took a turn for slower and more atmospheric. Pitchfork even declared it one of the 30 Best Dream Pop Albums. As slow as it gets, it’s never boring and it’s sonically rich.
Bonus Sounds: And Then Nothing Turned Itself Out came at the end of a streak of five albums that define Yo La Tengo’s best work (including one album we’ll see later on this list). There output since 2000 hasn’t been as good, with the exception of I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass (2006), although a friend of mine described that as sounding like a greatest hits album of the their 1990s work.
Album: Special Artist: Lizzo Release Date: July 14, 2022 Label: Nice Life Recording Company Favorite Tracks:
About Damn Time
Grrrls
2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)
Naked
If You Love Me
Thoughts: Lizzo returns with her follow-up to the instant classic Cuz I Love You. As the first single from the album (which has already become the Song of Summer) says, it’s “About Damn Time.” I have to confess that I don’t like the songs as much as on the predecessor but it’s Lizzo, so it’s still irresistible. She’s definitely feeling knowledge for the time of her infancy and before with the songs incorporating disco and 80s synth-dance sounds. Makes me wonder what a Lizzo cover of “Let the Music Play” would sound like. Lizzo’s tireless positivity fills this album with joy and it can get a bit cheezy at times. But it’s also a political at a time when the personal is deeply political. Lizzo is also finding new ways of sharing her deepest self and discovering she loves what she’s found.
Panorama of the Mountains 