22 August 2012

 The Who - Who Are You - 1978 - This album is as sad as it is good. Almost every song recognizes that music must change, it can't stagnate, see you later disco. But at the same time, as the cover clearly illustrates, The Who are surrounded and encumbered by the decadence of arena rock. As much as Pete Townsend tried to be the catalyst of change, it would be for the next generation (not yours Pete) to make those innovations. This is also Kieth Moon's last album, marking not only the end of the original Who but also one of the most mental and adventurous rock and roll drummers.

 The Promise Ring - Nothing Feels Good - 1997 - Take equal parts of the raw energy of punk, the intelligence of jazz, the sheer fun of pop, poetic lyrics that sound like they're written by T. S. Eliot, and a touch of mid-western malaise, and you have this album. Really though Promise Ring are a good old rock and roll band who happen to play extraordinary music.

 The Police - Zanyatta Mondatta - 1980 - I know, I know, The Police are all amazing musicians, I could never do what they have, but let's face it Sting is a creepy weirdo. For example, "Don't Stand so Close to Me," Voices Inside my Head," "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da," "Man in a Suitcase." I think David Byrne of the Talking Heads wrote "Psycho Killer" about Sting.

Cruddy - Negative World - 2011 - Maybe it is just my limited knowledge of punk rock but these guys ensure me that punk is still alive. They remind me a little of a less interesting Dead Kenedys, and a less quirky Black Flag (both band's earliest albums). They seem to grasp the philosophical ramifications of punk music too, just look at their band's name.

Led Zeppelin - Presence - 1976 - Again this one is not one of my favorites of Zeppelin. It always seems like it's their "prog" album, but then there is that smoking old time blues in "Nobody's Fault but Mine," and the last track "Tea for One," and who can argue with obelisks?