10-04-2013, 09:51 PM
So, earlier today, I picked up seven new CDs. That's right, seven. I'll give you a select track from each.
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Spoiler Can began the entire krautrock movement, and their debut album "Monster Movie" made German music a real force to deal with. Can, and by extension, the entire krautrock movement, would have a massive influence on the entire prog rock genre, and later give rise to popular electronic music.
"Commercial Album" by The Residents is really what is says. The Residents are an experimental rock group that was having a difficult time getting their music on the radio. So, they recorded an album featuring 40 songs that were all 1 minute long. They then began buying 1 minute commercial slots on popular radio stations. So, the entire album is essentially a giant commercial for the Residents. Here's four songs from it in a compact music video.
"Blood On The Tracks" by Bob Dylan completely revitalized his career. There's a real reason it's one of his best selling ever, why it was #16 on Rolling Stones greatest albums of all time, and #5 on Pitchfork Media's similar list. Just buy it.
"I, Robot" was the quintessential work of Alan Parsons. Now, it's credited to The Alan Parson's Project, and many confuse that as the name of a band with Alan Parsons as the lead singer. It's not. Alan Parsons was a master songwriter and producer, who wrote the album, then organized studio musicians and vocalists to record it. He would then mix it and release albums under "The Alan Parson's Project". Anyways, a true genius. Many of you playing GTA V have already heard one of the songs of the album on Los Santos Rock Radio, "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You". But what you don't get unless you listen to the full album is the odd effect of it constantly switching style and genre. Take a listen to the title track and see what I mean.
"The Plan" was actually the original plan of what Gary Numan and Tubeway Army was supposed to sound like. The album was released in 1983, after Numan had dropped the Tubeway Army as a group, 2 years earlier. You see, they were a true punk rock group. They recorded over 20 songs in the punk rock vein, ready to release an album. But they came out in low quality, and the crew headed back into the studio to re-record the best tracks for their debut. In their new studio, they discovered an old synthesizer, took out some of the guitar parts and wantonly replaced it with the synth. The result was a wacky, fast paced electronic album with heavy punk roots that would propel lead singer Gary Numan to stardom (and cause him to break up the group). But, those original recordings still existed, and were released as the album known as "The Plan" 6 years later. "Bombers" actually was released as their first single, but it was the first time it ever got put on an album.
"Lifes Rich Pageant" was R.E.M.'s fourth album, released on I.R.S. records. They were still just a small college rock band and the time, but the album would unexpectedly go Gold in the U.S. without a hit single, largely by word of mouth and rave critical reviews. Their next album would eventual propel them into true rock stardom, but this is the groups last album that still really has a small, non-radio conscious alt rock group feel (in my opinion).
"The Stranger" is, without a doubt, the best Billy Joel album. I wore out the cassette I had of it a loooooooooooooooong time ago. It was finally time to pick it up on CD. Best decision I've made in quite a while.