CD#007

Duran Duran- “Red Carpet Massacre” (2007, Epic) 

Duran Duran in the twenty-first century? Did this happen? Well it seems so. Theses guys were quite an act in the 1980's. For example, 'Hungry Like A Wolf', 'Girls on Films' and among others are all fondly remembered.

This album, sadly, could have been recorded by absolutely anyone in 2007. While trying to sound contemporary (well ten years ago contemporary), Duran Duran sadly sound like any other pop act of the era. This may be out of choice, or it may be that they produced it to the point of over-polish, it's a shame. There are one or two tracks hunting down such as 'Falling Down'.  Hell, at 50p, it's merely okay.

Oh, and I liked the cover enough to buy it.

 

CD#006

Lou Reed- “Transformer” (2002/1972, RCA)

This will certainly be on the year's end list methinks. 'Transformer' is a bonefide classic album. I'm sure it'll be on the Rolling Stones, Q, NME (or whoever's) list of greatest albums. That said, I'd never heard it. I never felt the urge too hear it, or even buy the thing. 50p in a charity shop? Well, okay then.

Now I knew I realised that something good was purring on the strereo when 'Take a Walk on the Wild Side' started to play. And I never realized that this was the album that 'Perfect Day' was unleashed. Seriously, guys, these are just of the few things that make all of it awesome.

Great, iconic cover. Phenomenal songs. Great themes about sexuality and living a different way to the rest. If you don't have it, you really ought to. Believe the hype, the critics were onto something here...

CD#005

Headswim- 'Despite Yourself' (1997, 

I like this one, and since I got it played it a lot. Wikipedia describe this as English Rock. For me this is a good example of the depth of quality of guitar-based rockage in the nineties. While you can listen to this bad boy and struggle to find one catchy 'single'. You can appreciate the ambition, this really tested the speakers in my stereo and that's a good thing. There are bits of Manics, Radiohead, Sterophonics and even freaking U2.

Hell, they're not afraid to crank up the riffage (So for you metalheads that want a CD that may show off your softer side to new ladies, this might be the album for the car primed for playing). Yessir, these dudes were shooting for stadiums for this album, shame it didn't work out.
 
So, this is a great, unexpected pleasure. My new cat, even warmed to it, and he only really likes listening to Donald Trump speeches.

1.  

CD#004

D:Ream- “On vol 1” (1994, Warner)
 
This is an album that is influential. No really, if you were of a certain age, and lived in Britain, this album has one track that is as synonymous as Vera Lynn's 'White Cliffs of Dover' . Seriously, this one track will be used for singing for the brain in forty years.

I'll get to that later.

As for the rest of the album, this is northern soul updated for the nineties. It is has the some really good soul in here. Tinged time with a drum and bass, acid dance tinge. Oh and, while this is an album that is very much of it's time. It's got some nice tunes.As for the legacy. Firstly lets talk about Dr. Brian Cox who has become a cooler, younger physicist David Attenborough. Check out the BBC Wonders series. Which are terrific. Oh, he's the drummer. As for The Track: 'Things Can Only Get Better'. This was used as the song for the Labour landslide in the 1997 General Election landslide. It has since become the tune that most people relate to Tony Blair and New Labour. So on the whole... This is okay stuff. It is possible to skip the more famous track and enjoy this. Have a go at it...

 

CD#003

George Michael- “Faith” (1987, CBS)

Okay I felt I had to give this a go. George Michael died a number of years ago and he left quite an interesting back catalogue. 'Faith' was his first debut album, and I'm old enough to remember the anticipation of its release.
So the great first: Track 1 'Faith' was an instant classic tune. It's now an iconic track. It will be heard in many years to go. I also think Track 2: Father Figure is also awesome. Has anyone heard these lyrics in the context of Michael's sexuality? Michael's hints throughout the album is what makes the whole thing really interesting. However the most blatant stuff is the worst: 'I want Your Sex Part 1 and 2'. This is the bad part of the album and his just aged really badly, and should have probably been deleted at the time.
What I like about George Michael was when he decided to turn the voice to max volume and bass, it was damn fine. There's a part of me wondering what he would have done in front of a hard rock band...

 

CD#002

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi presents: 'Rome' (Starring Jack White & Norah Jones) (2011, Parlophone)

This is terrific. Seriously, if you haven't come across this before, I really recommend that you pick it up. I'm guessing this is a concept album for a movie soundtrack that doesn't exist. While not unusual (I can think of several other similar concepts from several bands), it's the first time when I have such an idea in a retro style. 'Rome' is a 1970's movie soundtrack recorded in 2010). It's really lovely and charming. What is also really cool is that there is 'guest artists' that sing their parts for the concept.

The guest artists have distinct, familiar voices and points of view. Jack White and Norah Jones are on top form here. There's even a couple of duets here for heaven's sake. There's not many stand-out tracks as they all work as a story. But if you were looking for the 'single' for the pop-pickers I would choose 'Two Against One'. But 'Black' is my favourite.

 

CD #001

The Wonder Stuff- “Never Loved Elvis” (1991, Polydor)

This, for me is a tick box exercise of normal, happy-go-lucky Brit Rock. Sounding folksy in a Leveller's kind of way (which is cool, by the way). We are treated to a series of fun tunes. The standout tracks are the ones that you can hear on most UK commercial radio stations today. Regardless of the blatant drug references or alternative lifestyles 'Size of a Cow' and 'Welcome to the Cheap Seats'. Really enjoyed this, glad I now own it.