The Essential Rock Albums (In My Opinion)
Oct 4, 2011, 2:43pm
Music @ Blogcritics.org
Music @ Blogcritics.orgTake a closer look at the essential albums that have come to define the genre and all its offshoots.
Tagged: essentialalbums
Found 25 posts tagged essentialalbums:
It''s been a while since I've done one of these Essential Album posts... almost two years now, in fact. This one found its way back to my ears again this week, however, and I felt the need to share. Originally released in 1971, John Hartford's Aereo-Plain album is now widely recognized as a masterpiece of progressive bluegrass and Americana music that is often mentioned as one of the best the genre has to offer. This is despite the fact that it has been mostly out of print for the greater part of a decade, [...]
Something odd happened the other day. I was playing through this Nosferatu D2 album as I quite regularly do and for the first time, I felt the desire to actually open up the lyrics booklet. Now this isn't something I usually do, despite my perhaps unhealthy fascination with the words of songs above all else. It's odder still considering I've known some of these songs for about four years now. Obviously I've played them all enough that I've picked up on most of the words, but there's always the bits that slip through, particularly when you've got something as loud, [...]
Something odd happened the other day. I was playing through this Nosferatu D2 album as I quite regularly do and for the first time, I felt the desire to actually open up the lyrics booklet. Now this isn't something I usually do, despite my perhaps unhealthy fascination with the words of songs above all else. It's odder still considering I've known some of these songs for about four years now. Obviously I've played them all enough that I've picked up on most of the words, but there's always the bits that slip through, particularly when you've got something as loud, [...]
Been on a bit of a Michelle Shocked kick lately, and I thought I'd share this often overlooked gem with you. Arkansas Traveler was released in 1991 by Mercury Records and was quite an ambitious and far reaching effort for the folkie Shocked. The album reads as a survey of several forms of American music that have been adapted and updated by an amazing roster of guests. In fact, Shocked traveled around the country and the world to record with many different artists and lend a strong sense [...]
Certain albums I've listened to throughout my lifetime are biographical. I can recall details of events that took place during the time any particular music in question was prevalent in my daily routines and otherwise. When listening to that music again I can remember the feelings of whatever specific time I associate it with, whether caused by the music or enhanced by it. I remember the trivialities of my life at that point and where the music fit in. There is nothing else in the world that has this same overarching impact. I certainly don't remember a period of my [...]
In most any article you read about Ryan Adams , the word "prolific" is used to describe his creative output. And while that's certainly a true statement, the belief that all Mr. Adams releases is worthwhile is not. With that said, I respect his penchant for releasing anything and everything he records; witnessing an artist work through his craft is an interesting process – seeing where it takes him, hearing all the stages from Point A to Point B, hearing the growth of a song. It's probably sacrilege to call this blog art of any kind, [...]
In doing our essential albums lists we are aiming to come up with different albums that qualify as such for us individually, though undoubtedly there will be albums the both of us have strong feelings for and own. In those instance we'll either leave it up to the writer whose feelings are superiorly intense regarding the subject matter or collaborate. For example I love Songs for a Blue Guitar but since Andy is an old fart he had the means to go out and purchase the album when it was released. I was unable to drive at that [...]
This afternoon we're debuting what will be another new feature on Tympanogram - the Essential Album. What "Essential Album" entails is that this is an album that absolutely should be in your collection. Not simply one or two songs, but the whole thing. After you're done reading the post, we recommend that you go and buy it. In fact, don't even wait. Go and buy it now, and listen while you read. If you miss a post, there's a handy page at the top of the site where you can get up-to-date. -- Here is a [...]
Lucinda Williams celebrated a birthday earlier this week. I didn't have time to properly acknowledge it then, but I'm going to do so now by paying tribute to her finest work, 1998's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road . I've been thinking about this album quite a bit here lately. I knew it was time to put up another Essential Albums post, and I knew Lucinda's birthday was approaching (She turned 56 on Monday)... but it was a comment from Paul on last week's Sarah Borges post that cemented things. The consensus on [...]
Slow Dancing Society's majestic Priest Lake Circa '88 has made it into Headphone Commute's astonishingly exhaustive best of 2008 list (see Tier 3: The Essentials of 2008 Top 40). Slow Dancing Society This Lilac Life Slow Dancing Society - This Lilac Life
Essential Album: Aereo-Plain by John Hartford
Mar 14, 2011, 7:00am
A Fifty Cent Lighter & A Whiskey Buzz
A Fifty Cent Lighter & A Whiskey Buzz
It''s been a while since I've done one of these Essential Album posts... almost two years now, in fact. This one found its way back to my ears again this week, however, and I felt the need to share. Originally released in 1971, John Hartford's Aereo-Plain album is now widely recognized as a masterpiece of progressive bluegrass and Americana music that is often mentioned as one of the best the genre has to offer. This is despite the fact that it has been mostly out of print for the greater part of a decade, [...]
Artist: John Hartford Title: Up On The Hill Where They Do The Boogie Link Text: John Hartford: Up on the Hill Where They Do the Boogie File Name: z0mxq27xor.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Genre: Country Year: 1971
Artist: John Hartford Title: With A Vamp In The Middle Link Text: John Hartford: With a Vamp in the Middle File Name: gstu4n39jv.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Genre: Country Year: 1971
Essential Albums: We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise by Nosferatu D2
Aug 29, 2010, 6:22am
Another Form of Relief
Another Form of Relief
Something odd happened the other day. I was playing through this Nosferatu D2 album as I quite regularly do and for the first time, I felt the desire to actually open up the lyrics booklet. Now this isn't something I usually do, despite my perhaps unhealthy fascination with the words of songs above all else. It's odder still considering I've known some of these songs for about four years now. Obviously I've played them all enough that I've picked up on most of the words, but there's always the bits that slip through, particularly when you've got something as loud, [...]
Essential Albums: We're Gonna Walk Around This City With Our Headphones On To Block Out The Noise by Nosferatu D2
Aug 29, 2010, 6:20am Another Form of Relief
Another Form of Relief
Something odd happened the other day. I was playing through this Nosferatu D2 album as I quite regularly do and for the first time, I felt the desire to actually open up the lyrics booklet. Now this isn't something I usually do, despite my perhaps unhealthy fascination with the words of songs above all else. It's odder still considering I've known some of these songs for about four years now. Obviously I've played them all enough that I've picked up on most of the words, but there's always the bits that slip through, particularly when you've got something as loud, [...]
> The One21 Essential 100
Feb 13, 2010, 1:45pm
drivebymedia
drivebymediaThe One21 have started an Essential 100 series. You will find some old favorites and maybe some music you might want to check out. The One21 Essential 100 is a collection of albums that represent the best in creativity, innovation, and originality in music. This is not a "best of" list, nor is it influenced by album sales, or even popularity. Our attempt with this series is to highlight the gems, those rare albums that push boundaries and [...]
Another Look at Tom Cochrane
Nov 14, 2009, 5:14pm
Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightTom Cochrane, whether on his own or with Red Rider, has long been an underrated and overlooked rocker-poet-folkie. It was a funny thing when I did a little research about Tom to fill in the gaps of my knowledge about him. Canadian web sites are chock full of information and no wonder as he is a premiere Canadian artist. Check out any US based web sites and he barely garners a short paragraph. For example Rolling Stone had this to say. For U.S. audiences, singer-songwriter Tom Cochrane's career can be summarized in four words: "Life [...]
Link Text: Big League File Name: 14 Big League.mp3
Artist: Cochrane, Tom Title: Stonecutter's Arms Link Text: Stonecutter's Arms File Name: Tom Cochrane - Stonecutter's Arms.mp3
Artist: Tom Cochrane Title: No Regrets Link Text: No Regrets File Name: Tom Cochrane - No Regrets.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Year: 1992
Slayed?
Nov 6, 2009, 6:14pm Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightSlayed? is the third studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released in 1972, and reached No. 1 on the UK charts. The album contains two of the group's biggest hits; "Gudbuy t'Jane" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", and is consistently said by rock critics to be their "...greatest studio album," whereas fans tend to disagree and a lot of them say that this accolade belongs to Slade in Flame. I'm not one of those fans. This is the essential Slade album. Taking away the two big hits from the equation, [...]
Artist: Slade Title: Let the Good Times Roll/Feel So Fine Link Text: Let the Good Times Roll / Feel So Fine File Name: 10-Let The Good Times Roll - Feel So Fine.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Year: 2006
Artist: Slade Title: The Whole World's Goin' Crazee Link Text: The Whole World's Goin' Crazee File Name: 2-The Whole World's Goin' Crazee.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Year: 2006
Agents of Fortune
Oct 21, 2009, 2:28pm Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightAgents of Fortune is the fourth studio album by Blue Oyster Cult released in 1976. The platinum selling album peaked at #29 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart, while the single "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" peaked at #12 on the Pop Singles chart, making it Blue Öyster Cult's biggest hit. The album was also the band's greatest critical success. Of course, upon the success of the single, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", Blue Öyster Cult became the center of a controversy surrounding the supposed pro-suicide lyrics of the song. Some stupid idiots never actually listened to the song which is a [...]
Link Text: Sinful Love File Name: 06 Sinful Love.mp3
Artist: Blue Öyster Cult Title: Tattoo Vampire Link Text: Tattoo Vampire File Name: 07 Tattoo Vampire.mp3 Bitrate: 256 kbps Year: 1976
Welcome to My Nightmare
Oct 17, 2009, 1:02pm Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightWelcome to My Nightmare is a concept album by Alice Cooper, released in 1975. This was Alice Cooper's first solo album (all previous Alice Cooper releases were band efforts). The songs, heard in sequence, form a journey through the nightmares of a child named Steven. This is the first appearance of Steven on an album. He goes on to appear officially on 3 more albums and may unofficially be referenced on others. Referencing other sites throughout the net and my own observations, we will take a walk through the Nightmare today because Alice Cooper certainly conjures up images of [...]
- The Awakening » 14 The Awakening [Alternate Version][#][....mp3
- Alice Cooper - Steven
- Alice Cooper - Years Ago
Link Text: The Awakening File Name: 14 The Awakening [Alternate Version][#][-].mp3
Artist: Alice Cooper Title: Steven Link Text: Steven File Name: 09 - Steven.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 2002
Artist: Alice Cooper Title: Years Ago Link Text: Years Ago File Name: 08 - Years Ago.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 2002
House of a Thousand Guitars
Oct 1, 2009, 4:28pm Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightBack in 2006 Willie Nile released what I considered the best (albeit unknown) record of the year and quite possibly may be the best album to be released in the last five years. The album was called Streets of New York and it was fantastic. Right from the opening intro, this record, for lack of a better expression, kicks ass! The day I got this I listened to it ten times in a row, then it was bedtime. I still listen to it all the time. Well Willie has gone and done it again with an [...]
Link Text: House of a Thousand Guitars File Name: 01 House Of A Thousand Guitars.mp3
Artist: Willie Nile Title: Give Me Tomorrow Link Text: Give Me Tomorrow File Name: 07 Give Me Tomorrow.mp3 Bitrate: 320 kbps Year: 2009
Off Broadway-On
Jul 21, 2009, 7:47pm Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightThree years ago I wrote about these guys and I figured enough time has passed that I should update and maybe educate a couple more folks that maybe didn't drop by back then about this great power pop band. If you grew up in the Chicago area, then you've heard of these guys and have probably even seen them perform. Off Broadway was a late-'70s power pop group from Chicago. This band was similar to Cheap Trick with their hopped-up melodies and catchy hooks, but with a little more quirky, almost new wave sort of bent to it. But [...]
Artist: Off Broadway Title: Bad Indication Link Text: Bad Indication File Name: 02 - bad indication.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 1979
Artist: Off Broadway Title: Full Moon Turn My Head Around Link Text: Full Moon Turn My Head Around File Name: 06 - full moon turn my head around.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 1979
Off Broadway-On
Jul 21, 2009, 7:44pm Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightThree years ago I wrote about these guys and I figured enough time has passed that I should update and maybe educate a couple more folks that maybe didn't drop by back then about this great power pop band. If you grew up in the Chicago area, then you've heard of these guys and have probably even seen them perform. Off Broadway was a late-'70s power pop group from Chicago. This band was similar to Cheap Trick with their hopped-up melodies and catchy hooks, but with a little more quirky, almost new wave sort of bent to it. But [...]
- Full Moon Turn My Head Around » 06 - full moon turn my head around.mp3
- Off Broadway - Bad Indication
- Off Broadway - Stay In Time
Link Text: Full Moon Turn My Head Around File Name: 06 - full moon turn my head around.mp3
Artist: Off Broadway Title: Bad Indication Link Text: Bad Indication File Name: 02 - bad indication.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 1979
Artist: Off Broadway Title: Stay In Time Link Text: Stay in Time File Name: 01 - stay in time.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 1979
First Glance
Jul 18, 2009, 12:58pm Good Rockin' Tonight
Good Rockin' TonightFirst Glance is the seventh studio album by Canadian rockers April Wine, released in December 1978. First Glance became April Wine's first gold record outside Canada, and is credited with bringing "Canada's best kept secret" out into the open. Growing up in the midwest it took a while for these guys to trickle down to the podunk town I lived in, but the second I heard them I think I was their number one fan in the midwest. Being sixteen at the time music had taken a short hiatus in my life as the all important "driver's license" [...]
Artist: April Wine Title: Right Down To It Link Text: Right Down to It File Name: 04 - Right Down To It.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Year: 1978
Artist: April Wine Title: Roller Link Text: Roller File Name: 05 - Roller.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Year: 1978
Essential Album: Arkansas Traveler by Michelle Shocked
Jul 14, 2009, 2:00pm A Fifty Cent Lighter & A Whiskey Buzz
A Fifty Cent Lighter & A Whiskey Buzz
Been on a bit of a Michelle Shocked kick lately, and I thought I'd share this often overlooked gem with you. Arkansas Traveler was released in 1991 by Mercury Records and was quite an ambitious and far reaching effort for the folkie Shocked. The album reads as a survey of several forms of American music that have been adapted and updated by an amazing roster of guests. In fact, Shocked traveled around the country and the world to record with many different artists and lend a strong sense [...]
Artist: Michelle Shocked Title: Prodigal Daughter Link Text: Michelle Shocked w/Alison Krauss & Union Station: Prodigal Daughter (Cotton Eyed Joe) File Name: 10 Prodigal Daughter.mp3 Bitrate: 160 kbps Year: 1992
Artist: Michelle Shocked Title: Shaking Hands Link Text: Michelle Shocked w/Uncle Tupelo: Shaking Hands File Name: 06 Shaking Hands.mp3 Bitrate: 160 kbps Year: 1992
Essential Album: Jimmy Eat World - Clarity
Mar 12, 2009, 10:01am
Tympanogram
Tympanogram
Certain albums I've listened to throughout my lifetime are biographical. I can recall details of events that took place during the time any particular music in question was prevalent in my daily routines and otherwise. When listening to that music again I can remember the feelings of whatever specific time I associate it with, whether caused by the music or enhanced by it. I remember the trivialities of my life at that point and where the music fit in. There is nothing else in the world that has this same overarching impact. I certainly don't remember a period of my [...]
Essential Album: Ryan Adams - Gold
Mar 7, 2009, 10:33am Tympanogram
Tympanogram
In most any article you read about Ryan Adams , the word "prolific" is used to describe his creative output. And while that's certainly a true statement, the belief that all Mr. Adams releases is worthwhile is not. With that said, I respect his penchant for releasing anything and everything he records; witnessing an artist work through his craft is an interesting process – seeing where it takes him, hearing all the stages from Point A to Point B, hearing the growth of a song. It's probably sacrilege to call this blog art of any kind, [...]
Artist: Ryan Adams Title: Answering Bell Link Text: Answering Bell File Name: ryan-adams-answering-bell.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps
Artist: Ryan Adams Title: Firecracker Link Text: Firecracker File Name: ryan-adams-firecracker.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps
Artist: Ryan Adams Title: Tina Toledo's Street Walkin' Blues Link Text: Tina Toledos Street Walkin Blues File Name: ryan-adams-tina-toledos-street -walkin-blues.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps
Essential Album: Deftones - Around the Fur
Feb 20, 2009, 12:10pm Tympanogram
Tympanogram
In doing our essential albums lists we are aiming to come up with different albums that qualify as such for us individually, though undoubtedly there will be albums the both of us have strong feelings for and own. In those instance we'll either leave it up to the writer whose feelings are superiorly intense regarding the subject matter or collaborate. For example I love Songs for a Blue Guitar but since Andy is an old fart he had the means to go out and purchase the album when it was released. I was unable to drive at that [...]
Artist: deftones Title: Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) Link Text: Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away) File Name: deftones-06-be-quiet-and-drive -far-away.mp3 Bitrate: 160 kbps Year: 1997
Artist: deftones Title: Ihabia Link Text: lhabia File Name: deftones-02-lhabia.mp3 Bitrate: 160 kbps Year: 1997
Essential Album: Red House Painters - Songs For a Blue Guitar
Feb 19, 2009, 2:17pm Tympanogram
Tympanogram
This afternoon we're debuting what will be another new feature on Tympanogram - the Essential Album. What "Essential Album" entails is that this is an album that absolutely should be in your collection. Not simply one or two songs, but the whole thing. After you're done reading the post, we recommend that you go and buy it. In fact, don't even wait. Go and buy it now, and listen while you read. If you miss a post, there's a handy page at the top of the site where you can get up-to-date. -- Here is a [...]
Artist: Red House Painters Title: All Mixed Up Link Text: All Mixed Up File Name: red-house-painters-all-mixed-u p.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 1996
Artist: Red House Painters Title: Make Like Paper Link Text: Make Like Paper File Name: red-house-painters-make-like-p aper.mp3 Bitrate: 192 kbps Year: 1996
Essential Albums: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams
Jan 28, 2009, 1:00pm A Fifty Cent Lighter & A Whiskey Buzz
A Fifty Cent Lighter & A Whiskey Buzz
Lucinda Williams celebrated a birthday earlier this week. I didn't have time to properly acknowledge it then, but I'm going to do so now by paying tribute to her finest work, 1998's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road . I've been thinking about this album quite a bit here lately. I knew it was time to put up another Essential Albums post, and I knew Lucinda's birthday was approaching (She turned 56 on Monday)... but it was a comment from Paul on last week's Sarah Borges post that cemented things. The consensus on [...]
Artist: Lucinda Williams Title: I Lost It Link Text: Lucinda Williams: I Lost it File Name: 08 I Lost It.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Year: 1998
Artist: Lucinda Williams Title: Joy Link Text: Lucinda Williams: Joy File Name: 12 Joy.mp3 Bitrate: 128 kbps Year: 1998
Slow Dancing Society in Headphone Commute's Best of 2008
Dec 31, 2008, 7:28pm
Hidden Shoal Recordings
Hidden Shoal Recordings
Slow Dancing Society's majestic Priest Lake Circa '88 has made it into Headphone Commute's astonishingly exhaustive best of 2008 list (see Tier 3: The Essentials of 2008 Top 40). Slow Dancing Society This Lilac Life Slow Dancing Society - This Lilac Life
Hot Videos
St. Vincent - 'Cheerleader'
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Ni**as In Paris (Explicit)
CHROMATICS "INTO THE BLACK"![Niki & The Dove - The Fox [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/youtube/l2f6UbMnlq4_130.jpg)
Niki & The Dove - The Fox [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
Childish Gambino - Heartbeat
Skrillex Uses Satanic and Homosexual Influence to Win Grammys
Listen: Jessie Ware x Julio Bashmore – Running
Video: Lana Del Rey Performs “Video Games” On Jimmy Kimmel Live
Hudson Mohawke - Valentines Slowjams Chapter V [DJ Mix]Stats
| Blogs: | 4,063 |
| Posts: | 2,956,349 |
| MP3s: | 1,707,511 |
| Videos: | 358,014 |
