Our Favorite Albums (291-300)
291. Mercyful Fate – Don’t Break The Oath [1984]
Nominated by Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen.
The style Mercyful Fate employed on Don’t Break the Oath resembled a mixture of heavy metal with progressive elements, lyrically preoccupied with Satan and the occult and distinguished by King Diamond’s theatrical falsetto vocals. Although very influential to future black metal bands due to its lyrical content, the music itself is more reminiscent of traditional heavy metal. (wikipedia.org)
292. Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On [1971]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s.
It was recorded from 1970 to 1971 at Record Plant Studios in Sausalito, California and released later that year on November 20 by Epic Records. The album’s recording was dominated by band frontman Sly Stone during a period of drug use and intra-group tension. Its music embraced a darker and more challenging sound than the optimistic style of the band’s previous releases, making use of hard funk rhythms, primitive drum machines, extensive overdubbing, and a dense mix. The album’s planned title was Africa Talks to You, but it was retitled in response to Marvin Gaye’s album What’s Going On, released six months before. (wikipedia.org)
293. Weezer – Pinkerton [1996]
Nominated by Johnny Ganache of Pint O’ Comics who says: I loved this from the day it came out. Perfect follow up to the Blue Album.
294. Tom Waits – Bone Machine [1992]
Nominated by Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more) who says: While I grew up exposed to Tom Waits, this was my personal introduction.
295. Tenacious D – Tenacious D [2001]
Nominated by Johnny Ganache of Pint O’ Comics who says: Humor. Metal. Repeat. Dio, time to go.
296. Ani DiFranco – Not A Pretty Girl [1995]
Nominated by Karen Stein of Imagine who says: A feminist manifesto- which is what she does best- from Ani, 10 years into her career. Released in 1995, one of the last where it was just her, her guitar, and percussion. Hard to pick a favorite from her. She is angry and articulate and wordy, and plays guitar like no one I’ve ever heard.
297. Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction [1987]
Nominated by Andy Chatfield of Center for the Arts Radio Hour.
Many of the songs on Appetite For Destruction began as solo tracks that individual band members wrote separate from the band, only to be completed later. These songs include “It’s So Easy” (Duff McKagan) and “Think About You” (Izzy Stradlin). “Rocket Queen” was an unfinished Slash/McKagan/Adler song that was written from their earlier band Road Crew, whereas “Anything Goes”, written by Hollywood Rose and included in their compilation album The Roots of Guns N’ Roses, was later re-written for Appetite. Most of the songs reflect the band’s personal experiences and daily life, such as “Welcome to the Jungle”, some of the lyrics of which Rose wrote after he encountered a man in New York shortly after arriving there from Indiana in 1980, and “Mr. Brownstone”, which is about the band’s problems with heroin. Lyrics to some of the songs focus on the band members’ younger years, like “Out ta Get Me”, which focuses on lead singer Axl Rose’s constant trouble with the law as a youth in Indiana. (wikipedia.org)
298. Oberon Rose – Tell Me All About It [2018]
Nominated by Robbie of Homegrown.
Built around the songwriting team of Tommy Oberon and Rebecca Rose, Oberon Rose pulls from a variety of rock, folk and pop influences that span both genres and decades.
299. Tool – Ænima [1996]
Nominated by DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland who says: A powerful album. The musicianship of TOOL is in full force, from the transcendent bridge of “Stinkfist” to the flood-water rise of the triplets in the title track. Lyrical content hits close to home for me, with its repeated tributes to the genius of Bill Hicks, the fervent hope for a world-wide reset button, and the closing invocation of cosmic awareness.
300. Cream – Live Cream Volume II [1972]
Nominated by Sir Jon of Pint O’ Comics who says: The best power trio of people that hated each other. This album is not their best, but my personal favorite. Flawed and electric, it’s why I love live music recordings more than most studio work.
