Our Favorite Albums (331 – 340)
331. The Chicks – Taking the Long Way [2006]
Nominated by DJ AmorOso of WTF: What the Funk and Storytime.
Taking the Long Way was the first studio album the band released since the controversy that erupted over them in 2003 following Natalie Maines’ remarks critical of then-United States President George W. Bush. The controversy and the Chicks’ reaction to it is the major theme at the first tracks of the album. The first track is “The Long Way Around” which is a manifesto to non-conformity, presented with allusions to The Byrds’ “Wasn’t Born to Follow” as well as the Chicks’ own “Long Time Gone” and “Top of the World.” The song also included a direct reference to the backlash and subsequent fall from the charts they experienced during the 2003 Top of the World Tour. The second track is “Easy Silence”, a testimonial to the protagonist’s husband, who affords her an island of quiet companionship and love in the midst of turmoil. The third track, and first single, “Not Ready to Make Nice”, offers an angry statement of purpose and resolve, and makes direct reference to isolated incidents the Chicks encountered following Maines’ comments. The fourth track “Everybody Knows” is a return to the classic Chicks sound, but enmeshed in an aura of vulnerabilities and ambivalences. (wikipedia.org)
332. George Harrison – Living in the Material World [1973]
Nominated by DJ McKenzie of Splitting Hairs & The Beatles: A Week in the Life who says: George’s second best solo album was his second studio album after leaving the Beatles. While the songs are much more spiritual than those on All Things Must Pass, there are quite a few great tracks. George’s voice shines on this album as much as his songwriting does.
333. Stevie Wonder – Fulfillingness’ First Finale [1974]
Nominated by DJ Lukey G of The Guest List.
Subsequent to the epic sweep and social consciousness of Innervisions, Fulfillingness’ First Finale projected a reflective, decidedly somber tone. While masterly, the musical arrangements used in several songs could be considered sparse in comparison to others among his 1970s masterworks, especially in the bleak “They Won’t Go When I Go” and understated “Creepin'”. (wikipedia.org)
334. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik [1991]
Nominated by Johnny Ganache of Pint O’ Comics who says: This album opened my eyes to their back catalog. Still their best.
335. Judee Sill – Judee Sill [1971]
Nominated by Leith of The Light Fandango.
Judee Sill is the eponymous debut album by the American singer-songwriter and musician Judee Sill. Released on September 15, 1971, it was the first album on David Geffen’s Asylum label. Backing musicians include John Beck and Jim Pons from the Leaves. While the majority of the album was produced by Henry Lewy, Graham Nash handled the duties for the single “Jesus Was a Cross Maker”, with his production designed to aim for radio airplay. Sill had played piano since her childhood, and honed her skills at reform school in the early 1960s where she was sent for forging checks. After a drugs bust, Sill spent time in jail where she kicked her heroin addiction and made a promise to pursue a songwriting career.(wikipedia.org)
336. Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx [1995]
Nominated by Fluccs Capacitor of Time Moves Slow who says: While this is a Raekwon album its really a Rae and Ghost album. The dusty soul infused production of the RZA of spare snares and haunting 70s samples back the gangster tales of Rae and Ghost. This album is like Goodfellas on wax but Rae also lets his vulnerability show where underneath the mafioso alter ego, there’s the pathology of violence, depression and despair of the street thats not glorified just up front, daily. Ghost adds his high pitched contrast to Rae’s even slang infused raps and they play beautifully off of each other.
337. Hot Butter – Pop Corn [1972]
Nominated by Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more!) who says: 80s moog classis that really got the dance party of my youth going!
338. The Manchurians – Deliverance [2017]
Nominated by Robbie of Homegrown.
The Branford, Connecticut based band includes Dean Falcone, Bob Orsi, Mat Reale, and Roger C. Reale.
339. Poe – Haunted [2000]
Nominated by DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland who says: It has been 20 years since Poe released an album. but what an amazing work she left us with. This concept album, structured around the narrator trying to reach her mother with news of her father’s passing, pulls double duty as both a tribute to Poe’s father and a companion piece to her brother’s novel, House of Leaves. The climax of the album, “Amazed”, is a well-deserved emotional catharsis built upon the amazing, mesmerizing songs that precede it.
340. Remember Sports – All of Something [2015]
Nominated by DJ AmorOso of WTF: What the Funk & Storytime.
