Our Favorite Albums (91 – 100)
91. The White Stripes – Elephant [2003]
Nominated by DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland who says: When I first heard “Seven Nation Army” on the air in 2003, I pulled my car over, turned the engine off, and sat in awe. I picked up the album the next day and was delighted that the lead single barely hinted at the diverse range of music the duo Whites had put together on this release. I fell in love with the Dave Gilmor-esque slide guitar of “I Want to Be the Boy to Warm Your Mother’s Heart”, the wall-of-sound vocal layering of “There’s No Home for You Here”, the lived-in quirkiness of “It’s True That We Love One Another”, and the unique blend of perfectionism and frenzy that defines so much of this album.
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92. The Mothers of Invention – Freak Out! [1966]
Nominated by Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more!) who says: 2nd double album rock LP – amazingly absurd commentary on pop culture with relevance today.
93. Hop Along – Get Disowned [2012]
Nominated by DJ TJ of Punkadelic who says: Frances Quinlan’s sheer rawness of voice and haunting lyricism should cement her as one of the greatest artists of the 2010s, from the folky jaunts of Sally II to the all-consuming guitar overload of Tibetan Pop Stars.
94. Bob Dylan – Blonde on Blonde [1966]
Nominated by Bill Revill of Acoustic Blender who says: How can one (and I’m a baby boomer) not have been impacted by Bob Dylan? This is Dylan at his most Dylanish. “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” took up one whole side of one of the two LPs and it is still mesmerizing. .
95. Paul Simon – Rhythm of the Saints [1990]
Nominated by Richard Kamins of River Valley Rhythms who says: It’s adult music filtered through the sounds of Brazil. I love the melodies, arrangements, and the lyrics.
96. Leonard Cohen – Songs of Leonard Cohen [1967]
Nominated by DJ Jagged Little Thrill of What the Funk & Word on the Street.
Cohen had received positive attention from critics as a poet and novelist but had maintained a keen interest in music, having played guitar in a country and western band called the Buckskin Boys as a teenager. In 1966, Cohen set out for Nashville, where he hoped to become a country songwriter, but instead got caught up in New York City’s folk scene. In November 1966, Judy Collins recorded “Suzanne” for her album In My Life and Cohen soon came to the attention of record producer John Hammond. Although Hammond (who initially signed Cohen to his contract with Columbia Records) was supposed to produce the record, he became sick and was replaced by the producer John Simon. (wikipedia.org)
97. Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense [1984]
Nominated by DJ Steve of WESU Sports & Beyond who says: This album is the reason there are so many Talking Heads cover bands out there.
98. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue [1959]
Nominated by Richard Kamins of River Valley Rhythms, Michael Benson of 75% Folk, Rob of Chocolate Cake, and Andy Chatfield of Center for the Arts Radio Hour.
Richard Kamins says: Modal jazz for modern ears
Rob says: Because, you know, it’s Miles.
99. The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St. [1972]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s.
Working with a mobile recording studio, the loose and unorganised sessions went on for hours into the night, with personnel varying greatly from day to day. The recording was completed with overdub sessions at Los Angeles’s Sunset Sound and included additional musicians such as pianist Nicky Hopkins, saxophonist Bobby Keys, drummer Jimmy Miller and horn player Jim Price. The resulting music was rooted in blues, rock and roll, swing, country and gospel, while the lyrics explored themes related to hedonism, sex and time. These newly recorded tracks were combined with some tracks recorded at earlier sessions from 1969-1971, resulting in the Stones’ first double album. (wikipedia.org)
100. Flogging Molly – Swagger [2000]
Nominated by Sir Jon of Pint O’ Comics who says: Flogging Molly is likely my favourite band, all-time and this first release is the one I play most.
