Our Favorite Albums (251 – 260)
251. Journey – Escape [1981]
Nominated by Andy Chatfield of Center for the Arts Radio Hour.
Escape was the band’s first album with keyboardist Jonathan Cain who replaced founding keyboardist Gregg Rolie after he left the band at the end of 1980. The album was co-produced by former Lynyrd Skynyrd sound technician Kevin Elson and one-time Queen engineer Mike Stone, who also engineered the album. (wikipedia.org)
252. The Beach Boys – Sunflower [1970]
Nominated by DJ TJ of Punkadelic.
Working titles for the album included Reverberation, Add Some Music, and The Fading Rock Group Revival. The recording sessions began in January 1969, and after a year-long search for a new record contract, completed in July 1970, by which time the group had signed with Reprise. In contrast to 20/20, the record featured a strong group presence with significant writing contributions from all band members. About four dozen songs were written for the album, and the label rejected numerous revisions of its track listing before the band presented enough formidable material deemed satisfactory for release. Many of the leftover songs later appeared on subsequent Beach Boys releases, including the follow-up Surf’s Up (1971). (wikipedia.org)
253. Miracle Legion – The Backyard [1984]
Nominated by Robbie of Homegrown.
Released on both 12″ vinyl and cassette, the six song EP The Backyard was recorded at Presence Studios and released under Rough Trade Records in 1984. The songs were composed by Mark Mulcahy and Ray Neal. (wikipedia.org)
254. Rhiannon Giddens – Freedom Highway [2017]
Nominated by Karen Stein of Imagine who says: The soul child of Mavis Staples. Rhiannon Giddens, formerly of The Carolina Chocolate Drops, carries the torch of the Staples Singers and brings it to the 21st Century. Like the above-mentioned album from Mavis, she writes and sings of the African-American experience, from the sorrow of violence and prejudice to the joys of family and romance. She is classically trained, and it shows- powerful lyrics embedded in fine production.
255. Pat Metheny – Bright Size Life [1976]
Nominated by Richard Kamins of River Valley Rhythms who says: Guitarist Metheny’s first solo album features bassist Jaco Pastorius and drummer Bob Moses.
256. Don Conoscenti – Paradox of Grace [2002]
Nominated by Bill Revill of Acoustic Blender who says: Happened to see him 20+ years ago. Someone who should be better known.
257. Imogen Heap – Speak for Yourself [2005]
Nominated by DJ AmorOso of WTF: What the Funk & Storytime.
Speak for Yourself is the second solo album by British singer Imogen Heap, following her collaborative effort with Guy Sigsworth as Frou Frou. It was written, produced, arranged, and funded by Heap, without the backing of a record label, and features guest appearances from Jeff Beck, who provides a guitar solo on “Goodnight and Go”, and Heap’s ex-boyfriend, Richie Mills, who argues with her on “The Moment I Said It”. (wikipedia.org)
258. Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy [1973]
Nominated by Johnny Ganache of Pint O’ Comics who says: My favorite Zepp record. Every song is a must.
259. The Moody Blues – In Search of the Lost Chord [1968]
Nominated by DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland who says: These songs have been a companion to me since I was a child. With their second album, the Moodies jettisoned the symphony orchestra of Days of Future Passed while increasing the symphonic soundscape of their music. The track list features contributions from each member of the band, and yet the progression throughout the album feels like a singular creative voice. I am amazed that this fundamental, psychedelic release eschews the bitterness of many of its contemporaries and instead maintains a hopeful tone that encourages exploration and momentum.
260. Gil Scott-Heron – Winter in America [1974]
Nominated by Fluccs Capacitor of Time Moves Slow who says: This is the truth about America now as it was then. Scott-Heron was able to convey bittersweet and longing realities with soul.
