Mike’s 1982

I know I’m prone to exaggeration any time I talk about music, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t one of my favorite years of all time. Had a very hard time removing some favorites from my list. Here’s my collection: http://rateyourmusic.com/collection/madherb/strm_relyear/1982/1

Songs 

1. You’ve Got Another Thing Coming (Judas Priest). Best song off a great album. Not sure if Bob or Tim will agree, but for me no other record of theirs comes close to this. Ranks in my top 5 metal albums of all time. The only reason it doesn’t appear in my albums list  is that I just don’t listen to it much anymore, but this song always pushed me over the edge when I heard it on the radio.
2. Shabby Doll (Elvis Costello). Elvis continues the maturation process begun on Trust (I picked it up, John, and like it), and so while I find this generally less exciting than his first four albums (especially my favorites, Armed Forces and Get Happy!!), I’d have to seriously consider including this cut in an all-time EC top ten list. It might not surprise you that my favorite cuts, including this one, are those that would fit right in with those aforementioned albums.
3. On the Road to Fairfax County (The Roches–Keep on Moving) or Losing You (The Roches). I had somehow forgotten for a while that this album existed. One of the nice things about these exercises is that you become reacquainted with things you once loved but had put aside for whatever reason. This is the last of three Roches records produced by Robert Fripp in the late 70s/early 80s. Aside from providing the ladies with exquisite production, he accompanies them with an occasional acoustic guitar accompaniment or solo that fits the songs perfectly. There is hardly anything else like early Roches; if there is, I have certainly never heard it. Great songwriting and harmonies (e.g. I Fell in Love)… Maybe doesn’t have the highs of the first album, but this might be the more consistent record; every song hits its mark.
4. Space Age Love (A Flock of Seagulls). Their entire first album is, maybe surprisingly, pretty damn good.
5. Lost Weekend (Wall of Voodoo). Here’s a great example of that 80s production that John so lovingly refers to. I don’t have too much trouble getting past that when the song is as good as this.
6. Naturliche liebe or Mikrokosmos (Tri Atma with Gyun Nisharda—Sehnsucht & Einklang). A different version of this song and maybe the entire album was re-recorded in 1983 with a new accompanist, Klaus Netzle, who brought on Kraftwerk/Software style keyboards. That album (“Yearning and Harmony”) was going to appear in my album list until I realized the ’82 release was different.
7. Pigs (Robert Wyatt—Animals Film ep).
8. Mt. Teidi (Mike Oldfield). I’ve always thought of Five Miles Out as one of my favorite Oldfield albums, but the truth is that only this song, coupled with “Orabidoo” on the second side and to a lesser extent the album closer “Five Miles Out”, make me think so.
9. 1999 (Prince). Or, obviously “Little Red Corvette”.
10. Airwaves (Thomas Dolby–The Golden Age of Wireless)

Albums

1.  Too-Rye-Aye (Dexys Midnight Runners). Includes at least two songs I’d be hard pressed not to include on a top ten songs of the 80s list: “Old” and “Come on Eileen”, but since you all know the latter and are likely sick of it, how about “All in All“? Every other song is very nearly as good, especially “The Celtic Soul Brothers“, which establishes the infectious bonhomie to come, followed by “Let’s Make This Precious“, As close as most any record in my collection to being perfect.
2. The Record (Fear). I know that Brent could have guessed most of my picks for this year, this among the easiest. I actually hadn’t played this one in a while and before I pulled it out, I guessed that it might not make my top ten list. Holy crap was I wrong. Takes me right back.I have always been struck by the musicianship and enthusiasm. Go on, play it, its only 27 minutes short, manic and hilarious.
3. Big Science (Laurie Anderson). Another Desert Island Disk for me, and another perfect record. Not many of those in this life.
4. Joe McPhee—Oleo and a Future Retrospective. “Pablo” is the only track on youtube, but that’s ok because it is as good as every other cut on the album (in other words, they are all this good). I think the reason I love this album so much, and everything else I’ve heard from him, is that the song and melody rather than the chords serve as the basis of the improvisation. So beautiful. How lucky some of you are that he lives so close and plays in Milwaukee so often!
5. The Dreaming (Kate Bush). I’m sure I’ve talked about this record before. Seems to me this was the most creative and daring point of her career, resulting in a shockingly original folk/pop/prog amalgamation. I know some people judge the quality of a song based on whether it can be sung accompanied by only a piano or a guitar. Can’t do that with some of these. Hard to imagine what “Get Out of My House”, as one example, would be if not for the ingenious background vocals and the 10 million other things that are going on there.
6. Combat Rock (The Clash). Unlike Bob, I loved this thing right away, even including the pop hit “Rock the Casbah”, which I also purchased as a 12″ single upon release. Favorites right now might be “Car Jamming“, which my son told me was ripped off by someone (I’ll ask him who later) in a recent top 40 single and “Straight to Hell“, but I love it start to finish.
7. Nothing Can Stop Us (Robert Wyatt). People downplay this record mostly because of a couple of (what some consider) throwaway political statements at the end. Even if you don’t go for those, the brilliance of the rest more than makes up for it. In addition to “Shipbuilding” (John, you’ve got to hear it if you haven’t already), I especially love “Born Again Cretin”, “Caimanera”, and the Chic cover “At Last I Am Free” (tinny production and drums warning, John!), and his gentle, as ever, “Strange Fruit”.
8. English Settlement (XTC). Hard to pick just one or two songs, every one of them brilliant. Astonishing that we’ve not yet discussed XTC. I would think they might be one band we could all agree on.
9. Logos–Live at the Dominion – London 1982 (Tangerine Dream). The closest thing to drugs in my collection.
10. Urban Bushmen (Art Ensemble of Chicago). I know I’ve mentioned this one before. It took me years to fully embrace it in its entirety. Sure, start with the Ellingtonian “New York is Full of Lonely People”, but be patient with the rest if it doesn’t hit you straightaway. Crank “Sun Precondition Two/Theme for Sco”, for example, up like its metal and be overwhelmed and transported. One of my great regrets is never seeing this group live.

Honorable mention: The Cortege (Mike Westbrook). Long on my wishlist, I finally got around to purchasing this last month. In spite of the ridiculous competition, this could find its way into my top 10 for 1982. Big band music along the line of “Escalator Over the Hill”. I like it better, which is saying something.

Mike’s 1998

More words to come. Does my heart good to tag some new names this month, many of my favorite artists. Collaboration was in the air in 1998.

Songs

Olu Dara–“Rainshower“. The avant garde trumpeter/cornetist, best known as the father of Nas (who I’ve never heard), put out his first of two IDontKnowWhatYouCallThisMusicButItsCertainlyNotWhatHesBeenKnownFor albums. Poise yourself for takeoff when the background vocals arrive at 3:20.

The Handsome Family–“Weightless Again”

Don Walser–“In My Dear Old Southern Home“. If there is better yodeler I’ve not heard him. Rivals the Tuvan throat singers for what he does with his voice on this song.

Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach–“Toledo“. I would give up a lot to hear Dionne sing this in her youth. I can’t take the whole album in a sitting because of the vocals. I prefer to have the songs locked in my memory, with another imaginary vocalist.

Richard Buckner–“Goner W/ Souvenir“. He’s an acquired taste live, that’s for sure, but unfortunately his recordings are sparse on youtube.

Queens of the Stone Age–“Regular John“. Brent hit the nail on the head with this one.

Mercury Rev–“Goddess on a Hiway”

Sonic Youth–“Sunday”

Songs: Ohia–“An Ace Unable to Change“. Impala is not the album to start with if you haven’t heard Jason Molina yet–one of the great songwriters, think Neil Young, Ambulance Man. This early song gives you a pretty good idea of where he was at emotionally and where the poor guy was headed. Wait, who am I kidding, you who listen to, and enjoy, Palace Music. This whole record will be just your thing, and I oughta have put in under albums.

Aaly Trio & Ken Vandermark–“Stumble”

Albums

Neutral Milk Hotel–In the Aeroplane over the Sea

Tim Berne/Michael Formanek–Ornery People

Gillian Welch–Hell Among the Yearlings

Lucinda Williams–Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Alan Licht & Loren MazzaCane Connors–Hoffman Estates

Elliott Smith–XO (heir to Brian Wilson, “Waltz #1“)

Billy Bragg & Wilco–Mermaid Avenue (“Eisler on the Go“)

Art Ensemble of Chicago–Coming Home Jamaica (The best songs aren’t on youtube, but this is still pretty damn good, “Odwalla (Theme)“)

Kate and Anna McGarrigle–The McGarrigle Hour (“School Days“)

Pere Ubu–Pennsylvania (I know that road’s still there, “Woolie Boolie“)

SIDE 1 – TRACK 1 (BRENT)

It’s Monk Time (Black Monk Time) The Monks

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER:

Spirits Rejoice (Spirits Rejoice) Albert Ayler

Slip Inside This House (Easter Everywhere) 13^th Floor Elevators

The Village Green Preservation Society (The Village Green Preservation Society) The Kinks

Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake (Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake) Small Faces

Communication #8 (Jazz Composers Orchestra) Michael Mantler/Jazz Composers Orchestra

Gimme Shelter (Let It Bleed) Rolling Stones

Search And Destroy (Raw Power) Stooges

Road Runner (The Modern Lovers) The Modern Lovers

Overture/Cotton Avenue (Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter) Joni Mitchell

Accidents Will Happen (Armed Forces) Elvis Costello & The Attractions

It’s No Game Pt. 1 (Scary Monsters) David Bowie

The Hungry Wolf (Under The Big Black Sun) X

Betray (Out Of Step) Minor Threat

In The Meantime (Meantime)  Helmet

Everything In It’s Right Place (Kid A) Radiohead

1978 by moonra

1978

lp’s

1.  Devo – Q: Are We Not Men? Answer: We Are Devo!  listen
2.  Wire – Chair Missing listen
3.  Blondie – Parallel Lines  listen
4.  Television – Adventure listen
5.  Bob Dylan – Street Legal listen
6.  Cecil Taylor – Cecil Taylor Unit listen
7.  The Clash – Give “em Enough Rope  listen
8.  Lou Reed – Street Hassle listen
9.  Dead Boys – We Have Come For Your Children listen
10.  The Saints – Eternally Yours listen
* The Cars – The Cars (honorable mention)

songs

1.  Who Says A Funk Band Can’t Play Rock? – Funkadelic
2.  You Can’t Put Your Arm Around A Memory – Johnny Thunders
3.  Before They Make Me Run – Rolling Stones
4.  Radio, Radio – Elvis Costello
5.  What’s Next to the Moon? – AC DC
6.  One Hundred Punks – Generation X
7.  Take Me I’m Yours – Squeeze
8.  Sister Disco – The Who
9.  The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – The Band
10.  New Precision – Be Bop Deluxe

Mike’s 1978

Albums:

1. Pere Ubu—The Modern Dance. (“Non-Alignment Pact“)  Took my head off.

2. Talking Heads—More Songs about Buildings and Food.  (“Warning Sign“) This too is among my favorite albums of all time.

3. Rush—Hemispheres. I’m not a big Rush fan and this is the only album I ever play of theirs any more. They finally put it all together here. As melodic as anything they’d ever do and unapologetically prog. This grabs you by the throat and never lets go. Fun stuff.

4. Dire Straits—Dire Straits. (“Water of Love“) This deserves so much more love than it generally receives. Yes, Mark wears his influences on his sleeve (the recently departed JJ Cale mostly) and this is somewhat derivative, but it is just so well done. The songs are gorgeous and sometimes haunting and the playing throughout is both solid (that rhythm section) and spectacular (Mark). The perfect album for a hot summer night, under the stars, on the back porch.

5. Captain Beefheart—Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller). (“When I See Mommy I Feel Like a Mummy“) It’s a tough call whether this or Doc at the Radar Station is the greatest Beefheart. I grew up with the two on either side of a beloved dubbed cassette and while they are both strong start to finish, I adore every note on Shiny Beast. Love his painting on the cover too.

6. Elvis Costello—This Year’s Model. (“Pump It Up“) I listened to a lot of the stuff on this list when it came out. Yes, I’m that old. I’m also nostalgic. If I loved something once, doesn’t matter when, I love it forever. The Dire Straits, Rush and Tull picks apply here. The Styx “Pieces of Eight” and Genesis “And Then There Were Three…” albums would too if I had the balls to include them. I missed out on punk/new wave when it first arrived. It wasn’t until the following year, 1979, that Elvis Costello gave me my first glimpse, in 8^th grade, with the release of “Armed Forces”, the 8-track purchased or possibly stolen from the Van Leunen’s department store. I came to TYM much later and now hold it above everything else he ever did…except for Armed Forces that is.

7. The Stranglers—Black and White.  (“Outside Tokyo“) Another old fave. Brent, is there another album you and I listened to more often when I was in high school?

8. Pere Ubu—Dub Housing. (“Navvy“)

9. Blondie—Parallel Lines. (“Hanging on the Telephone“) Tim is so right. Hanging on the Telephone is amber perfection.

10. Genesis—…And Then There Were Three… (“Deep in the Motherlode“) Oh what the hell, I can’t deny it.

There are a ton of good/not great 1978 albums that contain great songs and so many great singles, making this year’s selection of ten songs just impossible. Here’s an attempt, but wishing I could list another 100 or so:

Songs:

1. Buzzcocks—I Don’t Mind. Right on Tim. Impossible for me to pick between this and “What Do I Get” and  “Ever Fallen in Love…” but this one has always pushed me over the edge.

2. The Albion Band—Poor Old Horse

3. Stiff Little Fingers—Suspect Device

4. The Police—So Lonely

5. Bruce Cockburn—Laughter

6. Robert Gordon—I Want To Be Free. Can’t play this without heartily singing along. Just can’t be done. The whole album is a delight (check also the lovely album closer “Blue Eyes”)

7. Todd Rundgren—Bag Lady

8.Kate Bush—Wuthering Heights

9. X—We’re Desperate

10. The Cars—All Mixed Up