Side one – Song One

“Side One – Song One” is a concept consisting of many perceptions, for me on some
albums it sets a definite mood and infinite memories. The first 3 chords of the
opening track Betray commands the way to the entire Out Of Step album. Or the
echoing, hollow guitar sound of Hungry Freaks not just set the tone for album, but
for a whole day – mother’s day. Hwy 61 kicks off with Like a Rolling Stone, a
subtle intro to such an intriguing album and even Rocks Off sets the dirty tone of
Exile. I remember feeling an exciting chill at the beginning of Hells Bells. First
song side one is not an overrated concept and not a producers miracle, but a piece
of a puzzle and a bit of an emotion.

Eric Dolphy – Iron Man (Iron Man)
Minor Threat – Betray (Out of Step)
AC / DC – Hells Bells (Back In Black)
Wire – Reuters (Pink Flag)
Rolling Stones – Rocks Off (Exile)
Die Kreuzen – Man in the Trees (October File)
Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone (Hwy 61 Revisited)
Mothers Of Invention – Hungry Freaks, Daddy (Freak Out)
Wilco – I am trying to break your heart (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)
X – Your Phone’s Off The Hook, But You’re Not (Los Angeles)

moonra’s leaps and bounds

lp’s

1.  Sonic Youth – Murray Street It can be easily observed that SY had multiple leaps within their career, but I find Murray Street the most significant.  It could be argued that the addition of Jim O’Rourke in the band pushed them beyond their original limits, but I’m not going to take a stand on that.  I feel the cohesiveness between the production quality and the extended instrumental pieces helped the band find a significant leap that carried through to Sonic Nurse as well as Rather Ripped.  Empty Page and Rain On Tin

2.  Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique.  At the time I was all about the fun and games of License To Ill, however, when I purchased the cassette tape (I got the orange one) titled Paul’s Boutique I journeyed into the oblivion of amazement and wonder; wondering…  how f’n long did it take these guys to synthesize all these damn samples, it was completely brilliant.

3.  Eric Dolphy – Ironman.  I own a lot of Eric Dolphy and I have found his music appealing from his Prestige recordings and beyond.  However, it was the release of Ironman where I noticed he began to let himself completely go. The sounds and movements he ripped out in front of the vibes on this album completely changed his sound and direction; which lead to his stellar release Out To Lunch. Iron Man

4.  Silver Jews – American Water.  Not my personal favorite by the band (that would easily be Bright Flight), but probably the only album by the Silver Jews I would recommend to someone who never heard them before.  Overall, AW could be considered their perfect release.  It’s the kind of album that surprises me they didn’t completely blow up after it come out, but then again, they are the Silver Jews. Random Rules, We Are Real, Buckingham Rabbit.

5. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  Probably the first album I thought of when hit with this month’s theme.  Despite breaking out musically, I would like to point out that Tweedy’s writing essentially leaped as well, with deeper thoughts and connotations:  “I want to hold you in the Bible-black predawn. You’re quite a quiet, domino, bury me now. Take off your band-aid cause I don’t believe in touchdowns.”

6.  Rahsaan Roland Kirk – Inflated Tear.  This is the album where I feel Rahsaan opened himself up and exposed his inner secrets, musically, not lyrically.  True genius, and a leap reflecting outlook and direction.  The Inflated Tear, The Black and Crazy Blues.

7.  PJ Harvey – Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.  I always admired PJ Harvey, but this album made me fall in love.  It captured my interest through storytelling and just a raw glimpse of NYC, told and sung through the throaty voice of this beautiful storyteller.  This lp opened the way to a series of her best work, in my opinion.  This Mess we’re In (w/ Thom York),   The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore

8.  Fugazi – Steady Diet Of Nothing.  I honestly went back and forth with Kill Taker and Steady Diet, but concluded that this was the album where Fugazi showed they were no longer pegged as a post punk/hardcore band, but rather much more diverse than what they represented earlier in their career.  Stacks, Long Division.

9.  Love – Forever Changes.  This album was a unique turn of events for Love and their attempt at taking things in a completely new direction, things were slowed…down… and touching! Alone Again Or

10.  The Rolling Stones – Exile On Mainstreet  John P-Rock may state that I am cursed by what I believe this album is and represents, therefore I am. All I will comment at this point is Exile = welcome to what music will never be again.

*11 Honorable Mention:  The Clash – Sandinista!  Goodbye 1979?  They touch upon just about every main style of music and do it all correctly.  Charlie Don’t Surf  Police On My Back  Rebel Waltz

Songs

1.  Beastie Boys – Finger Lickin’ Good.   I struggled not listing Check Your Head as an album, as once again it was a past obsession of mine.  I chose this song mainly of the genius sample of Dylan’s Just Like Tom thumb’s Blues, I will still occasionally play the song just to hear out the ending.

2.  David Bowie – Station to Station.  The career of Bowie for me was one surprise after another, especially for the first two decades.  Station To Station was a throw over the top.  I cannot express how much this song has influenced my life and how I listen to music.

3.  Bob Dylan – Idiot Wind.  About as badass as it gets for good ole bd, the never ending leaper.

4.  Joni Mitchell – River.  raw and smooth.

5. Radiohead – Let Down.  We all have our favorites, this song seemed to wrap everything together, and show the world that Radiohead is pretty much creatively capable of anything.

6.  Defiance, Ohio – You Are Loved.  New levels can be reached for any talented band, this is a perfect example of one.

7. Ghostigital – Sense Of Reason.  Maybe a bigger leap for me personally, but that’s sort of what this is all about, right??

8.  Joe Lally – Billiards.  I believe Joe Lally incorporated everything right within this track.  This song alone was a musical leap that should have changed his complete course, however, it stood out as more of a rare star, but incredible nonetheless.

9. Melvins – Shevil.  A leap to….. everything.

10.  Ornette Coleman – What Reason Could I Give / Civilization Day.  Ok, so I cheated a little by choosing two songs, but to me they go together, as I would never listen to the first without the second.  Like many of the “greats,” there are multiple periods of Ornette’s career I could have focused on regarding leaps, as he had many.  The Science Fiction Sessions always stood out for me a complete leap into the unknown for Ornette, and what I have always viewed as some of his best material.

*11.  ZU and Spaceways Inc. – Theme De Yoyo.  The true artist is always leaping, Ken Vandermark is a constant leaper as a band leader and musician.