Essential Studio Albums

[liebzz]

I thought the first Van Halen album was ‘78

[wease]

You’re correct. I was thinking of when they were recording them for some reason. My mistake.

[liebzz]

You’re correct. I was thinking of when they were recording them for some reason. My mistake.

No worries. On Skynyrd, Spotify has the complete muscle shoals album, which I think is the expanded version, so we’ll do that.

[liebzz]

Bob Seger - Stranger in Town

I think I’d have a hard time debating who is the voice of the second half of the 70s between Bob Seger and Michael McDonald. Hearing these songs on this album is like reliving a childhood ride in the back seat of my parents’ car, not because they were huge Seger fans, but because these songs were everywhere for a real long time. Old Time Rock & Roll is something out of the 50s and a song I have heard probably nonstop my entire life. Still the Same, Hollywood Nights, and We’ve Got Tonight maybe slightly less so. Then grab some near ideal rock and roll on Feel Like a Number and Brave Strangers and you got yourself one helluva record.

The Essential Track: Old Time Rock & Roll

Up Next: The Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute

[wease]

You’re correct. I was thinking of when they were recording them for some reason. My mistake.

No worries. On Skynyrd, Spotify has the complete muscle shoals album, which I think is the expanded version, so we’ll do that.

Yeah that’s it. I couldn’t remember what it was called.

[wease]

Bob Seger - Stranger in Town

I think I’d have a hard time debating who is the voice of the second half of the 70s between Bob Seger and Michael McDonald. Hearing these songs on this album is like reliving a childhood ride in the back seat of my parents’ car, not because they were huge Seger fans, but because these songs were everywhere for a real long time. Old Time Rock & Roll is something out of the 50s and a song I have heard probably nonstop my entire life. Still the Same, Hollywood Nights, and We’ve Got Tonight maybe slightly less so. Then grab some near ideal rock and roll on Feel Like a Number and Brave Strangers and you got yourself one helluva record.

The Essential Track: Old Time Rock & Roll

Up Next: The Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute

Hollywood Nights wins in a landslide.

[liebzz]

So you don’t reminisce about the days of old…

[wease]

Nope. I saw that face and I lost all control.

[liebzz]

The Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute

As promised, we’ve taken the Doobie Brothers all the way from almost bar blues to soft rock in this journey. There’s only a passing reference here to their former guitar focused glory on Don’t Stop to Watch the Wheels. The rest is largely an exercise in the meat and potatoes or yacht rock, with Michael McDonald running the show. Ultra hooky What a Fool Believes, one of the songs that most manages to occupy territory in my brain whether I want it to or not for days after I hear the song every time is the headliner here, and Minute By Minutr trails right behind. Depending on You and How Do the Fools Survive are also highlights on what is actually a pretty fantastic soft rock album. And Steamer Lane Breakdown provides an all new moment of bluegrass to remind folks that yes they can play.

The Essential Track: What a Fool Believes

Up Next: Boston - Don’t Look Back

[liebzz]

Boston - Don’t Look Back

Their debut is somewhat explosive and plays like a greatest hits record in terms of busting out the arena rock. Already by album number two, it feels a bit tired. The title track that opens the album is quite solid, as is album closing Don’t Be Afraid, but everything in between is sort of a by the numbers approach to the subgenre, as if these were the leftovers that didn’t really work and they needed to get something out.

The Essential Track: Don’t Look Back

Up Next: Foreigner - Double Vision

[liebzz]

Foreigner - Double Vision

For this album, Foreigner gives us two big singles, Hot Blooded and the title track. Both work really well as arena rockers, so they stay squarely in that space. Blue Morning Blue Day, and Lonely Children were also pretty decent, though this band still seems largely a singles band to me, peppering strong singles with songs that seem like filler, or are at least non-offensive but not memorable either.

The Essential Track: Hot Blooded

Up Next: Cheap Trick

[wease]

Was Blue Morning not a popular single? I guess it was one of those album tracks that get a lot of air time.

[liebzz]

Cheap Trick

It’s interesting that I guess I just assumed to lump Cheap Trick in with the arena bands of the era. With their biggest hit being Surrender, it kind of fits that mold (it’s not on this one). Paint me surprised (and elated) that their debut is something of a rock powerhouse. An American Clash. Full of big chords, some solid humor that resembles the British punk wave we explored some earlier, and just good solid songs, this debut is pretty fantastic from top to bottom. Taxman, Mr. Thief was the first song here that had me absolutely sold and I am not sure it ever let up from there. Cry, Cry (Lennon-like on the vocals there!), He’s a Whore, Mandocello, and the album closing The Ballad of TV Violence all spectacular hard rock edging near punk essentials on this. Damn if I didn’t find a new album to chew on repeat when that time comes.

The Essential Track: The Ballad of TV Violence

Up Next: Genesis - And Then There Were Three

[VinylGuy]

It took a while to get Cheap Trick. I was very surprised in 98 when PJ opened for them, i wasnt aware at the time of how much Stone, Jeff and Mike seemed to like these guys.

[wease]

PJ opened for Cheap Trick? I saw CT open for STP just the year before.

[oasisfan35]

It took a while to get Cheap Trick. I was very surprised in 98 when PJ opened for them, i wasnt aware at the time of how much Stone, Jeff and Mike seemed to like these guys.

I don't think that happened VG.

[VinylGuy]

it happened yeah, i remember Crocodile Cafe, i had that show on cassette.

And i think they also did a fe other shows maybe?

[oasisfan35]

it happened yeah, i remember Crocodile Cafe, i had that show on cassette.

And i think they also did a fe other shows maybe?

small place was a good clue

The rumor that had all Seattle a-buzz came to fruition tonight, the last night of Cheap Trick's three night stand. A very rested and relaxed looking PJ (featuring a newly raven-haired Mr. McCready, sporting the MSG I Van Halen shirt) took the tiny Croc stage after a really warm introduction by Rick Nielsen. The set is notable for the fact that 1) no radio hits, and 2) almost all were songs with Eddie on guitar. This has to be the most adventurous setlist in years. 'Immortality' is nothing short of tremendous thanks to none other than one Matthew D. Cameron, who OWNS the song, to the point that the Cheap Trick fans in the audience all noted it after the set as a standout (and were asking what record it was on!). Ed's eyes are closed and he doesn't start to make eye contact until 'STBC,' where he sheds the guitar and breaks out into the trademark Ed shuffle-dance (as best he could in that tiny space - PJ set up IN FRONT of Cheap Trick's equipment). Mike runs up on top of Rick Nielsen's guitar platform during the song as well, to much amusement.
After the song ends, Ed remarks to the crowd that the previous song was about vinyl - "Remember vinyl? ... imagine how different it would be if all Cheap Trick's records had been [and he outlines a cd sized square with his hands] ... 'Got my Kiss CD's out' doesn't have quite the same ring ..." [quoting from Cheap Trick's 'Surrender']. Matt sings backup (along with Stone and Jeff) on a super version of 'All Those Yesterdays.' Jeff plays one of Tom Petersson's 12-string basses on 'Corduroy'; 'Leavin' Here' is notable in that the solo order was Stone, *Jeff*, Ed, Mike. Mike further adds to it by running and grabbing a handful of Rick Nielsen's guitar picks and tossing them at the audience (just like Rick does!). 'Soldier of Love' is not on the setlist, but is added at the last minute after a hurried conference. Tight, razor-sharp and perfect, while staying within the 40-minute time slot allotted to the opening bands.

https://archive.org/details/pearljam1998-10-10mix

[VinylGuy]

yeah that performance was top notch. I listened pretty much all mornings in my way to school....All Those Yesterdays was great, and Living Here was a fav from that tape.

[VinylGuy]

oh and i got CT´s Busted on cassette one morning i didnt go to school and i was ....¨mmm yeah whats this? Kiss?¨