Essential Studio Albums

[LoathedVermin72]

“And So It Goes” and “The Downeaster Alexa” are my favorites on that one, like them much more than the two big hits you mentioned. I hate WDSTF, just like I hate ITEOTWAWKT. What an obnoxious style of songwriting.

[liebzz]

The Downeaster Alexa = I’m a Longislander who likes my boat. Despite my warming to Billy Joel in this thread, it’s that kind of stuff and the ballads that always turned me off of his music. But admittedly I am more of a temperamental cat when listening to Billy Joel - I am into it and enjoying and then suddenly I bite.

[coptheriotact]

“I hate WDSTF, just like I hate ITEOTWAWKT. What an obnoxious style of songwriting.

Haha .. yeah

[Ello Sailor]

You dummies. "It's the End..." slaps.

[liebzz]

You dummies. "It's the End..." slaps.

Yeah. This. One those songs and feels celebratory in its reckless energy.

[LoathedVermin72]

Nah, I’ll just listen to “Bad Day” instead

[wease]

All this Billy Joel talk…

I’ve been watching The Boys and William is very well represented in this series up thru S2E3.

[wease]

And continues in Ep4…

[liebzz]

Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever

It’s been a little while since I have heard this album, probably one of the albums I would have told you before this thread was among my favorites. Really, side a might be my favorite side of an album ever. Free Fallon’, I Won’t Back Down, Love Is a Long Road, A Face in the Crowd, and Runnin’ Down a Dream all invade my soul in many different ways - precisely the reason why I was so upset when we lost him. Side b is still really good, the sort of thing that would be a laundry list of highlights on nearly any other album, though it’s hard to argue here that it can keep up with the first side - even as Jeff Lynne’s influence finds some pretty Beatles-esque moments. Such a huge album for me.

The Essential Track: Runnin’ Down a Dream

Up Next: Paul McCartney - Flowers in the Dirt

[liebzz]

Paul McCartney - Flowers in the Dirt

I’ve had a pretty great run of albums, which I think ultimately works against this one, which is a good grown up album, but can’t really compete with the last few albums. That noted, there’s plenty to like about this one - the collaboration with Elvis Costello on You Want Her Too is probably top billing here, but add My Brave Face, Put It There, Distractions, This One and That Day Is Done to the highlights. Sometimes this might be too grown up, as in the closing Motor of Love, but sometimes we meet the artist where they are rather than expecting them to deliver precisely what we ask for.

The Essential Track: You Want Her Too

Up Next: The Tragically Hip - Up to Here

[Jorge]

Costello co-wrote a bunch of the songs on the album, including "My Brave Face" and "That Day Is Done"

[liebzz]

Costello co-wrote a bunch of the songs on the album, including "My Brave Face" and "That Day Is Done"

Interesting. I wouldn’t have ever caught that.

[Jorge]

Some interesting footage here

[liebzz]

The Tragically Hip - Up to Here

Quite a few years back, I watched this documentary about Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip’s final tour in Canada. I thought the music was great and it was a really memorable watch, and yet diving into their material always escaped me despite every intention. And so here we are at their debut album, and it’s even more impressive. There’s not a weak track on this thing, as if there’s no deep cuts just rockin’ out for 43 minutes. It reminds me almost as if there’s straightforward rock sounds of a Black Crowes collided with a frontman vibe of a Glen Hansard (yes, their albums are still to come). Can’t think of too many greater compliments. Just great solid rock music.

The Essential Track: Blow at High Dough

Up Next: Tears For Fears - The Seeds of Love

[The Argonaut]

Hey guys, asking for a friend, what is this thread about? Thanks for any response. Please tell the truth, only

[wease]

Hey guys, asking for a friend, what is this thread about? Thanks for any response. Please tell the truth, only

Lost being a movie instead of a tv show.

[The Argonaut]

I read a bunch of this thread (I don't usually read OB) and I liked it! Keep up the good work liebzz and friends

[liebzz]

I read a bunch of this thread (I don't usually read OB) and I liked it! Keep up the good work liebzz and friends

Thanks. Been at this now for 18 months. Long time. Long way to go.

[liebzz]

Tears For Fears - The Seeds of Love

Nothing about what we covered in the other two Tears For Fears albums prepared me for this - a psychedelic pop album that at times recalls the Beatles heyday, incorporates jazz, pop, and rock, and features long compositions that are lush and varied. The first three songs are all that and more here: Woman in Chains, Batman’s Song, and Sowing the Seeds of Love. Add the touches in Swords and Knives and Year of the Knife and you’ve got yourself I think the strongest Tears For Fears album to date. I was completely shocked by this one for some reason.

The Essential Track: Sowing the Seeds of Love

Up Next: The Cure - Disintegration

[liebzz]

The Cure - Disintegration

This album is billed as the ultimate Cure album, where all things came together to make an impossibly great album. It surely is among their best so far, though not quite that sold - mostly because by the end it feels long (sometimes longer albums don’t feel as long or even short albums can even feel longer, but that’s probably some sort of essay). That said, there’s no weak spot here, and it’s all incredibly consistent, which might be the reason for it feeling longer albums. Plainsong, Pictures of You, Closedown, and Lovesong is a profoundly great opening, and add lullaby, Fascination Street and Disintegration as must hears for me. Maybe it’s just the end that dragged a bit, but this is a dark mood lights off evening unto itself.

The Essential Track: Fascination Street (I could equally go with any above)

Up Next: Mudhoney