Daily Listenings

by Thersus

So, the year is coming to its end! Nothing better than remembering it by choosing our favorite albums, isn't it? Below, I am going to list the albums released this year that I listened to, separated by my rating after one (or more) listenings. Then, I will choose my favorites based on the top rated albums on my list.

Albums marked as "Not Rated" are albums that I could not listen again with more attention to rate, but that I did not dislike, so they are in the list so you know that I listened to them and they are worth listening again in the future.

Please note that this post shows just the opinion of a single writer of this blog, who is not a professional critic, just a music enthusiastic.

Band - Album: Rating

Haken - Visions: 9.5

Tim Maia - Racional Vol. 3: 9.5

Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning: 9.5

Dir En Grey - Dum Spiro Spero: 9

Feist - Metals: 9

Korn - The Path of Totality: 9

Matt Stevens - Relic: 9

Monkey3 - Beyond the Black Sky: 9

Opeth - Heritage: 9

Riverside - Memories in My Head: 9

TesseracT - One: 9

Treehorn - Hearth: 9

Unexpect - Fables of the Sleepless Empire: 9

Symphony X - Iconoclast: 9

Black Country Communion - 2: 8.5

CunninLynguists - Oneirology: 8.5

Danimal Cannon - Roots: 8.5

Explosions in the Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care: 8.5

Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials: 8.5

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light: 8.5

Magenta - Chameleon: 8.5

Mindflow - With Bare Hands: 8.5

Textures - Dualism: 8.5

Devin Towsend Project - Ghost: 8.5

Adele - Live at the Royal Albert Hall: 8

Adramelech - Drawing the Nature: 8

Alice Cooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare: 8

Anathema - Falling Deeper: 8

Arch / Matheos - Sympathetic Ressonance: 8

Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events: 8

Evanescence - Evanescence: 8

The Gazette - Toxic: 8

I Am Abomination - Passion of the Heist: 8

I Fight Dragons - KABOOM!: 8

Radiohead - The King of Limbs: 8

Sepultura - Kairos: 8

What Mad Universe - Head of Column: 8

Adele - 21: 7.5

Arctic Monkeys - Suck it and See: 7.5

Chickenfoot - III: 7.5

Deprived of Light - Colored Death: 7.5

Jane's Addiction - The Great Escape Artist: 7.5

Joe Bonamassa - Dust Bowl: 7.5

Mastodon - The Hunter: 7.5

Metallica - Beyond Magnetic: 7.5

Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two: 7.5

Vildhjarta - Måsstaden: 7.5

Yonks - Yonks Alpha: 7.5

Yonks - Yonks Marluk: 7.5

Yonks - Yonks Zad: 7.5

Adrenaline Mob - Adrenaline Mob: 7

Altar of Plagues - Mammal: 7

Arch Enemy - Khaos Legions: 7

Battles - Gloss Drop: 7

Beirut - The Rip Tide: 7

Chico Buarque - Chico: 7

Lenine - Chão: 7

Moby - Destroyed: 7

Rise To Remain - City of Vultures: 7

Summer Breeze Project - Unusual Horizons: 7

Vomitron - No NES for the Wicked: 7

Fen - Epoch: 6.5

Nightwish - Imaginaerum: 6.5

CSS - La Liberación: 6

Primus - Green Naugahyde: 6

The Strokes - Angles: 6

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You: 5.5

Within Temptation - The Unforgiving: 5

Ad Notam - Выключи радио: Not Rated

Amon Tobim - Isam: Not Rated

Runaway Totem - Le Roi Du Monde: Not Rated

Sigur Rós - Inni: Not Rated

Animals as Leaders - Weightless: Not Rated

Devin Towsend Project - Deconstruction: Not Rated

The Fierce & The Dead - If It Carries On Like This We Are Moving To Morecambe: Not Rated

Mogwai - Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will: Not Rated

From the top 14 on my list (those rated 9 and 9.5), here are my 3 favorites:

Heritage by Opeth

Grace for Drowning by Steven Wilson

Metals by Feist

by Thersus

Visions (2011) by Haken

Premonition - 4:10 Nocturnal Conspiracy - 13:08 Insomnia - 6:06 The Mind's Eye - 4:05 Portals - 5:27 Shapeshifter - 8:08 Deathless - 8:04 Visions - 22:25

"Visions" is the second album released by the English band Haken. This will be a first impressions review.

When I listened to this album yesterday, I couldn't believe what I was listening. After all the progressive albums released this year that I listened to, I have come to the conclusion that the bands are doing mostly two different things: changing drastically (Opeth, Pain of Salvation), or falling into the genericness of prog (Dream Theater). This album does not fall in those categories: it is a progressive metal album, without many experimentations or innovations, but it is not just a mix of virtuosity and nonsense odd rhythms. This album is actually well composed and structured, and while I listened to this, I felt like the first times I listened to bands like Dream Theater, and discovered the progressive metal.

Also, compared to their first album, "Aquarius", I think they improved: when I listened to that album, it did not caught my attention. "Visions", on the other hand, kept me focused on the music throughout the whole record, and when it finished I wanted more. This album features all the things you'll find on progressive metal albums: heavy riffs, complex rhythms, changes to soft and psychedelic sections, all this combined in a wonderful way.

Haken brought me one of my biggest surprises of this year, and I hope they bring more on the years to come.

Rating: 9.5/10

by Falassion

21 (2011) by Adele

"Rolling in the Deep" - 3:48 "Rumour Has It" - 3:43 "Turning Tables" - 4:10 "Don't You Remember" - 4:03 "Set Fire to the Rain" - 4:02 "He Won't Go" - 4:38 "Take It All" - 3:48 "I'll Be Waiting" - 4:01 "One and Only" - 5:48 "Lovesong" - 5:16 "Someone Like You" - 4:45

"21" is the second album from the british soul artist Adele. This album was named after the age of the singer when the record was being produced.

Already quite notorious because of her first album, "19", Adele's success exploded because of her second album. "21" stood for many weeks on UK album chart's number 1 and many records were broken as well. Also, many awards were given to her in this meantime, like the AMA's Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist.

Recently, she announced that she is going to take a break before working on her next album. I hope it isn't a big one, 'cause her success is quite notorious and I'm looking forward for more of her.

My personal recommendations for this album goes to the already very well known "Rolling In The Deep", the emotional "Don't You Remember", the funky "He Won't Go" and the relentlessly played "Someone Like You".

Rating: 8.5/10

by Thersus

Roots (2011) by Danimal Cannon

intro - 1:04 Roots - 4:54 Forest Gnome Shindig - 4:39 Polywrath - 4:46 Agrobacter - 2:57 Danimal Across America - 3:26 A New Day - 3:15 The Big Crunch - 3:31 Synergy (ft. Paul Wardingham, Shnabubula, and Tony Dickinson) - 6:02 Good Journey (Don't Say Goodbye) - 3:32 Blueshift - 4:19 Jean Luc - 4:04 Gorelax - 4:31 Spacewalk - 4:29 Beethoven — Moonlight Sonata - 6:06 She Will Be Remembered - 4:05 Danimal Across America (IRL Mix) - 3:26

"Roots" is the debut solo album by American musician Danimal Cannon. This album is a mixure of chiptune (made with a Gameboy) and Progressive Metal.

I don't usually make the 8bit music reviews here, but this album really caught my attention. I like chiptune, but I am not used to listen to whole albums of this genre, and I prefer when the chiptune is mixed with organic elements. Well, in "Roots", there are few moments when the organic instruments show up, but I did like a lot the chiptune alone - the sounds are pleasant and the tracks are very well composed.

And this compositions show that you can have heavy metal music without the guitars at all - the distorted and low resolution sounds of the Gameboy can be just as calm or aggressive as the composer wants them to be. And this composer knows what we want, exploring the chiptune in ways that I seldom listened too before (but remember that I am not a chiptune expert).

This album was a great surprise for me, and it is worth listening, even for those who can't stand "video game sounds".

Rating: 8.5/10

by Falassion

Blind Melon (1992) by Blind Melon

"Soak the Sin" - 4:01 "Tones of Home" - 4:26 "I Wonder" - 5:31 "Paper Scratcher" - 3:14 "Dear Ol' Dad" - 3:02 "Change" - 3:41 "No Rain" - 3:37 "Deserted" - 4:20 "Sleepyhouse" - 4:29 "Holyman" - 4:47 "Seed to a Tree" - 3:29 "Drive" - 4:39 "Time" - 6:02

"Blind Melon" is the first album from the american rock band Blind Melon. After the lead singer Shannon Hoon's death in 1995 and a 6-year hiatus (Since 1999), in 2006 the band returned and performs 'till today.

There are two words that usually pop up on people's minds when the name "Blind Melon" is heard by them: "no" and "rain". Yeah, it was this single that helped launch the commercial success of the band, but there is more than meets the eye.

With their psychedelic touch on 1990's rock scene, Blind Melon was a breath of fresh air, and their self-titled album is a record full of good tunes, being still today one of the best albums out there for me.

My personal recommendations will go to "Change" and it's very beautiful lyrics; "Soak The Sin" and its exhibition of Hoon's powerful voice and the band's instrumental quality; and the 6-minute long "Time". Ok, I'll recommend "No Rain" too. It's a great and full of joyousness song, afterall.

Rating: 9/10

by Thersus

Metals (2011) by Feist

The Bad in Each Other - 4:45 Graveyard - 4:18 Caught a Long Wind - 4:55 How Come You Never Go There - 3:25 A Commotion - 3:52 The Circle Married the Line - 3:23 Bittersweet Melodies - 3:57 Anti-Pioneer - 5:33 Undiscovered First - 4:59 Cicadas and Gulls - 3:16 Comfort Me - 4:04 Get It Wrong Get It Right - 3:39

"Metals" is the fourth album by Canadian singer Feist, released in 2011.

Feist is a singer of pop music that, in my opinion, does pop in a different way than most pop singers out there – her songs are not of the "dance pop" kind, nor the "R&B pop" type, and even not the "pop rock" type. Actually, her sound is a mixture of folk and indie, with soft songs that vary between calm and agitated, but never too boring or aggressive.

In this album, Feist does not try to do something totally new compared to her previous albums. Instead, she just makes a more sophisticated "Feisty" album, with songs that carry her identity, and fully exploring this identity. "Metals" shows that she knows how to make good music, in her own way, and also shows that she only tends to improve.

You should not make a list of your favorite 2011 albums without listening to this!

Rating: 9/10

by Falassion

Hymns In The Key Of 666 (2008) by Hellsongs

"The Trooper" - 4:49 "Symphony Of Destruction" - 3:15 "Rock The Night" - 4:34 "Seasons In The Abyss" - 4:29 "We're Not Gonna Take It" - 5:17 "Blackened" - 4:47 "Thunderstruck" - 5:12 "Run To The Hills" - 4:43 "Paranoid" - 4:30 "Princess Of The Night" - 4:38 "Jump" - 4:11

"Hymns In The Key Of 666" is the first album from the lounge metal band Hellsongs. They are a three piece band which uses basically just voice, acoustic guitar and organ to compose their songs.

Basically, what Hellsongs does is to take some classic metal/rock songs and take away all the heaviness and the dirtiness from them, transforming them into very calm and clean songs. The result is a genre that the band calls "lounge metal". But honestly, the only "metal" thing on their songs are the original versions of them. It's weird at first, I know.

Then, if you are a hardcore metal lover, I'd highly suggest you to not listen to these songs. But, if you are open to discover new music (which is probably why you are reading to this review), go on.

My personal recommendations are the originally Europe's "Rock The Night", the originally Twisted Sisters' "We're Not Gonna Take It" and AC/DC's original "Thunderstruck".

Rating: 7/10

by Thersus

Reise, Reise (2004) by Rammstein

Reise, Reise - 4:45 Mein Teil - 4:32 Dalai Lama - 5:38 Keine Lust - 3:42 Los - 4:25 Amerika - 3:46 Moskau - 4:16 Morgenstern - 3:59 Stein um Stein - 3:56 Ohne dich - 4:32 Amour - 4:50

Released in 2004, this is the fourth album by German band Rammstein.

This album, while still being heavy as the previous ones, is less electronic influenced, with more sorrowful moments, coming closer to the gothic and doom genres (but I don't think it should be considered as a gothic album). This change in the musical style is a further experimentation in what they did in the album "Mutter".

"Reise, Reise" is very atmospheric, with heavy and minimal guitar riffs, and many different textures in the keyboards. The vocals are very expressive, as they already were, with a timbre that can show some kind of anguish and anger. All songs are very dynamic, changing from agressive to soothing all the time.

This is not the same Rammstein that we can hear in their first albums, "Herzeleid" and "Sehnsucht", but is not worst than that. Actually, is my personal favorite Rammstein album. Songs like "Keine Lust" and "Morgenstern" shows a spark of creativity, being simple but fantastic, and giving some freshness to the band (at that time). I think every modern metal fan should listen to this album.

Rating: 9.5/10

by Falassion

Demo (2011) by Pixtermination Without Brains

"A Ride To The World Within" - 5:08 "Noites Milongueiras" - 4:55 "Bleeding Ears" - 3:37 "Magenta" - 3:55 "The Way (We Think) Things Have To Be - 5:45 "Meanings Of Death: 1 - Into The Circle (i. Rain; ii. Elegy; iii. Epitaph)" - 6:06 "Men Of Power [Sega Version]" - 3:31

"Demo" is a demo album from the brazilian music project Pixtermination Without Brains. This project is headed by Thersus, the other guy that writes for Daily Listenings, and he doesn't know that I'm reviewing his album here yet.

Well, this album doesn't follows a particular musical genre. Looks like that the artist was kind of doing some experiments. Yeah, it is mainly progressive, but there some touches of MPB and even VG music sometimes.

Another interesting thing to be noticed is the equipment that was used, 'cause it is kinda simple: some guitars, some effects pedals and a Macbook. Just that.

My favorite songs of this album would be "Noites Milongueiras", which is a traditional regional music with a "rock twist"; "Meanings Of Death: 1 - Into The Circle (i. Rain; ii. Elegy; iii. Epitaph)", a beautiful track that is the first part of what looks like that is going to be a HUGE theme; and "The Way (We Think) Things Have To Be", an interesting progressive song.

Oh, one last thing: if you got interested, you can even listen to the whole album for free if you are unsure if it's worth your money (Just type "0" on the price field). Then, if you liked it and want to encourage him to keep playing, just go back to the site and do it (Just set a value different from "0" on the price field)!

Rating: 7/10

by Thersus

Bomberman Hero Original Soundtrack (1998) by Jun Chiki Chikuma

foehn - 2:38 supplement - 2:42 redial - 2:35 monogenic - 2:24 oropharynx - 2:46 cell - 2:54 dessert - 3:04 realtor - 2:46 fatidic - 2:34 wok - 2:49 mimesis - 2:39 tripod - 2:19 spiral - 2:16 landlord - 2:16 zip - 2:20 milky - 3:02 beak - 1:07 ooze - 0:08 loom - 4:20

This is the original soundtrack for the 1998 videogame "Bomberman Hero", released for the Nintendo 64.

This is one of the most remarkable soundtracks I have listened to in a game in my childhood/ teenage years. If I would make a guess of what in this soundtrack caught so much of my attention, I think it is the peculiarity of the sounds – it's not so often that we find jazzy techno/ drum and bass songs in games. With a mix of timbres and noises that remind of futuristic sceneries, these tracks are, at the same time, very cooling, relaxing, and tense, making the player feel confortable and secure, but instigated to resolve some challenge that is unfolding mysteriously.

Although being interesting tracks, this soundtrack is very repetitive, and does not have the same dynamic movement that some soundtracks have, being a closed structure that is not bound to the movement of the game itself. Of course, this connection between the game and the soundtrack would disappear when only the music is analysed, but even in the separated model, this monotony is perceived.

I don't think this is a perfect soundtrack, in technical and erudite terms, but think it is an excellent album to be heard as a soundtrack for a good moment of the day.

Rating: 7/10

by Falassion

We Started Nothing (2008) by The Ting Tings

"Great DJ" - 3:23 "That's Not My Name" - 5:11 "Fruit Machine" - 2:54 "Traffic Light" - 2:59 "Shut Up and Let Me Go" - 2:52 "Keep Your Head" - 3:23 "Be the One" - 2:58 "We Walk" - 4:05 "Impacilla Carpisung" - 3:51 "We Started Nothing" - 6:22

"We Started Nothing" is the debut album from the british duo The Ting Tings. It is composed by Jules de Martino and Katie White, and they formed the group in 2007.

Quirky? Unpretentious? Yeah, The Ting Tings would fit really well in these adjectives. It is a quite original sounding band, and its arrival on the musical market was at the same time unexpected and welcome.

For quite some time after this album's release, their singles "That's Not My Name" and "Shut Up And Let Me Go" were playing all over the place. The problem with this album, in my opinion, is that is pretty much it. I mean, the rest of the album's songs are good, but not as catchy as the singles.

Nevertheless, it is really a fun listening. Try out "Keep Your Head", "We Walk" and, of course, the singles. I challenge you to stand still while listening.

Rating: 6.5/10

by Thersus

Lateralus (2001) by Tool

"The Grudge" - 8:36 "Eon Blue Apocalypse" - 1:04 "The Patient" - 7:13 "Mantra" - 1:12 "Schism" - 6:47 "Parabol" - 3:04 "Parabola" - 6:03 "Ticks & Leeches" - 8:10 "Lateralus" - 9:24 "Disposition" - 4:46 "Reflection" - 11:07 "Triad" - 8:46 "Faaip de Oiad" - 2:39

"Lateralus" is the third album of the American band Tool.

If there is something that proves the success of a piece of art or entertainment among its appreciators, is when these fans start to analyze the contents and make new theories about it - some that where intended by the artists, and some not. This album is an example of that, as it is referred to hide some kind of secret to its listeners. The track title, "Lateralus", makes many references to the fibonacci sequence and spirals – in a genious way, I think – and the fans believe that these musical and lyrical references are not just part of the song itself, but are intended to make the listener think and discover a rearranged version of the album, that reveals the real essence of the album. I'm not sure that the band really thought about that, but after reading some forums on the internet and finding the "correct" track list, I went to youtube and found a live version of the album with the same order of the songs, and they fit very well that way.

Musically, "Lateralus" is an excellent progressive/alternative metal album, with heavy and dark songs that shows complexity in the structure, with the band playing in balance and without excesses. The songs have some odd rhythms and melodies that are somewhat anguished and sorrowful, but are not that kind of depressive songs that make the listener depressed after hearing a couple of tracks.

This album may not sound so pleasant at first, but it is one of those that make you want to listen more and more, to appreciate it patiently. And it is a very good listening.

Rating: 8/10

by Falassion

KABOOM! (2011) by I Fight Dragons

"Fanfare" - 0:30 Kaboom!" - 3:16 "Save World Get Girl" - 2:46 "cRaZie$" - 2:58 "Gloria (Interlude)" - 0:52 "My Way" - 3:27 "With You" (feat. Kina Grannis) - 3:31 "Fight for You" - 3:02 "The Geeks Will Inherit the Earth" - 3:07 "Disaster Hearts" - 3:29 "Don't You?" - 3:45 "Working" - 3:03 "Before I Wake" - 3:57 "Suburban Doxology" - 3:54

"KABOOM!" is the debut studio album from the american NES-Rock band I Fight Dragons. Before this album, they already released two EPs, "Cool Is Just A Number" and "Welcome To The Breakdown".

If you had your childhood between the late 80's and the early 90's, it's highly likely that you spent some (if not a lot) of hours in front of a NES or a Master System. And, for some of you, still today that chiptune/8-bit sound of the games from that time has a special place in your heart.

Well, some of these nostalgic people thought that was a good idea mixing pop/rock with electronic sounds produced by the NES and Game Boys, and then they created I Fight Dragons. And I gotta say that it's quite a good mix, mainly because the 8-bit sounds aren't the "main character" of the songs, they are used in a quite subtle but effective way.

I could recommend to you the tracks the agitated "My Way", the romantic "With You", the fun "The Geeks Will Inherit The Earth" and the sad "Before I Wake".

Rating: 7/10

by Thersus

Mar Dulce (2007) by Bajofondo

"Grand Guignol" - 5:04 "Cristal" - 5:27 "Ya No Duele" - 3:43 "Hoy" - 5:13 "Pa' Bailar" - 3:59 "Pulmón" - 3:21 "Fairly Right" - 6:02 "El Mareo" - 4:35 "El Andén" - 3:50 "Infiltrado" - 3:39 "Borges y Paraguay" - 4:32 "Tuve Sol" - 3:53 "No Pregunto Cuántos Son" - 4:50 "Slippery Sidewalks" -3:33 "Zitarrosa" - 4:04 "Chiquilines" - 5:51

"Mar Dulce" is the third album by Argentine/Uruguayan/Multinational band Bajofondo. This album, released in 2007, is their first work as a consolidated band.

Commonly labeled as electrotango, neotango or tango fusion, this album is actually harder to describe than just an electronic tango album. It is not just electronic music, as it takes influences from house, hip hop, rock, downtempo, and it is not just tango, as it makes use of other platine genres, like the milonga. This album is a mix of so many different style that fit very well together, and form an unique sound of their own.

This album has many instrumental songs, and the one with lyrics are mainly sung by guest artists, giving the album a great variety. There are sorrowful songs and highly moving ones, and even some that are both things. The way the songs build up, with emotionally driven verses and powerful choruses, remind me of old blues music. Structurally, the album is very simple, what makes the album great for a relaxing listening.

Although not a masterpiece, this album is a great example of creative composition and production, done in recent years. And also, is a nice small taste of the music that the countries from South America have to offer. Go listen to it, you won't regret!

Rating: 8.5/10

by Falassion

These Hopeful Machines (2010) by BT

Side A "Suddenly" - 8:05 "The Emergency" - 10:53 "Every Other Way" - 11:06 "The Light In Things" - 10:47 "The Rose Of Jericho" - 7:43 "Forget Me" - 9:37 Side B "A Million Stars" - 12:24 "Love Can Kill You" - 5:21 "Always" - 6:12 "Le Nocturne De Lumière" - 11:38 "The Unbreakable" - 10:24 "The Ghost In You" - 7:56

"These Hopeful Machines" is the sixth album from the american electronic artist BT. This record was grammy-nominated in the Best Electronic/Dance Album category of 2011.

I probably already said this, but I was never THAT into electronic music. I don't know, everything sounded to me like "songs to listen in parties"; or, also, everything sounded the same. But I was wrong. You just have to know what to listen to.

Being a connoisseur of "progressive-prefixed" genres, the album "These Hopeful Machines" got my attention 'cause it is classified as a progressive house album. I found myself thinking "How the hell does progressive house sounds like?", and at this point I was already curious enough to try out this album.

Well, basically, progressive house follows the house songs' construction elements (build-up, breakdown and climax), but the elements last for a longer time, which obviously entails into longer songs. The average duration of the songs of "These Hopeful Machines", for example, is 10 minutes.

About the album itself, BT manages to mix the traditional electronic music elements with acoustic guitars and lots of singers' participations, which provides a smoother transition to electronic music for those who are not used to it. After I listened to the whole album, I searched for more information about it, and I found out that Wired stated that "If you’ve never liked electronica before, this is the release that could change your mind." That was exactly my case.

My personal recommendations are the ballad-like "Forget Me", the twelve minute long "A Million Stars" and the party-ready "The Light In Things".

Rating: 8.5/10

by Thersus

Coverdale•Page (1993) by Coverdale and Page

Shake My Tree - 4:50 Waiting on You - 5:15 Take Me for a Little While - 6:17 Pride and Joy - 3:32 Over Now - 5:22 Feeling Hot - 4:10 Easy Does It - 5:51 Take a Look at Yourself - 5:02 Don't Leave Me This Way - 7:52 Absolution Blues - 6:00 Whisper a Prayer for the Dying - 6:54

This is the only album released by the union of Deep Purple and Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale and the Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

The combination of such legendary musicians on the hard rock scene could not lead to any other thing than an excellent hard rock album. The music on this album is heavier than that of Zeppelin, and less complex and experimental as their music was sometimes, but still has some elements that remind of them, not only in the Jimmy's guitar playing, but also in the rest of the band, and in the Coverdale singing, resembling Robert Plant on the high notes.

But the fact that this album has such icons of the rock music, this doesn't mean that the album is perfect: although it is very good, it's not fenomenal, not one of those albums that you will want to listen for the rest of your life. Some songs are a little generic and predictable, without those "surprise" elements that catch you up. It's just an album with some exciting heavy songs and some nice ballads.

I don't think this is an "must have" album, but it is a cool union of great musicians that should be known and appreciated.

Rating: 7/10

by Falassion

With His Hot And Blue Guitar (1957) by Johnny Cash

"Rock Island Line" – 2:11 "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle" - 2:25 "Country Boy" - 1:49 "If the Good Lord's Willing" - 1:44 "Cry! Cry! Cry!" - 2:29 "Remember Me (I'm the One Who Loves You)" - 2:01 "So Doggone Lonesome" - 2:39 "I Was There When It Happened" - 2:17 "I Walk the Line" - 2:46 "Wreck of the Old 97" - 1:48 "Folsom Prison Blues" - 2:51 "Doin' My Time" - 2:40

"With His Hot And Blue Guitar" is the debut album from the north american country musician Johnny Cash. Released in 1957, it was also the first release by Sam Phillips' Sun Records label.

Well, it's not necessary to introduce Johnny Cash to anybody. He is one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, and this title certainly did not come without merit: throughout his career, he released more than 90 albums and around 150 singles. Also, he received lots of awards, like Country Music Association Awards and Grammys.

For the release of this album, Cash had to work up the courage and to visit the Sun Records studio, where he auditioned, hoping to get a contract. Singing mostly gospel tracks, he wasn't very successful on his task of convincing the executive Sam Philips, who said that they weren't releasing records of that genre anymore. Eventually, Cash came up with songs like "Hey Porter" and "Cry! Cry! Cry!", which delivered a rockabilly style, and these songs convinced Philips to sign his contract.

This first album is not an album that has many highlights. But, well, everybody have to start somewhere, and this is Cash's starting point, so I recommend the classic "Folsom Prison Blues", the gentle "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle" and the dancing "Wreck Of The Old 97".

Rating: 8/10