100FaveAlbums.net

The Modern Lovers, by The Modern Lovers – Album #132

The Modern Lovers (Spotify Link)1976, Beserkley Records. Producer: Robert Appere, John Cale, Allan Mason.In My Collection: Dubbed Tape, 1993; CD, 1994. (5 min read) IN A NUTSHELL: The Modern Lovers, by The Modern Lovers, is a record that may not be well-known by the general public, but is revered by critics and musicians alike. Singer/songwriter Jonathan Richman writes simple, catchy songs that…

Songs in the Key of Life, by Stevie Wonder – Album #131

Songs in the Key of Life (Spotify Link)1976, Tamla Records. Producer: Stevie Wonder.In My Collection: CD, 1997. (Five Minute Read) IN A NUTSHELL: Songs in the Key of Life, by Stevie Wonder, is a record that is one of my favorites of all time, perhaps the best of all time. (Which long time readers will know I’m loathe to pronounce.) But I didn’t realize its greatness until just recently. I…

Sublime, by Sublime – Album #130

Sublime, by Sublime (Spotify Link)1996, MCA. Producer: Paul Leary and David KahneIn My Collection: CD 1996. (5 minute read) IN A NUTSHELL: Sublime, the 1996 album from Sublime, isn’t as good as I thought it was 25 years ago. It’s got some fun sounds, and the rhythm section of Eric Wilson on bass and Bud Gaugh on drums is tight and consistent. Bradley Nowell sings bro-ey songs and plays the…

“If You Could Read My Mind,” by Gordon Lightfoot. Song 1015*.

“If You Could Read My Mind,” – from the 1970 album Sit Down Young Stranger, (aka If You Could Read My Mind)Moving, soulful, folk. (2 minute read) *Note – I’m not going to try to rank songs, but I do plan to periodically write a little bit about some songs that I like. ~ ~ ~ I have been hearing “If You Could Read My Mind” since I was a little guy in the early 70s. Back then I hated it. I liked…

Is This It, by The Strokes – Album #129

Is This It, by The Strokes2001, RCA Rough Trade. Producer: Gordon RaphaelIn My Collection: CD 2001. (5 Minute Read) IN A NUTSHELL: Is This It, the 2001 debut album from The Strokes, is a terrific record of Velvet Underground-inspired garage rock. It’s from an era of a return to prominence for the guitar, and Albert Hammond, Jr., and Nick Valensi layer the quick, catchy songs with nifty little…

I will be taking a break from 100 Favorite Albums while I deal with a small health issue. I hope to return with more posts about all my favorite music sometime in the fall. Maybe spend some time looking through all the old, long, wordy, coulda-used-an-editor posts! Thanks for reading – ERM

You Won’t Like the Answer, by Buggy Jive – New Release #6

You Won’t Like the Answer2021, WT3 Records. Producer: Buggy Jive (3 minute read) ~ ~ ~ I listen to a lot of podcasts. I mostly like the ones with good stories, like Reply All and The Constant and Resistance and Decoder Ring. The show Serial (season 1) got me hooked on multi-part crime investigation shows, but most are lousy. They stretch out the story with repetition, and never come to any…

“Four Leaf Clover,” by Abra Moore. Song 1014*.

“Four Leaf Clover,” – from the 1997 album Strangest Places.Bouncy, fun, folky. (2 minute read) *Note – I’m not going to try to rank songs, but I do plan to periodically write a little bit about some songs that I like. ~ ~ ~ I listened to 70s AM Radio music as a child, so I was trained early to enjoy adult contempo-pop. ACP back then typically included catchy melodies, some acoustic guitar and…

Lifes Rich Pageant, by R.E.M. – Album #128

Lifes Rich Pageant, by R.E.M.1986, I.R.S. Records. Producer: Don GehmanIn My Collection: Duped Cassette, 1987; CD, 1995. (5 minute read) IN A NUTSHELL: Lifes Rich Pageant, the 1986 album from R.E.M., is a record that epitomizes the R.E.M. sound. It starts with Peter Buck’s ringing, arpeggiated guitar, but it’s the rhythm section of Mike Mills (bass) and Bill Berry (drums) that really drives the…

Daddy’s Home, by St. Vincent – New Release #5

Daddy’s Home2021, Loma Vista. Producers: Annie Clark & Jack Antonoff (3 minute read) Saturday Night Live was on my childhood TV viewing schedule long before I was old enough to understand it. I know I watched the famed “Mardi Gras episode,” from February, 1977, and, seeing as it aired at 8:30 pm instead of 11:30, it could have been my entree into the show. I was in fourth grade then, around the…

“Sea Cruise,” by Frankie Ford. Song 1013*

“Sea Cruise” – single from 1959.Bouncy, exuberant, timeless. (2 min. read) *Note – I’m not going to try to rank songs, but I do plan to periodically write a little bit about some songs that I like. ~ ~ ~ You never know when you’ll hear a song that sticks with you. For example, you might be in your early 20s, visiting a douchey high school friend in his Philadelphia apartment a couple years…

The Swing, by INXS – Album #127

The Swing, by INXS1984, WEA Mercury. Producer: Nick Launay and Nile RodgersIn My Collection: CD, 1994. (5 minute read) IN A NUTSHELL: The Swing, the 1984 album from INXS, is an album that to me defines an 80s sound. It’s got lots of synthesizer, clamoring digitized drums and a pinched guitar sound. These are characteristics I usually dislike, but INXS really makes it work. The songs are catchy…

Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?, by Fantastic Negrito – New Release #4

Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?2020, Cooking Vinyl. Producer: Fantastic Negrito (2 minute read) In late summer, 2020, a good 6 months into pandemic living, I turned on the Emerson College radio station in my car during one of my infrequent pandemic drives. As often occurs in TV and movies, but rarely in real life, the young DJ immediately began speaking as if he’d been waiting for my arrival.…

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears. Song 1012*

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – single from the 1985 Tears for Fears album Songs from the Big Chair.Smooth, mellow, reminiscent. There are times I’d like to believe that I’m some kind of music connoisseur, and my appreciation is guided solely by an internal calculus equal parts cold intellect and refined perception. I imagine myself immune to the insidious pressures of savvy marketers, and…

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, by Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Album #126

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, by Neil Young and Crazy Horse1969, Reprise Records. Producer: Neil Young and David BriggsIn My Collection: CD, 1990. (5 minute read) IN A NUTSHELL: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, the 1969 album from Neil Young and Crazy Horse, is one of my all-time favorite guitar records. Young is furious and loud and anarchic and chaotic on songs like “Down By the River” and…

Cooler Returns, by Kiwi Jr. – New Release #3.

Cooler Returns, by Kiwi Jr.2021, Sub Pop Records. Producer: Kiwi Jr. (2 minute read) The song “Undecided Voters,” from Kiwi Jr., popped up in my Spotify feed recently, and, sadly, I’m now familiar with the creepy feeling of having a computer understand my personality and tastes, so I didn’t even think twice. I just heard the song, loved it, and thought, “I gotta hear more of this!” Cooler…

“Funk #49,” by The James Gang. Song 1011*.

“Funk #49” – single from the 1970 James Gang album James Gang Rides Again.Messy, squawky, funky. (3 minute read.) *Note – I’m not going to try to rank songs, but I do plan to periodically write a little bit about some songs that I like. ~ ~ ~ There’s nothing quite like the sound of a three-piece band. The simplicity of guitar/bass/drums necessitates a deft equilibrium that allows for a…