Week 17

Last week I went past to the 200 album mark without even noticing. Perhaps it's because my input of new music at time exceeds my listen rate. Today it crossed my mind that my musical collection will make a good stockpile in case of a global nuclear musical meltdown. If I ever am forced into a bomb shelter with all of my music, I can survive for years without hardly listening to the same song twice. This week the Crosley CR246 (that's my record player with built in CD burner) was finally put to the test as the needle dropped on Pink Floyd's Meddle to transfer the large black vinyl to compact disc. Oh the joys of modern technology that bridge the gap from the old world to the new world. The sound quality is superb, but the mix of the vinyl is maintained leaving only a faint crackle or pop behind to preserve the nostalgia. The copied CD was even recognized by iTunes making the conversion process even more astonishing. Enough geeking out - on with the show (4/26-5/2):

Rolling Stones - Flowers
Van Halen - For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
The Pneurotics - Forty
Blues Traveler - Four
The Fray - Fray, The
Sarah McLachlan - Freedom Sessions, The
Bob Dylan - Freewheelin Bob Dylan, The
Eric Clapton - From The Cradle
Wes Montgomery - Full House
The Stooges - Funhouse
Pink - Funhouse
Justin Timberlake - Future Sex/Love Sounds

This week was the first to not feature a true classic/hard rock album. Flowers has some of the Stones hits from their pop sounds of the early 60's, one of Van Halen's  weaker albums, with the rest being blues, jazz, punk, folk, indie, and pop. Despite my strong palette of rock, occasionally I go off the chart with something poppy like Pink's Funhouse. Don't ask me why, but I like her music. Perhaps it's the rebel attitude in which she approaches the music scene (bashing other pop artists), but more than anything her lyrics speak more to broken homes, abusive relationships, and general mayhem which have a meaning beyond most pop artists. She has a very soulful voice and doesn't overdub in auto-tuned singing to clean up the slight off pitch note. Funhouse is exactly as the title suggest - a fun album with views from slightly distorted mirrors.

Local bands are a dime a dozen, especially bad ones. So when I come across a band like The Pneurotics it's nice to plant them on my local watch list and try to catch them whenever I can. The first time I ever saw them was when they opened for another band (Casuall Fiasco from VT which is no longer together). It was one of their first EVER shows, but a few years later this band has grown into a tight band with some great tunes. Second Skin is their second release and shows progressions over their debut. If you're in the greater Triangle region check them out. Husband/wife duo Rich and Mimi on guitar and bass lay down some great punk grooves. The drummer they have now isn't too shabby either.

This week we return again to Robert Allen Zimmerman's work. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan is perhaps one of the most iconic albums Dylan recorded. The opening track Blowin' In The Wind might be his biggest hit, but the album contains plenty of other greats like Girl From The North Country and Don't Think Twice, It's Alright. The tunes Down The Highway and I Shall Be Free were my favorite from this album.

The juxtaposition of the three album run near the end of the week highlighted some great albums from blues, punk, and jazz. The Stooges second album Funhouse is a powerful sophomore release from punk pioneers. 1970, Dirt, Loose are my favorites from this album. Iggy may have been the front man and image of the band, but the Asheton brothers were the brain trust behind the sound. I got into The Stooges a few years ago as the news of Ron Asheton's death made music headlines on January 6, 2009. Contrast his style with the crisp jazz style of Wes Montgomery on his Full House album. Jazz is a music form that becomes more interesting to me each time I listen and Wes was one of the biggest names in jazz guitarists. Then when it comes to guitarists none is much more versatile than Clapton. On his first "true" blues solo album, From The Cradle hits some of the most well known blues standards while mixing in Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Freddie King and others into his own signature arrangements. These three albums were the triumphant trio of the week.