TaffyDavenportHatesMusic

I’ve already posted about how I am not the biggest fan of Hip-Hop/Rap, then I posted about one great Hip-Hop Song. Here I go again… with another Hip-Hop song that I feel should be mentioned.

I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. The hours rolled by, and once I saw the clock hit 7am, I decided there is no use staying in bed, so I went downstairs. I have not watched TV in a long time, and for good reason; however, I decided to put it on anyway. Not surprisingly, nothing was on, so I decided to put on the music channel. I haven’t been the biggest fan of most of the hit songs that have been released in the past year, I hadn’t heard anything  new in a while. All of the songs I heard on the radio seemed to blend in together. All of that changed once they played the song Chum by Earl Sweatshirt.

I’m not going to go on and say this is the greatest song to come along sinceLike a RollingStone, but I will definitely say it’s the best thing I’ve heard all year… probably better than most things from last year too. It begins with a loop of a piano playing a few somewhat melancholic notes, and although it’s repeated throughout the entire song, it doesn’t get old. As this plays, Sweatshirt gets on and raps the “Hook” ( some lyric pages are calling it that, I always say chorus because I’m a dumbass, I guess):

Somethin’ sinister to it
Pendulum swinging slower, degenerate moving
Through the city with criminal stealth, welcome to enemy turf
Harder than immigrants work, Golf is stitched into my shirt
Get up off the pavement brush the dirt up off my psyche
Psyche… psyche…

When I heard this, I was taken aback. I’ve become accustom to sexually graphic and idiotic lyrics when it comes to hip-hop and rap. However, Sweatshirt seems to stray from that, and uses some bigger words that seem to flow nicely. He also seems to rap differently too. He seems to take a break for some split seconds as he raps, and ironically enough, it makes it seem to flow better.

The song is about Sweatshirt, whose father left him when he was 6 years old, and he and his brother grew into a life of crime because they had no one to show them a better way. He doesn’t glorify Thug Life, and he doesn’t flaunt his past, instead he seems to reflect on it painfully. His lyrics are also admirably honest. He does not shy away from his feelings, and admits to not hating his father for leaving; instead, he misses him and wanted to find him.

As the song goes on, he touches on how cowardly his father is. Although he wishes he had him in his life, he basically tells him that he left behind a family in devastation. He seems to blame his father for his involvement in crimes, and how there is now a strain in his relationship with his mother, but it’s not a cry for sympathy, it’s the truth. If his father stayed, what would have happened?

In conclusion, the song is very fresh, and is like nothing I’ve ever heard really. It’s obviously not for everyone, but it’s a very good song.

10.

Artist: Tegan & Sara

Album: So Jealous

I have already included this one in a post from the past, but I guess I’ll just make a new one about it.However, this one will be shorter.

I always thought that Tegan & Sara really nailed it with this album. It’s surprisingly good. Technically, it’s simple, but the songs are catchy, and these are their most honest lyrics of their career. The album is so good that it wasn’t even out for Ten Years before it had some very respected bands covering it’s songs.

Alright, one thing I will change is the Best Tracks List.

Best Tracks: You Wouldn’t Like Me, I Bet It Stung, Where Does The Good Go?

9.

Artist: Big Brother and The Holding Company

Album: Cheap Thrills

The very beginning of the album has such an intense, raw power, it’s difficult not to keep listening. This is another I’ve already made a post about, so again, I’ll keep it short.

Janis Joplin sings her soul out, and it’s so strong you can feel it. There is no way that I can say the album isn’t great just because of her, since she is the reason it’s so good. How is that for short? eh? EH?

Best Tracks: Combination of the Two, Piece of my Heart, Ball and Chain

8.

Artist: Bjork

Album: Post

This and Biophelia are Bjork’s best albums. However, she really shines with this one. The only thing that separates this from Biophelia though is this one seems as if more people would really listen to it without freaking out … as much.

Bjork is a great musician and a wonderful vocalist. I’ve never really been a fan of too many of her lyrics, and although some of them are actually great in this album, I’m just going to skip over it (since I don’t believe they make the album as great as it is). When you listen to the album, it is apparent that Bjork is generally a good musician, but it just sounds so odd when you listen to what she does. It’s as if she believe you can make any noise into music (like make a telephone ring, or a bottle breaking.). She has not been the only one to believe that, but she is the only one who can really make it work.

Best Tracks: Army Of Me, Isobel, Possibly Maybe

7.

Artist: Bob Dylan

Album: Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

The greatest thing about Bob Dylan is that some of his songs, are just as relevant now as they were 50 years ago. This one starts off with one of my favorites, “Blowin’ in the Wind”: “How Many Years Can Some People Exist, Before They’re Allowed To Be Free? How Many Times Can A Man Turn His Head, and Pretend That He Just Doesn’t See?”

This album is basically pure folk. As his career went on, he took kind of a Rock’n’roll turn. However, the greatest thing about this album, is that the music is easy to listen to, but some of the songs are so intense, and are strongly affective. Bob Dylan had the ability to open the eyes of a past generation, and it’s funny how he can still do it today. If only more people of today would give this incredible album a shot. Then, maybe we could change too.

Best Tracks: Blowin’ In the Wind, Masters of War, Bob Dylan’s Blues

6.

Artist: Duffy

Album: Rockferry

I just want to know if I’m crazy for loving this album so much. I just don’t think people really saw how great it was. Duffy had a very soulful and beautifully unique voice, and mixed it with some great lyrics about heartbreak and moving past bad relationships. This came out around the Adele and Amy Winehouse days, where soul was in; unfortunately, this wasn’t recognized as much as they were. I picked it up though.

The best thing about the album to me, is I feel is if it’s empowering to women. When you listen to the radio, who sings about heartbreak more? (Men or Women?) and who sings about love more? (Men or Women?) I’m not implying that Men can’t sing love songs, and women can’t sing about heartbreak, it’s just that Duffy seems to do it differently. Her lyrics are strong, and consistent. There’s a part of the album that I absolutely love, and that’s where she is singing a simple break up song, but it gets to the point where she shouts (Well, like with a loud singing voice) “You can go to hell”.

Again, this probably doesn’t sound like it never happens with women in music. Her’s just sounds real, and stronger. There is no hidden submissiveness, she is just throwing her feelings out there, and they really stick.

Best Tracks: Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Delayed Devotion

5.
Artist : Subhumans

Album: The Day The Country Died

This is the part of the post where I really could not help myself. I don’t care what anyone says, this is one of the greatest punk albums ever made. However, it is verrrry british.

 I don’t like political punk bands, or bands that consist of mainly conspiracy theorists spewing their conspiracy theories, or anything like that. However, there is something about Subhumans’ paranoid ramblings about Big Brother, and the death of society that is intriguing. It’s not saying, “fuck everyone”, it’s as if it is just saying, “Values are gone, the ‘Country is dead’”, and it’s as if you constantly hear the question, “What’s the point?”, throughout the entire album. Well? What’s the point? If the country died in their eyes, and if everything seems chaotic and hopeless, then what really is the point? Maybe they were asking this question when nobody else was. Maybe you can apply the mentioned statements to more places that you really think.

eek. :x

Best Tracks: Mickey Mouse Is Dead, Big Brother, New Age

4.

Artist: Ramones

Album: Ramones

SHUT UP!! YOU LOOOOVE IT!!!!

How could I not put this high up on this list, I’ve been listening to these songs before… ANY of the other ones. The Ramones were “Loud and Fast”. Nobody can mimic their sound. It was different then, and it is different now. They always carried a unique sound, and were the pioneers of punk rock. Thanks, Ramones!

Look at that, this part was quick… just like the Ramones… right? … *sigh*

Best Tracks: Beat on the Brat, Chain Saw, I Don’t Wanna Go Down To The Basement

3.

Artist: Patti Smith

Album: Horses

I mentioned a few strong women in my posts. However, no one can live up the bad-ass herself, Patti Smith. She looked like, “one of the men”, and her sound on this album was unconventional and completely original.
Aside from Smith being kind of a bad ass, she was also a poet. She used some of her poetry in her songs, and that was another thing that you did not and still don’t really hear. Another great thing she did, was in the first two songs she sang about love for a woman. I don’t believe she is a lesbian, which I feel makes that even better.

I’m going to end this now with the greatest part of the album. I remember when I first listened to Gloria, I was taken aback by the first line. It quickly became, and strongly remained one of my favorite lines of all time: “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine.”

Best Tracks: Gloria, Redondo Beach, Elegie

2.

Artist: Bob Dylan

Album: Highway 61 Revisited

Would I need to continue if I said that, “Like A Rolling Stone” is the first track on this? Once again, Dylan had something to say, and he said it loud, but sometimes when he said things they were kinda weird…..

Tombstone Blues had some pretty strange parts, like when he “said the sun’s not ‘yellow’, it’s ‘chicken’.” …. OKAY Bob Dylan! Okay!

Essentially, the songs do have meaning though, they aren’t meaninglessly surreal lyrics in Tombstone Blues. Dylan always has something to say.

I’m getting to that point where I want to stop typing… Sorry bobby

Best Tracks: Like a Rolling Stone, Tombstone Blues, From a Buick 6

1.
Artist : Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room

Album: Hurricane Season

Perhaps the most upsetting thing that comes to mind when I think of this album, is that when I ordered a DAITER shirt, they gave me a tight fit, and my fat ass can not fit in that. Other than that, no negative thoughts come to mind. This isn’t an album you put on on your way to work or school, but to me it’s perfect.

Andriano leaves behind a much harsher Alkaline Trio sound and replaces it with something more calm and personal. The music itself is great, as well as the lyrics. There are some perfect “Facebook lyrics”, and what I mean by that is there are a lot of lyrics from this you can post to facebook…. you know what I mean. I’m so sick of typing… I have to go to work now. I’m leaving… listen to THIS ALBUM!! or don’t, I don’t care!

Best Tracks: It’s Gonna Rain All Day, Hurricane Season, Hollow Sounds, On Monday

20.

Artist: Operation Ivy

Album: Energy

Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman of Rancid would never have the career that they do now if they weren’t in Op Ivy. This is one of the most well known ska/punk bands ever formed, and it is obvious when you give them a listen.

This aptly named album covers subjects from the love of music to important and overlooked social issues. Some of the songs like, “Sound System”, and “Unity”, I feel should be seen as classics, but unfortunately they didn’t get the notoriety they deserved, which might be because of their overall raw sound. 

I have been a fan of Rancid since I was 12, but when I discovered Op Ivy, it completely changed my view on music. This was one of the most important bands for me to ever come across in terms of discovering different music. I’ve been a fan since my first listen, and will never not be a fan.

Best Tracks: Sound System, Unity, Room Without a Window

19.

Artist: Tegan & Sara

Album: The Con

The first T&S album I ever bought. I remember I was thirteen and came home from school to see the music video for, “The Con”, on the TV, and was instantly a fan.

I’m not going to go as far to say that this album is generally great, since it will only really affect few people in the way it affected me. I list it here so high because of its importance to me, and don’t be turned away by my comments, because it is good and deserved more acclaim than it got.

It’s good, simple music.

Best Tracks: The Con, Soil Soil, Dark Come Soon

18.

Artist: Pink Floyd

Album: The Wall

Two albums in a row that began my love for a certain band. I was pretty young when I started listening to this one. I instantly became obsessed with it, and listened to it every day. Only as the years went on did I look closer into what it was really saying. The entire album was a story about a man who is haunted by the past and descends into madness.

It’s probably the largest PF album, since it is in two parts, and it’s surprising that almost every single song is great. There are also many quotable lyrics, and a strange yet incredible climax and ending.

It’s not an album that you can start listening to with just random songs, you have to listen from start to finish.

Best Tracks: Mother, The Trial, Outside The Wall

17.

Artist: The Misfits

Album: Static Age

I fear if more people saw this on here, I would be killed. This was their first album, but I believe it went unreleased until the 90’s. However, I see this as The Misfits at their best, even though more people see, “Walk Among Us”, as their gritty best.

This one was darker and more well put together. It also has some great Horror/Sci Fi allusions like their other albums, but with some classics like, “Last Caress” and “Hybrid Moments”. This is one of my favorite albums of all time, but I feel so weird ranking it so high, above “The Wall” and “Nevermind”, but then again, bands like Metallica and Alkaline Trio wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for The Misfits.

Best Tracks: Comeback, Bullet, Theme For A Jackal

16.

Artist: Lady Gaga

Album: Born This Way

Thank god I don’t have many followers… at all… because this would be a very controversial addition to this list if people read it. However, I don’t regret adding it because this album really changed Lady Gaga’s appearance, and many songs from this album have become people’s personal anthems.

When I first heard the song, “Born This Way”, I wasn’t a fan really. I actually thought it sounded corny, but this is another case of where I had to look closer into something that was so apparent that changed my view on it completely. The album conveyed what the title blatantly told everyone, she and everyone else were born the way they were, and that everyone who feels different should be proud because they are their own, “Superstar”, nobody has to be “perfect”, and they are beautiful the way they are.

Nothing else to say. If you can’t appreciate that message, then there is no way I can change your mind on it. Nevertheless, it is probably the most important album of this decade and maybe the millenium thus far. Lady Gaga knows what she wants to say, and says it beautifully.

Best Tracks: Born This Way, Hair, Highway Unicorn

15.

Artist: Bjork

Album: Biophilia

Bjork is one odd singer, but she is one of the best. This one that was released about a year ago, stands (in my eyes) as one of her best. However, not everyone will agree. As I said, Bjork is odd, but so is this album.

I already did a review on this so I don’t want to spend so much time on this.

Perhaps, one of the greatest things about this album is that it is fresh in such a different way. Bjork doesn’t need to do what everyone else is doing to get more listeners. She is a true musician, and sticks to what she wants to do. This is proof of that.

Best Tracks: Moon, Crystalline, Nattura

14.

Artist: The Beatles

Album: Revolver

I’ll start off by saying this is the only Beatles album I own, so I don’t know exactly how great the others are; nonetheless, this one is great and deserves its place on the list.

The Beatles are widely regarded as the greatest band ever *Cough Cough* No.

Despite not agreeing with the comment above, I’m not going to disregard greatness. “Taxman”, is one of the best opening tracks. It is a quick, and funny rock song. Although, the rest of the album doesn’t quite meet what Taxman was, it somehow seems to seem so right as the first track. It makes you want more and more, and wonder what could come next? That of course would be the greatly depressing Eleanor Rigby, which needs to no detailed explanation of why it is so great.

I don’t like spending too much time on albums so I will conclude it with this: Maybe this isn’t their best album, but to put it simply, it’s not a bad start for those who haven’t listened to them really.

Best Tracks: Taxman, Eleanor Rigby, She Said She Said

13.

Artist: New York Dolls

Album: New York Dolls

This was the first, “Proto-punk” band I ever listened to, since I don’t really do Iggy Pop. The lead singer sounds a bit like Mick Jagger, but HAHA he’s better, since … ya’ know… The Stones suck.

Unfortunately, this is another band that didn’t become as famous as they should have. “Personality Crisis”, is a classic, and is pure energetic Rock’n’Roll. Also, if you can’t see by the picture posted, they performed in drag. They weren’t gay, but they really started glam, and nobody else did it they way they did.

Hmmm… to put it simply, New York Dolls were punk before punk, and glam before glam, and ready before their time I guess, that’s the only reason I can think of for their lack of deserved fame.

Best Tracks: Personality Crisis, Lookin’ For A Kiss, Trash

12.

Artist: Carole King

Album: Tapestry

I’m sure whenever somehow thinks of the 70’s or just oldies in general, “I Feel The Earth Move” pops in their head. The album can’t be judged by that single song, this album truly is wonderful in every sense of the word. She sings of Love, Heartbreak, and guilt (Guilt referring to the title song).

The “typical” 70’s sound is not for everyone, but Carole King really knew what she was doing. When you hear her, you hear a musician and poet, and nothing else. What else can you ask for?

Best Tracks: So Far Away, It’s Too Late, Tapestry

11.

Artist: Pink Floyd

Album: Animals

I can’t believe the pig on the album cover is actually iconic. Oh well, what can you do?

This is my favorite Pink Floyd album, and it reads like poetry. The album’s subject obviously is not literally about animals, but it tells about the people (Dogs and Sheep) who are held down by the Pigs (Government/Authority figures). The sheep choose to remain in blissful ignorance, as the dogs see what is happening and try to break free. The Singer sings as a dog, who does not empathize with the Sheep, but explains the consequences from basically choosing oppression. There is also an underlying love story I believe, unless I interpreted it wrong. Love and emotion are kept off the street, so the first and last track explain how two people feel about each other, but need to escape from the pigs.

I have a feeling my interpretation is wrong. I don’t really care though, I sometimes like things more with my false initial interpretation.

Best Tracks: Dogs, Pigs on the Wing (Pt. 1&2), Pigs (Three Different Ones

Here is Part Two of my Top 40 albums. Just keep in mind that I don’t own, nor have I listened to every classic album that you might expect to be on here. Also, this might seem like an odd list because I don’t have the most normal taste in music, and I wanted to include a variety of music in this. So this is not just punk, or folk, or classic rock. Some of them might never even see themselves on a legitimate Top Albums list ever, so here is their time to shine:

30.

Artist: The Ting Tings

Album: We Started Nothing

Two things you might think of when you hear the Ting Tings would probably be, “That’s Not My Name”, and Shampoo commercials. However, this was a pretty good album overall.

I don’t have much to say about it expect for it was simply a lot of fun, and incredibly catchy. I feel as if they succeeded in creating 10 tracks of catchy British pop music that will never leave your head… and I mean never. I’m a fan of the Ting Tings, but songs like “That’s Not My Name” and “Shut up and Let Me Go”, will always pop in the heads of people who despise them, years later.

I feel as if the album was underrated. Oh well.

Best Tracks: That’s Not My Name, Great DJ, Impacilla Carpisung

29.

Artist: Alkaline Trio

Album: Good Mourning

This album opens up to Alkaline Trio at their darkest with the song, “This Could Be Love.” The song will make you think, “Killing somebody never seemed like so much fun!” and it’s true! :D  No, but seriously, Alkaline Trio is known for placing catchy guitar riffs behind poppy vocals with disturbing lyrics.

I had to choose this album though because it incorporates everything alk3 is about. Dark lyrics about suicide, love, and heartbreak, and catchy yet somewhat raw sounding music. This album also shows Matt Skiba at his best, who sounds like he just got done smoking 3 packs of cigarettes during a long night of drinking. 

Nevertheless, the best part about the album is Dan Andriano’s songs, which show some of the best tracks they have done. He is a break for the listeners, equaling out the roughness of Skiba’s vocals with more smooth singing to some wonderful love songs.

Best Tracks: Every Thug Needs a Lady, Emma, Blue in the Face

28.

Artist: Florence and the Machine

Album: Lungs

I think the opening song in an album can say a lot to a listener, especially in a debut album. “Dog Days are Over”, is a perfect example of this. The strings plucked in the beginning tell the listener that they’re in for something new and beautifully made. Florence Welch’s vocals are not “Out of this world”, instead of that they seem to be perfect in a way where they are beautiful, yet imperfect… if that makes sense. Her voice is great, but can seem off at times, unlike singers like Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, who never seem flawed. That is what I think makes her so great though, her voice is new, but she still sounds human.

Wow… spent too much time on her voice…. It is difficult to explain people, bear with me.

…

… just pick up the album. You won’t regret it.

Best Tracks: Dog Days are Over, Between Two lungs, Cosmic Love

27.

Artist: Rancid

Album: … and out come the wolves

I’m afraid to talk to Op Ivy fans about Rancid, because I’m afraid they would be like, “Psh, fuck them… sell outs”, to which I’d reply, “Haha, yeah… they totally suck guys.”

In reality, I wouldn’t have known of Operation Ivy if it weren’t for my undeniable obsession with Rancid. Although, I don’t get what is so wrong with Rancid. They make good music, right? They don’t act is if they are superhuman, right? They have real lyrics and they are real people, right? Just because they don’t do only hardcore punk, or ska, doesn’t mean they suck.

The album opens up with, “Maxwell Murder”, which is a fast song with an amazing bass solo, which is unheard of normally… unless you’re Flea, maybe. However, one of the best tracks was the single, “Time Bomb”. It has some ska chords that can make you move, and a catchy chorus (Let’s see how many times I can use the word, “catchy” in this post.), but there are many songs in here that have some great lyrics, better than Op Ivy had *coughs*… Just saying.

I’m such a loser.

Best Tracks: Roots Radicals, Time Bomb, Olympia WA

26.

Artist: Feist
Album: Reminder

Hipsters don’t always listen to bad music. Look at Feist’s, “Reminder”. Feist’s soothing vocals and beautifully soothing music start this one up, and prepares the listener for something special. The lyrics switch off from nice, to melancholic, throughout the album, and the music switches off from soft and soothing, to fun and poppy (and CATCHY).

The song you might know from this album would be, “1, 2, 3, 4”, but if you don’t like that one, don’t let it turn you off to her music. If you listen to the entire album, you will most likely grow to like it.

Nothing else to say… I must say that it is difficult to form a clear sentence on here while listening to music. Whatevs

Best Tracks: I Feel It All, 1 2 3 4, How My Heart Behaves

25.

Artist: Stemm

Album: Songs for the Incurable Heart

How unlike me. Two Metal bands on this list? What’s wrong with this.

I only wanted to include bands that deserve a spot, regardless of the genre, and Stemm deserves a place on here… and more listeners…………… It bothers me that Stemm didn’t gain the popularity that bands like the ever-so wonderful Five Finger Death Punch have -.-. Stemm is fast, hard, and real. The lyrics aren’t mindless, and surprisingly the music isn’t either. Stemm knew what they were doing, and it sucks that they are done, but I’m glad I got to see them live at least once before they stopped playing.

So here is my personal favorite by Stemm, give them a listen if you’re willing to.

Best Tracks: Monster, Pandemic, 13 Years

24.

Artist: Nirvana

Album: Nevermind

I guess I’ll be like every other gay on here and post a picture with a penis in it to Tumblr. Just Kidding… seriously….

Nevermind, was Nirvana at their most raw. They were grunge, yet they were pop. They were great, yet they sucked. I think this album means so much to me because I’ve been listening to it for so long. Yet, for some reason I don’t know why I ever liked it in the first place. I can’t say much about it because I’m still looking for the reason. Nevertheless, it’s good. I can’t explain it.

It’s good… but … not good….

Best Tracks: Come as You Are, Polly, Something in the Way

23.

Artist: Heavens

Album: Patent Pending

Matt Skiba has and will always make dark music, but here is the darkest of them all in his side project, Heavens. The first track sounds very electronic and gloomy, and is fronted by Skiba’s monotonous emotionless vocals. As the album goes on, it gets darker and darker, but finds some places for respite and more happy sounding music I guess.

The album continues on how I explained, but comes to an end with a song with music that creates a feeling of absolute devastation. Then again, isn’t that how the entire album was supposed to make you feel?

Best Tracks: Counting, Dead End Girl, Leave

22.

Artist: Hole

Album: Live Through This

The opening track, “Violet”, is pure anger and frustration, which is what makes Hole so great. Courtney Love sounds like a mess in this album, but that’s how I love her. It’s real, grungy, angry music that at times sounds like it was scraped up from the bottom of a filthy sink.

Don’t hate me for this: The album sound of grunge, yet the feel of punk. It’s messy, but literally says, “Fuck You” to all who deserve it. However, the high point of the album is Love’s painful, “Doll Parts”. It has a slow hurting pace that comes crashing down near the end, but accompanied by some incredibly depressing lyrics (“Yeah they really want you, but I do too” “Someday You Will Ache Like I Ache” “He Only Loves those things because He loves to see them break”).

Best Tracks: Violet, Miss World, Doll Parts

21.

Artist: Wire

Album: Pink Flag

This is just another one of those albums where I’m unsure of why I truly love it so much, but I do know that this was a well made classic. It was punk in it’s early years, but it didn’t sound like the rest. It had a punk feel, and the quickness of it, but songs like “Strange”, and “Fragile”, distinguishes it from the rest.

See? I don’t know what else to say really…. maybe because I’m pretty tired :P and I don’t feel like typing anymore

Best Tracks: Lowdown, Fragile, 1-2-x-u

That’s it.

I really need to stop listening to music when I type though, this probably reads terribly.

Obviously I’m not a very good critic, and I’m not the best with lists… actually, I hate making them… but I’m very bored and thought it would be kinda fun to throw together my own little Top 40 list. I’m going to make them very short though. Enjoy, if possible!

40.Artist:Link 80

Album: 17 Reasons

Ahh… good ol’ skacore… but this is one of the only skacore bands I listen to. The album flops back and forth between fun ska beats, and angry hardcore, but then having some that are in the middle. If you like Ska, or hardcore punk, pick up this album.

Best Tracks: Pretty Girls, Slap, Nowhere Fast

39. Artist: Metallica

Album: Master of Puppets

It’s an album I’ve had to sit through since I was a tiny child. There are crazy, fast songs, but the others that are slower aren’t really considered easy listening. Another thing, that makes the album great is the lyrics, that actually have substance.

Best Tracks: Batter, Master of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

38. Artist: Bad Brains

Album: Bad Brains

The band that exposed me to hardcore punk. Bad Brains is no doubt one of my favorite bands of all time, but I didn’t feel right ranking it higher than this, since not many people would really listen to it, I’m sure. That’s because they were one of the craziest, and may I say weirdest sounding, punk bands. Nevertheless, it is fast, unless it is one of their reggae tracks… but they do reggae too because they are uhhh… Rastas.

Best Tracks: Big Takeover, Pay to Cum, I Luv I Jah

37. Artist: The Toasters

Album: Skaboom

I’m pretty sure I have a Special Edition cd of this, but it’s still a great album. The Toasters were the first ska band I ever started listening to really, when I was about 13. There are some classic songs on this album though, it’s not an album you can pass by, I highly recommend it to anyone with ears, or good dancing shoes.

Best Tracks: Talk is Cheap, East Side Beat, Razor Cut (Might not have been on original release, but whatever)

36. Artist: Elton John

Album: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy

I’ve always loved Elton John, and I couldn’t choose between Honky Chateau or this one, so I went with this one since my favorite song by him is on it. Elton John is one of the greatest singers out there, and if you are unsure which album of his to start listening to if you want to listen to him… it should probably be Honky Chateau…. but this one is good too.

Best Tracks: Someone Saved My Life Tonight, (Gotta Get) A Meal Ticket, Better Off Dead

35. Artist: The Misfits

Album: Walk Among Us

“Put Walk Among Us on and Turn it up”- We’ve had enough by Alkaline Trio

Matt Skiba had it right when he sang that song. This is probably Misfit’s most popular album, and rightfully so. If you listen to punk rock music at all, this is a must. Glenn Danzig’s vocals are like none other, singing about horror/Sci-fi movies and B movie Actresses. The Misfits did it right with this one, since it got me into them (Right? because not only do I know movies, I’m the music guru.)

Best Tracks: Vampira, Night of the Living Dead, Astro Zombies

34. Artist: The Damned

Album: Damned Damned Damned

This album is the definition of classic, although it’s not treated like one. You don’t even have to listen to punk rock to get into this one. Dave Vanian’s vocals and personal style are distinctive, and so is the music. The Damned IS The Damned.

Best Tracks: Neat Neat Neat, New Rose, Fish

33. Artist: Alanis Morissette

Album: Jagged Little Pill

I already wrote a review on this one… and I’m too lazy to do another one, but I will say Alanis kicks ass with this one… a lot of ass.

Best Tracks: Hand in my Pocket, Mary Jane, Not the Doctor

32. Artist: Gary Numan

Album: The Pleasure Principle

Everyone has heard Cars, but not a lot of people really understand how great this album is. I love Gary Numan because he seems kind of freakish and lonely in this album. It’s difficult to explain, but if you listen you might understand. This is another album that is heavily influenced by sci-fi, but the lyrics aren’t mindless. M.E. is an incredibly depressing song about a robot that is stranded on a planet and decides to shut itself off because nobody else is there. See what I mean? I think you do

Best Tracks: Metal, M.E., Cars

31. Artist: The Finches

Album: Human Like A House

This was one of the best buys ever for me. I was unsure because I hadn’t heard any songs from it, I only heard, “House With The Two Front Doors”, and that one isn’t on the album. I took a chance and ended up with an incredibly well made album. It’s ‘easy to listen to’ folk music that is led by Carolyn Pennypacker (?) who has one of the greatest, and most soothing voiced I’ve ever heard. I’ve had the album for years, and have not yet stopped listening to it. It does not get old.

Best Tracks: June Carter Cash, “Nightswimming, AR”, Step Outside

and that concludes Part. 1. Hope you enjoyed scrolling past it you motherfuckers.

:D

My 2 (!) followers

whatever… I’m still famous

I’m gonna create a Top 40 Albums list :D

My 3 followers should be SUPER excited lol

Artists you will see on the list:

Beatles

Alkaline Trio

Bob Dylan

The Finches

Carole King

and yes…. already Stemm has made it on a list of mine, Beth lol

Warning: I will love Tegan & Sara no matter what they do, so of course these ratings will seem a little one-sided, but I’m trying to be as fair as possible. Also, there is one album of theirs that I do not have, so it obviously will not be included…. like you care, I’m writing to NO ONE!

Anyway, I feel as if I could always be comfortable listening to Tegan & Sara. They were two Canadian Lesbian Twins with guitars, and they never tried to make a big deal about their sexualities. Since I was about 13, I knew I could always put on a Tegan & Sara cd and enjoy myself….. since anything else I did at that age wasn’t TOOOOO enjoyable, and I always felt pretty awkward.

Nevertheless…. WATCH OUT Tegan & Sara…. here I go….

Album: Under Feet Like Ours

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

This albums starts off with one of my favorite T&S songs, “Divided”. It’s a song that goes nice a slow, and is very easy to listen to, but at the same time it is a sad song about having to break up but wishing for the best for that person (“Don’t live your life for me or anyone. You live your life as if you’re one.”). Unfortunately, the album takes a horrible turn for the worse almost immediately. The next track up until the end of the album sounds like it came from 2 angry, “GO GREEN!”, lesbians playing at a Downtown Coffee Shop in Seattle. I will say that the song, “Come On”, was pretty good, but any other songs than the two I mentioned were okay, at best.

Best Tracks: Divided, Come On

Album: If It Was You

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

This was an album that took me a little while to finally like, but when I started liking it… I REALLY started liking it. It is unlike any other T&S album. They stick to the Indie, lonely hipster feel like their old stuff, but they added a little more of an edgy rock guitar to it, and it definitely works.

The opening song, “Time Running”, uses the electric guitar, and has a surprising energy to it without being fast. However, the album isn’t all kind of harsh electric guitars. There are songs like, “City Girl”, and, “Not Tonight”, that have a slow pace and softer sound. Then there are more fun sounding and upbeat songs like, “Underwater”, and its closer, “Come on Kids” (Which is a funny sarcastic song about teenagers becoming addicted to drugs, warning them that their lives are at stake when they begin doing drugs.).

Perhaps one of the favorites for most people from this album was the song, “Living Room” (or maybe it would be “Monday, Monday, Monday”). It begins with a Mandolin (?) and a folk-like sound, but slowly blends with a catchy pop sound and lyrics.

Best Tracks: City Girl, Living Room, Want To Be Bad

Album: So Jealous

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

So Jealous is by far my favorite Tegan and Sara album. Here they have found the perfect sound for them, and execute it extremely well. I believe this is one of the first albums where they use synthesizers in more than one or two songs.

The opening song is, “You Wouldn’t Like Me”, which includes the harshly personal line, “I feel like I wouldn’t like me if I met me”, which becomes, “I feel like you wouldn’t like me if you met me.” The song has a nice pace, and it is very catchy. They use an acoustic guitar, and blend it with a light sound of a Synth in the background, which gives the song a delightfully poppy feel.

One of the most popular songs by them, “Walking With A Ghost”, was covered by The White Stripes; unfortunately, many people mistake White Stripes as the creators of the song (NOPE, that was good ol’ Tegan and Sara). Then, a few years ago, (MY FAVORITE BAND) Alkaline Trio covered the song, “Wake Up Exhausted”, (Which was like a dream come true to me…. just saying.)

I Don’t really want to say much more, but I will say that if I had to recommend an album of theirs to anyone, it would be So Jealous.

Best Tracks: You Wouldn’t Like Me, Where Does the Good Go, Fix You Up

Album: The Con

Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5

This was the first T&S album I ever picked up, at the ripe age of 13. Oh yes, those were the good old days where straight men wore eyeliner, and Scene people were coming into the world. Anyway, what made those days even better was that I finally started giving a good listen to a band that I’ll listen to for the rest of my life.

“I Was Married”, is a really odd song, but it is oddly enjoyable. It seems slightly melancholic, but it seems kind of strange. It mixes only a synthesizer and a piano to back up the vocals; nevertheless, it fits, since it is a simple and short song and it feels nice to open up an album with that.

“The Con”, was the song that really got me into them. When I first heard it, I was unaware of the indie poppers making their way into the mainstream. It was a sound I never heard. The song was unbearably catchy, and I was singing it in my head constantly for weeks; even after I bought the album, which was shortly after I heard the song.

Of course, they carried over the synth sound from their previous album, but it was louder and spread across the entire album. However, they were able to manage the sounds in a good way. Having some stronger and louder songs, but leaving room for the quieter songs.

The album has and will always seem strange to me. It just sounds so weird, like it is not even from this world at times, but then again, it’s such a simple album.

Best Tracks: The Con, Soil Soil, Dark Come Soon

*note* Back in Your Head has been known to be extremely catchy too… but not in a good way lol

Album: Sainthood

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Now we conclude this post with Sainthood.

I absolutely adore this album. I remember running into the store to get this album, and quickly unwrapping it in the car the look at the ‘artwork’ and lyrics.  When I arrived at my house I immediately put it in a cd player and listened to it all night. I did not stop listening to this album constantly for about a month. This album confirmed that T&S know pop, and they are on a roll.

“Arrow”, is the opener, and it’s not the best song of the album, but it works. Naturally, it’s catchy, but it lacks a bit of what most of their other songs had, which is difficult to explicit about. The album continues with some synth pop goodness that easily hooks any listener in.

I was a little disappointed in the single, “Hell”, even though I loved the song. I just thought that it didn’t show them the way their other singles did.

The most negative thing to say is another disappointment in a single from the album: Alligator. Once again, I loved the song, but it was kind of stupid. I feel as if it had more air time, people would not be able to see what I love about Tegan and Sara. It made it seem like they were some cutesy little pop duo… which they might be, but they have a little more strength than what it projected. Trust me.

Best Songs: On Directing, Red Belt, Someday

Well that’s it folks. Just remember that they are not a band for everyone. Some people might not love them like I do, because I love them for personal reasons. Despite that, they are still a good band… they are more famous than you, aren’t they? That’s what I thought.

Tegan and Sara: 1

World: 0

Artist: Big Brother and the Holding Company

Album: Cheap Thrills

Rating : 5 Stars (obviously)

Who doesn’t love some good Rock’n’Roll and a cover done by Robert Crumb?!?! Ke$ha fans and Republicans, THAT’S WHO!

When people hear the song, “Piece of My Heart”, you  don’t normally hear people say it was by Big Brother, they will say it was by Janis Joplin. Janis was the soul of the band, and her voice was so inexplicably soulful that the strength in her voice seems tangible. The listener is able to get a taste of her hardships, and actually feel the pain in her voice.

From the energetic, “Combination Of The Two”, to the aptly named, “Turtle Blues” (and it’s appropriate because of the ‘Blues’ part, not because she is a turtle), to the intense finale of the 9 minute cover song, “Ball and Chain”. Cheap Thrills takes you through an incredible listening experience that will move you, and THRILL you I guess………………….

Best Tracks: Combination of the Two, Piece of My Heart, Ball and Chain

Artist: Bjork

Album: Biophelia

Rating: 5 Stars

People never ask me why I listen to Bjork, but if they ever did, I would have probably said, “because she is like nothing else you have ever heard before.”

I’m just going to say now that this album is STRANGE, and I really do mean it. I was afraid to put this in a 5 star post because with Bjork, It’s either you love her or you hate her (normally people hate her), but then I realized that NO ONE will read this so, why worry?

I once tweeted that this album will take you into another world if you close your eyes and listen to it. I wasn’t being Mr. Pretentious, I was being deadly serious. This album seems to be influenced by Astronomy? (Ya know, because she’s crazy), but she conveys it well by creating a very spacy feel that lifts you.

Bjork’s music normally does not seem to be about the lyrics, it is mostly about the music. She will make sounds you have never heard, and mix them into something out outlandishly captivating.

However, I must conclude this with the comment that Bjork is not for everyone. You might even find me crazy for giving this 5 stars, because it’s arguably not even music. Nevertheless, it is something magical in a way, that I can’t seem to get away from.

Best Tracks: Moon, Crystalline, Nattura.

Artist: Dan Andriano in the Emergency Room

Album: Hurricane Season

Rating: 5 Stars

This is my favorite album of all time. Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio takes the Trio sound but makes it into a nice, beautifully put together story of depression and redemption.

The album begins as a depressingly solemn picture of life on the road, and the separation from your loved ones. There are so many lines in the first two tracks, “It’s Gonna Rain All day” and “Hurricane Season” that are surprisingly affecting. They are also songs that are depressing, but are catchy like a pop-song. Another thing that I came to like is that “It’s Gonna…” brings you into the plain hotel room that Andriano lays in where the rain beats on the window.

As the songs go on, there are some painfully pessimistic tracks, but they ease themselves into something that appears to have more optimism, and that is the incredible thing about this album. It is an entire story, where the tracks might seem to be unconnected if you don’t listen close enough. Andriano officially has proven himself as a true musician with this album, and I await another release from him, whether it be from The Emergency Room, or Alkaline Trio. This album re-sparked my love for Alkaline Trio.

Best Tracks: It’s Gonna Rain All Day, On Monday, Me and Denver

I never really listened to Queen Latifah too much, but I always knew one song by her, and that was U.N.I.T.Y. I remember mostly because of her saying, “Who you callin’ a bitch” throughout the song, but I never really payed too much attention to the rest of the lyrics. I actually used to think it was funny at first, until recently when I decided to listen to the song, and its message.

As you probably know, the song starts off with Latifah repeating, “U.N.I.T.Y. Love a black man from infinity to infinity”, until a sudden “Who you callin’ a bitch” comes from Latifah, which sounds very tough and strong. Once the song really starts, Latifah begins to express her disgust with men referring to many women as “bitches” and “hoes”, and recalls an incident of a man quickly feeling her up as he passes her on the street; subsequently saying “Yeah me, bitch” from afar as she looks back at him angrily. She then goes up to the man and punches him in the eye and asks, “Who you callin’ a bitch”.

The song at that point is filled with more power and attitude. I then began to realize its power and the strength in Latifah. I also felt much more respect for Latifah as a person, since she tells a story of sticking up to a man who would disrespect her in such a perverted way.

The next part of the song struck me even more profoundly (and I mean that). She then goes on to broaden her message to all of the women in abusive relationships. She lets men know that if you put your hands on her, you’re going to be put in jail. She also says that she would not want her children to see her being abused right in front of their eyes. “I’m not your personal whore”, she says to the men, declaring her independence in a way. In this part, she lets listeners know that she makes her own choices and a strong human being, and that she refuses to be treated like she is nothing.

The last part is where she calls out all of the girls who participate in violent activity. Asking them how they could be so stupid, opting to be placed in danger. She expresses her disappointment in how some girls can jump other girls, and how some of them never learn that they could get hurt, even though they might have friends with sliced up faces or friends who have been killed from that lifestyle. She ends this part with one last “Who you callin’ a bitch” and goes back to singing about unity.

How can anyone not like this song and what it stands for? Latifah delivered one of the most powerful songs about being an independent woman and sticking up to the men who degrade women with terms like, “bitch” and “hoe”. However, now we have artists like Nicki Minaj, who are self-proclaimed “Bad Bitches”, and men who release songs that includes lyrics like, “fucking bitches…” and “All these bitches”. Who did Latifah reach? Or maybe the question really is, “Where is the respect?” I have decided to consider U.N.I.T.Y. one of the most important songs I’ve ever heard, and the most important song in the history of Hip-Hop and Rap. Women need to hear this song and listen to the lyrics, maybe womanizers and abusive men will hear, “Who you callin’ a bitch?” a bit more, which is definitely needed.