NUMBER THREE
Ill Communication / Beastie Boys
1994 / 20 Tracks
After breaking onto the scene with their debut back in 1986, they started breaking
their persona with albums like Paul's Boutique and Check Your Head, the B-Boys from
Brooklyn dropped this album that took everything that they had done so far, and
took a GIANT leap forward - melding funk, trip-hop, 70's film soundtrack, hardcore samples,
great guests like Biz Markie & Q-Tip, and old-school rap and rhymes, mixed flawlessly.
They played all their own instruments on the album (which they still do live as well).
A very mature album from a very young (at heart) band.
Starting with the dog bark at the beginning of "Sure Shot", the album jumps into a
jazz flute and some big beats, kicks right into "Tough Guy" and the return of the
B-Boys punk roots. It makes me want to get into the pit!
"B-Boys makin' with the Freak Freak" has one of the BEST samples EVER -
"If this is gonna be that kind of party, I'm gonna stick my dick in the mashed potatoes"...
and "Bobo on the Corner" is a great instrumental that leads right into "Root Down",
a super funky piece of rap. I can hear the loop in my head right now.
Cue the lights, start up the grainy film projector and roll the 70's cop movie, adding in "Sabotage"
for the soundtrack and you have a hit on your hands. The rock, funk, and turntable scratches
blend into a wall of noise that works. This along with MC's bass line in the middle of the song
brings it down, the song just explodes back into your face! The song still holds up today.
The boys bring it down and dirty with "Sambrosa" along with the help of Q-Tip.
"Ma Bell got the ILL COMMUNICATION..."
"The Update" gives a nice mellow break, running like a smooth jazz club set,
leading into "Futterman's Rule".
"Alright Hear This", another banging song with big beats and funky rhymes,
and back to "Eugene's Lament" and a slow, melodic track.
"Flute Loop", another one of my favorite tracks, is so funky with great beats,
makes me wanna move, move, move. Taking you directly into "Do it".... "We got the Funk"
"Ricky's Theme", another jazz-inspired track takes you into the 2nd hardcore punk song
"Heart Attack Man" .
The album wraps with "Shambala", "Bodhisatta Vow" (an ode to Buddhist teachings)
and "Transistions".
So many great memories with this album and the Beastie Boys in general. I've see them
a BUNCH of times including the Tibetian Freedom Concert in San Francisco (with Choppy
& Bill Barnes) [PIXS] that featured the Beasties and this CD. Also caught them at the
Greek Theater in LA,[PIXS] which was the best show I saw that year (beating out TWO FF shows).
9.5 / 10
NUMBER TWO
NEVERMIND / Nirvana
1991 / 12 Tracks
I can vividly remember where I was when I first heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
and when I heard Kurt Cobain had killed himself. I still conjure up that video
on heavy replay on MTV. This is an album that shapes my musical influences
even today.
The album is complex yet simple, the same way the way the Beatles wrote songs
(Kurt was a HUGE John Lennon fan). This cd single-handedly changed the face of
modern rock, knocking the "King of Pop" from number one and killing Hair Metal.
Starting with the simple guitar-riff of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Kurts low grumble of
lyrics "Load Up on Guns and Bring your Friends"... this anthem runs head-first into a wall
while you are on fire. The lyrics pull and seduce you - drawing you into the bridge
of noise and melody. Even as the chords and song fades from your speakers, the remains
of the song that changed everything reverberates your soul for some time to come.
"In Bloom" is at heart a simple pop song, with a catchy riff and melody.
"Come as You Are" is almost chilling and spooky at times. The melodic sense of the tune,
pulls you through the murky water, just like the video for this song. The image of a
gun floating and Kurt singing "And I swear that I don't have a gun" still makes me sad
and sends a chill down my spine.
"Breed", a hard-rocking drum inspired song really showed how hard Dave could hit the drums.
"Lithium" is one of my favorite Nirvana songs. It starts with Kris's bass line, into Dave's
deep drums and Kurt almost talking through the low parts of the song, which amps up and
kicks into the heavy rocking parts of the song.
"Polly" is an acoustic (mainly) song based on a true story of a girl that was abducted
and raped in Tacoma, WA. It is haunting & beautiful.
"Territorial Pissings", a fast-pased rock song just beats and pummels you
while "Drain You" (another rock song) builds you up before it breaks you down.
"Truth covered in security, I can't let you smother me"....
"Lounge Act" is another song close to my being. It is at heart, a relationship song.
It starts off with Kurt groaning into the mic and his signature guitar,
taking you into a gorgeous rock song, ending in him growling and spitting the lyrics at you,
as it fades off.
Which then takes you into Dave's fierce drumming on "Stay Away". If a song could beat you
to a pulp, this would be it.
As the album winds down, so does the songs. "On a Plain" slows it down to a classic pop song
while still rocking. Giving you everything and more.
"Something in the Way" wraps the album beautifully in a bow. Kurt's haunting voice and
strumming guitar, rings through my body and soul.
Even with the success of the Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl, it is obvious that he took a lot from
his time with Kurt and Nirvana. I saw them live twice and wish I had even more memories of them,
but at least I can saw I did see them live. It is weird for me to hear Nirvana on the Classic Rock,
but that is one thing that they will ALWAYS be... Classic.
10 / 10
So I have been wanting to do this for a while and being such a music guy that I wanted to
write some reviews on some of my favorite albums and why they are some of
the best albums of all time. Be it a great album or purely sentimental reasons, here starts with...
NUMBER ONE
The Colour and the Shape / Foo Fighters
1997 / 13 Tracks
The Foo Fighters second and most mature album by far. It is one of those albums that
I can listen to start to finish and when it's end, start it over again. The powerful lyrics
and tone of this album really speak to me.
It starts with the melodic and powerful "Doll", a song about his marriage that was on the rocks during
the recording of TCATS. The way DG almost talks through the song is amazing.
Busting into "Monkey Wrench", a drum-banging, guiatr-rffing hit. It is another relationship song, but not
in the tradition way. It is now a staple in the FF catalog.
"Hey Johnny Park" (or "Hey JP"), a melodic ballad about friendship. This leads into "My Poor Brain",
one of Dave's "screaming" songs where he really wails and my friend Spork's favorite song.
"Wind Up", a great catching pop song, which builds you into the heart of the album.
"The Rain is Here and you my Dear, are still my Friend...."
"Up in Arms", a simple love song that no matter how many times I hear it, it gets to me.
The slow-version of it is so awesome, but the whistle that leads into the rock on the
album version is priceless.
"My Hero", a song about everyday people being heroes to others. It is sometimes overplayed
in montages and tribute videos, but I still love it none the less. It is another staple of the
FF catalog and awesome live.
"See You", "Enough Space" and "February Stars" all ebb-and-flow towards the Foo's epic - "Everlong".
A song that stirs emotion in most. That talks of love and loss. My favorite song line of all time is in this song -
"Breathe out, so I can breathe you in..."
"Walking after You", another emotional relationship / break-up song. One that I love to listen to alone.
The album finishes with "New Way Home", a song that Dave says is about "emotions and pitfalls
and ups & downs, but at the end of the day, you realize that you're not scared any more and
you're gonna make it".
This album was a HUGE change in what is now the modern FF line-up. Willaim Goldsmith, the original
drummer of the Foo worked on this album, but Dave was unhappy with his work and re-recored the drum
tracks himself. Taylor Hawkins was brought in at the end of the album and became the touring and official
drummer of the band. Also, founding Guitarist Pat Smear (Nirvana / The Germs) decided to leave the band
during the tour for this album and was replaced by Franz Stahl (which only lasted through the tour and
the beginning writing process of their next album). The album was re-released in 2007 with b-sides.
Anytime I take a road trip, this CD comes with me.
This album is perfect and is worthy of a 10 / 10.
It's not as easy as it sounds. CHANGE. Most of us fall into our ways and never really change.
Not that you have to change for anyone or anything. You can be the most stubborn,
bull-headed person and decide "Why should I change? I'm perfect the way I am. I like the
way I act / live / whatever. Accept me for my quirks, faults, etc."
Sometimes this is okay. You are not hurting anyone in what you are doing or acting.
It may just be super fucking annoying OR make others around you not want to hang out
with you. Sometimes people just have to say to themselves "Either I have to accept
this person for the way they are, or I have to stop hanging out with them".
Letting go someone because of this reason is one of the hardest things to do in life.
Along with getting over my last relationship, I had decided to "remove" some bad elements
from my life that seemed to be dragging down my life further. They were sucking the
goodness from me and holding me back from growing. I knew that they were not going to
change and I was done letting them make me feel worthless.
The good thing that I am learning from my new path (besides happiness) is how
to change myself and why I needed to. Therapy and self-evaluation is a STRONG
and eye-opening experience. I am making positive changes in my life. I am not
letting others dictate this, nor am I changing for someone else's view of me.
The great thing about these wholesale changes is the clarity I am having. My ability
to see the things I don't like or want in my life. I am getting back to the happy,
fun, open person I know I once was.
I look into the eye of the storm and say "Bring it". I am ready. Prepared for battle.
My life is really good and those still hitched to my wagon are in for a great time.
Looking forward to Football starting up again. Me and Chuckles are going to the game
Saturday night vs da'Bears (and stupid Jay Cutler). I like FREE Tickets (using the owners seats).
The team has changed with LT leaving (a running theme this year?) and with Vincent Jackson /
Marcus McNeill not getting new long-term contracts. On the plus side -
we get new legs with rookie running back Ryan Matthews.
We have consistency and leadership in Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates (signed to a
new long term deal).
I still don't like NORV but one more year and we'll see what he can do. My hope is still bringing in Bill Cower.
Someone that is a proven winner.
Preseason starts in a couple of weeks. The season starts on a Thursday
September 9th - Vikings vs the Saints. The Bolts play the 2nd Monday night game
on the 13th at the Chiefs.
Another great year with HIGH expectations.
This summer has been a weird one. Last one was full of Fun in the Sun.
Lots of Concerts and Activities. This one has been more on the down-low.
I'm sure my attitude has something to do with that but as
I say to myself everyday - it's another chance for fresh start.
I'm taking care of myself - health and mental wise. Therapy has helped tons.
Refocusing on the important things. Getting life in order. I have shed off
a lot of bad energy and people over the last couple of months as well.
Sometime you think you know what is best for you not knowing it is sucking
the marrow from your bones.
Work has been really good. Trying to advance myself through hard work, taking
on more responsibilities and going beyond my job. I guess I will have a better
gauge at review time in January if my "plan" is working.
I got my first Passport (finally). Over the last two years I had talked and
talked about it but finally pulled the trigger. Now to just decide where
and when...
Weather wise it hasn't felt like summer at all. More May-Gray and June-Gloom
days than the Hot Heat that we are used to this time of year.
What will the rest of the Summer hold? I guess I will have to hold my head up,
leave my "self-made" prison to see what is out there and really know what is
next for me.
