Hibees bounce Top albums - The Countdown

[Jack K]

Disappointed in Jack K for missing that, and Ryan69 for not calling it out as a conspiracy.

I decided smart arse music cognoscenti should keep away from this thread for fear of spoiling it for others.
I have glanced but have resisted making any comment most of the time.

Must go, have a deluxe reissue of Bowies "Hunky Dory" to listen to
It collects unreleased home demos, live recordings, radio sessions, and more.

Divine Symmetry (An Alternate Journey Through Hunky Dory), arriving Nov. 25 as a 4CD/1Blu-ray set, features 48 unreleased tracks in total, including Bowie’s own home and hotel recordings for tracks that wound up on Hunky Dory, as well as unreleased songs like “King of the City,” “Tired of My Life” (later partially revisited for Scary Monsters’ “It’s No Game”), “Right On Mother,” “How Lucky You Are (Miss Peculiar)” and more.

The additional discs are filled out with Bowie’s entire John Peel session from June 1971 — only a handful of the recordings previously appeared on the Bowie at the Beeb comp — plus additional never-officially-released BBC recordings, the unearthed BOWPROMO EP, single mixes, b-sides, and alternate versions of the Hunky Dory tracks.

 

[moathibby]

'Cognoscente'.

 

[Jack K]

'Cognoscente'.

Think it can be spelt with an i or an e at the end

Divine Symmetry

 

[HaarlemShuffler]

Think it can be spelt with an i or an e at the end

Divine Symmetry

-E is the singular and -i the plural. So J was right more by luck than good judgment!

I like Bowie fine too but all that stuff... tastes do differ.

 

[Jack K]

-E is the singular and -i the plural. So J was right more by luck than good judgment!

I like Bowie fine too but all that stuff... tastes do differ.

Thanks

I'm ploughing through the demo's on Disc 1.
Some of the less familiar songs are substantially more interesting for what they became than what they are.
"Tired of my Life" is a mopey acoustic strum, nothing special until halfway through when it unexpectedly turns into It’s No Game, the opening track from 1980’s Scary Monsters and Super Creeps.
"King of the City" initially sounds naggingly, maddeningly familiar. Thirty seconds in, when Bowie’s voice takes on a more anguished tone, it suddenly becomes clear: it’s "Ashes to Ashes", almost a decade too early

 

[Bangkokhibby]

Faith Healer has the best intro to a song that I have ever heard. Fab.
Blew me away when I first saw them 50 years ago and still does.




BIG G

Always loved SAHB. Saw them Jan '75 at the Caley in Lothian road. The security were getting a bit heavy handed at the front so Alex stopped the show and told them all to fuck off and he would take responsibility. At the end of the show as the crowd left you could see the front few rows of seats destroyed. The backs ripped off and placed on the arms so folk had mini platforms to stand on. Long time ago but that would have cost him plenty for replacements.

 

[Two Headed Boy]

I decided smart arse music cognoscenti should keep away from this thread for fear of spoiling it for others.

It's a shame you feel that way.

If you were to enthuse in detail about an album you liked when it appeared I can't see how you'd spoil anything. Might even encourage the uninitiated people to share your passion.

 

[Jack K]

It's a shame you feel that way.

If you were to enthuse in detail about an album you liked when it appeared I can't see how you'd spoil anything. Might even encourage the uninitiated people to share your passion.

I can see everybody is enjoying the thread.
It's perfect as it is.
You have done a great job.

Enthusing in detail about an album takes time and effort.
However, if anybody wants to know which album(s) or compilations are best by a band or artist I will happily give my tuppence worth.
Big G is another music obsessive and has seen almost every artist performing since 1970. From his music posts I can see he listens to and has vast knowledge about all sorts of music.
Caveat - I have not listened to metal bands in the last 40 years.

P.S. I shit you not, yesterday I was sent a 5 CD reissue of the third George Michael album "Older" to review. WTF!
The E.P. and B sides are good extras but it is rammed full of dreadful remixes. I can't face it.

 

[1875]

P.S. I shit you not, yesterday I was sent a 5 CD reissue of the third George Michael album "Older" to review. WTF!
The E.P. and B sides are good extras but it is rammed full of dreadful remixes. I can't face it.

You gotta have faith.

 

[Bangkokhibby]

I can see everybody is enjoying the thread.
It's perfect as it is.
You have done a great job.

Enthusing in detail about an album takes time and effort.
However, if anybody wants to know which album(s) or compilations are best by a band or artist I will happily give my tuppence worth.
Big G is another music obsessive and has seen almost every artist performing since 1970. From his music posts I can see he listens to and has vast knowledge about all sorts of music.
Caveat - I have not listened to metal bands in the last 40 years.

P.S. I shit you not, yesterday I was sent a 5 CD reissue of the third George Michael album "Older" to review. WTF!
The E.P. and B sides are good extras but it is rammed full of dreadful remixes. I can't face it.

Nothing personal Jack I assure you but critics, whether music, film or art have never had any bearing on what I watch or listen to. To me they're a bunch of pretentious twats.

 

[moathibby]

Thanks

I'm ploughing through the demo's on Disc 1.
Some of the less familiar songs are substantially more interesting for what they became than what they are.
"Tired of my Life" is a mopey acoustic strum, nothing special until halfway through when it unexpectedly turns into It’s No Game, the opening track from 1980’s Scary Monsters and Super Creeps.
"King of the City" initially sounds naggingly, maddeningly familiar. Thirty seconds in, when Bowie’s voice takes on a more anguished tone, it suddenly becomes clear: it’s "Ashes to Ashes", almost a decade too early

So we're talking about the albums in question or having a private chat?

 

[Doc Shrink]

Nothing personal Jack I assure you but critics, whether music, film or art have never had any bearing on what I watch or listen to. To me they're a bunch of pretentious twats.

"Nothing personal"........

 

[Bangkokhibby]

Very artistic

"Nothing personal"......

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#160 - The Very Best of Al Green – Al Green

Al Green, is an American singer, songwriter, pastor and record producer best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including "Take Me to the River", "Tired of Being Alone", "I'm Still in Love with You", "Love and Happiness", and his signature song, "Let's Stay Together".

The Very Best of Al Green is a tight collection of Al Green songs, including all the hits listed above, among other classic soul staples.

Critic Reviews:

"What makes Green so enticing as an R&B singer is his style. It's pure, gritty, southern soul."

"Any fan of Green who needs to collect these songs could do a lot worse than starting here; this is a solid collection of his music."

Note: As is the case with a lot of nominated compilations, this one isn't on Spotify. Here is a link to very expansive 42 track Best Of instead:

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#159 - The ‘59 Sound - The Gaslight Anthem

The '59 Sound is the second studio album by American rock band the Gaslight Anthem.

A critical sucess upon release, sales of The '59 Sound doubled following Bruce Springsteen's guest appearances with the band at Glastonbury and Hyde Park. "The Boss" being an obvious influence on the band's sound.

Critic Reviews:

"Packed full of vivid imagery and storytelling that resembles Born to Run/Darkness on the Edge of Town-era Springsteen, The '59 Sound is an impeccable work of punk-rock art where each listen offers something new, never taking any hint of imagination or personal effect away from the listener; this is the album The Killers wanted to make with Sam's Town but were unsuccessful at."

"If Fallon often comes off as a youthful Springsteen wannabe on The '59 Sound, he also happens to be pretty good at it.

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#158 - Another Kind Of Blues - UK Subs

Another Kind of Blues is the first studio album released by English punk band, the U.K. Subs.

The style of music borrows heavily from blues and rock'n'roll but infused much of the energy and social commentary that was shaping the wider punk rock scene.

Critics were divided on the album's merits at the time as many of the original punk bands were starting to experiment with different looks and sounds by 1979. The Subs were clearly a punk band in every sense of the word though, and that struck a chord with hardcore punks who felt they were being abandoned.

Critic Reviews:

"It's melodic, punchy, and fast, delivering the necessary bite without ever becoming too abrasive or sugary. Another Kind of Blues is an impressive debut."

"Charlie Harper’s raspy, shouted vocals became the blueprint for lots of punk bands that followed. There was nothin pretty about it but it simply works."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#157 - Bat out of Hell - Meatloaf with The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is a live album released by singer Meat Loaf in 2004.

The album was recorded on February 20-February 22, 2004 during Meat Loaf's Australian tour and, as the name suggests, Meat Loaf is backed for the concerts by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

You might see another album with a similar title and tracklist later in the countdown.

Critic Reviews:

"Since there's no point in doing this live unless it's done perfectly, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this is more a re-creation than a reinterpretation, with very little to differentiate it sonically from the original studio album; even Ellen Foley's substitute Patti Russo sounds shockingly similar to her recorded counterpart."

"It's monumentally kitsch, of course, but no-shit classic tunes like “Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad” can stand any amount of high-camp vandalism."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#156 - Let Love In - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Let Love In is the eighth studio album by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

A transitional album for the band, Let Love In was recorded two years after the flawed (according to the band) Henry’s Dream and it is something of a more produced effort with subtle arrangements and carefully constructed performances pointing towards The Bad Seeds’ future direction.

Critic Reviews:

"Amid Let Love In's ballast, you can hear Cave's increased adeptness at exploring his fascinations using sly, pitch-black humor instead of transgressive shock tactics."

"Keeping the same line-up from Henry's Dream, Nick Cave and company turn in yet another winner with Let Love In."

 

[Purple & Green]

You gotta have faith.

I think Jack should give it one more try

 

[Two Headed Boy]

I think Jack should give it one more try

I think he should take whoever sent him it Outside.

 

[Forzahibs]

Nothing personal Jack I assure you but critics, whether music, film or art have never had any bearing on what I watch or listen to. To me they're a bunch of pretentious twats.

aint they just

 

[Jack K]

Nothing personal Jack I assure you but critics, whether music, film or art have never had any bearing on what I watch or listen to. To me they're a bunch of pretentious twats.

Hence the reason i decided to pretty much keep out of the thread.

 

[Bangkokhibby]

Hence the reason i decided to pretty much keep out of the thread.

Once again not you mate

 

[EH17 Jimmy]

Faith Healer has the best intro to a song that I have ever heard. Fab.
Blew me away when I first saw them 50 years ago and still does.




BIG G

I watched an interview on Yatube with Alex. He said the intro was so long because they had to fill a certain duration to fill the album

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#155 - The Boy With The Arab Strap - Belle & Sebastian

The Boy with the Arab Strap is the third studio album by Scottish indie pop band Belle & Sebastian.

The group spent several months working on it versus the previous albums which were recorded in just a number of days. The music itself was somewhat more experimental as well as more collaborative with some tracks written by Stevie Jackson and Isobel Campbell and more members of the group contributing vocals.

Critic Reviews:

"The Boy With The Arab Strap is a typically gorgeous early Belle And Sebastian album. When it came out in 1998 it felt instantly familiar."

"The Scottish band's excellent third album features some of their darkest and most detailed songs."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#154 - The Best of Siouxsie & The Banshees - Siouxsie & The Banshees

The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees is a compilation of singles from post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Released in 2002, it was the first reissue of the Siouxsie and the Banshees material to be remastered. It features the most successful singles by the band presented in a non-chronological order.

Critic Reviews:

"With its non-chronological and somewhat haphazard sequencing, The Best Of provides no sense of the Banshees’ history or development, and listening to the group’s songs in such a context proves that, despite their goth image, the Banshees were capable of writing and recording memorable, highly listenable pop songs."

"The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees is a decent look into the eclectic world of Siouxsie Sioux."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#153 - New Boots & Panties - Ian Dury

New Boots and Panties!! is the debut studio album by Ian Dury.

The album is a fusion of pub rock, punk rock, and disco and widely considered to be the best album of Ian Dury's career, it is also his biggest selling, having been certified platinum status in the UK for 300,000 sales.

Critic Reviews:

"Full of fantastic music, some of the best lyrics ever put to paper by one of the brightest stars of England’s Glory. If you are hearing all this for the first time, you lucky rascals, for what a treat you have in store."

"Ian Dury's primary appeal lies in his lyrics, which are remarkably clever sketches of British life delivered with a wry wit"

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#152 - Waking Hours- Del Amitri

Waking Hours is the second studio album by Scottish rock band Del Amitri.

It reached number 6 in the UK Albums Chart and featured one of the band's most famous songs, "Nothing Ever Happens".

Many Del Amitri fans consider Waking Hours to be the band's first "real" album. The post-punk influence of the first album, Del Amitri (1985), had produced a sound radically different to the remainder of the band's output.

Critic Reviews:

"After four years in hibernation, Del Amitri emerged as a gang of mature pop stars. Dropping their edgy quirkiness, Justin Currie and the boys explored their Scottish folk roots, refashioned their sound, and quickly established themselves as a rock band with heart."

"Beautifully produced with an almost live-in-the studio feel to every track - real songs sung with real feeling."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#151 - Unto the Locust - Machine Head

Unto the Locust is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Machine Head.

The album was the band's highest charting album ever, but it was also their last studio album with co-founder and bassist Adam Duce before he was fired due to "ongoing differences" with the band.

Critic Reviews:

"Like Master of Puppets-era Metallica, Machine Head are able to intelligently realize their ambition, weaving risky, progressive elements into the mix without forgoing their roots."

"Building on its predecessor's grandiose blending of traditional metal values with fearless modernity and progressive abandon."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#150 - Sparkle in the Rain - Simple Minds

Sparkle in the Rain is the sixth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds.

A rock-orientated departure from the new wave aesthetic of its critically acclaimed predecessor New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84). Sparkle in the Rain was a breakthrough commercial success for the band and significantly increased media interest in the band.

Critic Reviews:

"For Sparkle in the Rain, they sought U2 producer Steve Lillywhite, whose approach helped shape their performances into a forceful, direct set of commercial rock designed to shake nosebleed seats."

"Definitely one of their strongest releases... Sparkle In The Rain remains a beautifully produced sonic ride into the heart and soul of Simple Minds."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#149 - Ghost on the Canvas - Glen Campbell

Ghost on the Canvas is the sixty-first album by Glen Campbell, which was intended to be Campbell's farewell studio recording following him being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The album includes appearances from various rock artists including Smashing Pumpkin's Billy Corgan, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, and The Dandy Warhols.

Critic Reviews:

"It’s honest and ambitious, and it allows Campbell to end his career both on his own terms and on a real high note."

"A surprisingly upbeat retirement album, one that never stoops to self-pity and very modestly reminds you of past triumphs."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#148 - Making Movies - Dire Straits

Making Movies is the third studio album by British rock band Dire Straits. The album includes hits singles "Romeo and Juliet", and “Tunnel of Love”.

Guitarist David Knopfler left Dire Straits during the recording of the album, following heated arguments with his brother. His guitar tracks were almost complete for the album, but were re-recorded by Mark.

Critic Reviews:

"Making Movies ranks among the band's finest work."

"This album is purely enjoyable on account of Knopfler’s graceful yet jazzy guitar beautiful lyrics and a forceful feel."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#147 - Low - David Bowie

Low is the 11th studio album by David Bowie.

The first of three collaborations with American producer Tony Visconti and English musician Brian Eno that became known as the Berlin Trilogy, Low has appeared on several lists of the greatest albums of all time. It influenced numerous post-punk bands such as Joy Division, and its drum sound has been widely imitated.

Critic Reviews:

"The album's first side is a beautiful futurist ruin, littered with holes left purposefully unfixed, while the blank, instrumental second side feels like a calculated attempt to kill the author."

"Low is a dense, challenging album that confirmed [Bowie's] place at rock's cutting edge."

 

[Two Headed Boy]

#146 - Violator Depeche Mode

Violator is the seventh studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. Musically, Violator is a mix of synth-pop, alternative rock, electronic music and gothic rock.

Preceded by the singles "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence", the album propelled the band into international stardom.

Critic Reviews:

"Goth without ever being stupidly hammy, synth without sounding like the clinical stereotype of synth music, rock without ever sounding like a "rock" band, Depeche here reach astounding heights indeed."

"Depeche Mode's Violator is a quintessential benchmark of pop, rock, and electronic music."

 

[Purple & Green]

Beautiful. Especially side 1.

I think it was @egb_hibs who pointed out that the minds changed when you flipped over from side 1 to side 2.

#150 - Sparkle in the Rain - Simple Minds

Sparkle in the Rain is the sixth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds.

A rock-orientated departure from the new wave aesthetic of its critically acclaimed predecessor New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84). Sparkle in the Rain was a breakthrough commercial success for the band and significantly increased media interest in the band.

Critic Reviews:

"For Sparkle in the Rain, they sought U2 producer Steve Lillywhite, whose approach helped shape their performances into a forceful, direct set of commercial rock designed to shake nosebleed seats."

"Definitely one of their strongest releases... Sparkle In The Rain remains a beautifully produced sonic ride into the heart and soul of Simple Minds."

 

[Jack K]

Beautiful. Especially side 1.

I think it was @egb_hibs who pointed out that the minds changed when you flipped over from side 1 to side 2.

The day I played Side 2 was the day I stopped buying their records.

 

[Two Headed Boy]

Beautiful. Especially side 1.

I think it was @egb_hibs who pointed out that the minds changed when you flipped over from side 1 to side 2.

I should check out their early work.

They're a band I've completely dismissed over the years, largely because of my age. By the time I was buying records they were a deeply uncool drivetime band that my aunties listened to.

 

[Sancho Panza]

I should check out their early work.

They're a band I've completely dismissed over the years, largely because of my age. By the time I was buying records they were a deeply uncool drivetime band that my aunties listened to.

I have a disagreement with an Italian mate who is a big Simple Minds fan. I say New Gold Dream was their last good album. He says Sparkle in the Rain. I'm right.

 

[EH17 Jimmy]

Didn't like them at all. I mind buying Johnny and the Self Abusers single back in the day though

 

[Greenmachine]

Saw Simple Minds a couple of times in the 80's including once at Ibrox of all places.
My mate was a big fan and I went with him.
They were pretty good in concert. Was never a huge fan but they were an OK band I thought.