369 - The Police - Reggatta de Blanc

On Reggatta de Blanc (aka "White Reggae"), the band maintains the strong rock and reggae sound presented in their previous (debut) album. However, there are some explorations away from that sound. There isn't anything terribly awe-inspiring from the album. It is a solid collection of good songs and some experiments ("On Any Other Day," "Contact," and "Does Everyone Stare" may have that reggae shuffle with the guitars, but so much more is going on - from spoken passages to sampling of operatic singing). The listener starts to hear more jazz influence in these songs.

Songs I knew I liked: I have the Message in a Box box set, so I was already familiar with the album.

Songs I didn't know but now like: I must confess that I probably paid more attention to "Contact" and "Does Everybody Stare" during my listening sessions than I may have in the past.

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None.

368 - Rage Against the Machine - (eponymous)

Just a couple of albums ago, I heard Jefferson Airplane protesting The Man in 1969 with Volunteers. The album had frustration, fellowship, and hope.

Rage Against the Machine stormed onto the scene nearly 25 years later. There are no odes to an idyllic life on this album. The band performs songs that are meant to incite. There is no hope here. Either you fight The Machine or you will get what's coming to you by those fighting The Machine. Zack de la Rocha's lyrics are as political as Public Enemy's and are delivered with as much spite and passion as anyone else in rock or rap had ever delivered before.

While I complained about the guitar on Jefferson Airplane's Volunteers being omnipresent, Tom Morello's guitar is definitely a strong point for each and every song. His guitar screams and shouts. In the same song it serves as a gun, a siren, and the wail of the oppressed masses. While the album as a whole may essentially boil down to rampaging metal rap, Tom's guitar skills that are displayed hint at a universe of musical capabilities.

If you want to protest loudly... If you want to be mad at the world... If you gotta vent... Rage Against the Machine's debut album is what you will want to play.

Songs I knew I liked: I have this CD, so I'm familiar with all of the tracks, although I must confess that it has been years and years since I was in a pissed off enough mood to want to listen to it.

Songs I didn't know but now like: The album all sounded familiar with no particular standouts this time around.

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: As a 38 year old man that is mellow to fairly even-keeled, I just don't find myself having a desire to listen to Rage Against the Machine. But I know that if I were to encounter an infuriating situation or otherwise seeking to vent my rage, I'd want to listen to this album.