162 - Radiohead - OK Computer

While I liked the singles okay, I didn't get pulled into the critical hoopla over OK Computer when it came out. For whatever reason, I never really wanted to explore the album much. I think I checked it out of the library, put it on once, and returned it a week later. This time around, I spent enough time with OK Computer to get a feel for it and admire it.

I've said it before that Radiohead became my generation's Pink Floyd on this album (certainly a fair argument could be had on whether Radiohead or Flaming Lips are more Floydesque – I'd argue that FL are Syd-era and Radiohead is post-Syd Pink Floyd). The musical foundation here is on the blending of slashing and echoing guitars with electronic tricks and moans. It doesn't wallow in reverb like the shoegazers. OK Computer brings the vocals to the front which invites study of the lyrics and the mood those words convey are paired nicely with the instrumentation.

One of my first impressions when the album was released was how sluggish the singles were. The few album tracks I snagged online didn't change that impression. Thankfully, there are songs like “Electioneering” that keep the mood, but jolts some energy into the tempo.

Oh, I now realize that MGMT basically founded their group on songs that are revisions of “Climbing Up the Walls.”

Songs I Knew I Liked: “Paranoid Android,” “Karma Police,” and “No Surprises”

Songs I Now Like: “Subterranean Homesick Alien,” “Electioneering,” and “Lucky”

Songs I Don't Want to Ever Hear Again: “Fitter Happier” can't stand on its own but seems perfect when heard as one moment in an album.

161 – Otis Redding – The Dock of the Bay

The first couple of times I put The Dock of the Bay on, it just kind of cruised by; pleasant, but completely not hooking me. There was something disjointed about the album. The obvious thing was how different “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay” is from the rest of the songs. This is where history had to come into play. The Dock of the Bay was released shortly after his death, with the famous single being an indication of a change Otis was making in his artistic direction. With that background, this album serves not as a greatest hits but as a sketch of his career and the title song indicating the bright possibilities that never happened.

It's a nice sounding album; just doesn't really do anything for me. The Dock of the Bay shows his powerful voice, energetic examples of Southern soul, and heart-wrenching, gospel-inspired ballads of him pleeeeeaaaaading, baby, pleading.

Songs I Knew I Liked: “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay”

Songs I Now Like: “I Love You More Than Words Can Say” (which screamed for Lenny Kravitz to cover, IMO) and “Old Man Trouble”

Songs I Don't Want to Ever Hear Again: None I would particularly avoid.

160 – T. Rex – Electric Warrior

This is the album that launched glam rock in the United Kingdom. The album doesn't come across as glam from beginning to end, but most of the songs are clearly foundations for music to come. It seems like a bridge between psychedelic-infused rock and glam rock more than the entirety being a statement for a new sound.

The songs are fairly simple rock and roll with catchy, hook-filled, bubblegum lyrics and feel to the music. Sex is pulled right up to the forefront despite (?) the heavy pop influence.

After numerous listens, I have mixed feelings on the album. I've got to give it historical and inspirational credit. It is when I just think about the music coming out of my speakers that I feel a little better than lukewarm. I've pondered what my feelings would be if I listened to only the glam-rock foundational songs on the album, but I'm honestly just not THAT invested into completely dissecting an album at #160. I'll never make it to #1 if I start going so deep now. ;)

Songs I Knew I Liked: “Bang a Gong (Get It On)”

Songs I Now Like: “Cosmic Dancer,” “Planet Queen,” and “The Motivator”

Songs I Don't Want to Ever Hear Again: “Lean Woman Blues” isn't particularly bad but it became a song I started to skip and “Rip Off” which sounds like a song from The Muppets' Dr. Teeth.

159 – KISS – Alive!

You wanted the best; you got the best! KISS Alive! is a great example and superb template on how to make a great live album.
1. Make it a double album to take advantage of the event-like feel of listening to the whole album.
2. Crank up the audience noise and applause. Provide the feeling of actually being at the concert, except...
3. Make it the best sounding the band could ever possibly be in concert. If that means overdubs or edits in the studio later, then so be it.
I kept comparing Alive! with The Who Live at Leeds. While The Who captured fairly well the energy and sound of the band live, Alive! is more immersive and polished. At a time before MTV and YouTube, the fact any kid in America could buy this album and look at the pictures while hearing this feels powerful to me even now.

On Alive!, Paul Stanley is the hottest man and coolest guy on the planet. Ace shreds and crunches on the guitar. Gene thumps, stomps, and roars through the concert. And Peter propels all of this along with the pounding of the drums. This is loud rock. This is fun rock. This is a party, not an art performance.

Songs I Knew I Liked: “Rock And Roll All Nite” was the only live version I had previously known.

Songs I Now Like (in which I was unaware of the studio version): "Parasite"

Songs I Don't Want to Ever Hear Again: Good God, the drum solo in "100,000 Years" is just...ARGH!