Quiet Sun- Mainstream- ***1/2
Astral Project- Big Shot-***1/2
v/a- Paese Mio Bello Vol. 1 (about half)- **1/2
Judas Priest- Savage (A BW Playlist)- ****
The Who- Who Are You- ****
The Cars- A Revved Up BW Mix-****
Fats Domino- The ABC-Paramount Years (Personal Playlist)- ****
4 comments:
Good morning, sir! Your mention of The Cars initiated an excellent play thru their catalog (save for 1987’s Door to Door as I’m not masochistic). Love the first four albums. Also, a fan of Ocasek’s first solo album Beatitude and Easton’s Change No Change. The band’s Heartbeat City, after all these years, still leaves me cold though. It seems they minimized Easton’s guitar on that album - and his guitar was always the secret weapon in that band to me. I recall listening to the album for a bit upon its release but, it was 1984 - a year that is routinely mentioned as the best year in pop music. For me it lacked staying power. I don’t hate the album, I just don’t reach for it. Ever. Lol!
Thank you for all you do, Sal! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)
P.S. Does it seem that so many of the albums released in 1981 had a subtle dark undercurrent or tone in their production?
The Cars’ Shake It Up, The Police’s Ghost in the Machine, and Genesis’ Abacab are a few examples. It could just be me. Lol! :)
I checked the Now Playing blog and saw that I listened to "Heartbeat City" on 3/24 and gave it four stars. I thought I felt as you did about that album, a bit too synth heavy. But it seems to have aged well for me. The same could be said about "Panorama," which I didn't like at all when it came out, but love now.
I also thought about reviving my Best Guitar Solos list for Burning Wood, after listening to my Cars mix. If I had a Top 25, seven of them might be Eliott Easton.
I’ll give HC another chance soon, in isolation from the other Cars’ albums - I may have poisoned the experience with my preconceptions and by listening to it last. Following those first 4 albums (and Beatitude) is a tough act for anyone. Panorama was hit with me from the moment I brought it home upon its release. Surprising because I was totally unfamiliar with any of its influences.
You’re 100% correct with Elliot Easton - always choice! Listening to his debut on repeat this morning. Loved it new and it’s only gotten better. Jules Shear was on a tear during this time.
Another fine example of a band’s guitarist getting the opportunity to make a solo album and it turns out amazing!
Thanks for sharing, Sal! :)
After an isolated listen this morning, I found I enjoyed Heartbreak City much more. Everything but ‘Hello Again’ which I found just abrasive and dated - as that’s the lead track, a bit problematic. Otherwise, I concur with your findings, sir.
This prompted a listen to another album from 1984 that includes Elliot Easton. One that I listened to much more at the time:
Peter Wolf’s Lights Out - https://youtu.be/q8xWDU2wehc?si=h1Ifx5JGk9LK4jxO
Thank you again, Sal! See you over on Discogs, I’m sure. :)
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