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Cosmic Sounds (Album of the Day)
If the cover and concept behind The Zodiac's COSMIC SOUNDS practically scream 1960s psychedelia, the music was a little more forward-looking. The 1967 Elektra album was label-founder Jac Holzman's idea, but the execution fell largely to composer Mort Garson and keyboard wizard Paul Beaver, both among the earliest proponents of the Moog synthesizer. With the addition of a couple of Wrecking Crew players, exotic percussion flourishes and the narration of Modern Folk Quartet member Cyrus Faryar, these 12 tracks – one for each astrological sign - emerged. This is a novelty record perhaps, but it's an unusual and ambitious one, and rockers including Graham Bond and The Moody Blues were big fans. As we move from Virgo into Libra, it's the ideal time to listen to COSMIC SOUNDS.
Dead Man's Pop (Album of the Day)
Although DON'T TELL A SOUL ultimately became The Replacements' best-selling effort, the Minneapolis rock and roll renegades were unsatisfied with the sound of the record. Now the band has radically reimagined that 1988 album to create DEAD MAN'S POP - the group's first-ever boxed set. The new 4-CD/1-LP collection features the originally intended track sequence and mix, a disc of rare and unreleased material (including early versions of such songs as “I’ll Be You” and “Achin’ To Be,” and five recordings with Tom Waits) and the band’s entire June 2, 1989 show at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Presented in a photo-filled 12 x 12 hardcover book with liner noted by Replacements biographer Bob Mehr, DEAD MAN'S POP gives new life to one of the legendary quartet's most underrated releases.
The Time (Album of the Day)
Prince's contract with Warner Bros. allowed him to release side projects with other artists on the label; perhaps the most successful of these acts was The Time. The Minneapolis band included old friend Morris Day and the future production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and the group made their live debut on this day in 1981. But other than Day's vocals, you won't hear much of the group on that year's THE TIME – employing the pseudonym “Jamie Starr,” Prince wrote most of the songs and played virtually all of the instruments. Consequently, the six long-ish tracks here feature salacious synth-funk that would sound right at home on the Purple One's DIRTY MIND. Both “Get It Up” and “Cool” reached the Top 10 on the R&B chart, and from uptempo dance songs to slinky slow jams, THE TIME remains an ideal album to play when it's party time.
Person to Person (Album of the Day)
The pride of Dundee, Scotland, Average White Band parlayed a support performance at Eric Clapton's comeback concert into a contract with Atlantic Records and from there the sky was the limit. The soulful six-piece was coming off their second Top 10 album in a row when they cut PERSON TO PERSON, and the excitement is plain to hear on the live double album. The 1976 collection includes terrific versions of such AWB favorites as “Cut the Cake,” “If I Ever Lose This Heaven” and “Pick Up the Pieces” - the latter an 18-plus minute funk epic seamlessly spliced together from four performances. PERSON TO PERSON is a potent reminder that, both vocally and instrumentally, the Average White Band could really deliver the goods, and we'll give the album a spin now to wish guitarist Hamish Stuart a happy 70th birthday.
Eat 'Em and Smile (Album of the Day)
After an E.P. of amiable covers showed that David Lee Roth had kept his sense of humor when he left Van Halen, EAT 'EM AND SMILE showed that he still had his ear for hard rock. For his first full-length solo album, Roth recruited three of the best players on the scene – former Zappa guitarist Steve Vai, future Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gregg Bissonette – and got down to business. With VH vet Ted Templeman producing, the set gets off to a scorching start with “Yankee Rose” (which became an MTV staple, along with “Goin' Crazy”) and rarely lets up until Dave's closing take on the Sinatra classic “That's Life.” Displaying both the spirit and the chops of Roth's former band, EAT 'EM AND SMILE will put a smile on the face of any headbanger, and we'll give it another spin to wish Diamond Dave a happy birthday.
There Is No Enemy (Album of the Day)
Released 10 years ago this month, THERE IS NO ENEMY represented a strong return to form for indie jam band Built To Spill. Singer-guitarist Doug Martsch's intricate lyrics don't seem as inscrutable as in the past - the urgent, emotionally resonant tone of this music is unmistakable on such originals as “Hindsight,” “Nowhere Lullaby” and “Life's A Dream.” The guitar solos are superb as usual, but the entire band dives head-first into these songs; this would be the final album with longtime bassist Brett Nelson and drummer Scott Plouf, who really go out with a bang. Pitchfork called THERE IS NO ENEMY “easily the best Built to Spill album of the decade,” and it stands proudly with the band's alternative rock classics of the 1990s.
Zebra (Album of the Day)
Formed in New Orleans in the mid-1970s, Zebra relocated to Long Island in pursuit of their dreams, and earned a contract with New York-based Atlantic Records. ZEBRA became one of the fastest-selling debuts in the label's history, and one listen shows why – it's first-class hard rock with strong Led Zeppelin influences. Produced by Jack Douglas, the 1983 collection is packed with great songs, all but a version of “Slow Down” penned by frontman Randy Jackson; “Tell Me What You Want” and “Who's Behind the Door?” were both radio hits and “Take Your Fingers From My Hair” would later be covered by Dream Theater. Still the trio's biggest commercial success, ZEBRA features catchy progressive metal sure to please headbangers of every stripe.
Wild! (Album of the Day)
Erasure hit the big time with THE INNOCENTS, and the British synth-pop duo made the most of that breakthrough with follow-up WILD!, released 30 years ago today. The 1989 Sire set was the group's second consecutive U.K. chart-topper, thanks to such irresistible singles as “Drama!,” “Blue Savannah,” “You Surround Me” and “Star.” Andy Bell and Vince Clarke worked with separate producers (Gareth Jones and Mark Saunders, respectively) on the vocal and instrumental parts, and the strategy paid off with inspired performances and inventive arrangements that demand repeated listening. Danceable, theatrical and filled with hooks, WILD! captures Erasure in peak form and remains a fan favorite.
New Wave (Album of the Day)
Florida punk heroes Against Me! had a trio of indie albums under their belts when they signed with Sire for NEW WAVE. If less rough-hewn than their earlier work, the 2007 collection is just as passionate, and the sharper production - by the great Butch Vig - only adds to the power of this music. The song “Piss and Vinegar” offers an apt description of the fiery singing and playing here (James Bowman's guitar work is particularly impressive), but tracks like “White People for Peace,” “Stop!” and Modern Rock charting “Thrash Unreal” make it clear there's a lot going on underneath the electrifying surface. This was Spin magazine's album of the year, and musician Ben Lee covered it in its entirety, noting that “as heavy and gnarly as it sounds at times, it is unmistakably a pop masterpiece.” One listen to NEW WAVE and you'll join the fan club too!
Pick of the Litter (Album of the Day)
When it comes to '70s R&B, the Spinners were the cream of the crop and PICK OF THE LITTER shows why. The collection was the group's fourth for Atlantic Records, and like their others for the label, was cut with Philly soul genius Thom Bell behind the boards. The quintet sing like angels; if tenor Philippé Wynne got most of the attention, don't discount the velvety vocals of Bobbie Smith and Henry Fambrough (Dionne Warwick makes an uncredited guest appearance for good measure). Eight tracks and not a dog among them - while ballads like “Sweet Love of Mine” predominate, there are several uptempo numbers as well, such as “Games People Play,” which topped the R&B singles chart on this day in 1975. PICK OF THE LITTER reached the Top 10 on Billboard's album chart as well, becoming the Spinners' most successful LP.