My Music Collection #11: Garbage by Garbage

 

Garbage by Garbage

Released: August 15, 1995

Label: ALMOS Sounds - AMSD-80004

Format: Compact Disc

Produced by Garbage

Track List:

1. Supervixen
2. Queer
3. Only Happy When it Rains
4. As Heaven is Wide
5. Not My Idea
6. A Stroke of Luck
7. Vow
8. Stupid Girl
9. Dog New Tricks
10. My Lovers Box
11. Fix Me Now
12. Milk

Band Members:

Shirley Manson - Vocals, Guitar

Steve Marker - Guitar, Bass, Loops, Samples

Duke Erickson - Guitar, Keyboards

Butch Vig - Drums, Loops, Noise, EFX

This is one of my favorite albums of the 90s. It could make it into my top 10 albums of all time. The sound is raw yet has a layered polished sound. This is one of those albums that has no dead weight. I can play this one straight through without skipping anything. Then there is lead singer Scottish-born Shirley Manson with her distinct vocal ability. In songs such as Vow, Stupid Girl, and Only Happy When it Rains she is rebellious, powerful, and no-nonsense. Then she can dial it back and seduce you with her voice in songs such as Queer and Milk(at least it does for me). 

The album was released in the summer of 1995 and was well-received critically. It would peak at 20 on the Billboard 200(US) chart and 6 on the UK Album Chart.  The song "Stupid Girl" would be nominated for two Grammy Awards(Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group). As of 2019, it has sold over 4 million worldwide. 

Interesting notes:

• Drummer Butch Vig not only co-produced this album he also produced the legendary album Nevermind by Nirvana. 
• The record label ALMOS Sounds was created by well-known musicians Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. Both of whom also had created A&M Records. Herb Alpert is also known for the famous titillating album cover of Whipped Cream & Other Delights with model, Delores Erickson, all covered in whipped cream. 
• The song "As Heaven is Wide" appeared in the popular Playstation game Gran Turismo

My Music Collection #10: The Best of The Mamas and The Papas (20th Century Masters / Millennium Edition)

The Best of The Mamas and The Papas (20th Century Masters / Millennium Edition)

The Mamas and The Papas

Format: Compact Disc

Released March 21, 1999

Track List:

1. California Dreamin'
2. Monday, Monday
3. Creeque Alley
4. Dedicated to the One I Love
5. Twelve Thirty(Young Girls are Coming to the Canyon)
6. Words of Love 
7. Look Through My Window
8. I Saw Her Again Last Night
9. Dancing Bear
10. Make Your Own Kind of Music (Mama Cass)
11. Dream a Little Dream of Me

All Tracks were Produced by Lou Adler, except "Make Your Own Kind of Music" Produced by Steve Barri

The  Mamas and The Papas distinct harmonies are among the most indelible 1960s pop music sounds coming out of California. Their first single "California Dreamin'" is an incredible example of this. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" is an amazing heartwarming vocal performance by Mama Cass(aka: Cass Elliot). The autobiographical song "Creeque Valley" is a favorite. 

My Music Collection #9: Blue Oyster Cult (Self-Titled)

 This is Blue Oyster Cult's debut album which was released on January 16, 1972. I had this on cassette when I was a teenager decades ago. The group was a rock radio mainstay at the time. The one track that I remember was "Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll". I lost or donated the cassette long ago. I recently replaced it with CD version which adds some bonus tracks. It's not a bad album and if you're into BOC  it's worth it if you like deep tracks. For myself, the tunes "Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll" and "The Came the Last Days of May"(they liked long song titles), are the ones that stand out. 

Song List:

1. Transmaniacon MC
2. I'm on the Lamb but I Ain't no Sheep
3. Then Came the Last Days of May
4. Stairway to the Stars
5. Before the Kiss, a Redcap
6. Screams
7. She's as Beautiful as a Foot
8. Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll
9. Workshop of the Telescopes
10. Redeemed
11. Donovan's Monkey*
12. What is Quicksand?*
13. A Fact About Sneakers*
14. Betty Lou's Got a New Pair of Sneakers*

*CD Bonus Tracks (2001)

Produced by David Lucas

My Music Collection #7: Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles

 

Magical Mystery Tour was The Beatle's follow-up project to the much acclaimed Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. It is a combination soundtrack/singles compilation album. The film was first shown in the UK in December 1967. The film wasn't well received at first. It probably didn't help the first showing was in black and white, it was later shown in color the next month. It wasn't seen in the US until 1974 when it was released to theaters. 

In the UK the soundtrack was in EP form with the songs used in the film. The US version was expanded to a full album including singles released by the group in 1967. It would be available in the UK in the 70s and when released in 1987 for CD it became the core version of the album. 

 

I originally got this in vinyl as a teenager in large part it had so many iconic Beatle's songs on it like I am the Walrus, Hello Goodbye, All You Need is Love, Penny Lane and Strawberry Field's Forever. It wasn't until later I learned it was a combination soundtrack and compilation album. The title track is rocking opener that I always included in mix tapes when when I wanted something with a lot of energy. The Fool on the Hill and Your Mother Should Know seems to be Paul be whimsical and sentimental which he excels at. Flying is a rare instrumental credited to all four Beatles. George is waiting for his friend's on Blue Jay Way probably enjoying something herbal. If you enjoyed Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band you'll certainly enjoy this follow up. The CD version has mini-documentary promo video too which can be seen on your computer. It is one of my favorite go-to Beatle albums.

Track List

1. Magical Mystery Tour
2. The Fool on the Hill
3. Flying
4. Blue Jay Way
5. Your Mother Should Know
6. I am the Walrus
7. Hello Goodbye*
8. Strawberry Fields Forever*
9. Penny Lane*
10. Baby You're a Rich Man*
11. All You Need is Love*
    

 *US Album

Produced by George Martin 

Released:

US LP November 27, 1967

UK EP December 8, 1967

My Music Collection #7: Arrival by ABBA

  

 

Arrival - ABBA

Arrival was ABBA's 4th studio album and was released October 11, 1976 (Compact Disc 1984). This is the first record album I remember getting as a kid in the mid-70's. ABBA was all over the radio in that era. At the time the music catchy with wonderful harmony's of Agnetha and Ann-Frid(Frida). Although they seemed upbeat at the time I later realized much of the lyrics(Usually written  members Bjorn and Benny) being sung were of adult relationships and breakups. I later realized they had been two couples that were married and divorced all the while they carried on making music. They were perhaps Sweden's version of Fleetwood Mac. This album is a sentimental favorite of mine. 

ABBA is: Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad(Frida), Anna Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus

 

Arrival Song list

1. When I Kissed the Teacher
2. Dancing Queen
3. My Love, My Life
4. Dum Dum Diddle
5. Knowing Me, Knowing You
6. Money, Money, Money
7. That's Me
8. Why Did it Have To Be Me?
9. Tiger
10. Arrival
11. Fernando*
12. Happy Hawaii*

*CD Bonus Tracks

 Produced by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus

 

Dancing Queen would hit number one almost everywhere, or at least it seemed like it. It would become an iconic pop/disco song of the era. Knowing Me, Knowing You would also be a huge hit. Fernando was originally recorded for a solo album by Frida then with lyrical translation(Swedish to English) it was released as a single a few months before the album. Happy Hawaii was recorded for the album but didn't make the final cut. It was released as a B-side to  Knowing Me, Knowing You. 

 

 

My Music Collection #6: Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

The original album was released on June 4, 1984, on LP(vinyl to you youngsters) and cassettes. It was to be the first music Compact Disc to be pressed and released in the United States by CBS Records Plant in Terre Haute,  Indiana just a few months later on September 24, 1984. 

The album was Springsteen's 7th studio album. The record was recorded over several years concurrently with his previous album Nebraska. Born in the U.S.A. would have a fuller pop/rock production versus the grittier stripped-down Nebraska album. 

The album has sold over 17 million albums in the U.S. alone and 30 million worldwide, unsurprisingly making it The Boss's biggest and most successful album to date. It hit number one in the album charts for 7 weeks in the summer of 84 and stayed on the charts for 135 weeks. It also spurned 7 top ten hits. 

When this came out I was in my late teens entering my senior year of high school. I remember the single "Dancing in the Dark" being the first released and it made a big splash  I believe it was Springsteen's first music video for MTV. Then it was just one hit song after another for the next year and a half. There was a bit of a controversy when President Ronald Reagan's reelection campaign would play the title song or Reagan used it in speeches thinking it was a patriotic song when it was actually about a disillusioned Vietnam War veteran returning home.  

I did have this on cassette when it came out and a few of the singles off of it. Recently replaying in CD reminded me how solid this album is. Not really anything that I'd consider album filler. This is as much of a pop album as one would get from Springsteen but it's done very well. I don't think his artistic street cred suffered much afterward. 

Song List:

1.  Born in the U.S.A.
2. Cover Me
3. Darlington County
4. Working on the Highway
5. Downbound Train
6. I'm on Fire
7. No Surrender
8. Bobby Jean
9. I'm Goin' Down
10. Glory Days
11. Dancing in the Dark
12. My Hometown

All songs written by Bruce Springsteen.

Album Cover Photography: Annie Leibowitz

Produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Chuck Plotkin, Stevie Van Zandt

My Music Collection #5: Fire of Unknown Origin - Blue Oyster Cult

 

 

I've long been a fan of this album and have it on vinyl and finally got the Compact Disc version. This was Blue Oyster Cult's 8th studio album. Produced by Martin Birch.It was released in June of 1981 and came out on CD in 1985. It would turn out to be the last with the original lineup as drummer Albert Bouchard would be let let go while touring for this album. 

 

Song List:

1. Fire of Unknown Origin

2. Burnin' For You

3 Veteran of the Psychic Wars

4. Sole Survivor 

5. Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver

6. Vengeance(The Pact)

7. After Dark

8. Joan Crawford

9. Don't Turn Your Back

A few of the songs were written for the movie Heavy Metal. The song "Vengeance(The Pact)" even follows the story line of a movie. Ironically the song that made it the film "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" was not one of the ones written for the movie. 

Song list

 

 

The album would peak at #24 on Billboard 200 charts. The song "Burnin' For You" , aided by an early MTV video, hit #1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Charts..

I really enjoy this one and is my favorite by them.