Fueled by Mike Connolly's blog about his three favorite albums, I'm going to take some time to ramble senselessly (as he put it) about my own personal favorites.
First and foremost, my personal "Holy Trinity", if you will...
The Black Crowes - Southern Harmony and Musical Companion Two years after the release of Shake Your Money Maker, a record full of straightforward rock riffs, the Black Crowes were back with a vengeance. Newly acquired band members Eddie Harsch (keys) and Marc Ford (lead guitar) make their presence known, especially Mr. Ford, who puts on a clinic with great playing and great tone. Southern Harmony features what I believe is Marc Ford's best recorded solo with the Crowes in No Speak No Slave, as well as Chris Robinson's best recorded vocal performance with the band in Sometimes Salvation. The Brothers Robinson really emerged as great songwriters on this record, as there is not a dull track on it, and it was certainly a precursor of what was to come. Check out the run of filthy rock and roll on the second half of the album- Black Moon Creeping, No Speak No Slave, and My Morning Song
The Black Crowes - Amorica In my opinion, this album begins to show the maturation of the Crowes musically. You get the rockers in Gone, A Conspiracy, High Head Blues, P.25 London, and She Gave Good Sunflower, but you are also treated to the best ballads the band has ever recorded- Nonfiction, Ballad in Urgency, and Descending. Throw in a little of both worlds plus some Marc Ford slide guitar in Cursed Diamond, and my personal favorite Black Crowes song- Wiser Time and you've got a recipe for a great album. The only complaint I have with this record is Downtown Money Waster. It's not that I don't like the song, because I do, but I just wish they would have recorded and released it with drums, like they play it live (there's actually an unreleased electric version from the Band sessions, which, if it ever sees the light of day, will replace the Amorica cut making this album 100% complete). Regardless, this is still by all means a classic album, and without a doubt a favorite of mine.
The Black Crowes - Three Snakes and One Charm This is the dark horse of the my little Holy Trinity, and without a doubt the most diverse, but that's what makes it my favorite of the three. From Eddie's swirling pickups into Under A Mountain to the feedback and randomness that ends Evil Eye, I love every second of this album. The vocal harmonies (which are very prominent), the riffs, the acoustic guitars, (Only) Halfway to Everywhere...hell, I even like Blackberry (it's not the best song they've ever done, and it's definitely the weakest on this album, but it's not terrible).
And now, getting on to a few other bands...
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon This album is perfect. There is no other way to describe it. I don't think I can say it any better then Mike did, so I'll just quote him:
It's
more than a concept. It's more than my words or the words of anyone
else could describe. It's more than an album, certainly more than a
collection of songs. It's a place in time... a place we can't get past.
It's a feeling that's indescribable and a beauty that eyes can't know.
It's the greatest musical and social accomplishment ever created, and
there's no better way to spend 45 minutes.
Aerosmith - Rocks Back in the Saddle/Last Child/Rats in the Cellar/Combination/Sick As A Dog. Need I say more?
The Beatles - Abbey Road This album is another one that's up there with Dark Side in terms of perfection. Every time I listen to it, I realize how great it really is all over again. Octopus's Garden is a little cheesy, but I love it. Something is beautiful. The harmonies in Because, the hypnotic outro in I Want You (She's So Heavy), that whole section from Sun King to The End...it's a masterpiece, simple as that.
The Who - Quadrophenia This is The Who's greatest achievement if you ask me. Townshend said it himself- "The music is the best music that I've ever written, I think, and it's the best album that I will ever write." It shows off the amazing talent of this band's backbone...Moon and Entwistle absolutely own this album, and they mix perfectly with Townshend's stellar rhythm guitar. The lyrics are great, and Daltry still had one of the best voices in rock at the time, and this album is not an exception.
Frank Zappa - One Size Fits All A few months ago, I would have been writing about Apostrophe'/Overnite Sensation here. While I still love those albums (I think of them as one), One Size Fits All has overtaken them as my favorite Zappa album. Alright so Evelyn, a Modified Dog is useless, but every other track mixes Zappa's humor and genius forming an overall very enjoyable album. Inca Roads is insane, and Zappa rips it up during Po-Jama People.
Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys The only live album to make my list, this album is my single favorite guitar recording ever. Hendrix just absolutely tears the roof of the Fillmore, especially on Who Knows, Power of Soul, and of course, Machine Gun.
I applaud the choices though, good sir. I dig Blackberry too. It's a bit lame, but the way the lyrics are- it's just catchy. There's nothing on Three Snakes I would skip. Hell, there's nothing on any of those TBC albums I'd skip. Actually, I don't skip any tracks on By Your Side or Shake Your Moneymaker either!
Well, looks like it's my turn to do one of these things.
I applaud the choices Matt, although I knew what most of them would be :. Rocks surprised me, although I listened to it a few times, and it's growing on me.
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:. Rocks surprised me, although I listened to it a few times, and it's growing on me.