(November 2017) I have completed episode 146 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: ALAN PARSONS PROJECT (plus Alan Parsons solo). Few have embraced the concept album as avidly as these guys. Some of the techno-rock instrumental tracks are of interest, but the rest has no contemporary value. I listen so you don’t have to.
Favorite album: The Turn of a Friendly Card
Favorite song: Breakdown
Compared to expectations: same
(October 2017) I have completed episode 145 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL (plus The Golliwogs). Who doesn’t love CCR? Comfort food in musical form. Amazingly, they put out six albums in 2 1/2 years (plus one a couple years later).
Favorite album: Cosmo’s Factory
Favorite song: Bad Moon Rising
Best jam: I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Best song to get you out of bed in the morning: Travelin’ Band
Best soul: Long as I Can See the Light
Special sauce: Doug Clifford
Compared to expectations: same
(October 2017) I have completed episode 144 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: 7 SECONDS. Straight edge! I saw them in concert in 1986. Also, proof that a hardcore punk band can have a long recording career after the initial burst of 97 second-long thrash-tastic recordings.
Favorite album: The Crew
Favorite song: Aggro
Compared to expectations: same
(October 2017) I have completed episode 143 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: the TOM PETTY (plus with the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch). Such seemingly effortless songwriting of catchy American rock songs. As a youth I didn’t buy his albums as the songs were ever-present on the radio. While I had expected his quality to taper off as the years went on, it did not; in fact some of the later albums are among his best
Favorite album: Full Moon Fever
Favorite song: I Won’t Back Down
Hidden gems: the two Mudcrutch albums
Compared to expectations: ↑
class
(October 2017) I have completed episode 142 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: PAT METHENY. One of my favorite guitarists. His long and prolific recording career (50+ albums) spans a wide range of jazz genres — straight, fusion, avant-garde, progressive, folk, Latin. It is rather odd that, in my opinion, the music of a jazz musician from Missouri (mostly the early stuff) can evoke images of driving on open roads under a big Western sky.
Favorite album: As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls
Favorite song: “It’s For You”
Favorite period: 1978-84
Most boring album: We Live Here
Most ambitious album: The Way Up
Odd outlier that not many like but I do: Zero Tolerance for Silence
Compared to expectations: same
(October 2017) I have completed episode 141 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This edition: ARNOLD SHOENBERG. In the first half of the 20th century, he developed new ways of thinking about and composing music — e.g. atonality, twelve-tone technique — that became highly influential and much debated. You won’t hear his work on classical radio stations, but it challenges the ear and mind, which is why I like it.
Favorite work: Serenade (Opus 24)
Favorite opera: Moses und Aron
Compared to expectations: ↑
(October 2017) I have completed episode 140 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: the EAGLES. When I did my review of Fleetwood Mac, I could understand how they became Gods of 70s Soft Rock. With this retrospective, I do not get why the Eagles attained the same status. It’s an interesting case study in how to make millions out of mediocrity.
Favorite album: Hotel California
Favorite song: Hotel California
Favorite member: Joe Walsh
Compared to expectations: same
(September 2017) I have completed episode 139 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: THE GITS. Great punk aesthetic.
Favorite album: Frenching the Bully
Favorite song: Absynthe
Compared to expectations: same
(September 2017) I have completed episode 138 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: IRON MAIDEN. Out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden has always seemed a cut above, pushing all the headbanger buttons — operatic voice, apocalyptic themes, harmony guitars, thundering riffs.
Favorite album: The Number of the Beast
Favorite song: Hallowed Be Thy Name
Best period: 1980-83 (first four albums)
Worst period: 1996-98 (the two albums without Bruce Dickinson)
Special sauce: Dave Murray
Compared to expectations: same ↓↑
(September 2017) I have completed episode 137 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This edition: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART. I’ve never been a fan of Mozart. I’ve found most his works too “nice” — too often lacking edge, angst, turbidity and minor keys. I do recognize his prodigal and prolific genius, for which this effort gave me a greater appreciation, but not enough to make me a fan. This was a loooong one — more than 600 pieces.
Favorite work and symphony: Symphony No. 40
Favorite symphonic movement: second (Andante cantabile) of Symphony No. 41
Favorite opera: Le nozze di Figaro
Favorite piano concerto: No. 20 (esp. 2nd movement)
Favorite piano sonata: No. 12
Oddest piece: Adagio and Rondo for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello (K 617)
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 