(September 2015) I have completed episode 60 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This episode: LIZ PHAIR. Three great albums in the 1990s, but she lost her way (an attempt into pop) on the three albums since.
Favorite album: Exile in Guyville
Favorite song: Only Son
Compared to expectation: same
(September 2015) I have competed phase 59 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography from start to finish. This episode: BLACK SABBATH. Their catalogue can be summarized by one of their album titles, Heaven and Hell. Heaven is the first four albums, Beautiful Heavy stuff that defined and inspired heavy metal music. Hell is all the post-Ozzy albums — just banal metal that comes off as Spinal Tap trying to imitate Black Sabbath. So this was a rather tedious episode. The last effort, “13,” a reunion effort, shows that while Tommy’s thunder chords (and Geezer’s bass) are the foundation of the band’s career arc, Ozzy’s voice is the special sauce that separates the enjoyable from the crap.
Favourite album: Paranoid
Favourite song: War Pigs
Other song I love: Planet Caravan
Best period: 1970-72
Worst period: 1980-1995 (non-Ozzy years)
Worst Album: Forbidden (1995)
Hidden gem: 13 (2013)
Special sauce: Tommy Iommi
Compared to expectations: same
(August 2015) I have completed episode 58 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from beginning to end. This episode: MATTHEW SWEET.
Favorite album: Girlfriend
Favorite song: Evangeline
Don’t bother: his first two albums from the 1980s
Better than expected: Sunshine Lies
Interesting: Under the Covers vol 1, with Susanna Hoffs. While the covers are unremarkable, the songs (all from the 1960s) are many of my special favorites
Compared to expectations: same
(August 2015) I have completed episode 57 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from start to finish. This episode: ST. VINCENT. She’s always offering something interesting.
Favorite album: Actor
Favorite song: Birth in Reverse
Compared to expectations: same
(August 2015) I have completed phase 56 of my “opus project” in which listen to a band’s discography from start to finish. This episode: THE DONNAS. Because rock n roll! The female Ramones. Such fun.
Favorite album: Spend the Night
Favorite song: Rock ‘n’ Roll Machine
Low points: the final two album, an unfortunate foray into anthem rock
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2015) I have completed phase 55 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entre discography from start to finish. This episode: CAN. Because Krautrock! How to describe their music? The best answer is from my college roommate who introduced them to me a decade ago, who said: “I can’t. Just go listen to the album” (Tago Mago).
Favorite album: Tago Mago
Favorite song: Halleluhwah
Least favorite album: Can (an attempt to be disco-relevant)
Compared to expectations: same
(July 2015) I have completed phase 54 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from beginning to end. This episode: BOB DYLAN. This was a long one, some three dozen studio albums across a 5+ decade career. Lots in here to cherish, lots to forget, and plenty in between. He’ll inspire you and then he’ll bore you, but there is no doubt that Zimmerman is one of the premier songwriters ever.
Favorite album: Blonde on Blonde
Favorite song: Subterranean Homesick Blues
Favorite period: 1963-1966
Strong comeback: 1997-2006
Great song you’ve never heard: Nettie Moore
Least favorite period: the 1980s
Worst album: Self Portrait
The world could live without : Christmas in the Heart
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2015) I have completed phase 53 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish. This episode: AC/DC. Because sometimes you just need some power chord cock rock. However, I am not sure whether the listening experience would have been much different if I had listened to one album 17 times rather than each of their 17 albums in order.
Favourite album: Highway to Hell
Favourite song: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Favourite period: Bon Scott (75-79). Duh.
Least favourite album: Blow Up Your Video
Compared to expectations: ⇓
(April 2015) I have completed phase 52 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete works. This episode: JOHANNES BRAHMS. My one word review: meh. I didn’t know much about Brahms going in, but since he’s in all the top 10 composer lists, I thought it would be worth it. It wasn’t. Rarely does something in his music reach out and grab you. Or me at least. Think I’ll stay away from the 19th century for a while.
Favorite piece: Symphony #3, I suppose.
Compared to expectations: ⇓
(April 2015) I have completed phase 51 of my “opus project.” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from start to finish. This episode: CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND. It’s fast and bulbous.* As distinctive was his voice was (a blend of Howlin’ Wolf and Tom Waits), what I find most compelling is the orchestrated chaos of the music behind it. The high musicianship of the performers is made more remarkable by the abuse the musicians suffer from Don Van Vliet.
Favorite album: Trout Mask Replica
Favorite song: Kandy Korn
Favorite period: early, from Safe as Milk to Mirror Man
Worst period: those mid-1970s albums
Biggest surprise: the return to form of the last three albums
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 