22. Yes

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(March 2014) I have completed phase 22 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artists’ full discography, from beginning to end. This episode: YES.

Favourite album: Close to the Edge
Favourite song: Gates of Delirium
Favourite period: the song-as-album side years (’72-’76)

Low point: most everything from the 1990s (esp. Open Your Eyes)

Hidden gem: the fist two, more earthy, slightly psychedelic, albums

Special sauce: Chris Squire

Compared to expectations: same

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21. Metallica

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(January 2014) I have completed phase 21 of my ‘opus project,’ in which I listen to a band’s entire discography. This episode: METALLICA.

Favorite album: Kill ‘Em All

Favorite Song: Whiplash

Best period: the 1980s

Worst period: the 1990s

Hidden gem: the rawness of St. Anger

Special sauce: Lars Ulrich

Compared to expectations: same

Metallica_-_Kill_'Em_All_cover

20. The Beatles

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(December 2013) I have completed phase 20 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish.* This episode: THE BEATLES. This was a long one, and the most special (I have done this a few times before).

Favourite song: Strawberry Fields Forever
Favourite album: Revolver
Favourite period: 1965-67

Worst song: Mr. Moonlight (I skip every time)

Under-rated songs: You Won’t See Me, I’ll Cry Instead, It’s All Too Much, Hey Bulldog, Savoy Truffle

Over-rated song: All You Need Is Love, Twist and Shout, Lady Madonna, Birthday

Special sauce: Paul’s bass

Compared to expectations: same

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* I listen to Yellow Submarine, White Album, Let It Be, and Abbey Road in that order, to reflect the order in which they were recorded, not released. Also, the list includes the Anthologies, Past Masters, Live at BBC and Love.

Ten favourite songs*:
1. Strawberry Fields Forever
2. Tomorrow Never Knows
3. Here Comes the Sun
4. Something
5. I Am the Walrus
6. Across the Universe
7. Yesterday
8. Help!
9. In My Life
10: I Should Have Known Better

* If the Abbey Road medley counted as one, it would be somewhere in 5-7.

17. The Kinks

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(November 2013) I have completed phase 17 of my “opus project,” wherein I listen to a band’s complete discography in chronological order. This episode: THE KINKS. This was a loooong one — 27 albums. Ray Davies is an incredibly prolific songwriter, and he deserves to be honoured as such. So much is good, but some is bad, and bits are ugly.

Favourite album: The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
Favourite song: David Watts
Least favourite album: Soap Opera

Favourite period: 1967-70

Worst period: 1973-76 (theatrical period)

Compared to expectations: same

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What I am: a man, and so is Lola