(October 2016) I have completed episode 97 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: LENNY KRAVITZ. Best when funky.
Favorite album: Let Love Rule
Favorite song: It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over
Least favorite album: Strut
Compared to expectations: same
(September 2016) I have completed episode 94 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: ERIC CLAPTON (except the Yardbirds and Cream, which I did previously). While certainly deserving the Hall of Fame, I would rank him a couple notches below contemporaries who started in the 60s and continued until the present day (McCartney, Simon, Dylan, Bowie, Young) as his songwriting is relatively not as strong. For me, his songs provide the Sountrack to the 70s: Lay Down Sally, Cocaine, Wonderful Tonight, Let it Grow, Promises.
Favorite album: 461 Ocean Boulevard
Favorite song: The Core
Favorite Period: 1970-1977
Worst Album: Pilgrim*
Best late period album: Road to Escondido (with JJ Cale)
Compared to expectations: same
* Pilgrim (1998) was chosen as worst album because, at a time when his contemporaries were putting out return-to-form or innovative work (McCartney’s Flaming Pie, Dylan’s Time Out of Mind, Ringo’s Vertical Man, Bowie’s Earthling), Clapton recorded this bland adult contemporary light rock mush.
(August 2016) I have completed episode 93 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: FOO FIGHTERS. Accessible, clean hard rock. After a while, all the songs start to sound the same. But that first album is still kick-ass fun.
Favorite album: Foo Fighters
Favorite song: Monkey Wrench
Compared to expectations: ↓
(June 2016) I have completed episode 86 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: SPINAL TAP. None more black.
Favourite album: Intravenus de Milo
Favourite song: Stonehenge
Favourite drummer: John “Stumpy” Pepys
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2016) I have completed episode 84 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s complete discography. This edition: CREAM. The first supergroup refined blues rock and set the stage for hard rock and jam bands. And Eric Clapton.
Favourite album: Disraeli Gears
Favourite song: White Room
Special sauce: Jack Bruce
Compared to expectations: ↑
(March 2016) I have completed phase 77 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography. This edition: DAVID BOWIE. Catalyzed by his passing, this effort newly exposed me to the wide variety and creativity of his work. While not every recording has aged well, Bowie never settled on a patented sound; rather, he kept innovating until the end.
Favourite album: The Man Who Sold The World
Favourite song: Ziggy Stardust
Favourite period: 1969-1973, which also speaks to the guitar and arranging talents of Mick Ronson
Also great with a very different sound: the ‘Berlin Trilogy,’ 1977-79, which shows that what Brian Eno touches is gold
Worst albums: the 1980s
Special sauce: Mick Ronson
Compared to expectations: ↑
(February 2018) I have completed episode 74 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s complete discography from start to finish. This episode: QUEEN. As a fan, I’ve always been puzzled by the critical scorn. After this run-through, I see their point. Lots of empty calories. However, few bands can offer a Greatest Hits collection that is a more fun, sing-with-the-windows-down glamfest than Queen. I love Brian May’s innovative work (in the 1970s), and Freddie’s voice of course. Just don’t bother with anything from the 1980s or later.
Favourite album: Night at the Opera
Favourite song: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite heavily-layered mini-opera that is not Bohemian Rhapsody: The March of the Black Queen (from Queen II)
Favourite Period: 1973-75
Worst Album: Flash Gordon (soundtrack)
Worst Album that is not a soundtrack: anything after The Game (1979)
Special sauce: Brian May
Compared to expectations: ↓
(January 2016) I have completed episode 72 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s discography from start to finish. This episode: THE DOORS. This band is special, and unique; no one has sounded like them before or since. Amazingly, they released the six albums with Jim Morrison in 4.25 years, and all of them are good. And, yes, my Jim Morrison mancrush remains strong.
Favorite album: The Doors
Favorite song: L.A. Woman
Song that should be on every Greatest Hits collection but isn’t: Peace Frog
Special sauce: Robbie Krieger
Compared to expectations: same
(December 2015) I have completed episode 68 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography in order. This episode: RINGO STARR. This episode is unique in the project, as I do not own any Ringo albums. But I made an except to my rules, as I completed the other three Beatles’ solo careers and I didn’t want to leave Ringo out. His songs are pleasant, but few are memorable. But it’s Ringo so it’s all good natured-fun.
Favourite album: Ringo (1973)
Favourite song: It Don’t Come Easy
Worst Album: Ringo the Fourth
Favourite period: 1998-2005 (three surprisingly good albums if you ignore the Christmas album)
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
Opus Project 