Tag: classic rock

53. AC/DC

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(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: ⇓

Acdc_Highway_to_Hell.jpg

50. Paul McCartney

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(April 2015) I have completed phase 50 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from beginning to end. This episode: PAUL McCARTNEY.* What’s there to say about arguably the top songwriter of the last 50 years? He is so prolific (440+ songs) that he has recorded more forgettable songs than most artists ever record in their lifetimes, and yet it would take half a dozen CDs to package his “best of.” Sure, he tends toward the sappy and sentimental, but don’t dismiss the wide variety of his work: pop, rock, electronic, classical, jazz, experimental. Paul is at his best when it is just him, his guitar and his melody, as in Here Today and Calico Skies (not to mention Yesterday and Blackbird).

Favourite album: Band on the Run

Favourite song: Maybe I’m Amazed

Worst song (hit): Freedom

Worst song (non hit): Temporary Secretary

More interesting than expected: his electronic /experimental albums (as the Firemen)

Not so interesting: his classical music compositions

Favorite period: the late (1997-2013: from Flaming Pie to New). While the early 1970s has most of the hits, the recent albums are more consistently strong.

Compared to expectations: same

paul_mccartney_&_wings-band_on_the_run_album_cover

47. George Harrison

~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(January 2015) I have completed phase 47 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from start to finish. This episode: GEORGE HARRISON (solo). I say that All Things Must Pass (1970) is the best solo album by any ex-Beatle — a flowering of songwriting that finally got on vinyl after the group split up. That said, his overall solo work shows that his songwriting was not of the caliber of John and Paul. A pleasure, in any case.

Favourite album: All Things Must Pass

Specially recommended album: Brainwashed (released posthumously, 2002)

Hidden gem: Wonderwall Music

Favourite song: Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)

Most overrated song: My Sweet Lord

Most underrated song: Wah-Wah

Compared to expectations: same

All_Things_Must_Pass_1970_cover.jpg

45. John Lennon

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(January 2015) I have completed phase 45 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from beginning to end. This episode; JOHN LENNON (solo).

Favourite song: Jealous Guy
Favourite album: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (could there ever be a better transfer of raw emotion to a recording device?)
Low points: the late 60s experimental recordings with Yoko Ono

Compared to expectations: same

jlpobcover

 

32. Oasis

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(July 2014) I have completed phase 32 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography in chronological order. This episode: OASIS.

Favourite album: Definitely Maybe
Favourite song: Keep the Dream Alive
Started strong with two excellent albums, finished strong with two good albums, with the weaker ones in between

Compared to expectations: same

OasisDefinitelyMaybealbumcover.jpg

 

20. The Beatles

~ ernopepper ~ 3 Comments

(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

Revolver.jpg

* 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

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(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

TheKinksVillageGreenPreservationSociety.jpg

What I am: a man, and so is Lola

13. Sloan

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2013) I have completed phase 13 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish. This episode: Sloan.

Favourite album: Never Hear the End of It
Favourite song: Iggy and Angus
Favourite songwriters (in order): Patrick, Andrew, Chris, Jay

Hooks: aplenty

Special sauce: Andrew Scott

Compared to expectations: same

Sloan_never_hear_the_end_of_it