Tag: pop

252. Tame Impala

~ ernopepper ~ 2 Comments

(February 2020) Episode 252  is TAME IMPALA.  Continuing my tour of psychedelic rock bands from Perth, Australia (yes, it’s a thing). I hit a speed bump with Tame Impala.  Not sure why they’re labeled “psychedelic” (especially after retiring their guitars). Merely the overuse of echo?  It’s all lush synth-laden pop which is not interesting to me (but gets them arena gigs, I guess).  I recommend Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Pond instead.

Fun fact: I finished this episode on the same day their most recent album was released.

Favourite album: InnerSpeaker

Favourite song: Solitude Is Bliss

Compared to expectations: ↓

Tame_Impala_-_Innerspeaker

251. The Easybeats

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(February 2020) Episode 251 of the “opus project” is THE EASYBEATS.  This is the best 1960s rock band you’ve probably never heard of (likely because they’re from Australia*).  And if you have, you might agree they belong in the same discussion as the Stones, Kinks, Pretty Things and Yardbirds of the same period.  Catchy melodies, sweet harmonies, groovy beats, guitar hooks.   You might recognize “Friday on My Mind.”  Bonus: they recorded albums of all-original materials before most other bands did.

Favourite album: It’s 2 Easy

Favourite song: Sorry

Compared to expectations: ↑

* Guitarist was George Young, elder brother of Angus and Malcolm of AC/DC.

The_Easybeats-It's_2_Easy-LPcover

250. The Beach Boys

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(February 2020) Episode 250 of the “opus project” is THE BEACH BOYS, a band whose popularity and influence need no description.  I divide their recording career into four chapters:

  1. Surf music (62-65) (the perfect period piece worth an occasional dip)
  2. Pet Sounds and Smile session remnants (66-67) (pure magic; a must-listen)
  3. Struggle and transition (68-73) (trying to find their voice amid a changing musical scene and Brian’s troubles)
  4. Phoning it in/running on fumes (76-onward) (avoid at all costs)

It may seem odd I waited so long to get to them, but that’s because I knew two-thirds of their recordings were crap (but I listened to them anyway).  Special mention goes to Brian’s (solo) completion of Smile in 2004; it’s a masterpiece.

Favorite album: Pet Sounds

Favorite song: God Only Knows

Close second: Good Vibrations

Favorite surf-era song: Help Me Rhonda

Worst album (among many): L.A. (Light Album)

Special sauce: Brian Wilson

Compared to expectations: same

PetSoundsCover

219. Patsy Cline

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(June 2019) Episode 219 of my “opus project” is PATSY CLINE. I dislike country music in most of its forms, but I am fond of some of the early-era artists when the genre was closer to its roots. Cline has such a lovely, clear voice, and the songs are earnest, melodic and unavoidably enjoyable.

Favorite album: Showcase

Favorite song: Crazy

Compared to expectations: same

patsy cline

183. The Shangri-Las

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2018) I have completed episode 183 of my “opus project.” This edition: The SHANGRI-LAS. Among the Girl Groups of the mid-1960s, the Shangri-Las have stood out to me. Perhaps it’s their “bad girl” image, or that a couple of their songs verged on social commentary. You may recognize them from “Leader of the Pack” and “Remember (Walking in the Sand).”

Favorite song: He Cried

Compared to expectations: same

shangri las.jpg

102. Prince

~ ernopepper

(November 2016) I have completed episode 102 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: PRINCE. I now have greater appreciation of the depth and breadth (39 studio albums!) of his work (beyond the 80s albums). To me, the artist he most resembles is Frank Zappa: prolific, diversity of musical styles, idiosyncratic, social commentary, guitar virtuoso, but most of all, both successfully insisted on control of their music and business, and on doing things their own way. He was a genius. Best when funky. Best when falsetto.

Favorite album: Sign o’ the Times

Favorite song: Kiss

Favorite period: 1980-87

Best album you never heard of: The Truth (acoustic)

Compared to expectations: ↑

Prince_sign-o-the-times_250.jpg

98. Michael Jackson

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2016) I have completed episode 98 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: MICHAEL JACKSON. Simultaneously one of the biggest pop stars ever and one of the most overrated, IMHO.

Favorite album: Thriller

Favorite song: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

Don’t bother: His kid pop albums in the 1970s

Creepiest lyrics: ” You know I’m bad, I’m bad – you know it” and ” Monster / He’s a monster.”

Compared to expectations:  same

Michael_Jackson_-_Thriller.png