Episode 291 of the “opus project” is DREAM SYNDICATE. I did this episode because they are identified with the Paisley Underground and emerged from my college town, and on the strength of the Lou Reed-flavored initial EP. But the mid-80s albums sound little better than a strained-voice, strum-beat bar band. The reformed band’s recent three albums are OK.
Favorite album: The Days of Wine and Roses
Favorite song: Apropos for Nothing
Compared to expectations: ↓
(October 2020) Episode 288 is THE THREE O’CLOCK. I’m surprised I never got into deeper the Paisley Underground (beyond The Bangles), but The Three O’Clock is a good place to start. The first 3½ albums are quality Brit-philic power pop, but the last two are synth pop abominations. Quercio’s voice can get a bit too twee.
Favorite album: Sixteen Tambourines
Favorite song: Jet Fighter
Compared to expectations: same
(September 2020) Episode 283 is THE SOFT MACHINE. Not well known, but quite influential as one of the first prog -rock and jazz-rock bands. This UK outfit started out as a 60s psychedelic band, and their debut album is my favorite. “Third” is one of the definitive prog albums, but they didn’t linger long in that genre, moving on to jazz fusion. There are many spinoffs, but I only did the albums under The Soft Machine name.
Favourite album: The Soft Machine
Best album/magnum opus: Third
Favourite song: Why Are We Sleeping?
Compared to expectations: ↓
(September 2020) Episode 281 is PATTI SMITH. I don’t get it. I know people love her as the poet laureate of punk rock. But I find her music to be pedestrian and her singing voice affectation to be off-putting.
Favorite album: Horses
Favorite song: Radio Ethiopia
Compared to expectations: ↓
(August 2020) Episode 280 is OS MUTANTES. What do you get when you combine psychedelic rock, weirdness and Brazilian rhythms? Pure awesomeness. Added bonus: they used their music to subvert the Brazilian military dictatorship. I’ve known them for a couple decades, but this review confirms them as one of my favorite bands of the 1960s. Amidst lineup changes, they did a couple of prog albums (not bad) in the 1970s and a couple reunion recordings (just ok) in recent years.
Favorite album: Os Mutantes
Favorite song: A Minha Menina
Compared to expectations: ↑
(August 2020) Episode 276 is THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN. Another band whose influence was greater than their sales, their biggest mark is planting the seed of Shoegazing with the fuzzy noise of their stunning debut album. But they chose not to stay and till that ground, instead meandering through many alt forms from the late 80s through 90s.
Favorite album: Psychocandy
Favorite song: Degenerate
Compared to expectations: same
(July 2020) Episode 274 is THE JESUS LIZARD. Delivering bass-heavy noise and growls unburdened by conventional form. It’s like eating a mixture of pop rocks and nails.
Favorite album: Liar
Favorite song: Gladiator
Compared to expectations: ↓
(July 2020) Episode 273 of the “opus project” is THE DOLLYROTS. Peppy, energetic pop-punk with plenty of hooks and a bubblegum attitude. Wife-and-husband team. I recommend the first two not-yet-overproduced albums.
Favorite album: Because I’m Awesome
Favorite song: Because I’m Awesome
Best cover: Brand New Key
Compared to expectations: same
(June 2020) Episode 268 is SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE. Look up “ground-breaking” in the dictionary and there’s a photo of this band. The music synthesized trends of the late 60s — soul, rock, psychedelic and the San Francisco Sound — into a rocket of sound, with timely social commentary, reinforced by their composition as first fully integrated rock group. But Sly’s most lasting musical contribution may be as one of the Founders of Funk. As with anything, best when funky.
Favorite album: Stand!
Favorite song: Stand!
Best funk song: Loose Booty (just ask the Beastie Boys)
Compared to expectations: same
(June 2020) Episode 267 is SLEATER-KINNEY. If your 90s playlist doesn’t have S-K in it, it sucks. Or your general rock playlist for that matter. They are notable for emerging within the riot grrrl movement with its feminist and social consciousness. But at its core it’s aggressive guitar rock with an aggressive attitude — and isn’t what great rock is all about? Tucker’s high warble can get tedious, but I can overlook it.
Favorite album: Call the Doctor
Favorite song: Entertain
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 