(March 2016) I have completed phase 78 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s complete discography. This edition: SUPERGRASS. Never understood why this effervescent, talented British alt-band with a sense of humor never gained wider attention. Try it.
Favourite album: Life on Other Planets
Favourite song: Alright
Compared to expectations: same
(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 2016) I have completed episode 76 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s complete discography from start to finish. This episode: NINE INCH NAILS. Trent Reznor’s rage-laden tecnho/industrial sound wears thin fast. But The Downward Spiral still blows my mind every time.
Favorite album: The Downward Spiral
Favorite song: I Do Not Want This
Compared to expectations: same
(February 2016) I have completed episode 75 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography from start to finish. This episode: AUDIOSLAVE. If you like Soundgarden or Rage Against the Machine, you’ll probably like Audioslave, but less than you like Soundgarden or Rage Against the Machine.
Favorite album: Audioslave
Favorite song: Show Me How to Live
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 73 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This episode: PULP. Fine glam Britpop. Common People is one of my all-time favorite songs.
Favourite album: Different Class
Favourite song: Common People
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 70 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography from start to finish. This episode: THE MOODY BLUES. I still hold some fondness for the early psychadelic-ish albums. They crafted good melodies, but the lack of edge (except the drummer, get it?) in the music does not help it endure over the decades. While some of the 1980s songs were radio hits, I found little of worth after 1972 (although I hold a nostalgic place for 1981’s Long Distance Voyager).
Favourite album: In Search of the Lost Chord
Favourite song: The Best Way to Travel
Best Song: The Voice
Worst Album: Strange Times
Compared to expectations: same
(December 2015) I have completed episode 69 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s compelte discography. This episode: IRON BUTTERFLY. Don’t laugh; I’m a sucker for acid rock. Heavy guitars, psychedelic organ — guys, you had me at “iron.”
Favorite album: Heavy
Favorite song: The Iron Butterfly Theme (what, you thought I was going to mention something else? OK, here goes…)
Favorite album side: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, side 2
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
Opus Project 