(June 2014) I have completed phase 28 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish. This episode: U2.
Favourite album: Achtung Baby
Favourite song: Where the Streets Have No Name
Bono: sings too much
Special sauce: The Edge
Compared to expectations: ↓
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(June 2014) I have completed phase 27 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s entire discography. This episode: JET.
Favourite album: Shine On
Favourite Song: Bring It On Back
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2014) I have completed phaze 26 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the entire discography of an artist from beginning to end. This episode: another great Italian, FRANK ZAPPA. This was a looooooong one, the longest I will do by a non-exclusively classical composer. 90+ albums, almost 6 months. But very engaging, funny, and illuminating. I learned a lot. Highly recommended.
Favorite album (Mothers era): We’re Only In It For The Money
Favorite album (solo): You Are What You Is
Favorite song: Peaches en Regalia
Favorite period: original Mothers of Invention (1966-69)
Low point: Thing Fish
On the menu: baby octopus, creamed corn, muffin rem-nants
What’s happening: Becky?
Special sauce: Muffin Utility Research Kitchen
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2014) I have completed phase 25 of my “opus project,” in which I listed to a band’s entire discography in chronological order. This episode: YO LA TENGO.
Favorite album: I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
Favorite Song: And the Glitter is Gone
Weakest moments: first three albums (1980s)
Feedback: excellent
Compared to expectations: same
(March 2014) I have completed phase 22 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artists’ full discography, from beginning to end. This episode: YES.
Favourite album: Close to the Edge
Favourite song: Gates of Delirium
Favourite period: the song-as-album side years (’72-’76)
Low point: most everything from the 1990s (esp. Open Your Eyes)
Hidden gem: the fist two, more earthy, slightly psychedelic, albums
Special sauce: Chris Squire
Compared to expectations: same
(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
* 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.
(December 2013) I have completed phase 19 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This episode: NIRVANA
Favorite album: Nevermind
Favorite song: Smells Like Teen Spirit
Compared to expectations: same
(November 2013) I have completed phase 18 of my “opus project,” wherein I listen to a band’s entire discography from start to finish. This episode: RADIOHEAD.
Favourite album: OK Computer
Favourite song: The National Anthem (from Kid A)
Special sauce: Johnny Greenwood
Compared to expectations: same
(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
What I am: a man, and so is Lola
(October 2013) I have completed phase 15 of my “opus project,” wherein I listen to a band’s entire catalogue from start to finish. This episode: The Talking Heads.
Favorite Album: Remain in Light
Favorite song: Memories Can’t Wait
And the heat: goes on
Special sauce: Tina Weymouth
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 