Shuffle of the week #22

This is an ode to the shuffle. How better to get a good insight in your digitized album collection than by a classic shuffle? Finally discover the albums you never got into, finally throw the ones away you will never get into and worship those classics that never grow old again. The Shuffle of this week:

1. Pacific Gas & Electric – Mother Why Do You Cry (Are You Ready, 1970) [singlepic id=217 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Surprising start, not being able to immediately identify this from the start. Band that was founded in LA in 1967 and existed only for a few years. Although they never reached a lot of fame, many people will recognize the opening song from the homonymous album where this track stands on. Because of that, there might be a tendency of calling this a one-hit-wonder, but both this album as there 1969 self-titled debut prove to be good blues rock albums, starring the stunning voice of singer Charlie Allen.

2. Guns ’n Roses – Get in the Ring (Use Your Illusion II, 1991) [singlepic id=216 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Power talking from Axl Rose on this track from the bands best album imo, which I really appreciated for a long time and was their only one to survive my collection. The times they are a-changin’ and I’m totally not into this anymore. Contains some good guitar riffs however, but why all the baloney towards the end? I presume I considered that cool once.

3. Wilco – Pot Kettle Black (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, 2002) [singlepic id=98 w=80 h=50 float=left]

As may be known, one of my favorite bands of today. Only thing that remains for me is completing their oeuvre in my collection and considering whether they served enough years to qualify for a classic review already.

4. Sonic Youth – Cotton Crown (Sister, 1987) [singlepic id=79 w=80 h=50 float=left]

I listened to this album a couple of times following an earlier shuffle, but it didn’t really amaze me. Is the status of this band only due to that one cult album or do I have to dig a little further? Let’s try out 1990’s Goo to find out.

5. Jethro Tull – Cheap Day Return (Aqualung, 1971) [singlepic id=121 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Charming intermezzo by the velvet voice of Ian Anderson from the previously underrated and later worshipped Aqualung. This album really is like an old quality wine, only getting better by the years.

6. TV on the Radio – Staring at the Sun (Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, 2004) [singlepic id=218 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Best known song from this Brooklyn band, at least for me, as my knowledge about them is still insufficient at this moment of writing.  However, I’m working on that as this album surprised me in very positive ways after some relistens.

7. Yim Yames – My Sweet Lord (Tribute To, 2009) [singlepic id=99 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Fantastic cover from the well-known Harrison song on this all cover EP, recommended already during an earlier opportunity. My Morning Jacket‘s singer Jim James interpretation of this song is somewhat slower, while adding some strength to the vocals with his characterizing voice. This definitely is one of the best singers in contemporary rock, having released his first full solo album earlier this year: Regions of Light and Sound of God.

8. Cocteau Twins – Aloysius (Treasure, 1984) [singlepic id=215 w=80 h=50 float=left]

First thing popping into my mind when hearing this: ‘Why did I ever get this?’. However, giving this album another try made me somehow adjust this original judgment. It’s the third album by this Scottish band and the first featuring their primary lineup, still including Liz Fraser on ethereal (most of the times non-lyrical) vocals. Even if you might not be a fan of such dreamy sounds in general, this album could possibly charm you.

9. Steely Dan – Reelin’ in the Years (Can’t Buy A Thrill, 1972) [singlepic id=7 w=80 h=50 float=left]

There’s the riff of all riffs again. Great album from the kings of the studio.

 

10. Booker T. & The MG’s – Back Home (Melting Pot, 1971) [singlepic id=82 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Completing this song cycle in an apposite way, as we already started with one of those other rare bands from the sixties-early seventies that were racially integrated. This is the last album to feature both frontman Booker T. as guitarist Steve Cropper, the latter one really shining on this song.

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