Day 7: Listening (without prejudice) to Snapping Crocs basking in the White Light (or is it Deep Purple) cast by a Bat Out of Hell

A 6 album day today as we return from Omapere, one of the most beautiful spots in all of NZ, back home to One Tree Hill (one of the others). We are really lucky to live here, despite the lack of motorways!

Omapere Wharf, Northland of New Zealand

One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie), Auckland, New Zealand

A quick note on how we are selecting the albums. I have them all listed separately in alphabetical order. We take it in turns to choose a letter and then a number (we can see how many each letter has) and then - so long as we have not already listened to it and we can get hold of it (e.g. via Spotify) then that is that. So the selection of the recently departed George Michael today, for example, was entirely by coincidence.

Sometimes, like tomorrow, we will take a different tack. Tomorrow is going to be a 'Vinyl Only' day.

Album 23/1001

Echo & the Bunnymen - Crocodiles (1980)

1980 UK LP version Side one "Going Up" – 3:57 "Stars Are Stars" – 2:45 "Pride" – 2:41 "Monkeys" – 2:49 "Crocodiles" – 2:38 Side two "Rescue" – 4:26 "Villiers Terrace" – 2:44 "Pictures on My Wall" (Sergeant, McCulloch, Pattinson) – 2:52 "All That Jazz" – 2:43 "Happy Death Men" – 4:56

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodiles_(album)

Golf's verdict: Debut from one of my favourite bands, but this has never been a regularly played album of theirs for me. They really hit their stride later in the 80s and - in a parallel universe (perhaps Donnie Darko's?) - became as big as U2. "Rescue" & "Villiers Terrace" are the obvious stand-outs.

Maire's verdict: Hadn't listened to this one before. Quite enjoyed it but probably wouldn't put it on the 'to buy' list.



Album 24/1001

George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990)

All tracks written by George Michael, except where noted.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Praying for Time"	4:41
2.	"Freedom! '90"	6:30
3.	"They Won't Go When I Go" (writers: Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Wright)	5:06
4.	"Something to Save"	3:18
5.	"Cowboys and Angels"	7:15
6.	"Waiting for That Day" (writers: George Michael, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards)	4:49
7.	"Mother's Pride"	3:59
8.	"Heal the Pain"	4:41
9.	"Soul Free"	5:29
10.	"Waiting (Reprise)"	2:25

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listen_Without_Prejudice_Vol._1

Golf's verdict: I'd long since moved on to other things by the time this came out originally, but there's no denying he was a great performer and songwriter. I was definitely more of a "Whammy" than a "Spandau" in 1982 when he first pitched up in a motorbike leather on Top of the Pops, singing about Bad Boys. The sub-text did not really hit me when I was 9!

Maire's verdict: I don't think I've listened to this since the early '90s. Not really my taste today but still know most of the words to "Freedom! '90"

Album 25/1001

Red Snapper - Our Aim Is To Satisfy (2000)

1. "Keeping Pigs Together" – 5:24
2. "Some Kind of Kink" – 5:26
3. "Shellback" – 5:44
4. "Don't Go Nowhere" – 4:50
5. "The Rake" – 5:14
6. "The Rough and the Quick" – 5:06
7. "Bussing" – 5:24
8. "I Stole Your Car" – 4:17
9. "Alaska Street" – 5:01
10. "Belladonna" – 4:27
11. "They're Hanging Me Tonight" – 6:07

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Aim_Is_to_Satisfy

Golf's verdict: One of the very strange choices on this list. It's definitely worth listening to and reminded me most of Endtroducing...DJ Shadow - another great sample and sound texture based album. Must be a real favourite of the 1001 Album book's author otherwise, as it's neither a big-selling nor a very well known release. But we'd never have listened to it if not for its inclusion, so happy we did.

Maire's verdict: Wasn't sure what to expect but enjoyed it in a 'put it on in the background while we drink and chat with friends' kind of way.

Album 26/1001

Black Sabbath - Volume 4 (1972)

All music written by Black Sabbath (Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward); all lyrics by Geezer Butler.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Wheels of Confusion/The Straightener"	8:02
2.	"Tomorrow's Dream"	3:12
3.	"Changes"	4:45
4.	"FX" (Instrumental)	1:44
5.	"Supernaut"	4:50

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"Snowblind"	5:33
7.	"Cornucopia[21]"	3:55
8.	"Laguna Sunrise" (Instrumental)	2:56
9.	"St. Vitus' Dance"	2:30
10.	"Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes"	5:53

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vol._4_(Black_Sabbath_album)

Golf's verdict: They're always a little bit samey to me, Black Sabbath. Not a big fan of Ozzy's voice either. But this is fine, pretty unsophisticated heavy rock, with the odd interlude for something more reflective and subtle, like the instrumental Laguna Sunrise. It also has the original of Changes, which was quite a nice tune until its memory was desecrated by that awful bloody version Ozzy did with his daughter.

Maire's verdict: Listen to one song, listen to them all pretty much. Liked Laguna Sunrise.

Album 27/1001

The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat (1968)

All tracks written by Lou Reed, except as noted.

Side A
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"White Light/White Heat"		2:47
2.	"The Gift"	Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale, Maureen Tucker	8:18
3.	"Lady Godiva's Operation"		4:56
4.	"Here She Comes Now"	Reed, Morrison, Cale	2:04

Side B
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"I Heard Her Call My Name"		4:38
2.	"Sister Ray"	Reed, Morrison, Cale, Tucker	17:28

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Light/White_Heat

Golf's verdict: Frankly a bit of an ordeal. I understand they are hugely influential and I have a lot of time for Lou Reed, but this often sounds like an extended jam session - and not particularly well mixed at that. White Light/White Heat and Lady Godiva's Operation are the go-to tracks. Never thought I'd miss Nico's contribution, but her Teutonic dirge might have added some relief!

Maire's verdict: Shite. Come back Kanye - all is forgiven.

Album 28/1001

Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell (1977)

All tracks written by Jim Steinman.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Bat Out of Hell"	9:48
2.	"You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)" (intro spoken by Steinman and Marcia McClain)	5:04
3.	"Heaven Can Wait"	4:38
4.	"All Revved Up with No Place to Go"	4:19

Side two
No.	Title	Length
5.	"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"	5:23
6.	"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" (duet with Ellen Foley) (I. Paradise / II. Let Me Sleep On It / III. Praying for the End of Time)	8:28
7.	"For Crying Out Loud"	8:45

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Out_of_Hell

Golf's verdict: Who doesn't love Bat Out of Hell? Not me. Maire and I were dueting to the title song on the way into Auckland this afternoon and we had it turned up to ELEVEN. In my imagination I can sing just as well as Meaty. If you see me, please do not disabuse me of this notion.

Maire's verdict: I thought I knew this album inside out but obviously had the 'Best of'. Thoroughly enjoyable if it's played loud.