Day 98: Ersatz from Grant Lee Buffalo, plus ELO & The Byrds

Album 300/1031

Grant Lee Buffalo - Fuzzy (1993)

Track listing

1. "The Shining Hour" – 3:53
2. "Jupiter And Teardrop" – 5:57
3. "Fuzzy" – 4:59
4. "Wish You Well" – 3:30
5. "The Hook" – 4:13
6. "Soft Wolf Tread" – 2:52
7. "Stars 'N' Stripes" – 4:43
8. "Dixie Drug Store" – 5:07
9. "America Snoring" – 3:39
10. "Grace" – 6:15
11. "You Just Have To Be Crazy" – 3:35

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

Golf's verdict: Strange album of almost pastiche-like songs that regularly channel other artists. Always done well and ultimately making for a good listen, but often I was humming along to another song - most obviously on 'Soft Wolf Tread' which almost fits Warren Zevon's 'Werewolves of London' like a glove. Elsewhere we definitely swing by The Waterboys and even Richard Thompson. 

Maire's verdict: Pleasant enough but I spent the whole time trying to figure out who he reminded me of on each track. Came up with Hot House Flowers, Richard Thompson and The Waterboys. Pretty sure Golf will have others to add to the mix.

Album 301/1031

Electric Light Orchestra - Out of the Blue (1977)

Track listing

All songs written by Jeff Lynne.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Turn to Stone"	3:47
2.	"It's Over"	4:08
3.	"Sweet Talkin' Woman"	3:47
4.	"Across The Border"	3:52
Total length:		15:34

Side two
No.	Title	Length
5.	"Night In The City"	4:02
6.	"Starlight"	4:30
7.	"Jungle"	3:51
8.	"Believe Me Now"	1:21
9.	"Steppin' Out"	4:38
Total length:		18:22

Side three (Concerto For A Rainy Day)
No.	Title	Length
10.	"Standin' In The Rain"	4:20
11.	"Big Wheels"	5:10
12.	"Summer And Lightning"	4:13
13.	"Mr. Blue Sky"	5:05
Total length:		18:48

Side four
No.	Title	Length
14.	"Sweet Is The Night"	3:26
15.	"The Whale"	5:05
16.	"Birmingham Blues"	4:21
17.	"Wild West Hero"	4:40
Total length:		17:32

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_the_Blue_(Electric_Light_Orchestra_album)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM!: Jeff Lynne has to be one of the best producers in the business and this double album gives a rich demonstration of why. Records that sell more than 10 million copies need to have something a bit different that elevates them above the norm. Here it is Lynne's perfection of his production style, coupled with at least 5 or 6 of his strongest ever songs: 'Wild West Hero', 'Turn to Stone', 'Sweet Talkin' Woman' and 'Mr Blue Sky' amongst them.

Maire's verdict: It seems I know more ELO than I thought. Great fun.

Album 302/1031


The Byrds - 5th Dimension (1966)

Side 1

1. "5D (Fifth Dimension)" (Jim McGuinn) – 2:33
2. "Wild Mountain Thyme" (traditional, arranged Jim McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Michael Clarke, David Crosby) – 2:30
3. "Mr. Spaceman" (Jim McGuinn) – 2:09
4. "I See You" (Jim McGuinn, David Crosby) – 2:38
5. "What's Happening?!?!" (David Crosby) – 2:35
6. "I Come and Stand at Every Door" (Nâzım Hikmet) – 3:03

Side 2

7. "Eight Miles High" (Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, David Crosby) – 3:34
8. "Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)" (Billy Roberts) – 2:17
9. "Captain Soul" (Jim McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Michael Clarke, David Crosby) – 2:53
10. "John Riley" (traditional, arranged Jim McGuinn, Chris Hillman, Michael Clarke, David Crosby) – 2:57
11. "2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)" (Jim McGuinn) – 2:12

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

Golf's verdict: Given how many great songwriters there were in The Byrds, they relied heavily on arranging traditional songs or covering recent artists (most famously Dylan) to fit their harmony-rich sound. Hendrix's version of Hey Joe knocks this one into a cocked hat, but otherwise it's a really strong album, with Eight Miles High standing out as a psychedelic classic.

Maire's verdict: Good album, but a lot of covers.