Day 144: Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow

We're on an extended trip to Europe at the moment so there will be an irregular service for the blog until the middle of July, due to lack of time and wi-fi. Fear not though, as normal service will resume shortly!

Album 451/1031

Dee Lite - World Clique (1990)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Deee-Lite Theme"	2:10
2.	"Good Beat"	4:40
3.	"Power of Love"	4:40
4.	"Try Me on... I'm Very You"	5:14
5.	"Smile On"	3:55
6.	"What is Love?"	3:38
7.	"World Clique"	3:20
8.	"E.S.P."	3:43
9.	"Groove Is in the Heart"	3:51
10.	"Who Was That?"	4:35
11.	"Deep-Ending"	3:47
12.	"Build the Bridge"

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

Golf's verdict: They were kind of a proto-type Scissor Sisters, weren't they? Except that - with the exception of the unimpeachable 'Groove is in the Heart' - they did not quite have the breadth of tunes to sustain them into a longer career. Enjoyed it though.

Maire's verdict: 'Groove is in the Heart' is a classic track but the rest of the album doesn't keep up.

Album 452/1031

Anita Baker - Rapture (1986)

1. "Sweet Love" (Anita Baker, Louis A. Johnson, Gary Bias; Copyright Old Brampton Road Music-Jobete Music) – 4:26
2. "You Bring Me Joy" (David Lasley; Copyright Almo Music Corp.) – 4:24
3. "Caught Up in the Rapture" (Garry Glenn, Dianne Quander; Copyright WB Music Corp.-Silver Sun Music-DQ Music) – 5:07
4. "Been So Long" (Baker; Copyright Baker's Tunes) – 5:07
5. "Mystery" (Rod Temperton; Copyright RodSongs & Almo Music Corp.) – 4:56
6. "No One in the World" (Ken Hirsch, Marti Sharron; Copyright ATV Music & Welbeck Music) – 4:10 *
7. "Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year)" (Marilyn Mcleod, Darryl K. Roberts; Copyright Jobete Music) – 4:05
8. "Watch Your Step" (Baker; Copyright Baker's Tunes) – 4:54

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture_(Anita_Baker_album)

Golf's verdict: She has a cracking set of lungs on her, but this sort of soul music is a bit over-produced for my liking. Much prefer some Aretha.

Maire's verdict: Lovely voice and a couple of songs I recognised but nothing to make me want to listen to it again.

Album 453/1031

David Bowie - Hunky Dory (1971)

All tracks written by David Bowie, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Changes"	3:37
2.	"Oh! You Pretty Things"	3:12
3.	"Eight Line Poem"	2:55
4.	"Life on Mars?"	3:53
5.	"Kooks"	2:53
6.	"Quicksand"	5:08

Side two
No.	Title	Length
7.	"Fill Your Heart" (Biff Rose, Paul Williams)	3:07
8.	"Andy Warhol"	3:56
9.	"Song for Bob Dylan"	4:12
10.	"Queen Bitch"	3:18
11.	"The Bewlay Brothers"	5:22

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Coming just before his transformation into Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory really starts to demonstrate the huge range available to Bowie. 'Life on Mars' is probably in my Top 5 songs of all time, so this is always going to be amongst my favourite Bowie albums, but it rarely puts a foot wrong ('Song for Bob Dylan' is a little bit trite) and finishes on a high with the fantastic 'Queen Bitch' and 'The Bewlay Brothers'.

Maire's verdict: I SO WANTED THIS TO BE A HIDDEN GEM! 'Life on Mars' is one of my favourite songs and and there are a number of tracks which are brilliant but others disappoint.

Album 454/1031

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Henry's Dream (1992)

All tracks written by Nick Cave.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Papa Won't Leave You, Henry"	5:54
2.	"I Had a Dream, Joe"	3:43
3.	"Straight to You"	4:35
4.	"Brother, My Cup is Empty"	3:02
5.	"Christina the Astonishing"	4:51
6.	"When I First Came to Town"	5:22
7.	"John Finn's Wife"	5:13
8.	"Loom of the Land"	5:08
9.	"Jack the Ripper"	3:45

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry's_Dream

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Although Cave apparently dislikes the production on this album (explaining why so much of it turns up in different live versions on several other albums), it contains amongst his strongest set of songs. Only 'Christina the Astonishing' disappoints.

Maire's verdict: BETTER THAN A HIDDEN GEM! My favourite album and one I know every single word and intonation to. If there is one album you should listen to from the challenge it's this one. So good I listened to it 3 times on the flight from LA to Paris.

Day 143: There was a checkpoint Charlie, he didn't crack a smile...

Album 448/1031

The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)

All tracks written by Lennon–McCartney except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Drive My Car"	McCartney with Lennon	2:25
2.	"Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)"	Lennon with McCartney	2:01
3.	"You Won't See Me"	McCartney	3:18
4.	"Nowhere Man"	Lennon with McCartney and Harrison	2:40
5.	"Think for Yourself" (George Harrison)	Harrison	2:16
6.	"The Word"	Lennon	2:41
7.	"Michelle"	McCartney	2:40

Side two
No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"What Goes On" (Lennon–McCartney–Richard Starkey)	Starr	2:47
2.	"Girl"	Lennon	2:30
3.	"I'm Looking Through You"	McCartney	2:23
4.	"In My Life"	Lennon	2:24
5.	"Wait"	Lennon and McCartney	2:12
6.	"If I Needed Someone" (Harrison)	Harrison	2:20
7.	"Run for Your Life"	Lennon	2:18

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Will always fall in the shadow of its more mature and exuberant cousins: 'Revolver' & "Sergeant Pepper', but this is a genuine classic in its own right too. Only the Ringo tune let's it down, not having the longevity of a 'With A Little Help From My Friends' or 'Octopus' Garden'.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Marvellous record.


Album 449/1031

Elvis Costello & the Attractions - Armed Forces (1979)

All songs written by Elvis Costello.

Side one

1. "Accidents Will Happen" – 3:00
2. "Senior Service" – 2:17
3. "Oliver's Army" – 2:58
4. "Big Boys" – 2:54
5. "Green Shirt" – 2:42
6. "Party Girl" – 3:20

Side two

1. "Goon Squad" – 3:14
2. "Busy Bodies" – 3:33
3. "Sunday's Best" – 3:22
4. "Moods for Moderns" – 2:48
5. "Chemistry Class" – 2:55
6. "Two Little Hitlers" – 3:18

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


Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Having previously proved pretty resistant to the charms of Declan McManus, more recently I have really started to like his late 70s and early 80s output. Even to the point of agreeing that he more or less managed a peerless run of 3 or 4 genuine classics, including this one from 1979. Includes 'Oliver's Army', featuring a word that is nowadays considered so politically incorrect that ANY usage of it draws criticism (a late night American comedian fell foul of this recently) regardless of the context. That has always struck me as completely ridiculous. Words uttered without context should have no inherent level of offence, surely?

Maire's verdict: I didn't realise I liked him as much as I do. Great album.

Album 450/1031

Paul Weller - Wildwood (1993)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Sunflower"	Paul Weller	4:06
2.	"Can You Heal Us (Holy Man)"	Paul Weller	3:41
3.	"Wild Wood"	Weller	3:22
4.	"Instrumental (Pt 1)"	Weller, Brendan Lynch, Steve White	1:37
5.	"All the Pictures on the Wall"	Weller	3:56
6.	"Has My Fire Really Gone Out?"	Weller	3:50
7.	"Country"	Weller	3:39
8.	"Instrumental Two"	Weller, Lynch, White	0:50
9.	"5th Season"	Weller	4:54
10.	"The Weaver"	Weller	3:43
11.	"Instrumental One (Pt 2)"	Weller, Lynch, White	0:34
12.	"Foot of the Mountain"	Weller	3:37
13.	"Shadow of the Sun"	Weller	7:36
14.	"Holy Man (reprise)"	Weller	1:50
15.	"Moon on Your Pyjamas"	Weller	4:00
16.	"Hung Up"	Weller	2:49

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

Golf's verdict: Marked Weller's return to the fold as the Modfather after a number of years in the wilderness, when he went all Northern Soul with The Style Council. Funnily enough, I think The Style Council are well overdue a critical re-evaluation. They did some really good stuff. But still, this album DID make a huge impression and deservedly so - it is very strong and has - in 'Sunflower' and 'Wild Wood' a couple of career-high crackers.

Maire's verdict: This reminds me of my final year at uni when I fell in love with this album. Haven't really listened to it since. Still enjoyable but not as great as I remember.

Day 142: Fix Up, Look Sharp!

Album 444/1031

Brian Eno - Another Green World (1975)

All songs written by Brian Eno.

Side A

1. "Sky Saw"  – 3:25
2. "Over Fire Island"  – 1:49
3. "St. Elmo's Fire"  – 3:02
4. "In Dark Trees"  – 2:29
5. "The Big Ship"  – 3:01
6. "I'll Come Running"  – 3:48
7. "Another Green World"  – 1:38

Side B

8. "Sombre Reptiles"  – 2:26
9. "Little Fishes"  – 1:30
10. "Golden Hours"  – 4:01
11. "Becalmed"  – 3:56
12. "Zawinul/Lava"  – 3:00
13. "Everything Merges with the Night"  – 3:59
14. "Spirits Drifting"  – 2:36

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

Golf's verdict: Or the album with Arena theme tune from BBC2 on it. Coming a few years before 'Music for Airports', but with many early signs of the ambient style he would later perfect. I perfect midway-point between 'Warm Jets' & 'Airports' in fact. For a self-declared 'non-musician' Eno has certainly made more interesting music in his career than 99% of his contemporaries.

Maire's verdict: Didn't really do it for me.


Album 445/1031

Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner (2003)

All tracks were produced by Dizzee Rascal, except where noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Sittin' Here"	Dylan Mills	4:05
2.	"Stop Dat"	Mills	3:40
3.	"I Luv U"	Mills	4:05
4.	"Brand New Day"	Mills	4:00
5.	"2 Far" (featuring Wiley)	Richard Cowie, Mills	3:07
6.	"Fix Up, Look Sharp"	Nick Detnon, Mills, Billy Squier	3:44
7.	"Cut 'Em Off"	Mills	3:53
8.	"Hold Ya Mouf" (featuring God’s Gift)	Jerome Dow, Mills	2:55
9.	"Round We Go (Ain't No Love)" (co-produced by Chubby Dread)	Hector, Mills	4:13
10.	"Jus' a Rascal" (featuring Taz) (co-produced by Taz & Vanguard)	Mills, Tesmond Rowe, Vanguard Vardoen	3:39
11.	"Wot U On?" (featuring Caramel)	Mills	4:50
12.	"Jezebel"	Mills	3:36
13.	"Seems 2 Be"	Mills	3:46
14.	"Live O"	Mills	3:35
15.	"Do It!"	Mills	4:06

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

Golf's verdict: We saw Dizzee at the Emirates stadium supporting Muse a few years back. To give him credit he successfully converted what must have been a pretty tough crowd around to his rather bouncy cause that day. This album disappointed though, not nearly enough variety meaning I got over it pretty quickly. Probably even before the half way mark...

Maire's verdict: Thought it was rather fun to start with but then got a bit boring.

Album 446/1031

Air - The Virgin Suicides (OS) (2000)

All songs written by Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel except "Playground Love", written by Gordon Tracks, Godin and Dunckel.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Playground Love"	3:32
2.	"Clouds Up"	1:30
3.	"Bathroom Girl"	2:25
4.	"Cemetary Party"	2:36
5.	"Dark Messages"	2:28
6.	"The Word 'Hurricane'"	2:33
7.	"Dirty Trip"	6:12
8.	"Highschool Lover" (theme from The Virgin Suicides)	2:42
9.	"Afternoon Sister"	2:24
10.	"Ghost Song"	2:16
11.	"Empty House"	2:58
12.	"Dead Bodies"	2:59
13.	"Suicide Underground"	5:52

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Virgin_Suicides_(score)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Better than any of their 'normal' albums, this soundtrack to Sophia Coppola's film is fantastic. Maintains the balance between song-structure and great 70s era prog sounding electronica even better than 'Moon Safari' does and 'Dead Bodies' is an absolute classic prog wig-out.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Gorgeous. Makes me feel sad and happy at the same time.

Album 447/1031

Kate Bush - The Sensual World (1989)

All tracks written by Kate Bush.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Sensual World"	3:57
2.	"Love and Anger"	4:42
3.	"The Fog"	5:04
4.	"Reaching Out"	3:11
5.	"Heads We're Dancing"	5:17

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"Deeper Understanding"	4:46
7.	"Between a Man and a Woman"	3:29
8.	"Never Be Mine"	3:43
9.	"Rocket's Tail"	4:06
10.	"This Woman's Work"	3:32

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I would happily listen to Kate Bush recite her shopping list. In fact, having listened to more or less everything she has recorded I would be pretty confident I HAVE heard her doing that. This has none of the hits on it, but suffers in no way because of that. Just slip some headphones on and get sucked in.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I'm a bit late to the Kate Bush adoration party. Liked most of her singles but never really listened to her albums. Loved this one.

Day 141: Ow, we want the funk. Give up the funk!

Album 441/1031

Alexander 'Skip' Spence - Oar (1969)

1. "Little Hands" – 3:44
2. "Cripple Creek" – 2:16
3. "Diana" – 3:32
4. "Margaret/Tiger Rug" – 2:17
5. "Weighted Down (The Prison Song)" – 6:27
6. "War in Peace" – 4:05
7. "Broken Heart" – 3:29
8. "All Come to Meet Her" – 2:04
9. "Books of Moses" – 2:42
10. "Dixie Peach Promenade (Yin for Yang)" – 2:53
11. "Lawrence of Euphoria" – 1:31
12. "Grey/Afro" – 9:38

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! A lesser known Syd Barrett. Similarly whimsical psychedelia and - tragically - a similar story of personal tragedy. This was the only solo album he completed after a career in Moby Grape, before mental illness, exacerbated by drug addiction, shortened his career. A completely new discovery - I found it really intriguing and will be listening again, often.

Maire's verdict: Never heard of him. Something and nothing. More nothing.

Album 442/1031

Caetano Veloso - Caetano Veloso (1969)

All tracks written by Caetano Veloso except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Irene"	3:48
2.	"The Empty Boat"	4:15
3.	"Marinheiro Só" (Traditional; Adaptation by Caetano Veloso)	3:29
4.	"Lost in the Paradise"	3:27
5.	"Atrás do Trio Elétrico"	2:45
6.	"Os Argonautas"	2:47

Side two
No.	Title	Length
7.	"Carolina" (Chico Buarque)	2:38
8.	"Cambalache" (Enrique Santos Discépolo)	2:31
9.	"Não Identificado"	4:03
10.	"Chuvas de Verão" (Fernando Lobo)	2:51
11.	"Acrilírico" (Caetano Veloso, Rogério Duarte, Rogério Duprat)	3:01
12.	"Alfômega" (Gilberto Gil)	5:57

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caetano_Veloso_(1969_album)

Golf's verdict: Was not entirely won over by Os Mutantes earlier in the challenge, but this slice of '60s Tropicalia was thoroughly enjoyable.

Maire's verdict: Never heard of him, either. Better than Skip Spence (but that's not saying much).

Album 443/1031

Parliament - Mothership Connection (1975)

Side One
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"P. Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up)"	George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell	7:41
2.	"Mothership Connection (Star Child)"	Clinton, Collins, Worrell	6:13
3.	"Unfunky UFO"	Clinton, Collins, Garry Shider	4:23

Side Two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
4.	"Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication"	Clinton, Collins, Shider, Worrell	5:03
5.	"Handcuffs"	Clinton, Glenn Goins, John McLaughlin	4:02
6.	"Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)"	Jerome Brailey, Clinton, Collins	5:46
7.	"Night of the Thumpasorus Peoples"	Clinton, Collins, Shider	5:10

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

Golf's verdict: I was definitely ready to give up whatever funk was required of me by the end of this. Track 4 has the greatest song title ever. The title track (and I am not making this up) features a version of England Rugby Union favourite, 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'. Motherfunking good stuff!

Maire's verdict: Finally a band I've heard of (although not really listened to). Not at all what I was expecting - for some reason I thought they were 1970s alternative rock! Hmm.... fun but nothing amazing.