Day 32: CCR, NIN & Rufus W

Album 102/1031

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bayou Country (1969)

All tracks written by John Fogerty, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Born on the Bayou"	5:16
2.	"Bootleg"	3:03
3.	"Graveyard Train"	8:37

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Good Golly, Miss Molly"	Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco	2:44
2.	"Penthouse Pauper"		3:39
3.	"Proud Mary"		3:09
4.	"Keep on Chooglin'"		7:43

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

Golf's verdict: Swamp blues from the Louisiana Bayou band that were - briefly - bigger than The Beatles in the US. It's all a bit similar but the template's pretty reliable. Proud Mary is the obvious highlight.

Maire's verdict: Great fun - enjoyed it.


Album 103/1031

Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (1994)

All tracks written by Trent Reznor.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Mr. Self Destruct"	4:30
2.	"Piggy"	4:24
3.	"Heresy"	3:54
4.	"March of the Pigs"	2:58
5.	"Closer"	6:13
6.	"Ruiner"	4:58
7.	"The Becoming"	5:31
8.	"I Do Not Want This"	5:41
9.	"Big Man with a Gun"	1:36
10.	"A Warm Place"	3:22
11.	"Eraser"	4:54
12.	"Reptile"	6:51
13.	"The Downward Spiral"	3:57
14.	"Hurt"	6:13

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

Golf's verdict: No way should this be on the list at the expense of their superior debut. March of the Pigs and Closer are good enough, but the majority of this is very 'industrial rock with angst by numbers'. Even Hurt, originally the highlight, has been so usurped by Johnny Cash's peerless cover version, that it now seems out of place.

Maire's verdict: One of my all-time favourite records to listen to when feeling in need of a pick-me-up  is 'Pretty Hate Machine' and I was really surprised not to see it on the list. After listening to this after quite a few years I still think their debut is superior.

Album 104/1031

Rufus Wainwright - Want Two (2004)

1. "Agnus Dei" – 5:45
2. "The One You Love" – 3:44
3. "Peach Trees" – 5:59
4. "Little Sister" – 3:22
5. "The Art Teacher" – 3:51
6. "Hometown Waltz" – 2:33
7. "This Love Affair" – 3:13
8. "Gay Messiah" – 3:14
9. "Memphis Skyline" – 4:51
10. "Waiting for a Dream" – 4:14
11. "Crumb by Crumb" – 4:13
12. "Old Whore's Diet" – 9:09

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

Golf's verdict: Happy to listen to Rufus all day to be honest. This and its (slightly) earlier predecessor are the highlights of a pretty eclectic career so far. 'The One You Love' and 'The Art Teacher' are the standouts amongst a very strong line up. We are off to see him do his 'Judy Garland at Carnegie Hall' show in March.

Maire's verdict: I've been a big fan of Rufus ever since seeing him in stockings and high heels at the finale of a gig in a small venue to Oxford and have seen him on a few occasions since. I probably prefer Want One (and will confirm when that crops up as part of this challenge) but a stunning voice, gorgeous tunes and great lyrics make for a brilliant record.