Run DMC - Raising Hell (1986)
- "Peter Piper" – 3:25
- "It's Tricky" (Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Doug Fieger, Berton Averre) – 3:03
- "My Adidas" (McDaniels, Simmons) – 2:47
- "Walk This Way" (Joe Perry, Steven Tyler) – 5:17
- Features new vocal by Tyler and guitar by Perry of Aerosmith based on their original 1975 recording, as well as a sample of the original drum intro which is used as the song's breakdown.
- "Is It Live" – 3:06
- "Perfection" – 2:52
- "Hit It Run" – 3:10
- "Raising Hell" – 5:31
- "You Be Illin'" (Simmons, McDaniels, Jason Mizell, Raymond White) – 3:26
- "Dumb Girl" – 3:31
- "Son of Byford" – :27
- "Proud to Be Black" – 3:14
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_Hell_(album)
Golf's verdict: This would not have been my cup of tea as a 13 year old (when it came out), although I loved 'Walk This Way' at the time. But 30 years have been kind to Raising Hell and it now sounds like a great 'old school' rap record, full of memorable rhymes and the unmistakable rock/rap crossover influence of producer Rick Rubin. 'It's Tricky', 'Is It Live' and 'Raising Hell' are the other highlights.
Maire's verdict: I could never be described as a rap fan but rather enjoyed listening to this.
Album 116/1031
Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time (1999)
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "...Baby One More Time" | Max Martin |
| 3:30 |
| 2. | "(You Drive Me) Crazy" |
|
| 3:17 |
| 3. | "Sometimes" | Elofsson |
| 4:05 |
| 4. | "Soda Pop" (duet with Mikey Bassie) |
| White | 3:20 |
| 5. | "Born to Make You Happy" | Lundin | 4:03 | |
| 6. | "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart" | White | White | 5:11 |
| 7. | "I Will Be There" |
|
| 3:53 |
| 8. | "I Will Still Love You" (duet with Don Philip) | White | White | 4:02 |
| 9. | "Thinkin' About You" |
| White | 3:35 |
| 10. | "E-Mail My Heart" | White | White | 3:41 |
| 11. | "The Beat Goes On" |
|
| 3:43 |
Golf's verdict: Wow, check out that original US release cover (top)! The whole Britney phenomenon was based on that teen-in-a-gym-slip image, but - at least in the UK - it was not presented quite so overtly. That said, the title tune, with it's decidedly dubious lyrical hook, is one of the catchiest, poppiest tunes ever to make it to the top of the charts. Inevitably, the rest of this debut cannot match the peerless opener, but that did not stop it selling 31 million copies.
Maire's verdict: '...Baby One More Time' is a great song that always manages to put a smile on my face when I hear it. The rest of the album fails to deliver.
Album 117/1031
PJ Harvey - Dry (1992)
All tracks written by PJ Harvey, unless otherwise noted.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Oh My Lover" | 3:57 | ||
| 2. | "O Stella" | 2:36 | ||
| 3. | "Dress" | 3:16 | ||
| 4. | "Victory" | 3:16 | ||
| 5. | "Happy and Bleeding" | 4:50 | ||
| 6. | "Sheela-Na-Gig" | 3:11 | ||
| 7. | "Hair" | 3:45 | ||
| 8. | "Joe" | Harvey | Harvey, Rob Ellis | 2:33 |
| 9. | "Plants and Rags" | Harvey | Harvey, Ellis | 4:09 |
| 10. | "Fountain" | 3:52 | ||
| 11. | "Water" | 4:32 |
Golf's verdict: If this would have sold 10% of the copies Britney Spears shifts then it would be some justice. Sadly, whilst critically lauded for 25 years now, PJ Harvey has never moved very far into the mainstream. That is to the mainstream's loss, as this excellent debut demonstrates. I had not heard it since 1992, but it has now prompted me to rediscover all the great material she has produced since. 'Oh My Lover', 'Dress' and "Sheela-Na-Gig' are the highlights.
Maire's verdict: Haven't listened to Polly for years and after today I'm struggling to figure out why. 'Sheela-Na-Gig' is a brilliant song and there are plenty of other highlights. I can't believe we went to see Dinosaur Jnr instead of PJ a couple of weeks ago after we decided that 2 gigs in 2 days at the start of a work week wasn't the best idea.. If I had my time again......
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