Day 75: Pills, Thrills & the Isley Brothers then The Arcade Fire

Album 232/1031

Happy Mondays - Pills, Thrills & Bellyaches (1990)

All tracks written by Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Mark Day, Paul Davis and Gary Whelan except as noted.

1. "Kinky Afro" – 3:59
2. "God's Cop" – 4:58
3. "Donovan" – 4:04
4. "Grandbag's Funeral" – 3:20
5. "Loose Fit" – 5:07
6. "Dennis and Lois" – 4:24
7. "Bob's Yer Uncle" (Happy Mondays, Steve Osborne, Paul Oakenfold) – 5:10
8. "Step On" (John Kongos, Christos Demetriou) – 5:17
9. "Holiday" – 3:28
10. "Harmony" – 4:01

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pills_'n'_Thrills_and_Bellyaches

Golf's verdict: Some good guitar hooks and it grooves along nicely, but I really never got the Mondays. I remember THAT Top of the Pops episode in 1989 with The Roses and Mondays on a being distinctly underwhelmed by Shaun Ryder and wishing Kirsty MacColl (who appeared with them singing Hallelujah) and much preferring the Roses' 'Fools Gold'. Nothing has changed my view since, though I did quite like Black Grape!

Maire's verdict: I can't stand The Happy Mondays and this is a sorry excuse for an album. The only halfway decent tune is 'Loose Fit' and that's ruined by the singing. Shite.

Album 233/1031

The Isley Brothers - 3+3 (1973)

All tracks written by The Isley Brothers, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"That Lady"	5:35
2.	"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" (James Taylor)	4:00
3.	"If You Were There"	3:22
4.	"You Walk Your Way"	3:08
5.	"Listen to the Music" (Tom Johnston)	4:07

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"What It Comes Down To"	3:54
7.	"Sunshine (Go Away Today)" (Jonathan Edwards)	4:23
8.	"Summer Breeze" (Jim Seals, Dash Crofts)	6:12
9.	"The Highways of My Life"	4:17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_%2B_3

Golf's verdict: This is all killer no filler if you like that 70s smoooth soul sound. 'That Lady' and 'Summer Breeze' will be familar, but these are all cut from a similar cloth. A great Sunday morning chill record.

Maire's verdict: I'll admit to being slightly disappointed when the first track started as I thought it was going to be the Everly Brothers. Still a bloody good album though.

Album 234/1031

The Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)

All tracks written by Arcade Fire, with help from Josh Deu on tracks 1 and 4.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)"	4:48
2.	"Neighborhood #2 (Laïka)"	3:33
3.	"Une année sans lumière"	3:40
4.	"Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)"	5:12
5.	"Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)"	4:49
6.	"Crown of Love"	4:42
7.	"Wake Up"	5:39
8.	"Haiti"	4:07
9.	"Rebellion (Lies)"	5:10
10.	"In the Backseat"	6:21

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! A phenomenal debut album. It starts pretty strongly and just gets better and better. 'N#3', 'Crown of Love', 'Wake Up' & 'Rebellion (Lies)' are the strongest amongst an already strong suite.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Another album I'd forgotten about. Maybe I should make a list.....