Day 82: Upon which Maire discovers she likes Captain Beefheart

Album 250/1031

Captain Beefheart - Safe as Milk (1967)

All songs written by Herb Bermann and Don Van Vliet except where noted. 

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do"	2:15
2.	"Zig Zag Wanderer"	2:40
3.	"Call on Me[15]" (Van Vliet)	2:37
4.	"Dropout Boogie"	2:32
5.	"I'm Glad" (Van Vliet)	3:31
6.	"Electricity"	3:07

Side two
No.	Title	Length
7.	"Yellow Brick Road"	2:28
8.	"Abba Zaba" (Van Vliet)	2:44
9.	"Plastic Factory" (Van Vliet, Bermann, Jerry Handley)	3:08
10.	"Where There's Woman"	2:09
11.	"Grown So Ugly" (Robert Pete Williams)	2:27
12.	"Autumn's Child"	4:02

Golf's verdict: I must confess that when we get to Trout Mask Replica on the list it will be a bit of trial for me. But this debut album is like bubblegum pop in comparison. It's the Blues, or definitely comes from that direction, but a bit like the branch of a species living on an island that drifted off the main continent millions of years ago. I challenge anyone not to be tapping their foot and a-hollerin' come the end of "Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do".

Maire's verdict: POTENTIAL HIDDEN GEM! (Can't believe I'm saying that). I remember hearing one of Captain Beefheart's tracks on John Peel and hating it so much I've never listened to anything else. Shame as I loved most of this album (not so keen on 'Abba Zaba') much to my surprise. 


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

Album 251/1031

Prefab Sprout - Steve McQueen (1985)

All songs written by Paddy McAloon.

1. "Faron Young" – 3:50 
2. "Bonny" – 3:45
3. "Appetite" – 3:56
4. "When Love Breaks Down" – 4:08 
5. "Goodbye Lucille #1" – 4:31 
6. "Hallelujah" – 4:20
7. "Moving the River" – 3:57
8. "Horsin' Around" – 4:39
9. "Desire As" – 5:19
10. "Blueberry Pies" – 2:24
11. "When the Angels" – 4:29

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

Golf's verdict: Paddy McAloon. Another great songwriter missing in action. Those of a certain age range and from the UK are programmed, upon hearing the call: "Hot Dog. Jumping Frog", to reply: "Albuquerque"*. Sadly 'The King of Rock n' Roll', their only bone fide hit, is not on Steve McQueen, but that does not stop it being worth many a listen. "When Love Breaks Down" is the stand out.

Maire's verdict: Good album and great voice. 

*Those of you not of a certain age or from the UK, see "From Langley Park to Memphis" (1988).

Album 252/1031

Elliott Smith - Figure 8 (2000)

All tracks written by Elliott Smith.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Son of Sam"	3:04
2.	"Somebody That I Used to Know"	2:09
3.	"Junk Bond Trader"	3:49
4.	"Everything Reminds Me of Her"	2:37
5.	"Everything Means Nothing to Me"	2:24
6.	"L.A."	3:14
7.	"In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)"/"The Roost"	4:32
8.	"Stupidity Tries"	4:23
9.	"Easy Way Out"	2:44
10.	"Wouldn't Mama Be Proud"	3:25
11.	"Color Bars"	2:19
12.	"Happiness"/"The Gondola Man"	5:04
13.	"Pretty Mary K"	2:36
14.	"I Better Be Quiet Now"	3:35
15.	"Can't Make a Sound"	4:18
16.	"Bye"	1:53

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_8_(album)

Golf's verdict: I do like Elliott Smith, but I could not help but find this one a little bit lacking in variety. He's one of those people from whom I own one record (From a Basement on a Hill), always intending to expand from and never have. I will persevere as I think he rewards repeated listening.

Maire's verdict: Whilst it's all very pleasant it pretty much merges into one when you're listening to it.