Day 171: There are many here among us, who feel that life is but a joke...

Album 565/1031

Goldie - Timeless (1995)

All tracks written by Goldie, except where noted.

Disc one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Timeless: Inner City Life/Pressure/Jah" (Goldie, Diane Charlemagne, Rob Playford)	21:01
2.	"Saint Angel"	7:14
3.	"State of Mind" (Goldie, Playford)	7:05
4.	"This Is a Bad"	5:56
5.	"Sea of Tears" (Goldie, Playford)	12:03
6.	"Jah the Seventh Seal" (Goldie, Playford)	6:36

Disc two
No.	Title	Length
1.	"A Sense of Rage (Sensual V.I.P mix)" (Goldie, Playford)	7:05
2.	"Still Life"	10:50
3.	"Angel"	4:56
4.	"Adrift" (Goldie, Justina Curtis)	8:29
5.	"Kemistry"	6:48
6.	"You & Me"	7:04
7.	"Inner City Life (Baby Boy's edit)" (US bonus track; remix by Photek)	3:34
8.	"Inner City Life (Rabbit's Short Attention Span edit)" (US bonus track; remix by Rabbit in the Moon)	4:20

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeless_(Goldie_album)

Golf's verdict: Man this is lonnnnnnng! The curse of the double album and too much weed in the control room when mixing. Just about gets away with it because it is bookended by the excellent 'Inner City Life.' If you are only going to buy one drum n' bass album then go it's a toss up between this and Roni Size/Raprazent.

Maire's verdict: Nice album but too long.


Album 566/1031

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland (1968)

All songs written by Jimi Hendrix, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"And the Gods Made Love"	1:21
2.	"Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)"	2:11
3.	"Crosstown Traffic"	2:25
4.	"Voodoo Chile"	15:00

Side two
No.	Title	Length
5.	"Little Miss Strange" (Noel Redding)	2:52
6.	"Long Hot Summer Night"	3:27
7.	"Come On (Part I)" (Earl King; originally titled "Come On" on UK Track release[nb 5])	4:09
8.	"Gypsy Eyes" (Originally titled "Gipsy Eyes" on UK Track release)	3:43
9.	"Burning of the Midnight Lamp"	3:39

Side three
No.	Title	Length
10.	"Rainy Day, Dream Away"	3:42
11.	"1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)[nb 6]"	13:39
12.	"Moon, Turn the Tides...Gently Gently Away"	1:02

Side four
No.	Title	Length
13.	"Still Raining, Still Dreaming"	4:25
14.	"House Burning Down"	4:33
15.	"All Along the Watchtower" (Bob Dylan)	4:01
16.	"Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" (Originally titled "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)" on UK Track release)	5:12

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

Golf's verdict: Could manage quite well as a single album too. In fact, if it was it would be an undeniable hidden gem. As it is, it has a number of obvious filler tracks and psychedelic pastiches that really show their age.

Maire's verdict: Amazing guitarist and 'All Along The Watchtower' is a classic track. However, not one I'd put on too often.

Album 567/1031

Paul Revere & The Raiders - Midnight Ride (1966)

Side one

1. "Kicks" (Mann, Weil) — 2:28
2. "There's Always Tomorrow" (Levin, Smith) — 2:39
3. "Little Girl in the 4th Row" (Lindsay, Revere) — 2:58
4. "Ballad of a Useless Man" (Levin) — 2:08
5. "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (Boyce, Hart) — 2:31
6. "There She Goes" (Lindsay, Revere) — 1:47

Side two

7. "All I Really Need Is You" (Lindsay, Revere) — 3:27
8. "Get It On" (Levin, Volk) — 3:12
9. "Louie, Go Home" (Lindsay, Revere) — 2:41
10. "Take a Look at Yourself" (Lindsay, Revere) — 1:48
11. "Melody For an Unknown Girl" (Lindsay, Revere) — 1:59

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Knew the name and - once it started - turns out knew the band too, if only as the originators of 'Steppin' Stone'. The original is the equal of The Monkees and The Sex Pistols versions and more or less everything else on this melodic garage rock alsbum sounds great too. A pleasant find.

Maire's verdict: Didn't recognise the name but you definitely recognise a couple of the tracks. Would have been a hidden gem apart from 'Louie Go Home'. 

Day 170: Bless my cotton socks I'm in the news...

Album 561/1031

Elvis Costello - Brutal Youth (1994)

All songs by Declan MacManus unless otherwise indicated.

1. "Pony St." – 3:25
2. "Kinder Murder" – 3:25
3. "13 Steps Lead Down" – 3:16
4. "This Is Hell" – 4:27
5. "Clown Strike" – 4:05
6. "You Tripped at Every Step" – 4:12
7. "Still Too Soon to Know" – 2:19
8. "20% Amnesia" – 3:26
9. "Sulky Girl" – 5:07
10. "London's Brilliant Parade" – 4:23
11. "My Science Fiction Twin" – 4:10
12. "Rocking Horse Road" – 4:03
13. "Just About Glad" – 3:14
14. "All the Rage" – 3:52
15. "Favourite Hour" – 3:31

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


Golf's verdict: The three artists this challenge has really brought to our proper attention and appreciation, so far, are Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Elvis Costello. This is the later era album with the Attractions, but seems to maintain the very high qualities of My Aim Is True and Armed Forces which we've had earlier in the year. 

Maire's verdict: Really enjoyed this.


Album 562/1031

The Teardrop Explodes - Kilamanjaro (1980)

1. "Ha Ha I'm Drowning"
2. "Treason"
3. "Suffocate" (Cope, David Balfe)
4. "Reward" (Cope, Gill)
5. "When I Dream"
6. "Went Crazy" (Cope, Finkler)
7. "Brave Boys Keep Their Promises"
8. "Sleeping Gas" (Cope, Dwyer, Finkler, Simpson)
9. "Books" (Cope, McCulloch)
10. "The Thief of Baghdad"
11. "Poppies in the Field"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilimanjaro_(The_Teardrop_Explodes_album)

Golf's verdict: A minor classic. Reward and Sleeping Gas are the main foot-tappers, but the whole thing is really strong.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I don't think I've listened to this since I left school in the early 90s. Absolutely loved it.

Album 563/1031

Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic (1975)

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Toys in the Attic"	Steven Tyler, Joe Perry	3:07
2.	"Uncle Salty"	Tyler, Tom Hamilton	4:09
3.	"Adam's Apple"	Tyler	4:33
4.	"Walk This Way"	Tyler, Perry	3:40
5.	"Big Ten Inch Record"	Fred Weismantel	2:16

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	"Sweet Emotion"	Tyler, Hamilton	4:34
7.	"No More No More"	Tyler, Perry	4:34
8.	"Round and Round"	Tyler, Brad Whitford	5:03
9.	"You See Me Crying"	Tyler, Don Solomon	5:12

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

Golf's verdict: From this evidence it appears that the 1975 era Aerosmith were actually rather good. Thoroughly enjoyed it all, but particularly Sweet Emotion.

Maire's verdict: Not what I was expecting. Loved 'Big Ten Inch Record' but prefer the Run DMC version of 'Walk This Way' obviously!

Album 564/1031

Ute Lemper - Punishing Kiss (2000)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Little Water Song"	Bruno Pisek, Nick Cave	3:59
2.	"The Case Continues"	Neil Hannon, Joby Talbot	3:52
3.	"Passionate Fight"	Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve	4:14
4.	"Tango Ballad"	Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill	4:59
5.	"Couldn't You Keep That to Yourself"	Elvis Costello	2:50
6.	"Streets of Berlin"	Martin Sherman, Philip Glass	4:01
7.	"The Part You Throw Away"	Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan	4:40
8.	"Split"	Neil Hannon, Joby Talbot	3:43
9.	"Punishing Kiss"	Elvis Costello, Cait O'Riordan	4:33
10.	"Purple Avenue"	Tom Waits	4:23
11.	"You Were Meant For Me"	Neil Hannon, Joby Talbot	5:17
12.	"Scope J"	Scott Walker	10:56
13.	"Lullaby (By-By-By)" (Japanese Bonus Track)	Scott Walker	11:06

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Features several of our favourite artists either as writers and/or collaborators in the performance. Plus I have always been a bit of pushover for Brecht/Weill and the whole Berlin in the 1930s schtick. I hear some of her other stuff is a little bit more German (let's face it, that's a challenging language for song compared with English and French), but will be investigating Ute's back catalogue on the strength of this.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Where has this been all my life. Absolutely adored it.

Day 169: Please allow me to introduce myself...

Album 555/1031

The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet (1968)

All songs written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, except "Prodigal Son" by Robert Wilkins.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Sympathy for the Devil"	6:18
2.	"No Expectations"	3:56
3.	"Dear Doctor"	3:28
4.	"Parachute Woman"	2:20
5.	"Jigsaw Puzzle"	6:06

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"Street Fighting Man"	3:16
7.	"Prodigal Son"	2:51
8.	"Stray Cat Blues"	4:38
9.	"Factory Girl"	2:09
10.	"Salt of the Earth"	4:48

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

Golf's verdict: Decidedly light on good material once the classic 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man' are out of the way. The Stones were always more of a singles band and none more so than on here.

Maire's verdict: One of my all-time favourite songs kicks off this album. It goes downhill from there.

Album 556/1031

Siouxsie & the Banshees - The Scream (1978)

Side A
No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
1.	"Pure"		Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin, John McKay, Kenny Morris	1:50
2.	"Jigsaw Feeling"	Severin	Severin, McKay	4:39
3.	"Overground"	Severin	Severin, McKay	3:50
4.	"Carcass"		Sioux, Severin, Peter Fenton	3:49
5.	"Helter Skelter"	John Lennon, Paul McCartney	Lennon, McCartney	3:46

Side B
No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
6.	"Mirage"	Severin	Severin, McKay	2:50
7.	"Metal Postcard (Mittageisen)"	Sioux	Sioux, McKay	4:14
8.	"Nicotine Stain"	Sioux	Sioux, Severin	2:58
9.	"Suburban Relapse"	Sioux	Sioux, McKay	4:12
10.	"Switch"	Sioux	Sioux, McKay	6:49

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Although Hong Kong Garden is not included (at least not originally, the re-issues do have it tagged on), this debut expands on that unmistakable overdriven guitar sound to great effect, whilst Siouxsie not-quite-shouts-not-quite-sings in her own fashion.


Maire's verdict: Thoroughly enjoyed  this - great debut. 

Album 557/1031

Mudhoney - Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (1991)

All tracks written by Mudhoney.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Generation Genocide"	1:13
2.	"Let It Slide"	2:35
3.	"Good Enough"	3.25
4.	"Something So Clear"	4:14
5.	"Thorn"	2:10
6.	"Into The Drink"	2:08
7.	"Broken Hands"	6:02
8.	"Who You Drivin' Now?"	2:21
9.	"Move Out"	3:32
10.	"Shoot the Moon"	2:27
11.	"Fuzzgun '91"	1:52
12.	"Pokin' Around"	3:30
13.	"Don't Fade IV"	3:58
14.	"Check-Out Time"	3:07

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

Golf's verdict: Surprisingly extensive in its style and not the straightforward grunge template I had expected. Worth a follow up listen.


Maire's verdict: Prefer other bands who have, in my opinion, taken this genre further or just simply sound better.

Album 558/1031

The Grateful Dead - American Beauty (1970)

Songs written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter except where otherwise noted. All lead vocals by Garcia except where noted.

Side one[edit]

1. "Box of Rain" (Phil Lesh, Robert Hunter) – 5:18 (lead singer: Phil Lesh)
2. "Friend of the Devil" (Garcia, John Dawson, Hunter) – 3:24
3. "Sugar Magnolia" (Bob Weir, Hunter) – 3:19 (lead singer: Bob Weir)
4. "Operator" (Ron McKernan) – 2:25 (lead singer: Ron "Pigpen" McKernan)
5. "Candyman" – 6:14

Side two[edit]

6. "Ripple" – 4:09
7. "Brokedown Palace" – 4:09
8. "Till the Morning Comes" – 3:08
9. "Attics of My Life" – 5:12 (lead singers: all)
10. "Truckin'" – (Garcia, Lesh, Weir, Hunter) – 5:03 (lead singers: Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir)

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


Golf's verdict: Pretty insipid country rock. Would reach for CSNY instead if I was ever in the mood for this sort of thing.

Maire's verdict: This wasn't what I thought this band sounded like! Okay but got boring fast.

Album 559/1031

Killing Joke - Killing Joke (1980)

All lyrics written by Jaz Coleman; all music composed by Killing Joke (Coleman, Kevin "Geordie" Walker, Martin "Youth" Glover, Paul Ferguson), except as noted.

Side A
No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"Requiem"		3:45
2.	"Wardance"		3:49
3.	"Tomorrow's World"		5:31
4.	"Bloodsport"	Walker Glover Ferguson	4:46

Side B
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Wait"	3:45
2.	"Complications"	3:08
3.	"$,O,36"	6.52
4.	"Primitive"	3:37

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_Joke_(1980_album)

Golf's verdict: Unmistakeable and a unique sound. One that has influence the whole industrial and hardcore rock movement that followed. 'Complications' is a guaranteed floor-filler.
Maire's verdict: To be honest it didn't really register. Tried it a second time and the same thing happened. Not going for a third.

Album 560/1031

Al Green - Let's Stay Together (1972)

All songs written by Al Green, except where noted

Side one[edit]

1. "Let's Stay Together" (Green, Al Jackson, Jr., Willie Mitchell) – 3:18
2. "La-La for You" (Green, Willie Mitchell) – 3:31
3. "So You're Leaving" – 2:57
4. "What Is This Feeling?" – 3:42
5. "Old Time Lovin'" – 3:19

Side two[edit]

1. "I've Never Found a Girl (Who Loves Me Like You Do)" (Eddie Floyd, Alvertis Isbell, Booker T. Jones) – 3:41
2. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" (Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb) – 6:22
3. "Judy" – 3:47
4. "It Ain't No Fun to Me" – 3:23

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let's_Stay_Together_(album)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! The sweetest voice in RnB. The title track worthy of classic status and unimproveable, despite many worthy attempts. The Bee Gees cover is also ace ('How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?').

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! One of the most beautiful songs ever written kicks off this album and the rest doesn't disappoint either. Gorgeous voice.