Day 204: Guess who's living here with the great undead...

Album 694/1031

Eels - Beautiful Freak (1996)

All tracks written by Mark Oliver Everett, except as noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Novocaine for the Soul"	Everett, Mark Goldenberg	3:08
2.	"Susan's House"	Everett, Jim Jacobsen, Jim Weatherly	3:43
3.	"Rags to Rags"		3:53
4.	"Beautiful Freak"		3:34
5.	"Not Ready Yet"	Everett, Jon Brion	4:46
6.	"My Beloved Monster"		2:13
7.	"Flower"	Everett and Jacobsen	3:38
8.	"Guest List"		3:13
9.	"Mental"		4:01
10.	"Spunky"		3:11
11.	"Your Lucky Day in Hell"	Everett, Goldenberg	4:28
12.	"Manchild"	Everett, Jill Sobule	4:05

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Fantastic debut album from a generally largely under-rated artist. 

Maire's verdict: I'd forgotten they were responsible for 'Novocaine for the Soul'. Really enjoyed revisiting the album. Close to a Hidden Gem.

Album 695/1031

Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968)

All tracks written by Doug Ingle except where noted. Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Most Anything You Want"	3:44
2.	"Flowers and Beads"	3:09
3.	"My Mirage"	4:55
4.	"Termination" (Erik Brann, Lee Dorman)	2:53
5.	"Are You Happy"	4:31

Side two
No.	Title	Length
6.	"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"	17:05

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_(album)

Golf's verdict: Dominated by the title track - a heavy slice of psychedelic rock (it's title is a corrupted version of 'In the Garden of Eden'), this was actually a really pleasant surprise. Often reminded me of The Doors.

Maire's verdict: Wasn't that interested.

Album 696/1031

Abdullah Ibrahim -  Water From The Ancient Well (1986)

All tracks written by Ibrahim

1. "Mandela" - 4:58
2. "Song for Sathima" - 6:10
3. "Mannenberg Revisited (Cape Town Fringe)" - 6:09
4. "Tuang Guru" - 5:24
5. "Water from an Ancient Well" - 11:55
6. "The Wedding" - 2:38
7. "The Mountain" - 3:19
8. "Sameeda" - 5:56

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

Golf's verdict: Largely forgettable jazz from someone presumably South African (judging by the track names).

Maire's verdict: You know my feelings about jazz. They haven't changed so I won't repeat them here.

Album 697/1031

Michael Jackson - Off the Wall (1979)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"	Michael Jackson	Quincy Jones  Jackson (co.)	6:06
2.	"Rock with You"	Rod Temperton	Jones	3:40
3.	"Working Day and Night"	Jackson	Jones  Jackson (co.)	5:14
4.	"Get on the Floor"	Jackson  Louis Johnson	Jones  Jackson (co.)	4:39
5.	"Off the Wall"	Temperton	Jones	4:06
6.	"Girlfriend"	Paul McCartney	Jones	3:06
7.	"She's Out of My Life"	Tom Bahler	Jones	3:38
8.	"I Can't Help It"	Stevie Wonder  Susaye Greene	Jones	4:30
9.	"It's the Falling in Love"	Carole Bayer Sager  David Foster	Jones	3:48
10.	"Burn This Disco Out"	Temperton	Jones	3:41

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

Golf's verdict:HIDDEN GEM! It may have been his 5th solo album, but it really all started here, didn't it? With the first few bars of the opening track it's clearly a different artist to earlier Motown cover-versions and songs about pet rats MJ. It's a great 'debut' for the real Jackson.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! You can't deny he had a gorgeous voice and this is probably my favourite of all his albums.