Day 265: Well the church bells are calling. Police cars on fire...

Album 932/1031

Suede - Dog Man Star (1994)

All lyrics written by Brett Anderson; all music composed by Bernard Butler.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Introducing the Band"	2:38
2.	"We Are the Pigs"	4:19
3.	"Heroine"	3:22
4.	"The Wild Ones"	4:50
5.	"Daddy's Speeding"	5:22
6.	"The Power"	4:31
7.	"New Generation"	4:37
8.	"This Hollywood Life"	3:50
9.	"The 2 of Us"	5:45
10.	"Black or Blue"	3:48
11.	"The Asphalt World"	9:25
12.	"Still Life"	5:23

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! The best Suede album until their triumphant return with Bloodsports in 2013. If only Britpop had not burst their bubble, Suede would deservedly be considered one of the greatest ever British bands. They are certainly more deserving of such a position than Oasis, for example (and I like Oasis plenty).

Máire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! I’d forgotten just how good this album is. Absolutely loved it.


Album 933/1031

Silver Jews - Bright Flight (2001)

All tracks written by David Berman, except where noted.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Slow Education"		3:07
2.	"Room Games and Diamond Rain"		4:34
3.	"Time Will Break the World"		3:17
4.	"I Remember Me"		5:32
5.	"Horseleg Swastikas"		3:20
6.	"Transylvania Blues"		3:03
7.	"Let's Not and Say We Did"		2:59
8.	"Tennessee"		4:10
9.	"Friday Night Fever"	Blake Mevis Dean Dillon Frank Dycus	2:44
10.	"Death of an Heir of Sorrows"		2:35

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

Golf's verdict: Lo-fi and relatively low interest from me in this, sadly.

Máire's verdict: Enjoyable but not sure what makes it stand out so much that it’s included in the list......

Album 934/1031

Winter in America - Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson (1974)

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Peace Go with You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum)"	Gil Scott-Heron, Brian Jackson	5:27
2.	"Rivers of My Fathers"	Scott-Heron, Jackson	8:19
3.	"A Very Precious Time"	Scott-Heron, Jackson	5:17
4.	"Back Home"	Scott-Heron, Jackson	2:51

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
5.	"The Bottle"	Scott-Heron	5:14
6.	"Song for Bobby Smith"	Scott-Heron	4:38
7.	"Your Daddy Loves You"	Scott-Heron	3:25
8.	"H2Ogate Blues"	Scott-Heron	8:08
9.	"Peace Go with You Brother (Wa-Alaikum-Salaam)"	Scott-Heron, Jackson	1:10

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Gil Scott-Heron was the real deal as a poet (published and everything) but as a musician he also really stood out. The social commentary incorporated into these songs in 1974 are sadly still largely relevant.

Máire's verdict: Merged into the background, if I’m honest.


Album 935/1031

Ananda Shankar - Ananda Shankar (1970)

All songs by Ananda Shankar and Paul Lewinson unless otherwise noted.

Side one

1. "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richard) – 3:40
2. "Snow Flower" – 3:10
3. "Light My Fire" (Jim Morrison, Robbie Krieger, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek) – 3:29
4. "Mamata (Affection)" – 2:50
5. "Metamorphosis" – 6:49

Side two

1. "Sagar (The Ocean)" – 13:13
2. "Dance Indra" (trad., arr. Shankar, Lewinson) – 3:49
3. "Raghupati" (folk tune, arr. Shankar, Lewinson) – 3:35

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

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! This did not start well. Sitar based cover versions of the Stones and The Doors are likely to become pretty annoying very quickly, but when this fusion of eastern and rock music is allowed to stray away from the covers it is truly memorable and excellent.

Máire's verdict: A pleasant, mostly instrumental album which mixes Western rock with Indian music.