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Absolution (Album of the Day)
“I think that absolution is not necessarily a religious word,” noted Muse frontman Matt Bellamy of the title of their third studio set. “I think it's just suggesting that the act of making music is a way of understanding things.” By the sound of the 2003 album, the British trio was grappling with some heavy issues - the Iraq War, fears of societal collapse and more among them. Counterbalancing the intense lyrics are epic arrangements mixing art rock, progressive metal and orchestral flourishes on such highlights as “Stockholm Syndrome,” “Time Is Running Out,” “Butterflies and Hurricanes” and “Hysteria.” Listeners responded to the band's towering ambition; it topped the U.K. album chart and went gold in America, establishing Muse's fanbase stateside. Anyone who enjoys dark, dramatic music played with go-for-broke grandeur should seek ABSOLUTION.
Music For The Masses (Album of the Day)
Depeche Mode songwriter Martin Gore may have described the British band's sixth studio album as “anything but music for the masses,” but the 1987 collection's tongue-in-cheek title had more than a little truth to it. MUSIC FOR THE MASSES ventures into darker goth territory than some of the group's earlier work, with such tracks as “Pimpf” showing off their experimental side, but given such hook-filled songs as opener “Never Let Me Down Again,” “Behind the Wheel” and “Strangelove,” the stadium-filling success of the supporting tour seems inevitable. Greeted with critical acclaim as well as a platinum RIAA certification, MUSIC FOR THE MASSES was a major breakthrough for Depeche Mode, and we'll give it another spin now to wish lead singer David Gahan a happy birthday.
Mars Needs Guitars (Album of the Day)
From the opening notes of “Bittersweet,” it's clear the Hoodoo Gurus have upped their game on MARS NEEDS GUITARS. The Sydney quartet's second album has the retro-'60s orientation of their debut, but with a more polished, mature sound that suits these 10 originals well. “Death Defying,” “Poison Pen” and surf-tinged “”Like Wow – Wipeout” were additional Australian singles from the pen of frontman Dave Faulkner, but several other tracks on this consistently engaging set could have also made the cut, pairing clever lyrics with power-pop/garage-rock punch. The 1985 collection made the lower rungs of the Billboard chart, and exposure on college radio and MTV gave the Gurus a foothold in America that lasted through the end of the decade. But the appeal of this outstanding album transcends both its time and geographic origins – MARS NEEDS GUITARS, and so do you
Making Movies (Album of the Day)
By the time of MAKING MOVIES' 1980 release, it was clear that Dire Straits had few peers when it came to literate, roots-informed rock. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Mark Knopfler was always the British band's focal point – even more so with the departure of brother David on this third album - but the frontman rose to the occasion. With arrangements as ambitious as its cover art is minimal, the Warner Bros. set features seven cinematically rich originals including “Romeo and Juliet,” “Tunnel of Love” and “Solid Rock.” The collection was co-produced by Jimmy Iovine, who called on old friend (and E Street Band member) Roy Bittan to add his distinctive keyboard work to the mix. Both passionate and poetic, MAKING MOVIES was a hit with fans, reaching platinum certification, and remains among Dire Straits' very best.
Last of the Independents (Album of the Day)
Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS marked a strong return to form for the Pretenders. The baker's dozen songs include originals ranging from tough (“Rebel Rock Me”) to tender (the classic anthem “I'll Stand by You”), with a couple of great covers to boot (the performance of Dylan's “Forever Young” is particularly stirring). Cut in London, the album was helmed by Smiths producer Stephen Street, Tears for Fears' Ian Stanley and the venerable Chris Thomas, who'd done the honors on three previous Pretenders collections. Also returning to the fold is original drummer Martin Chambers (and for one track, guitarist Robbie McIntosh), though with her commanding vocals, the record undoubtedly belongs to Chrissie Hynde. The final Pretenders set for Sire Records, the gold-certified LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS brings the initial chapter of the band's history to a terrific close.
Best of: Live Shows (Album of the Day)
Dead & Company was formed in 2015 when the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir joined forces with artist and musician John Mayer, Allman Brothers' bassist Oteil Burbridge, and Fare Thee Well and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti. The result was one of the most successful touring bands of the decade; the group has played to more than 1.5 million fans and become a record-breaking stadium act. Dead & Company recently launched a digital concert series to release complete shows on download and streaming services, and the new BEST OF: LIVE SHOWS features highlights from 7 concerts drawn from the band's 2017 fall tour and a trio of 2018 shows in Mexico. The playlist includes outstanding versions of such favorites as “Deal,” “Estimated Prophet” and “China Doll,” and today we'll cue it up to wish Bill Kreutzmann a happy birthday.
Rarities, Oddities, and Exclusives (Album of the Day)
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards formed Chic in 1976 after Rodgers was inspired by seeing Roxy Music play live in London; a year later, the band signed with Atlantic Records, where they helped define the pop and disco genres with a string of unstoppable hits. The new digital collection RARITIES, ODDITIES AND EXCLUSIVES brings together 17 rare mixes and hard-to-find tracks from the legendary group. Picking up where last year’s Chic Organization boxed set left off, the set includes a 12” remix of “Chic Mystique,” a #1 hit for the band in 1982; “Tavern On The Green” from the Soup For One soundtrack, plus four remixes of “Le Freak” from 2014 by Chic & Aristofreeks. If the versions on RARITIES, ODDITIES AND EXCLUSIVES are unfamiliar to listeners, they are all recognizable as the work of one of the greatest dance bands in history.
Soul Dressing (Album of the Day)
If “Green Onions” notified the world that Booker T. & the M.G.'s were among the country's greatest R&B players, then SOUL DRESSING sealed the deal. The 1965 album, produced by Stax Studios co-founder Jim Stewart, was largely a collection of single sides from the preceding two years, but it's a testament to the Memphis group's talents that it all sounds so consistently soulful. Barring a cover of Don Covay's “Mercy Mercy,” the dozen songs here are all original, highlighted by such favorites as “Tic-Tac-Toe,” “Plum Nellie” and the title track. It may be all instrumental, but the simmering Hammond organ of Booker T. Jones and the stinging guitar of Steve Cropper are as distinctive as any vocalist. For a funky good time, pour on the SOUL DRESSING.
Rei Momo (Album of the Day)
David Byrne's REI MOMO shares its name with the character who presides over the opening of Brazil's Carnival, and the 1989 collection has the feel of a South American celebration. The worldbeat sounds that had long bubbled under the surface of Talking Heads' music reach full boil on the performer's first real solo outing, which touches on Afro-Cuban, merengue, mambo, cumbia and many other Latin genres. Byrne did the lion's share of the writing here, and if such tracks as “Make Believe Mambo,” “The Dream Police” and “The Call Of The Wild” show how well he's mastered the region's rhythms and styles, his lyrical perspective remains as off-kilter as ever. With guest stars including Willie Colón, Celia Cruz and Kirsty MacColl lending a hand, REI MOMO is inventive and enjoyable from beginning to end, and we'll give it another spin to wish David Byrne a happy birthday.
21st Century Breakdown (Album of the Day)
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong described 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN as a “snapshot of the era in which we live as we question and try to make sense of the selfish manipulation going on around us.” That makes the Reprise collection a sequel of sorts to breakthrough album AMERICAN IDIOT; produced by Butch Vig, the set is a rock opera in three parts following a young couple's struggles in Bush-era America. If the lyrics are among the most personal Armstrong has written, they're woven into some of the trio's catchiest songs - “Know Your Enemy,” “21 Guns” and the title track among them. Released ten years ago today, the chart-topping 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN earned a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, and its passion and ambition continue to inspire listeners.