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Icky Thump (Album of the Day)
Alternative rock's great White hope in the new millennium was a Detroit duo who bashed out raucous anthems that drew inspiration from vintage blues as well as '60s garage. Guitarist/vocalist Jack White and drummer Meg White – collectively known as The White Stripes - covered a lot of ground stylistically, and while their final album, 2007's ICKY THUMP, is in some ways a return to the raw attack of their debut, there are also plenty of surprises. The 13 songs here include Scottish folk influences (“Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn”), a Patti Page cover (“Conquest”) and some trippy Moog work (the title track) as well as hook-filled guitar rock (“You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do as You're Told)”). Somehow it all works; the set debuted at #2 on the Billboard chart, and racked up two Grammy Awards. Jack White's birthday is today, and we'll celebrate with The White Stripes' superb swan song, ICKY THUMP!
The Reprise Albums (1968-1971) (Album of the Day)
THE REPRISE ALBUMS (1968-1971) brings together the recordings that helped establish Joni Mitchell as one of the most-talented artists of her generation. The Canadian-born singer-songwriter released four collections for the label: SONG TO A SEAGULL, CLOUDS, LADIES OF THE CANYON and BLUE - the last considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time. The 4-disc boxed set includes essential tracks like “River,” “Chelsea Morning,” “Both Sides, Now,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock” and “The Circle Game.” Featuring newly remastered sound and produced with the close involvement of Mitchell herself, THE REPRISE ALBUMS (1968-1971) shows the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer at her very best.
Alright, Still (Album of the Day)
Released 15 years ago today, Lily Allen's debut ALRIGHT, STILL is refreshingly free of glitz for a performer who hails from a show business family. While the 11 originals here are meticulously produced (by a team including Mark Ronson), there's bite beneath the bright surfaces as Allen offers cheeky rejoinders to ex-boyfriends (“Smile,” a U.K. No.1 hit), her slacker brother (“Alfie”) and others. Thanks to the singer's confidence and sense of humor, the put-downs are never off-putting, and the 2006 collection has tender and affirmative moments in the heartbreaking “Littlest Things” and urban anthem “LDN” to add to the variety. England was quick to embrace Allen's ska-tinged pop - the set just missed the top of the chart there – but the irrepressible ALRIGHT, STILL was a Top 20 success in America as well.
Welcome to My Nightmare (Album of the Day)
If Alice Cooper didn't invent shock rock, he surely perfected it with such albums as WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE. The Coop's stage show is justifiably legendary, replete with boa constrictors, guillotines and other Grand Guignol theatrics, and this 1975 Atlantic collection is its aural equivalent - a loosely conceptual set exploring a child's dark dreams. With guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter supplying the firepower, this NIGHTMARE features plenty of hard rock (“Cold Ethyl,” “The Black Widow”), but there are also quieter moments like the hit ballad “Only Women Bleed,” and thanks to Bob Ezrin's elaborate production it all flows together perfectly. As part of our Summer Soundtracks campaign, WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE is now available at indie retail in a limited edition clear vinyl pressing.
Prisoner In Disguise (Album of the Day)
Linda Ronstadt's final Capitol album was a commercial breakthrough for the performer, and PRISONER IN DISGUISE builds on that success. The 1975 Asylum album was another platinum-certified, Top 10 hit and it's easy to see why, from the well-chosen material to the terrific accompaniment to the matchless lead vocals. Producer Peter Asher convened a who's who of L.A. musical talent to join Linda in the studio, including Emmylou Harris, David Lindley, James Taylor, Lowell George and J. D. Souther - the last three of whom also supplied songs to the collection. The 11 tracks include a pair of Motown classics, country (“I Will Always Love You”) and even a reggae ballad (“Many Rivers to Cross”), all of which Ronstadt makes uniquely her own. We'll give PRISONER IN DISGUISE another spin now to wish the singer a happy 75th birthday.
Parachutes (Album of the Day)
Just as Brit-pop had run its course, a new band emerged to pick up the U.K. music torch: Coldplay. Following a handful of independent E.P.s, the quartet signed to Parlophone and their full-length debut, PARACHUTES, topped the British chart on this day in 2000. A wistful and atmospheric brand of alternative rock led by frontman Chris Martin's high, aching vocals, the album spun off four singles: “Shiver,” “Trouble,” “Don't Panic” and the hit that introduced the group to American audiences, “Yellow." The collection would eventually go double-platinum in the States, and earned critical plaudits as well, including a Best Alternative Music Album Grammy and a Brit Award for Best British Album. Some twenty years after PARACHUTES landed, Coldplay has grown into one of the world's top bands, and that success sounds inevitable on this fine set.
Space Jam (Album of the Day)
When the Looney Tunes are challenged to a basketball game by a team of aliens, they turn to legendary player Michael Jordan for an assist in SPACE JAM, a 1996 blockbuster blending live action and animation. The film's soundtrack was also a commercial smash that peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum six times. A steady stream of hit singles fueled its success, including Seal’s cover of the Steve Miller classic “Fly Like An Eagle,” Quad City DJ’s “Space Jam” and “Hit ’Em High (The Monstars’ Anthem),” which featured an all-star team of hip-hop artists: B-Real of Cypress Hill, Coolio, Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes. The album delivered even bigger hits with its two Top 5 songs: “For You I Will” by Monica and “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly (the latter track also earned three Grammys). With a new sequel arriving in theaters, SPACE JAM (MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE) has just been reissued as a limited edition double-LP on 180-gram red and black vinyl.
Pleasant Dreams (Album of the Day)
Though the Ramones are rightfully seen as punk pioneers, 1960s radio hits were always a strong influence on the band, and PLEASANT DREAMS plays to that strength. Graham Gouldman, who penned classics for the likes of Herman's Hermits and The Yardbirds, helmed the Sire set and gives these dozen tracks clean sound even as they touch upon heavier rock territory. Joey and Dee Dee split the songwriting duties here and come up with another batch of winners including opener “We Want the Airwaves” and “The KKK Took My Baby Away.” Featuring guest appearances from Debbie Harry of Blondie, Russell Mael of Sparks and a couple of The B-52's, PLEASANT DREAMS was released 40 years ago today and will still put a smile on the face of any Ramones fan.
Foreign Affair (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
FOREIGN AFFAIR was Tina Turner’s third studio album since her dramatic global resurgence, following the monumental success of PRIVATE DANCER and BREAK EVERY RULE, as well as her lead role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. The 1989 collection went on to be a multi-platinum record across the world, including the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and many more. The biggest track to come from the album was '80s anthem “The Best,” which features one of the most recognizable choruses in music history. On top of that single, the album is complemented by several Turner favorites, such as “Steamy Windows,” “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” and the title track. Now available, the 4-CD/1-DVD FOREIGN AFFAIR (DELUXE EDITION) boxed set includes the original album fully remastered, a disc of B-sides, remixes and a previously unheard demo of “The Best,” as well as an iconic Tina Turner live show from Barcelona in 1990.
Original Pirate Material (Album of the Day)
The Streets pushed the hip-hop world forward in 2002 with a striking debut album, ORIGINAL PIRATE MATERIAL. Recorded and mixed digitally in main man Mike Skinner's rented house in Brixton, the collection draws equally from 1990s U.K. garage and U.S. rappers like Nas and Wu-Tang Clan on its 14 self-penned tracks. Skinner's knack for rhyme is equaled by his sense of humor and observational skills; these tales of geezers in need of excitement, blunted university students and losers in love will ring true even for listeners who've never set foot in England. On such songs as “Turn The Page,” “Has It Come To This” and “Stay Positive” the beats are accented with string and piano loops that elevate the stage on which these varied characters tread. A Mercury Prize nominee that was hailed by such outlets as NME and Pitchfork, ORIGINAL PIRATE MATERIAL is a musical treasure chest.