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Lean Into It (Album of the Day)
Monday, February 29, 2016
Los Angeles hard rock quartet Mr. Big made it big with their second album, LEAN INTO IT. Produced by Kevin Elson, the Atlantic collection soared up the charts on the strength of hit singles “Just Take My Heart” and “To Be With You,” which began a three week run at No.1 on this day in 1992. There's plenty of the instrumental virtuosity heard on Mr. Big's debut (guitarist Paul Gilbert and bassist Billy Sheehan get off some amazing riffs here) but with a stronger emphasis on songwriting – these 11 tracks are both catchy and diverse. Don't let the train-crash cover fool you: LEAN INTO IT is the work of a band on track and firing on all cylinders.
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Night Thoughts (Album of the Day)
Friday, February 26, 2016
With NIGHT THOUGHTS, The London Suede show their recent reunion was no mere cash grab; the new album is perhaps their best since DOG MAN STAR. And like that earlier collection, the music here is ambitious and cinematic (a feature film was created to accompany the songs), with nagging doubt in the face of time's relentless passage as a thematic throughline. If this is a more mature band than the Brit-pop heroes of the 1990s, it's by no means less exciting – such songs as “Outsiders” and “Like Kids” brim with passion and memorable hooks. With original producer Ed Buller back behind the boards, NIGHT THOUGHTS is the work of “a band carrying off a balancing act between their past and present in the grandest style,” to quote Mojo magazine, and an album sure to figure in best-of-the-year lists some 10 months from now.
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Christopher Cross (Album of the Day)
Thursday, February 25, 2016
On this day in 1981, Christopher Cross’ self-titled debut garnered five Grammys, including Album, Record and Song of the Year as well as Best New Artist. No doubt there were hipper records being released at the time (Pink Floyd's THE WALL was another nominee that year), but when it comes to adult contemporary pop, the Grammy voters know their stuff. Produced by Michael Omartian, the Warner Bros. collection is immaculately crafted, with Cross' fine voice supported by an ace studio band and such singers as Don Henley, Michael McDonald and Nicolette Larson. Of nine fine originals, “Never Be the Same,” “Ride Like the Wind” and “Sailing” were omnipresent on the radio, and several others could've been. CHRISTOPHER CROSS sold more than 5 million copies, and if you don't already own one of them, there's still time to rectify that...
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Double Double Good: The Best of the Happy Mondays (Album of the Day)
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Emerging in the mid-1980s as leaders of the Manchester acid house scene, Happy Mondays fused wiggy lyrics to sample-rich grooves that were perfect for “Freaky Dancin'.” The sextet's original incarnation lasted nearly a decade, and gave us such irresistible floor-fillers as “Step On,” “Kinky Afro,” “Wrote For Luck” and “Loose Fit” - all of which can be heard on 2012's DOUBLE DOUBLE GOOD: THE BEST OF. Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder helped compile the 17-track set, which includes an otherwise unavailable 1985 single (“Delightful”) and fine comeback covers like “The Boys Are Back In Town” along with the band's indie dance favorites. A perfect encapsulation of Happy Mondays' anarchic party ethos, DOUBLE DOUBLE GOOD will brighten any day of the week.
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Dream Into Action (Album of the Day)
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
On the heels of a very strong debut, Howard Jones scored another winner with DREAM INTO ACTION. The 1985 Elektra release, produced by Rupert Hine, takes Jones' melodic, upbeat synthpop a step further with the addition of some surprisingly effective soul/funk moves. You probably know the hits here – “Things Can Only Get Better,” “Life In One Day” and the original version of “No One Is To Blame” (which would reach #4 in the U.S. after being rerecorded for single release) – but there isn't a dud among these 14 tracks. DREAM INTO ACTION went Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic and remains among the singer-songwriter-keyboardist's very best; we'll give it another spin today in honor of Howard Jones' birthday.
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If I Could Only Remember My Name (Album of the Day)
Monday, February 22, 2016
Though his most famous recordings are those he cut with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, David Crosby could also conjure musical magic on his own, and his IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME is filled with haunting beauty. Crosby's matchless vocals evoke a wide variety of moods here, even in the absence of lyrics ("Song With No Words (Tree With No Leaves)"). The album's nine tracks were recorded in San Francisco, and members of Bay Area kingpins the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane appear in support roles - the collection is a postcard from the California of the early 1970s, its sunshine tempered by uncertainty. Crosby's solo debut was released 45 years ago today, and IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME is well worth remembering.
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Green Mind (With Bonus Tracks) (Album of the Day)
Friday, February 19, 2016
Dinosaur Jr. made their major label debut 25 years ago today with GREEN MIND. The Sire set also marked a significant change in the band line-up, being the first following Lou Barlow's departure, but singer-guitarist J. Mascis (with a little help from drummer Murph) is more than equal to the challenge. The opening one-two punch of “The Wagon” and “Puke + Cry” leaves no doubt that the ear for hooks and pre-grunge energy that made the band alt-rock heroes is as strong as ever, though this time out Mascis adds gentler textures (like the acoustic “Flying Cloud”) to his trademark “Neil Young turned up to 11” solos. GREEN MIND ranks among Dinosaur Jr.'s very best, and Rhino's expanded and remastered version includes three bonus tracks (one of them being a great Flying Burrito Brothers cover, of all things).
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What'd I Say (Album of the Day)
Thursday, February 18, 2016
On this day in 1959, Ray Charles recorded "What'd I Say." Improvised at the end of a concert (it would end up closing most of Charles' shows for the remainder of his career), the song became the performer's mainstream breakthrough and first gold record. The album of the same name features nine more stirring selections including “Jumpin' In The Morning,” “Tell Me How Do You Feel” and “Rockhouse, Parts 1 & 2.” With redoubtable saxophonist David Newman among the backing band, Brother Ray is at the top of his game and clearly reveling in it – WHAT'D I SAY truly is the birth of soul.
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Roots (Album of the Day)
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
When The Everly Brothers signed a $1 million contract with Warner Bros. Records on this day in 1960, the siblings were well-established hitmakers with a string of pop and rock classics for Cadence. But Don and Phil Everly grew up singing country songs on their father's radio programs, and paid tribute to the music of their youth on ROOTS. Released in 1968 (when bands like The Byrds were experimenting with country-rock), the collection includes songs made famous by such greats as Jimmie Rodgers, Merle Haggard and George Jones, as well as recordings of Phil and Don crooning country on a 1952 broadcast. ROOTS was The Everly Brothers’ final studio album for Warner Bros., and it remains one of the duo's finest releases.
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Duran Duran (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Among the most successful and enduring U.K. new wave bands, Duran Duran had a flair for fashion, a keen visual sense, and to judge from their self-titled 1981 debut, plenty of substance to go along with the style. “Planet Earth,” “Careless Memories” and “Girls On Film” were irresistible singles, and the more experimental material dominating the second half of the album was as richly atmospheric as Roxy Music at their best. Initially released with different tracks on either side of the Atlantic, the Deluxe Edition of DURAN DURAN includes all the music from the original English and American pressings, along with demos, alternate versions and BBC recordings. To celebrate the birthday of Duran guitarist Andy Taylor, we'll give another spin to the album that started it all for the “Fab Five.”
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