Category: Music Reviews

Electric (1987)

It’s got some riffs.  It’s also INDESCRIBABLY stupid, making Led Zep I and II look like statements by major philosophers.  And Ian Astbury can’t sing as good as Robert Plant.  Or Robert Palmer.  Or Robert DeNiro.

Grade: D

Sonic Temple (1989)

They put all the good sh1t on the first “side” (see vinyl/cassette) and it’s pretty good in a Metallica-goes-Bob-Rock-Pop-Metal sort of way.  The rest is just dull.  And Ian Astbury has redefined stupid as a lead vocalist/lyricist.  At least David St. Hubbins was funny.  Come to think of it, Astbury’s funny too.  But not in QUITE the same way that we would want.  You don’t laugh at the joke he represents, you laugh at the joke he IS.

Grade: C

Paranoid (1970)

“5 Stars…5 Stars…5 Stars…”

No, no…you have the wrong album.  This is a nice collection of early heavy-metal horsesh1t.

Smarter than early Zeppelin but not quite as rocking, not to mention MUCH more dated.  And they accomplished it exactly once.
(“War Pigs”)

Grade: C+

The Sign (1993)

Good to see (in retrospect) Diane Warren getting some work after Heart.
(“Don’t Turn Around”)

Grade: D+

Forever Your Girl (1988)

Why is this the only album she ever made worthy of mention, even in passing?

Because the hired songwriters moved on to the NEXT next big thing after it.

It’s got “Straight Up”…and you can’t take that away from it.
(“Straight Up”)

Grade: D

Euphoria Morning (1999)

This is a radical departure from Soundgarden.  It’s melodic, pretty, mostly soft…recalling, if anything, the slower songs from Cornell’s Andrew Wood tribute, Temple of the Dog.  The lyrics are interesting and the entire thing can be listened to without wincing.

But only occasionally does it rise above pleasant.  The only song that seems to be even intended for airplay is “Can’t Change Me”.  Mostly, it seems like an album full of private ruminations set to mostly spare musical accompaniment.  Artistically not without merit, but I have the feeling that Chris enjoys listening to most of these songs more than pretty much anyone else.
(“Can’t Change Me”, “Mission”)

Grade: C+

Boggy Depot (1998)

I can’t think of any reason to listen to it after the first two songs, unless you want an entire album’s worth of proof that his songwriting has descended from brilliant to mostly competent.  “Dickeye” and “Cut You In” are above competent, and could even fit on ‘Alice In Chains’ or maybe even replace the lone low spot on ‘Jar of Flies’.  But that’s not really enough given this man’s talent.
(“Cut You In”)

Grade: C-

Degradation Trip (2002)

Competent.  Professional.  Boring.  Dull.  Meaningless.

Here Jerry calls upon every influence he can think of to try to re-evoke a dead band and fails miserably.  Alice In Chains without Layne Staley is not Alice In Chains, and this is no “dedication”.  If I were to be ultimately optimistic, I’d say it was an abysmal failure to honor a dead friend.  But I’m going to be more realistic, and I’ll say it’s probably Jerry trying to make money off a dead man’s pain.  And I think that stinks.

Grade: F

Greatest Hits (2009)

Not all great, and not all hits.  It should be one or the other, especially considering the strength of the material available.  Each of their first two albums are more consistently enjoyable than this.
(“My Hero”, “Everlong”)

Grade: B-

As Good As Dead (1996)

Although Scott Lucas can perform an eerily similar vocal to Kurt Cobain, here’s the difference between the two…Kurt Cobain had a brilliant sense of timing, could write killer riffs for more than two or three songs per album, and he understood subtlety.  Cobain expressed more anger on the unplugged “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” than Lucas does on “High-Fiving MF”, by the simple act of SINGING the song and letting the nuances of his voice express his feelings.  Lucas, instead, swears profusely and screams.  Nearly ruins a perfectly good song, too.  Light and Shade, Scott…Light and Shade.
(“Bound For The Floor”, “Eddie Vedder”)

Grade: B-

10/22/12: Lucas UNDERSTANDS it…he just doesn’t always USE it.  And I said “nearly”.

Grade: B

Pack Up The Cats (1998)

Nothing they didn’t do better on ‘As Good As Dead’.  Scott Lucas chilled out a little bit and nearly forgot how to construct a song.
(“All The Kids Are Right”)

Grade: D+

Greatest Hits (1995)

Well-meaning but not very prog melodic rock, fairly dull for the most part.  Really, that’s it.
(“Renegade”)

Grade: C+

Changesonebowie (1976)

Really odd near the beginning, much more rocking near the middle, more poppy near the end.
Best when it’s odd AND rocking.
(“Space Oddity”, “Suffragette City”, “Rebel Rebel”)

Grade: A-

The Frozen EP (1991)

Trance-rock with lyrics, more decipherable and rocking than MBV, less irresistibly hooky.  Set it to play three times and you’ve got yourself their masterwork.
(“The Colour Hurts”, “Zoo”)

Grade: A-

The Best That I Could Do 1978-1988 (1997)

Very good selections from six albums.  And by “very good” I’m suggesting that he picked the best that he could of the best that he did.  Not that they were always all that good.  Catchy throughout, more intelligent as they go along.
(“Lonely Ol’ Night”, “Paper In Fire”)

Grade: A-

Records (1982)

All their boring, dumb rock hits are right here.  That “Juke Box Hero” doesn’t make me want to vomit is cause for wonder and celebration.

Grade: D-

Decade – Greatest Hits (1989)

Absolutely and completely meaningless and inconsequential pop drivel…YAY!
(“Girls On Film”, “Hungry Like The Wolf”, “Save A Prayer”, “Notorious”)

Grade: A

Thriller (1982)

Just because an album is a landmark doesn’t mean you have to like it.  The craft here is undeniable, but I just don’t particularly enjoy listening to some of the hits.  Unlike a lot of today’s pop superstars he did write some of these songs himself, though, and four out of my five favs were Jackson-penned.
(“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin”, “Beat It”)

Grade: B

Bad (1987)

See Above…change five to four.
(“Smooth Criminal”, “Leave Me Alone”)

Grade: B-

She’s So Unusual (1983)

Some of it is forgettable, but none of it is truly regrettable.  It’s surprisingly (still) refreshing and, on at least a couple of occasions, the pure pop is transcendent…which for pure pop is very unusual.
You go girl!
(“Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, “She Bop”)

Inspirational Lyric: “I wanna be the one to walk in the Sun.”

Grade: B-

Anthology (2005)

Selected to prove that Bryan Adams can write a WHOLE lot of really bad songs.  I mean, this is two and a half HOURS of pure Bryan Adams.  Out of that time, let me sum up the total excitement –
“*Riff Riff*  “Oooo yeah I love this!” “Got my first real six-string…” *Riff Riff* “Ohhh..yeah…that was a cool song…” “Over at the five and dime…” *Riff Riff* “Oh well…wanna make out?”

Grade: D-

The Essential Blue Oyster Cult (2003)

Oh dear Lord this is too easy…if I do it, I’ll probably hate myself in the morning. 
Oh well, I do it.
Guess what??? They had a FEE-vah.  And the only pre-SCRIP-tion…was more COW-bell!
(“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”, “Godzilla”)

Grade: C-

Shake Your Money Maker (1990)

The first two songs are the best they’ll ever write.  Everything else is a relative waste of time.
(“Twice As Hard”, “Jealous Again”)

Grade: C

Idol Songs: 11 Of The Best (1988)

Punk-goes-pop only really becomes worth your time twice, when biting hard-rock guitar slices through Billy’s sneer-speech and lounge-singer-croon, respectively.
(“White Wedding”, “Eyes Without A Face”)

Grade: C+

Alice Cooper’s Greatest Hits (1974)

“I’m Eighteen” and “School’s Out”, believe it or not, were actually considered “hard rock” at the time.   Now they’re considered fun novelty songs.  Controversial, perhaps, then.  Laughable, mostly, now.
Or at least chuckle-able.  But Alice Cooper > Gary Glitter for doing it a few times.
(“Billion Dollar Babies”)

Grade: C

Here Lies Betty Curse (2006)

Notable as the vehicle for former aspiring actress Megan Burns (’28 Days Later’), who decided she’d much rather direct…errr, I mean front a pop band, so using her 15 minutes she secured a recording contract, bombed and was subsequently dropped.  There’s nothing “goth” about this music, except perhaps its pretension…however, unlike say, Placebo or even (say it ain’t so) Depeche Mode, there’s no guilty/fun pleasure/reward here…it’s Tiffany after a funeral, or an angst-ridden teen’s poetry journal set to dull synth music.  I dub thee, Miss ABBA of Gothville.  Bow down and be forgotten.

Grade: D-

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV: A+
Nirvana – Nevermind: A+
Soundgarden – Superunknown: A+
Pearl Jam – Ten: A+
The Police – Every Breath You Take (The
Classics): A+
Alice In Chains – Jar Of Flies: A+
The Beatles – Abbey Road: A+
Led Zeppelin – Boxed Set: A
Aerosmith – Greatest Hits: A
Nirvana – In Utero: A
The Police – The Police: A
Nirvana – Nirvana: A
Alice In Chains – Dirt: A
The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks: A
Pink Floyd – A Collection Of Great Dance Songs: A
Nirvana – Icon: Nirvana: A
U2 – The Best Of (1980-1990): A
Nirvana – Unplugged In New York: A
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Greatest Hits: A
Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy: A
Yes – Fragile: A
Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti: A
The Doors – Greatest Hits: A
Pearl Jam – Vs: A
The Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream: A
Metallica – Ride The Lightning: A
Stone Temple Pilots – Purple: A
Various – MTV Buzz Bin, Volume 1: A
Belly – Star: A
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours: A
Steely Dan – A Decade Of Steely Dan: A
Ministry – Psalm 69: A
The Rolling Stones – Forty Licks: A
Green Day – International Superhits! : A
Temple Of The Dog – Temple Of The Dog: A
Stone Temple Pilots – Core: A
Guns N Roses – Appetite For Destruction: A
Ministry – The Mind Is A Terrible Thing
To Taste: A
Billy Joel – Greatest Hits Volume 1 & Volume 2: A
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Gold & Platinum: A
Duran Duran – Decade – Greatest Hits: A
The Pixies – Bossanova: A
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Chronicle: A-
Pink Floyd – Animals: A-
Metallica – Master Of Puppets: A-
Bad Company – 10 From 6: A-
Pink Floyd – Echoes: The Best Of Pink Floyd: A-
The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour: A-
The Cars – The Cars: A-
Def Leppard – Hysteria: A-
The Who – My Generation: The Very Best
Of The Who: A-
ZZ Top – Greatest Hits: A-
Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon: A-
The Pixies – Death To The Pixies: A-
James Horner – Braveheart (Soundtrack): A-
Neil Young – Greatest Hits: A-
Queen – Greatest Hits: A-
Aerosmith – Toys In The Attic: A-
Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever: A-
The Moody Blues – Greatest Hits/Legend
Of A Band: A-
Type O Negative – Bloody Kisses: A-
The Pixies – Doolittle: A-
Eagles – The Very Best Of The Eagles: A-
Limp Bizkit – Significant Other: A-
The Who – Who’s Next: A-
Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A.: A-
Pearl Jam – Vitalogy: A-
Nirvana – Live At Reading: A-
Peter Gabriel – The Definitive Two CD Collection
(Hit): A-
David Bowie – Changesonebowie: A-
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here: A-
John Mellencamp – The Best That I Could
Do 1978-1988: A-
Curve – The Frozen EP: A-

Last Updated: 10/17/23

The Hit List (1990)

Decent performances of good songs by artists who by and far were much more talented than Joan herself.  Ouch.  But she does have pretty good taste.
(“Celluloid Heroes”, “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”)

Grade: B

The Very Best Of The Eagles (1994)

This band has been accused of being sexist.

For me, their greater offense is being sappy.   After all, plenty of bands over the years have been EXTREMELY sexist in their lyrics and haven’t gotten panned nearly as much.

So it’s much more painful, to me, to have to listen to Don Henley trying to croon “Desperado” than it is to hear the “sexism” of “Lyin’ Eyes”…after all, women DO cheat too.

My preference is to hear them either rock out or perform some good old fashioned pop, with the emphasis on pleasant harmonies rather than whatever-the-hell-they-happen-to-be-saying.  Which they do quite a lot, at their best.  And this IS their best.  Most of it, at least.  Meh.
(“Witchy Woman”, “One Of These Nights”, “Hotel California”)

Grade: A-

The Best Of Joe Walsh (1978)

Joe Walsh always had a fairly original, signature guitar style.  The problem was writing good songs to showcase that style.  Presented here is most of his best pre-Eagles material, and while you may find his voice annoying (I know I do) and the songs very similar to one another (Not a problem if you like his style, see “AC/DC”), there’s no denying the miracle anthem-by-accident “Life’s Been Good”, never approached/repeated before or since.
(“Funk #49”, “Life’s Been Good”)

Grade: B+

Wild Earth Child (2011)

I’ve seen Jenna perform some of these songs live, and both her voice and her demeanor are real.  (She doesn’t need studio enhancements, and she means every positive, uplifting word).  She seems to revel in SHARING her music – hers is not the fake, staged act of a bored professional or a talented fraud tying to pretend they’re happy performing…she IS happy performing, whether it’s to adults listening attentively or little girls dancing about near her.  When she says “Thank You” after each song, it comes out as a welcome ray of truth, as if she almost can’t believe that people are clapping for HER, and she doesn’t quite know how to express her profound gratitude that her beautiful music and spirit inspire others as much as they obviously do herself.

Husband Doug plays the steady but subtle Mick Fleetwood to Jenna’s often-mystical Stevie Nicks, circa “Gold Dust Woman”, especially on “Samhain Night”.

My favorite songs are the first two, “Affirmation” and “Green Man (Wild Earth Child)”, but I don’t listen to them on repeat or in a mix, I listen to the whole album, because it is truly a REAL experience of carefully crafted, yet spare and simple, Love and Wonder.

This is not “Pagan” music any more than “It’s Love” by King’s X is “Christian” music.  They’re both UNIVERSAL music, celebrating the latent spirituality and wonder in ALL of us, no matter how, where, or under what name we choose to express it.

Sowing the seeds of Love, and nurturing them with Faith and Joy.  Amen, and Blessed Be.

Grade: B+

7/18/12: Everything above is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.  However, critical integrity must not be tarnished by liner note subjectivity.  Hence… Grade: B-

10/27/12: True Believers are hard to find.  A pretty voice and lovely melodies don’t hurt, either.  Grade: B

Lackluster (2009)

Pleasantly Gloomy.

Alternating between dark-trance and dark-pop, this will be consistently boring or annoying to anyone that doesn’t like “dark”.  To those that DO like “dark”, this will intermittently enthrall/entice and madden/disappoint.

The vocals blend in with the music, or vice versa, rendering them irrelevant on their own, which is fitting for trance and especially goth-inflected trance and the preference of mood and style over substance.

Think of early My Bloody Valentine after a death (or two) in the family and with more of a desire to express ideas and less concentration on fostering (and maintaining) a mood.  The synth seems over-used and the drums seem (by contrast) under-used, which is perfect for trance, but when it veers more towards pop it becomes a problem.

Potential?  Yes.  But for every band that eventually puts out a ‘Loveless’, a masterful work of indecipherable mood music, there are dozens that either never perfected that mood despite repeated attempts or never learned to write consistent hooks (vocal or otherwise) that would make said mood irrelevant.

One of those paths is necessary for any true, long-lasting relevance.
(“If Only I Could”)

Grade: B-

2012:  In an attempt to write a proper review, I sought a band to compare them to.  The choice was incorrect because, as I state in my initial review, there is more a desire to actually express ideas via intelligible words, to be verbally blunt.  My Bloody Valentine they’re not, and they never will be…the wall of sound erected on ‘Loveless’ is, in my opinion, too intricate.  But that’s not the point.  The specialty of THIS band is writing catchy songs with mostly vocal/synth hooks (the vocal ones are actually better than the synth ones, not to insult the synth ones) and an increasing incorporation of drums.  All that being said, I still think this is exactly what I graded it initially…pretty good.  If the writing ever consistently reaches the level of “If Only I Could” and “Beautiful Death” (The playing is already there), then they will have something…no ‘Loveless’, but Dae Noctem doesn’t want that, I think…she wants to express herself in a blatantly hooky way.  And sometimes, she succeeds.

Grade: B-

I went to The Middle East nightclub on Saturday and saw two bands…here are Christgau type reviews of both…anyone involved with the first one, please feel free to comment or post info on your band and/or where to buy your cd.

Band One: Quite surprising, really.  So many things to like.  The only problem, really, seems to be songwriting.  But then, Nirvana’s first CD wasn’t exactly Nirvana…they tend to wander a bit, like the Dead on a bad night.  There aren’t enough hooks…whether this is intentional or not I’m unsure, but it would be wise to note that noone would have cared what Cobain had to say if he hadn’t surrounded  his lyrics with hardcore riffs. 
That being said…it was a truly inspired performance.  The instrumentation was superb, especially the lead guitarist, who brings to mind good Catherine Wheel, and the drummer, who brings to mind David Grohl.  Melodic, powerful, grand, epic, beautiful, mournful, unmistakably positive and without a doubt “real”…I think they’re on to something here.  They love it, even if I don’t…and eventually, I just might.

Grade: B+

Band Two: No surprise.  MUCH, MUCH hookier.  Much more predictable.  Much more repetitive.  Much less point.

Grade: D+

Once More With Feeling (2004)

Their songs have the same sameness as Depeche Mode and New Order.  Fortunately, unlike New Order they aren’t boring as hell, and unlike Depeche Mode they mean it and aren’t pretentious as hell. And the lead singer is dead sexy.
(“Pure Morning”, “Where Is My Mind?”)

Grade: B+

2012: “I am not gay, although I wish I were, just to piss off homophobes.” -Kurt Cobain

Grade: B

Greatest Hits (1992)

Having fun, even if you’re not.  And you are, aren’t you?
(“I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”, “Got Me Under Pressure”)

Grade: A-

Theatre Of Tragedy (1995)

Thy titles are fancy, thy songs are cr@ppy.

Grade: D

Velvet Darkness They Fear (1996)

‘Ode To A Pretentious Wanker’ OR…
Thyest titles are fancyerest, thyest songs are cr@ppierest.

Grade: D-

Aegis (1998)

Conquering their fear of showing beauty.  Occasionally.
(“Venus”)

Grade: B-

11/19/12: “Venus” IS beautiful, and haunting.  Nothing else matches that, but if you could switch tracks 1 and 8, you’d have a seamlessly pretty (and powerful, if not quite haunting) side two.  I mean, last four tracks.  Ahhh…those were the days…

Grade: B

Assembly (2002)

Just sad.  Except “Automatic Lover”, which is just danceable.

Grade: D-

The Cars (1978)

Brilliant studio mastery, brilliant writing, brilliant apathy for audience, brilliant only-Cars-album-you-need-to-own.
(“Moving In Stereo”)

Grade: A-

Chronicles (1990)

Throw away disc one.
(“Tom Sawyer”, “Distant Early Warning”)

Grade: B

Greatest Hits (1981)

Indescribably silly, sure.  But a lot better camp than Rocky Horror.  And Brian May is some sort of guitar hero.
(“Another One Bites The Dust”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”)

Grade: A-

Gold & Platinum (1979)

I originally dismissed (or more accurately, ignored) this band because I was SO SO SO sick of hearing “Free Bird”.  But that’s as unfair as dismissing Led Zep because you think “Stairway” is overplayed.  Of course it is, but there’s plenty of other music worth playing.  Not the band’s fault that radio stations don’t understand this the way their fans do.  So I listened to these songs, and came to the conclusion that in their brief career these Proud-to-be-Southerners pulled off quite a neat trick:  They showed the difference between being a Redneck and a Proud Southerner.  Intelligent, angry, faithful, and Pro-Humanity.  And they weren’t afraid to take on Neil Young’s swipe at Southerners, either.  Amen.
(“Gimme Back My Bullets”, “Simple Man”, “Saturday Night Special”)

Grade: A

Hellbilly Deluxe (1998)

TWO good songs and then cr@p. It’s better than the one from White Zombie, isn’t it? Does anyone really care that much? Oh, by the way…his movies SUCK, unless you take “gratuitous” as a compliment.
(“Living Dead Girl”, “Dragula”)

Grade: C

A Quiet Normal Life: The Best Of Warren Zevon (1986)

I’m getting near the end of my reviews and yes, I’m slacking off.  I’ve earned it, d@mnit.  
A decent record.

Grade: B-

2011:  Warren Zevon was always much more of a genuine weirdo than he was a real musical talent.  It’s a bit surprising that he achieved even the modest level of cult popularity that he did, because except for the one-shot “Werewolves Of London”, which is about as relevant and indicative of his “talent” as “Detachable Penis” was for King Missile, he’s pretty boring.  I mean, when you write a pleasant little ditty about the trials and tribulations of a deranged killer (“Excitable Boy”) and it’s still not particularly interesting, even in a gruesome macabre sort of way, that’s not a good sign.  I’ll take “Detachable Penis”, thank you. 

Grade: C

2012: It just gets more meaningless with age. 

Grade: C-

Decade (1977)

SO much overrated, mediocre music.  It’s enough to make one nauseous.  Occasionally a good one marches by, but it’s just not worth it.
(“Like A Hurricane”)

Grade: C

2010: I was an idiot.

Grade: B+

Harvest Moon (1992)

Forlorn and gently beautiful, the peak of this album is high indeed.  I fell in love with “War Of Man” from the first time I heard it, and it hasn’t lost an iota of power in fifteen years.  The first song, “Unknown Legend”, is a great introduction to the album.  Not a great song, but it shows where Young plans on going this time around.  Which is to play softly and sing softly for the most part, with a little harmonica thrown in.  I love the general atmosphere here.  I would be totally enraptured and handing out an A+ if all the writing and performing had the same magic as “War Of Man”.  Dare to Dream…
(“War Of Man”)

Grade: C

Greatest Hits (2004)

Neil Young has always had a remarkable, unquenchable spirit and vitality, a purpose to his music and to his life that I perhaps can’t fully understand because I’m not nearly as deep.  When this spirit comes through fully in his vocals/lyrics, especially when it’s matched by music of a similar quality and standard, it can be haunting, scary, or both.  Capable of intense fury and complete and utter wistful longing, he makes music as he always has – for himself.  If you like it, fine.  If you don’t, fine.  I like a lot of it.
(“Cinnamon Girl”, “Ohio”, “Rockin’ In The Free World”)

Grade: A-

The Yes Album (1971)

No contender to rival their best album, it still knocks out their worst (assuming you can’t get much worse than ‘Close To The Edge’. Then again, I’ve yet to have the honor of hearing ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’. Yuck). “Yours Is No Disgrace” is constructed around Steve Howe’s killer riffs, and “Starship Trooper” features some great mounting guitar-plus-noise, culminating in a guitar war with himself for Mr. Howe. His contributions are marvelous, and I’d dare say he’s one of my favorite guitarists, when he’s on.
Which he certainly is here.
(“Yours Is No Disgrace”, “Starship Trooper”)

Grade: B

2011: Steve Howe is the attraction here. Without him they’re mediocre, and with him not caring/trying they’re mediocre. He’s trying on this album. I don’t think there’s anything special about “I’ve Seen All Good People” lyrically, because Jon Anderson just writes whatever he thinks is profound at the moment and while most of the time it’s just nonsense, statistically you have to be coherent once in a while. I like the SONG because of the music, the way the different parts mesh together and form a synthesis (like, I don’t know, classical music and hard rock) that is greater than…you know. But the real reason to listen to this is that Howe’s riffs will rock your socks off. He is absolutely out of his mind on “Starship Trooper” and “Yours Is No Disgrace”, and the other band members contribute well enough to back him up and make it stick.
(“Yours Is No Disgrace”, “Starship Trooper(Wurm)”)

Grade: B+

8/21/23: It’s just far too weak (and non Howe-ish) after “I’ve Seen All Good People”.

Grade: B

Fragile (1972)

A great art-rock album, this one never lets up. The song fragments are interesting and appropriate, providing imagery to enliven the longer proceedings here very well.
The two long songs that open and close the album are d@mn good. There are no bad songs…this is one of the few that you can put on and never have to worry about when to fast forward past that embarrassing track. Admittedly, it’s much better when you’re drunk. But that’s only to say that it is bordering on heaven (ahem, “We Have Heaven”) when wasted. Sober, it falls back to ordinary run-of-the-mill great.
(“Roundabout”, “We Have Heaven”, “Heart Of The Sunrise”)

Grade: A

Close To The Edge (1972)

Too close to the edge. They must have fallen in. The only one I’ll really miss is Steve Howe.

Grade: D

Tales From Topographic Oceans (1974)

Finally having heard this album, I run to the safety, comfort, and incredible quality of ‘Close To The Edge’. Compared to this, ‘Close’ is a masterpiece.
There are four “songs” here, and they’re all incredibly boring and completely free from musical quality or anything even approaching a good vocal or instrumental hook. Quite possibly the worst album I’ve ever heard.

Grade: F

Who’s Next (1971)

I wish I liked this album just a little bit more than I do.  Why?  Because I “admire” the songs more than I actually LIKE them.  There are lots of good points on the album, but also a lot of something I don’t like.  No, not filler…there isn’t a truly weak track on the whole thing.  I’m talking about maudlin sentimentality.  If Pete Townshend could (or would) just rock a little more, I think the whole album would improve.  It’s got a fey sort of quality that turns me off even as it turns me on.  Very strange, I know.  And there are definite rocking and/or intriguing moments aplenty.  At the heart of the album is “Behind Blue Eyes”, which I like completely and without reservation, partly because like many others, I can relate to it on some level.  And because the lyrics, for lack of a better term, kick a$$.
(“Behind Blue Eyes”, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”)

Grade: B+

2010: I’ve grown to like it more.

Grade: A-

Quadrophenia (1973)

This band seems to enjoy sampling itself on some albums.  Basically, using the same riff and musical structure over and over again in different songs.  This could signal two things, depending on how much you like and “trust” them.  Either Pete Townshend has a limited musical resource collection and uses this “building riff” system to make songwriting easier, or he’s intentionally building up to several climaxes at the “high points” of the albums.  ‘Tommy’ is an obvious example of this.  The one thing that always seems to be different on this album is the lyrics.  Townshend obviously enjoys the rock-opera stylings that grace this album and others, and he seems self-absorbed enough to write the entire thing any which way he chooses, without regard for public regard and/or sales. Personally, I get sick of it pretty quickly.  When he doesn’t try so d@mn hard to make a story out of an album, this gets pretty good.  But those moments aren’t enough.  Townshend’s rock-opera stylings have much in common with musicals.  And as far as musicals go, I don’t go for them with some notable exceptions (‘Rocky Horror’).
(“Love, Reign O’er Me”)

Grade: C

My Generation- The Very Best Of The Who (1996)

Never been a big Who fan, so even their best isn’t all that great to me.  Lots of it, though, and it’s mildly enjoyable (almost) throughout.
(“I Can See For Miles”)

Grade: B

2010: …VERY enjoyable (almost) throughout.

Grade: A-

La Sexorcisto (1992)

Deja Vu.  Or Vuja De, since this was reviewed after ‘Astro-Creep’, but came out before it.  One good song leading us trusting folk astray.
(“Thunder Kiss ’65”)

Grade: D+

Astro-Creep: 2000 (1995)

A friend of mine many years ago bought this album based on (in his view) the great single, “More Human Than Human”.  His direct appraisal of the rest of the album was that it, and I quote, “sucked”.  But that’s too strong of a negative analysis.  “An album far less cr@ppy than the previous one” might be appropriate.

Grade: C

Elephant (2003)

I’m definitely racist in terms of my musical Jacks. I prefer White over Black any day. Which isn’t an insult to Jack Black…after all, he has acting skill (?) to fall back on. Oh…the album review. Sorry. Uneven but entertaining rock/pop with hooks.
(“Seven Nation Army”)

Grade: B-

Get Behind Me Satan (2005)

The sound of most of this album is so similar to ‘Elephant’ that it’s either comforting or depressing, depending on whether or not you prefer musicians who “grow” or those that use the same formula each time out.  That’s not a criticism, just an observation.  Myself, I like to hear a good formula repeated over and over again as long as it produces similarly good results.  When the results start to wane, perhaps it’s time to branch out a little.  I suppose the guitar parts here are a bit different than ‘Elephant”s in that they perform at unexpected and unusual times, with mixed results.  I know, you’ve heard this before: songwriting.  ‘Elephant’ without the hits.  It’s not embarrassing…maybe some good cocktail music at your next party.  You know, music that doesn’t demand attention and just sort of fades into the background as you go about your business.

Grade: D+

Weezer (1994)

This is rather silly.  I never was much of a fan of silly rock.  Silly pop, maybe.  But I don’t want lyrics about sweaters and such bringing down my enjoyment of power chords.  Inconsistent, too.  A good band could get away with inane lyrics, but I’m afraid this band isn’t quite good enough.
(“Say It Ain’t So”)

Grade: C

2012: Comparatively brilliant.  Come on, I just listened to ‘Degradation Trip’.

Grade: B-

Greatest Hits (1995)

I have nothing against guitar Gods.  Sure, I think Hendrix is overrated. He had a revolutionary style, but his songwriting skills were far below his guitar playing.  So I listened to this album with an open mind before deciding that despite a beautiful (and superior to the original) cover of Hendrix’s “Little Wing”, this wasn’t really for my tastes.  Will you like it?  If you don’t demand songform with your (d@mn) good guitar noise, probably.
(“Little Wing”)

Grade: C+

Braveheart Soundtrack (1995)

I’m a bit biased, as this is (one of) my favorite movie(s) of all time. That probably makes me overly generous in reviewing the soundtrack.
I will say that it does drag and/or become overly repetitive at a few points, and if you hate classical music you’ll probably hate this. I myself am neutral on classical music. This soundtrack, however, captures quite well the spirit of each scene it was written for. Now go watch the movie, if you haven’t yet.
(“Revenge”, “Making Plans/Gathering The Clans”)

Grade: A-

MTV Buzz Bin, Volume 1 (1996)

I absolutely adore compilations like this. That is, compilations of (mostly) good songs that make it unnecessary to shell out good money for the entire album.
Of course, today it’s a little different, given that you can get any single song you want online. Some of these songs are on worthwhile albums, but
there’s enough that aren’t to make it quite a nice little purchase.
(“Low”, “Creep”, “Everything Zen”)

Grade: A

The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Original Soundtrack (1975)

Do you like camp? Really? I’m talking major-league camp. I’m talking original ‘STAR TREK’ CAMP! If your answer is still yes, you’ll enjoy at least some of this.
In my opinion this demented little album peaks a little too soon, then fades. Generally people either love it or hate it. I don’t hate it. I SHOULD, I know…it’s utterly ridiculous. But sometimes, when you’re in a bad mood, “Time Warp” will come on the radio and get your toes a tappin’
(“Time Warp”)

Grade: C

2010: Hey, it makes you smile.

Grade: C+

Singles Soundtrack (1992)

The “soundtrack to my generation”, I’ve heard this called. And while I like that idea in theory (it would make a nice conversation piece), the material is far too spotty to even approach such an accolade.
(“Would?”, “Nearly Lost You”)

Grade: C+

Boy (1980)

Talk about your rock n’ roll turnarounds.  Starting off as a fresh-faced, young, peacefully Christian band, they eventually moved into some pretty strange areas, musically and image-wise.  Bono wearing all black and sunglasses??  What the fck is that all about?  Was it artistic freedom on display as they changed their image and sound so much by the time of ‘Achtung Baby’?  Maybe.  But I liked them a lot better when The Edge’s guitar rang out strong and pure, saving even the most inane Bono-produced lyrics from the garbage heap.  Like here, for instance.

Grade: C+

October (1981)

Let’s get to the two main points here.  One, I like this widely dismissed album.  Two, Bono has never written worse lyrics than he does here, and he probably never will.  That being said, the question is why like an album whose lyrics range from competent-at-best to downright embarrassing and grimace-inducing?  Because even on the bad ones, The Edge chimes in with wonderful, crooked guitar noise.  He’s never been as consistent in his playing before or after this album, and it is an absolute pleasure to hear his commentary.  Too bad Bono couldn’t at least provide decent lyrics.  Then this might be a classic (seriously!).  Example- “Scarlet”, which has one word in it (repeated several times, and not for effect, but because Bono couldn’t think of anything else), but which is made by The Edge’s repeated, slightly altered call-and-response guitar.
(“I Threw A Brick Through A Window”)

Grade: B

The Joshua Tree (1987)

Well, they certainly know their good songs from their not-so-good ones.  The four best start the album off, and make it worth owning even if the rest is old tat (and most of it is).  Sadly beautiful, elegantly framed by The Edge’s guitar, their best album is a treat to listen to on occasion.
(“With Or Without You”, “Bullet The Blue Sky”)

Grade: B+

The Best Of: 1980-1990 (1998)

“Best of” is, of course, a matter of opinion.  I really don’t know why some bands call their compilations “best of” and others “greatest hits”.  In either case, it’s generally untrue, whether based on opinion (everyone has a different idea about what the absolute best is) or based on absolute fact (if you call an album “greatest hits”, you should probably put all their…wanna guess?  RIGHT!  All their GREATEST HITS on it).  Invariably that doesn’t happen, as the band chooses to slap on an album cut they like and stiff you on the other HIT you thought you paid for.  This is not, in my opinion, the best U2 album that could have been constructed from 1980-1990 material.  I’d stick three or four different songs on it, including of course “I Threw A Brick Through A Window”.  But I’m just quibbling for the sake of padding out the review.  It’s a great album, no question.  I could have made an A+.  They apparently are content with a slightly lower grade.  Fine.  See if I care.  Sniff sniff.
(“With Or Without You”, “Desire”, “I Will Follow”)

Grade: A

Bloody Kisses (1993)

If they have one, this is the definitive, good Type O album. Sure they went a little commercial, but you can’t call them sellouts when they include a little ditty called “Kill All The White People” on their album.
(“Christian Woman”, “Black No. 1”)

Inspirational Quote: “Lovin’ you was like lovin’ the dead.”

Grade: B+

2012: Proof that “goth” can be intelligent, snide, and funny without being mean. Rarely. It’s a huge bundle of riffs, harmony, fake-vampire growls and jokes.
It’s also the best “gothic”-ish album I’ve ever heard. And I’ve heard a lot of them. P. Steele was laughing the whole time.

Grade: A-

October Rust (1996)

A huge dropoff after ‘Bloody Kisses’, this pretty much destroys any pop credibility that this band had gained from their previous effort.  Not that they really care at all, necessarily.  ‘Bloody Kisses’ made them comfortably well off, and they can tour all the time and put out the occasional album with the occasional good song and keep chugging for many years to come.

Grade: C-

World Coming Down (1999)

I guess this is what non-fans (I’m on the fence) hear when they listen to Type-O…murky, overblown, overly dramatic, poor in the lyrics department and without a single noteworthy musical idea.  I’m not even going to acknowledge the Beatles cover.  This album should be avoided at all costs.

Grade: F

Life Is Killing Me (2003)

Full of filler and a couple of decent songs, this is Type O Negative at their true talent level: mediocre, if that, with one brief shining moment of very-goodness (‘Bloody Kisses’).

Grade: D+