The Official Needles and Grooves 1001 Album Generator Project (aka Preachin’ about the Preachers if today’s selection sucks)

9/7/23
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Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard




 
Clapton’s a prick. I like his music. Never really understood the allure of this album. We’ll see what a listen or two does for me.
Yeah, Slowhand is really the only “essential” solo Clapton album in my opinion. I personally enjoy Backless because my mom owned it and played it often when I was a child but that’s about it. Knowing what we know about Clapton now, him making an album that is centered around a Bob Marley cover was pretty rich. Though I guess I f it helped Bob sell a few more records I guess that’s alright.
 
I meant to read the reviews before I commented again. Another listen does not make me think higher of this album. It's okay. It feels disjointed (not unlike I feel about the White Album). Like @TenderLovingKiller® Slowhand is the essential album to me. (I also happen to like Backless and would add Journeyman as worth a listen, other than that, Clapton like The Eagles is best served by compilations and honestly you can stop at Crossroads.) 3 stars
 
Duane makes everything better.

Duane's on 'Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs' which is another one that's a candidate if you only pick one EC record, but this live one is EC/Bobby Whitlock/Carl Radle/Jim Gordon.

A word about Jim - arguably the most incredible drummer I ever heard. He suffered from undiagnosed schizophrenia and succumbed to the voices, murdering his mom with a hammer. He died this year in prison. What a tragedy.
 
Duane's on 'Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs' which is another one that's a candidate if you only pick one EC record, but this live one is EC/Bobby Whitlock/Carl Radle/Jim Gordon.

A word about Jim - arguably the most incredible drummer I ever heard. He suffered from undiagnosed schizophrenia and succumbed to the voices, murdering his mom with a hammer. He died this year in prison. What a tragedy.

Most folks have no idea who Jim Gordon was. His discography is legendary, As deep and diverse as they come. So, so sad...

 
9/8/23
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Massive Attack - Protection




This is a very enjoyable album, yet a step down from Blue Lines.

The hypnotic eponymous track, "Karmacoma," "Weather Storm," and "Better Things" are excellent trip-hop standouts. But then you have mid as fuck tracks like "Three," "Spying Glass," and the trash cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire." The rest is fairly enjoyable track to track.

I would argue that this album should not be on this list at all.

Rating: 3.5/5 [Great]
 
9/5/23
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Sheryl Crow - Tuesday Night Music Clube




I remember how huge Sheryl Crow was during my teenage years, although she was never really my thing.

I remember the hits well enough, and they are decent, the rest is pretty bland.

Not terrible.

2.5 / 5 stars.
 
Not promoting The Fall, but you can say this about most any fanbase.

I dunno. I think there is a type of fan who obsesses about one particular cult act, rather than wider music, and can be a bit much. There are definitely acts I like that attract this kind of fan too. Maybe it was living in Manchester for 6 years that’s exposed me to more of them for the fall but they definitely strongly attract that type of fan.
 
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I have said this about a large portion of these albums

True. What I have like through, and this has cut a little bit for better and for worse, is that the list obviously had a British editorial input. This forum has a huge US bias, for obvious reasons and it’s nice to see a bit more balance to a thread even though the books title isn’t entirely accurate lol.
 
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