REM: Automatic For The People

Choice:   Freddy

This is a long time favorite of mine. It's about as close to a "concept" album as I guess REM has come. Most of the album deals with end of life themes, misunderstood people, and fractured relationships. This is such a pleasant listen, if there were no lyrics I'd still love it. It's easily my favorite REM album and probably in my top 25 of all time. Chris also enjoyed the listen and it came at a time when a nice, mellow record was needed. When making the record, the band started out to make a rocking album, but kept coming back to subdued musical beauty instead of hard edge, guitar rock (which they later hit with "Monster"). The album features string arrangements by former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, and was produced by Scott Litt.

Charts:  #2 Billboard USA, #1 in the United Kingdom (Top 4 in 7 countries in 1992)

Singles:  6 singles, featuring "Drive", "Man On The Moon" and "Everybody Hurts"

Awards:  Sold almost 4 million copies in the US alone. Nominated for a Grammy in 1993. Is ranked at #247 in Rolling Stones Top 500 Albums, and was ranked by NME voters as the 37th best album ever in 2006.

Chicago Transit Authority: Self Titled

Choice:  Chris

Really an amazing album. I give Chris mega credit for laying this one on me. It's the first album by the band that would become, simply, Chicago. It's one of the most well rounded albums I have ever heard. I will go on record saying it's the BEST album I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. It's the first album released by Chicago and the year was 1969. I'm amazed at how modern this thing sounds after over forty years. The music is vibrant, with lots of punch and heart. Lyrically, it's still relevant. If you need to get in the zone one night, put this on the turntable, IPod, or CD player and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. By the way, if there is a better drummer than Danny Seraphin, I've yet to hear him/her.

Top Songs: Beginnings, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Questions 67 & 68

Chart Success:  17th on USA Billboard and 9th on UK Pop Albums

Reviews:  All Music 4 out of 5 stars

Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground: Self Titled

Choice:  Chris

This is one that Chris enjoyed a lot more than I did. I liked it, especially with the headphones on, but it wasn't familiar to me at all, so I had a tough time keeping pace with it. It's an eclectic group of songs, with some punch and imagination. Chris tends to "find" a lot of music, where I go back into my past to dig up an album. That's why we have a good dynamic on album night. It would probably be better for Chris to send me some notes on this album, he has heard it more often than I.

Top Songs:

Charts:

Awards: 4 1/2 stars by AbsolutePunk.net

Michael Jackson: Thriller

Choice:  Freddy

It's a widely held belief that this is a timeless classic. I am surprised to say that Chris and I both thought that it sounded as though it's not aged very well. Not to say it's garbage, by any stretch. It was a great album in it's time, it just sounds dated now, especially if you try to "sit" with it, instead of plugging it in while driving or working around the house. Chris really likes "P.Y.T." and I am still a fan of "Billie Jean" (although produce Quincy Jones was not and didn't even want it on the album), but we both believe "Human Nature" to be the song that has held up the best and is the most well written song on the record.  We listened to the re-mastered edition and it sounded pretty good. Didn't give me the depth that I expected, but it did have more life than the original release CD. The impact of the album was phenomenal, we just don't think the music itself has held up, especially lyrically. Jackson wrote much better songs as his career progressed.

Top Songs: "Billie Jean", "PYT", "Human Nature", "Beat It"

Charts: #1 Billboard (37 weeks), 7 of the nine songs charted in the top 10

Awards: Top selling album of all -time, with up to 110 million units sold, #20 all-time according to Rolling Stone, 29x Platinum

Wilco: Summerteeth

Choice:  Chris

I was surprised that Chris chose this one. He played it quite often when it was released in 1999.....we both did for that matter. Chris had not listened to it for awhile and I'm glad he brought it out. It's hard to choose just which Wilco album is the best. This may not be the best, but it's their transition album.....their missing link. With this album they left the stripped down, folky, alt-country sound behind. They created a nice depth of sound on this album, backed by the great keyboard work of  Jay Bennett. Many of the songs on the record mirror the marital problems of Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer. I highly recommend checking out "She's A  Jar" and/or "Shot In The Arm" if anyone is interested in giving this a listen. It won't be everyone's cup 'o tea.

Top Songs: "She's A Jar", "Via Chicago", "Shot In The Arm"

Charts:  Peaked at #78 Billboard

Awards: #31 on Pitchforks Top 100 of the 90's

The Replacements: All Shook Down

Choice: Freddy

This album is generally regarded by most hardcore followers of music, to be more of a Paul Westerberg solo effort than a true Replacements record.  The name on the box says Replacements, so that's what we're goin' with. Most of the albums we are listening to are being done through decent headphones, for the first time. That has really brought the sound alive. It really helped on this record. This is a stripped down, reserved sound from a band that usually loves sloppy and loud. Still, there is plenty going on to keep the ears perky. Lots of songs about breaking up and withered expectation. Go figure, it was the last Replacements album. I think Chris and I enjoyed this equally. 

Top Songs: "When It Began", "Someone Take The Wheel"

Awards: Nominated for Grammy (Best Alternative Album 1990)

Charts: Debuted at #69 on Billboard & three top five alternative radio singles