Day 0800 - A Northern Soul

 The Verve "A Northern Soul" (1995)

 

Okay, I have to admit that my only real experience with the Verve was the "Urban Hymns" album.   This whole psychedelic rock with hints of droney shoegaze took me (pleasantly) by surprise.

There are some almost dance-influenced beats like on "Life's an Ocean", mixed with the noisy wash of guitar that is reminiscent of bands from My Bloody Valentine, Ride and maybe the Happy Mondays.

The long, slow moody mellow atmospheric "Drive you home" is quite dreamy and wonderful.  

The  band broke up after this, but reformed and hit new commercial heights.

Day 0662 - Done by the Forces of Nature

The Jungle Brothers "Done by the Forces of Nature" (1989)

 
The Brothers beefed up their classic rap sound with elements of jazz, world music, house, funk and Afrobeat.  According to the book, the group were accused of selling out, but history appears to have vindicated the them, with the album being pegged quite high on several ranked lists, not to mention retrospective reviews generally lauding the album.

Day 0543 - Double Nickels on the Dime

Minutemen "Double Nickels on the Dime" (1984)

This album is all kinds of brilliant!  I had already listened to it a number of times in past years, and I can't remember if I found it through the 1001 Albums book or if it was recommended to me by a friend.  Whatever the case, while ostensibly a 'punk' album, it covers elements of post-punk, a whole lotta funk, sonically experimental 'alt rock', blues, flamenco guitar, and various other styles.  The tracks are largely under two-minutes, so if you're not entirely sold on what you're listening to... don't worry, it'll change in a moment.

Just the sheer scope of effortless musical exploration and the "throwing it at the wall and seeing what sticks" approach is admirable.  I could see a number of later bands (including the early music from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) being heavily influenced by this band and this album.

Minutemen made an impressive amount of sound for just 3 people.  The precise and funky bass of Mike Watt is brilliant.  Sadly, singer/guitarist D Boon died a year later, and the Minutemen died with him.  Mike Watt went on to have a varied and interesting musical career off and on over the following decades.