Day 0583 - Rapture

Anita Baker "Rapture" (1986)

Apparently this album was well-received on its release, but quickly faded from the public consciousness; I can kind of see why.  It's similar to Tina Turner's "Private Dancer" album.  A talented singer belting it out over a somewhat glossy, studio-polished set of tracks.

Enjoyable and totally listenable music, but not the most memorable or vital release ever.

Day 0457 - Songs the Lord Taught Us

The Cramps "Songs the Lord Taught Us" (1980)

Another band where I'd heard the name but wasn't really familiar with the music... I assumed punk, based on the name and era. There is some punk here, but the band also digs deep into rockabilly, surf music and even b-movie soundtracks. The b-movie theme extends out to the lyrics with songs such as "I was a teenage werewolf" and "Zombie Dance".

The vocals are pleading, snarling and desperate, the music ranging from bare and unvarnished to drenched in reverb - as the song dictates/requires.

In places this album has a guttural rockabilly that sounds like it would fit nicely into Nick Cave's early oeuvre with the Birthday Party and early Bad Seeds.

Unfortunately the album, though critically acclaimed, was commercial disappointment. When the band went out to tour it, their guitarist Bryan Gregory drove off with a van full of their gear which he sold to help fuel his drug addiction. The band never saw him again until years later.

Day 0391 - My Aim is True

Elvis Costello "My Aim is True" (1977)

 
Costello mixes 1950s-style rock n roll with the dirty production sound, angst and sneer of punk.  In some ways he was anticipating the 1980s’ fondness for all things 50s (back to the future, cry-baby, nu-greasers, plus all of those people who really just wanted a return to the 'golden years' when they could be racist and sexist with impunity (MAGA)).

According to the book, he had not recruited his band 'the Attractions' for these sessions. He recorded the album over six 4-hour sessions in a tiny little 8-track demo studio - which probably helps lend it its gritty sound.

"Welcome to the working week" is a catchy, danceable number, "Mystery dance" is boisterous rockabilly and "Alison" is a more tender track.

"Watching the detectives" (not on the original album but released shortly after and included on the version I listened to) is a little bit of white-boy reggae/ska that mines a similar vein as artists such as the Police and the Specials.

Day 0153 - The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground "The Velvet Underground" (1969) - got it

The Velvets aren't doing too badly so far.  This was their third album released, it's also their third album on this list.

A much more straight-ahead, mellower album (and possibly my favourite from VU) than previous outings. "Some kinda love"  is almost like a more languid, loping read on the Beatles' "Get Back". "Beginning to see the light" is cathartic, "Jesus" is lovely, "the murder mystery" is a touch of the older, weirder Velvets (and is brilliant).  Things calm back down for the closing track "after hours" ...which, incidentally, is the first VU song that I ever heard.

According to the book, the band's equipment was stolen when they arrived in town to record, but that didn't stop them from having quite a relaxed, enjoyable recording session.