THIS
YEAR’S MODEL by Elvis Costello (1978) My personal favourite record of the 70’s. Costello harnesses an anger that is partly
born of pure frustration, partly of negative encounters with other people
(mostly the opposite sex), and partly mysterious. The Attractions were never better. They force Costello’s vocals along with incredible
speed and precision.
SIREN
by Roxy Music (1975) The peak of Roxy Music’s run of amazingly original futuristic
records. Here Bryan Ferry’s vision is
the most crystal clear-the lounge lizard as trendsetting icon, filled with
regret. The band jams behind him in a
way that would be copied by every British band in about five years after this
record came out.
BLUE
by Joni Mitchell (1971) Mitchell delivers
her deeply personal, literate lyrics with such ease that these songs seem to be
coming out of her spontaneously. Her off kilter song constructions remind me of
Morrissey and the spare backing only increases the beauty, the power. A milestone for singer songwriters.
PIECES
OF A MAN by Gil Scott Heron (1971) The revolution may not be televised but the
bleak pictures Heron paints of inner city life(unemployment, drugs, crime) and
institutionalized racism over a light semi-improvised jazz soundscape is the
next best thing.
COOL
FOR CATS by Squeeze (1979) The Difford/Tilbrook songwriting partnership really
came into its own on Squeeze’s second album.
Combining Beatles/Kinks influence, a more melodic take on pub rock, and some
electronics, the clever tunes here are only helped by Tilbrook’s sweet
McCartneyesque tenor (especially when contrasted with Difford’s bass
harmonies).
No comments:
Post a Comment