Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#215)

(#215, Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams)

This is one of the greatest solo debut albums of all time, and I think I've gone through three physical copies of this record in the last 13 years.    I remember Alternative Press doing a piece on this album, and that's how I discovered it.  I pull it out quite often.












Take a listen to "Amy" and "Call Me on Your Way Back Home" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#216)

(#216, Imagine by John Lennon)

I really wanted to put the soundtrack to Imagine on this list, but that album was more or less a compilation of Lennon and Beatles songs, nothing new was recorded for that album, so I didn't feel like it was a good fit for this.  I promised not to include greatest hits albums or the like, and that kind of fell in that category.  And I'm sure many of you think this is way too low on the list.  Perhaps it is.









Here is "Imagine" and "Jealous Guy" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#217)

(#217, Up by R.E.M.)

This was the first album that R.E.M. recorded without Bill Berry, who left the band for health reasons right after the recording of their previous album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi.  I've read that the band nearly broke up during the recording process of this album, as tensions were very high.  This was their foray into a more electronic sound, and R.E.M. fans who only know them from "Stand" and/or "Shiny Happy People" were probably disappointed.  But not me.  This is a sonic joy, and quite possibly, the R.E.M. album I've given most of my time to over the past 15 years.





Here is "Airportman" and "Lotus" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#218)

(#218, Under the Blacklight by Rilo Kiley)

How was "Silver Lining" not a single?  This ended up being Rilo Kiley's last proper album, and it is their finest recording.  A while back, I publicly stated that it's time for Jenny Lewis to do her thing again, and sure enough, she has a new album coming out later this summer.  I listened to this record three times today at work, and it got better each time.










Here's "Silver Lining" and "Breakin' Up" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#219)

(#219, Devil Between My Toes by Guided By Voices)

I've always thought that "Old Battery" sounds like early R.E.M.  This is a unique GBV album, in that there are four or five instrumentals on the record.  This is also there first full length release.  Who would have thought that Pollard would become such a prolific songwriter over the next 25 or so years ...








This is "Old Battery", followed by a live version of "Captain's Dead" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#220)

(#220, Effra Parade by The Melodic)

I heard "On My Way" on last summer's NoiseTrade Summer Mixtape, decided one night at the gym while listening to said mixtape that this band needed to be featured on newgazzi Vol 7, and then about a month later, I drove this band from Chicago to Cleveland so that they could make their next gig.  I call Huw, Lydia, Rudi and John my friends, and I hope they think the same of me.  I recently reconnected with the band on their recent stop in Madison, and look forward to what I think will be a very bright future.







Here is "On My Way" and "Ode to Victor Jara" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#221)

(#221, Girls Can Tell by Spoon)

Here it is.  The album Kevin Schneider recommended to me, and now hates.  This was my proper introduction to Britt Daniel and Spoon.  The copy I had wasn't great, but I recognized right away that these guys could play, and Daniel was a great songwriter.












Here is "Everything Hits at Once" and "Believing is Art" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#222)

(#222, Dye It Blonde by Smith Westerns)

It's escaping me right now, but I think this was a Matthew Schewe recommendation.  Just a solid listen all the way through.  Great instrumentation, I love the vocals, and some great lyrics here.  Check these guys out, this album, and the follow up, Soft Will, are both excellent.











Take a listen to "Weekend" and "Still New" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#223)

(#223, Supply and Demand by Amos Lee)

Hey!  Pete Thomas plays drums on a few of these tracks!  Amos Lee has become one of my favorite singer-songwriters over the past 6 years, which I'm sure I've mentioned several times since I started this list.  This is his second album, and it came out in the fall of 2006.












Take a listen to "Shout Out Loud" and "Supply and Demand" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#224)

(#224, Say I Am You by The Weepies)

We love you Deb!
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Here's "Gotta Have You" and "Citywide Rodeo" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#225)

(#225, Spike by Elvis Costello)

In the late 80s, Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello wrote and recorded a number of songs together, and a few of those songs end up on this record, namely, "Veronica", one of my favorite Costello tunes.   There are many other great songs here as well ... "This Town", "Let Him Dangle", "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror", and the instrumental "Stalin Malone".  I can't wait to see this man perform at The Riverside on Tuesday, June 10th, a solo acoustic show.







There is "Veronica" and "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#226)

(#226, Core by Stone Temple Pilots)

I didn't become a fan of STP until MTV did a documentary about the making of the yet to be released Tiny Music ... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop.  A few weeks later, I bought the album, and I haven't turned it off since.  Honestly, I think I've listened to that particular album close to 500 times in my life.  I worked backwards, and checked out Purple next, then this one.  I've always considered this the STP album that "rocks" the most, and I don't believe I've skipped over a track while I'm listening to it.  Still great over 20 years later ...






I would like to share "Sex Type Thing" and "Crackerman" with you.

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#227)

(#227, The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd)

I'd probably be a bigger fan of "The Floyd" if my first wife didn't have such shitty copies of their animals.  She swore by The Wall and Animals, but her discs were so shotty, I never could listen to them all the way through.  I don't know too many people that consider themselves lovers of the long player art form that haven't heard this, and most of them think this is pretty damn good. It's a great headphones record.








The two tracks I will present to you are "Money" and "Time" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#228)

(#228, Sail Away by Randy Newman)

It's a shame that most people think of "I Love L.A." when they think of Randy Newman.  I never liked that song, and this is a genius singer-songwriter.  It's also a shame that this is the only Randy Newman album I ranked on this list.  Mark this man down as one of the artists that I would give more time to if I had more time.  Many great songs here, including "Burn On", which was featured in the movie "Major League".








For those of you who haven't seen "Major League", here is "Burn On" ...



And here's a live version of "He Gives Us All His Love" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#229)

(#229, Thirty Three & 1/3 by George Harrison)

George Harrison doesn't get the credit he deserves for helping to create the sound of The Beatles.  Yes, Lennon and McCartney wrote most of the lyrics, but George Harrison's guitar playing is the sound you remember from those great songs.  This album came out shortly after the debut of Saturday Night Live, and two songs from this album were featured on the show as videos (the first two music videos to ever be shown on the show).  I'll never forget George Harrison showing up at SNL, and trying to cash the $3,000 check from Lorne Michaels.






The two songs that SNL featured were "Crackerbox Palace" and "This Song" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#230)

(#230, Rockin' the Suburbs by Ben Folds)

I've told this story many times, it's worth telling again.  From mid 2000 to early 2002, I worked four ten hour days ... Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  On the morning of 9/11, which was a Tuesday, I woke up around 9:00am, and turned on ESPNews to get some scores from the previous night.  I noticed that many of the scheduled games were cancelled.  Then I noticed that they all were.  Didn't think anything of it.  Then I went to Best Buy to buy this record, and the new Jay-Z record.  The cashier was crying.  I couldn't figure out why.   So I went back home, and called my mom and asked if something happened today (not thinking to check ANY OTHER STATION on cable), and she scolded me for not being aware of what was going on.  It wasn't mean spirited, it was more like, "life is more than just sports".  Now I always make sure to check before I leave the house.

This album is Ben Folds' first solo effort.  It's ironic that after recording three albums that didn't feature any guitar, his highest charting single is the title track from this album, which features guitar.  It's like Van Halen being known most for "Jump", which features a synthesizer.  This album is chalk full of great songs ..."Annie Waits", "Zak and Sara", "Still Fighting It", the incredibly sad "Fred Jones Part 2". and the incredibly touching "The Luckiest".  Ben Folds has replaced Billy Joel as my go to piano based singer-songwriter over the past 15 years, and hell yeah, I'm excited that the boys were able to tour and record again, hopefully more to come in the future.

I want to share "Fred Jones Part 2" and "The Luckiest" with you.  Both songs bring me to tears ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#232 and #231)

(#232, Lonerism by Tame Impala)

The last two years, I have provide newgazzi readers with a top 20 albums of the year list.  This came out in October of 2012, but I didn't hear it until January of 2013, so it didn't make my 2012 list.  But had I listened to it a few months earlier, it would have landed in my top 5, most likely.  Seven different publications, including Rolling Stone, had this listed as their #1 album of the year.  This is a solid record from start to finish.  One day, Gracie and I were listening to this on the way home, and she said, "Is this the new Beatles album?".  I am impressed with how she picks up on stuff like that.




This is "Be Above It", which is the song that Gracie thinks sounds like The Fab Four ...

(#231, Parklife by Blur)

I read recently that Thom Yorke has said that he wishes he had written the song "Girls and Boys" from this record.  That is quite a compliment.  Damon Albarn is a genius of a musician, and this has always been my favorite long player of Blur's.












Take a listen to Thom Yorke's favorite track from this album, "Girls and Boys" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#234 and #233)

(#234, Heartbeat City by The Cars)

This album SCREAMS the 80s.  I remember when "Drive", "You Might Think" and "Magic" pretty much owned MTV for about a year.  This generation probably knows Ric Ocasek more for producing Weezer's Blue Album and Green Album (he's also manning the soundboards for their new record, yet to be named), but before he was helping create hits like "Buddy Holly" "Say It Ain't So" and "Hash Pipe", he was the brainchild of this new wave band.  This album is about as catchy as any on this list, and made for great radio.






This is "You Might Think", one of the greatest videos of all time ...

(#233, Blue Moves by Elton John)

Another fantastic double album, the only thing that keeps me from listening to this a lot more is that it clocks in at 84 minutes.  I think I've read that this is Elton's favorite album of his own.  So many great songs here ... "Tonight", "One Horse Town", "Boogie Pilgrim", "Cage the Songbird",  "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" ...











Here's "Tonight" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#236 and #235)

(#236, Oh, Inverted World by The Shins)

This is their debut album, but I didn't hear this until a few years after I heard Chutes Too Narrow.  I remember not caring too much about this at first, but I also remember having a lousy copy of it (which can make all the difference).  James Mercer has become a real go to guy for me, between his work with The Shins and Broken Bells.  I think it's about time I got one of this "I Wrote New Slang" t-shirts.  My birthday is October 2nd.







This is "New Slang" ...

(#235, National Ransom by Elvis Costello)

Those who know me the best understand that Billy Joel is artist I've called my favorite since 1983, however, since he hasn't recorded an album since 1993, that distinction has been passed to Elvis Costello.  There will always be a special place in my heart for Billy Joel, but the guy I enjoy listening to the most these days is Costello.  His discography is incredible.  Joel has 12 albums.  Costello has about 20 great albums.  I get to see the man perform in 27 days, and I cannot wait !







Take a listen to "Jimmie Standing in the Rain" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#238 and #237)

(#238, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga by Spoon)

The name of this band makes my daughter laugh, and the name of the album makes her ga ga ga ga giggle.  Me?  I just love to listen to it, but yes, if I were 8, I would see what she sees.  This is a band I have to see live at some point.  Two nights ago, I listened to this album like three times before going to bed.











This is "Don't Make Me a Target" ...

(#237, Gossip in the Grain by Ray LaMontagne)

Another one of my favorite singer-songwriters, this is yet another artist I discovered on SNL.  He was the musical guest one night when The Rock was hosting, and I immediately thought Andrew Gold had a son.  It was more about the beard than the music.  I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about the new record (however, I can tell you that one of the songs will be featured on newgazzi Vol 16 in a few weeks).









Take a listen to "I Still Care For You" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#240 and #239)

(#240, Neon Bible by Arcade Fire)

Never heard of these guys, then I saw them on SNL and became an instant fan.  "Keep the Car Running" is one of the best songs of the last ten years, and Foo Fighters covered it shortly after it came out, and that version is pretty awesome, too.  I sat down with Reflektor recently, and wasn't blown away, but I'm sure I'll come back to it at some point.  For now, this is the Arcade Fire record of choice for me, and many.







This is "Keep the Car Running" ...

(#239, Document by R.E.M.)

One could argue that this is the record that propelled R.E.M. from well respected underground band to national superstars.  This album sports a little bit more muscle than their previous records, and takes on a more mature lyrical content.  My ex wife (the first one) had a really shitty copy of this, so I didn't embrace this fully until I got my own copy, and this has been in heavy rotation for the last 13 years of my life.









Here is "Finest Worksong" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#242 and #241)

(#242, Boys & Girls by Alabama Shakes)

The first time I heard this, I thought this was another new Jack White side project.  Musically and vocally.  Jamie confirmed that it wasn't Jack White, but rather a lady named Brittany Howard.  I saw them on SNL shortly thereafter and was blown away by their performance.  If I remember  correctly, I was able to pick this up at Best Buy for $6.99.  It is a rocker.










Take a listen to "Hang Loose" ...

(#241, Exile on Main St by The Rolling Stones)

As I've stated many, many times, double albums really have to be special to make this list.  I'm not a huge fan of the concept of the double album for the simple fact that it's that much harder to make time for it.  But this is The Rolling Stones most eclectic album, as it borrows from rock, country, gospel, blues and folk.  They say you're either a Beatles guy, a Zeppelin guy or a Stones guy, and I would have to rank them in that order, but make no mistake, this is a masterpiece.







This is "Tumbling Dice" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#244 and #243)

(#244, Amos Lee by Amos Lee)

This is one of my favorite singer-songwriters in the game today.  His records are a complete joy, and I absolutely have to see him live.  For reasons I can't explain, I still haven't picked up his latest record, released last year, and that will change very soon.  This is his debut album, and has been heavy rotation for a long, long time.











This is "Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight" ...

(#243, When Harry Met Sally Soundtrack by Harry Connick Jr)

I will always consider Amber family, but I will admit, it is nice to know that I can play this anytime I want now, and not just on night's when she's working at the restaurant.   Amber is not a fan of HCJ, and I will never know why.  This gentleman owns one of my favorite voices in contemporary music, and this soundtrack and movie are long time favorites.  It's actually hard for me to choose one song to share, but here goes ...







Here is "Love is Here to Stay" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#246 and #245)

(#246, The Creek Drank the Cradle by Iron & Wine)

I remember the first time I heard this, I hated it.  Todd burned a copy of this for me, and I think I turned it off about 4 songs in.  Then a few years later, I heard The Shepherd's Dog for the first time, and absolutely loved it.  It made me come back to this album, and I gave it the old headphones treatment.  It's like it was a completely different album this time around.  I'm sure I was just in a bad mood the first time.








This is "Lion's Mane" ...

(#245, Dear Science by TV on the Radio)

This band has something in common with Iron & Wine.  The first time I heard them, I didn't like what I was hearing.  Matt Schewe recommended Return to Cookie Mountain to me, and I just couldn't get into it.  Then Jamie Armata recommended Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes to me, and I didn't have any feeling either way on it.  After giving these guys two chances to win me over, I'm not sure why I gave Dear Science the time of day, but I am glad I did, because I liked this from the very beginning.  And their 2011 Nine Types of Light will be making an appearance on this list later in the year.  I guess it's about time I give those earlier records another shot, huh?




Here is "Family Tree" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#248 and #247)

(#248, Animals in the Dark by William Elliott Whitmore)

The first time I heard this guy on Paste, I swore he was in his late 60s.  Then I found out he's three years younger than me.  William Elliott Whitmore has one of most unique voices in the game today, and he's quite a songwriter as well.  This has been a favorite of mine for the last four years.










Take a listen to "Mutiny" ...

(#247, Milo Greene by Milo Greene)

One of my favorite albums that came out of the Paste mPlayers since the relaunch in the summer of 2011.  The musicianship is topnotch, and vocals are great and that album art is so damn cool.  I've listened to this at least once a week since I bought it, and I may have ranked this too low.











Here is "Don't You Give Up on Me" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#250 and #249)

(#250, Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea by PJ Harvey)

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't remember the name of the person that recommended this to me, I'd say about five years ago, it was a female co-worker, and we only worked together for about three months, but wherever you are, Deanne or Deanna, thank you for the reco!  Admittedly, I've listened to other PJ Harvey records, and could not get into them, but this one, I really like.









This is "The Mess We're In", featuring Thom Yorke ...

(#249, Rabbit Fur Coat by Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins)

Jenny Lewis is simply a joy.  I've pretty much loved everything she's done, whether it be with Rilo Kiley or on her own.  This is her first solo record, and features The Watson Twins.  Conor Oberst, Ben Gibbard and M Ward collaborate with Lewis on a cover of Traveling Wilburys "Handle With Care".  As I've mentioned recently, Jenny Lewis hasn't been doing much lately, that I'm aware of, but hopefully that changes soon.








Here is "Rise Up With Fists" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#252 and #251)

(#252, High Violet by The National)

These guys may be my favorite album artists going right now.  I wasn't blown away with their live show, but I'm willing to give them a second chance, based on the fact that their last four records are all amazing.  Some of my favorite tracks here are "Terrible Love", "Little Faith", "Bloodbuzz Ohio", "Conversation 16" and "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks".










This is "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks", with special guest Justin Vernon of Bon Iver ...

(#251, Z by My Morning Jacket)

I've always enjoyed Jim James' voice, and for my money, this is the best collection of songs they've put out.  Two years ago, Rolling Stone ranked this as the 457th best album of all time, and this tells me that by me ranking it at #251, there are many, many great albums that I haven't even heard yet.











Take a listen to "Off the Record" ...





And with that, we are half way home.  250 down, 250 to go.  Thanks for reading !!

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#254 and #253)

(#254, Eels With Strings : Live at Town Hall by Eels)

The set list here is fantastic.  I'm really torn, do I buy the new album and see Eels in Madison next month?  I have been mildly disappointed with their last three albums, but I really liked their show the last time I saw them.  I know I'll give in on the record, but I think I may have to pass on show (which completely contradicts my last statement.  Anyway, this is awesome ...







This is "Bus Stop Boxer" ...

(#253, All Days are Nights : Songs for Lulu by Rufus Wainwright)

I'm not sure if this is his eye or Lulu's, but who gives a damn.  I rented this from the library a few years ago, and my admiration of this man keeps growing every year.  This is Wainwright's most stripped down recording, as all the tracks are solo piano and vocals.  The record was recorded for the memory of his mother, who passed away about a year before this came out.









Here is "Martha" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#256 and #255)

(#256, Arm's Way by Islands)

When I was writing my book in 2008, it seemed that other than my monthly paste samplers, this was all I was listening to for a good period of time.  I pretty much love everything that Nick Diamonds puts out, and am I hearing right that The Unicorns are recording ?  Oh hells yeah!












Gotta throw two songs at you ... here is "Creeper" and "Kids Don't Know Shit" ...

(#255, Carencro by Marc Broussard)

No, this isn't Justin Fefer.  I haven't been too crazy about Broussard's recent releases, but this is very good.  Every song is solid.  Since my reviews stink tonight, I'll give you two songs to enjoy on this one as well ...













Here is "Home" and "The Beauty of Who You Are" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#258 and #257)

(#258, Pneumonia by Whiskeytown)

This ending up being their last record, which is a shame.  Over the years, this has become a favorite of mine to listen to in the car.  My apologies to Ryan Adams and my readers for this short synopsis.  I'm in the process of moving, and I'm dead tired.  The write-ups will be brief for a few days ...











Here's "Under Your Breath" ...

(#257, Dookie by Green Day)

I was not a fan of Green Day from the get go, and it took me years to appreciate them.  I remember buying this and giving it to a friend a few days later.  After hearing some of their later albums, and really liking them, I came back to this one and realized that maybe I was just having a bad day the first time I made time for it.  I love the hidden track "All by Myself" by Tre Cool, that never gets old.









This is "When I Come Around" ...