The fifty-eighth album: #58 Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan's blues has become a welcome companion on this list, a rocky but gentler sound that takes you into its world. Bob Dylan's lyrics stay as biting and complex as ever, but here the music has taken a step up too, creating more of a mood. Like A Rolling Stone is the obvious example of that, but Balld of a Thin Man's shrill organ creates a creepy vibe that really enhances the songs far more.
The songs, then, remain interesting, and the evolution notable. And as much as later singer songwriters seem inspired by him, at the moment he seems unique as well, something enhanced by the rock influences he's building on in this album.
The fifty-ninth album: #59 The Who - My Generation
There are more ballady numbers on here than I'd expect considering the sound and reputation of this album's titular tracks. They are still supported by some loud guitars, but there are real gradations to the aggression in the songs on this album. I don't think I mind that - La-La-La-Lies has a great melody that's lovely to listen to. To prove who they are, the harmonies aren't always as clear as bands thriving on it, and it sounds quite different from the Beatles, even if you can hear the common ground at times.
By the time My Generation comes around, you are primed for different styles, but it still comes off more aggressive and there's a certain infectious, clear energy in it that drives it forward. We've discussed it for the songs list before, but it still stands out here. The other famous song, The Kids Are Alright are closer to the more standard rock sound of the time, more impressive in the way the harmonies and songs work out. On the whole, there's a huge variation of songs, from what feels mainstream to what would have been harsh. There's no full identity, beyond the screaming guitars that tend to stay around. It's what makes this interesting - a debut mostly to show the different things the band can do.