The seven hundred and twenty-fifth album: #725 Stereo MCs - Connected
One of the ways these albums start to make sense to me is by explaining what the youth of the time was into. Now, I'm still a bit too young for this to truly be my growing up music (and I always went in a different direction anyway), but aside from clearly recognising the title track, the mix of genres shows that too. There's the (British) hip hop, the dance track playing in the background and fairly simple lyrics. I enjoy the interpretation at times, but there's also a repetitiveness that mars some of the songs. It's not quite there for me, but there are so many elements to it that I enjoy that it's still really worthwhile.
The seven hundred and twenty-fourth album: #724 Sonic Youth - Dirty
Sonic Youth's Dirty gives us a welcome hit of rock, a loud and high energy set of tracks that work well for an early morning to wake you up. There's a lot of anger in some of the tracks, but also a more upbeat sound in others and a good variation in general. More than anything, it's a good expression of emotion in a way that feels like it has quite a lot of options. It's still quite classical in its rock sound in places and punky in others, but it's fair to say the blend works really well.
The two hundred and fifty-eighth classical recording: #839 Aaron Copland - Appalachian Spring
There's something especially tender about this ballet. The music required for a ballet tends to be gentler anyway, for the dance requirements, but here it's especially sweet, the tenderness of spring and budding of flowers coming through in the sound of the work. It's a gorgeous, deep piece that stays worth it.
The seven hundred and twenty-third album: #723 Tom Waits - Bone Machine
Tom Waits' dark, deep vocals remain as evocative as ever, the blues and folk rock creating a messy composition of sounds that get anchored by his unique voice. It's a strong sound, bizarre and experimental, but one that leads to an enthralling album that will keep your attention throughout.
The seven hundred and twenty-second album: #722 Sugar - Copper Blue
The pop rock of Sugar is incredibly accessible and adept at giving you what you want. It hits you with a powerful rock riff, has some decent and accessible lyrics with some edge to them, but it doesn't stray too far into metal, it doesn't get too poppy, it's at a nice balance of sounds that feels like it'll easily appeal without compromising on the sound or vision. It's just really good at achieving the sound it wants, without feeling forced to conform.
The seven hundred and twenty-first album: #721 Spiritualized - Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized's debut album is very chill, like a more relaxed psychedelic rock album that from time to time turns ambient and feels designed to lure you to sleep in a lot of places. It's a dreamy journey to somewhere as non-specific as dreams can be.
The two hundred and fifty-first TV show: #55 Laramie
Another western, and one that feels even more toothless somehow. There's the same good versus bad guys, trying to do the right thing, some vague misogyny and not a whole lot to care for. What's missing here that only Bonanza really did well were the personalities, characters that weren't just cookie cut, and instead I don't feel much connection with any of the regular. Sure, I don't feel inclined to try much harder, but I'm not sure how much more the show has anyway.
The seven hundred and twentieth album: #720 The Pharcycle - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcycle
With a focus on lighter, often comedic songs, this is a good alternative to the gangster rap from earlier this week. In this case, though, the crude content doesn't really do it for me - it's just not really feeling that interesting and it gets tiring quite quickly. I don't think I got loads out of the album - the lighter type was done better before, and I think I would have preferred a bit more depth than this brings.
The seven hundred and nineteenth album: #719 REM - Automatic for the People
There's something maudlin and wistful about this album. It's not dark or explicitly sad, but it moves slowly and doesn't feel like it's happy in most places. It's a very specific, slow feeling that permeates but works for this view at the world and I did enjoy it a fair bit.
The seven hundred and eighteenth album: #718 Dr Dre - The Chronic
While this is Dr Dre's album, it's already clear at this point that he's more interested in being a producer and DJ than just a public performer. As a rapper, I felt I heard Snoop Dogg more than I heard Dr Dre himself and it's the use of samples and mix that feel like they stand out, I don't think the vocals stand out as much. It's not the direction of rap that I prefer, so while I see some of the skill in the composition, this is not something I'd want to go back to.