The five hundred and thirty-ninth album: #539 The Replacements - Let It Be
More than anything, Let It Be surprised me. It started off as a standard, hard post punk album, the metal and rock influence coming through everywhere, but by the time rock ballad Androgynous played, you really feel a humanity and empathy in these tracks that defy the expectations you might have of the band. It's still crude in places, not everything transfers, but the hits are surprisingly good for what it would normally be.
The five hundred and thirty-eighth album: #538 Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain
Is it a cop out to say here that this is a Prince album, so you know what to expect? It has the classic tracks Purple Rain and When Doves Cry, all very familiar. The meticulously crafted R&B and pop music is overlaid with vocals that are raw and full of emotion, a contrast that brings out the song so much more than if either side was lacking. It really and directly hits you, which is an accomplishment on its own even without the catchiness of some of the tracks, the set up that's elaborate but never too much, skirting a line that works so well as just a real visionary sound.
The five hundred and thirty-seventh album: #537 Van Halen - 1984
With Van Halen's glam rock, you pretty much know what you're going to get and 1984 simply doesn't disappoint in this regard. Jump is a deserved classic, but so many other tracks have that feel-good loud feeling that is pushed by its unremittenant music, the underlying drive really being directed by its exuberant vocals. The lyrics aren't too complicated, but work well with the tone and the feel of the album.
The one hundred and ninety-sixth classical recording: #502 Richard Strauss - Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
The chaotic nature of this piece mimics the mischief of the story it is based on, a cacophony of sounds that combine various characters and stories (often well represented by a group of instruments) that continue to give an impression of what's going on. It conveys the feeling quite well even and even a brief guide tells you all else you need to know when listening. It's a masterful small piece of storytelling that stands on its own so well.
The five hundred and thirty-sixth album: #536 Minor Threat - Out of Step
Out of Step is ultimately a loud, hardcore punk album that brings a sound that it felt we'd started to lose at this point in the British bands. It works well at producing that sounds, but its short twenty (or so) minute length is enough to get it, much more than that and it would have been too much.
The five hundred and thirty-fifth album: #535 Cocteau Twins - Treasure
When describing this album earlier, I called it Kate Bush with a rock band. While not quite the same, the album features similar ethereal vocals, but backed with a far more aggressive rock sound instead. It feels deeply gothic and mystical in a way that works quite well, drawing you into this dream-like world.
The five hundred and thirty-fourth album: #534 Sade - Diamond Life
Diamond Life is a good soul album. Quite emotional at times, all of that shines through, with an incredibly strong throughline of it through the different tracks.
The five hundred and thirty-third album: #533 Run-DMC - Run-DMC
While not the first rap album by far, Run-DMC's debut does set the tone for at least one version, with them setting the stage for the Beastie Boys, for example. The rhythm and sounds are set up better, the repetition more focused on their musicality than the rhythmically spoken word album that it feels were there before. It's got mass appeal and still sounds as strong here. It's Like That is obviously the most influential title track, incredibly powerful without feeling like it compromised too much either. Wake Up, for example, really has its message in there as well as being incredibly accessible. A real delight that I am looking forward to hearing more of as the list develops.
The one hundred and ninety-fifth classical recording: #201 Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat major
Not specifically themed, this concerto is exciting and friendly, giving a real spring feeling as the energy propels the piece forward. It's bold and great to listen to because of that.
The five hundred and thirty-second album: #532 Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome
The poppy sound of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's debut album really belies the dramatic tone of the underlying lyrics. Starting off with a commentary on hedonism, its second of four sides gives over a good chunk to their anti-war message. It's a strong set up that I ended up enjoying a lot and found quite a bit more to than the initial impression you get from what the band seems to be about.