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The Great Escape (Album of the Day)
With PARKLIFE, Blur became the toast of the U.K. rock scene, but if they were feeling pressured for a follow-up, 1995's THE GREAT ESCAPE doesn't sound like it. The album's “The Universal” “Stereotypes” and “Charmless Man” all soared up the English singles chart, and its “Country House” became the quartet's first U.K. No.1 (famously beating out Oasis' “Roll With It” for the top slot). But a closer look at Damon Albarn's lyrics reveal that, behind the inventive and highly melodic music, the album is preoccupied with loneliness and the grind of daily life - a contrast that helps make the collection one of Blur's most satisfying works. THE GREAT ESCAPE drew wide acclaim from the English music press upon its release 25 years ago today, and it remains one of the crowning glories of Britpop.
The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim (Album of the Day)
Released five years ago, THE STORY OF SONNY BOY SLIM further cemented Gary Clark Jr.'s reputation as one of the best blues guitarists around. The bus depicted on the cover of the Austin-born phenom's second Warner Bros. album is appropriate; among the busiest touring performers, the singer-songwriter has shared stages with Eric Clapton, the Dave Matthews Band and the Rolling Stones. More importantly, Clark has absorbed a wide variety of influences in his travels, and these 13 tracks incorporate rock, soul and hip-hop touches on such highlights as “Grinder,” “Can't Sleep” and “Shake.” The axework is exemplary without ever becoming showy, and insightful lyrics and confident vocals (including some wonderful falsetto) add to the appeal. A Billboard Blues Album chart-topper, THE STORY OF SONNY BOY SLIM suggests that Clark's story is just beginning.
Maroon (20th Anniversary Edition) (Album of the Day)
The follow-up to Barenaked Ladies' smash STUNT, MAROON is another winner from the Canadian alternative-rock hitmakers. Produced by Don Was, the 2000 Reprise collection features the buoyant melodies and infernally catchy arrangements for which the quintet is known, but with a slightly more mature outlook. “The Humour of the Situation” (to cite the title of a song BNL recorded in the nude) can still be heard in these Steven Page/Ed Robertson originals, but so can more serious themes – which didn't stop tracks like “Pinch Me,” “Too Little Too Late” and “Falling for the First Time” from sailing up the singles charts. A digital 20th Anniversary Edition of MAROON has just been released, and the million-selling set sounds better than ever.
The Menace (Album of the Day)
Elastica's self-titled debut emerged at the peak of the Brit-pop era, but follow-up THE MENACE took five years to reach shops. If the delay was detrimental commercially, it allowed the band time to broaden its sound – while opening salvo “Mad Dog God Dam” packs the hook-filled punch of their earlier album, a good chunk of the Atlantic set focuses on moodier synth-centric songs (“Miami Nice”). Departed singer-guitarist Donna Matthews can be heard on two tracks, and the collection also includes a couple of cool guest appearances: Mark E. Smith of The Fall (adding post-punk cred to “How He Wrote Elastica Man”) and, under a pseudonym, Damon Albarn of Blur (on a cover of New Wave fave “Da Da Da”). More diverse and demanding than the group's first, THE MENACE rewards repeated listening and we'll give it another spin now to wish frontwoman Justine Frischmann a happy birthday.
Rainbow Road: The Warner Bros. Recordings (Album of the Day)
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan all covered Arthur Alexander's songs - for that reason alone, the Alabama-born singer-songwriter should be a household name. And yet Alexander was only afforded three albums in his lifetime; his eponymous second forms the core of RAINBOW ROAD: THE WARNER BROS. RECORDINGS. Cut in Memphis with producer Tommy Cogbill, that 1972 WB set is filled with terrific material ranging from new originals (“Thank God He Came”) and revisited favorites (“Go Home Girl”) to fit-like-a-glove covers (such as the title track and “Burning Love,” which Elvis Presley soon turned into a hit). But the interpretations are just as impressive, and Alexander's country-inflected delivery makes these often rueful songs unforgettable. Released in 1994 shortly after the performer's death, RAINBOW ROAD: THE WARNER BROS. RECORDINGS includes non-LP singles and is a must for any fan of Southern soul.
Straight Shooter (Deluxe) (Album of the Day)
Comprised of former members of Free, Mott The Hoople and King Crimson, Bad Company started at the top from its formation. The British band's second longplayer, STRAIGHT SHOOTER, rose to #3 on the U.S. album chart and was certified 3x platinum behind the hit singles "Feel Like Makin' Love" and "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" as well as the rock radio staple "Shooting Star." The Deluxe Edition of the arena rock classic includes 14 bonus tracks, all previously unreleased except the b-side "Whiskey Bottle." Among the standouts is a stripped-down version of "Shooting Star," a remix of "Good Lovin' Gone Bad" with alternative guitar and vocals tracks, as well as two lost gems: "See The Sunlight" and "All Night Long." Carefully remastered using the original tapes, bad never sounded as good as it does on STRAIGHT SHOOTER.
Hip Hug-Her (Album of the Day)
Along with the Wrecking Crew and the Funk Brothers, Booker T and the MG's were the greatest backing group in popular music; unlike their L.A. and Detroit session counterparts, the “Memphis Group” were also hitmakers in their own right. The quartet's 1967 album HIP HUG-HER added the title track and a cover of The Rascals' “Groovin” to their roster of Top 40 singles. One of the better longplayers from the prolific instrumental group's Atlantic tenure, HIP HUG-HER has the sound of a band hitting its groove: Booker T. Jones makes his bow on the Hammond B-3 organ here, recent addition on bass Donald “Duck” Dunn has settled in nicely, and guitarist Steve Cropper - born on this day in 1941 – and drummer Al Jackson, Jr. are also firing on all cylinders.
Behaviour (Album of the Day)
Recorded with co-producer Harold Faltermeyer in Munich, Germany and completed at London's Sarm West Studios, BEHAVIOUR was Pet Shop Boys' fourth studio album and a bit of a departure for the British synth-pop duo. “It was more reflective and more musical-sounding,” said PSB's Neil Tennant of the collection, which emphasizes pop melody and emotional directness and features the singles “So Hard,” “How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously?” and the classic track “Being Boring.” Guitarist Johnny Marr and David Lynch's go-to arranger Angelo Badalamenti are among the guests lending their talents to this set, a No.2 hit in the U.K. that was eventually certified platinum there. BEHAVIOUR was released 30 years ago today and still stands as one of Pet Shop Boys' most moving and memorable records.
Hybrid Theory (20th Anniversary Edition) (Album of the Day)
Linkin Park had performed as HYBRID THEORY before using the name as the title for their debut, and the phrase is an apt description of the SoCal quintet's bracing mix of rap and metal. Over driving riffs and rhythms, Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda's tag-team vocals reflected a millennial anxiety that millions identified with, and the album became a huge hit, reaching Diamond sales status on the strength of singles “One Step Closer,” “Papercut,” “Crawling” (a Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy winner) and Top Ten “In the End.” Now available in several formats, HYBRID THEORY (20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION) features the classic original plus loads of rarities including B-sides, demos and live recordings from the era.
Stretchin' Out In Bootsy's Rubber Band (Album of the Day)
William “Bootsy” Collins came to prominence as part of James Brown's band before boarding the George Clinton mothership, and the bassist is joined by several others who left the J.B.'s for P-Funk in Bootsy's Rubber Band. The group's 1976 debut for Warner Bros., STRETCHIN' OUT IN, was co-produced by Clinton at Detroit's United Sound Systems, and it's clear from first listen that a star has been born. With an irrepressible personality and nimble fingers pumping out grooves, Bootsy stretches from uptempo floor-fillers to balladry across these 7 originals, including such highlights as the R&B hit title track, “Psychoticbumpschool” and the much-sampled “I'd Rather Be With You.” STRETCHIN' OUT IN BOOTSY'S RUBBER BAND is by common consensus one of Collin's very best, and we'll play it again now to wish the man a happy birthday.