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Zero Time (Album of the Day)
Though the duo behind it were likely aware of the Lone Ranger's sidekick, the “T.O.N.T.O.” in Tonto's Expanding Head Band was really an acronym for "The Original New Timbral Orchestra" - the first multitimbral polyphonic analog synthesizer. Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff played it on sessions for other artists (including Stevie Wonder) as well as a pair of albums on their own beginning in 1971. That inaugural collection was called by Allmusic.com “one of the first - and perhaps best of - all electronic albums,” and it's easy to hear why; the six instrumentals are both highly accessible and atmospheric. Eno, Devo and all electronica artists owe a debt to TONTO'S EXPANDING HEAD BAND, and the set remains essential listening.
Ingénue (Album of the Day)
With a distinctive look and vocals that drew comparisons to Patsy Cline, k.d. lang emerged in the mid-1980s as one of Canada's greatest country singers. By the time of 1992's INGENUE, she'd increased the ratio of torch to twang in her music, and the move toward adult contemporary pop proved hugely successful; the Sire collection went double-platinum. Its ten alluring originals include “The Mind of Love,” “Miss Chatelaine” and signature song “Constant Craving,” which earned lang a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Produced with longtime collaborators Ben Mink and Greg Penny, INGENUE offers a blend of craft, intelligence and simmering emotions that listeners will constantly crave, and we'll give the set another spin now to wish k.d. lang a happy birthday.
The Elektra Years: Complete (Album of the Day)
Formed in Los Angeles, Bread would become one of the most successful soft rock bands of the 1970s – and one that remains among its most rewarding. Founders Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer and David Gates were all talented singers and songwriters, and the band scored a dozen Top 40 singles (including such favorites as “Make It with You,” “If” and “Everything I Own”). That the group's music was consistently good beyond the hits is borne out by the new boxed set THE ELEKTRA YEARS: THE COMPLETE ALBUMS, which gathers BREAD, ON THE WATERS, MANNA, BABY I'M-A WANT YOU, GUITAR MAN and LOST WITHOUT YOUR LOVE. It's a lot of Bread for just a little money, and these memorable melodies and engaging arrangements will never go stale.
One Of These Night (Album of the Day)
An Album of the Year Grammy nominee and a quadruple-platinum smash, ONE OF THESE NIGHTS proved to be Eagles' breakthrough release. The product of more than a year's work by the band and producer Bill Szymczyk, the 1975 Asylum collection includes three Top 10 singles: "Lyin' Eyes,” “Take It To The Limit” and the title track. The increased emphasis on rock heard here would lead to the departure of country-leaning co-founder Bernie Leadon following the supporting tour, leaving singer-songwriters Glenn Frey and Don Henley firmly in the driver's seat. Frey was born on this day in 1948, and in his honor we'll give ONE OF THESE NIGHTS one more spin.
There's Gonna Be A Showdown (Album of the Day)
Born in Henderson, Texas on this day in 1944, Archie Bell made some of the most joyously danceable soul music of the 1960s with his group, The Drells. Their final album for Atlantic Records, THERE’S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN, was one of their best, with such highlights as “Girl You're Too Young,” “Go For What You Know” and the Top 40 title track. The material and arrangements are strong throughout; the 1969 collection was produced by future Philadelphia International hitmakers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who cowrote eight of the dozen tracks here along with frequent collaborator Thom Bell (no relation to Archie). The infectious and funky fun of THERE’S GONNA BE A SHOWDOWN makes it perfect for a party, so we’ll use it to wish Archie Bell a happy birthday!
Happiness LTD. (Album of the Day)
"We wanted this record to be written on the road," noted Hot Hot Heat frontman Steve Bays of HAPPINESS LTD, "partly so the influences would be more varied, but also so we could test out the songs live before we recorded them.” The strategy paid off - the Canadian quartet's third studio set broadens their music considerably. The New Wave-tinged indie rock that brought them to fame is here and as catchy as ever on "Let Me In” and "Give Up?,” but there are also songs that plumb darker emotional depths such as the title track. Released 10 years ago this month, HAPPINESS LTD marked the debut of guitarist Luke Paquin, and the Sire collection has a big, aggressive sound sure to make listeners happy.
One Hot Minute Deluxe (Album of the Day)
On this day in 1993, former Jane's Addiction axeman Dave Navarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers; his time with the band was brief but intense, making ONE HOT MINUTE a particularly appropriate title for their sole album together. Produced by Rick Rubin, the Warner Bros. set has a more metallic edge thanks to the new guitarist, and despite an apprehensive lyrical outlook, such songs as “Warped,” “My Friends” and “Aeroplane” helped drive the album to double-platinum status. The Deluxe Edition of ONE HOT MINUTE adds such bonus tracks as “Let's Make Evil,” “Stretch You Out” and "Bob" (about fellow L.A. rocker Bob Forrest) to the original 13, offering a closer look at one of the Chili Peppers' most underrated albums.
ANTHOLOGY 2: GROUPS & COLLABORATIONS (Album of the Day)
Legendary guitarist Steve Howe's five-decades-and-counting career is the focus of the new ANTHOLOGY 2: GROUPS AND COLLABORATIONS, the second in a series of archival releases. The three-CD set features 56 tracks that mix hits with a generous selection of unreleased recordings. The collection starts with mid-Sixties songs from bands like The Syndicats, The In Crowd and Tomorrow before revisiting some of Howe’s most memorable contributions to two of the world’s most successful progressive-rock groups: Yes (“Roundabout,” “Tempus Fugit”) and Asia (“Heat Of The Moment,” the previously unissued “Masquerade”). The collection also touches on supergroup GTR (including ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett) and musical collaborations with such performers as Fish of the band Marillion. More than a dozen unreleased tracks make their debut on ANTHOLOGY 2.
Learning to Crawl (Expanded & Remastered) (Album of the Day)
The loss of a lead guitarist and a bassist in less than a year would have destroyed many bands, but Pretenders bounced back from tragedy with LEARNING TO CRAWL. The 1984 Sire set includes a magnificent tribute to the late James Honeyman-Scott in “Back On The Chain Gang” (a Top 10 hit), but the bulk of the ten tracks show the band looking forward rather than backward. With producer Chris Thomas returning to the helm, frontwoman Chrissie Hynde came up with some of her best songs, ranging from fiery rockers (“Middle of the Road,” “My City Was Gone”) to tender balladry (Christmastime classic “2000 Miles”), with an ace cover of The Persuaders' “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” to round out the set. More than a triumph over adversity, the platinum-certified LEARNING TO CRAWL stands among the very best Pretenders albums, and today we'll give it another spin in honor of Hynde's birthday.
Rockabye (Album of the Day)
Singer-songwriter Robin Holcomb emerged from New York in the late 1980s with a striking style connecting spare folk to avant-jazz and all points in-between. Her second album for Elektra, ROCKABYE, is among her most accessible, with Holcomb's earthy voice spinning tales of human struggle and natural wonders across ten originals. Friends including guitarists Peter Holsapple and Bill Frisell provide instrumental support without ever upstaging Robin's distinctive piano work. ROCKABYE celebrates its 25th anniversary today, and if you have any desire to explore the more experimental edge of Americana, don't let another year go by without it.