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The Spirit Room (Album of the Day)
With 2001's THE SPIRIT ROOM, Sedona, Arizona, native Michelle Branch made an impressive and precocious major label debut – she was just 18 when it was released. The Maverick collection would sound assured coming from a singer-songwriter twice that age; the 11 originals are insightful and melodic, and Branch proves a versatile and passionate vocalist. Producer John Shanks applies bright polish to the consistently catchy material, and the result was irresistible to radio: “Everywhere,” “All You Wanted” and “Goodbye to You” were all Top 40 singles, driving the album to double-platinum sales status. Michelle Branch made a welcome return to record stores in April after several years away, and while she still has a long career ahead, THE SPIRIT ROOM shows great talent was there from the beginning.
Twin Peaks (Music From The Limited Event Series) (Album of the Day)
Fans of Twin Peaks were in heaven when news broke that Mark Frost and David Lynch were revisiting their revolutionary television series for 18 episodes on Showtime this year. Directed entirely by Lynch, the new series picks up 25 years after the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town were stunned by the shocking murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer; Kyle MacLachlan returns as FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper. The new TWIN PEAKS (MUSIC FROM THE LIMITED EVENT SERIES) underscores the central part music has always played in Lynch's work, and as it helped establish the haunting, dreamlike nature of the original series, it plays a key role in the new one, from the debut episode's "Twin Peaks Main Theme" by Grammy-winning composer Angelo Badalamenti to such enigmatic tracks as "Shadow" by Chromatics, an electronic band based in Los Angeles. You won't find TWIN PEAKS on any map, but this alluring soundtrack will lead you straight to the heart of its mystery.
The Innocents (Album of the Day)
Erasure's third studio album proved the charm; THE INNOCENTS became the commercial breakthrough for U.K. synth-poppers Andy Bell and Vince Clarke. Released as a single on this day in 1988, opener “A Little Respect” reached the U.S. Top 20, as did “Chains Of Love”; with “Ship Of Fools,” the duo had another signature song. In England the collection was even more successful, becoming the pair's first No.1 and helping Erasure earn a Brit Award for Best British Group. There isn't a dud among the 11 originals here, and producer Stephen Hague adds just the right amount of polish to the soulful vocals and punchy arrangements. The multi-platinum THE INNOCENTS remains one of Erasure's very best, and a must for any '80s fan.
I Got A Name (Album of the Day)
By the time of I GOT A NAME, Jim Croce's name was well established as a hitmaker and storyteller par excellence. Unfortunately, this fifth album would prove to be his last - the beloved singer-songwriter died in a plane crash on this day in 1973, a few months before the collection's release. While the tragic circumstances may have influenced sales of the Cashman-West-produced set (which reached No.2 on the Billboard chart), the high quality of the 11 tracks were sufficient to ensure success. The classic title number (originally recorded for the film The Last American Hero), “I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song” and “Workin' At The Car Wash Blues” were all Top 40 singles, and even the deepest album cuts shine with humanity and fine craftsmanship. As we remember Jim Croce, I GOT A NAME is a poignant reminder of the enduring appeal of his music.
The Wailing Dervishes (Album of the Day)
Even among Atlantic Records' storied 1960s jazz stable, Herbie Mann stood out as adventurous. The pioneering flutist was known for his skill incorporating influences from varied cultures and traditions, and in the case of THE WAILING DERVISHES, he adds Middle Eastern sounds to his considerable sonic palette. Stellar instrumental support from Chick Ganimian on the oud and Moulay "Ali" Hafid on percussion adds authenticity (while far removed from Arabia, Rufus Harley's bagpipes on “Flute Bag” are nonetheless pretty cool), and Mann's improvisational style holds it all together wonderfully. Recorded live 50 years ago, THE WAILING DERVISHES is an early example of world music that will still thrill broad-minded listeners.
Waking And Dreaming (Album of the Day)
“Still The One” was virtually inescapable during the latter half of 1976; in addition to radio airplay, the Top 5 single saw heavy use in fall season promos on ABC-TV. Orleans' biggest hit is the centerpiece of WAKING AND DREAMING but the Chuck Plotkin-produced collection features many other highlights, love song “If I Don't Have You,” the gentle, harmony-filled “Sails” and closer “Spring Fever” among them. Featuring soft rock rooted in R&B, the set would prove the final Orleans album from lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter John Hall. And don't judge this one by its cover - WAKING AND DREAMING will fill your days and nights with beautifully tailored sounds.
The Queen Is Dead (Deluxe) (Album of the Day)
“You cannot continue to record and simply hope that your audience will approve, or that average critics will approve, or that radio will approve,” noted Morrissey of The Smiths' the third studio album. “You progress only when you wonder if an abnormally scientific genius would approve – and this is the leap The Smiths took with THE QUEEN IS DEAD.” Widely considered to be both the U.K. quartet's finest work and one of the greatest albums ever made, the influential 1986 collection includes several of the band’s most memorable moments including the title track and “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” as well as the iconic singles “The Boy With The Thorn In His Side” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again.” The new Deluxe Edition of THE QUEEN IS DEAD features the remastered original album; a disc of demos, b-sides, and alternative versions; an August 1986 Boston concert recording; and a DVD including Derek Jarman's “The Queen Is Dead” film.
Nick Of Time (Album of the Day)
After a decade's worth of albums for Warner Bros., Bonnie Raitt had established a reputation as a musician's musician – but had yet to earn widespread public recognition. That changed with 1989's NICK OF TIME. Produced by Don Was, the set is an ideal showcase for Raitt's blues-inspired singing and guitar work, neatly balancing down-to-earth charm with studio craftsmanship. Though the opening title track and closing “The Road's My Middle Name” are the only songs bearing Bonnie's writing credit, the performances here all ring with passion and authenticity. Grammy voters certainly took note, bestowing three awards on the collection including Album of the Year. Today we'll wish Bonnie Raitt a happy birthday with her multi-platinum comeback release, NICK OF TIME.
Poolside (Album of the Day)
Fronted by the husband-and-wife team of John Smith and Valerie Day, freestyle R&B group Nu Shooz had been building buzz in their native Portland when Atlantic Records signed them in 1986. POOLSIDE soon followed, highlighted by a pair of Billboard Dance chart-toppers: “I Can't Wait” and “Point Of No Return” (the former was also a Top 10 Pop hit). Day's vocals float atop bubbly grooves and inventive synthpop arrangements on these eight originals, any one of which could still lure shoes onto a dancefloor. The success of the gold-certified POOLSIDE helped earn Nu Shooz a Best New Artist Grammy nomination, and the album remains among the group's most appealing.
Pure Guava (Album of the Day)
After a pair of indie releases, Ween made their major label debut 25 years ago today with PURE GUAVA on Elektra Records. With sharper production, it's a more accessible collection than its predecessors, but Gene and Dean Ween still deliver bizarre jokes and draw from eclectic sources on these 19 originals, which include Modern Rock hit (and Beavis and Butt-Head favorite) “Push th' Little Daisies,” proggy “Don't Get 2 Close To My Fantasy” and “Touch My Tooter,” one of several tracks that helped put a Parental Advisory sticker on the set's cover. Pitch-shifted vocals and an overriding anarchic spirit help unify the varied musical styles here, and PURE GUAVA will be pure pleasure to adventurous '90s alt-rock fans.