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Hit to Death In the Future Head (Album of the Day)
We're not quite sure what the title to the Flaming Lips' HIT TO DEATH IN THE FUTURE HEAD means, but if U.K. group The Futureheads drew their name from it, that's a good endorsement of the album. As the final collection with drummer Nathan Roberts and guitarist Jonathan Donahue (who left for Mercury Rev), the set marked a change in the Lips' lineup, but the music was transitional as well. The 1992 release shows the Oklahoma band sneaking up on the accessibility that would make them alternative rock stars a little further into their tenure with Warner Bros. - there are appealing melodies in songs like “Gingerale Afternoon (The Astrology of a Saturday),” and frontman Wayne Coyne's vocals are stronger than ever (though for you indie purists, there's also a half-hour of noise on the hidden bonus track). We'll cue up HIT TO DEATH IN THE FUTURE HEAD now to wish Coyne a happy birthday.
Please (Album of the Day)
When Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe struck up a conversation about electronic music in a London hi-fi shop, neither could have guessed that as Pet Shop Boys they would become one of the most successful duos in U.K. history. The five years that elapsed between that 1981 meeting and debut album PLEASE were well spent; Tennant's stint with Smash Hits magazine and PSB's work with New York producer Bobby Orlando provided plenty of inspiration for these 11 originals, which include singles “Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money),” “Love Comes Quickly,” “Suburbia” and “West End Girls,” which reached #1 on the British chart on this day in 1986. Filled with sly lyrics, infectious rhythms and memorable melodies, the platinum-certified PLEASE was a Top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic.
Dixie Chicken (Album of the Day)
The L.A. music scene was a busy one in the early 1970s, and even a band as talented as Little Feat could get lost in the shuffle. After their first two albums for Warner Bros. earned raves from critics and fellow musicians – but relatively meager sales – the group reorganized, bringing in a new guitarist, bassist and additional percussionist. It was just the kick in the pants Little Feat needed; the album that followed in January 1973, DIXIE CHICKEN, may be the Feat's finest. Featuring some of founder Lowell George's most memorable songs (including “Two Trains,” “Fat Man In The Bathtub” and the title track) and a funky New Orleans feel, the collection is both relaxed and sophisticated.
Warren Zevon (Album of the Day)
By the time Warren Zevon cut his self-titled major label debut in 1976, the performer had a decade in the music business under his belt - singing in a folk-rock duo, penning commercial jingles and leading the Everly Brothers' band, among other duties. The years of experience and associations paid off handsomely on WARREN ZEVON, which boasts a superb set of songs and all-star support from the likes of producer Jackson Browne and members of Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys and Eagles. Warren's 11 sardonic originals include “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” “Hasten Down The Wind,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” and “Carmelita” (the latter three all covered by Linda Ronstadt), and bristle with biting wit. Warren Zevon was born on this day in 1947, and his eponymous Asylum album shows one of SoCal's darkest singer-songwriters in a very flattering light.
The Everly Brothers Show (Album of the Day)
In 1970, the Everly Brothers got their own program on ABC-TV (as a summer replacement for The Johnny Cash Show), and to capitalize on the exposure, released their first-ever live album. Recorded at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim earlier that year, THE EVERLY BROTHERS SHOW closed out their Warner Bros. contract with two LPs-worth of classic hits, newer material and covers. The show had a rather conceptual structure, opening with country songs underlining Phil and Don's roots and moving to an 18-minute medley illustrating rock's dizzying evolution. This fascinating look at the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers in concert shows the brothers' legendary harmonizing was as brilliant on stage as in a studio. Phil was born on this day in 1939, and in his honor we'll give THE EVERLY BROTHERS SHOW another spin.
Aretha in Paris (Album of the Day)
Following Aretha Franklin's breakthrough success, Atlantic Records decided to try a live recording; ARETHA IS PARIS shows the Queen of Soul getting a regal reception before a French audience at her May 7, 1968 Olympia Theatre performance. Produced by Jerry Wexler, the collection features the singer and her regular late-'60s touring group (including sister Carolyn on backing vocals) bringing songs from her last three albums and affiliated singles on the road. The baker's dozen tracks include such classics as “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “"Baby, I Love You,” and Franklin's vocals are awe-inspiring throughout. ARETHA IN PARIS proves that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer was one of our greatest musical ambassadors.
Meteora (Album of the Day)
Alternative metal band Linkin Park shot out of the gate in 2000 with HYBRID THEORY, which sold over 10 million copies. Following a remix album, the band's hybrid of hard rock and rap returned in full force three years after their debut with METEORA. Led by the intense interplay of vocalists Chester Bennington and Mike Shineda, the album's 13 tightly wound tracks include such MTV and radio favorites as “Somewhere I Belong,” “Breaking The Habit” and “Numb,” all of which crossed over to pop chart success. Linkin Park's Rob Bourden was born on this day in 1979, and we'll wish the drummer a happy birthday with another spin of the 7x platinum METEORA.
Still (Album of the Day)
Joy Division's catalog is as influential as it is brief; the Manchester quartet cut just two studio albums before the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis. The posthumous Joy Division collection STILL closed the book on the band with rare material from the post-punk greats. The set was originally a double album with the first disc devoted to studio recordings like “Glass” and the previously unreleased “Dead Souls” (plus a great live version of The Velvet Underground's “Sister Ray”), while the second disc featured the band's final gig at England 's Birmingham University in May 1980. Thanks to successor group New Order, Joy Division's stature has only risen since its demise, and STILL adds significantly to the band's legacy.
In honor of the 40th anniversary, the official New Order store is featuring a limited-edition crystal clear vinyl version. Grab a copy while you can.
Angel Dust (Album of the Day)
On the heels of their breakthrough THE REAL THING, Faith No More headed into San Francisco's Coast Recorders with longtime producer Matt Wallace to cut this defiantly weird 1992 follow-up. Unlike its predecessor, ANGEL DUST features the full songwriting participation of frontman Mike Patton, whose twisted sense of humor finds a home in kindergartens, RV parks and operating rooms here. The rest of the band is equally inspired, with particularly fine work from keyboardist Roddy Bottum and guitarist Jim Martin (who would leave Faith No More after this album) augmented by a wild selection of samples. Highlighted by singles “Midlife Crisis,” “A Small Victory” and “Everything's Ruined,” ANGEL DUST reached the Top 10, and we'll give it another spin now to wish Mr. Patton a happy birthday.
Fleetwood Mac (Album of the Day)
A rhythm section that had honed their skills on British blues. A keyboardist who was also a talented singer-songwriter. A California couple steeped in folk-rock. Perhaps it was their disparate backgrounds that made it all work, but when these five musicians converged in 1975, the results were magic - FLEETWOOD MAC went to No.1 on the album chart and sold more than five million copies in America. One look at the set's track listing will explain its success; “Rhiannon,” “Over My Head,” “Say You Love Me,” “Landslide” and “Monday Morning” were all tailor-made for pop radio. While they would scale even greater heights with their follow-up, the superb FLEETWOOD MAC deserves a place in every music collection.