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Minutes to Midnight (Album of the Day)
“We were looking back at the things that we had done in the past,” noted Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda of MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT, “and we just needed to move on.” Coming four years after METEORA, the band's 2007 studio set shows a more mature side to the talented sextet - there's a little less rap than fans may be used to, and even a slow song or two (“Shadow Of The Day,” “The Little Things Give You Away”). That variety makes tracks like “What I've Done” and “Bleed It Out” hit even harder; Linkin Park and producer Rick Rubin dial the intensity up and down with a sure hand. It may sound different from its predecessors, but like them MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT was a smash, and topped the charts in 16 countries around the world including the U.S. and the U.K.
Three (Album of the Day)
A legendary composer, bandleader and bassist, Charles Mingus had many albums to his credit but few that featured the intimate setting of THREE. As its title suggests, there are just two others here – pianist Hampton Hawes and drummer Dannie Richmond – but it's the quality of the players, not the quantity, that counts. Recorded in New York City one July day in 1957, the Jubilee set is pretty down-to-earth by Mingus standards, hewing closely to melody and giving each instrumentalist space to make his mark. Along with fine versions of such familiar tunes as “Summertime” and “Laura,” there are a pair of Mingus originals (“Back Home Blues” and “Dizzy Moods”) and one penned by Hawes. THREE has just been reissued, and it's a worthy addition to any jazz collection.
New Traditionalists (Album of the Day)
If current events haven't made you a believer in Devo's theory of de-evolution, give a listen to NEW TRADITIONALISTS. The group's reaction to the rise of the right-wing helped inspire the title, but whether the plastic pompadours that the spudboys model on the cover of the 1981 collection are inspired by Kennedy or Reagan, it's clear they hold out little hope for modern society on these 10 originals. Skewering everything from the political process (“Enough Said”) to their newfound fame (“Through Being Cool”) to glib positivity (“Beautiful World,” a minor hit), these songs are among Devo's darkest and most direct, even when peppered with synth-pop hooks. We'll wish band co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh a happy birthday with another spin of NEW TRADITIONALISTS.
Life After Death (Album of the Day)
Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G., would have turned 50 years old tomorrow; unfortunately, the legendary East Coast rapper was killed in 1997 just weeks before the release of his second album. The acclaimed LIFE AFTER DEATH picks up right where Biggie's debut left off, and like its predecessor, is peopled with thugs and playas trying to survive some very mean streets. But for all its violent drama, the collection also sets its sights on mainstream radio with the catchy beats of "Mo Money Mo Problems" and the unexpected optimism of “Sky's The Limit.” As befits its epic 24-track length, the diamond-certified LIFE AFTER DEATH features a small army of talented producers (Sean "Puffy" Combs, RZA, Easy Mo Bee) and guest rappers (Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony) while remaining the product of a singular vision.
I'm Breathless: Music from and Inspired by the Film Dick Tracy (Album of the Day)
By the close of the 1980s, Madonna had conquered the music world and had her eyes set on the movies, and among her most prominent big screen roles was that of Breathless Mahoney opposite Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy. One of three soundtrack releases accompanying the big screen blockbuster, Madonna's I'M BREATHLESS: MUSIC FROM AND INSPIRED BY THE FILM DICK TRACY features several songs penned by Stephen Sondheim (including Oscar winner “Sooner or Later”) and the entire collection tips its Fedora to Prohibition-era pop, jazz and swing. Among its many highlights are ballad “Something to Remember” and “Vogue”; name-checking such Hollywood icons as Garbo, Monroe and Dietrich, the latter song was #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 this week in 1990. The double-platinum I'M BREATHLESS further cemented Madonna's status as one of the world's greatest entertainers.
Best of the Doobies (Album of the Day)
The Doobie Brothers started out playing to bikers in Northern California bars; 50 years and millions of satisfied listeners later, the group made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Given that their biggest album was still a couple of years down the road, one could see Warner Bros.' decision to issue BEST OF THE DOOBIES in 1976 as a little premature, but it's tough to argue with an album as filled with great music as this one. From TOULOUSE STREET through TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS, these 11 tracks include 9 Top 40 hits - “Listen To The Music,” “Long Train Running,” “China Grove” and chart-topping “Black Water” among them. The Diamond-certified BEST OF THE DOOBIES is guaranteed to keep you rockin' down the highway.
Little Earthquakes (Deluxe Edition) (Album of the Day)
Singer-songwriters were no longer in vogue and women in rock were still considered a novelty in 1990 when Tori Amos approached Atlantic Records with demos for her debut; the intrigued-but-cautious label sent her to England to woodshed the material. Whether or not that was necessary, it seems to have worked – when LITTLE EARTHQUAKES was released in 1992 in the U.K., it hit #14 on the chart before earning a stateside release that garnered reams of critical praise. Intensely personal, piano-led songs like “Me And A Gun,” “Silent All These Years” and “Crucify” connected with an audience in a way few could have predicted, and their cumulative effect remains stunning. One of Amos' very best albums, LITTLE EARTHQUAKES DELUXE EDITION features 18 B-sides, live tracks and other rarities.
The Wild Heart (Album of the Day)
As a member of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks was already part of one of the world's most popular rock groups when she launched her solo career in 1981 with BELLA DONNA, a worldwide hit. Nicks proved that success was no fluke with her follow-up, THE WILD HEART, which peaked at #5 on the album chart and has been certified double platinum. The 1983 collection produced singles “If Anyone Falls,” “Nightbird” and Top 10 favorite “Stand Back,” and the album-only tracks are just as appealing. Tom Petty co-produced the set and contributed “I Will Run To You,” which features him and the Heartbreakers; other musical guests include Mick Fleetwood, Toto's Steve Lukather and an uncredited Prince. We'll give THE WILD HEART another spin now to wish Stevie Nicks a happy birthday.
Pisces, Acquarius, Capricorn, & Jones Ltd. (Album of the Day)
The Monkees were on a commercial roll when they went into the studio to cut PISCES, AQUARIUS, CAPRICORN AND JONES LTD; the quartet had outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the preceding year. Micky, Davy, Mike and Peter were also at their artistic peak, and the resulting record stands proudly with the best of the era. A showcase for superb singing and playing from all four members, the 1967 Colgems collection features such outstanding songs as “Love Is Only Sleeping,” “Words,” “What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?” and Top 10 hit “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” Like its predecessors, PISCES, AQUARIUS, CAPRICORN AND JONES LTD was a million-seller, going to No.1 in the U.S.
My Favorite Things (Album of the Day)
Rhino reissues have used such titles as “The Last Giant” and “Heavyweight Champion” to describe John Coltrane and that's entirely fitting - the saxophonist grew from accomplished sideman to sonic revolutionary. Trane came into his own as a composer and group leader during his tenure with Atlantic Records, and MY FAVORITE THINGS, his 1961 album for the label, remains a highlight of his career. Along with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Steve Davis and drummer Elvin Jones, Coltrane employed extended improvisations to reinvent four standards, turning the title track into one of jazz music's signature recordings. A double-disc 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of MY FAVORITE THINGS has just been released including the mono mix of the album which, until its recent rediscovery, had been thought lost.