#446 – MC5, ‘Back in the USA”

Back in the USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Released: 15 January, 1970
Label: Atlantic
Genre: Rock and roll, protopunk, hard rock
Producer: Jon Landau

This was interesting. I was listening to this driving across WA and expecting some hardcore punk for whatever reason. Imagine my surprise when “Tutti-Frutti” explodes out as the opening track. Things then settle down a bit into a fairly frenetic but totally listenable punk-meets-homage to the 50’s. It’s all over in a flash but it’s a pretty good flash while it lasts.

Top tracks: “Shakin’ Street”, though it’s the most mainstream.

#458 – Elton John, ‘Tumbleweed Connection’

Tumbleweed Connection (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Released: 30 October, 1970
Label: DJM (UK), Uni (US)
Genre: Rock, country rock,  Americana, rock and roll
Producer: Gus Dudgeon

This was a huge surprise to me: after years of listening to (and loving) Elton Johns’ various greatest hits, I remained a fan at a distance. I never knew that much about his career or back catalogue; he’s a legend, for sure, but beyond that I didn’t know much. The sheer American-ness of this record is what hit you most – a concept album through and through. It’s interesting to listen to and maybe I’ll leave it at that.

This week: First week of 2014 and we all have to get used to not writing 2013 on our pages of notes at work. Lots of crossed out dates.

#490 – ZZ Top, ‘Tres Hombres’

Tres Hombres (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Released: July 26, 1973
Label: London
Genre: Blues rock, boogie rock, southern rock, hard rock, rock and roll
Producer: Bill Ham

I had always thought ZZ Top were a bit of a joke, but this is great music – for me better than straight blues and basically almost just quintessentially 70’s American rock (which I suppose ZZ Top are).

I didn’t rate this so much at first, but it’s grown on me and I reckon I’d like to try and revisit it in a few weeks to see how I feel about it. On a random side note, I recently watched the movie Warrior, and have fallen in love with the band The National after their song “About Today” was played over the final scene and credits. Heartbreakingly beautiful song and an excellent band. I suspect it’s because of this project, but I’m noticing music more, listening more intently.