David Bowie " 'Heroes' " (1977)

'Heroes'
release date: Oct. 14, 1977
format: vinyl (1984 reissue - NL 83857) / digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,33]
producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti
label: RCA International - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 3. " 'Heroes' " (5 / 5) - 4. "Sons of the Silent Age"

12th studio album by David Bowie and his second in "the Berlin trilogy" released only 9 months following the album Low.
The album has status as one of the finest of rock, or more precisely: art rock. It's Bowie's seventh studio album to be enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
I purchased the album at some point in the mid-80s alongside the predecessor Low after re-discovering Bowie. I had been fascinated by Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980) and simply loved his The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust... (1972) album, so it was a natural option to turn to his acclaimed Berlin-trilogy. I do understand how he was the notorious musical chameleon, and I was prepared to meet a diverse album, but at the same time, I was quite familiar with the fine title track, so I may have been slightly excited about getting the full album. I only felt bewildered as to why I didn't like this so-called masterpiece. Only the title-track felt like a fine song, but how that one song had everyone talking about it and lauding the album as something otherworldly was, and basically still is, beyond my comprehension.
In Bowie's Berlin trilogy 'Heroes' is his second, and that's also the way I rate them: Low, as the first is the best, and then the quality drops one by one. making Lodger (1979) the poorest.
[ allmusic.com, Select 5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4,5 / 5, Blender, NME 4 / 5 stars ]

Blondie "Plastic Letters" (1977)

Plastic Letters
release date: 1977
format: vinyl (CHR 1166) / cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: Richard Gottehrer
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Fan Mail" (4 / 5) - 2. "Denis" (4 / 5) - 3. "Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45)" - 4. "Youth Nabbed as Sniper" - 6. "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence Dear" - 7. "I'm on E" - 8. "I Didn't Have the Nerve to Say No"

2nd studio album by Blondie is produced by Richard Gottehrer, who also produced the majority of the tracks on the debut. The album was probably released in the fall of '77 but had different release dates over a longer period of time all over the world.
This was the first album I listened to with the band 'round about 1978. I had a friend who was a big fan but it didn't get me that much, although we always played Blondie while playing an ice hockey board game we both had. I generally found it more than just okay, some tracks were great but... And that's pretty much how I see it today too. I don't know if I think it's better or worse than the debut. The style is in the same ball game, only the pop / rock aspect may be more prevalent. All throughout the band's many albums, they always played new wave, pop / rock to various degrees, and this album follows in the footsteps with some of the energy of the first album. Especially "Fan Mail" is a great energetic track with both Hammond organ, surf guitar and a catchy and direct new wave chorus and it seems like a perfect follow-up to "X Offender" from the debut album. Most memorable track is possibly "Denis", which is a modern classic but apart from those two, the album is a bit too varied. The band always stood with their feet on two grounds: trying to be new wave and fresh, up on the beat, and running along in the shadow of Talking Heads, and at the same time Blondie represented a much wider aspect of contemporary pop / rock with influences from 1970s prog. rock and traditional pop, which ultimately was a good choice, appealing to a varied and very broad crowd, but that also made their albums extremely broad. Plastic Letters easily surpassed the debut (which reached number #75) on the UK albums chart list peaking as high as number #10 in the UK, but only to number #72 in the US, already depicting how the band would attract a bigger crowd in Europe compared to the domestic market.
[ allmusic.com hands it 3,5 / 5, Rolling Stone Album Guide 3 / 5 stars ]

~ ~ ~

This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

Neil Young "Journey Through the Past" (OST) (1972)

Journey Through the Past (soundtrack)
release date: Dec. 8, 1972
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,88]

producer: Neil Young, L. A. Johnson

label: Reprise Records - nationality: Canada

Track highlights: 4. "Ohio" - 5. "Southern Man" - 8. "Alabama"

An original soundtrack by Neil Young produced with Larry Alderman Johnson, who is credited because he stood behind the footage to the film. Now this is indeed a strange official release by being a soundtrack album to a movie also by Neil Young. The movie is the journey back to his time before he went solo. It features live sessions from TV broadcasts with Buffalo Springfield, live recordings with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, rehearsal outtakes from the Harvest sessions with The Stray Gators, and it contains recordings by The Tony and Susan Alamo Christian Foundation Orchestra and Chorus. The music is both a variety of styles, but what is bad as a soundtrack album is its lack of sound quality, which probably has to do with the fact that the album was only released on vinyl and tape, and still hasn't been issued as CD reissues. The album is mostly found as bootlegs and really is only a must for someone who likes to own everything by Neil Young. He has released much better live albums and also better retrospective recordings later in his career. However bad the sound is, you still have to admire songs like the abovementioned, which stand out as landmarks.

The Beatles "Golden Greatest Hits" (1978)

Golden Greatest Hits (compilation)
release date: 1978
format: vinyl (1979 Club Edition, DK)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: George Martin
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK

16 track best of compilation by The Beatles. The album was originally released in '78 as a cassette only issue, but in '79 released on vinyl. The tracks are from the band's entire career without any attempts to list the songs in any specific order.

Jethro Tull "Stormwatch" (1979)

Stormwatch
release date: Sep. 14, 1979
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,60]
producer: Ian Anderson, Robin Black
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights:1. "North Sea Oil" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Orion" (3 / 5) - 3. "Home" (3,5 / 5) - 4. "Dark Ages" (3 / 5) - 7. "Old Ghosts" (3 / 5)

12th studio album by Jethro Tull is also known as the final album in a trilogy starting with Songs From the Woods (1977) with focus on folk rock in a celtic folklore frame. The album may very likely have strong bonds to the '77 and '78 albums, but I never found it any near the same level, and / or of much interest. I think, time simply caught up with a band that didn't fit in anymore, and just enjoyed playing big live concerts repeating itself, and here, band leader and composer Anderson hasn't been able to come up with his usual strong compositions. The album is the last with the band's most celebrated members list including Ian Anderson, Martin Barre, John Evan, David Palmer, John Glascock, and Barriemore Barlow. After this album only Anderson and Barre would continue Jethro Tull with new band members. The band's bassist John Glascock wasn't able to contribute on all studio recordings due to heart problems, and was replaced on a successive US tour, and eventually died in Nov. '79. The untimely death of the band's bassist led to drummer Barriemore Barlow's departure from the band in early 1980, and as a consequence of Anderson's announced plans to record a solo album, both David Palmer and John Evan decided to leave. After this, Anderson worked on and recorded his first solo album but due to contractual obligations the album was released as a Jethro Tull album titled A (1980) for "Anderson", with a very different kind of music in a synth pop style, which is of even less interest.
[ allmusic.com 2 / 5 stars ]

David Bowie "Low" (1977)

Low
release date: Jan. 14, 1977
format: vinyl (1983 reissue - NL 83856) / digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti
label: RCA International - nationality: (West) Germany

Track highlights: 1. "Speed of Life" - 4. "Sound and Vision" - 6. "Be My Wife"

11th studio album by David Bowie and his first in what is known as "the Berlin trilogy" - followed by the albums 'Heroes' (Oct. 1977) and Lodger (1979).
The album is Bowie's sixth studio album to be enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
I do know how people refer to the trilogy as something spectacular, but I never really enjoyed any of the albums all that much. "Sound and Vision" is a great track, but in my ears, I simply cannot understand how what all the fuzz is about. Avant garde Oooooh yes! I guess that's what you have to say when melodies are absent and the sound is unlike anything else but mostly feels like sand in ears.
Not recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone, Q Magazine, Blender 5 / 5, NME 4,5 / 5, Spin 4 / 5 stars ]

The Beatles "Love Songs" (1977)

Love Songs (compilation)
release date: Oct. 1977
format: vinyl (1978, Yugoslavia)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: George Martin
label: Jugoton - nationality: England, UK

Compilation album by The Beatles originally released by Parlophone.

The Beatles "The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl" (1977) (live)

The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl (live)
release date: May 1977
format: vinyl (gatefold - EMTV 4)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Voyle Gilmore; George Martin (final mixdown)
label: Parlophone - nationality: England, UK

Live album by The Beatles recorded at the Hollywood Bowl Aug. 30, 1965 except tracks #A6 to #B1, #B4 to #B6 recorded Aug. 23, 1964.
The album is one of my first vinyl acquisitions in the 1970s.

[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

Frank Zappa / The Mothers of Invention "Mothermania - The Best of The Mothers" (1969)

Mothermania - The Best of The Mothers (compilation)
release date: Mar. 24, 1969
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5]

A rather funny album compiled by Zappa. The majority of the tracks may be found on first three albums by Mothers of Invention, however, the tracks on the compilation are alternate tracks with different lyrics and / or playing time.

Jethro Tull "Live: Bursting Out" (1978) (live)

Live: Bursting Out (live)
release date: Sep. 22, 1978
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: Ian Anderson
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: England, UK

1st live album release by Jethro Tull was originally released as a double vinyl album. The recordings are not taken from one single concert but are excerpts from various live performances recorded during the band's European tour in May / Jun. '78 while promoting the band's most recent album Heavy Horses and put together by Anderson. The credited personnel include Ian Anderson on lead vocals, flute and acoustic guitar, Martin Barre on electric guitar, mandolin, marimba and backing vocals, John Evan on piano, organ, accordion, synthesizer and backing vocals, David Palmer on portative organ, synthesizers and backing vocals, John Glascock on bass, electric guitar and backing vocals, and Barriemore Barlow on drums, glockenspiel, backing vocals and flute. Although, it only contains two songs from Heavy Horses, which was the tour's main objective to promote, it's a rather fine and wide-ranged live album. There are no attempts in trying to mute the reactions from the crowd, and it reflects a fine level of energy, and also shows how much diversity the band's repertoire contains. The selection of songs are from all the band's albums, thus making it more of a compilation statement rather than a promotion. One could fear that playing older material alongside brand new compositions would make it a bit of a mixed bag it really isn't, as the band's playing style, arrangements and engagement make it a fine experience.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]

Neil Young "Harvest" (1972)

Harvest
release date: Feb. 25, 1972
format: cd (1989 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,02]
producer: Neil Young & Elliot Mazer; Henry Lewy; Jack Nitzsche
label: Reprise Records, Germany - nationality: Canada

Tracklist: 1. "Out on the Weekend" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Harvest" (4 / 5) - 3. "A Man Needs a Maid" (3,5 / 5) - 4. "Heart of Gold" (5 / 5) - 5. "Are You Ready for the Country?" - 6. "Old Man" (4 / 5) - 7. "There's a World" - 8. "Alabama" - 9. "The Needle and the Damage Done" (4 / 5) - 10. "Words (Between the Lines of Age)" (3,5 / 5)

4th studio album by Neil Young is another essential release by Young in his early solo career. The style is more laid-back with its country rock / folk rock, and the studio personnel on the album were The Stray Gators (Ben Keith, Jack Nitzsche, Kenny Buttrey, Spooner Oldham, Tim Drummond) with backing vocals by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Linda Ronstadt, and two tracks feature The London Symphony Orchestra. The album was made without the Crazy Horse members, which underlines the fact that it's more folk than rock.
The track "The Needle and the Damage Done" is Young's experience with drug addiction in the aftermath of several friends' and artists' deaths as results of heroin abuse. It's also a remark to Danny Whitten of Crazy Horse, who had a serious drug abuse, and Young also wrote the song as a warning. Whitten died later in November that year.
The album is naturally enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". I don't find it as great as his two previous albums, but having said this, Harvest is still near essential.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Stiff Little Fingers "Hanx!" (1980) (live)

Hanx! (live)
release date: Sep. 1980
format: vinyl (CHR 1300) / digital
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Doug Bennett
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Nobody's Hero" - 2. "Gotta Gettaway" - 3. "Wait and See" - 4. "Barbed Wire Love" - 5. "Fly the Flag" - 6. "Alternative Ulster" - 7. "Johnny Was" - 8. "At the Edge" - 9. "Wasted Life" - 10. "Tin Soldiers" - 11. "Suspect Device"
[ full album playlist ]

3rd album release by Stiff Little Fingers on Chrysalis is their first live album and one of my first acquisitions with the band. It may seem pretty early to release a live album after only two studio albums but SLF was a terrific live band, which this serves to document.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]

[ SLF live at Rockpalast Nov. 30, 1980 ]
[ SLF older and live at The edge, 2004 ]
[ Older men playing punk, 2011 ]
[ Even older men playing punk, 2013 ]

The Police "Zenyattà Mondatta" (1980)

Zenyattà Mondatta
release date: Oct. 3, 1980
format: vinyl / cd (reissue) / cd (2014 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,98]
producer: The Police, Nigel Gray
label: A&M Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: A) 1. "Don't Stand so Close to Me" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Driven to Tears" - 3. "When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around" - 4. "Canary in a Coalmine" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Behind My Camel" (4 / 5) - 3. "Man in a Suitcase" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "Shadows in the Rain"

3rd studio album by The Police follows one year after Reggatta de blanc, and like that it includes Nigel Gray as co-producer. Sting is here back as undisputed songswriter being credited eigth out of eleven tracks. Summers provides one song only (track #B2), and Copeland is credited two songs (tracks #A6 and #B5).

Again, the band has changed style, although this time it's more of a subtle turn. The strong jazz and fusion element is more subdued and the album appears as less experimental with a bolder mainstream pop / rock profile. Fans all over the world immediately embraced the album, it won them several awards, however, critics were less enthusiastic about the broader appeal and a turn to "easy" money. But it goes down as the band's confirmation of their breakthrough on both sides of the Atlantic with Reggatta de blanc.

I have always thought of their first three albums as a trilogy, and it makes sense in more than one way. These three have all been given strange or non-English titles. They're all founded on basically the three instruments the trio handles: bass, guitar, and drums / percussion, and they all include tracks of fast, short new wave tracks, whereas the last two studio albums have much more complex orchestration with keyboards, horns and strings, aside from having less reggae-inspired compositions.

Anyway, this album plays a major part of my youth and the music I listened to just before throwing myself over punk rock. So in that sense this is a fine link between traditional pop / rock of the 1970s and new musical styles. Just like their previous album, Zenyattà ended up on top of the UK albums chart list, a position it also made in Australia and in France.

In my book, this is their second-best album overall, and definitely one to know of.

[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, Rolling Stone Album Guide 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Neil Young "After the Gold Rush" (1970)

After the Gold Rush
release date: Sep. 19, 1970
format: cd (1987 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: Neil Young, David Briggs with Kendall Pacios
label: Reprise Records - nationality: Canada

Tracklist: 1. "Tell Me Why" (4 / 5) - 2. "After the Gold Rush" (4 / 5) - 3. "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (5 / 5) - 4. "Southern Man" (4 / 5) - 5. "Till the Morning Comes" - 6. "Oh, Lonesome Me" - 7. "Don't Let It Bring You Down" (4 / 5) - 8. "Birds" (3,7 / 5) - 9. "When You Dance I Can Really Love" (4 / 5) - 10. "I Believe in You" - 11. "Cripple Creek Ferry" (4 / 5)

3rd studio album by Neil Young is a solo release, however, Crazy Horse members guitarist Danny Whitten, also credited harmony vocals and co-lead vocal on "Cinnamon Girl", bassist Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina (also harmony vocals) all contribute on the album resembling the line-up as was the case on the previous release. Aside Crazy Horse also Nils Lofgren is credited on guitar, piano, and vocals, Stephen Stills as vocalist, Jack Nietzche on piano, and bassist Greg Reeves are co-musicians here.
The album contains so many great songs - and you really need this in any pop / rock music collection including the 1970s. With this he stands out as one of the few who took folk rock and singer / songwriting into a new era - making it contemporary. His previous two solo albums after leaving Buffalo Springfield, the homonymous debut (that links him very much with the material he wrote for Buffalo Springfield) and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, had already proven that he was the driving force of Buffalo Springfield and much more than just a gifted and promising singer and songwriter of folk and country. The album is naturally enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

1970 Favourite releases: 1. Creedence Clearwater Revival Cosmo's Factory - 2. Van Morrison Moondance - 3. Neil Young After the Gold Rush

Jethro Tull "Heavy Horses" (1978)

Heavy Horses
release date: Apr. 21, 1978
format: vinyl / digital
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,77]
producer: Ian Anderson
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: A) 1. "...And the Mouse Police Never Sleeps" - 2. "Acres Wild" (4 / 5) - 3. "No Lullaby" (4 / 5) - 4. "Moths" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "Rover" - 2. "One Brown Mouse" (4 / 5) - 3. "Heavy Horses" (4 / 5)

11th studio album by Jethro Tull. The members list remain the same as on Songs From the Woods (1977), and the music is like its predecessor progressive rock but with strong focus on a folk element, which has roots in British pagan folklore. Compared to the '77 album it appears as a tighter album. I have always had a soft spot for this album and even liked it a lot at the age of 13 when it was released and my older brother played it. As I recall it, my brother didn't particularly enjoy it that much, as he handed me the album in a plastic bag with 20 other fine albums 2-3 years later. I think, he found the band's move towards folk a difficult move having associated the band with psychedelic hard rock and progressive rock only. The band found it increasingly difficult to attract the crowds, and the album didn't sell quite as good as their earlier albums still managing to reach number #20 in the UK, and to number #19 in the US and in Germany. I guess, much of the reason to people's general declining interest for the band had much to do with new popular styles in the world of popular music as new wave and punk rock, which in essence was a reaction to music created by bands like Jethro Tull - music that was recorded and produced by established artists and required a considerable amount of money spent on equipment and studio recording time. Despite being released in the second year of the British punk rock wave, this is still a remarkably fine album in its own rights.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars]

Van Morrison "Wavelength" (1978)

Wavelength
release date: Sep. 1978
format: cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,42]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Polydor Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Kingdom Hall" - 2. "Checking It Out" - 3. "Natalia" - 6. "Wavelength" - 8. "Hungry for Your Love"

10th studio album by Van Morrison originally released on Warner Bros. and with himself as producer sees Van take on a more contemporary pop / rock-styled mix of pop soul and rhythm & blues.
Critics were split when reviewing the album, although, they agreed that it was his clearly most pop-styled album so far, but it turned out as the success he had been looking for as it was his fastest selling album to date reaching 'Gold' status in the US within only three months. The album success made him assemble a backing band and launch on a promotion tour.
It's not one of my favourite Morrison albums. I have always found that it wasn't among his best performances nor displaying his best material. Some compositions are too slick cut and the result is a strange mix of intentional direction. There are some truly heartfelt and strong soul-elements that I really like - even in his most pop-styled songs like on "Natalia" and "Hungry for Your Love", and there are the more r&b-fused energetic bursts like "Kingdom Hall" and "Checking It Out", but then the remainders don't quite fit in with that but are singer / songwriter material that sums it up as a more uneven yet also more mainstream album than eg. A Period of Transition, which in comparison seems more honest. These two albums are very different but I still find it hard to pick which one I prefer, though, they are solid albums.
Now, I really like most of the single tracks on this, but it's not an immediate favourite of mine.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Rolling Stone Album Guide 2,5 / 5 stars ]

Madness "Absolutely" (1980)

Absolutely
release date: Sep. 26, 1980
format: vinyl / cd (2000 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]
producer: Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley
label: Stiff Records / Virgin (remaster) - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Baggy Trousers" - 2. "Embarrassment" - 3. "E.R.N.I.E." - 4. "Close Escape" - 6. "On the Beat Pete" - 7. "Solid Gone" - 10. "Disappear" - 13. "You Said"

2nd studio album by Madness who has by now become a septet as regular associate / lyricist / contributor Cathal Smyth (more commonly known as Chas Smash) has joined the band on backing and co-lead vocals and trumpet. The album picks up the style established on the debut album with a slightly more polished production pointing towards a more mainstream audience without losing grip with the 2 Tone ska revival sound.
This album was my first acquisition with the band after having heard One Step Beyond..., and I always considered it a very fine album without being truly great. I do think my feelings about it only has increased making me think of it as yet another corner stone of British pop / rock music of the 1980s. Back in 1980, I think I thought of the band as being too silly, and certainly, even by comparing Madness to contemporaries like The Jam, The Clash, Siouxsie and The Banshees and Joy Division do seem like a bit silly; however, they unquestionably were among a handful of artist [which include Ian Dury, Toy Dolls, Undertones] who brought a [laugh and a] positivity into contemporary popular music, which was basically unheard of at the time.
The album fared quite well peaking at number #2 in the UK, and "Baggy Trousers" and "Embarrassment" reached number #3 and #4 respectively on the British singles chart making Madness one of the hottest names of popular music. Music critics were divided about the whole ska revival thing. Not surprisingly, the English press loved the band, although, some saw Absolutely as weaker and less raw than the debut, and the band sold well in the Netherlands, but the style wasn't embraced with the same enthusiasm on the other side of the Atlantic. Actually, far from it. Rolling Stone still rates it 1 / 5 stars and refers to another famous band of British ska revival from 2 Tone Records: The Specials, simply as 'not very good'. I guess something similar would've happened as British critics should review a new pure country album.
Anyway, the album is essential when speaking of the 1980s music.
I don't really think of it as a lesser work compared to the debut album. The only striking difference is an improvement in sound.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 1 / 5 stars ]

Love Shop "Skandinavisk lyst" (2012)

Skandinavisk lyst
release date: Oct. 12, 2012
format: cd (UNI 3718293)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]
producer: Mikkel Damgaard
label: A:larm / Universal - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 2. "Kvælertag" - 3. "Himmelskibet" - 6. "Mere vil have mere" (live) - 7. "Skandinavisk lyst" - 9. "Skyggehjerte" (4 / 5) - 11. "Sommeren der aldrig kom"

9th studio album by Love Shop. Jens Unmack now single-handedly continues Love Shop and that's really just great news. The album, which is more of a collaboration work with producer and keyboardist, Mikkel Damgaard, really proves its purpose. It's the strongest album by the 'band' in 18 years (only surpassed by Billeder af verden, 1994, and Go!, 1997). The untouchable classic is "Skygehjerte" but other fine tracks are "Kvælertag", "Himmelskibet", "Mere vil have mere", and "Sommeren der aldrig kom". This fine release could be the result of great workmanship, or simply from playing together for many years, but could also be a product of their experiences from the previous album, Frelsens Hær (2010), on which I think, Mikkel Damgaard may have taken a too dominating role. On this, he sort of builds on, and contributes to, a Love Shop tradition (as developed by Unmack, Hassig and Hall) and simply adds his own personality and great ideas, which in the end, and in a most strange way, makes it an almost classic Love Shop release although the only founding member left, is Jens Unmack.
Album dedication: "In memoriam HH & HH", [Hilmer Hassig and Henrik Hall].
[ Gaffa.dk 4 / 5 stars - read more: www.jensunmack.dk ]

Bob Marley "Greatest Hits of Bob Marley" (1980)

Greatest Hits of Bob Marley (compilation)
release date: 1980
format: vinyl
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: Lee Perry
label: Babylon - nationality: Jamaica

Compilation album by Bob Marley with twelve tracks.

The Jam "Live EP!" (1983) (ep) (live)

Live EP!, 7'' ep (live)
release date: Sep. 7, 1983
format: vinyl (LTD. - SNAPL 45)
[single rate: 4 / 5] [4,18]
producer: Peter Wilson
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Move on Up" - 2. "Get Yourself Together" - - B) 1. "The Great Depression" - 2. "But I'm Different Now"
[all tracks recorded Live at Wembley Arena, Dec. 2 & 3, 1982]

A 7'' 4-track ep by The Jam only distributed with a limited number of the 2 lp compilation album Snap! (1983), which is where I got the ep. The four tracks were all recorded during the band's farewell tour in '82, and they are just great live tracks.

[ collectors' item ]

The Jam "Snap!" (1983)

Snap! (compilation)
release date: Sep. 7, 1983
format: 2 lp vinyl (LTD., gatefold - SNAP 1)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: C. Parry; V. Smith; The Jam; P. Wilson
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK

The first best of compilation album by The Jam released on Polydor. The album was released approx. one year after the disbandment. I remember ordering the album in England, and my surprise of having an additional 4-track ep Live EP included in the package when I opened it - beacuse they had sent me the Limited Edition of the album. I also remember my initial luke-warm feelings about the album, as there was nothing new to the songs. Naturally, I knew them all so well by heart that it simply failed to attract my attention.
From wikipedia: Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic called it "one of the greatest greatest-hits albums of all time". And yes, that may very well be so. It's a great album with a bunch of essential tracks. My only problem with it, are not just the omitted tracks but really the oddness upon hearing tracks from different times just after each other. The band came out of punk rock with an energy that other band's envied them, found their own version of mod revival in a unique combination of new wave and post-punk, and ended with a sound that incorporated soul and r&b in that mod revival outfit they represented more than anything.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5 stars ]

[ collectors' item - Ltd. Edition with 1 x 7'' ep in near perfect condition ]

Love Shop "Frelsens Hær" (2010)

Frelsens Hær
release date: Nov. 1, 2010
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: Mikkel Damgaard
label: A:larm - nationality: Denmark

Best track: 1. "Redningsklar" (4 / 5) - 2. "Ikke langt herfra" - 4. "Drømmeslottet" - 5. "De elskende" - 11. "Fester i Danmark"

8th studio album by Love Shop is the first studio album after the new formation of the band - now a duo consisting of Jens Unmack and Henrik Hall. The revival of the band became a reality after several memorial live concerts in early 2009 held in memory of the band's former member, co-founder, musical core-composer, and producer Hilmer Hassig, who was tragically killed in a drive-by car accident, Nov. 2008.
It's also the first studio album in 7½ years succeeding National from 2003. The new album title is Danish for 'Salvation Army'. It contains the very strong single hit "Redningsklar" and "Ikke langt herfra" and apart from these, the rest may not seem on the same level, but it's clearly far from the most recent and rather mediocre releases, which also had led Hassig to his decision to leave the band in late 2003.
Current album producer Mikkel Damgaard, who already played additional keyboards on the band's last three albums, counting from Det løse liv (1999), has also worked with Jens Unmack on his two solo albums, and here he initiates his collaboration work with Unmack & Hall in an extended producer-role as co-writer on three of the tracks - he also took part in the band's live concerts. Later on, Damgaard will be a substantial partner of Unmack in his project to continue Love Shop as a band.
My initial and long time thoughts about the album made me think of it as a minor work, but I have come to realise that it's a quite strong album, which also signals the new start of Love Shop. The album emphasises stronger on the synthpop element that almost always was part of the band's sound, and may be seen as a combo of what has characterised the solo works by Unmack and Hall that represents a big mix of influences but ultimately condenses into this new embodiment of Love Shop. Many national music critics embraced the album as a very successful and strong return.
Frelsens Hær is the last to feature long-time band member, harmonica-player, keyboardist, composer and vocalist Henrik Hall. [ Read more: www.jensunmack.dk ].
[ Gaffa.dk 3 / 5, Undertoner 4,5 / 6, Berlingske, Soundvenue 5 / 6 stars ]

The Zombies "As Far as I Can See..." (2004)

As Far as I Can See...
release date: Apr. 26, 2004
format: digital
[album rate: 2 / 5]

Well, again an attempt to revive the greatness of a band long gone. They never were a favorite band, and frankly, I don't see why they should persist to release music under a name that once was. The original band members are here reduced to half of that former successful band. They could've called themselves by any other name or just... Old Zombies or: Half a Zombie.

Not recommended.

The Zombies "Odessey and Oracle" (1968)

Odessey and Oracle
release date: Apr. 19, 1968
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

Best tracks: 1. "Care of Cell 44" - 12. "Time of the Season"

3rd studio album by British band The Zombies. This is a highly praised and classic pop album. I don't really understand the hype and the tremendous appraisal it received. I put it on, listen to it, and try to understand as to why, but it only eludes me. I don't get it, and I find it boring and senselessly dull. All I can think of, is that it seems like a pop-version of some of the harder music at the time, maybe, a softer pop-version of The Doors or Jefferson Airplane - a link between the British pop-invasion of The Kinks and The Who, and the aforementioned American bands together with harmonies by The Beach Boys. I just don't like that clone. The album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

The Zombies

~ ~ ~

The Zombies: formed 1961, Saint Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. The band was originally formed by keyboardist Rod Argent, bassist Paul Arnold, guitarist Paul Atkinson and drummer Hugh Grundy. Arnold was soon replaced by Chris White, and this was the formation that became famous for their psychedelic pop and baroque pop style in the mid and late 1960s. They were rather popular on both sides of the Atlantic, and their 1968 major album was the original band's last recording. Actually, the band was dissolved before its release. The album was a huge success, and perhaps on that account the band members, exclusive the vocalist Colin Blunstone, brought the band back together for a short time in 1969. They disbanded again in '69, revived in 1990 - this time without both Argent and Arnold who had been the band's dominant songwriters. This time they managed to release two albums before disbanding again, but the band reunited in 2004, and they have stayed together since, although the original line-up has been altered.
Band members: Rod Argent (keyboards, 1961-69, 2004-present), Paul Atkinson (guitar, 1961-68), Hugh Grundy (drums, 1961-69, 1990), Paul Arnold (bass, 1961), Colin Blunstone (vocals, 1961-68, 1990, 2004-present), Chris White (bass, 1961-68, 1990), Jim Rodford (bass, 1969, 2004-present), Rick Birkett (guitar, 1969), Sebastián Santa María (keyboards, 1990), Keith Airey (guitar, 2004-10), Steve Rodford (drums, 2004-present), Tom Toomey (guitar, 2010-present).

~ ~ ~

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young "Déjà vu" (1970)

Déjà vu
release date: Mar. 11, 1970
format: digital (1993)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,96]
producer: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
label: Warner Bros., Japan - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Carry On" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Teach Your Children" - 4. "Helpless" (4 / 5) - 9. "Country Girl"

Debut as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and the follow-up to the album Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby, Stills & Nash from 1969. The album was originally released by Atlantic Records and at the time the band was perceived as a super-group, which could become America's Beatles. This may be seen in the light of the fine reception of the Crosby, Stills & Nash debut album and also the great successes by Neil Young and Buffalo Springfield - needless to say, the expectations were there.
The music is, in my mind, a strange pot of genres and styles - some tracks are entirely folk rock, others are a mix of that with blues rock and psychedelic rock, which brings to mind bands like Jefferson Airplane and the like [e.g. track #2. "Almost Cut My Hair" by David Crosby], or: a mix with country rock [e.g. track #3. "Helpless" by Neil Young].
The album was well-received, although, not all critics agree in the positive feelings (see Rolling Stone review from 1974 at the bottom). It went all the way to the top of the US albums charts, and it's enlisted in various best of lists including "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
I don't really like it that much. There's too much psychedelic rock of the Woodstock era going on with jazz rock and fusion rock in the arrangements to my liking, and I have to confess that I never liked the music by neither Graham Nash nor David Crosby that much. I think the best songs on the album are material by Stephen Stills and Neil Young respectively. Some songs like track #7. "Our House" scream: The Beatles!, or track #2 "Teach Your Children": The Byrds! in a way that makes you wonder on which album by either you'll find the original. Best track is the simple classic "Helpless" by Neil Young. That song just seems out of tune with the rest as being the only pure country rock and singer / songwriter compositions on the album, and basically fits much better on his album After the Gold Rush released 6 months later. In more recent interviews, Graham Nash has put it into words how it was to work with Neil Young at this stage, where Young was still in his formative years. Nash points to the fact that they just thought they would continue their initial work as an extended Crosby, Stills and Nash-project, but that they all felt how strong the influence was from Neil Young, and listening to his contributions - which they had no expectations to - completely blew them over. Also, as they finished the recordings to the album, Young would go into the studio to record his landmark album After the Gold Rush released Sep. 1970.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5 stars - Rolling Stone denies it stars ]

The Jam "Dig the New Breed" (1982) (live)

Dig the New Breed (live)
release date: Dec. 10, 1982
format: vinyl (2383 658) / digital
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,16]
producer: Peter Wilson
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "In the City" - 2. "All Mod Cons" - 3. "To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time)" - 4. "It's Too Bad" - 5. "Start!" - 6. "Big Bird" - 7. "Set the House Ablaze" - 8. "Ghosts" - 9. "Standards" - 10. "In the Crowd" - 11. "Going Underground" - 12. "Dreams of Children" - 13. "That's Entertainment" - 14. "Private Hell"

First live album by The Jam released on Polydor and produced by Peter Wilson was announced the final album release by The Jam after the disbandment in early December. Several later albums have been issued but this was planned before their split. The live takes are various recordings spanning most of their career from 1977-82.
The album is a great live album showing what the band were capable of. Just three guys playing and sounding like 5 or more. My favourite track from this album has always been "It's Too Bad" in this electrifying live version.

Jens Unmack "Dagene løber som heste" (2009)

Dagene løber som heste
release date: Mar. 23, 2009
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,72]
producer: Nikolaj Nørlund
label: Auditorium / A:larm - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Piloten på sin allersidste dag" (live) - 2. "Dagene løber som heste" - 3. "Stjernelys" (4 / 5) - 4. "Hvis du tager mig med" (4,5 / 5) - 5. "Mænd uden ord" (4 / 5) - 6. "I de tabte sale" - 7. "Motorvej til himlen" - 8. "Steder hvor du bløder" - 9. "Vinterpalads" - 10. "Det eneste vi har"

3rd solo studio album by Jens Unmack again with Danish solo artist Nikolaj Nørlund as producer. The title is an abbreviated translation of Charles Bukowski's book of poems "The Days Run Away Like Wild Horses Over the Hills".
The album marks a change of style to a more chamber pop founded music, which suits Unmack's haunting lyrics nicely, but the collection of songs are also better balanced making it a more coherent album than his predecessor Aftenland Express (2007). With this he puts him in front of the majority of Danish songwriters, and the album is his so far finest solo release, although, it failed to attract a broader public. Several of the songs seem inspired by the loss of friend, co-founder, and guitarist of Love Shop, Hilmer Hassig.
[ read more: www.jensunmack.dk ]

UB40 "The Singles Album" (1980)

The Singles Album (compilation)
release date: 1980
format: vinyl (GRADSLP 3)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Bob Lamb, UB40, Ray "Pablo" Falconer
label: Graduate Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Food for Thought" - 2. "King" - 3. "My Way of Thinking" - 4. "I Think Its Going to Rain Today" - 5. "Dream a Lie" - - B) 1. "Tyler" - 2. "Adella" - 3. "Little by Little" - 4. "The Earth Dies Screaming" (12" Version)

1st compilation album by UB40 released in the same year as the band's debut album, which may seem a bit strange, but fact is, the band released four singles in 1980 - the first single with "Tyler" as A-side had two tracks on the B-side ("Adella" and "Food for Thought") and the other three singles consisted of two tracks each, which makes a total of nine tracks, and that's exactly the number of tracks on this album. Also, the band released these singles on Graduate Records, while signing for DEP International in late 1980, which perhaps better explains the purpose of this issue.
Six of the tracks are actually found on the strong debut album, which was a double vinyl release containing 13 tracks.
The album is a fine collection displaying the band's initial take on roots reggae in combination of dub reggae completely without the band's later taste for melodic pop.

Zap Mama "ReCreation" (2009)

ReCreation
release date: May 26, 2009
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

Studio album by Zap Mama is a another style fusion album by this interesting singer. The music here is a capella, neo-pop soul, r&b, world, lounge, vocal jazz, synthpop... the variety is there! I think it's too messy, too mixed up and without direction. It's not better than her 2007 release but even more varied. I think she could be more direct in her style.

Zap Mama "Supermoon" (2007)

Supermoon
release date: Aug. 7, 2007
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

Zap Mama has released albums since the debut, Zap Mama in 1991. She's obviously inspired by African music - this one is however, more contemporary neo-soul and r&b, although one may hear world and / or African style on several tracks, and a few are almost entirely much more African world, like: track #8. "Gati", and track #9. "Kwenda". Also, there's vocal jazz inspiration on some of the slower tracks. It's really not bad, it's just not unforgettable.

Jens Unmack "Aftenland Express" (2007)

Aftenland Express
release date: Mar. 26, 2007
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,16]
producer: Nikolaj Nørlund
label: Auditorium / A:larm - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Film vi har set" - 3. "Holiday Inn" - 5. "Hvem skulle have troet?" - 6. "Louise siger" - 8. "København i dine øjne" - 14. "Aftenland" - 16. "Når jeg har mistet mere (end du nogensinde får)"

2nd solo studio album by Jens Unmack released on Auditorium and like his debut from 2006 produced by Nikolaj Nørlund.
Stylistically, the album is still synthpop but it seems more aggressive and experimental, and basically is more in style with what former friend and band member of Love Shop, Henrik Hall made on his solo debut album Solo (2006). The album contains 17 tracks, and as several are very fine compositions, the album also contains some tracks that sound much alike. After listening more to the album, I find it better, although, it's not his best solo album, imho.
[ read more: www.jensunmack.dk ]

Zap Mama

~ ~ ~

Zap Mama: born (1964) in Isiro, Haut-Uele District, Democratic Republic of the Congo to a Belgian father (killed same year she was born) and a local Bantu mother, who was evacuated to Belgium; aka: Marie Daulne [birth name]; aka Zap Mama, or: Zap Marie.

~ ~ ~

Henrik Hall "Chok suk og koma" (2008)

Chok suk og koma
release date: Feb. 18, 2008
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,45]
producer: Mikkel Damgaard
label: A:larm Music - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Shake Shake" - 3. "Suzuki" - 4. "Ligesom Iggy Pop" - 5. "I Centreville" - 6. "Bunny Blue" - 10. "I min trommerum"

2nd and final solo album by Henrik Hall is an even stronger solo release than his debut from 2006. Alas, this was completely overlooked despite of fine reviews. Hall sings in Danish but the music has a destinct sound of art pop and synthpop with elements of glam rock. It doesn't sound like anything else on the Danish scene, which perhaps made it too strange. Once again, the music is highly depending on the skills of producer Mikkel Damgaard, who is also credited for arranging the music with Hall and for handling keyboards and synths. Both Thomas Risell on bass and Morten Woods on guitars and backing vocals took part in Hall's debut album and they reappear on this. Lars Skærbæk handles electric guitars, Johan Lei Gellett plays drums, and Frank Ziyanak sings backing vocals. Together, the six supporting musicians are credited as Himmelstormerne. The sound is a fine dynamic combination of several styles and in the end this is one of the best Danish albums in 2008. Unfortunately, the album was the last to feature Henrik Hall. Love Shop was reformed as a duo in 2009 after some memorial live concerts held in tribute of the band's guitarist Hilmer Hassig, who had been killed as the result of a drive-by car accident in late 2008. Jens Unmack and Henrik Hall would constitute the new Love Shop incarnation until the untimely death of Henrik Hall in Jan. 2011.
Recommended.

The Velvet Underground With Lou Reed "1969 Velvet Underground Live" (1974) (live)

1969 Velvet Underground Live (live)
release date: Sep. 1974
format: 2 cd (2009 Japan reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Velvet Underground
label: Mercury Records - nationality: USA

2-disc live album by The Velvet Underground recorded Oct. 19, 1969, Dallas, Texas, and Nov. 1969, San Francisco, California. Originally the album was released as a double vinyl album. The first cd version (1988) were two separate releases with the title additions "Vol 1" / "Vol 2" respectively with each cd containing one bonus track, hence two versions of "Heroin" on the 2009 two-disc reissue. As Lou Reed had split with the band in 1970, and since the band continued without him for another three years, the album explicitly says: "Velvet Underground With Lou Reed". At this point the band consists of Sterling Morrison on guitar & vocals, Maureen Tucker on percussion, and with newest member (replacing John Cale) is Doug Yule on bass guitar, organ & vocals. Due to obscure intentions about the ownership rights, the band and Lou Reed found itself in a lawsuit when the album was being released [info]. This is a really fine album that should be included in any collection of 5-6 essential Velvet Underground albums.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5 stars ]

Sort Sol "Flow My Firetear" (1991)

Flow My Firetear
release date: Feb. 26, 1991
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,72]
producer: Kim Hyttel, Sort Sol
label: Columbia Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Siggimund Blue" - 2. "Daughter of Sad" - 3. "Girl of 1000 Tears" - 4. "Carry Me Into the Sun" - 5. "Midnight Train to Summer" (live) - 6. "Desdemona" (4 / 5)

5th studio album Sort Sol (third after renaming from Sods) released 4 years following Everything That Rises... and also reveals a rather bold change of style - just like the band has proved to develop from album to album over the years. The members list remains the same but the musical style has become more mainstream with focus on more traditional hard rock compositions and pop / rock chorus-lines. All tracks are credited all members of the band, although, the majority are written and composed by bassist Knud Odde. The album length is on the short side with a total running time at just over 30 mins.
With this, Sort Sol was all of a sudden on everyone's lips, and the album undoubtedly marks the band's commercial breakthrough in Scandinavia. Tracks #1 and #4 were released as individual singles and #1 and #5 were released on the same 7'' single and a 12'' also containing track #6 was released in '92.
Three tracks from the album became national radio stables that year: "Siggimund Blue", "Carry Me Into the Sun", and "Midnight Train to Summer". The first is great but I actually find that "Desdemona" is the best song on a truly fine album that I easily find their so far best. The first six tracks alone are truly great, and I would not have hesitated in handing it a 4 stars review if it wasn't for the last three compositions, which seems like mere fillers.

Jens Unmack "Vejen hjem fra rocknroll" (2005)

Vejen hjem fra rocknroll [debut]
release date: Jun. 13, 2005
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,06]
producer: Nikolaj Nørlund
label: Auditorium / A:larm - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Joyride" - 2. "Happy Ending (I den her verden vil jeg ikke være trist)" - 4. "Født på en søndag" - 5. "Der kommer en morgen" - 6. "(La la) Hollywood"

Studio solo debut album by Jens Unmack, lead vocalist and primary text writer of Love Shop. The band had just released its first and only best of album Sendt fra himlen (2004) after the band's lead guitarist and co-writer Hilmer Hassig had decided to leave the band.
The music here is associated with what Unmack made before joining Love Shop when he played bass guitar in the band Greene but mostly resembles the sound of Love Shop. It's mainly a pop / rock and subdued synthpop combo in a more intense and introvert expression. I don't find it extremely original, and it basically lacks memorable songs though I do enjoy Unmack's voice and his narrating universe. The album is his first in a series to be produced by (musician and producer) Nikolaj Nørlund.
[ read more: www.jensunmack.dk ]

U2 "Under a Blood Red Sky" (1983) (live)

Under a Blood Red Sky, mini-album (live)
release date: Nov. 21, 1983
format: vinyl (IMA3) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Jimmy Iovine
label: Island Records - nationality: Ireland

Live Mini-album by U2 is a very fine live release consisting of 8 tracks. The location is obviously pointing to the Red Rocks concert in Denver, Colorado held on Jun. 5, 1983; however, the album consists of three different live concerts, and only tracks #A1 and #A4 are actually taken from the Denver concert in June, whereas track #A2 is from a concert in Boston, Massachusetts on May 6, '83 and all of the B-side tracks are recordings from the Rockpalast 83 concert in West Germany, Aug. 20, 1983. The video / dvd is 'a must-have' for any U2 fan, and that only shows images and sound from the concert in Denver - AND it contains 20 tracks.
The selection of tracks quite nicely encompasses their career so far with songs from from their so far three studio albums, although it only contains one track from October. It's a fine portrait of the band's skills as a dynamic live pop / rock band in ravishing progress.
A 2-disc box set containing both the original Mini-Album and the DVD was released in 2008.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

BEST OF 1969:Neil Young & Crazy Horse "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" (1969)

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
release date: May 14, 1969
format: cd (2009 hdcd remaster)
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,28]
producer: Neil Young, David Briggs
label: Reprise Records - nationality: Canada

Tracklist: 1. "Cinnamon Girl" (5 / 5) - 2. "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Round And Round (It Won't Be Long)" (4 / 5) - 4. "Down by the River" (4 / 5) - 5. "The Losing End (When You're On)" - 6. "Running Dry (Requiem for the Rockets)" - 7. "Cowgirl in the Sand" (4,5 / 5)

2nd studio album by Neil Young released as Neil Young & Crazy Horse. This is the first real collaboration work with Crazy Horse consisting of Danny Whitten on guitar and harmony vocals (co-lead on "Cinnamon Girl"), Billy Talbot on bass and with Ralph Molina on drums and harmony vocals. Neil wrote all lyrics and music, which is why the album figures as a mere solo album. This is his first major / essential album, and it brought him to the super league of folk rock - it's the first time he really shines through. The style is more electrified blues rock as all his later albums made with Crazy Horse.
The album is enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

My older brother had the original vinyl lp, and it's the first entire album that I heard with Neil Young. I liked it then - I was only 12-14yo, but later I understood how good it really is, and that's like really great. I think it's one of his top 3 best albums and as such: a must have.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone Music Guide 5 / 5 stars ]

1969 Favourite releases: 1. Neil Young & Crazy Horse Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - 2. The Band The Band - 3. Creedence Clearwater Revival Willy and the Poorboys

~ ~ ~

This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

Henrik Hall "Solo" (2006)

Solo, debut
release date: Mar. 20, 2006
format: cd (alarmcd 102)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,36]
producer: Mikkel Damgaard; Henrik Hall (co-producer)
label: Rockstar records / A:larm Music - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Solo" - 2. "Bibis mund" - 3. "Hun kom, hun gik" - 5. "Min nye limousine" - 7. "Flugtbilist" - 10. "Baby"

Studio solo debut album by Henrik Hall at a time when Love Shop was history after the departure of the band's central composer Hilmer Hassig in 2004. Lead vocalist of Love Shop Jens Unmack, who was the first to release a solo album, Vejen hjem fra rocknroll (2005), also sings on this. In fact, many of the usual staff of musicians contributing on Love Shop material also appear on this one: Thomas Risell has played on a number of Love Shop albums - he also plays bass here. Morten Woods plays guitars and adds backing vocal. Thomas Duus plays drums, and Mikkel Damgaard is everywhere on the album, just like he is and was on Love Shop albums without ever becoming an official member until the reformation of the band in 2009. Damgaard plays a major part on the album with his synths and programming, which makes up the actual sound, although all lyrics and music are credited Henrik Hall. The album is fine and refreshing with its (Iggy Pop) glam rock touch and uptempo style as a bit of a contrast to the more singer / songwriter-based songs with Love Shop. Hall comes out rebel-like and with a bunch of strong compositions bettering at least the last two studio albums by his former band.

Blondie "Blondie" (1976)

Blondie [debut]
release date: Dec. 1976
format: vinyl (1977 reissue) / cd (2001 reissue)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,28]
producer: Richard Gottehrer, Craig Leon, Alan Betrock
label: Chrysalis / Capitol - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "X Offender" (5 / 5) - 2. "Little Girl Lies" - 3. "In the Flesh" - 5. "In the Sun" - 7. "Man Overboard" - 8. "Rip Her to Shreds" - 10. "Kung Fu Girls"

Studio debut album by Blondie originally released on the small label Private Stock Records but already reissued by Chrysalis in Sep. '77. As is the case with most of Blondie albums the single tracks are credited various songwriters, which often has shaped their style in different directions, and made their single albums stand as non-uniform products with some great tracks but also some superfluous or misplaced songs and basically a huge variety of styles involved.
This, the band's debut came out much unnoticed at a time when punk rock and new wave had attracted everyone's attention, and maybe therefore a specific direction is hard to find here."X Offender" (written by Deborah Harry and composed by Gary Valentine) is simply THE track of the album right there among the first new wave songs and in terms of taking part of developing a new style. In my mind, it's also one of the band's best tracks ever. "In the Sun" (by Chris Stein) is a quite fine track as well but the remaining material sounds as if coming from a different band of another time. I don't think, I came across the album until around 1980 - at least not after hearing Parallel Lines (1978). The 2001 reissue comes with five additional demo recordings.
An interesting debut, and in a music historical context, it's way more valued than it works as a stand-alone album. I still (try to) enjoy it, though.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone Album Guide 4 / 5 stars ]

The Police "Reggatta de blanc" (1979)

Reggatta de blanc
release date: Oct. 2, 1979
format: vinyl / cd (1991 reissue) / cd (2013 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,07]
producer: The Police, Nigel Gray
label: A&M Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Message in a Bottle" (5 / 5) - 2. "Reggatta de blanc" - 3. "It's Alright for You" (4 / 5) - 4. "Bring on the Night" (4 / 5) - 5. "Deathwish" - - B) 1. "Walking on the Moon" (4 / 5) - 2. "On Any Other Day" (4 / 5) - 3. "The Bed's Too Big Without You" (5 / 5) - 4. "Contact" - 5. "Does Everyone Stare" - 6. "No Time This Time" (3,5 / 5)

2nd studio album by The Police following 11 months after the debut and it introduces Nigel Gray as co-producer of the first of two albums by the band.
The album introduces a change of style, which I initially, and for the first months, experienced as disappointing. Gone are the fast and simple new wave 3-chord compositions with lots of rock-energy. Instead, the album is packed with complexity, jazz chords and effect pedals en mass but also with a broader repertoire of percussions and cymbals. The strong "It's Alright for You" is the only track that appears to continue the classic rock style found on the debut. The style is not clear or the same throughout the album but it does feel quite tight - perhaps aided by the amount of complexity and brilliant use of a founding rhythm section despite being reggae, jazz, or new wave-oriented compositions. Sting is still primary songwriter but it turns out as the album by the band to have most songs written and composed by Summers and Copeland. Sting is alone credited five out of a total of eleven compositions. Summer is credited as co-composer of two (the title track and #A5), and Copeland is both co-composer on two tracks (the title track and #A5) but also exclusively credited three tracks (#B2, #B4 and #B5).
Regatta de blanc was their first to reach number #1 on the UK album chart list as it also did in The Netherlands, and in Australia, thanks to the strong singles "Message in a Bottle", "Walking on the Moon", and "The Bed's Too Big Without You".
The album is deservedly enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" and it's definitely one of their two best studio releases, but also an album for listeners, I think.
Forced to pick just one of their studio albums, I would go with this one, as it really contains no fillers.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, Rolling Stone Album Guide 4 / 5 stars ]