The Young Rascals -- S/T

  First of all check out those shirts and ties, yikes ... what were they thinking???  The Young Rascals self titled debut is at best ok, definitely proves Phil Spector's theory about the album, being pretty much why bother, 10 duds for 2 hits, makes allot sense for the early sixties.  Not that the tunes here are all that bad, it's good ol' American blue-eyed soul, mostly all cover songs, except for one, which isn't anything to write home about.  Even the number 1 mega hit single "Good Lovin'", is a cover of the Olympics, which they make it sounds almost the same as the original ... so no I'm not diggin' it.  The Young Rascals are a good band, just not worth the time, better off spending your dough on a Olympics album instead!!

Prince -- 1999

  This guy is one of the greatest rock star alien's since Bowie, bringing the mainstream to the dirty underground .... It all starts off with apocalyptic party tune 1999 and follow suit from there with his Minneapolis Pop sound.  The fourth side depicts Prince's best musical innovation, minimalist synth funk, these tracks are always his best work.  But "don't worry, I won't hurt, I only want you to have some fun," because, "life is just a party and parties weren't meant to last," so, "tonight I'm going to party like it's 1999," ... well not really ... those days for me are long gone, thank god!

The Clash -- London Calling

  The ultimate Clash album London Calling, some say they sold out, abandoning punk rock, I think that's a load of crap, unless selling out means you made one of the greatest records of all time?  The album is a mish mash of styles, but all Clash music, a sorta World Punk, making the movement accessible to everyone, speaking to them all in song, just like the greats, Dylan, The Beatles, etc, can do.  London Calling is such a good record that if you meet someone who doesn't like it, run away, because they're probably not from Earth!

Hank Williams -- Lives Again

  Hank Williams provides half of the archetype that is Rock 'n' Roll music, Robert Johnson providing the other.  Lives Again is a basic greatest hits, everyone knows each and every one of these songs on this record.  Williams's haunting voice of a man suffering with chronic pain (spina bifida), addiction and heart break is incomparable but often mimicked, even with the uptempo numbers you hear the drowned out alcoholic gasping for air just to have himself a good ol' time.  There will be nothing else like Hank Williams, his influence spans generations and his legend will live forever.

David Bowie -- Lodger

  Bowie's/ Eno's Lodger is the denouement of the Berlin Trilogy, Low being the start, and "Heroes" the height.  This album sounds like awkward coked out European New Wave.  To some it's a under-rated classic, to me it's an interesting mess.

ENO -- Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)

  Master sound manipulator, Eno's second solo release, Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), is a precursor to so much music it's hard to name drop just who without leaving an endless list.  The best way to label this, according to me, is futurist experimental dada geek rock.  The album itself is a monolith of theories and ideas, from using oblique strategies (which he was co-inventor during this album, they are a set of cards presenting 100 dilemmas to help with creativity) in the recording process to being inspired by a Chinese Opera (Taking Tiger Mountain) in the writing process.  The good things about this record are endless and maybe hard to find to an amateur listener, but if you have a vast interest in music, I'd strategize to get this album right away!!

Motown Grammy Rhythm and Blues Performances Of The 1960's

  Motown Grammy Rhythm and Blues Performances Of The 1960's is a collection of Motown's MEGA classics!  This slew of tunes are totally over-played radio hits from Motown's best era, and who cares if they are over-saturated, there's good reason ... they'rrrrrrrre great ... who wants to live in a world where songs like, Baby Love, Heat Wave, Uptight, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, I Second That Emotion, My Girl, etc, don't exist???  When you hear this stuff you realize that they don't make em' like they used to, Hitsville USA just knew how to get it done, put the right sounds in the right places ... and dats all grandpa has gotta say! RIGHT ON BROTHA!!!!