Def Leppard Hysteria… #Music #1987 #albums

 

1987 was an AWESOME year for me!!!! I went to Disney World with my family, I was finally a big shot Sixth grader at my K-6 Elementary School and (drum roll please…) Def Leppard’s Hysteria album was released! “Pour Some Sugar On Me” became an instant classic all over the airwaves!

This was their first album after the tragic car accident which left their drummer Rick Allen with one arm. Before this unfortunate incident, the band was riding high on the success of their first #1 album Pyromania which catapulted them to superstar status and made them the unquestioned kings of hard rock. They were among the cool hair metal bands out there.

But Def Leppard would not be denied. Using a custom made electronic kit, Rick Allen would continue to not only drum for the band but also become their inspiration. With producer Mutt Lange manning the boards, the band would alter their sound more towards a pop direction while still maintaining some of their metallic crunch. Lead singer Joe Elliott also toned down his vocals and began singing in a more intelligible and softer tone than his previous raspy voice (Think Brian Johnson from AC/DC).

As a result, the band did the near impossible. They released an album that would be even more successful than Pyromania delivering 6 huge hit singles. Also, worth noting is that this album helped revolutionize the music industry with both its glossy production and its album length at 63 minutes at a time when most albums were still around 45 minutes long. These aspects would lead to longer and more polished albums in general for most popular music.

The songs presented here are nearly all top notch with the best featuring catchy hooks that were instantly recognizable and stayed in your head for years upon hearing them. The tracks “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and the ballads “Love Bites” and “Hysteria” were huge hits and still sound great. “Armageddon It”, “Animal”, and “Rockit” were also top 20 hits and feature memorable riffs and catchy choruses.

 

 

The proceeding post is from an ongoing list of albums that represent what I feel to be the forty greatest albums to be released in forty consecutive years in a row since the year I was born.

It is based on my education, obsessions and life experiences. Through friends, family and my obsessions I found inspiration. Some factors in determining these albums are:

• I can listen to them numerous times.
• Some of these artists have stand out performances.
• Some are based on artist’s best albums, which fall into place with the year that they originated in.

Ultimately this ends up being the top forty albums in my humble opinion. Sometimes the artists pay tribute; other times it is just considered their peak performances. In many ways you could say that all years since 1976 are represented. But these are more than my just favorites, they are simply amazing albums and a sample of the best list I could think of that demonstrates the BIG 40 spectacular pieces of music in my lifetime, so far…

#1986 #Megadeth #Music #Thrash

 

Funny story about this one. My mom and dad found this laying around, shortly after I bought it. They listened to it (well parts of it) and glanced at the lyrics and album cover and hated it. They threw it in the trash and did NOT want me to have it. Somehow I acquired it again and still kept listening to it. I think they wanted to make sure that I didn’t get influenced by Satan, or whatever! LOL

Ironically, this album is my favorite one to be released in 1986 (even though I didn’t buy it until the Spring of 1991) My friend Jason and I were hanging out at the mall and went into a Sam Goody Record store. We each picked out a cd. This was the one I bought. I initially was attracted to the cover. I too was attracted to the lyrics I read in the sleeve. I couldn’t wait to go home and listen to it.

This is definitely one of the best metal albums of all time and should be on anyone’s top ten list of all time. Megadeth has not produced a CD of this greatness before or since. Don’t interpret this as not liking their other stuff. But this is the first one I tend to pull out to listen to in its entirety. The guitar playing and Dave Mustaine’s growling voice just don’t get any better. My ultimate favorite songs are “The Conjuring” and “Bad Omen”.

Even the cover art is awesome and puts forward the premise of “Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying”. This one along with Metallica’s “Ride The Lightening” sums up the state of today’s world.

If you’re a metal head, this CD is a must buy!!! That’s all….carry on. 🙂

 

btw……I think my parents will forgive me on this one 🙂

#1985 #Music Husker Du…New Day Rising

 

Husker Du…New Day Rising…1985

Yet it was 2004 when I really “heard” it.

I still remember the first time I brought this record home (a gift from my friend Craig) and threw it on my cd player…….to this day it never gets tiresome. The more you listen to it the more of the subtle textures and sounds you pick out of the mix. I just find it mind numbing that with all the studio time and technology that with all the band’s that Husker Du has spawned and none of them has made a record that even deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as New Day Rising!

 

As far as who wrote the best songs? You’d have to flip a coin. Mould (Celebrated Summer, 59 Times the Pain, and I Apologize) and Hart (Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill, Books about UFO’s, and Terms of Psychic Warfare) could have each put out great albums of just their own material. But what makes this record so special is how each other’s songs compliment and contradict each other. This record should be in any serious music fans collection. If it’s not already don’t wait another day!

 

This album is the Huskers at their peak, their most creative point musically.

All in all, this album is simply phenomenal.

#Vinyl …a new series on #HBO

There’s a new series on HBO. It’s called VINYL and takes place in New York City.

The year is 1973 and it was an important time in music history.

Plenty of sex drugs and rock & roll and lots of cocaine!

The blues, birth of  hip-hop, punk rises and disco started to emerge as well.

American Century Records vs German Polygram

Led Zeppelin cheated out of a contract and there are money deals to be made.

Its about discovering new artists, making promises and telling lies to your clients within the music industry.

It’s  about NOT making friends with your clients. Just crack out those hits and make us money because its a business.

Fashion and graffiti sprays the streets of NYC while buildings collapse and people rushing through dirty areas to check out bands like the New York Dolls playing at small clubs.

Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger produce this series…and they do it well!!!

Wild parties, orgies, loaded on cocaine, loaded with guns, murder, cover ups and drinking your problems away because deals gone wrong.

It’s a greedy business with butterfly collars, bell bottoms, platform shoes, trendy sunglasses, a desk drawer full of various uppers, downers, screamers, laughers, joints.

The spirit of the hippie 60’s still exist during a new wave of punk, but in order to keep a record company from “tanking,” you need to make deals and sell, discover new talent, bring them in and get them to record with you to get noticed because otherwise you’re gonna bomband you don’t want to sell your soul for rock and roll……

#Metallica Ride The Lightning #1984

When I first heard this album on cassette tape, I was a Freshman in High School (1990). Yet this record came out in 1984. I was a little tardy to the party, you might say.  But it instantly became a favorite. I played the tape over and over again. Even when I worked on my Math homework. I thought it was incredible. Make no mistake, this is one of the greatest albums ever made, for sure. When the acoustic intro to “Fight Fire with Fire” starts out, you might think you bought the wrong album, but then the heavy guitar hits you like a ton of bricks, and before you know it, you’re thrashing around, destroying everything in sight.

The guitars are very tight, and awesome solos exploding everywhere. Cliff’s bass is very menacing (if not a bit hard to hear). Lars doesn’t stand out much, but he does a pretty decent job. There isn’t a bad moment on here, but the highlights would have to be the classic “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, the amazing ballad “Fade to Black”, and, one of the greatest thrash songs ever, “Creeping Death”. It all amounts to what is simply one of the greatest thrash metal albums ever made.

There is a great deal of argument as to which Metallica album is the best. Many seem to think that “Master of Puppets” is the best, but I am very adamant in my decision that this is their finest moment. Anyway, if you love great metal, this is one album you should definitely buy. Man, this was great metal. I wish more people did stuff like this today.

 

Peace Out!

 

C-Note

Huey Lewis & The News!!! #1983#Sports #music

WOW 33 YEARS!!! Has it been that long since this one came out? Being a MTV kid I so remember getting this CASSETTE {YES Millenials a cassette}.

“Heart and Soul” took MTV by storm and was a winner on Friday Night Fights for weeks and being 39 now when i hear “If this is It” it takes me to my neighborhood friend’s backyard playing throwing the ball around with my baseball buddies and swimming all day in the backyard pool at my home, the album is just packed with classics “Bad is bad” “If this is It” Just a classic album and when i listen to it, It always makes me smile and takes me back to a more fun and innocent time. Thanks Huey! I have a memory to share now.

Once, my sister and I hopped on this ride (called the Enterprise, I think) because it looked fun. Van Halen music was starting to fade out in the background as Jess and I stood in line waiting to go on. The previous ride had just finished up and we were eager to hop into this 2 passenger rotating gondola experience. We thought it would be fun to spin around in a circle that eventually would be like a Ferris wheel. Well almost 90 degrees. There’s a fair amount of centrifugal force involved too. The thing is, I was unaware that the ride spins you UPSIDE DOWN. At the time it was kinda scary!!! For some reason, that fact surprised me and my sister. She wasn’t used to being upside down. But then the cage closed, the squeaky metallic hydrological arms started to propel us into a twirl of impending doom. Well maybe not that bad but I certainly felt the heavy metal vibes slowly kicking in a la Huey Lewis style…….it was 1988 (come on, give me a break! His music was the bomb back then!)

I had experienced The Demon and Tidal Wave at Six Flags Great America, so I wasn’t too worried. I think it just freaked us out. My mom was probably nearby on the ground watching in terror not realizing that this was the kind of ride we were on. It initially seemed harmless like Tilt-A-Whirl or something. Upside down rides seem to be the ultimate in terror, for many. I honestly don’t know if either of us cried. What really stood out was this music that saved me. “Walking on a Thin Line,” by Huey Lewis & The News was blasting the whole time. I felt that this song saved me. Totally 80’s sounds! Fears….nerves….sweat all began to rise. Felt like we were trying to resist but at the same time just gave up and surrendered to this carnival ride. The drum beats, guitar solos and that typical hairband type of rhythm fit perfectly with the spinning Enterprise experience! Who knows where these memories come from. But I sure had a blast!

Here’s the song

 

 

The proceeding post is from an ongoing list of albums that represent what I feel to be the forty greatest albums to be released in forty consecutive years in a row since the year I was born.

It is based on my education, obsessions and life experiences. Through friends, family and my obsessions I found inspiration. Some factors in determining these albums are:

• I can listen to them numerous times.
• Some of these artists have stand out performances.
• Some are based on artist’s best albums, which fall into place with the year that they originated in.

Ultimately this ends up being the top forty albums in my humble opinion. Sometimes the artists pay tribute; other times it is just considered their peak performances. In many ways you could say that all years since 1976 are represented. But these are more than my just favorites, they are simply amazing albums and a sample of the best list I could think of that demonstrates the BIG 40 spectacular pieces of music in my lifetime, so far…

 

King of Pop #Thriller #1982 #MichaelJackson

In 1982; videos, music and dance changed the industry and brought back Motown! Whether you admit it it or not. Love him or hate him. Gotta give credit where credit is due! Michael Jackson’s Thriller was a groundbreaking album that defined my youth in the early 80’s…..

 

I tried really hard to determine which album released in 1982, belonged on my list. Prince, Duran Duran, Iron Maiden, Dire Straits and Roxy Music all released albums that year. But they truly paled in comparison to this one.

Songs like “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” rocked the airwaves!

It won 8 Grammy Awards including Best Album. It is also one of the best selling albums of all time.

His dance moves, charisma, pop style and catchy beats with massive production by Quincy Jones made this album an Epic Masterpiece!

As a 6 year old boy, I remembered my mom buying the vinyl record and singing along to Billie Jean in the kitchen. As kids we tried to immitate his infamous dance move….”The Moonwalk!”

He was the man! That epic short film/music video THRILLER is one of the greatest moments in music video history:

WATCH THE FULL LENGTH THRILLER VIDEO HERE

#1981 #RUSH #Moving Pictures

In 1976, Rush released the record 2112. I chose that one to represent my “birth” record.

Then in 1981, Rush makes a strong comeback with the album “Moving Pictures.”

The album shows a meld of two styles, fusing their prog rock elements with more radio-friendly rock. While prog still has its influence, the band is showcasing what’s coming up with their next releases, that being synthesizers.

Not only is this album the most appealing to a potential buyer by having a lot of hits, it has a perfect balance between the older Rush and the futuristic Rush to come.
It also helps that every member of the band is at the top of their game on this album. Geddy Lee’s distinctive bass skills skills and vocals remain sharp as ever, Alex Lifeson’s excellent guitar work holds its own, and Neil Peart is at his best at both drumming and lyrics.

Tom Sawyer and Limelight are prime examples of terrific songs on this record.

They “progressively” moved forward with these tunes. Synthesizers, more fueled drumming, amazing guitar chords and further defining that 80’s sound.

Way to go boys!

The proceeding post is from an ongoing list of albums that represent what I feel to be the forty greatest albums to be released in forty consecutive years in a row since the year I was born.

It is based on my education, obsessions and life experiences. Through friends, family and my obsessions I found inspiration. Some factors in determining these albums are:

• I can listen to them numerous times.
• Some of these artists have stand out performances.
• Some are based on artist’s best albums, which fall into place with the year that they originated in.

Ultimately this ends up being the top forty albums in my humble opinion. Sometimes the artists pay tribute; other times it is just considered their peak performances. In many ways you could say that all years since 1976 are represented. But these are more than my just favorites, they are simply amazing albums and a sample of the best list I could think of that demonstrates the BIG 40 spectacular pieces of music in my lifetime, so far…

 

AC/DC was BACK in BLACK #music #1980 #AC/DC

 

The year was 1980 and the album “Back In Black” featured a new lead singer named Brian Johnson who replaced former AC/DC singer Bonn Scott who died months earlier.

With the death of Scott, there were folks (non-believers) who that thought this was the end of the hard rocking Australian band. But we were all shocked that “Back In Black” was a HUGE success with essentially no filler tracks.

The album produced a number of hits with the title track, “Hells Bells” and “You Shook Me All Night Long”. In my opinion some of the best songs on the album were the deeper cuts such as “Shoot To Thrill”, “What Do You Do For Money Honey” and “Shake A Leg”.

With Johnson being added to the line up, the band seemed to be stronger and more powerful than ever, and Angus Young’s guitar riffs and power chords are absolutely amazing. Just listen to his lead guitar in “Shake A Leg” and I’m sure you’d agree.

I had to think really hard which album came out in 1980 that would represent a part of the soundtrack of my life. But then suddenly, it all made perfect sense.

Numerous soundtracks have included AC/DC songs from this album, from the film “Maximum Overdrive” and “Iron Man 2,” to name a few.

If you want to hear hard rock the way it was meant to be then pick this superb album up and enjoy. Welcome to the 80’s!!!