It's Been Awhile: My Big Ten Inch.........

My Big Ten Inch Record

........you didn't think it was a picture of my....no....of course you didn't! Somewhere, that picture exists. If so, it was heavily photoshopped.

No....this blog is about MUSIC. Something that is critical to my mental well being. I love music....all kinds of music....I have classical CD's (this piece is my favorite), Country CD's but not many (I love this song), even pop (you can here that 5 billion times on the radio). Basically, I like any music that I can feel, and I think the artist(s) feel (and you can tell).

This blog, that has taken me almost a week to create, is kinda different than most you see on myspace.....because I wanted it to be special. This is my BIG TEN LIST of my favorite records(cd's) but it's more than that. I listened to the music as I put the blog together, and basically, I listened to my life. I heard all of my kids individually, both of my wives, the places I've lived, the bumps and bruises, the successes and failures, the loves and the heartaches, and the friends....there haven't been any enemies.

It's been a crazy, wonderous, tragic, awe inspiring life. And guess what.....Audioslave has a new album coming out. Isn't life grand? Thank you God.

I bought the album that inspired the title of this blog (Aerosmith , Toys in the Attic...in case you didn't know) in 1975. I've had a thousand favorites since then and a few hundred before...everyone from Linda Ronstadt to Linkin Park. However, below are the 10 albums/cd's that are part of me...not necessarily who I am, but at least a part of the process.

There are so many links to reviews, artists, songs and music sites that you may never finish this.....but try....cuz I would appreciate a comment....even if it's "Steve, you fool, why did you waste so much time on THIS"

There is one obscure album on the list, several that wouldn't make any expert's top 500, but the combination of the music and what it meant to me are the reason it's on my list. You've probably at least heard of almost all the artists, but you may never have listened to anything they've played. Here you can. There are at least three times this many that were close enough to agonize over (and probably at least that many that didn't come to mind).... here's a list of some that DIDN'T make my top ten.

Fallen - Evanescence, Come Clean - Puddle of Mudd , Break the Cycle - Staind,
The Pretender - Jackson Browne, Sentimental Reasons -Linda Ronstadt,
In the Heat of the Night - Pat Benatar, Montrose - Montrose, Rush - Rush,
Night At theOpera - Queen, Pieces of Eight - Styx, Beautiful Garbage- Garbage,
You Can Tune A Piano But You Can't Tunafish - REO Speedwagon,
Paranoid - Black Sabath, Sticky Fingers - The Rolling Stones, Tapestry - Carol King,
Rumours - Fleetwood Mac, Ten - Pearl Jam, Audioslave - Audioslave
Golden State - Bush, Ok Computer - Radiohead, Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith,
Sixteen Stone - Bush, Razorblade Suitcase - Bush, Dirt - Alice in Chains,
Human Clay - Creed, Empire - Queensryche, Surfacing - Sarah McGlocklin,
Synchronicity - The Police, A Farewell to Kings - Rush, Throwing Copper - Live,
Dreamboat Annie - Heart, Red Headed Stranger - Willie Nelson,
Stardust Memories - Willie Nelson, Crimes of Passion - Pat Benatar,
Lincoln Park - Meteora,
4 - Foriegner, Street Survivors - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Now....my favorites.

10.Gino Vanelli
Storm At Sunup 5 stars

Storm at Sunup
Gino Vanneli
This one may be the most unique pick, and certainly seems a bit out of place but two things. Gino Vanneli had (and may still have) a great voice, and this is a romantic, fun, sad, soothing album. It's the only Vanneli album I've ever owned.....I came by it originally in the form of an Eight-Track Tape. I think a girlfriend gave it to me for highschool graduation in 1976. My parents had given me a car eight track tape player(i'll bet a lot of you have never even HEARD of eight tracks) so it was at least nice to have SOMETHING to play. I had Gino's tape and a fleetwood mac tape.....for almost a year. Fleetwood Mac, Rumours. The radio stations played that album almost non-stop. For a long time I HATED it. But since it took me a while to warm up to the jazz/fusion of Storm at Sunup.....i just grew to love every song...still do.
FROM A REVIEW ON CD UNIVERSE:
"Gino is the king of rock and jazz fusion and many of the younger generation probably won't or can't comprehend this master. His voice is powerful and has dynamics that will make your hair on your arms stand up."

My Favorites: Storm at Sunup(amazing song....so beautiful ....at one point in the space of maybe 7 or eight words, Gino goes up at least 6 or 7 octives effortlessly, and his voice sounds incredible), Gettin High ("remember I was 18 when I got this), Father and Son, and Mama Coco

LISTEN TO: STORM AT SUNUP Keep on Walking
listen to the whole album here

On MySpace? Click here to visit Gino's Myspace

9. Beatles
White Album (1968)
4.7 stars

The White Album
The Beatles

Enough has been written about the Beatles that I'm quite certain anything I have to say about the band or music would be repetitious but I included this album because, although the Beatles released this double album in 1968, I somehow got a copy of it in 1972.

I was 14, the Beatles didn't exist anymore. McCartney had Wings, Lennon had Yoko Ono, Harrison had the Hari Krishnas and Ringo had Barbara Hershey. I think Ringo had the best deal. The record was eye opening. I had no idea that music could sound like that.....Imagine what people had thought of it four years earlier.

The album was strange but melodic, quiet mostly but somehow still intense. I literally played that record to death, and before my 16th birthday it wasn't worth keeping around. The album I had was white with Beatles embossed on it. Someone told me years ago that this was rare. Figures. I think owning this record, at the point in my life that I did, probably helped as much as anything to make me a lover of music.

From CD universe.com - With the four Beatles playing like session men on each other's songs, the making of the album was fraught with tension. John Lennon's songs included a bitter take on people who read too much into the Beatles' lyrics ("Glass Onion"), reflections on loneliness and alienation ("Yer Blues," "I'm So Tired"), and the avant garde sound collage "Revolution 9." George Harrison's songs offered black humor ("Piggies") and tender sadness ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps," with Eric Clapton on guitar). Paul McCartney provided both light, lyric songs ("Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," "Honey Pie"), and rockers ("Back In The U.S.S.R.," the explosive "Helter Skelter"). Ringo Starr made his solo songwriting debut with the goofy country/ska lilt of "Don't Pass Me By" and sang the album closer "Good Night."

My Favorites:While My Guitar Gently Weeps(I didn't know Eric Clapton played guitar on this.....), Happiness is a Warm Gun, I Will(a sweet nothing of a song, but I like it), Julia

Julia,
CRY BabyCry
WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS

8. Boston (1976) 4.4 stars

Boston
Boston
I remember this like it happened yesterday. My first week in a private dorm in Austin, the University of Texas. 1976. I wanted a new Album but nothing was jumping out at me. Then I saw the cover above. It was cool. The back was filled with a sales pitch on why you should buy the album....it kept saying every few sentences..."Listen to the music".

I did.

I forked over my 4.99....me and over a million others....but Boston felt like MY discovery, and always have.

I listened to Boston and this album at least once a day for 6 months and then barely again for 20 years. But I discovered them, did I mention that?

In the final analysis, it's just a good rock album, not a great one but it's MY album and that what puts it right here.

My Favorites: Let Me Take You Home Tonight, Peace of Mind, Rock & Roll Band
Click these linkes to LISTEN TO: Smokin' and Let Me Take You Home Tonight

7.Elton John
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
4.6 stars

..
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John

Today we think of Elton John as a strange clownish character. When I first listened to him back in 1973, we thought he was a tough punk with talent. You only have to listen to the first song on this double album (Funeral For a Friend) to know that this album is unique. I don't think there is a bad or boring song out of the 17. This was Elton John at his most miserable, confused by his sexuality, struggling with the fame and inevitible loss of integrity that goes with making millions for creativity and natural talent. It was also Elton John at his creative peak. No collection can be complete without this album. It sounds everybit as creative and unique today, 33 years later, as it did when I was in highschool.

My Favorites: Harmony, Funeral For a Friend(love lies bleeding), All the Girls Love Alice, Candle in the Wind(at least until the ran it into the ground after Diana Died....it was originally written as an ode to Marilyn Monroe)
LISTEN TO: Funeral For a Friend, Harmony

6.Puddle Of Mudd
Life On Display (2003)
4.3 stars

Life on Display
- Puddle of Mudd

If it weren't for the fact that I first listened to Puddle of Mudd just barely over a year ago, this album would probably rate in the top three. All it needs is the test of time. This bad has an angry energy that comes through on almost every song. They are on a very short list of bands for who I will brave the stadium crowd to go see live.
Most of their music is testosterone driven but they play some of the best rock accoustical songs around. Ardito, the lead singer, may be close to the most fun to watch AND hear that I've seen. He is like an angry choirboy.

From ROCKRAGE.com
"Bottom Line There's music on the radio that you like until it's played over and over again. Then there's music you hate that's played over and over again, but oddly enough you start to like it. For me, that's Puddle of Mudd's music."

My Favorites: Away From Me, Spin You Around, Think, Sidney, I'm Already Gone, Heal Over Head, Nothing Left to Lose, Time Flies (that's about 3/4 of the album....what does that tell you?)
LISTEN TO : AWAY FROM ME
Spin You Around
Heal Over Head

5.Nirvana
Nevermind (1991)
4.3 stars

Nevermind
- Nirvana

It's hard to believe that it has been 13 years since I first listened to this album. Anyone who does not believer Curt Cobain was a genius has only to listen to a few hours of music prior to 1993, then listen to it now. He is all over it, in almost every rock song in some way. You would have thought this album would be difficult to get into....the subject matter for the most part was depressing, the singer practically growled and grunted the words and there was so much noise you would wonder how they knew which song they were playing. Nirvana never felt like that, like what they appeared to be on the surface.....a bunch of "grungy" misfits... They felt like everything came from deeper than their hearts, their music came from their souls.

My Favorites
Click on the link to listen to: About A Girl Come as you Are

4.Linda Ronstadt
Hasten Down The Wind (1976)
5 stars

Hasten Down the Wind
Linda Ronstadt

Hands down my favorite singer. Forget all the little pop diddies, listen to her sing something with soul! And this album has enough soul for 5. It quite possible is the saddest, most heart wrenching record/cd I ever purchased, and I came across it just about the time I went off to college, my first time away from home. I was homesick, lonely and filled with teenage angst and I had the saddest record ever for solace.

This album made her a star but with the exception of a few songs here and there her material turned decidedly commercial pop and she pretty much lost me. Then she did the sessions with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Singing standards from 40 years past, she made them her own by singing them the way the were intended and in the process they made magic. She never sounded more powerful, more vulnerable, more fun. Hasten Down the Wind barely beats them out here, basically because that album was my emotional outlet when for the first time in my life I felt lost and unsure. To me, she will always look and sound like she did then.....beautiful.

My Favorites: Hasten Down The Wind, Down So Low, Crazy,
Click on the link to listen to: Hasten Down the Wind Crazy

3. Rush
2112 (1976)
4.7 stars

2112
- Rush

I wonder if it's a coincidence that two of the top five on this list both came out the year I graduated from highschool? 2112 was a revelation to me. Not just songs stuck on a record but an idea fully formed and translated to disc. The story seems somewhat silly today, but the music is still incredible. Alex Lifeson playing guitar better than any long blonde haired dude ever, Geddy Lee looking like an ugly little girl that stumbled onstage....until that voice came....a startling highpitched squeal that you expected to veer off into tunelessness at any moment. Except, it never did. Neil Pert looking like evil incarnate with that mustache playing drums (DRUMS? He had more things to hit than Mike Tyson)....playing with maniacal precision. Just three guys. And more sounds than you could identify. It shouldn't have worked. It did magnificently.....and has for 30 years.

No one sounds like Rush. They took more chances with their music than almost any musicians I can think of. They never seemed satisfied with what worked or tired of what didn't, for that matter. But when it worked, it was hard rock nirvana......on 2112....it worked.

My Favorites: 2112 (it's the entire first side). Tears, Something For Nothing (You can't get something for nothing, you can't have freedom for free. You won't get wise with the sleep still in your eyes, no matter what your dream might be.)
Click on the link to listen to: TEARS Something For Nothing

2. Staind
Chapter V (2005)
5 stars

Chapter 5
- Staind

My favorite band, maybe of all time. No one else combines such powerful music with equally powerful lyrics. Aaron Lewis is a genius. When I first heard them, several albums ago, they were a bit to much death metal, but Aaron Lewis has found his voice and it reaches right inside my soul. My love affair with Staind is still basically in its infancy so they could fall on this list and even drop back in the pack as time goes on.. I don't see that happening. I would have to get bored with them, meaning they would have to get boring and I just don't think Lewis is secure enough to let that happen.

It's obvious that their best songs are those where Lewis is recounting some problem or issue with drug addiction. And wouldn't you know, I had someone close with that type of issue. I would hear a song and rush for the lyrics, because it felt as if he were speaking directly to my needs. But i'm not the first person to express that. He wrote a song kind of about that....on this album. Its called My Reply.

The title of my blog, It's Always Raining in My Head, came from their song, Epiphany from the Break the Cycle CD. You can find it up in the list of albums that didn't quite make the top ten.

My Favorites: Every single song....there is not one song that I don't like but the three below if i HAD to choose.
Click the link to listen to: EVERYTHING CHANGES PLEASE TAKE THIS

1.Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
4.6 stars

.............IV..........
- Led Zeppelin

FROM CD REVIEW:
"Led Zeppelin's epochal fourth album finds both the band's blues-rock thunder and their gentler, more lyrical side filed down to a razor-sharp point. "Black Dog" and "Rock and Roll" aren't just perennial air-guitar anthems; they're the ultimate distillation of the blues-inflected, hard-rock fury the band had already been perfecting for the past three years. Robert Plant's Little Richard-on-amphetamines wail rides perfectly atop the band's strategically directed crunch for maximum impact. "When the Levee Breaks"is a titanic take on the blues, with John Bonham's thunderous drums echoing through the subsequent decades. The folkier, acoustic tracks provide welcome moments of beauty and respite, and all the elements of the band's sound come together in "Stairway to Heaven," a suite of shifting dynamics that would become the Eiffel Tower of classic-rock radio forevermore."

Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.113) - Ranked #66 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...Towering..." Rolling Stone (12/23/71, p.63) - "...out of the eight cuts, there isn't one that steps on another's toes, [or] that tries to do too much all at once..." - Lenny Kaye Spin (p.89) - "[With] whipsaw riffs that treated the blues like ancient runes..." Q (6/00, p.76) - Ranked #26 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" Q (10/94, p.141) - 5 Stars - Indispensable - "...it's...big room ambience still best described by 'When The Levee Breaks'..." NME (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #56 in NME's list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.'

This was the FIRST hard rock album I ever bought. I was 14. Who knew it would all be downhill from there....

My Favorites: I could listen to every song on this album every single day and never get tired of them. This is THE PERFECT rock and roll album.
Click the Link to listen to: BLACK DOG