No.285: “Wrecking Ball” by Bruce Springsteen (2012)
There are three sides to the Boss. There is the cars ‘n’ girls ‘n’ schooldays side; the lost and forlorn loser in love side; the semi-political blue collar working man side. This album was largely concerned with the latter version. A bunch of very strong, hard graft, tearing at the state of the nation songs which are always relevant to the world of today. Here are three of the most affecting:
No.284: “American IV: The Man Comes Around” by Johnny Cash (2003)
This is the fourth in the series of the Rick Rubin-produced comeback franchise by Johnny Cash and the final appearance in my list of these superb albums. The Man Comes Around was the most successful as it was brought to the world’s attention by the remarkable video of Cash’s version of Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Hurt’ single. That upsetting and harrowing film of Cash in his elderly years being affected by various ailments with his wife June Carter looking on from the stairs of his home. The video is included here once again, along with the title track of the record.
No.283: “Anoraknophobia” by Marillion (2001)
One of the most respected contemporary progressive rock bands currently active (if you can call a 35+ year band contemporary - in prog rock circles it is quite modern), Marillion existed for those post-Fish years by being financed mostly by their own fan club, who would purchase different editions of their albums to enable the band to buy studio time and go out on the road. The band always made it up to them with some great live shows. Anoraknophobia wasn’t a big success commercially but I bought it at random one day taken by the sleeve which I thought was worth a punt. I wasn’t disappointed with it’s content. here’s a track called ‘When I Meet God’, live.
No.282: “Electric Warrior” by T. Rex (1971)
Glam rock hasn’t been a big part of my record buying life to be honest, apart from delving back some years ago when I bought up all Bowie’s stuff, and Marc Bolan however great he was, didn’t do a lot for me. Guess I was just in the wrong age bracket and never got around to listening to all his albums in full. But I love those singles and I have “acquired” all of his albums in the past few years and I show just one in my list as a representation of the band’s output. Hope you’ll go along with me and perhaps agree that this album was his best, I dunno.
No.281: “Pretenders II” by The Pretenders (1981)
After the big success and brilliant songs of the first pretenders album brought on by it’s so-called hype of the No.1 single ‘Brass In Pocket’, Chrissie Hynde and the boys set about to do a follow-up. More of the same jangly new-wave rock emerged on this fine record and Hynde’s songwriting was getting more noticed as she went along. Sadly, two of the band - both guitarists - were to lose their lives in separate drug-related incidents following this record.
No.280: “Talk” by Yes (1994)
Not one of their most famous albums by a long shot, Talk was rather overlooked even by Yes fans when it emerged in the middle of 90’s indie-pop Britain, even the sleeve seemed to be a bit throwaway. But what was exciting was the re-signing of Trevor Rabin as the band’s lead guitarist after Steve Howe left the band a second time. Rabin was the driving force on Yes’ massive 90125 album and it’s U.S. No.1 single and rock classic ‘Owner Of A Lonely Heart’, and he certainly delivered the goods on this later record. The best track by far for me is this second track from the album with its tremendous guitar work, ‘I Am Waiting’:
It was harrowing to see the hurt video but an amazing rendition of a powerful song.
Last one for now. I may make it back later with a couple more.
No.279: “The Unforgettable Fire” by U2 (1984)
This album broke U2 really big around the world, making that feat even more achieveable a year later when the band performed at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid with that unforgettable(!) set. The rest is history and the band went on to conquer the world with the following The Joshua Tree - but that may be seen some other time in here.
For now, we have the videos to ‘Pride’ and the title song, plus as a treat, the whole of their set from said Live Aid concert in 1985. Enjoy.
Morning Nom 
It’s a tremendous video isn’t it bud? To think that Cash would pass away a few months later, and his wife even earlier was even more hard to bear I think. I read a great article just before he passed on by Sylvie Simmonds writing for Mojo magazine with Cash and June Carter which was one of the finest pieces of writing I have ever seen in a music mag. Wish I still had that.
Going back a bit but I love anything by the House Martins or The Beautiful South.
Bryan Adam’s Run to You has to be in my top ten singles of all time along with Summer of '69.
Blimey! I missed a lot yesterday. I was out replacing immersion heaters and I’m still trying to catch up.
Floydy, don’t forget that threads get a lot of views from guests and those that never post so I’m sure they are looking in too.
I think what this thread has done is to get all of us music lovers thinking about their favourites which is good and I reckon if anyone attempts their own top fifty or top 100, this thread would be excellent as a guide as sometimes it’s impossible to remember every artist or every song.
I recently watched a programme on how some 60’s Rock n Rollers are still preforming now and a good point was made.
Songs sung when exuberantly young with little life experience sound so much different when sang again when older. A classic example is Joni Mitchells Both Sides Now.
Johnny Cashs last songs are so full of emotions and pain that they are heartbreaking to listen. Only lifes lessons gives that final rawness and understanding
Kind words, thanks mate
I’d love to see others do their lists in the future, even it’s it’s only a top 50 or so. It would certainly make interesting reading and also great for us to exchange our views on.
True Solo, very good observation.
A lot of artists’ mature with age too, which was certainly the case with Johnny Cash. I bought all of the American series and I think it’s only the very last one which I didn’t place in the list. The 5CD box set in here ‘Unearthed’ is especially good.
Some singers do fall apart though with their voices in later years. Two that spring to mind are Elton John and Paul McCartney. They can’t sing for toffee these days.
But look at Jagger, his hasn’t changed at all 
Quick half an hour. Take it away, John…
No.278: “Imagine” by John Lennon (1971)
Containing the legendary single of the same name, which wasn’t even released as a single until 1975, Imagine (the album) was John Lennon’s second release following the patchy debut and the earlier mish mash with the Plastic Ono Band. I always found his solo records a hit and miss affair to be honest. A lot of noodling around without a lot of actual constructive songs. This one makes a place in my list though because of its status as an undoubted classic and does include at least three classic tracks:
No.277: “Don’t Look Back” by Boston (1978)
Two years after this band burst onto the FM rock scene with their classic debut album (more of that later) Boston were back with this pretty good follow-up record. Genius producer/guitarist Tom Scholtz with his trademark multi-layered sound and the soaring, awesome vocals of late singer Brad Delp helped make Boston one of the leading lights of the U.S. stadium rock genre. Two more albums to come yet, one very high indeed.
No.276: “Layla & Assorted Love Songs” by Derek & The Dominos (1970)
Not just a classic song but a double album which was to be the band’s only official release following the death of Duane Allman soon after this album’s release (there was a second almost recorded, but until recently it laid in the vaults). Derek & The Dominos centred around an Eric Clapton ‘supergroup’ with Allman, Dave Mason (from Traffic), Bobby Whitlock and Jim Gordon, with the lead guitar of the title song played by Allman. Full of some excellent blues-rock numbers, Layla was an all-too-brief musical project.
No.275: “Strange Days” by The Doors (1967)
The second album from the Californian legends, coming very hot on the heels of their debut. It didn’t fare as well commercially, but had it’s moments of doom and gloomy acid rock, notably on the finale ‘When The Music’s Over’, which was really a continuation of the first album’s ‘The End’. Take it away, Jim:
http://img.allformusic.fr/pochette/300/t/the-doors/strange-days.jpg
No.274: “Disraeli Gears” by Cream (1967)
Second album from Mssrs. Clapton, Baker and Bruce right in the middle of the psychedelic era. This was Clapton & Co.'s most famous release including some fantastic tracks. With Eric being a blues purist, it always amused me when he said that he didn’t like the way John Mayall was moving away from the blues with his Bluesbreakers band in favour of the more spaced out stuff…but then E.C. forming Cream. What was that all about?
Leaving you with this one today, and it’s another from The Byrds:
No.273: “Turn! Turn! Turn!” by The Byrds (1966)
The second album from this most influential of all Californian bands, excepting maybe The Beach Boys…the band hit their stride with more jangly Rickenbacker 
sunshine melodies and an absolute stormer in the title track (which I would easily place in my top 40 tracks of all time) - don’t worry, no mammoth list of those yet!
Tomorrow we will see things kick off with Mr. Lydon…
This is the album that I have never really stopped playing on and off since 1978. Don’t look back being my favourite with it’s superb riff (The album track is slightly longer than the single). I also love the way they blend ‘Don’t look back’, ‘The journey’ and ‘It’s Easy’ together.
So pleased to see this.
