Notes from a Padded Cell: Concert Connections
Posted by Jesse Coy on 07.30.2007
David Bowie, Bauhaus, and Nine Inch Nails… see concert connections between these three acts through the scattered recollections of our resident music junkie in the latest edition of Notes from a Padded Cell.
What do David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, and the Bauhaus all have in common? Missed concerts, concert mishaps, and finally damn good shows via my personal recollections. It's another batch of old concerts, and here, I show the connection points between the three acts. So this week, I dip into my old journal notes, as I gear up for a big music festival next weekend, and prep a brand new topic for Notes from the Padded Cell, to debut next week, called Rock ‘n' Roll Road Trips and Travel Stuff.
September 22, ‘95
Last night was the night of the David Bowie show. I had a bunch of errands I had to get done that morning. After class, I mailed two envelopes to South Korea, bought Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man because they didn't have it at the library, and took $30 out of my bank account. From there, I hopped on the subway, heading for South and Lombard. It was a miserable afternoon, rainy and overcast. Something must have been messed up with the subway because we had a long wait. The place was packed with people. Lucky thing I had a book to read. When I got off, I headed down toward 5th. I bought a bottle of vodka on the way, and then went to the Philly Record Exchange where I got two Sisters of Mercy discs.
I was going to go right over to the City Paper to put the ad in, but I realized I didn't have enough, wondering where the $10 went… for the book. Shit. I walked back to the subway. It started raining heavily. I felt miserable. Would the weather be like this tonight? I got on the subway, and tried to lift my spirits. It was already heading to that time, nearly 3. When I got in, there was a message from Nicole. She'd drive us. I called, left a message, and said I had a friend who was coming along. Huff, Bear, and I went to eat. When I got back, there was a message from her. I called her. There might be a problem. My one guest may be the photographer. Huff wouldn't get in. I told him. He said he'd come along anyway.
No worries. We started to play cards, and mixed drinks. She'd pick us up at quarter past six at the Student Activity Center. Maybe one of the first things I did to bother her was to ask if she'd pick us up at Hardwick, because it was raining. She didn't know where it was, so we walked. Jen, the photographer, was there. The three of us sat in the back. Nicole and her roommate, Jen (yep, no kidding) were in the front. As we were driving there, I kept saying I'd get Huff in, and we'd get backstage. Nicole had backstage, but I later found out it was just to interview Prick. Money for parking was also an issue. Had she told me, I would have brought some. But Huff had money. I had some vodka and grapefruit in my book bag to mix. I said we'd go in after Nicole.
The three of us waited. I mixed the stuff (set up a little bar) behind a garbage can. Jen and I had to use the bathroom badly. We walked back to the parking lot to use the port-a-potty. When we got back, we went in. Jen went off with the photographers. I had one plus a guest. I thought everything was fine, and when we got in line, Nicole asked if I got him in, and I said no problem. I found out today from Jen (she called) that the ticket was supposed to be hers, but a lady got her in, so it all worked out anyway. We got our seats. We were under the roofed part. We went to use the restroom inside the place, and found they were selling beer (unlike when Huff saw them in Hershey, this crowd was a bit older). But beers were $5 a cup.
Huff had money, and he got in the show for free, so he'd buy the beers. We each got one, and they didn't even card. We came back. Prick was on. The view at the place we were at wasn't that good, and Prick just sounded like a NIN-Bowie clone. We went back for another beer, only this time Huff got four, two for each of us. Nine Inch Nails was coming on. I slammed one down, and then had the other. I vaguely remember Nine Inch Nails. Huff told me today that he got two more. I passed out for most of David Bowie. Great review I'll do, right? But I didn't miss much, and it didn't cost me anything. He played all new stuff except "Man Who Sold the Earth" (because Nirvana redid it, his attempt to connect with the youth) and "Andy Warhol" (probably because of the movie). It was an unsatisfying performance that I missed.
On the way out, Nicole's roommate said something like how will I write a review if I was passed out. I said, "fuck you,' and went on talking to Huff. I don't think Nicole likes me that much anymore, and it probably would have been better if we three went down ourselves. I wonder if she'll still print that piece on South Korea. It wouldn't bother me much if she didn't, and it would just be pettiness on her part. We'll see. Ah, something I forgot to mention. Jessica called me around 4 that day, and told me about this freak museum that she went to that I'll probably check out. We'll probably get together some time next week to talk. I know what you're probably thinking (I'm using probably too much)… what was I just saying a bit back. I was harsh for my own reasons.
August 24, ‘98
[note- Bauhaus were going a show here in Denver, and while I had one of their live albums… we'd seen that they were playing live, but decided not to go, and the show may have been sold out anyway. I'm still pissed I didn't see them as a headliner, because when they opened for Trent, there was no "Bela Lugosi's Dead"… oh well, but here's what we were doing in Denver on our cross-country road trip as Bauhaus played that night… a show I never saw]
So here we are in Denver, where Neal Cassidy grew up. Last night, I took over driving duties around midnight, and kept going until close to 5. We gained another hour, Mountain Time. Kansas was a long state. At first, this drive sucked, because as soon as I started, I hit huge sections where only one lane was open. I'd taken two Re-Vivran's. Also, before I began, we'd stopped to eat sub sandwiches, and I got coffee. So Denver is supposed to be a mile-high city. I think what happened was that a gradual incline began to occur ever since northwestern Kansas. At the rest stop where I finally pulled over, I used the restroom and felt wired. Shirleen took over, finding a rest stop where we napped for two hours. Then, we were still three hours outside of Denver. The sides of the interstate were lined with sunflowers. We pulled over to take a photo.
Had a huge breakfast at a roadside diner. Onward, Denver was soon in the distance. Here, for the first time, we'd have to get a hotel or motel room, because Shirleen is interviewing with X-ox. We tried one right outside of the downtown for $40, and then another one for $60. Settled on a Motel 6 a bit further away, nice, with a pool and free HBO. We had some time before the room was ready, though, so we went out to drive around the city. Circled the State Capital, and then went by Larimer Street, trying to navigate through the one-way streets. After forty-five minutes, we headed back. We each took showers, and were ready to go back out into the city around 3, set on taking the Cultural Trolley.
(Denver's library… kinda Bauhaus in design?)
A word on Denver… it's nice, because there aren't any museums I have a burning desire to see. That leaves time for just walking around the city, which is full of modern architecture, very new and clean. We've noticed, too, that the people are so much more courteous compared to back east (almost like what we experienced in Canada). There's a Hispanic influence, too (a lot of Mexican restaurants). We took that Cultural Trolley ride for $3, which circles the city, going to some museums, too. There're supposed to be some bad sections of the city, but we didn't spot any. We planned to eat at this place in the book, Casa Bonita, where the inside's all done up. We'd be able to use that $3 bus pass on another bus. So we got off near the State Capital, took a few photos there, and then headed over to the library. Some Chile festival was going on, with music at both sides of the park.
This area is beautiful, with the State Capital and U.S. Mint buildings facing each other, impressive flower gardens in between. The library is off to the side, with its neo-modern design, a huge and interesting building. We took the bus down Coalfax Avenue to arrive at Casa Bonita, which had huge dishes of Mexican food. Inside of this big place was a waterfall where performers (musicians, actors in skits, divers, fire jugglers) did their thing, one at a time. The place was dim. Some seats looked like they were carved out of the cavern wall. When we finished, we thought we had to race to catch the bus, but they shifted to a schedule of every half hour. Got back to the car at 7:30, circling 28th Street, before making a U-turn to take the freeway back to the motel. I was going to jump into the pool, but a sci-fi movie, Event Horizon, was on HBO. It was decent, with a few good parts. We debated on going out afterwards, but we were both so tired that we didn't.
Woke and eventually went swimming in the pool downstairs, while Shirleen went to drop her outfit off at the dry cleaners, because she had an interview today with X-ox. She'd go and do her stuff, dropping me off downtown, but first we went for breakfast at about 11. Had a sandwich and salad. Then, we circled back into town, getting off at the Coalfax exit, and she dropped me off at Stout and 14th Street, under the huge mural where we'd meet later at 6. As I said before, there weren't a whole lot of places I wanted to go into to visit, such as museums, but the one place I did want to see was the State Capital Building. I think some press conference was happening out front. Inside, I bumped into a tour in progress, but there were a ton of little kids in the group.
It seemed dull, so I decided to see things on my own. Walked around, and then up the stairs, and finally up a last set of stairs that led to the dome, with an impressive view of the mountains in the distance. I stood more than a mile above sea level. Went down to the basement to use the restroom and got two postcards down there… one of Denver, and one for my father of a Colorado snowstorm with only white on the cover. I wanted to mail them, and went over to a post office, but they were on lunch break. I waited a bit, reading Hermann Hesse's Demian. Finally decided I'd come back later. Heading toward the park, a woman in a wheelchair asked if I'd help her cross the street. Later, she and another fellow got busted for smoking a joint. In the park, you could tell that some of those people were squatters, yet they, like everyone else here, were different.
(author Hermann Hesse- German, and that's also where the Bauhaus style in architecture originated)
It's hard to explain this out west aura. I mixed drinks, listening to Pearl Jam, playing solitaire, and then listened to Nirvana and wrote a bit. One of the squatter chicks across the way had those thin juggling sticks. Before I left, I asked her if I could try them. Then, off I went, down the 16th Street mall walkway. Lots of stores and food shops, and the trolley runs that way. I found a post office along the way, mailed some stuff, and then hit Larimer Square, which was actually a bit depressing, not the eclectic spirit of, say, South Street. Took some more photos, but like St. Louis, probably not a whole roll. At that point, it began to get darker and darker, the wind picking up, threatening of rain. I made my way quickly back toward the Capital Park, where the huge public library was, ready to sit out the weather in there.
The rain never came, though. I skimmed through the fiction section for a bit, and then took more nips of the vodka I had left, writing until 5:50. Back at the car, Shirleen looked like a different person, all done up in her suit, which she wanted to get out of immediately, so we came back here and she got more comfortable. We'd picked up wine on the way, Boones and Mad Dog. We had to decide what we'd do. First, we went to a mall where we got Joey a Bronco's jacket for $30. I finally had to call my mother to make sure that Pat wanted to pay that much for it. Then we headed into the downtown, trying to look for something to do or somewhere to eat. It was 9:30 when we finally went to Pizza Hoot, not far from the motel. Back here, we talked to a fellow who did the lights for K-M, and was a roadie for punk bands. He gave us some advice on places to go.
June 10, ‘00
Shirleen was home. I put stuff away, and then had lunch. She'd picked up burritos. Watched The Kids in the Hall, and then we brought all the stuff down to the car, and off we went. Went to the library for drop-offs and pickups, to the grocery, and then to the post office. Then, she drove us out of Seattle. We got lucky on some of the lanes. I popped the new Nine Inch Nails tape I'd dubbed into the cassette player, and through the rain we drove… high up into the mountains. We worried that the Gorge would be getting wet. But soon, an hour away from it, the weather cleared. And we were making good time. We'd reach the Gorge by 7:30. First, there's Ellesbrug, and then Vantage, and then the Gorge. Crossed the river… the running horses monument isn't too far away at that point. Shirleen surprised me by picking up a couple hitchhikers (male and female) with their pooch. We threw everything in the trunk, and drove them the ten remaining miles. He appeared to be in his thirties, from Tacoma. She seemed young.
Both had their packs and looked the total hippie type. And they were… he drifting for the past nine years, asking what day of the week it was, both of them heading to Montana. Much different than last year's all day Ozzfest, it was quite easy getting in there. The couple thanked us, and then left, and when they were gone, Shirleen said that they smelled really bad. They had dreadlocks, and you know how you get them… by not washing your hair. I don't know. I didn't smell them. Sitting in the car, we made sandwiches and drank wine. I saw prick cops roaming about, ‘cause you're not supposed to drink there (bastards supporting the ridiculously priced Gorge, where beers are about $10 a cup). I thought of the coolest uncool thing to do at a Nine Inch Nails show... jam Meatloaf! Ha, it was great, and we finished the bottle, drunk when we went into the venue. We missed the opening band. Came in right as Nine Inch Nails came on. We hurried ahead. Used port-o-potties, and then went all the way down toward the front.
It was a general admission show, so you could go anywhere. We had an okay view of the band. Weird things… the first time I used the port-o-potties, she found a wallet in there. I took the $9 out of it, leaving the rest behind. The second time, down by the band, some girl came up to me, linking her arm with mine. I had no idea what she said before going into one of the port-o-potties. Soon, it got dark. We watched most of the show down at the bottom. Headed up the hill before the encore. What strange people they were… and lots of them. The band was pretty good. Trent crouched all the time. The keyboard setup was neat, extending outward and bouncing up and down. Before the night was up, they played the first three songs from Pretty Little Hate Machine (of course, "Head Like a Hole"), a couple off Broken, and then "Closer" and "Piggy," and I think "Heresy." They also did several off the new album. At one point when it got dark, three vertical screens came down, showing flames and ocean waves and other stuff, all mixed up colors.
I thought it was interesting that for an encore, he played mostly new stuff, because he'd already gone through old crowd favorites early on. "Hurt" was the only older song. He did "Starfuckers" and that "I won't let you fall apart" song, two of the ones I picked as favorites off the new double album. By then, we were near the top of the Gorge, looking down at the little ant people below. Headed past the frog bogs at the entrance. The drive out of there didn't take long. Shirleen got mad over what I told her about that girl. We went down toward the river, where we were going to camp for free, but this harsh wind hit as soon as we left the Gorge. It was sharp and freezing. So we slept in the car, reclining the seats all the way back. With the sleeping bag, I wasn't really cold. I even took my shoes and socks off. Had to use the port-o-potty for a piss at six that morning.
February 8, '04
We have the David Bowie concert here, which was incredible for me. The arena was named after a particular car. I'd rather avoid naming it (hint). We caught about three or four songs of the opening act, which Lisa recognized but I didn't. Or Shirleen. It was kind of a cosmic funk. Not sure. She had a huge Afro. Was it Gracy May? Anyway, I liked the last song, "bounce to the right and to the left." I guess it was the underwear line that had Lisa thinking it was about masturbation. Ended up having two big cups of beer (like the first time I didn't see David Bowie… only I think that time, I had had a half a bottle of vodka before going to that show). Waiting in line for drinks, got into a cool music conversation with some guy. They were laying out the Reality carpet just as Shirleen and I went out to use the restrooms.
Yes, we were high up, but it was fine, because they had a nice, big screen thing going. You could see the band in mini or close up. Time for the tunes, quite soon, and it was a great range. I was surprised he did so many older tunes, unlike the other show, 1995, where I went off Huff's word, that he only did two old ones (though who knows if that was right). Shirleen was disappointed he didn't do "Space Oddity." I was satisfied for the most part, although I'd see David Bowie again in a second. Now, the songs. His oldest, and he made a comment that it was the first he heard on the radio of his while in America, was "The Man Who Sold the World." He did "Life on Mars." For an encore, he rolled with several Ziggy Stardust tunes… "Five Years" (very cool), "Hang Onto Yourself," "Suffragette City," and "Ziggy Stardust." He opened the whole show with "Rebel Rebel," the remix version.
He did "All the Young Dudes," and for whatever reason, it was what you'd call a Moment, my eyes going a little misty. It was as everyone was singing. Strange. "Fame" was also performed early on. Off of Low, he did "Be My Wife" and an instrumental track, the one he does harmonica on. He did "Heroes" and "Ashes to Ashes." For "China Girl," it was almost like he wasn't gonna do it. He called it tragic. The bassist, black female bassist, with horns in the video for "Seven Years in Tibet," began to sing it. Nearly thought he was asking the audience to vote on whether to play it or not (oh, yes… during "Fame," I'm figuring the girl was planted to pass him the bouquet of flowers). The bassist was great on vocals with David Bowie's version of "Under Pressure." Skip the rest of the 1980's, and Tin Machine… all the way to "Hallo Spaceboy," the only track he did off of The Outside, which was a bit disappointing.
I loved that album. He did "Afraid of Americans," of course. Cool. I think he did "Thursday's Child." Yeah. Off of Heathen, he did "Sunday" and "Cactus" (that a cover by who?). Then the new album, he did "The Loneliest Guy," "Looking for Water," "Reality," "Days," and did he do "New Killer Star"? Not so sure on that. Quite surprised he didn't do "Pablo Picasso." That's a great tune. And that's the list. He put on a great show. I'm satisfied. Who else is left out there that I really want to see? I'd like to see Iron Maiden with Bruce Dickinson. Notes on the crowd? There were the two girls a few seats down from us. Shirleen said it was pot, but it looked like a cigarette to me. I almost stepped over the seat to ask them to put it out. It was quite a diverse group. Parking was easy, close, and cheap (only $5). If you're looking for Washington Street, and hit Lincoln and Jefferson, you're probably not too far off.
June 6, ‘06
[this already ran with my series of '06 concerts, but it's applicable, and necessary, to make that Nine Inch Nails and Bauhaus connection… so here it is]
Ate her leftovers as dinner (sheesh, back in Denver). Mixed a drink to go. When I had been out, it'd been raining. The concert was rain or shine. It felt like more than fifteen miles away, by the way. Didn't mix anything until we were close by the venue. I was okay with directions with map in hand. Parked on the road that leads up to Red Rocks, and on a slant like that, it was difficult to play cards, so we didn't. Mixed drinks and drank. I had more than she did. She was right. We should've left earlier. I thought I'd hear when the opener started. Had I known the venue, we could've brought our drinks up into the upper parking lot. As a result, racing in, we missed the first song and a half (I think, but I'm sure it was no more than that) of the Bauhaus, coming in at the start of the third one, "She's in Parties." I heard "In the Flat Fields" from the outside, and am not sure if there was one before that.
Quite buzzed, and I was also super pissed when we couldn't bring the unopened water in. I didn't mean to make it splash when I threw it into the trash. Shirleen thought I'd be kicked out. The attendant did explain that it was the band's policy, and not the venue. That was cool of him. One good thing was that the tickets were legitimate, because I'd had the horrible feeling that I'd gotten bogus tickets. We thought the main section was "sit anywhere," but here they were numbered. The "anywhere" seats were way in the back. We were up much closer, though, because you could sit off to the side, as long as your feet weren't on the steps. We moved maybe two-thirds of the way through the Bauhaus' set. Okay, in addition to the two songs I listed, I know they played "Kick in the Eye," "Dark Entries," "Double Dare," "Hair of the Dog," and "Rose Garden Funeral." Some other songs I'm pretty sure of? "Stigmata Martyr," and then a couple I don't know, plus a couple familiar ones whose titles escape me. Based off another concert set list from the 2006 tour posted on the internet, here goes. "In Fear of Fear," "Passion of Lovers," "Silent Hedges" (off the third album, I do not have), and "Endless Summer of the Damned." There was also a cover, which sounded like "Sacrifice" something to me.
No, they did not play "Bela Lugosi Is Dead," despite my firm belief that Trent would do it with Peter as an encore. Would I go to see Bauhaus if they came around again? Absolutely. Am I quite happy we did get to see them? Damn straight. Plus, seeing the Red Rocks venue was quite excellent. I do agree with Shirleen, that the Gorge is still the best, but Red Rocks is a respectable second. There was lightning before the show started, but rain held back. Shirleen saw a girl pass out after puking. I heard of one doing the same, and also towards the end of Nine Inch Nails' set, we saw quite an amusing drunken jock type fight along the concrete steps. So, like I may have written, it's great to be able to look up a band's set list on a tour in general, to refresh your memory. And it just goes to show that there are people just as obsessed, if not more so, than I am. The song list is first. Bear in mind, I cared far less about Nine Inch Nails than Bauhaus, having seen NIN twice before.
Plus, Peter Murphy as a lyricist blows the depressive "me, me, me" Trent away in a heartbeat. Of course, most people were there to see Nine Inch Nails (oh well). The songs… "Something I Can Never Have," "Sin," "Terrible Lie," and "Head Like a Hole," which was the last song, with the old version of Trent clone guitarist going all spastic on his guitar, cracking it. He annoyed Shirleen, and looked pretty silly to me. Off the new album, I knew they'd do the two songs they made videos for, "Only" and "Hand that Feeds." They did "Gave Up" and "Wish" off their heavier album, and "Closer," "Hurt," and "March of the Pigs" off Downward Spiral. Two non-album tracks, for sure, were "Burn" and "Suck." Now I have about nine tracks on another concert set list, so I'll scan those songs, and hopefully figure out which ones they played.
Before I go into the songs, and let's wrap this up quick, Trent now looks like a scaled down version of Henry Rollins, and my theory was that he's actually the guitarist now. Ha! We could lean over to see the big screen. Damn, this is way later. So, Nine Inch Nails… listening to the new album now, I will say that likely they did "With Teeth," "Love Is Not Enough" (for sure, I remember that one), "You Know What You Are," and "Every Day Is Exactly the Same" (fifty-fifty on that). They may have done "Getting Smaller" instead. Yes, for sure. And he may have done "Beside You"/"Where It Belongs."
The reason they didn't let bottles in, I do have to admit, was worth it. The light setup, with the cage coming down and the colored light screen… it was impressive. Unlike Ministry going in the opposite direction, this may have been the best Nine Inch Nails performance, aside from guitar tart-boy. No tunes off the double album? Too bad. I liked a few of those. "The Big Comedown"? I don't think so. Nor "Eraser," those who knows. They're listed for other shows.
ODDS AND ENDS FROM THE ASYLUM
VIRGIN FEST- THE PREP PT. II:
Not much news here on these bands. Haven't had time to look up any new ones, because I was on Long Island last weekend, catching the Siren Music Festival, where the New York Dolls were the headliners of this great free show, set smack dab in the middle of Coney Island. If you were there… uh, yeah, I saw you.
Here's a recap, though…
The Police, the Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, Smashing Pumpkins, and 311 are all bands whose material I'm very familiar with (the first three, I've got all their albums) and who I want to see. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs album I got just a couple weeks ago was their full-length debut, Fever to Tell, which I love. I also just got Cheap Trick's debut album, which surprised me, because I rather like it, and it's much different than what I expected. I'd always associated them with soft rock, but this was kicking.
On top of that, while I don't have either of their albums, of course I know of Velvet Revolver (I've got all the Stone Temple Pilot albums, and everything Guns ‘N Roses put out, save Chinese Democracy) (I'm not alone on that one). I'm also vaguely familiar with the Wu-Tang Clan, and would like to see them. If anyone has a Wu-Tang album they suggest that I get before the show, let me know. Also, I just saw M.I.A. performing at the Siren Music Festival, and I liked what I heard of those guys (hee hee… or that gal), so I'd check her out again.
My download recap… Incubus (that alternative pop metal radio crap I hate), Fountains of Wayne (blah), The Fratellis (blah, pop punk), Panic! At the Disco (sucks)
So, does anyone disagree with those quick assessments?
Also, anyone have any thoughts, opinions, etc. on the following bands… Modest Mouse, Crystal Method, Regina Spektor, Amy Winehouse, TV on Radio, LCD Soundsystem, Sasha and Digweed, Peter Bjorn and John, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Danny Tenaglia, Sander Von Doom, Shout Out Out, Girl Talk, Dieselboy, Deep Dish, Spoon, Fiction Plane, Felix da Housecat, Paolo Nutini, Booka Shade, Miguel Migs, James Zabiela, Dan Deacan, or Explosion in the Sky… let me know.
We call that Cliff Notes.
Sure, give me Cliff Notes. But damn, I'll need time to fuel up before the show. You think a cheap, crazy bastard like me will pay what they charge for booze at events like that? I think not. Time to follow the wise words of Mr. Morrison… "I woke up this morning and got myself a beer."
ON THE SIDELINES- A JUNKIE'S REACTION TO 411'S OFFICIAL TOP 100:
So, yes… everyone does love lists. I think it's a fun column idea running here in the Music section, but there's something else. You know what they say about consensus, right? I don't know. They say something about it. The point is, I was getting shock treatment when it came time to add comments on a number of these releases. Furthermore, I wasn't even a part of 411Mania when it came time to pick them in the first place. That said, what fascinates me just as much as a list is to find individual and personalized music junkies' reactions to these releases, because you know not everyone agrees with what was selected. So here's where I stand on each releases thus far chosen.
90. Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power:
I have it. I have all but the last album by these guys. Uh… well, no, actually. I don't have stuff from their 80's glam metal period, and I really wish they'd issue that one album, Power Metal, when Phil first joined. But there it is. Still, I'd definitely agree with this choice. From a metal perspective, it carved out a new model or formula. They weren't like your standard thrash band. They were doing something heavy and kick ass and different, and this particular album as a whole, I think, is the best representation of that new, unique, and driven style.
89. The Doors - The Doors:
I have it. I'm certainly a huge Doors fan, which is why I was so disappointed by the recent reissues where they fiddled with the sound. It was 100% unnecessary, and from the perspective of a huge Doors fan, a shameless money grab by tacking on "bonus tracks." All that aside (and do yourself a favor and get the original version of the album, if you don't have it, not the new mix), I completely agree with this choice. I'd add a couple other Doors albums to this list, by the way. Why do I have the feeling that Led Zeppelin is going to have multiple albums on this list, while the Doors won't? If that's the case, I entirely disagree.
88. The Cure - Disintegration:
I do not have a single album by the Cure, but I am VERY familiar with their material, because they are one of my wife's favorite bands. Back in the day, in the 80's, when I was doing my metal and thrash thing, myself and people like me disdained glam metal people. Alternative people? Some of their stuff we liked, and some, we didn't. Some of that music opened doors to very interesting acts. Some of these "alternative" bands became favorites of mine. The Cure was not one of those bands. And to me, the Bauhaus are far more deserving of the title of goth rocker kings compared to the Cure (though I do really like "Killing an Arab"… great song, but not from this album).
87. Alice In Chains - Dirt:
I have it. When many of the founding grunge bands came out, especially with their first releases, the common root was evident. It took at least a second release for each band to really crystallize what they were doing. Alice in Chains' second full-length release set them on a far darker path than their peers. Some of the song lyrics chronicling a nightmarish landscape of addiction were a forewarning of what was to come for singer Layne Staley. That doesn't take away from it being a heavy, dark masterpiece.
86. Beck - Odelay:
I have it, and loved it when I heard it. This album blows the roof off the genres it worked in and crossed over into. What a wicked blend! To this day, it's a favorite album, and I think it's wholly unique, inspiring more genre crossover experimentation. My first impression when I heard it was… what the hell is this guy doing? I liked it, but it was like nothing I ever heard before.
85. The Roots - Things Fall Apart:
Never heard the album or heard of these guys, and don't have a strong interest… although, was it said that they're rap, but play all their own instruments? Maybe if I have an urge to check out a new rap act (new to me, I mean), this album might be the way to go? I don't know.
84. Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed:
It is shocking that I've yet to incorporate a single Rolling Stones album into my collection. While as a rule, I HATE best of collections, there are a few bands who maybe, just maybe, I might want to start there. The Rolling Stones is one such band. That's where I'm at with the Beatles, by the way. God knows, so many bands who are in my collection have covered the Rolling Stones, from Bad Brains to Rage Against the Machine, David Bowie to Exodus, the Ramones to Jane's Addiction, Skrew to Guns ‘N Roses, and a dozen other bands in between (you get the idea). So I guess that's all I have to say about this one.
83. Michael Jackson - Off the Wall:
There are so many other 80's bands or releases I'd get before I ever touched anything by Michael Jackson (Devo, Wall of Voodoo, Adam Ant, Men at Work). I also think there are so many other releases far more deserving of this slot… but hey, that's just me. Of course it was influential and popular and everything else, but it wouldn't make my list.
82. Depeche Mode - Violator:
I do not have a single album by Depeche Mode, but am VERY familiar with their material. Welcome to band number two of one of my wife's favorite bands. Apply some of the same stuff I said about the Cure to these guys. Though some Depeche Mode stuff to me is gay beyond belief. Some of it makes my skin crawl. This album for me isn't too bad, actually. I'd never buy it, but I can stand listening to it. I'll readily admit, too, that "Personal Jesus" is a great song (though I prefer Johnny Cash's remake).
81. John Lennon – Imagine:
So here's the first case of an artist appearing on this list twice. The only Beatles albums I have are the two best of releases, though I'm quite poised to start getting their individual albums (I may just get the one box set). I have no solo John Lennon releases, but personally, I like Wings a lot more (from what I've heard of the two) compared to John Lennon. Yes, some may call it sacrilege… so I'll just close on that note.
