Album 365: Day 204 - John Cougar Mellencamp - Scarecrow

John Cougar Mellencamp
Scarecrow
1985

Favorite tracks: Lonely Ol' Night, Justice and Independence '85, Between A Laugh and A Tear
Sleeper tracks: Rumbleseat, R.O.C.K in the U.S.A

A pretty damn good album for 1985.  Say what you want about John Cougar What'sHisName.  He can write a good song.

I'm really finding it hard to figure out if my parents bought this record or my aunt Sue had it.  Sue was a huge MellenCougar fan but I think my parents actually got this album as well.  I remember looking forward to it because I had liked Uh-Huh so much and would drum along to it quite a bit.  By the way, Kenny Aronoff had one of the loudest snare drums in rock radio with this record.  I've seen him play in the studio and he hits super fricken hard.

It's hard to believe this album is almost 30 years old.

Album 365: Day 203 - Rush - Signals

Rush
Signals
1982

Favorite tracks: Subdivisions, Digital Man, Losing It, New World Man, Analog Kid
Sleeper tracks:  The Weapon

I used to think this was the end of the 'prog' era for the band.  Over the last few years, I've come to associate the record as the start of the power pop era for the guys.

The albums sounds a bit dark and muddy.  It's quiet too and is one of the least favorable in terms of mixing.  Once thing I like about the album is that Geddy's bass playing takes a big front seat.  At the time, it was probably the most aggressive bass playing on rock radio and the best rock bass player of the day.  Not really a big deal but for Rush nerds, this subject could spawn hours of conversation and rebuttal.

The songs are solid.  The lyrics take a step back from the last 2 albums.

Album 365: Day 202 - Supertramp - Crime of the Century

Supertramp
Crime of the Century
1974

Favorite tracks: School, Bloody Well Right, Dreamer, Hide In Your Shell
Sleeper tracks: Rudy

Another brilliant Supertramp album.  The record was recorded in 1974 and it surpasses thousands of records recorded after it in regards to sound quality.  Can't say enough good things about this band.

Album 365: Day 201 - Van Halen - 1984

Van Halen
1984
1984

Favorite tracks: Panama, Hot For Teacher, Drop Dead Legs, Girl Gone Bad
Sleeper tracks: Jump, I'll Wait

I can't remember if I got this album when it came out or a year later. I remember buying it with Christmas or birthday money.  I also remember bringing it home for the family listen.  It was a cool record but the band cheaped out and had a pretty crappy sleeve to look at.

The opening for 'Girl Gone Bad' is probably my favorite Van Halen moment.  The intro is great, the drum and guitar unison thing is great and the riff when the band kicks in is fantastic.  Conversely, 'I'll Wait' is probably the lamest song they did up to that point (and until Van Halen III came out).

Album 365: Day 200 - Opeth - Heritage

Opeth
Heritage
2011

Favorite tracks: The Devil's Orchard, Slither, Nepenthe
Sleeper tracks: Haxprocess

Quite a shift of philosophy for the band.  A whole, non EP album with no heavy vocals.  The backlash from Opeth fans was pretty intense.  I love this record.  The recording is reminiscent of old 70's prog records.  The songs are great and if the band continued to do albums that sounded like this, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

The artwork is also pretty gnarly.  The skulls at the bottom of the tree represent the former members of the band.  There is one face falling from the tree.  That represents the keyboard player who told the band he was leaving after this record.

Album 365: Day 199 - Planet X - Universe

Planet X
Universe
2000

Favorite tracks: Clonus, Dog Boots, 2116
Sleeper tracks: Her Animal

Another super group-type band.  Old keyboard player from Alice Cooper and Dream Theater, Austrailian drumming phenom and guitar player virtuoso.

I ordered this album when it was released.  I remember playing it quite a bit.  It was one of the first records I ordered after moving to Minneapolis by myself.  I didn't have a lot to do except listen to music.  I thought the drums were pretty amazing and the music was way better than I thought it was going to be.

I always liked Derek Sherinian's keyboard playing.  His lead tone is the best of all the Dream Theater keyboardists.

Album 365: Day 198 - Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn

Jason Becker
Perpetual Burn
1988

Favorite tracks: Perpetual Burn, Opus Pocus
Sleeper tracks: Air

I was introduced to Jason's music by my friend Scott.  He let me borrow his CD of this album and I was totally blown away by the chops Jason had.  The drums were cool too and I really enjoyed listening to this record for a few weeks.

If you don't know the story of Jason, I suggest you spend some time studying up.  It's a real tragedy what happened to him but also an awesome story of perseverance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Becker#Discography

Album 365: Day 197 - The Chicago Transit Authority - The Chicago Transit Authority

The Chicago Transit Authority
The Chicago Transit Authority
1969

Favorite tracks: Introduction, Beginnings, Questions 67 & 68, Poem 58
Sleeper tracks: Free Form Guitar

It takes a whole bunch of balls to have your first major label record be a double album.  Hats off to them for that.

I was introduced to Chicago by radio.  I do remember my dad informing me that they used to be called Chicago Transit Authority.  Other than that, I didn't have any of their records until the late 90s.  I knew that Terry Kath was a great guitar player and wanted to hear more of the obscure songs.

The debut has a bunch of great stuff on it.  The only reason I don't like 'Free Form Guitar' is that the other songs on the records are so much better.  It's an improv noise piece and it just doesn't fit.

Lastly, I was this album cover as a throwback t shirt.

Album 365: Day 196 - Alice In Chains - Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains
Alice In Chains
1995

Favorite tracks: Grind, Head Creeps, Over Now
Sleeper tracks: Heaven Beside You, Again

I appreciated hearing this record again.  There was a long time where I only listened to the first song.  I will attest that I'm not the biggest AIC fan and this record was pretty far from the stuff that I did like.

Now, I appreciate how dark the album is.  Some of the lyrics don't do it for me.  I'm probably jaded by knowing Layne wrote them really fast.

I'd listen to this again but it would have to be a while from now.  There isn't any motivating or inspiring shit going on.

Album 365: Day 195 - Liquid Tension Experiment - Liquid Tension Experiment

Liquid Tension Experiment
Liquid Tension Experiment
1998

Favorite tracks: Paradigm Shift, Universal Mind
Sleeper tracks: 3 Minute Warning

In actuality, this is just a jerk-jam by 2 guys in Dream Theater, 1 that would be in Dream Theater and a bass player that didn't really bring much to this project.

At the time, this was a 'super group' started by Mike Portnoy.  Magna Carta Records gave him the cash to pick his own all star band to do a project.  He picks his guitar player from Dream Theater (John Petrucci), a solo keyboard guy who would eventually be in Dream Theater about a year later (Jordan Rudess) and Tony Levin, bass player for John Lennon, King Crimson and Peter Gabriel.  The band would write and record songs in the span of 5 days.

I was very eager for this album.  I remember ordering it and when I got it, I brought it to my friend Luke's house.  4 or 5 of us listened to it and were sort of impressed, sort of bored after awhile.  Hearing it now (and knowing how things played out in the prog family tree), you can tell that most of these songs were just Jordan and John coming up with parts while Tony and Mike played along.  The songs have a bunch of Dream Theater riffs thrown in.  There's a structure to each song but they all follow a real simple chart pattern.  The last 5 tunes are a big, 27 minute jam.  Starts off quiet, builds up, soloing, builds up...faster, soloing, BOOM!, quiet again, builds up, different riff, different solo, faster...rinse and repeat.

Aside from 'Paradigm Shift' and 'Universal Mind', I don't waste a bunch of listening time on this record.

Album 365: Day 194 - Fishbone - Chim Chim's Bad Ass Revenge

Fishbone
Chim Chim's Bad Ass Revenge
1996

Favorite tracks: Chim Chim's Bad Ass Revenge, In the Cube, Psychologically Overcast
Sleeper tracks: Sourpuss, Rock Star

I bought this album based on a review and on seeing Phil Fisher in Modern Drummer product ads.  I knew of Fishbone before this record came out but I wasn't into the ska thing.

The record is pretty good and I really liked the first 4 or 5 tracks.  There are some great melodies and riffs going on.  The drumming is cool but the snare gets to be a little too clangy at times.  I always stopped listening after track 7.  The back half of the album got really boring.  I felt the same way when I listened to it this time. There is a lot of nonsense towards the back of the record.  I'll be happy keeping the front songs alive and coming back to the other half in another 10 years.

Album 365: Day 193 - Bigelf - Money Machine

Bigelf
Money Machine
2010

Favorite tracks: Money Machine, Ironheel
Sleeper tracks: Mindbender

I recently started to listen to this band.  Mike Portnoy announced that he was going to drum on the next Bigelf record and that reminded me of wanting to check these guys out.  I had a chance to see them open for Dream Theater but I didn't have time to see the opening bands.  Considering how much I like what I'm hearing I sure feel like a fool for missing them.

They're a mix of Beatles, King Crimson, Yes, Zeppelin, The Flower Kings, Old Genesis, Transatlantic and...oh I dunno...Pink Floyd.  They really are a classic 70s sounding art rock band that takes some of today's prog elements and mixes it all together.  I eagerly listened to this record and look forward to hearing the other 2 that I found.

Album 365: Day 192 - Living Colour - Stain

Living Colour
Stain
1993

Favorite tracks: Go Away, Auslander, This Little Pig
Sleeper tracks: Bi, WTFF

I was really mad when Muzz Skillings (bass player) left the band.  This Doug Wimbish guy who replaced him was a stranger to me and I didn't think he would have brought anything to the table.

I was wrong.  While he didn't do backups, his playing was way heavier and cooler.  He came from a band called Tackhead.  I bought one of their CDs and was not impressed with the album. Anyway...

This album is really heavy compared to the first 2 records.  I appreciate the move towards heavier music.  There are some decent songs and the playing is pretty awesome...on par with a Living Colour record.  There aren't as many hooks on this record so I found myself listening to it less than Vivid.

This was the first CD I can remember having a colored jewel case.  It was red and I thought that was pretty cool.

Album 365: Day 191 - Martyr A.D. - On Earth As It Is In Hell

Martyr A.D.
On Earth As It Is In Hell
2004

Favorite tracks: Bring Out Your Dead, The Serpent and the Flower, American Hollow, Misery Dance
Sleeper tracks: Into Stone

I had the pleasure of working with this band in what would be Oarfin Records last recording session (December 2003).

Great metal band.  They booked out 14 days or so in Oarfin Studio A.  I tracked some guitars, bass and all of the vocals.  It was fun to work with them and the album sounds pretty awesome.  They ended up getting a bunch of new gear with the money they got from Victory Records.  I remember the big stack of 5150 speakers and heads.

Oarfin became one of the better places in the Minneapolis area to record hard rock and metal.  It was a fun time to be working in the music industry.

Album 365: Day 190 - Rush - Caress of Steel

Rush
Caress of Steel
1975

Favorite tracks: Bastille Day, The Necromancer, The Fountain of Lamneth
Sleeper tracks: Panacea (Part IV of The Fountain of Lamneth)

This album gets chastised a lot.  It's not my favorite Rush album but I hold it in a higher regard than most people, certainly higher than almost all critics.

I think I got this album around 1990.  I knew of the record from listening to it at my aunt Cheryl's boyfriend's house.  The 2nd dose of the songs from this record came from when my aunt Lisa gave me a cassette of 'All the World's A Stage'.

Bastille Day is a really wonderful song.  Neil's drumming take a step up from Fly By Night.  The chorus guitar riff in "Bacchus Plateau" is one of the coolest Alex riffs ever.

Something to think about:  They went from this album to "2112" in a matter of 7 months and recorded 3 albums in the span of 13 months.

Album 365: Day 189 - Ghost B.C. - Infestissumam

Ghost B.C.
Infestissumam
2013

Favorite tracks: Per Aspera Ad Inferi, Ghuleh/Zombie Queen, Year Zero
Sleeper tracks: Secular Haze

Let's get it straight.  I don't care about any bullshit US trademark violations.  They're still Ghost.

I spent the last 12 months anticipating this album.  I really thought it was going to be on par with their first record.  How could you miss with a bigger budget and a pretty good producer (Nick Raskulinecz)?

I was pretty disappointed when I heard the record.  There was some engineering issues and the songs didn't have the bite that the ones from the first album did.  I don't know...I guess I'll keep listening.  Maybe when I go see them live in a couple weeks it will change my attitude about the record.  As it stands, it's a good 2nd record but not as good as I thought it should be.  

Album 365: Day 188 - KTop - Self Storage

KTop
Self Storage
2005

Favorite tracks: Are You Right, Takes You Away, Bend You, Make This
Sleeper tracks: Behind, Feelin' Strange

I worked with this band at A440 Studios.  They came up from Iowa a few weekends in 2005.  They would spend 3 or 4 days up here, record and then drive back.  I really enjoyed working with these guys and I'm really happy with how the album turned out.  There are some songs that I really, really love and play them quite a bit.

The band was a 3 piece.  The drummer and the guitar player were brothers.  I'm being totally honest when I say this: the band drank more beer than I have seen a band drink in my 10+ years of recording.  They would buy cases and cases of beer up here and would go home with a handful.  They loved Grain Belt Premium and took a bunch back home with them.  I couldn't believe how much they could drink and still function.

They also turned me on to Team America.  They were kind enough to buy me the DVD after finding out I never saw the movie.

There was one song on the record that included a bass drop.  They wanted me to insert an 808 bass drop into the intro of a song during mixing.  They kept asking for it louder and louder.  I mentioned that I thought it was too loud but they said keep it at the high level.  I printed the mix, made them a cd and saw them off.  They were driving back down to Ames, IA after 3 days of mixing.

I received a call about 35 minutes later.  It turns out that when they got to that song on the CD I make, the bass drop blew out both rear speakers in the car.  It was hilarious.  We were all laughing.

I really miss those guys.  Haven't seen them since 2005.

Album 365: Day 187 - Southern Culture On the Skids - Dirt Track Date

Southern Culture On the Skids
Dirt Track Date
1995

Favorite tracks: Soul City, Fried Chicken and Gasoline, Eight Piece Box
Sleeper tracks: Make Myan a Hawaiian, Dirt Track Date

This is an album I appreciated more in 2013 than I did when I bought it in 1995.

I fell into the trap of 'Camel Walk'.  It was a strange tune that got radio play and I thought it was cool.  I spun the album a few times but didn't keep it in rotation.

I really liked listening to it today.  The guitar work and tone is really great.  The drums sound great.  The whole album is clear sounding and a well-produced pseudo-rockabilly record.  I'm glad I thought of listening to this record.  I will probably play it during the upcoming warm summer evenings at Ft. Wisconsin.

Album 365: Day 186 - The Mars Volta - De-Loused In the Comatorium

The Mars Volta
De-Loused in the Comatorium
2003

Favorite tracks: Inertiatic ESP, Roulette Dare (The Haunt of), Drunkship of Lanterns
Sleeper tracks: Televators

Discovering this band was one of the funnest experiences in my musical life.  I remember sitting in the smoking room at Oarfin Records one night, sifting through a music magazine (probably EQ or Mix).  There was a review of this album and it described a record that I knew I needed to hear.  I went out and got it the next day and probably played it 2 weeks straight.  I couldn't believe how awesome the songs were and how killer the musicians were.  The vocal styling was right up my alley and the songs were nice and long.  I couldn't get enough of TMV and I geeked out to them over the next 3 years.

Listening to this record brings back some of those memories and feelings but the love affair with the band fizzled out years ago.  I had a hard time focusing on this whole record and I think it's one of their most interesting and captivating.  Towards the end, it's a lot of wankery and I found myself anticipating the end of the record.  It's all still great music.  It just isn't my thing anymore.

Album 365: Day 185 - Anthrax - Worship Music

Anthrax
Worship Music
2011

Favorite tracks: Earth On Hell, The Devil You Know, In The End
Sleeper tracks: I'm Alive, Crawl

From the time this album came out until a year later (Sept 2011 - Sept 2012), I would say that there wasn't a better metal album released.

This was a great comeback album for Belladonna.  1990 was the last time he recorded vocals for Anthrax and this album has some great vocal moments.

I wasn't ever a huge Anthrax fan growing up.  I saw them a couple times with John Bush and was fortunate enough to see them support this album at First Ave.

Album 365: Day 184 - Dennis Chambers - Planet Earth

Dennis Chambers
Planet Earth
2006

Favorite tracks: Dance Music for Borneo (#13, #6 and #4), Elroy, Overtones of China
Sleeper tracks: Giphini's Song

My 2nd favorite drummer.  Possibly the greatest drummer to ever live (makes for a great debate).

This album is a fun listen.  Think of a 1940s or 50s big band but funkified in the 21st century.  Great horn section, awesome drumming and a group of songs that don't get boring.

There is some classic Chambers drumming on here.  It's worth a listen if you're a drummer.

Album 365: Day 183 - The Freddy Jones Band - Waiting for the Night

The Freddy Jones Band
Waiting for the Night
1993

Favorite tracks: One World, The Puppet, In A Daydream
Sleeper tracks: Night to Day

I'll thank my friend Bryan again for turning me on to these guys.  This was the first album I heard from the band.  I can say that despite my love for old rock, metal, jazz, etc, this band was quite a big part of the soundtrack of my late teens/early twenties.

I was pleased to hear how good the record sounded after all these years.  I don't think I listened to the whole thing in about 10 years.  The production is pretty awesome and the songs are still cool to listen to.  The harmonies are great and for having 3 guitar players in the band, everything sits well in the mix.  It's not my favorite FJB album but it's a great record.

Album 365: Day 182 - Vital Information - Easier Done Than Said

Vital Information
Easier Done Than Said
1992

Favorite tracks: Snap Out of It, Catch 22, New Boots
Sleeper tracks: Necessary Autumn, Step Aside

Journey's old drummer didn't just disappear after he left the band.  He actually was a great drummer and started a jazz/fusion group.

I bought this during my jazz snob years.  I'm sure I read about it in Modern Drummer.  I remember an issue of the magazine with a floppy record of one of his solos.  It was all charted out and was a great example of the chops Steve had that I wasn't aware of.  Shortly after that I bought this record.

It's classic late 80s/early 90s jazz.  It's airy, has soft keyboards that sound like ass and is fit for Sunday Morning Jazz on WAPL (I'm guessing they don't have that on anymore). That being said, I love the lineup and some of the songs.  Frank Gambale is a very underrated guitar player in the non-jazz world.  The drums sound awesome and Steve's chops are cool to hear.

I actually got to see the band perform at The Dakota (when it was in St. Paul).  It was a great memory.  We were very close and the band played the shit out of the room.

Album 365: Day 181 - Pearl Jam - Vitalogy

Pearl Jam
Vitalogy
1994

Favorite tracks: Last Exit, Corduroy, Better Man
Sleeper tracks: Pry, To, Bugs

I spent a lot of years hating this record for not being as groovy as Vs.  I was really let down when I first listened to it.  Hell, even the case didn't fit into my CD rack properly.

Over the last 20 years, I've mellowed and have learned to appreciate the record.  I feel it's one of the band's better releases.  There are some great songs on the album and while stripped down, the production serves the record really well.  "Corduroy" is one of my top 3 Pearl Jam songs.

I was a Dave Abbruzzese fan and did not like how he was handcuffed on this record.  That was back then.  Now, I've grown to like his playing on this album more than his way too busy shit he re-recorded for the Ten radio songs.

Album 365: Day 180 - The Golden Chariots of Mars - Tales of Talos and other Automatons

The Golden Chariots of Mars
Tales of Talos and Other Automatons
2008

Favorite tracks: 1955, Words, Common
Sleeper tracks: Now You Don't Want My Love, T.F.K.

This is a band I worked with at Winterland Studios.  I can't remember if this was the first or second project I did with them.  My friend Todd worked with them on the basics.  I ended up recording all the guitars and some of the vocals.  I also did some percussion on this record.

It's a pretty cool album.  The guitar player was into exploring different tones and pedals.  He definitely liked the Billy Corgan/Superfuzz pedal style and sound.

The band sounded like Blondie jamming with the Smashing Pumpkins...sorta.

Album 365: Day 179 - The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour

The Beatles
Magical Mystery Tour
1967

Favorite tracks: Magical Mystery Tour, I Am the Walrus, Hello, Goodbye, Strawberry Fields Forever
Sleeper tracks: Blue Jay Way

The 'double EP' version of this record is a great collection of songs.  It's probably one of the most friendly to average listeners.  The songs on side B were all radio standards.  I'd listen to this over Sgt Peppers.

Album 365: Day 178 - Testament - The Gathering

Testament
The Gathering
1999

Favorite tracks: D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate), Down for Life, True Believer
Sleeper tracks: Sewn Shut Eyes

I wasn't a Testament fan before I heard this record.  I knew of them but didn't own anything by them.  My friend Scott burned me a copy of this record.  I was excited to hear the album because Dave Lombardo was drumming on it.  I was very pleased when I brought it home that morning (we both worked third shift) and cranked it.  I think it's the best Testament album I heard.  It wasn't enough to make me a huge fan but I did buy a couple more of their records over the years.

I don't know if you can call it a Testament record since the only original members are Billy and Peterson.  I remember driving down to Milwaukee with my friend and coworker Shannon to see Testament at The Eagles Ballroom only to get down there and find out the tour was cancelled because of Chuck's cancer.  I did have a chance to see the band 2 years ago when they opened up for Anthrax.  I was happy that it was a lineup with Skolnick on guitars and Christian on bass.

Album 365: Day 177 - Queen - A Night At the Opera

Queen
A Night At the Opera
1975

Favorite tracks: Death On Two Legs, I'm In Love With My Car, Bohemian Rhapsody
Sleeper tracks: Lazy On A Sunday Afternoon, God Save the Queen

A classic album that deserves praise for songs that aren't named 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.  I can't remember when I bought this record. It was probably back in the mid 90s.  I remember hearing 'I'm In Love...' when I was a kid and thinking it was really cool.

It's weird to think about how old some of the Queen albums are.

Album 365: Day 176 - Rictus - Rictus

Rictus
Rictus
2005-ish

No album art could be found!

Favorite tracks: Track 1, Track 5, Track 7
Sleeper tracks: Track 3

The phantom album.  After 176 days, I finally found an album I didn't have track names for.

I worked with this band at A440 Studios in Minneapolis.  I remember that the band was a 4 piece from Morris, MN (they say so in one of their songs).  We recorded and mixed 9 songs over the course of a couple weekends.  The singer and lead guitar player was going to school for music I think.  I just remember him being a pretty damn good guitar player and his sense of melody and pitch was refreshing.

I sent them to Winterland Studios to get the album mastered by Brian.  I received a mastered copy of the record but I never got a finished CD.

There were a lot of bands I worked with that are now only memories.  Some recorded whole albums, some only recorded a few songs.  I have lost touch with most of them.  It's kind of eerie to remember the sessions and what was going on in my life during that time.  I can't believe some of the hours I put in and how much of my life was centered around music.    

Album 365: Day 175 - 57 Stitch - Nerveblock

57 Stitch
Nerveblock
2003

Favorite tracks: Strength, Drown In the Air, Paid To Die
Sleeper tracks: All I Ever Need, Little Red

This was a band I was introduced to while interning at Oarfin Records.  They were recording this record over a couple years and I would assist on some of the sessions.  As I got promoted, I did more engineering work on the album.  I did mostly bass and guitar overdubs and played some percussion.

I really loved these guys.  I loved working with them and talking shop.  Brett had a bunch of really cool, really nice guitars.  He was a fan of the 70s B.C. Rich guitars and also had several Les Pauls.  One of the 'money men' for the project brought in a late 50s Les Paul to use on the record.  I think the guitar was valued at around $70,000.  To be honest, it didn't sound 15x better than the next expensive guitar on the album.

Seriously though, I learned so much working with these guys. They allowed me to be a part of a really cool record and made me feel welcome.  Their producer Matt was a great person to learn from and had a really awesome ear for harmonies.  I always looked forward to seeing the band on the schedule.   Brett (singer) and I coined a couple phrases during the recording sessions.  Mult shop (doing multiple takes of solos) and lipper rock (the kind of music that makes you do the 'tough guy', face when you hear it).

Album 365: Day 174 - Asia - Asia

Asia
Asia
1982

Favorite tracks: Heat of the Moment, Only Time Will Tell, Soul Survivor
Sleeper tracks: Cutting It Fine

I was introduced to this album by my aunt Lisa.  I knew of (and liked) Emerson, Lake and Palmer so when she said Carl Palmer was the drummer, I was really into the songs I heard on the radio.  There are some great songs on the record and despite being made fun for being a bit too much for the 80s, it went on to sell over 4 million units.  Prog fans are a loyal bunch.