Music Diary 2014

20th February

I have been a huge Beatles fan for about five years and I saw the film Help! a couple of years ago. Yet for some reason, I never got around to listening to this album. So the other night, I finally sat down and listened to it. Help! is, of course, a masterpiece. Not a bad track on the entire album. Side one is comprised of songs featured in the film of the same name. Side two features songs that are not on the soundtrack. So just like A Hard Day's Night it's half soundtrack album, half non-soundtrack. Both sides are wonderful.

Favourite Tracks
Help!
The Night Before
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
I Need You
Another Girl
You're Going to Lose That Girl
Ticket to Ride
Act Naturally
It's Only Love
I've Just Seen a Face
Yesterday

21st February

Not quite as good as The Freewheeling Bob Dylan, this album still proves to be a significant and interesting album. Dylan's political lyrics, at the time, were revolutionary. Thankfully, society has moved on a lot since he wrote them. The lyrics still pack a powerful punch, simply for the sincerity of Dylan's delivery. The non political songs are also good. However, it is sometimes a tad dull. Some songs a great and memorable, while others command less attention. Perhaps after a few more listens, the songs I found less interesting will appeal to me more. None of the songs are bad but some are noticeably better than others. Basically, it's not very consistent in its quality. The title track is an iconic classic.

Favourite Tracks
The Times They Are a Changin'
The Ballad of Hollis Brown
North Country Blues
Only a Pawn in Their Game
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Caroll

22nd February

I had been anticipating this album for a long, long time. This is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed albums ever recorded. So my expectations were pretty high. I'm happy to report that my expectations were met. This album is phenomenal. After my first listen I thought "yep, this is a great album. I will put it in my top 50 of all time". Then I listened to the songs a few times more and I thought "okay, this is actually top 20 material". Then I listened to it some more and I thought "Okay, wow. This is definitely going in my top 10". I'm pleased to say that this masterpiece is #5 in my all time favourites list. It's such a classic. The tracks are all intricately woven and sound incredibly fresh. Opening with the iconic Wouldn't It Be Nice, one of their most known songs, this album starts off on a high and continues to offer track after track of pure gold. A true classic.

Favourite Tracks
Wouldn't It Be Nice?
You Still Believe In Me
That's Not Me
Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)
I'm Waiting for the Day
Let's Go Away for a While
Sloop John B
God Only Knows
I Know There's an Answer
Here Today
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
Pet Sounds
Caroline, No

14th March

A departure from the heavily political protest songs of his previous albums, Another Side of Bob Dylan is less politically motivated. Of course, some songs do still include the odd political sentiment but overall, there is less political stuff here. An album full of inventive songs. It covers a range of emotion. Comedic songs, introspective songs, romantic songs, Dylan covers a lot of ground here. A very entertaining album and as great as his previous albums are, I happen to prefer this one. Very strong, very memorable. Dylan was expanding his horizons here and the result is a brilliant album.

Favourite Tracks
All I Really Want to Do
Black Crow Blues
Chimes of Freedom
I Shall Be Free - No. 10
To Ramona
Motorpsycho Nitemare
My Back Pages
It Ain't Me Babe

20th March

As with Zappa's previous works, this album needs several listens before the listener truly unlocks it. The more I listened, the more it unfolded to reveal a masterpiece that wasn't necessarily evident upon my first go. A very clever album, with tracks and concepts interwoven wonderfully. This album boasts a sharp satirical edge, making it one of the most eccentric and self aware albums of the decade. Zappa was not just a great musician, he was also a keen observer of socio-political issues. My advice to those who wish to hear this album. One listen quite simply isn't enough.

Favourite Tracks
Who Needs the Peace Corp?
Concentration Moon
Mom & Dad
Bow Tie Daddy
Harry, You're a Beast
What's the Ugliest part of Your Body?
Absolutely Free
Flower Punk
Lonely Little Girl
Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance
Mother People

7th April

A true classic. One of the best albums of not just the sixties but of all time. Dylan went electric with this album and it hits you like a wave. When the electric instruments burst into life on the opening track, you know the album is going to be a good one. This album starts with a good first impression it doesn't lets you down once in its entire 45 minute run time. An album that showcases Dylan's eye for social/political issues, his sense of humour, his tactful melancholy and his boundary pushing surrealism, all together on one classic record. Sometimes, all of these can be found in one song. Song writing at its finest.

Favourite Tracks
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Maggie's Farm
Outlaw Blues
Bob Dylan's 116th Dream
Mr. Tambourine Man
Gates of Eden
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

12th June

19th June

20th June

25th June

6th July

12th July

13th July

21st July

23rd July

30th July

5th August

11th August

21st August

29th September

14th October

23rd October

1st November

11th November

23rd November

2nd December

26th December