Tag: Album selection

Album Selection: Best of the Beach Boys, Vol 2

Album Selection: The Beach Boys Greatest Hits Vol 2

Over the last couple of months, both Darren and Scott picked the first albums they ever owned for us to review, so I’m continuing the trend. The first album I ever owned was Best of the Beach Boys, vol. 2 on cassette. Compiled and released by Capitol Records in 1967, this album served to fill a gap in releases by the band to keep the fans happy and the hype train going. Best of The Beach Boys vol. 2 features a selection of iconic tracks that showcase The Beach Boys’ signature surf-rock sounds, filled with many popular hit songs, including Surfin’ Safari and California Girls. Join us at the end of the month for our review.

Joan Jett – Bad Reputation

Joan Jett – Bad Reputation: When Darren’s November pick of Elvis Presley’s self-titled debut had him reflecting on his first-ever album, it got me thinking: what was mine? After a stroll down memory lane, I landed on Joan Jett’s Bad Reputation. Released in 1980, this debut solo album marked Jett’s transition from The Runaways to solo stardom, paving the way for her legendary career in rock ‘n’ roll.I received this cassette for my 9th birthday in August 1982. At first, I was disappointed—it wasn’t Jett’s I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll, the album I’d actually requested. But after listening to Bad Reputation a few times, I was hooked. Classics like “Bad Reputation” and “Do Ya Wanna Touch” have stuck with me ever since.Now, decades later, I’m revisiting this album to see how it holds up and what it still has to say. Join me as I take a fresh listen to the music that first introduced me to the rebellious spirit of rock.

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Elvis Presley – Self-Titled

My favourite album I remember as a kid was a K-Mart compilation album I got that was all Elvis Presley hits. I do remember the big hit on that was ‘Teddy Bear’, which funny enough isn’t on this album I’m about to pick. just loved it I mean it was really fun rock music and this was 1975.I want you to take a musical journey back to the beginning of the Elvis era with us this month. The music from that era was so fun. So listen along and then watch for the episode the first week of December 2024 to hear what the group thought of this iconic album that kicked off a career that is still resonating in popular culture. It’s time to dive in to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll!

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This Album Influenced That Album – Stone Temple Pilots Influenced Def Leppard

This month, we round out our four-part series exploring how some albums influence others by seeing if the Stone Temple Pilots influenced Def Leppard. Sometimes bands with careers that span decades aren’t just the influencers, but take inspiration from new genres and newer bands smashing it in them. When Def Leppard decided to get into the grunge and alt rock scene in the 90s, did Scott Weiland and crew influence them? Let’s find out.

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This Album Influenced That Album – Deftones Influenced Sleep Token

This month, we explore how the Deftones influenced Sleep token in the third of our four-part series exploring albums that sound like they were influenced by other albums. Or perhaps, more broadly, bands that sound like they were influenced by other bands, focusing on an album from each band that demonstrates the similarities.

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This Album Influenced That Album – The Rolling Stones Influenced The Black Crowes

In the upcoming episodes, we explore how one album influenced another, starting with Darren Scott’s picks of the Foo Fighters’ debut and Bad Brains’ Rock for Light. Now it’s my turn with The Black Crowes’ The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, their 1992 follow-up to Shake Your Money Maker. This album broke records with four rock number-one hits and topped the Billboard 200. Produced by George Drakoulias and The Black Crowes, its rock, blues, and southern black soul sound has always reminded me of the early Rolling Stones, especially their 1972 album Exile on Main St.. Known for its murky, party-like atmosphere, Exile on Main St. was a double album featuring blues, rock, swing, country, and gospel influences. This month, I’ll dive deeper to see if Exile on Main St. truly influenced The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.

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This Album Influenced That Album – Bad Brains Influenced Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters’ self-titled debut album, released in 1995, bears noticeable influences from Bad Brains’ “Rock for Light,” a seminal hardcore punk album released in 1983. Dave Grohl, the driving force behind the Foo Fighters and former drummer of Nirvana, has often cited Bad Brains as one of his major musical inspirations. The raw energy, aggressive sound, and punk ethos of Bad Brains significantly shaped Grohl’s approach to the Foo Fighters’ early music.

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Fiona Apple – Tidal

Scott’s selection for May 2024 is Fiona Apple’s 1996 debut album Tidal. Easily recognized by her unique vocal sound. Fiona’s vibe bridges rock and grunge perfectly, giving us a darker contrast to contemporaries like Alanis Morrissette. Listen along and find out share your thoughts with us at the end of the month.

Alain DuPuis album reviews Album selection Darren Scott Fiona Apple scott coates Scott Gregory selection the sonic collective This Month's Pick Tidal

The Prodigy – The Fat of the Land

Album Selection: The Fat of the Land, by The Prodigy

Alain’s selection for April 2024 has us exploring the monumental impact of The Prodigy’s ‘The Fat of the Land’ on the late ’90s music landscape, and its lasting influence on electronic and rock genres. Join us for a deep dive into this iconic album’s legacy.

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The Mothers of Invention: Freak Out

The Mothers of Invention: Freak Out
Darren Scott, July 2019

“I’m not sure what I am getting us in to.” – This thought keeps running through my head as I have now committed our Sonic Collective members to listen to this album featuring front man Frank Zappa.

Not too long ago I watched Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words on Netflix and I found the story very interesting. Frank Zappa was a classically trained composer who wanted to push musical boundaries. Zappa is a very interesting man.

I have to admit, even as a massive music fan, I found most of Frank Zappa’s music I heard a bit strange. Now that it is my turn to pick an album for the group I figured it was about time that I give this very influential musician his due.

Through a bit of research I decided to not actually pick a Frank Zappa album but rather go with one of his first bands, The Mothers of Invention. I feel there is so much to learn about this group, Frank Zappa and the movement he was a part of in the 1960s.

Though I don’t think this album will be for everyone and may not score well with the group, I invite you to listen along and make your own opinion. I respect that Frank Zappa was creating something new and pushed music forward. That’s more than I can say for all the bubblegum pop garbage we hear on the radio all day.

Bring an open mind(and maybe some cannabis) and enjoy this month’s pick, The Mothers of Invention: Freak Out.