The Weekday Ramble is a daily dose of sports, music, culture, and more from Rambling On founder Erik Ritland. For more information check us out on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, or at our website.
Thursday August 6, 2015
Exploring some new sounds (for me, at least) on today's edition of #AlbumTracks. I've never been into the Talking Heads or U2 so listening to their songs has been interesting. I love Ray Charles but haven't delved into his stuff nearly enough so I've dug that as well.
You've Got Me Crying Again – Ray Charles
from the 1964 LP Sweet and Sour Tears
Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra are the unsung creators of the concept album. They both made a series of them throughout the '50s, and Charles continued the trend in the '60s. 1964's Sweet and Sour Tears featured songs from across genres (and decades) about crying.
Speaking of Sinatra, "You Got Me Crying Again" could have easily been a hit for him. As it is, it was originally recorded by Elsie Carlisle in 1933. Sweeping strings and a tender vocal highlight Charles' lovely, subtle version.
Pulled Up – The Talking Heads
from the 1977 LP Talking Heads: 77
Speaking of Sinatra, "You Got Me Crying Again" could have easily been a hit for him. As it is, it was originally recorded by Elsie Carlisle in 1933. Sweeping strings and a tender vocal highlight Charles' lovely, subtle version.
Pulled Up – The Talking Heads
from the 1977 LP Talking Heads: 77
New Wave is an intriguing sub genre of '70s and '80s rock. It isn't as reckless as punk, yet also isn't as predictable as ordinary pop/rock. I like that it tries to push boundaries with its unique song structures and choppy rhythms, but sometimes it comes off as trying too hard to be different. Isn't quite as effortless as the best blues and country.
The genre is still filled with creative bands and interesting songwriting, though. The Talking Heads prove as much. Their first album, Talking Heads: 1977, still sounds fresh today. "Pulled Up" is simple, quirky, and catchy, and David Byrne would only build up from here.
Stranger in a Strange Land – U2
from the 1981 LP October
The genre is still filled with creative bands and interesting songwriting, though. The Talking Heads prove as much. Their first album, Talking Heads: 1977, still sounds fresh today. "Pulled Up" is simple, quirky, and catchy, and David Byrne would only build up from here.
Stranger in a Strange Land – U2
from the 1981 LP October
There are three typical reactions to U2: love, hate, and indifference. I stand firmly in the third category. Their music is pleasant enough. Not much of it is awful. I respect that they've grown and changed over the years, and how well they walk the line between authenticity and pretension, but their music is often ordinary.
Before 1987's The Joshua Tree solidified their sound, U2 were a young band searching for direction. Their 1981 sophomore album October is an echo laden, song driven minor masterpiece (and it was largely written during a sound check at legendary Minnesota club First Avenue, to boot). The Edge's layers of guitars and Larry Mullen Jr.'s herky-jerk rhythm lay the The trippy foundation of "Stranger in a Strange Land" is provided by the Edge's layers of guitars and Larry Mullen Jr.'s herky-jerk rhythm. Bono's melodies are already fluid, even this early in his career.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
Before 1987's The Joshua Tree solidified their sound, U2 were a young band searching for direction. Their 1981 sophomore album October is an echo laden, song driven minor masterpiece (and it was largely written during a sound check at legendary Minnesota club First Avenue, to boot). The Edge's layers of guitars and Larry Mullen Jr.'s herky-jerk rhythm lay the The trippy foundation of "Stranger in a Strange Land" is provided by the Edge's layers of guitars and Larry Mullen Jr.'s herky-jerk rhythm. Bono's melodies are already fluid, even this early in his career.
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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