February 1: Van Halen, "Van Halen"

Artist: Van Halen
Album: Van Halen
Year: 1978
Label: Warner Bros.


When it comes to solid, straightforward rock and roll, few did it better than Van Halen did during their first round with David Lee Roth on vocals. Their self-titled debut is a testament to the fact that nearly a decade after Hendrix, there was still plenty of innovation to be done in the field of guitar playing. Thought it deserves to be, the album is rarely seen as the monumental record that it is in reality.

Singer David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen have one very large thing in common: there is absolutely NO mistaking their sound. Roth has a limitless vocal range, and lets his sexy, arrogant swagger bleed through in the music. Then and now, critics constantly remark that, reguardless of his age, "Diamond Dave" seems to sing with the same hormonal overload of your average 17 year old.

Eddie Van Halen (not to be mistaken for his drummer brother, Alex) used the bands' first record to annouce his presnce to the world. He went from an unknown to a force to be reckoned with in less than two minutes...it's called "Eruption." While in modern times, "Eruption" may seem dated or nothing special, at the time of its release, it was truly groundbreaking.

Van Halen is comprised of nine original songs, as well as covers of the classic Kinks song "You Really Got Me" as well as the bands' take on "Ice Cream Man." The other songs are, to put it simply, fun. Songs about fast cars and faster women may seem juvenile on the surface, but when Van Halen presents them, they are mature rock gems. Whether in your home or car or at a live concert, these songs are crowd pleasers that everyone wants to sing at the top of their lungs.

Though Van Halen tends to get grouped in as an Aerosmith follower, the fact is, aside from the testosterone driven rock, the bands sound nothing alike. Van Halen does (somewhat) follow the formula of Aerosmith and Zeppelin in that they are blues based rock songs, but that is where any comparison stops dead in its tracks. Perhaps a more accurate description would be, "Aerosmith, minus the drugs."

Over the years, Van Halen has released a dozen albums whilst going through three lead singers. The question of "David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar" has become a standard question of taste between music geeks (the correct answer is DLR). The bands' self titled debut shows the band with the perfect lineup playing the perfect songs. Every track on Van Halen is a classic and the fact that the band "didn't know any better" works perfectly throughout the record. While most people look to their later release, 1984, as the "must have" album, to hear the band in a more pure, more innocent, and overall more artistically accurate setting, you MUST own Van Halen.



Standout tracks: "Runnin' With The Devil," "Eruption," and "Ice Cream Man."

January 31: Beck, "Sea Change"

Artist: Beck
Album: Sea Change
Year: 2002
Label: Geffen/Interscope


Beck falls into one of the most unique musical groupings; artists who are able to put out numerous amazing albums, none of which sound anything like the others. In 2002, Beck stripped away nearly every instrument and released the somber, soul revealing Sea Change.

Unless you experience it for yourself, you cannot grasp just how gorgeous the textures and vocals are on Sea Change. Beck's voice becomes a true instrument and glides perfectly with the musical background, the lyrics moving like chords and notes, seamlessly completing the sonic picture. Even when the music and lyrics are more open and meager, the mood remains full and captivating. The album is perfect for countless situations, from stormy nights to breakups, or just listening while you relax away the day.

The mood on Sea Change is absolutely fantastic, yet it is very sparse and grim. The songs are downbeat and melancholy, yet the album remains fascinating and sublime throughout. Stripping things down to the most basic elements, Beck sets aside his signature "random sounds" and presents a dozen beautiful songs with little more than a guitar, drums, and bass. Here and there, he scatters lulling keyboards or tender string arrangements, but overall, it is the most straightforward instrumentation that Beck has ever used.

Also gone on Sea Change are Beck's usual chipper-sarcastic vocals are nowhere to be found. Instead, the singing is very slow, low, and gloomy. Many times throughout the album, Beck's vocals finally give a clear glimpse of his country music roots. Somehow, Beck has created what may be the finest "breakup" album ever recorded; and yet it is not bitter, and it can be enjoyed at anytime. With Sea Change, Beck has found a perfect formula to make the listener truly feel as if he is sitting next to you, singing to you and you alone. Sincere, clear lyrics of love, loss, and introspection, combined with the lush musical formations make Sea Change one of the most universally accessible records of the last twenty years, perhaps ever.

While Beck is perhaps best known for his quirky "spoken-word-over-odd-music" singles like "Devil's Haircut," and "Loser," one would be remiss to write him off from these songs. The rest of his recorded catalog shows that Beck seemingly has no boundaries in his musical talent or exploration. Beck is truly an uncommon talent because whatever direction he chooses to go, he does so with great musical success. With his 2002 release, Sea Change, Beck makes it clear that his songwriting skills are equal to his musical imagination. The record is a masterful working of musical formations and is one of the most unheralded, yet outstanding albums of the last decade. This record is an absolute "must have" for anyone with ears.



Standout tracks: "Guess I'm Doing Fine," "Lonesome Tears," and "Side Of The Road."

January 30: Santana, "Abraxas"

Artist: Santana
Album: Abraxas
Year: 1970
Label: Columbia


Decades before Carlos Santana decided he needed to duet with less talented pop stars, he was making his mark as a true guitar god. As the band leader and namesake behind Santana, he fused latin and tribal percussion, deep melodies, and capped it off with his blistering guitar skills. Santana's sophomore release, 1970's Abraxas, clearly displays just how amazing a band Carlos had assembled.

A quintet of percussionists, a keyboard player, a pianist, bass guitar, and Carlos leading the pack with his six-string give Abraxas unbelievable depth and richness. With his guitar as the lead instrument, Santana was breaking away from the traditional sound that "latin music" had sounded like until that point. However, while Carlos' scorching riffs and solos may be the centerpieces, it is his bass and organ players who deserve the credit for creating and maintaining the deep grooves that the percussionists ride while Carlos peppers them with his guitar.

Moving from glorious, winding river-like jams to slower, blues tunes, to undeniable stadium shakers, Abraxas is so varied and experimental, it in many ways captures the freedom that musicians had during the time period. Nothing on the record seems forced or incomplete, and yet it sounds nothing like Santana's peers (Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Moby Grape, etc). It is mind boggling to thing that such amazing, yet dissimilar sounds could have all emerged from the same place at the same time.

The entire record flows seamlessly from one song into the next, and you truly lose the knowledge of where each individual song begins and ends. Moving from the lush opening soundscape into a latin-jazz cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Black Magic Woman" and then sliding into an all out rock jam session, Abraxas, truly promises the listener fascinating musical journey. For the record, the 3rd song, "Oye Como Va" is another cover...it was originally recorded by salsa legend Tito Puente...Santana's version is MUCH better!

The San Francisco music scene of the late 60's and early 70's was truly a breeding and testing ground for countless new musical formats. While the city is perhaps best known for spawning the hippie culture and "jam music," Santana should be right alongside in the history books. Bringing together a myriad of sounds and influences and simply "going with the music," the band was able to create a brilliant musical mixture and the incredible results have been saved forever on their album, Abraxas.



Standout tracks: "Incident At Neshabur," "Se A Cabo," and "Mother's Daughter."

January 29: Notorious BIG, "Ready To Die"

Artist: Notorious BIG
Album: Ready To Die
Year: 1994
Label: Bad Boy


The "point" of rap music, in the opinion of many, is to tell a true story, without coloring the details. If this is the case, then Christopher Wallace (AKA Notorious BIG) is easily one of the finest storytellers in history. His 1994 debut, Ready To Die, is a stark, unforgiving, and dark look at the life he'd been living. It is also an absolute classic of the hip hop/rap genre.

The East Coast rap scene had been lagging behind the West Coast since the explosion of Dr. Dre, Snoop, and other Death Row Records artists. The East Coast needed a leader, a spokesperson, a King to bring respect and pride back to the origin of rap music. Notorious BIG and Ready To Die filled all of these roles so well that it can be seen as one of the primary catalysts behind the "coast feud" that would eventually claim the lives of both Notorious BIG and Tupac Shakur.

Biggie's delivery is clear, concise, unembellished, and unequivocally unmistakable. A majority of the tracks on Ready To Die chronicle his days of dealing drugs on the streets of Brooklyn, New York's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Throughout the record, Wallace makes countless references to the cult film, King Of New York, and paints himself as "the black Frank White." Wallace spins tales of the dark underworld of New York's street life and the riches and ills of the realm from which he came.

For an album that sold as many copies as it did and is held as such a keystone of the rap genre, it is nothing short of amazing that the record only spawned one single, the timeless anthem "Big Poppa." The reality is, the reason there were no other singles (save the remixes of "One More Chance") is most likely because the other tracks simply could not be "cleaned up" enough for commercial airplay. Throughout the 17 songs, Biggie never relents, smashing the listener with track after track of brilliant lyrical stylings. The only true anomoly is the albums' final track; the heartbreaking, and perhaps eriely foretelling track, "Suicidal Thoughts."

Few will argue that Notorious BIG remains one of the most important emcees to ever pick up a microphone. His unforgivingly honest lyrics and no-frills delivery make his recordings stand the test of time. He and his debut record, Ready To Die, can be seen as the spark that re-ignighted the East Coast rap scene. There will never be another rapper with gravity and scope of Notorious BIG, and there are very few rap albums as important as Ready To Die.



Standout tracks: "Gimme The Loot," "Juicy," and "Unbelievable."

January 28: The Damned, "Damned, Damned, Damned"

Artist: The Damned
Album: Damned, Damned, Damned
Year: 1977
Label: Frontier


While the Sex Pistols may have be more well known, the reality is that The Damned had both a single AND an album out first...and BOTH were far superior! The Damned's debut record, Damned, Damned, Damned is an absolutely classic of both punk and rock music. Twelve songs, just over a half hour of music, and one Stooges cover make this album an outright essential.

Damned, Damned, Damned opens with a simple, catchy, driving bassline from the new legendary Captain Sensible. What follows are a dozen quick, cutting, and mighty tunes. While many punk bands went for some sort of "message" in their music, whether it be political or otherwise, The Damned left that all at the door and simply made deliciously fun songs.

Throughout Damned, Damned, Damned, it becomes evident that each of the band members are extremely accomplished at their instrument, setting them high atop the pile of "punk" bands. Drummer Rat Scabies is absolutely awe-inspiring throughout the record, with precise start/stop rhythms and brilliant fills. The duo of Brian James and Captain Sensible on guitar and bass respectively create moods from outright rock to dark and spooky. Dave Vanian's vocals age pointed, forceful, and yet not so aggressive or loud that they turn away casual listeners.

Sticking to the punk ethos of simple chords and lyrics, The Damned set themselves apart by their intensity alone. The band understood that you don't need to yell to be loud or intense musically and therefore, their albums are far more accessible than the records of a majority of their peers. Furthermore, with the lack of political elements, the lyrics are such which anyone can easily relate.

Since the mid 1970's, there has always been an argument of "who" started punk music. Some say The Ramones, some say The Stooges, some even say the Sex Pistols. Obviously, after hearing Damned, Damned, Damned, it is clear that the last of these choices could not be possible as The Damned did it first, and did it better than the Pistol's could have ever dreamed.



Standout tracks: "Fan Club," "See Her Tonight," and "So Messed Up."

January 27: The Beach Boys, "Pet Sounds"

Artist: Beach Boys
Album: Pet Sounds
Year: 1966
Label: Capitol


Easily one of the finest albums of the 1960's, common rumor is that the catalyst for the Pet Sounds was Brian Wilson hearing The Beatles Rubber Soul. Apparently, Wilson was so blown away by how "together" the record was, that he made it a personal mission to attempt to "one up" Rubber Soul. In the opinion of many, with Pet Sounds, he succeeded with flying colors.

Pet Sounds incorporates countless instruments as well as some "odd" sounds like a bike horn, soda cans, and some sounds that are indistinguishable. Wilson weaves in classical string and wind instruments alongside these more modern musical instruments. The vocals and textures throughout the record are the pure Beach Boys sound that generations of listeners have come to expect and love.

The songs on Pet Sounds flow perfectly together and, as a group, create one of the most amazing musical landscapes ever recorded. The sound is rich and full, and yet not overwhelming. The single vocals intermingle with the group harmonies brilliantly. The record even dabbles slightly, as the combination of various instruments and vocals create sounds and moods never before heard, in what can only be called an early version of psychedelic music.

Many of the songs on Pet Sounds, have become "classics." In fact, out of the thirteen songs on the Pet Sounds, five of them became top 5 singles in both the US and UK. While the record did not sell very well upon its initial release, over the decades, it has become one of the highest selling records of all time. In the years since its release, it has topped countless lists of "greatest album ever" and is widely regarded as one of the finest moments in music history.

The Beach Boys have created a signature sound since the 1960's and the sound continues to please fans old and new to this day. Containing some of their best known songs, Pet Sounds, is, by far, the finest moment for this legendary group. If, in fact, the inspiration behind Pet Sounds was to top Rubber Soul, after nearly 50 years, there is little doubt that not only did Brian Wilson top the Beatles this time around, but, with Pet Sounds, buried his competitors.



Standout tracks: "Sloop John B," "Here Today," and "Pet Sounds."

January 26: Oysterhead, "The Grand Pecking Order"

Artist: Oysterhead
Album: The Grand Pecking Order
Year: 2001
Label: Elektra/Asylum


Most of the time, when a band is labeled as a "supergroup," it becomes nothing more than an egofest with each musician attempting to "one up" the others and steal the spotlight. However, every once in awhile, a supergroup actually works. The later is the case when Les Claypool (Primus), Trey Anastasio (Phish), and Stewart Copeland (The Police) came together to form Oysterhead. Orginally formed as a "one off" grouping for the famed New Orleans Jazzfest, the trio found the combination too good to not hit the studio together. Their only release (to date), The Grand Pecking Order, is a masterpiece of musical fusion.

In reality, one would be hard pressed to fine three more dissimilar musicans. Copeland is an amazingly technical drummer who was behind some of the most memorable pop singles of the 80's. Anastasio is the voice and guitar behind the Kings of the "jam scene" and has been known to play the same note for minutes on end...as well as single songs for nearly an hour. Claypool is, well, he's Les Claypool.

On The Grand Pecking Order, all three of group members seem quite comfortable passing around vocal duties as well as giving one another time enough to shine, while at the same time not obscuring the other two. Such a feat is rarely accomplished as well as Oysterhead has done. From outright rock songs, to deliciously funky grooves, and even some acoustic tracks, The Grand Pecking Order truly has it all. Furthermore, the band keeps thing catchy and quick, with only two songs exceeding five minutes (so you "non-jam" type folks need not be scared).

All three musicians give themselves to completely to the record that none of the songs on The Grand Pecking Order would really fit in with their respective "primary bands." MAYBE one could envision Primus playing "Shadow Of A Man," but that would be a stretch. It is truly a remarkable accomplishment that this fact stands true with three musicians who are in the upper echelons of their respective instruments and genres. It also speaks to how well the trio can adapt and adjust to the techniques and textures that each one of them brings to the band.

Supergroups tend to implode due to egos and the simple fact that most of the members simply cannot move away from their "own" sound to create a new sound with the other band members. Oysterhead defied this tradition and produced the masterful The Grand Pecking Order. These three musical giants melded their unique sounds and talents and together created a true musical tour de force.



Standout tracks: "Mr. Oysterhead," "Polka Dot Rose," and "Psudeo Suicide."