Dez's Favorite Rock/Pop Records, #'s 35-31

35. Alice In Chains – Jar of Flies, 1994
This mostly acoustic EP has a remarkable consistency of mood; namely, ominous and melancholy. But it is also quite melodic and has wonderful production. Rarely have I heard acoustic guitars recorded so fully. It is no surprise that singer Layne Staley later died from a heroin overdose, his struggle is painfully detailed in this music. It is almost as if he knew what the ultimate outcome would be, because these are not optimistic songs. “Nutshell” is a highlight, while “I Stay Away” and “Don’t Follow” received substantial radio play. One of my favorite acoustic records; folk music for headbangers.

34. The Tragically Hip – Road Apples, 1991
While each of their records in their long career has great moments, I think this one is their strongest effort overall, and it is probably the most beloved by their legion of fans in Canada. Virtually unheard of in most of the States (although they are popular along the northern border), The Tragically Hip have been one of Canada’s most respected bands for almost two decades. And believe me, it is our loss that we have not embraced them. “Little Bones” and “Twist My Arm” are two of their most savage rockers, while “Long Time Running” is a beautiful and desolate ballad, with Gordon Downie’s shaky vocal matching the quivering reverb of the guitar. Downie’s stream of consciousness lyrics are fascinating as always. The Hip are equally adept at gritty rockers and gorgeous folkish laments, and they cover the spectrum of their styles throughout #34. I would start here, but then quickly move on to Up To Here and Phantom Power.


ABOVE: The Tragically Hip are probably one of the best bands that you've never heard of. Road Apples is their best album, but they've got lots of other great ones.

33. The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed, 1969
What a powerhouse record. It is bookended by their two greatest songs: “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The first is an apocalyptic vision of the 60’s gone horribly wrong, while the latter is a soaring affirmation in the face of hard times. In between is their best blues cover (“Love In Vain”), sleazy rockers like “Live With Me,” the paranoid “Monkey Man” (used perfectly by Martin Scorsese in ‘Goodfellas’), and the serial killer fantasia “Midnight Rambler.” “Midnight Rambler” is a remarkably visceral modern blues nightmare. Over a seductive and greasy blues pulse, Mick Jagger sings with perverse glee from the perspective of famous serial killer Albert DeSalvo (aka the Boston Strangler):

“…Talkin' about the midnight gambler
The one you never seen before
Talkin' about the midnight gambler
Did you see him jump the garden wall
Sighin' down the wind so sadly
Listen and you'll hear him moan…
I'm called the hit-and-run raper in anger
The knife-sharpened tippie-toe
Or just the shoot 'em dead, brainbell jangler
You know, the one you never seen before
So if you ever meet the midnight rambler
Coming down your marble hall
Well he's pouncing like a proud black panther
Well, you can say I, I told you so!
Well, don't you listen for the midnight rambler
Play it easy, as you go
I'm gonna smash down all your plate glass windows
Put a fist, put a fist through your steel-plated door!
Did you hear about the midnight rambler
He'll leave his footprints up and down your hall
And did you hear about the midnight gambler
And did you see me make my midnight call
And if you ever catch the midnight rambler
I'll steal your mistress from under your nose
I'll go easy with your cold fanged anger
I'll stick my knife right down your throat, baby
And it hurts!”


ABOVE: Let It Bleed may be the Stones' strongest record, song for song

32. Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, 1974
A rich, textured, interesting double concept album; this was Peter Gabriel’s brilliant swansong with Genesis before he bolted for his solo career. But what a goodbye it is. The story is the rather convoluted spiritual journey of Rael in New York City…or whatever. The songs are great. The title track rocks hard, “Carpet Crawlers” is lush and majestic, “In the Cage” pulses with menace and desperation…there really is not a dull moment over the two records, and it is sonically cohesive, even if the overall story doesn’t make much sense. Have Gabriel’s lyrics ever made much sense anyway? I feel that this is about the best progressive rock has to offer, and it avoids most of the excesses that mar most prog rock works. The entire thing can be taken together as a complex piece, but the individual songs are distinct and good enough that that they all work just fine individually as well.

31. Pink Floyd - Meddle, 1971
Often forgotten amongst the more famous Floyd classics, this record is seriously great. The menacing “One of These Days” (“One of these days, I’m going to cut you into little pieces!” being the only vocal line in the otherwise thundering instrumental) rocks hard. “Fearless” is a forgotten Floyd gem, while tunes like “San Tropez” (a silly lounge jazz piece) and “Seamus” (a blues ode to a dog) show a rare glimpse of humor from this usually dour band. But that is all prelude to the 23-minute opus “Echoes,” which may be Floyd’s finest (extended) moment. All of their strengths are on display here: the melodic mid-tempo pace that they perfected, dark lyrics from Waters, melodic guitar lines from Gilmour…the perfect Pink Floyd piece.