Classic Album Discussion Thread: The Kinks-Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Pt. 1 (2 Viewers)

[rustycolts]

Question for you guys that are older than me.  What was radio like in the 70's?  I'm assuming there wasn't anything called "classic rock" then, right?  

It was called Progressive Rock.  We had a station WORJ it was fm they would play live concerts a lot.  Kind of like The King Biscuit Flower Hour except it was live and play the whole concert.

 

[HellToupee]

T Rex

Electric Warrior is in my top 20 albums

 

[Insomniac]

It was met with poor reviews including suggestions of a sell out to disco. I just played it at 11 and drowned out Donna Summer and the Bee Gees.

I've found some movie and book reviewers that were worth reading but never any music reviewers I liked.  I've always considered Some Girls their last really good album. 

 

[rustycolts]

Are we going to talk about bands Like The Byrds, The Yardbirds,Cream,and the Turtles basically pioneers of "Classic Rock" or is that going too far back?

 

[timschochet]

Are we going to talk about bands Like The Byrds, The Yardbirds,Cream,and the Turtles basically pioneers of "Classic Rock" or is that going too far back?

Cream yes. The others no. 

The Byrds are one of my all time favorite bands. But I can’t quite put them in AOR. By the time I was growing up they were already on the oldies station.

But I’m just referring to albums. Feel free to discuss whatever you think is interesting. Hell, we’ve already had a dozen posts about Animotion.  

 

[rustycolts]

Two of my favorite artists were brothers.  No not Duane and Greg though I did have a lot of love for them too.  Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter were fantastic.  Johnny Winter is so underrated as a guitarist never seems to be mentioned when talking about all time greats.  Because of Edgar Winter I started playing alto sax in 68 in my Jr. High school band.

Blues had such an influence on them as it did with most of the artist of the time.  I love Tobacco Road by anyone. I could listen to the Blues all day long.  Here is a couple of tunes by them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QII1YfFVhNU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af0rV6dli_o

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Meatloaf. One T Rex song is infinitely better than his whole catalog. This thread reminds me why I couldn't listen to AOR/"classic rock" stations. Can we just get the DJ to play Stairway To Heaven and sign off now? GB nascent KROQ.

I don't really see T Rex and Meatloaf as comparable at all.  Although I 100% agree with you.  T Rex is cool, Meatloaf is not.

Electric Warrior, The Slider and Tanx was quite the 3 album run.  

 

[rockaction]

I don't really see T Rex and Meatloaf as comparable at all.  Although I 100% agree with you.  T Rex is cool, Meatloaf is not.

Electric Warrior, The Slider and Tanx was quite the 3 album run.  

T ####### Rex is classic rock, and belongs here. But, he's cool. Forget referring to your self by your first time, try your last.

"Bolan likes to rock now. Are you now?"

I'm laughing just typing that.  

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

T ####### Rex is classic rock, and belongs here. But, he's cool. Forget referring to your self by your first time, try your last.

"Bolan likes to rock now. Are you now?"

I'm laughing just typing that.  

You are trying really hard with nothing to show for it

 

[rockaction]

You are trying really hard with nothing to show for it

Really? I thought that was on-topic. Well that was deliberate. I'll take that as #### off and move along. Holy ####.  

 

[rockaction]

You are trying really hard with nothing to show for it

So Bolan, referring to himself as his real self and not as his stage name asks the girl is she in his last name now and this isn't subject for discussion?

Well done. Blow me.  

 

[Zegras11]

Next..........

 

[peaces]

Next..........

Who's

 

[Gr00vus]

So Bolan, referring to himself as his real self and not as his stage name asks the girl is she in his last name now and this isn't subject for discussion?

Well done. Blow me.  

I think you and @Jefferson the Caregiver are talking past each other - communication breakdown. I believe JtC thought you were referring to JtC when you said "Forget referring to your self by your first time, try your last." when you were really just embarking on an entertaining remembrance of Mark Bolan.

 

[Gr00vus]

I don't really see T Rex and Meatloaf as comparable at all.  Although I 100% agree with you.  T Rex is cool, Meatloaf is not.

Electric Warrior, The Slider and Tanx was quite the 3 album run.  

Agreed. That was kind of my point - there's a ton of what's come to be considered to be classic rock that's so much better than Steve Miller and Meatloaf, yet Tim's bringing the latter into it already.

I mean, how have we not hit peak 70's Aerosmith yet at least? Credence? Hendrix?.....

 

[Gr00vus]

Electric Warrior is in my top 20 albums

There are many perfect songs in the history of music. Get It On is among them.

 

[Zegras11]

There are many perfect songs in the history of music. Get It On is among them.

T rex was my first album ever.  Uncle gave it to me for xmas. 

 

[rockaction]

I think you and @Jefferson the Caregiver are talking past each other - communication breakdown. I believe JtC thought you were referring to JtC when you said "Forget referring to your self by your first time, try your last." when you were really just embarking on an entertaining remembrance of Mark Bolan.

Okay. I'd love to think that. Sounds like an amicable solution to me. 

eta* Oh, just got that. Wow. No. Simply remembering Bolan and his third person wanton call. That is talking past each other. Sorry, JTC. 

 

[Zegras11]

Can we get back to not discussing Meatloaf. 

 

[jamny]

Can we get back to not discussing Meatloaf. 

I make a really good grilled meatloaf.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Can we get back to not discussing Meatloaf. 

I'm w/Gr00vus. Belongs in the same category as Steve Miller and nothing but songs on my long list of "won't ever listen to agains". 

eta: I'm trying to be nice and avoid the stuff I feel this way about with no judgement directed at anyone who loves this old gak. 

 

[peaces]

Are these bands classic rock:

Scorpions

Whitesnake

Rainbow

 

[Joe Mammy]

After watching Fight Club I'm afraid Meatloaf has been reduced to Beech Teets.

What about Blue Oyster Cult? Their first 3 albums are ridiculously great:

Blue Öyster Cult (1972)

Tyranny and Mutation (1973)

Secret Treaties (1974)

While Agents of Fortune (1976) polevaulted them to fame with Reaper, it's the early stuff that is truly fantastic.

 

[jamny]

Yeah, I can't really remember how old I was either. I want to say it was around 8th grade. Can't remember how I learned about FM either, thinking it was through friends

Speaking of Elvis, sheesh, don't know where to start. I don't want to ever hear another Elvis song for as long as I live. My father was the stereotypical 50's "greaser/motorhead". Hardass, some Napoleon complex, fought with everyone, hard drinking, trouble with the law fairly regularly, high school dropout. He worshipped Elvis. When they bought a turntable I heard Elvis 24/7, including on a regular basis, on school nights blasting until 2-3 am when he was drunk. I've heard every Elvis Christmas song a gazillion times too. Every freaking Christmas.

I had a chance as a kid to see Elvis live. I think it was around 6-7th grade. They had tickets to an Elvis concert and apparently someone couldn't go at the last minute. I was at a cousins house playing, parents called and wanted me to go with the spare ticket. I said no (was much more interested in playing sports with my cousins). Despite him being an iconic artist, etc., I don't regret missing it

I would usually doubt someone when they say they don't regret missing an artist of the caliber of Elvis, but in your case I can see why. That's rough.

 

[Ghost Rider]

After watching Fight Club I'm afraid Meatloaf has been reduced to Beech Teets.

What about Blue Oyster Cult? Their first 3 albums are ridiculously great:

Blue Öyster Cult (1972)

Tyranny and Mutation (1973)

Secret Treaties (1974)

While Agents of Fortune (1976) polevaulted them to fame with Reaper, it's the early stuff that is truly fantastic.

Hell yeah! Blue Oyster Cult was great and every album had worthwhile stuff on there.  They are still one of the few bands that I own the physical CD of every studio album (not counting bands whose albums you can count on one hand, since that is kind of cheating).  Sadly, they have been reduced to a mere footnote, as that band that did the song with the cowbell, but they have more good songs than you can shake a stick at.  I think they are still 3rd or 4th on the list of bands I have seen the most. 

 

[AAABatteries]

Agreed. That was kind of my point - there's a ton of what's come to be considered to be classic rock that's so much better than Steve Miller and Meatloaf, yet Tim's bringing the latter into it already.

I mean, how have we not hit peak 70's Aerosmith yet at least? Credence? Hendrix?.....

He already said it wasn’t a ranking - I see now reason to not throw in some lesser groups/albums and as someone else pointed out, Miller gets played plenty on classic rock stations.

 

[timschochet]

Van Halen (1978)

Side One

Runnin’ With the Devil

Eruption 

You Really Got Me

Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love

I’m the One

Side Two

Jamie’s Cryin’

Atomic Punk

Feel Your Love Tonight

Little Dreamer

Ice Cream Man

On Fire

For whatever reason I was never in love with these guys even though they were local. I never disliked them though; they were a lot of fun. Some really good songs here, especially Runnin’ With the Devil and Jamie’s Cryin. Said to be one of the better debut albums, and it’s hard to argue with Eddie’s skills. 

 

[AAABatteries]

Can we get back to not discussing Meatloaf. 

I play Paradise by the Dashboard Lights about once a month to belt out “if I had to spend another minute with you I don’t think that I could really survive” when my wife is around.  She LOVES it.  

And that’s literally the only Meatloaf song I’ve listened to in 20 years

 

[peaces]

Almost included VH on my last, is this classic rock? post

 

[Joe Mammy]

Hell yeah! Blue Oyster Cult was great and every album had worthwhile stuff on there.  They are still one of the few bands that I own the physical CD of every studio album (not counting bands whose albums you can count on one hand, since that is kind of cheating).  Sadly, they have been reduced to a mere footnote, as that band that did the song with the cowbell, but they have more good songs than you can shake a stick at.  I think they are still 3rd or 4th on the list of bands I have seen the most. 

Yes, I've also seen them many times. The first in '77 at the Hollywood Sportatorium in S. FL. It was before they had to tone down their laser show. Eric Bloom had lasers strapped to his wrists that he'd fire at a huge mirror ball during Astronomy- it was unbelievable (not too mention I scored a mind altering substance in a tiny green barrel form in the parking lot).  The last time I saw them was in a biker bar in Ft. Walton Beach about 5 years ago, Buck Dharma and Bloom were still together and it sounded great!

I have found 7 of their albums in 24bit that sound so different than the original releases- there is so much more in the sound.

 

[timschochet]

Agreed. That was kind of my point - there's a ton of what's come to be considered to be classic rock that's so much better than Steve Miller and Meatloaf, yet Tim's bringing the latter into it already.

I mean, how have we not hit peak 70's Aerosmith yet at least? Credence? Hendrix?.....

Not a ranking. I’m just bringing up whatever albums I think would be interesting to discuss. Sure I could stick to the “greatest albums of all time” list, and in fact I’ve already included several of those, but personally I thought it would be just as interesting to also discuss albums that were big hits but that wouldn’t be on that list (though a lot of people do, in fact, regard Bat Out Of Hell as one of the Great albums.) 

Im sorry you don’t like Meat Loaf or Steve Miller. I do. What can’t be denied is that both were very significant to the era and Music this thread is supposed to be about. 

 

[peaces]

Maybe common knowledge, but fun fact anyway, Gene Simmons produced an early VH demo.

 

[timschochet]

Almost included VH on my last, is this classic rock? post

Yes. Like the Cars and a few other bands, they’re on the edge crossing different genres, including, in their case, what I would call 80s hair bands. But those first few albums definitely fall into the classic rock category. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Van Halen (1978)

Side One

Runnin’ With the Devil

Eruption 

You Really Got Me

Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love

I’m the One

Side Two

Jamie’s Cryin’

Atomic Punk

Feel Your Love Tonight

Little Dreamer

Ice Cream Man

On Fire

For whatever reason I was never in love with these guys even though they were local. I never disliked them though; they were a lot of fun. Some really good songs here, especially Runnin’ With the Devil and Jamie’s Cryin. Said to be one of the better debut albums, and it’s hard to argue with Eddie’s skills. 

I’m in the same boat with Van Halen - was never a big fan, but not because I thought they weren’t any good. I enjoy them a lot, they have a great groove to their music and are all good at what they do. Just didn’t have much of their stuff.

i do own this album though and really like it.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Are these bands classic rock:

Scorpions

Whitesnake

Rainbow

Rainbow, sort of. The other two, I’d say “no way”.

 

[Mister CIA]

Are these bands classic rock:

Scorpions

Whitesnake

Rainbow

Insert ban-worthy comment here.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Yes, I've also seen them many times. The first in '77 at the Hollywood Sportatorium in S. FL. It was before they had to tone down their laser show. Eric Bloom had lasers strapped to his wrists that he'd fire at a huge mirror ball during Astronomy- it was unbelievable (not too mention I scored a mind altering substance in a tiny green barrel form in the parking lot).  The last time I saw them was in a biker bar in Ft. Walton Beach about 5 years ago, Buck Dharma and Bloom were still together and it sounded great!

I have found 7 of their albums in 24bit that sound so different than the original releases- there is so much more in the sound.

The first few albums, especially the debut, sound a little rough (raw), but the songs were really there.  I think the problem with B.O.C. is they never had that big mainstream album with multiple hits/well known classics that a lot of bands from the 70's had.  The album, Agents of Fortune, that has their biggest song is kind of a mess, and track 2, the song that precedes ...The Reaper, is god awful.  

 

[Ghost Rider]

Van Halen is what I call party rock.  Fun, brainless, easy to rock out to, etc.  And they did it well, and while I am a big fan of most of their catalogue, they never topped their debut, which is just one great song after another.  Not only are the hits great songs that have aged well, but deep cuts like Little Dreamer, I'm the One and Atomic Punk kick as much ### as anything else on the record. Easily one of the top 3 rock debuts of all-time. 

 

[Big Blue Wrecking Crew]

Maybe common knowledge, but fun fact anyway, Gene Simmons produced an early VH demo.

And allegedly was trying to recruit Eddie to join Kiss during Ace's many off the rails forays.

Going back to MeatLoaf, being Jersey based, this came out during the time Springsteen was in litigation with his manager at the time (between Born To Run and Darkness) so always thought that the Bruce overtones of the album contributed to its success in the absence of new Bruce material (at least around here). A fun listen, but not spun too often. 

 

[zamboni]

VH isn’t for everyone, but man what an entrance on the scene. Straight ahead #### rock with an absolute virtuoso on guitar and one of the best showmen in rock history. Launched a gazillion copycat bands.

All that said, I’m a bigger fan of Fair Warning, but you won’t find many better debuts.

 

[zamboni]

The first few albums, especially the debut, sound a little rough (raw), but the songs were really there. 

Some good titles on that debut: “I’m On the Lamb, But I Ain’t No Sheep” and “She’s As Beautiful As A Foot”.

 

[Ghost Rider]

All that said, I’m a bigger fan of Fair Warning, but you won’t find many better debuts.

I love Fair Warning and think it is the closest the original lineup came to equalling the debut, but the last few tracks let it down.  Had tracks 7-9 been as strong as 1-6, I might say it is as good as the debut. Still love it.  Dirty Movies and Sinner's Swing are such killer songs. 

 

[timschochet]

Van Halen is what I call party rock.  Fun, brainless, easy to rock out to, etc.  And they did it well, and while I am a big fan of most of their catalogue, they never topped their debut, which is just one great song after another.  Not only are the hits great songs that have aged well, but deep cuts like Little Dreamer, I'm the One and Atomic Punk kick as much ### as anything else on the record. Easily one of the top 3 rock debuts of all-time. 

I think this is an excellent write up. 

 

[Ghost Rider]

I think this is an excellent write up. 

 

[zamboni]

I love Fair Warning and think it is the closest the original lineup came to equalling the debut, but the last few tracks let it down.  Had tracks 7-9 been as strong as 1-6, I might say it is as good as the debut. Still love it.  Dirty Movies and Sinner's Swing are such killer songs. 

I think “So This Is Love?” is decent. In any case, I think EVH’s guitar work on this album is the best he’s done.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I think you and @Jefferson the Caregiver are talking past each other - communication breakdown. I believe JtC thought you were referring to JtC when you said "Forget referring to your self by your first time, try your last." when you were really just embarking on an entertaining remembrance of Mark Bolan.

We’ll get to Led Zeppelin I soon enough.

or maybe you already did.  I only know that this thread has moved too fast for me to dig into and some of you are too old.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I think “So This Is Love?” is decent. In any case, I think EVH’s guitar work on this album is the best he’s done.

I do not dislike So This Is Love or the last two songs; they are all just okay.  The quick fade-out in Push Comes to Shove is a kick in the balls as well.  It's like the song had 30 more seconds and they decided to abort early for no reason. 

EVH has so much great guitar work that it is hard to lock one album down as having the best, but Fair Warning is certainly in the discussion. 

 

[Stuart Ullman]

I love Van Halen.

 

[simey]

For whatever reason I was never in love with these guys even though they were local. I never disliked them though; they were a lot of fun. Some really good songs here, especially Runnin’ With the Devil and Jamie’s Cryin. Said to be one of the better debut albums, and it’s hard to argue with Eddie’s skills. 

I'm late to this thread, but I spotted it last night or the night before, and didn't have time to contribute.  Anyway, I've always liked early Van Halen. Ain't Talkin' Bout Love is my fav from their debut. 

Did anyone see a short hour documentary type segment on the tv channel REELZ recently called Breaking the Band: Van Halen? It was interesting. Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar gave their point of view. 

 

[Joe Mammy]

VH took a Kinks song and a Beach Boys song and made them into classic rock. So that is something...