Urban Jacksonville

oh this makes me remember the one’s that changed my life

Genesis “Duke”
I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn’t understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins’ presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I’ve heard in rock

Huey Lewis and the News “Sports”
Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in ’83, I think they really came into their own, commercial and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He’s been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far much more bitter, cynical sense of humour.
In ’87, Huey released “Fore”, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is “Hip to be Square”, a song so catchy, most people probably don’t listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it’s not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it’s also a personal statement about the band itself.

I was actually thinking of a few runners up last night, surely #6 would be The Genius – Liquid Swords.

Clayton- brilliant. Although i hope you didn’t quote that from memory.

Beastie Boys – Liscence to Ill
Rollins Band – Weight
Wu-Tang – 36 Chambers
Dead Milkmen – Big Lizard in My Backyard
Body Count – Cop Killer

The list could go on and on…

Clayton: I got your Huey Lewis comment: Patrick Bateman, American Psycho.

A few thoughts about these list over at my Fortress of Solitude, inexpectatus.

yes, very good. The Genesis quote was also from American Psycho.