Hey, wow, I’ve reached #20! Only 1580 or so to go! Maybe I should just listen to Burl Ives 1600 times in a row, instead.
20) Ian McLagen and the Bump Band: Rise & Shine!
I have never listened to this all the way through until now, though I’m not sure why since there are many good songs on here. Playing likeable mid-tempo boogie woogie for the most part, McLagen was the keyboard player for the Faces, whose box set I should get around to listenening to some time next year. “Date with an Angel” and “The Wrong Direction” are particulary strong songs; the ballads aren’t so hot, but otherwise well worth a listen. (bonus: my condolences.)
21) The Beta Band: Hot Shots II
Though I’m not sure why, I get Mogwai and the Beta Band confused; I also conflate David Bowie and Bob Dylan, for some unknown, perhaps mildly dyslexic reason. The Beta Band doesn’t really sound like Mogwai, though both use samples, electronics, and dip into unexpected song structures, but the Beta Band uses traditional lyrics and sound like they want the audience to have fun, whereas Mogwai sounds like they want the audience to feel awe. The Beta Band also sound soapy, they sound like MDMA, and they sound like Pink Floyd if Pink Floyd grew up thinking Pink Floyd was a load of crap. (bonus: the cd packaging. Glad someone still cares.)