The Omen Speaks

Thanks to all who have followed, liked and commented. The community of music lovers is as good as it gets. This endeavor took me through a tumultuous time in my life while I’ve driven towards stability. Quite a ride. Grateful for you all. Rock on, my friends.
🤘😂🎸☮️❤️✊🫡💥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 100: RUSH - R50

To end this fun distraction for me, I end with the ultimate compilation of a tremendous career. These Canadian 🇨🇦 boys authored the soundtrack of my life. And, for that I’m grateful. 🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 99: Fleetwood Mac - Rumors

In this penultimate albums post, FM’s ‘77 offering is exquisite. Hit after stellar hit. Songs that have stood the test of time. The diversity of their multiple vocalists, as well as constant drama, made them so damn interesting. 🤘🔥

I feel these are the Rock and Roll Legends whom I’d like to see resurrected. It tracks, after all, since the world went to hell after both iconic Canadians 🇨🇦 Gord & Neil succumbed to the scourge of glioblastoma in 2017 & 2020. 😢

Audiophile Albums of Note: Days 97&98

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. Two offerings to cover the weekend. YF by The Hip hits all their shining stars. HYF by RUSH is an underrated offering which departed significantly from their norm (to mixed reviews). Love ‘em both and sop in them often. 🤘🔥

Right there with you. Amazing mood in this one. 🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 96: REM - Automatic for the People

The pride of Athens, GA gives us another entry. Released tracks get the attention (Drive, Everyone Hurts, MotM), it’s the flip side that has crazy great tracks (Ignoreland, Nightswimming & Find The River). Absorb those lyrics! 🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 95: Poi Dog Pondering - Wishing Like A Mountain and Thinking Like The Sea

A favorite album from ‘90 that, to paraphrase a critic, is an irresistible party of an album that is both infectious and impressive. Not all critics agreed. I don’t care, as I love it. 🤘🔥

Thankfully, they reunited and toured in 2022and I FINALLY got a chance to se them. They did NOT disappoint. 🔥🔥🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 94: The GoGo’s - Talk Show

This is the second entry from the LA-based female power quintet. While critic reception was bland, this is a fun listen to this day. Head Over Heels is a terrific song with great lyrics IMHO. The band broke up shortly afterwards in ‘85.🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 93: Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair

Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal formed in the early 80s and dropped this hit machine on us in 1985. Everybody Wants To Rule The World and Shout were huge hits. Unique writing and sound, T4F dominated the airwaves. 🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 92: Foreigner - 4

1981’s multihit 6x platinum offering from this British band gave us many classics. Juke Box Hero is epic storytelling. Waiting For A Girl Like You was featured at EVERY HS dance in the decade. Urgent bridged their hard rock to a more 80s style. 🤘🔥

Brown Eyes is a song Kevin penned about his daughter, son and wife. The first verse describes my daughter as a little girl to a “T”.

Rooty Toot Toot is a catchy tune that was the ONLY song I could sing (badly, of course) to my screaming baby daughter to get her to sleep. Thanks, Mr. Mellancamp.

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 91: Bacon Brothers - Forosoco & John Mellancamp - Lonesome Jubilee

Today is a “twofer” as it’s my daughter’s wedding. This sappy dad will be dancing with the bride to “Brown Eyes” by the BBs and “Rooty Toot Toot” by JM. Two songs that make this dad weep with joy. 🤘🔥🥹

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 90: Steve Winwood - Back in the High Life Again

The former frontman for Traffic, Mr Winwood went solo and charted a number of tunes in the 80s. Easy going music marked his contributions which peaked with Higher Love in ‘86. RNRHOFer in 2004 and owns two Grammys. 🤘🔥

💯

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 89: RUSH - Clockwork Angels

After missing a day traveling, and in the midst of another, I thought I’d give props to The Holy Triumvirate’s masterful steampunk storytelling. Love this endcap on their studio albums. The Anarchist is perfection, both studio & live. 🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 88: The Police - Synchronicity

1983s AOTY Grammy (+2 others) was the pinnacle of The Police’s success. Yielded hit after hit, along with widespread critical acclaim. Iconic for their unique style and sound. They made an indelible imprint on music for decades. 🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 87: Nirvana - Unplugged

Arguably, Nirvana gave us the best of the MTV Unplugged series in 1994. Released seven months after Kurt Cobain’s suicide (RIP 😢) it was a sad reminder of what could have been. Such a shame there’s only 3 studio albums from this great band. 🔥🤘

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 86: The Cars - Heartbeat City

This band featured the unique style of Ocasek and Orr. Contrasts for sure. Their first 4 albums established their brilliance. This one gave ultimate 80s vibes. IMHO - Drive is a phenomenal song with Mr. Orr’s (RIP 😢) haunting vocals.

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 84 & 85: Led Zeppelin II & IV

Missed a day, so I owe you two. The only thing arguable about this great band is which album is best. IMHO, II & IV are best, but love them all. Plant, Page, Jones & Bonham (RIP 😢) were magic. They bent the arc of music towards rock.🤘 🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 83: XTC - Oranges & Lemons

Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding gave us the beautiful 🍊 & 🍋 which is an uplifting, semi-psychedelic retort to the bleaker and more cynical Skylarking. Mayor of Simpleton is elegant simplicity that is quite fun. King and Loving are 👍. 🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 82: Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust

In the under appreciated category, these Aussies 🇦🇺 definitely fit. The Honorable Peter Garrett is not only a tremendous musician, but also a former member of Parliament. He is truly a force to be reckoned with. Check ‘em out. 🤘🔥

Respect, sir! 🫡

💯 This! 🤘🔥

Say what you want about the boys from Birmingham, but they’re stellar musicians. In the day, it feels like they were thought of as musical lightweights. Isolate the instrument tracks and you’ll find virtuosity in Roger’s drums 🥁 , John’s bass 🎸 , Andy’s guitar 🎸 and Nick’s magical keyboards 🎹.

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 81: Duran Duran

While Rio got all the attention, this eponymous effort (‘81 release, ‘83 rerelease) ever got it due. On the original, Friends of Mine, Planet Earth and Girls on Film (ooh that absolutely rip. Reissue added Is There Something I Should Know? 🤘🔥

Audiophile Albums of Note: Day 80: The Scorpions - Love at First Sting

The German 🇩🇪 boys follow their iconic Blackout with an arguably better album. Rock You Like A Hurricane is searing brilliance (hear intro guitar 🎸 now?). Over 100 MM records sold solidifies their status as hard rock gods. 🤘🔥

I think, and what I despise about the music biz, is that supremely talented young female artists get packaged by that toxic industry as poppy sexy lightweights. Hate that misogyny. Once these artists break away from those chains, as business savvy Ms. Swift did, we experience the best of them.

Albums of Note: Day 79: Taylor Swift - Tortured Poets Department

Please hear me out. 😂 As her writing has matured, my respect for her has grown. Thematically & musically, age has created, IMHO, a much better TS. Her humanity is on par with Dolly. Not quite rock, but well worth your ear. 🤘🔥