Hold Me Up (Goo Goo Dolls, 1990)
(October 16, 1990)
Review:
The epitome of a three star album: not a masterpiece, but a solid collection of raw yet concise, grungy rock tracks that are energetic and enjoyable — Takac and Rzeznik splitting lead vocal duties and even sharing a duet is a dynamic arrangement.
Top Two Tracks:
“Two Days in February” & “Laughing”
Uncle Tupelo's "March 16-20, 1992"
(August 3, 1992)
Review:
A direct title and no frills production detract not at all from this at-times beautiful (“Sandusky”), at-times haunting (“Fatal Wound”) set of recordings with lyrics that resonate as relevant despite sounding — or, in some cases, being — decades out of time.
Top Two Tracks:
“Black Eye” & “Criminals”
Band of Horses' "Infinite Arms" (2010)
(May 18, 2010)
Review:
This is my choice thus far for 2010’s best “background music that you don’t notice but sounds nice” album, so take my advice: download the first two — and the best two — tracks of the album, and understand that the remainder of the songs are pretty but forgettable, several (think: “Blue Beard” and “For Annabelle”) sounding like boring takes on the Thorns’ characteristic sound.
Top Two Tracks:
“Factory” & “Compliments”
The White Stripes' "Under Great White Northern Lights" (2010)
(March 16, 2010)
Review:
On their first live album, Jack and Meg White deliver adrenaline-fueled, frenetic performances of some of the best material from their catalog, tearing through each song with a raw energy that displays a simultaneous mastery of and disregard for form.
Top Two Tracks:
“Blue Orchid” & “300 MPH Torrential Outpour Blues”