Three picks

This blog entry was supposed be a list of my favorite concept albums, however I just decided to make it a top three from three categories. Hip Hop, Rock and Electronic. The first two being the concept albums that inspired the list.



1. Hip Hop. Lovage Music to make love to your old lady by. (2001) This CD is amazing. Produced by Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and featuring Kid Koala, Mike Patton (Fantomas) and Jennifer Charles (Elysian Fields). Personally I believe it is Nakamura's best work. Lovage is a homage to the French singer songwrighter Serge Gainsbourg known for his voracious appetite for alcohol, cigarettes, and women. This disk is a combination of cabaret and hip hop that is full of breathy vocals, sultry moans and suggestive lyrics. Aside from its wack/humorous interlude Herbs..., the entire disk is brilliant. Filled with amazing beats and samples, stylized vocals and non stop dreamy sexuality that rocks as hard as the cover. This disk is great way to make that special someone feel hot and bothered. Mostly bothered, but in a great super sexy lyrics way.


2. Rock and Roll. David Bowie the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. (1972) A glam rock masterpiece built around an androgynous alien rock star named Ziggy Stardust who comes to earth and becomes a rock star. This is one of David Bowie's best albums and is a great listen all the way through just like Lovage. Combining glam rock, a cabaret esque sense of melodrama and a decadent dystopian view of the future, this is David Bowie at his best. This album allowed Bowie to transform himself into Ziggy Stardust and his band into The Spiders from Mars, while producing some of the most influential and exciting rock and roll. His last show as Ziggy is chronicled in Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars the Motion Picture. The Best of Bowie Video Collection also offers some live fotage and videos from the Ziggy era. I listened to this CD and subsequently fell in love it even with having a less that favorable image of David Bowie. This album completely changed that. With amazing lyrics, catchy hooks and great guitar riffs this disk one of Bowie's best. Give it a listen and decide for yourself.



3. Electronic. Takako Minekawa Fun 9. (1999) The wife of another Japanese musical sensation Cornelius, Takako produced an amazing album that is great. Her cutesy whispered voice may take some time to get used to but once you do this album may become your favorite. Apparently a fan of cats, keyboards and French pop, Takako Minekawa produces some of the most soothing electronic music. Filled with girlish sounding blips and lush sinths this is a great album that is very playful yet polished. A girly japanese cartoon soundtrack is a good way to describe it. Guaranteed to make you feel better...give it a listen.