A Pistol Hot Cup Of Rhyme: Favorite Albums: 62

So... This entry took me 9 days to finish, and with school starting in a week and a half, it's not going to get much better. So, after this, I am going to be very quick about the entries, until the top 20 or so. Sorry, but my free time is about to get filled with medical terminology and algebra.

62. Zooropa by U2 (1993)

This album gets ripped on more than just about any other U2 album. It's a shame, because it really is a decent album. It was only intended as a quick EP before they went back on tour, but ended up becoming a full 10 song album. While some of it is bad, there are many really good spots. It starts off with "Zooropa", a pretty good opening track. Slowly gathers itself, builds to a nice solid finish, and lets you know right off the bat that this is a very keyboard driven album. Like it. "Babyface" is next, one of the prettiest U2 songs that nobody has heard. Pretty sure it was even a single, but not positive. Good tune. "Numb" is next, one of the few songs The Edge gets to sing lead vocals on. Love love love this song, even now. Then comes "Lemon", which I can't stand. Not really a fan of any of the songs Bono sings in that falsetto of his, but this one's probably the worst. Just annoying. "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)" is one of the most beautiful U2 love songs ever. Just an outstanding song. "Daddy's Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car" is one of those songs that I used to hate but now appreciate and enjoy. Groovy beat, somewhat menacing yet silly lyrics, good vocals. Good tune. "Some Days Are Better Than Others" is just kind of lazy. It is extremely repetitive, and gets pretty boring. Pass. "The First Time" is bad ass. Absolutely love this song, and have from the first time I ever heard it. Just a great song. "Dirty Day" is okay, but for me it's just filler between the two best songs on the album. "The Wanderer" closes the album with one of the most awesome pairings ever - U2 with Johnny Cash on vocals. Absolute awesomeness. I don't even care if it's not the best song in the world, it is still extremely cool. All in all, there is a lot of good music on this album. It really didn't deserve the bashing it took from both critics and fans, and I think if more people gave it a shot, they'd be surprised how good it really is.
5 Best Songs:
5. "Babyface"

4. "Numb"

3. "Stay (Faraway, So Close!)"

2. "The Wanderer"

1. "The First Time"

61. Sugar Tax by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1991)

So, OMD started off as a duo, then over the years they added other musicians. Then, the two founding members, Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, got into a bit of a spat, and the band split. McCluskey continued on under the OMD name, and this was the first release after the split. It's not that bad of an album, even though it pretty much got ripped to shreds. It starts off with "Sailing On the Seven Seas", a pretty thumping tune, and one of the best on the album. Instant hook. "Pandora's Box (It's a Long, Long Way)" was the only single off this album that got any attention whatsoever, and it's a pretty decent song. "Then You Turn Away" and "Speed Of Light" are both pretty good, the former being an especially moody song. "Was It Something I Said" is one of the greatest break up songs ever. It's basically about the break up of the band, but it can be applied to relationships of damn near any kind pretty easily. Awesome tune. "Big Town" is okay, a nice fluff piece after the emotion of the preceding song. "Call My Name" sounds like it was written specifically for a dance club. Good stuff. "Apollo XI" is a funky little piece that uses broadcast clips from different moon landings for the "lyrics". Not much substance, but interesting. "Walking On Air" has a very odd feel to it compared to the rest of the album. Kind of a jazzy thing going, not quite sure how else to describe it. "Walk Tall" is another bad ass break up song, but it's more defiant, basically saying the other person isn't going to break his spirit. Great. "Neon Lights" is another filler type song. Not great, not terrible, just there. "All That Glitters" closes the album on a pretty down note. It's a good song, just very pessimistic. Overall, this is a pretty decent album, especially for what amounts to a solo work. Not just solo vocally, but he did all the music, too. Is it the best O.M.D. album? Probably not. My favorite, though.
5 Best Songs:
5. "Then You Turn Away"