"Rush" by Rush (released 1974)
The first album by this Canadian trio remains my favorite of all their releases. They portend to be nothing more than a great mid 70s hard rock band and succeed on every level. Recorded before uber-drummer Neil Peart would join the band and help steer them down the path of progressive/fantasy/rock megastardom this album is the oddball in their extensive catalog. The first track, "Finding My Way" fades in slowly until exploding with Geddy Lee's yelptastic voice and Alex Lifeson's crushing guitar. Each song is full of memorable choruses and gobs of glorious crunching guitar riffs and solos. "Need Some Love" and "Take a Friend" lighten the mood before the heaviness of "Here Again" and "What You're Doing" spotlight Lifeson's guitar mastery. "In the Mood" is catchy boogie rock (complete with cowbell) that will keep your head bobbing and have you singing along on the chorus. "Before and After" begins as a beautiful instrumental ballad before switching gears to a charging rock monster. Finally, "Working Man" is the classic masterpiece that closes the album. Beginning with an instantly recognizable heavy riff Geddy sings about the universal struggle of surviving the daily grind and delivers us to the solo where Lifeson has his "Free Bird" moment and propels the tune into the stratosphere! Critics may dismiss this album as Led Zeppelin lite but the songs easily stand on their own and Geddy Lee's voice is unlike any other in rock helping to make this album a classic gem that still sounds fresh and vital today. What a RUSH!
"Wounded Rhymes" by Lykke Li (released 2011)
Lykke Li is the latest in a line of outstanding Swedish pop/rock acts (Caesars, Soundtrack of Our Lives, Loney Dear, etc...) that are deserving of more attention in America. Produced by Bjorn Yttling (of Peter, Bjorn & John) this release is a huge step forward from her 2008 debut "Youth Novels" where she seemed musically unsure and inconsistent from one song to the next. "Wounded Rhymes" commands your attention on every track with dense production and bold vocals. Most of the tracks strongly echo the reverb-filled wall of sound 60s girl group productions in the best way. Her riveting voice has a cold charm that is hard to resist and leaves the impression that here is a girl capable of anything (good and otherwise). This last quality is blindingly clear via the Bo Diddley tribal stomp and foreboding lyrics of the ominous "Get Some". "Youth Knows No Pain", "I Follow Rivers" and "Jerome" start with percussive polyrhythms leading to huge choruses of multi-tracked vocals. "Love Out of Lust" and "Sadness is a Blessing" are gorgeous tunes with Lykke Li letting down her guard and showcasing beautiful vocals over blissful melodies. The album closes with the good vibes of "Silent My Song"which is very reminiscent of "Best Coast" (see something old...something new #1). "Wounded Rhymes" is a remarkable achievement by Lykke Li and should be near the top of my Best of 2011 list!
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