Crazy's 2020 purchases

[CRAZY-HORSE]

time to start posting my annual purchases once again.
another eclectic mix this year from pop, alternative, country, soul/r+b, folk, rap and hard rock.
albums will be posted randomly (in a male-female-male-female format) but im going to start off with the deliberate pick of Bob Dylan (as he follows no one IMO).

albums:

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE  -  child in reverse  (2.6)

AVA MAX  -  heaven & hell  (2.5)

FIONA APPLE  -  fetch the bolt cutters  (2.4)
BOB DYLAN  -  rough and rowdy ways  (2.4)
THE KILLERS  -  imploding the mirage  (2.4)
DUA LIPA  -  future nostalgia  (2.4)

HALSEY  -  manic  (2.3)
TAYLOR SWIFT  -  folklore  (2.3)
PAUL WELLER  -  on sunset  (2.3)

NEIL YOUNG  -  homegrown  (2.2)

ALANIS MORISSETTE  -  such pretty forks in the road  (2.1)
MO PITNEY  -  aint lookin' back  (2.1)

JEHNNY BETH  -  to love is to live  (2.0)
EMINEM  -  music to be murdered by  (2.0)
WILLIE NELSON  -  first rose of spring  (2.0)
KATY PERRY  -  smile  (2.0)

AC/DC  -  power up  (1.8)

[CRAZY-HORSE]

BOB DYLAN "rough and rowdy ways"

his thirty-nineth studio set...
nobody saw this coming, no hints to it or lead up on his website or anywhere more than a couple of weeks prior to its release.
first thing we all heard was the epic seventeen minute opus to the assassination of JFK with only piano/strings accompanyment, of which, the keys were played by Fiona Apple.
other songs in the styles of jazz and blues, and thumping blues rock.
lyrically its still as good as anything in his vast back catalogue.
his voice isnt quite as rough and raspy as it has been.
his best album of the millenium IMO.
as one reviewer put it "this is the vaccine we needed during these unsure times"...
I LOVE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.  i contain multitudes **
2.  false prophet ***
3.  my own versions of you **
4.  ive made up my mind to give myself to you **
5.  black rider ***
6.  goodbye Jimmy Reed **
7.  mother of muses ***
8.  crossing the Rubicon ***
9.  key west **
10. murder most foul **

3s - 4
2s - 6
1s - 0

rating:  2.4






Another day that don't end
Another ship goin' out
Another day of anger, bitterness, and doubt
I know how it happened
I saw it begin
I opened my heart to the world and the world came in

Hello Mary Lou
Hello Miss Pearl
My fleet-footed guides from the underworld
No stars in the sky shine brighter than you
You girls mean business and I do too

Well I'm the enemy of treason
Enemy of strife
I'm the enemy of the unlived meaningless life
I ain't no false prophet
I just know what I know
I go where only the lonely can go

I'm first among equals
Second to none
The last of the best
You can bury the rest
Bury 'em naked with their silver and gold
Put them six feet under and I'll pray for their souls

What are you lookin' at
There's nothing to see
Just a cool breeze that's encircling me
Let's go for a walk in the garden
So far and so wide
We can sit in the shade by the fountain-side

I search the world over
For the Holy Grail
I sing songs of love
I sing songs of betrayal
Don't care what I drink
I don't care what I eat
I climbed the mountains of swords on my bare feet

You don't know me darlin'
You never would guess
I'm nothing like my ghostly appearance would suggest
I ain't no false prophet
I just said what I said
I'm just here to bring vengeance on somebody's head

Put out your hand
There's nothing to hold
Open your mouth
I'll stuff it with gold
Oh you poor devil look up if you will
The city of God is up there on the hill

Hello stranger
Hello and goodbye
You rule the land
But so do I
You lusty old mule
You got a poison brain
I'll marry you to a ball and chain

You know darlin'
The kind of life that I live
When your smile meets my smile something's got to give
I ain't no false prophet
No I'm nobody's bride
Can't remember when I was born
And I forgot when I died

[Ruby]

time to start posting my annual purchases once again.
another eclectic mix this year from pop, alternative, country, soul/r+b, folk, rap and hard rock.
albums will be posted randomly but im going to start off with the deliberate pick of Bob Dylan (as he follows no one IMO).

albums:

BOB DYLAN  -  rough and rowdy times  (2.4)

Musta been really rough and rowdy - lost your ways??!!

[CRAZY-HORSE]

LOL, thanks Ruby.

[CRAZY-HORSE]

TAYLOR SWIFT  "folklore" 

her eighth and my eighth...
again, no one saw this one coming, recorded in lockdown.
a predominantly acoustic album, some strings attached and light band additions.
nothing pop or dancable on here, in fact sounds like Lorde in a few places with that sparse, distant sound.
co-written with members of The National, one track, a duet with folkie Bon Iver.
songs are deeply personal delving into past relationships, relationshps gone wrong etc...
3 million worldwide sales so far and 2 Grammy nominations (album of the year/pop vocal)...
her most mature album that is well written, sung and produced...
all of her albums rate between 2.2-2.4 for me and this is no different...
I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.  the "1" ***
2.  cardigan **
3.  the last great American dynasty **
4.  exile ***
5.  my tears ricochet **
6.  mirrorball **
7.  seven **
8.  August ***
9.  this is me trying **
10.  illicit affairs **
11.  invisible string **
12.  mad woman **
13.  epiphany ***
14.  Betty **
15.  peace **
16.  hoax ***
17.  the lakes **

3s = 5
2s = 12
1s = 0

Rating:  2.3






I'm doing good, I'm on some new shit
Been saying "yes" instead of "no"
I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn't though.


I hit the ground running each night
I hit the Sunday matinée
You know the greatest films of all time were never made.

I guess you never know, never know
And if you wanted me, you really should've showed
And if you never bleed, you're never gonna grow
And it's alright now.

But we were something, don't you think so?
Roaring 20s, tossing pennies in the pool
And if my wishes came true
It would've been you
In my defense, I have none
For never leaving well enough alone
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one
(Ooh).

I have this dream you're doing cool shit
Having adventures on your own
You meet some woman on the internet and take her home.

We never painted by the numbers, baby
But we were making it count
You know the greatest loves of all time are over now.

I guess you never know, never know
And it's another day waking up alone.

But we were something, don't you think so?
Roaring 20s, tossing pennies in the pool
And if my wishes came true
It would've been you
In my defense, I have none
For never leaving well enough alone
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one.

I, I, I persist and resist the temptation to ask you
If one thing had been different
Would everything be different today?.

We were something, don't you think so?
Rosé flowing with your chosen family
And it would've been sweet
If it could've been me
In my defense, I have none
For digging up the grave another time
But it would've been fun
If you would've been the one
(Ooh)

[CRAZY-HORSE]

WILLIE NELSON "first rose of spring"

95th studio album...
87 years young...
16th studio album since 2010...
sorry, but how can you not be in awe, or not respect his longevity and endurance...
full country album here, a couple of covers, a couple written by him and the rest written for him by others...
typical Willie Nelson, classic/traditional country and country-ballads..
I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.  first rose of spring ***
2.  blue star **
3.  i'll break out again tonight **
4.  dont let the old man in **
5.  just bummin' around **
6.  our song *
7.  we are the cowboys **
8.  stealing home **
9.  im the only hell my mama ever raised ***
10. love just laughed **
11. yesterday when i was young **

3s = 2
2s = 8
1s = 1

rating:  2.0

wihtout a doubt, one of the most beautiful yet sad songs ever written,
up there with his best IMO






The first time that he saw her
He knew everything had changed
Overnight love started blooming
Like the first rose of spring.


Auburn hair like a sunrise
Sweetest smile he'd ever seen
Butterflies, they danced around her
Like the first rose of spring.

Summertime would've never started
And wintertime would never end
She colored his life, opened his eyes
To things he'd never dream
Without the first rose of spring.

Gave him children like a garden
Gave 'em all the love they'd need
To grow up strong, she made a home
And every year he'd bring her
The first rose of spring.

The last time he saw her
He knew everything had changed
He said goodbye and let the tears fall like rain
On the first rose of spring

[CRAZY-HORSE]

HALSEY  "manic"

her third, my first...
an eclectic mix of pop, alternative, rap, ballads.
a couple of 'featured artists', BTS on one track and Alanis on another...
hearing some Montaigne, Sia, Kate Miller-Heidk, even some P!nk in places.
album sold around two million copies worldwide.
a good solid album.
I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.  Ashley *
2.  Clementine **
3.  grave yard **
4.  you should be sad **
5.  forever **
6.  Dominic's interlude **
7.  i hate everybody ***
8.  3AM  ***
9.  without me **
10. finally//beautiful stranger ***
11. Alanis' interlude  ***
12. killing boys **
13. Suga's interlude *
14. more ***
15. still learning ***
16. 929 **

3s - 6
2s - 8
1s - 2

rating:  2.3






Your eyes, so crisp, so green
Sour apple baby, but you taste so sweet
You got hips like Jagger and two left feet
And I wonder if you'd like to meet

Your voice is velvet through a telephone
You can come to mine, but both my roommates are home
Think I know a bar where they would leave us alone
And I wonder if you'd take it slow

Oh, we're dancing in my living room
And up come my fists
And I say, "I'm only playing," but
The truth is this
That I've never seen a mouth that I would kill to kiss
And I'm terrified, but I can't resist

And I said
Beautiful stranger, here you are in my arms and I know
That beautiful strangers only come along to do me wrong
And I hope, beautiful stranger, here you are in my arms
But I think it's finally, finally, finally, finally, finally safe
For me to fall
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh

I grab your hand and then we run to the car
Singing in the street and playing air guitar
Stuck between my teeth just like a candy bar
And I wonder if it goes too far to say
I've never recognized a purer face
You stopped me in my tracks and put me right in my place
Used to think that loving meant a painful chase
But you're right here now and I think you'll stay

Oh, we're dancing in my living room
And up come my fists
And I say, "I'm only playing," but
The truth is this
I've never seen a mouth that I would kill to kiss
And I'm terrified, but the truth is this

I said
Beautiful stranger, here you are in my arms and I know
That beautiful strangers only come along to do me wrong and I hope
Beautiful stranger, here you are in my arms
And I think it's finally, finally, finally, finally, finally safe
For me to fall
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh
Yeah, I think it's finally, finally, finally, finally

[CRAZY-HORSE]

PAUL WELLER  "on sunset"

his fifteenth solo album.
his albums over the last twenty years have for the most part been disappointing, except True Meanings.
with the others he was trying to sound relevant and got too experimental instead of just being Paul Weller IMO.
anyway, lots of soul,r+b on here with a few hints at Dancehall type songs, everything he is good at.
lyrics show Weller in a reflective mood and being contented, happy, hopeful and relaxed with life as he reaches his 60's.
he has nothing to prove to himself and almost certainly doesnt care what others think.
music is light and breezy, like a summers breeze whispering through the leaves of a tree.
its almost Style Council-ish in places and early solo in others, both were creative peaks for him.
surprised by the relative high score for a modern Weller album
I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.  mirror ball **
2.  Baptiste ***
3.  old father tyme **
4.  village ***
5.  more **
6.  on sunset **
7.  equanimity ***
8.  walkin' ***
9.  Earth beat **
10. rockets **
11. 4th dimension (instrumental) **
12. ploughman ***
13. i'll think of somehting **
14. on sunset (orchestral version) ***
15. Baptiste (instrumental) *

3s = 6
2s = 8
1s = 1

rating:  2.3






Here I am, ten stories high
Not a single cloud in my eye
Not a thing I'd change if I could
I'm happy here in my neighborhood

And all the things I've never been, I've
Never seen, I don't care much
And all the things I've never done, I've
Never won, I don't care much

I never knew what a world this was
'Til I looked in my heart
And saw myself for what I am
Found a whole world in my hands

And all the things I'm supposed to be
And all the things that you want from me
I don't know why, I don't know why
I don't know why, I don't know why

I don't need all the things you got
I just wanna be who I want
I don't need all the things you hold
In high regard, they mean nothing at all

And all the things I've never been, I've
Never seen, I don't care much
And all the things I've never done, I've
Never won, I don't care much

This village is where I'm from
It's one place that I call home
You wanna show me another side
But I've got heaven in my sights

I never knew what a world this was
'Til I looked in my heart
And saw myself for what I am
Found a whole world in my hands

And all the things I've never been, I've
Never seen, I don't care much
And all the things I've never done, I've
Never won, I don't

[CRAZY-HORSE]

ALANIS MORISSETTE "such pretty forks in the road"

her nineth
my third plus a compilation...
her first album in eight years...
in that time she has given birth (on three seperate occasions) to three babies,
her business manager stole millions and was jailed a couple of years ago and she finally got rid of her longterm depression.
this album reflects all of those subjects, its a far more sombre affair that the the other albums i own.
its a well crafted mature album and she still looks gorgeous after all shes been through.
I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.  smiling ***
2.  ablaze **
3.  reasons i drink ***
4.  diagnosis **
5.  missing the miracle **
6.  losing the plot **
7.  reckoning **
8.  sandbox love **
9.  her **
10. memesis **
11. pedastool  **

3s - 2
2s - 9
1s - 0

rating:  2.1







These are the reasons I drink
The reasons I tell everybody I'm fine
Even though I am not
These are the reasons I overdo it
I have been working since I can remember
Since I was single digits.

Now
Even though I've been busted
I don't know where to draw the line
'Cause that groove has gotten so deep.

And nothing can give reprieve like they do
Nothing can give a break for this soldier like they do.

Here we are
I feel such rapture and my comfort is so strong
One more hit
It feels so helpful in my need for respite.

And here are the reasons I eat
Reasons I feel everything so deeply
When I'm not medicated
And so that's it, I am buying a Lamborghini
To make up for these habits
To survive this sick industry.

Nothing can give reprieve like they do
Nothing can give me a break from this torture like they do.

Here we are
I feel such rapture and my comfort is so strong
One more sip
It feels so helpful in my need for some long overdue respite.

And these are the reasons I don't even think I would quit
And these are the reasons I can't even see straight, and
And these are the ones whom I know it so deeply affects
And I am left wondering how I would function without it.

Here we are
I feel such rapture and my comfort is so strong
One more rip
I go from one lilypad to another to stay lit

[CRAZY-HORSE]

EMINEM "music to be murdered by"

his eleventh, my tenth...
cover art influenced by the 1958 album of the same name by Alfred Hitchcock.
whereas Hitchcocks album was spoken word and samples of scenes from his own movies this is songs about murder with samples of Hitchcocks voice throughout to play like a movie narration.
songs tell the stories of murder from three points of view, the victims, the killers and 3rd person.
themes range from domestic violence/murder through to the almost fresh Ariana Grande concert terror attack,the Las Vegas country music mass shooting, school shootings etc...
its a well crafted concept album that brings Alfred hitchcock into the modern era...
album fell a bit flat towards the end, could have been four maybe five tracks shorter to hold my attention IMO.
its rap, but its not crap.
I LIKE THIS ALBUM

tracks:

1.  premonition **
2.  unacommodating **
3.  you gon learn **
...  alfred (interlude)
4.  those kinda nights **
5.  in too deep ***
6.  Godzilla **
7.  darkness ***
8.  leaving heaven **
9.  yah yah **
...  stepdad (intro)
10. stepdad ***
11. marsh **
12. never love again **
13. little engine **
14. lock it up *
15. farewell **
16. no regrets *
17. i will *
...  alfred (outro)

3s = 3
2s = 11
1s = 3

rating:  2.0

even non rappy people should watch the video, its more spoken word than rap,
just to show you that some rap does have a message and can be intelligent.






I don't wanna be alone
I don't wanna be.


I don't wanna be alone
In the darkness
I don't wanna be alone
In the darkness
I don't wanna be alone
In the darkness anymore.

Here I am, alone again
Can't get out of this hole I'm in
It's like the walls are closin' in
You can't help me, no one can
I can feel these curtains closin'
I go to open 'em
But something pulls 'em closed again
(Hello darkness, my old friend).

Feels like I'm loathing in Las Vegas
Haven't got the vaguest, why I'm so lost?
But I'd make you this small wager
If I bet you, I'll be in tomorrow's paper
Who would the odds favor?
(Hello darkness, my old friend).

I'm so much like my father
You would think that I knew him
I keep pacin' this room, Valium
Then chase it with booze
One little taste it'll do
Maybe I'll take and snooze
Then tear up the stage in a few
(Hello darkness, my old friend).

Fuck the Colt 45, I'ma need somethin' stronger
If I pop any caps, it better be off of vodka
Round after round after round
I'm gettin' loaded (Haha)
That's a lot of shots, huh?
Double entendre (Hello darkness, my old friend).

I don't wanna be alone in the darkness (Yeah)
I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore
(Hello darkness my old friend).

Now I'm starin' at the room
Service menu off a Benzo
I can hear the music
Continue to crescendo
I can see the whole venue from my window
That's when you know you're schizo (Hello darkness my old friend)
'Cause I keep peakin' out the curtain from the hotel.

The music is so loud
But it's almost as though
I don't hear no sound
I should get ready for the show now
Wait, is this the whole crowd?
I thought this was sold out
(Hello darkness my old friend).

But it's only the opening act
It's early don't overreact
Then something told me, relax
And just hope for the show to be packed
Don't wanna hit the stage
Before they fill each row to the max
'Cause that'd be totally wack
You can't murder a show nobody's at (Hello darkness my old friend).

But what if nobody shows?
Panic mode, 'bout to snap and go
Mother- wacko at any second
'Bout to cancel the show
Just as fans below rush the entrance
Plan is a go to wreck-
Cameras in all directions (Hello darkness my old friend).

The press is about to go ape-
Bananas on all the networks
Commando with extra clips
I got ammo for all the hecklers
I'm armed to the teeth
Another - fall off the bed
Hit the ground and crawl to the dresser
Alcohol on my breath as I reach for the scope.

I'm blackin' out I'm all out of meds
With them Benzodiazepines gone
Now it's just magazines sprawled out on the floor
Off the media
I'm goin' all out, this is war
(Hello darkness my old friend).

And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness (Yeah)
I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore.

People start to show up
Time to start the show up
It's 10:05 p.m. and
The curtain starts to go up
And I'm already sweatin'
But I'm locked and loaded
For rapid fire spittin'
For all the concert goers
Scopes for sniper vision.

Surprise from out of nowhere
As I slide the clip in
From inside the hotel
Leanin' out the window
Going Keyser Söze
Finger on the trigger
But I'm a licensed owner
With no prior convictions.

So lost, the sky's the limit
So my supplies infinite
Strapped like I'm a solider
Got 'em hopping over
Walls and climbing fences
Some of them John Travolta
Staying alive by inches (Hello darkness my old friend).

Cops are knockin', oh-
Thought I blocked the entrance
Guess show time is over
No suicide note
Just a note for target distance
But if you'd like to know
The reason why I did this
You'll never find a motive.

Truth is I have no idea
I am just as stumped
No signs of mental illness
Just tryin' to show ya
The reason why we're so fucked
'Cause by the time it's over
Won't make the slightest difference
(Hello darkness my old friend).

I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
I don't wanna be alone in the darkness
I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore
(Hello darkness my old friend).

Yeah, we do have some breaking news
From the Associated Press right now
Just gonna bring that up because
We are hearing we have told you
That the shooter is dead
And we have just learned that
Police are saying that the Las Vegas shooter killed himself.

That is the bartender there at Mandalay bay
And I believe we're going to learn more
Yeah, we just wanted to share that with you
You can see behind me here
This is what he looks like
Now we did just tell you that
Police just earlier
Metro was telling us
That he killed himself
Inside the hotel room.

Good morning as we come to you
On the air we bring you breaking news
A school shooting
Another school shooting
Reports of a number of fatalities
And this time it is in Santa Fe, Texas
That is just outside Galvaston.

Last night's mass shooting
At Southern California
We are following breaking news
This morning another deadly school shooting
This one in Santa Fe, Texas
It's just outside Houston
26 killed and 20 others wounded
(Hello darkness my old friend).

This, a deadly shooting at a food festival
In Northern California
Three people so far dead
Breaking news a deadly shooting in a Newspaper office in Annapolis
Newly released surveillance video
Shows the moments leading up to the mass shooting
In Dayton, Ohio