Under The Covers

I must admit, I’ve been a bit pedestrian in my choice of postings for my ‘musical musings’ thus far. To date, I’ve toiled over the best bands of all time, the best singers in history and now, my top ten favorite album covers. A bit trite and unimaginative I know, but it really stems from discussions between me and my buddy Scott, which we actually stole from one of our favorite movies, High Fidelity. The conversation would typically start something like this:

Scott – “Top five guitarists of all time….go!

Andy – “Dude, a challenge would be nice. Starting at five, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Jimmy Page.

Scott – “How sadly predictable, but I’d expect that from someone who still listens to David Cassidy records.”

Andy – “Who’d I miss then you %#@$?”

Scott – “Your mom for one, but also perhaps Mark Knopfler you #$@$#$@&.”

Andy – “Who?”

Scott – “Get the hell out of my office.”

And so it would go, day after day, list after list. So it should come as no surprise that some of the first topics up for discussion would be items I’m familiar with and reminisce about so fondly. Also, because I can speak my mind in this forum and not be called names. So, without further delay, here are my top ten favorite album covers of all time!

#10 – The Beatles – The White Album I guess when your music is commonly described with terms like, legendary, epic, life altering, peed myself, etc. you can pretty much do whatever you want to do (or not do) with your album covers. I can just imagine the marketing team unveiling the album cover to the record executives for the first time. Priceless. It’s brash, it’s bold, it’s number ten.

#9 – The Who – Who’s Next In as much as it was possible, I tried not to let my love for the music influence my selection of album covers but with tunes like “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” how could I not be persuaded to include this classic. Besides, if you love the music on the album you’re bound to love the album cover because you likely slept with it under your pillow at some point.

#8 – The Rolling Stones – Forty Licks I lost count of how many t-shirts I saw that logo displayed on in the late 70’s and early 80’s. The earliest version, the big red mouth with its protruding tongue, has been the official logo of the Stones since 1971 and it may be one of the most recognizable logos ever for a rock band.

#7 – Nirvana – Nevermind I never actually owned this in traditional “album” format. I’d purchased the CD when it came out in 1991. The second album for the band, the music was groundbreaking but the album cover completely unnerving. I remember thinking, “can they actually do that?” For obvious reasons, this CD was never at the front of the stack but I always thought it was crazy awesome.

#6 – Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced Foxy Lady, Red House, and Fire are just a few of the classic tracks included on this album. I remember being completely in awe of Hendrix’s style, both in music and fashion. I mean what kind of dude can pull off a red velvet jacket, a tie dye shirt and lizard skin boots? Jimi can, that’s who. Me, not so much.

#5 – Boston – Boston I remember thinking Boston’s debut album cover was aptly inked because I thought they had to be from another planet. The intro on Foreplay/Long Time was absolutely sick and I pulled the album out of its sleeve so many times that the edges began to tear after the first week. Awesome album, brilliant cover.

#4 – The Eagles – Hotel California It can be stated without hesitation that my pops provided the influence that laid the groundwork for most all of the music I listen to today. Throughout my childhood, my pops was always cranking out the tunes, whether it was in the car, the basement, or his favorite hiding spot, the garage. The first time I saw this album cover, was on an eight-track in a Dodge Dart (Spirit of 76) that my pops owned. I must have listened to this album 9,000 times and it never got old.

#3 – Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV The only person that came remotely close to pops in terms of musical influence was my older brother Bryan who introduced me to Led Zeppelin. I will forever be indebted. Why this album cover over Physical Graffitti, Houses of the Holy or In Through the Out Door? Because this is the greatest album ever made…but not the greatest album cover.

#2 – The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Two things pain me about this selection. First, that it’s the second time a Beatles album cover has graced the list. Second, that it took top billing over Led Zeppelin. For the sake of credibility however, I had to disregard the music (and the fact that the guys in Zeppelin could actually play instruments) and give the album cover its due. Can’t argue it, it’s pretty damn cool and you could examine it for hours and still keep finding new things.

#1 – Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon Arguably, the most recognizable album cover in rock history. Jon (Remedy’s resident Bassmaster) will give me mad props and Dionne (Remedy’s resident Sally) will grimace in pain. Love the band or hate them, there’s no denying this is a unique and memorable cover. Incredibly simplistic but amazingly iconic and powerful.

Well, there you have it. Another list that can be, well, crossed off the list. Now I’ll just wait for my buddy Scott to visit the site, stumble across the article and tell me what a $#%&@ I am.

The Voice of Rock

Let me preface this post by saying that what I’m about to propose in this article is completely subjective. Unlike death, which can’t be argued is either inevitable or permanent, what I’m about to say is entirely subjective and could likely be debated until God himself returns to settle the argument. With that disclaimer out of the way, I’ll submit my statement for evaluation…

Chris Robinson is the “Voice” of rock.

Now I realize this is utterly subjective and completely open to interpretation. It’s like asking ten people what their favorite food is and expecting everyone to say, “pizza..” It’s a matter of personal taste and depending on what suits your musical taste buds, that’s what you are going to gravitate towards. Consequently, a poll of ten people will likely result in ten different responses.

Before I place the crown upon the king’s head however, we really need to have a look at some of the contenders for the throne. After all, for those of you that get nauseous from the very sight of pizza, you need to have a look at the other options on the table before you make your selection.

In no particular order, lets make an argument for…

Robert Plant – next to Chris Robinson, this guy is at the top of my list. Ok, so maybe they are in some type of order! Plant’s voice, whether you care for it or not, is unmatched in terms of power and range. He could blow your hair back with the likes of “Black Dog” and caress your ears with tunes like “Going to California.” He could carry a tune and scream like no other.

Paul McCartney – admittedly, not my thing but who’s going to argue with 90 million screaming women?

Janis Joplin – the most recognizable female voice in all of rock history. As Arthur Cooper wrote, “she stomped, shimmied, swung her hips, and screeched carnal knowledge in a voice as gritty as a Texas dirt road.”

Freddie Mercury – admittedly, not my thing but who’s going to argue with 90 million screaming men? On a serious note, Freddie’s range, creativity and precision make him one of the most versatile and respected artists around.

Honorable mention: Roger Daltrey, Steve Perry, Ann Wilson, & Paul Rodgers

So why Chris Robinson you ask, among a smorgasbord of exceptional singers on the table? Because he has all the ingredients of the perfect singer; soul, groove, range, purity, power, stamina and more. The kind of vocalist that defines the music he makes, with an instrument no less important than any guitar, bass, piano or drum. Robinson’s vocals are exceptionally soulful and powerful, matched only by the inspiration and introspection of his lyrics. How such a little dude could pack such a vocal punch is beyond the laws of physics and comprehension.

Not convinced? Not a Chris Robinson fan? Pizza give you heartburn? Well, have a listen to this and when you’re finished, be sure to leave a comment!

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Led Zeppelin – Number One on My List

Here’s a quick note to VH1, MTV and every other television network that broadcasts a “countdown” of the greatest bands of all time. Led Zeppelin is the greatest band of all time and should unquestionably be #1 on any list that hopes to garner any credibility whatsoever.

Stop.

Before you scroll down to the bottom of the page and reply to this post with your argument as to why the Beatles, Who, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, etc. should be elevated above them, let me present a few arguments that will inevitably prevent you from humiliating yourself. .

• Musicianship – Man for man, Led Zeppelin arguably had the best musicians ever at their respective positions. Ask any musician alive who the greatest guitarist, drummer, bass player and vocalist is, and Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones and Robert Planet will be in the top five on almost every list provided. Name another band where each and every single player is considered to be the BEST at their respective position. Struggling? Exactly. The Beatles, man for man, were incredible writers of music, but Ringo over John Bonham? Harrison over Page? You can’t be serious. Ever wonder why you don’t hear bands covering Led Zeppelin when you’re out at your favorite watering hole? I know why. They CAN’T!
• Credibility – From The Black Crowes to The White Stripes, the Beatles to Sheryl Crowe, Guns n Roses, Tori Amos, Aerosmith, pretty much anyone that plays music has been influenced by Led Zeppelin and will readily admit it. The Beatles’ John Lennon was quoted as saying, “When it’s all said and done, they (Led Zeppelin) will go down as being one of the most influential bands of all time.”
• Influence – Nice transition, right? As cited above in the aforementioned bullet point, dozens of major bands, if not hundreds, cite Led Zeppelin as a major influence on the development of their music. Some blatant, some subtle, but you can hear Zeppelin’s familiar riffs and undertones in countless tracks from bands that came after them (See Whitesnake).
• Diversity – Have a listen to the album Led Zeppelin I, then compare it to In Through the Out Door, then take a few tracks from Physical Graffitti and tell me you hear the same thing twice. Whether playing rock n roll, hard rock, rockabilly, country, folk songs, psychadelic rock, or blues, they grew with each new offering and created something different each time out of the gate.

Convinced? If not, go ahead and tell me why you think YOUR favorite band is better. But if you come with it, come hard and with some facts, cause I don’t think your dad can beat up my dad (props to you pops), or your band can beat mine!

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