Tag Archives: albums

Happy 40th Birthday, Billion Dollar Babies!

Billion Dollar Babies Cake

The original band called Alice Cooper released its sixth studio album, Billion Dollar Babies, on this date, February 25th, in 1973. Billion Dollar Babies, which went to the Number One position on every chart, is a very special album for me. Favorite Song: “No More Mr. Nice Guy.”

Gail on Neals Drums

Here I am on one of Alice Cooper Drummer Neal Smith’s drum kits. All of Neal’s Gold and Platinum Albums earned for sales of Alice Cooper band records are on the walls behind me. Billion Dollar Babies is in there, somewhere.

Gail’s Top Ten Favorite CDs of 2012

Tame Impala Lonerism CD Cover

Tame Impala, Lonerism

People who’ve taken a lot of psychedelics (raises hand) and listened to way too much music while lounging in a room lit only by a black light bulb will often talk about how certain albums sound like they were made while the band was on drugs. Tame Impala’s sophomore album, Lonerism, is drugs.

Read my awesome review of Lonerism at This Link.

Darkness Hot Cakes CD Cover

The Darkness, Hot Cakes

Hot Cakes is my favorite Queen album since A Night at the Opera.

Read my amazing review of Hot Cakes at This Link.

Little Barrie King of the Waves CD Cover

Little Barrie, King of the Waves

Little Barrie’s King of the Waves was Number One on the list for most of the year until The Darkness nudged it from the top spot, only to be further nudged by Tame Impala. This only means it was a pretty fucking great year for Rock & Roll.

Read more of my opinion on how Little Barrie Saved Rock in 2012 at This Link.

Sheepdogs CD Cover

The SheepDogs

It is my belief that The SheepDogs operate in this realty via adept use of a well-oiled Time Machine.  Read more about my hypothesis at This Link.

Matt Boroff's Filling In The Cracks CD Cover

Mott Boroff, Filling In The Cracks EP

My mind was blown away last year by the discovery of Matt Boroff, an artist who refers to himself as a “Gold Medalist in the Best Kept Secret Olympics.” Read more at This Link.

Killers Battle Born CD Cover

The Killers, Battle Born

I like This Album.

Bento Diamond Days CD Cover

Bento, Diamond Days

I was in the process of reviewing Diamond Days when I was unexpectedly evacuated from my apartment due to the storm surge of Hurricane Sandy. Drama! Bento is the solo project by Ben Gillies, former drummer for Silverchair. I interviewed Ben once and he was hilarious. If you enjoyed Siverchair’s artsy fartsy 2007 Swan Song, Young Modern, you will probably dig this album.

Vaccines Come of Age CD Cover

The Vaccines, Come of Age

The first time I played this CD each song managed to distinguish itself from the next, so it gets to be on this list.

Lita Ford Living Like a Runaway CD Cover

Lita Ford, Living like a Runaway

No pain, no gain. Guitarist and Rock Godess Lita Ford bounces back from a messy divorce to make the album of her career. My indepth review of Living Like a Runaway can be found at This Link.

Mike Viola Acousto de Perfecto CD Cover

Mike Viola, Acousto De Perfecto

If real musical talent – quality songwriting, musicianship, charisma – were still rewarded with popularity and financial success in the way they were back in the ‘70s, Mike Viola would be as revered as Elton John and sell out bigger concert tours than Lady Gaga.

Read more from me about Mike Viola and Acousto De Perfecto by clicking Here.

The Smiths Release Strangeways, Here We Come

Strangeways CD Cover

On this date, September 28th in 1987, The Smiths released their 4th and final studio album, Strangeways, Here We Come. The record includes two of my favorite Smiths tracks, “Death of a Disco Dancer” — on which Morrissey plays the piano, making it the only Smiths album to feature Morrissey playing a musical instrument — and “Paint a Vulgar Picture,” both of which are just brilliance distilled.

The Long and Winding Road Will Never Disappear

On This Date, June 13th in 1970: The Beatles reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the twelfth and last time with “The Long and Winding Road,” which spent two weeks on top. The album from which it was culled, Let It Be, also spent four weeks at the top of the album chart. On a personal note, Let it Be was the first album I ever bought with my own money when I was a kid, and I still have that copy.

And The Oscar Goes To…The Beatles!

On this Date In 1971: At the 43rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles, The Beatles received their only Oscar for Best Original Score for the documentary /concert film Let It Be.