I like it, yes I do.

The Rolling Stones - It's Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)

Although the title track of this album is a well known classic, the rest of it has been left behind as "album tracks". I always thought of it as a "murky" album, it has a mysterious, sludgy kind of vibe to it. Of course, being 1974, a lot of that probably had to do with drugs. Just check out the crazy Guy Peelaert painting on the cover.

It was also a transitional time for the band, Mick Taylor left during the recording and doesn't play on 3 of the tracks. Plus, it was the first Stones record to be produced by "The Glimmer Twins", Mick & Keith. Over time, the songs have been overtaken by the Stones myth and sheer cultural dominance of the title track. 

Of course, I really like the record! Tunes like "If You Can't Rock Me", "Luxury", "Time Waits For No One", "Short & Curlies", "Dance Little Sister", "Till The Next Goodbye" and their second Temptations cover, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" are all fantastic! Then there's "Fingerprint File", my personal fave. It's dark, funky, weird and catchy as anything. Only the Stones could get away with a song like that.

"It's Only Rock and Roll" is a great album that you should listen to right now!

Mask is on

Bauhaus - Mask
A friend of mine recently went to New York City and came across a Peter Murphy concert. He bought me a T-shirt and that naturally sparked a desire to listen to some 'haus. This album has always been a favourite, with some great songs, "Kick In The Eye", "In Fear Of Fear", "Hollow Hills" and of course the title track with it's crazy video! It's also one of my favourite Bauhaus album covers, with the mysterious Daniel Ash drawing. I've always wondered if it's a band portrait as he saw them.

Don't Tell A Soul

Replacements - Don't Tell A Soul
Although there was another record released after this one, this is essentially the final Replacements album and the first one I heard way back in the day. "I'll Be You" is still one of their greatest songs and I always loved the "If I was from Canada" line. For years, I thought he sang "We'll get some picks" in "Talent Show" only to find out it was "We'll get thumb picks". Who uses thumb picks? ha ha Great album and a great introduction to the Replacements if you don't want to start with the crazy, drunk punk of the first few records.

Gorillaz in Paris.

I picked this up in Paris a few years ago. I've been a fan of the Gorillaz since the first album, but hadn't heard about this before I spotted it. All the info was in French too, so that didn't help. Turns out it was a limited edition pressing on vinyl, so I lucked out there. Even better, the record is fantastic! It's an album of travelling songs that was recorded on their previous tour. I listened to right when I got home and it's still the best travel record I've heard.

Gospel King.

Picked up this little treasure in Seattle over the weekend. It's the only B.B. King album/music I've ever heard that he doesn't play guitar on. It's all church organ, drums, bass and vocals, nary a guitar to be heard. I've always been more a fan of his voice anyway, makes it an even better score.

Aznavour, that's who.

Discovery is one of my favourite things. To discover something I've never heard or heard of before is always one of my great joys. Since I started listening to opening my ears to music from all over the world, I've been doing a lot of discovering. 
Take Charles Aznavour, he's basically a french Sinatra who I'd never heard of. I discovered this record when in Brussels a couple of years ago. I call it "record cover shopping" when I'm in a foreign country, because that's what I'm doing. I don't know any of the music, so I'm just looking for cool covers. This one had it, some sort of collection, comes from the 60's, pics of Aznavour with Dean Martin and Liza Minelli. How could I go wrong? I didn't, it's a fantastic record, sixties swing done "francais". A great discovery!

If it were the 60's in Amsterdam.

Bought this in Amsterdam on a recommendation from the girl at the record store. Got a cool 60's vibe, the Monkees cover echos the sound of the album. Plus it came with the bonus CD, a great random pick. Always listen to the girl at the record store!