For those uninitiated, I am embarking on a quest of completing 101 things in 1001 days. Starting this past November, I am trying to complete a list of 101 different goals. You can see all my 101 things in 1001 days goals on my page.
One of my goals is to listen to every Grammy Award Best Album winner. I started a few weeks ago and posted my thoughts on the first few albums. There were some great albums in the first go-round and one or two that were…not great.
There were some GREAT ones for this go-round, so let’s kick off this 101 things in 1001 days update!
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
This is, undoubtedly, one of my favorite albums on the list. I remember when this album came out. You could stream it as one long song before you could buy it. I immediately got my hands on the stream and probably played it back to back 4 or 5 times in a row.
Daft Punk may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or since they’re French, maybe cafe au lait?), but this album fits everyone’s needs. It’s mellow with solid lyrics and dulcet tones.
Now, not every song is my favorite (Giorgio by Moroder), but nearly every song on this album is amazing. Okay, you know what I do like every song, but some are just better than others. Since I’ve replayed this, I’ve had it on repeat. Humming it. Singing it. Can’t stop listening to it.
So fav tracks? Here are my top favorite three because I couldn’t choose just one.
The Game of Love
Instant Crush
Contact
Toto – Toto IV
Everyone and I mean EVERYONE knows the song Africa, the final track on this album. Beyond that, the tracks aren’t nearly as well known. Rosanna is well-known as well, but as I said literally EVERYONE knows Africa.
This album was your classic 80s. There were ballads, there were pop hits. It reminds me of a mix of Billy Joel meets Kiss with the occasional James Taylor and Warrant thrown in for good measure on the ballads. I didn’t love this album, but I didn’t mind it either. Aside from Africa, I enjoyed Lovers in the Night. A little 80s pop, and a few guitar riffs. Solid song. Enjoy!
Lovers in the Night
O Brother, Where Art Thou
Another album I’d heard before and a movie that’s amazing (if you’ve not seen it… see it). From A Man of Constant Sorrow to Down to the River to Pray to Big Rock Candy Mountain, this album of full of classic bluegrass and folk tunes. As a general fan of Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski (who also performs with Krauss as part of Union Station), it’s hard not to enjoy this soundtrack. Take a listen and tell me what you think.
Down to the River to Pray
Ray Charles – Genius Loves Company
This was Ray Charles’ final album before he passed away in 2004. Every song on this album is a duet with Ray, though I’d say one or two were questionable (looking at you Michael McDonald). You can also hear Ray’s age in this album, but it doesn’t take away from this album. Few people are as iconic as Ray Charles and this album is icing on the cake of a long historic career. Genius Loves Company is a great album from start to finish with my favorite tracks being Sweet Potato Pie with James Taylor and Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word with Sir Elton John. if you have the time, give this album a listen.
Sweet Potato Pie
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word
Final Thoughts
Like the first set of albums, all here were great. As a bonus, there was no Phil Collins, but there were still 80s jams. I have to say…the 80s aren’t as exciting as people make them out to be, but they’re still good! If you had to pick out one or two of these to listen to, it needs to Daft Punk and Ray Charles, but that’s just my opinion.
Stay tuned for another update to the 101 things in 1001 days musical update as I have a few more albums already knocked out.