I'm with you Sal. I only discovered Who By Numbers a couple years ago because I always assumed it sucked because I hated "Squeeze Box." But rest of album is terrific.
I had a similar thing with Songs in the Key of Life, which, despite it's acclaim, I'd always avoided because I can't stand "Isn't She Lovely" and "Sir Duke." But thanks to the miracle of Spotify, I've realized it really is a wondeful album despite those songs. Actually, the album version of "Isn't She Lovely" has a long coda that's pretty terrific. But I'll always hate "Sir Duke" in any iteration. Sing-songy to my ears.
That's an interesting category: otherwise great albums with awful singles. Not sure I can think of any others off the top of my head, though. Maybe Punch the Clock minus "Everyday I Write the Book"? Not that I'd put that one in the same league as Who's Next and Songs in the Key of Life.
I'll take "By The Numbers" over "It's Hard", or even "Who Are You?" any day, but I still think it sounds like Pete was out of gas creatively. It came after a rather amazing run, so I'm inclined to give him a break.
What'd he say?
ReplyDeleteStop that mumblin'!
ReplyDeleteROTP(lumber)
I'm with you Sal. I only discovered Who By Numbers a couple years ago because I always assumed it sucked because I hated "Squeeze Box." But rest of album is terrific.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar thing with Songs in the Key of Life, which, despite it's acclaim, I'd always avoided because I can't stand "Isn't She Lovely" and "Sir Duke." But thanks to the miracle of Spotify, I've realized it really is a wondeful album despite those songs. Actually, the album version of "Isn't She Lovely" has a long coda that's pretty terrific. But I'll always hate "Sir Duke" in any iteration. Sing-songy to my ears.
That's an interesting category: otherwise great albums with awful singles. Not sure I can think of any others off the top of my head, though. Maybe Punch the Clock minus "Everyday I Write the Book"? Not that I'd put that one in the same league as Who's Next and Songs in the Key of Life.
Bruce H
I'll take "By The Numbers" over "It's Hard", or even "Who Are You?" any day, but I still think it sounds like Pete was out of gas creatively.
ReplyDeleteIt came after a rather amazing run, so I'm inclined to give him a break.
Bruce, that is a great category for a future post, though "Everyday I Write The Book" is one of the few songs I do like on "PTC."
ReplyDeleteThis is a concept that may well behoove stealing by somebody.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm just the guy to do it!!
:-)
Steve, just be sure to credit Jimmy Page.
ReplyDelete