Japan - Quiet Life [1979]

Right, Joe is gone for now so i'll take this opportunity to post some new wave (YES)

Well for those who don't know I really, REALLY like David Sylvian's voice and this is the first album he's on that his trademark singing style is first used. Concerning the other instruments do not expect too much (after all this music is still very new-wave in style) but the bass is worth a mention as Mick Karn has an interesting self-taught style which can be seen most clearly in the intro for "In Vogue". The only instrument that is pretty much non-existent is the guitar as, bar some parts on the title track and a few other places , it's mostly absent (the guitarist left after this album 'cause he was doing fuck all)

The songs themselves are all pretty much top notch (in my view) and is overall a more brooding album and is the start of the bands creative work (later Japan albums), the future work of David's solo work (which I will probably end up posting later) and Richard Barbieri (the keyboard player) who has been member of Porcupine Tree since 1993.

All in all this slighty arty New Wave album is a great album with great songs I do hope you agree.

(btw don't get too excited about the bonus tracks, only one is a new track the rest are single versions)

Mediafire
@256 kbps

Judas Priest - Unleashed In The East [1979]

This is the best live album of all time. It is unmatched in its sheer awesomeness - the setlist has a certain 'don't fuck with this' air to it (after all, everything Judas Priest released until Turbo was pure gold), and the band are on top form. Rumours of overdubbing are rife, but that doesn't matter - particularly in Halford's vocal performance, this stands over and above even the likes of No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith.

192 kbps

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Iron Maiden - The Soundhouse Tapes demo [1979]

So yeah, Iron Maiden are probably the best-known heavy metal band that hasn't done a collaboration with Lou Reed. This is their first 'official' demo (you will see why I use the inverted commas in a future post), and it's interesting, if not strictly good. Personally, not being a fan of the self-titled, I was unlikely to ever really click with this, but it's certainly good as a piece of metal history.

192 kbps

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Angel Witch - Demo 1979 [1979]

N.B. In case you hadn't guessed, this is not official artwork, of which there is none.

Angel Witch's demo is interesting as a piece of history - they've since come to more interest to the metal community as a whole, but it's their 1980 self titled which everyone likes. Although the demo tracks are available on re-releases of said album, they are remasters. Unfortunately, my mp3s have a horrid hiss over them on this, and I can't find decent versions.

160 kbps

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Pink Floyd - The Wall [1979]

Are there any queers in the audience tonight?

"The Wall" is one of those special albums that never gets boring no matter how many times you listen to it. In fact, one could argue it gets better the more you listen to it, as your ears have the chance to pick out all the little nuances added by the band.

A semi-autobiographical album written by Roger Waters, "The Wall" tells the story of a boy named Pink who loses his father in World War II. Growing up to become a rock star, he slowly shuts out those around him, building a psychological wall around him. In what was considered a large departure from the sound Pink Floyd had come to be associated with in the '70s, this album doesn't feature any 'long' songs, and uses several popular music structures in places (with the best-selling single "Another Brick in The Wall Pt. 2" even featuring a pseudo-disco beat. However, much of the band's relaxed yet angry playing style remained. This is extremely evident in "Comfortably Numb", which is often considered the best song ever written.

This is my favourite Pink Floyd album, and I'm sure if you enjoyed the previous three I posted, you will absolutely adore this one too.

Mp3, 256 kbps

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Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage [1979]

Clocking in at just short of two hours, "Joe's Garage" is one of the most bizarre pieces of work ever to emerge from the wonderfully twisted mind of Frank Zappa.

The plot of the album starts off almost believable: an ordinary guy named Joe who tries starting a garage band, despite the imminent outlawing of music. The album touches on the loss of innocence, contracting STDs, and burning out as a result of a rock n' roll lifestyle. However, it's with the beginning of Act II that things take a turn for the insane. Songs include "Stick It Out" (about sexual washing machines that have a thing for people dressed like German housewives) and "Keep It Greasey" (the heartwarming tale of being "plooked" by former record company execs while in prison).

Overall this album is an indescribable experience that you would not get from anyone other than Mr. Zappa himself. While not quite of "Hot Rats" fame, it's still definitely worth a listen.

~320 kbps (VBR)

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(n.b. this is technically a triple album, so it's a larger download than usual)

The Jam - Setting Sons [1979]

Hello there, I'm John, one of the new CitA contributers. I've been added to help with this blog so I can offer a wider range of music styles other than metal and punk. So appropriately, I'm going to kick off with... a punk album.

The Jam's 4th effort is a semi-concept album (in the sense that half of the songs follow the concept but they didn't have time to flesh it out) about three boys who go off to war and meet up again as old men. And as far as punk goes, it's not the most aggressive of albums. However, in terms of lyrical themes, musicianship and overall flow, this is definitely one of The Jam's best.

256 kbps

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