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Song of the Day #1,430: ‘Political Science’ – Randy Newman

Best Albums of the 70s – #5
Sail Away – Randy Newman (1972)

Randy Newman is the first repeat artist on my 70s list (though he won’t be the last). As I said in my write-up of his 12 Songs album, this decade featured him at his finest.

And for my money, 1972’s Sail Away — Newman’s fourth album — remains his finest moment on record. Alternately biting, sweet and sad, this collection lifted the idea of popular songwriting to a whole new level. These songs feel more like literature.

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Song of the Day #1,429: ‘Seconds of Pleasure’ – Elvis Costello

Three of the last six Random Weekend decisions have come from Elvis Costello which I suppose makes sense given the law of averages. I have more Costello tunes than tracks by any other artist but Bob Dylan. I guess we can expect a flood of Mr. Zimmerman any time now.

Today’s track is another of the many bonus tracks offered up on the many reissues of Costello’s albums. And to point out the absurd degree of reissuing applied to Costello’s catalog, allow me to submit that this song has appeared in two different incarnations on four different releases.

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Song of the Day #1,428: ‘Everything That Happens’ – David Byrne & Brian Eno

I’ve never really gotten Brian Eno.

I like his work as a producer (including memorable albums by U2, Talking Heads, Sinead O’Connor, Paul Simon and Coldplay) but the few times I’ve heard him step out from behind the boards he puts me to sleep.

Eno goes for that whole ambient soundscape thing and while I’m sure his version of it is deeper and more meaningful than most, it still reminds me of those stand-up CD stands you see at Target hawking titles like Tranquility and A Spring Morning.

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Song of the Day #1,427: ‘Moondance’ – Van Morrison

Best Albums of the 70s – #6
Moondance – Van Morrison (1970)

Almost every album on this list was recorded by a group or artist that shows up frequently in my music collection. In fact, some artists on this list have more than one album on this list.

But Van Morrison’s Moondance sits alone on my CD shelf, despite the fact that the Irish bard has released more than 40 albums, some of them considered classics.

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Song of the Day #1,426: ‘Shine a Light’ – The Rolling Stones

Best Albums of the 70s – #7
Exile on Main Street – The Rolling Stones (1972)

The best albums are always greater than the sum of their parts. Sometimes that’s just a matter of putting certain songs in a certain order and tying it together with the right title and right cover and — bam! — you have a consistent, unified experience that works as an album.

But other times an album serves as a document of its creation. Listening to it puts you in the room with the musicians, delivers not just the sounds but the sights, smells and tastes of its creation. The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street is such an album.

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