John Fogerty – Centerfield (1985)
Being that it’s All Star Week, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to review John Fogerty’s fourth and arguably best post-Creedence solo album Centerfield. Named after it’s classic Baseball themed title track, Centerfield was also John Fogerty’s first album in nine years and his return to the charts.

The result of a long break, after Fogerty’s previous album was rejected by Asylum records, Centerfield saw Fogerty’s transition to Warner Bros. Records and a return to his catchy rock sound of the 60s. Filled with poppy americana flavored rock (“Rock and Roll Girls”, “Centerfield”) and as usual, some of Fogerty’s more politically charged tunes (“Mr. Greed”, “Zanz Kant Danz”), Centerfield is simple, short and sweet, and perfectly suited for the summer season.

Although a welcomed return to success, Centerfield was not without it’s controversies. Most notably was the hit single “The Old Man Down the Road” which Fogerty’s former record company claimed was too similar to the classic Creedence number “Run Through the Jungle”. What would follow was a long and tiresome trial which fortunately Fogerty would win. Though it sure is something that the trial made it to the Supreme Court.

There’s a lot to discuss with Fogerty’s comeback album but most importantly it’s just a fun album. The musicianship is tight and poppy (Fogerty recorded all the instruments himself) and there’s whole splendor of great, catchy tunes. “Centerfield” is in my opinion the best rock song ever written about Baseball and ‘Old Man Down the Road” is probably one of Fogerty’s best songs since his Creedence years. Whether most people would regard it as a classic?… I don’t know, but for Creedence fans like myself it was the closest we ever got to getting a new Creedence album, check it out.

Favorite Tracks: “Centerfield”, “The Old Man Down the Road”, “Vanz Kant Danz”

Michael Jackson – Off the Wall (1979)
Wow, the first artist to get a second album in Cat Fancy’s “Classic Album Tuesday” feature. I was hesitant about doing it but if this isn’t an appropriate opportunity to repeat an artist than I don’t what would be. The fact that the King of Pop has passed is still a shock but on the bright side it’s definitely helped rekindle many people’s (myself included) interest in the music of one of the best artists, if not the best of the last thirty years or so of music.

Like most classic pop/rock fans I’m a big fan of Thriller but I wasn’t really that well acquainted with Off the Wall until recently. Now I’m glad to say It’s quickly grown on me over the past week or so with it’s infectious beats and melodic hooks. I also find it fascinating as a transitional album, that seems to both channel and link the disco music of the seventies to the new generation of pop music that was to come.

Known as Michael’s breakthrough album as a solo artist Off the Wall would not only be a smash hit but as well Michael’s first in a string of classic pop albums. Beginning with Michael’s desire for more creative freedom (as his last four solo albums were released as part of the Jackson 5 franchise.) Off the Wall would team Michael up with famed producer Quincy Jones and talented songwriter Rod Templeton to create the ultimate blending of soul/disco/jazz/pop and everything in between.

Off the Wall showcases some excellent session musicians and legendary arrangements, hey even musical legends like Paul McCartney “Girlfriend” and Stevie Wonder “I Can’t Help It” get in on the fun contributing some of their own compositions. But most importantly it’s what the King himself delivers on this album. With a daring falsetto and unequaled presence, Michael establishes himself here as one of the most gifted performers to ever grace music. His stylish vocal hiccups and excited gasps were unlike anything that had been seen in a performer and are still unrivaled today.

Off the Wall may not have the same kind of wide melodic appeal as perhaps Thriller, but it’s still an amazing album and an excellent dance record. It’s no surprise that this was such a smash hit and with Jackson’s passing I’m sure that sales will only continue to reach even greater heights.

Favorite Tracks: “Don’t Stop ’till You Get Enough”, “Girlfriend”, “Rock with You”

Elvis Presley – From Elvis In Memphis (1969)

Spinal Tap – This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

In celebration of mock rockers Spinal Tap’s latest release Back from the Dead, here’s a post of one of my favorite film soundtracks of all time. Featuring all the greats from the classic mock-rockumentary and donning identical cover art to that of the fictional Smell the Glove album, these songs are not only witty and spot on rock and roll satire but as well enjoyable from a pure musical standpoint.

Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer or should I say David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel and Derek Smalls are surprisingly apt musicians and there isn’t a disappointing tune in the whole bunch. Written by the trio alongside This is Spinal Tap director Rob Reiner, this soundtrack is raunchy, heavy and infectiously catchy. You got to love the shredding Metalesque musicianship on songs like “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You”, “Sex Farm” and the Bass dominated classic “Big Bottom” but I think it’s the lyrics that have really helped this mostly fictitious rock band live on. For they’re truly dirty, cheesy and overflowing with sexual innuendo that’s hardly subtle and always amusing.

But This Is Spinal Tap isn’t all sweaty metal mania, as we are treated to a few of Tap’s earlier compositions as well. I mean the Tap soundtrack wouldn’t be complete without such 60s classics as “Gimme Some Money” or “(Listen to the) Flower People”, which are both excellent parodies of the various sounds of the 60s. Overall this collection covers essentially everything you hear in the movie and still has that hilarious 80s charm to it. I’m not sure why Tap feels they had to rerecord most of these songs on their latest work, as they nailed it right on the head the first time round. Of course I’ll still check it out and maybe do some feature here though probably just a review, until than Tap on… Oh no I forgot to make an “Up to eleven joke!”

Favorite Tracks: “(Listen to the) Flower People”, “Big Bottom”, “Stonehenge”,

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication (1999)
“Hey guys, I want to do one more C.A.T, for old time’s sake.”

“Oh yeah? What album?”

“It’s the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Californication, you know, because it just turned ten years old.”

“Have we really not done that album yet, I mean it was on everyone’s 90s lists, don’t you think we’ve heaped enough praise on it?”

“Well, it wasn’t on Nancy’s, he had to make room for The Chronic. Plus, there hasn’t been a RHCP album inducted into the hallowed halls of CAT yet.”

“OK, I guess. But what makes you the man to write that entry?”

“Nothing, really. I’ll probably just look it up on Wikipedia and post some random facts, like I always do. Like, did you know that David Bowie wanted to produce this album?”

“Actually, yeah, I did.”

“I’m sorry. There’s a reason I don’t do these very often.”

“It’s OK, you can do it.”

“Really? That means a lot. I mean, Californication is definitely one of my favorite albums ever, it’s just packed with songs that I love. It totally changed the way I perceived the Chili Peppers, and I can’t praise it enough.”

“Good, because I don’t want you to.”

“Aw…”

“Whatever Sean, just make sure you have it posted before midnight.”

“I’m not making any promises.”

Favorite Tracks: “Around the World,” “Otherside,” “Californication”

Pulp – Different Class (1995)

Since John did two CAT’s in a row, I figured I’d have another go at it for the second week in a row. This week’s album doesn’t really have any particular importance other than that I’ve really gotten into it lately, and it seems like it’s been a while since we’ve looked at a classic album released within the last 30 years.

Different Class was released in the midst of the Britpop movement that skyrocketed bands such as Oasis and Blur to monumental success in Britain as well as internationally. Though Pulp had been together since the early eighties, Different Class caught the band at it’s creative and commercial peak seeing as though they fit together quite nicely with the other bands that were labeled as Britpop.

There’s plenty of catchy numbers such as the singles “Common People” and “Disco 2000” as much of frontman Jarvis Cocker’s lyrics comment on Britain’s working class. While songs like “Pencil Skirt” and “Underwear” have an oddly charming sexually-charged swagger to them. Cocker’s vocal delivery certainly walks a fine line between pompous and charming but I think that’s a big part of what makes him and Pulp as a band so enjoyable.

Musically there’s an obvious classic British pop sound to Cocker’s songs, but you can also hear traces of Disco-influenced rhythms as well as elements of dance and electronic music. There’s a good balance that balance of guitars as well as some interesting keyboard and synthesizer contibutions.

Pulp would release a few more albums with less success, and would eventually go on hiatus in 2002 while Jarvis Cocker would pursue a solo career. However, with Different Class they left behind a tasty piece of alternative pop as well as another reason why 1995 was an awesome year.

Favorite Tracks: “Common People”, “Disco 2000”, “Sorted For E’s and Wizz”