Deep Purple - Stormbringer (1974)

What could be more lusty than singer David
Coverdale's macho, breathy, crotch-thrusting, manly vocal delivery? How about bassist Glenn Hughes vying for attention right there alongside him as co-vocalist with his macho, panting, crotch-thrusting, manly vocal delivery?

Yes, it's an approach brimming with hormones. Macho hormones. If I were a woman, this kind of thing might make me feel a little violated.

This being a Deep Purple album and all, fans won't be disappointed by the usual rifferama excellence exemplified by the taut muscular boogie of the likes of Lady Double Dealer or High Ball Shooter, but the album's strength lies in it's looser, (trouser)snake-like deviations, like the bubbling funk of You Can't Do It Right, the sultry and soulful Love Don't Mean A Thing, or Holy Man. And it's this soul aspect laced with tinges of commercial appeal which make this album a treat, guitar supremo Ritchie Blackmore's last until the 80's reunion.

Just don't drop the soap whilst listening, David and Glenn sound a little pent up.

Buckingham Nicks - Nicks & Buckingham (1973)

If Buckingham and Nicks asked you, in 1973 while soaking in the hot tub and doing some blow, to participate in a lusty California threesome, what would you have said?

Buckingham Nicks. Nicks & Buckingham. Which is the band name, which is the album name?

You could quite easily argue that rather than Buckingham and Nicks joining Fleetwood Mac, it was actually Fleetwood Mac that joined Buckingham and Nicks. The powerhouse writing and performing team of B & N dominated every aspect of the mega successful Fleetwood Mac once they teamed up.

And so it's not surprising that this album also sounds very much like a Fleetwood Mac album. And as we all know, that means it sounds very much like a good album.




Yoko Ono - Approximately Infinite Universe (1973)

One day she will get her due.

Beatle freaks ought to listen to her early 70's albums to hear the most raw and inspired guitar playing that John Lennon has ever recorded.

But nevermind that because even into her 70's, she releases some of the most interesting, funky, groovy, and rockin' tunes even though she's been wailing into a void of apathy, indifference, hatred and disdain ever since 1968.

Yeah, sometimes it sounds like a puke omelette but not usually and for some reason it's those occasional missteps that people pick up on.

...that said, I guess it does help if you tune out her voice. Still, some seriously cool shit nevertheless.

Slayer - Undisputed Attitude (1996)

The audio equivalent of being repeatedly kicked in the face, and an overlooked gem in Slayer's catalogue of brutality.

Sparks - Propaganda (1974)

Not only the greatest album cover ever, but the music contained therein is as every bit as madcap, zany, ridiculous and adrenalized as the image suggests.

Grandiose and pompous, and bursting forth with a whirlwind of guitars, piano and harmonies, the songs by the brothers Mael are mini delirious symphonies beamed straight in from Planet X.

The band Queen were listening and took this same formula and sound to the top of the rock heap while Sparks remain a cult act.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Not Fragile (1974)

FAT. That's what this album is. Big n' fat. Unashamedly so. And that's why it's so good. It's not just the album, the songs and the guitars that are fat. The band are fat too. There they are on the back cover: fat, hairy, sweaty and kicking it live on stage.

Very much like with Steve Miller, BTO is cursed for having timeless classics which have become overplayed. So even though both Roll On Down The Highway and You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet are on here, the real excitement comes from pretty much every other track on offer, which are heavier and less commercially polished.

Crack open a beer, undo the button on your jeans, let your gut hang out and jive along to the greasy, heavy stomp of Not Fragile.