MUSIC OR DIE #25–Joan Baez, "Joan Baez" (1960)

This looks like a lost Zeppelin album cover - metal af. 

Part 25 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I learn what the folk is going on with the folk scene in 1960. And continue to make terrible, terrible puns. 

TL;DR

You tell 'em, Joan

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MUSIC OR DIE #24–Elvis Presley, "Elvis Is Back!" (1960)

Oh hi there!

Part 24 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I explore the return of Elvis post-army, and see how he changed. 

TL;DR

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MUSIC OR DIE #23: The Everly Brothers, "A Date with the Everly Brothers" (1960)

"Call collect - chicks dig that"

Part 23 of my 1000+ part series.

(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I explore more of the early roots of rock. Rad.

TL;DR

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MUSIC OR DIE #21: Ray Charles, "The Genius of Ray Charles" (1959)

The font though? Less genius.

Part 21 of my 1000+ part series.

(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I really do admire the genius of Ray Charles.

TL;DR

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MUSIC OR DIE #20: Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue" (1959)

I don't see much blue except for your vest? The font maybe? Is this why jazz continues to perplex me?

Part 20 of my 1000+ part series.

(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I continue to be a trash human who can't appreciate jazz.

TL;DR:

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MUSIC OR DIE #15: Tito Puente, "Dance Mania" (1958)

Ain't no party like a Tito Puente party!

Part 15 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I still am awful at reviewing jazz/largely instrumental albums, but at least this one is in Spanish?

TL;DR:

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MUSIC OR DIE #14: Ramblin' Jack Elliott, "Jack Takes the Floor" (1958)

We gon' be up on da floor

Part 14 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I explore the roots of folk music – starting with this Bob Dylan certified (c) album.

TL;DR:

Yep.

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MUSIC OR DIE #13–Little Richard, "Here's Little Richard" (1957)

Yes, there you are indeed

Part 13 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I FREAK OUT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO REVIEWING THIS ALBUM YAAAASSSS

In which I exhibit intense professionalism as I deconstruct the roots of modern rock.

Ah, who am I kidding? I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT LITTLE RICHARD, YOU GUYS!

TL;DR

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MUSIC OR DIE #12–Machito, "Kenya" (1957)

Not to be confused with Toto's "Africa"

Part 12 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I listen to EVEN MORE Afro-Cuban jazz-pop-fusion from the 1950s!

...that is a sentence I never thought I'd construct.
TL;DR:

When this...

...is the guy making the music, you know it's gonna be good.

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MUSIC OR DIE #11–Sabu, "Palo Congo" (1957)

Party!

Part 11 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I continue to demonstrate my musical ignorance, only this time to a sick new beat!

TL;DR:

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MUSIC OR DIE #10–Thelonious Monk, "Brilliant Corners" (1957)

After a yearlong hiatus, I AM BACK! 

I could write an entire blog post about just that album cover. Dat. Cover.

Part 10 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

TL;DR:  In which I continue my ride on the B.S. train. 

I still have no idea what I'm doing! Wheeeeee!

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MUSIC OR DIE #9–Count Basie, "The Atomic Mr. Basie" (1957)

That escalated rather quickly, don't you think.

Part 9 of my 1000+ part series
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I continue to demonstrate my lack of ability to review instrumental tracks.

TL;DR

Some things never change.

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MUSIC OR DIE #8–The Crickets, "The "Chirping" Crickets" (1957)

Part 8 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I see how rock n' roll is still beginning to emerge from the primordial ooze. 

TL;DR:

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MUSIC OR DIE #7–Frank Sinatra, "Songs for Swingin' Lovers!" (1956)

The original cover + the reissued extra creepy cover

Part 7 of my 1000+ part series
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

When last we saw our hero, he was battling that mood indigo, but here he makes his triumphant return to the top. 

TL;DR:

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MUSIC OR DIE #6–Duke Ellington, "Ellington at Newport" (1956)

Why hello there

Part 6 of my 1000+ part series.
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

TL;DR:

Seriously though...I don't know anything about jazz.

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MUSIC OR DIE #5–Fats Domino, "This Is Fats" (1956)

Fats? More like PHATs, amirite?
...I'll show myself out

Part 5 of my 1000+ part series.

(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I contemplate the roots of rock n' roll, and think about blueberry pie. Mmm, pie.

TL;DR:

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MUSIC OR DIE #4–Louis Prima, "The Wildest!" (1956)

You do you, honey

Part 4 of my 1000+ part series. 
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I continue to review things I know nothing about, this time with a swingin' jazz soundtrack. So wild!

TL;DR:
If you appreciate ravioli, gigolos, and pies, then know that THIS IS SO FUN LISTEN TO THIS RIGHT NOW

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MUSIC OR DIE #3–The Louvin Brothers, "Tragic Songs of Life" (1956)

No, this is not the poster of what could have been the most epic John Waters movie ever.

Part 3 of my 1000+ part series. 
(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I learn about old school country, and how "tragic" it can be. 

TL;DR:
I still know nothing about country, but I see how this has influenced what little modern country music I have heard. 

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MUSIC OR DIE #2–Elvis Presley, "Elvis Presley" (1956)

Part 2 of my 1000+ part series.

(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

In which I tackle Elvis the Pelvis' first album, whilst carefully dodging his famed fuzzy footwear.

TL;DR:

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MUSIC OR DIE #1–Frank Sinatra, "In the Wee Small Hours" (1955)

And so begins the first part of my roughly 1000 part series, MUSIC OR DIE. 

(For info on that, clickety-click-click)

TL;DR:
It's an album that is described best by its cover art: moody and blue (but not The Moody Blues), and effortlessly captures that feeling of 2 a.m. sad introspection and loneliness. A classic.

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