Album Review: Glass Houses

Glass Houses was released in 1980 by the Piano Man himself, Billy Joel. The album cover shows Billy throwing a stone at his own glass house in Oyster Bay. The album is a great mix, which includes some of Billy's classic hits and some great 80's sounds that won Billy Joel a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

Classic "Don't Ask Me Why" is featured. This is a great song, that has some cool lyrics and relaxed sound. Piano, guitar and if I'm not mistaken, some maracas. Another Billy classic is the unmistakable sound of "You May Be Right". This song has a more aggressive sound than "Don't Ask Me Why", making it a song perfect for a good rock-out session.

Two other major highlights are "All for Leyna" and "Sometimes a Fantasy". These have more of an eighties sound, especially "All For Leyna", which has some awesome keyboard sounds to make your day. Like all good songs, it's about a girl and apparently Billy's doing it all for her. That's nice of him. Now get ready for the addictive lyrics of "Sometimes a Fantasy", especially the verse that reads: "You better baby, but believe me its the next best thing". Try to say it at Billy's speed and you'll be laughing.

Glass Houses is one of Billy's great albums and I highly recommend it for your Billy Joel experience.

Verdict: @@@@

Playlist of the Week

1. You're My Home- Billy Joel (Piano Man)
2. Incomplete Lullaby-Lisa Mitchell (Said One to the Other)
3. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville- R.E.M (The Best of R.E.M)
4. Hard to Live (In the City)- Albert Hammond Jr (Yours to Keep)
5. Knight of Wands- Au Revoir Simone (Still Night, Still Right)
6. New York City Serenade- Bruce Springsteen (The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle)
7. Where You Lead- Carol King (Tapestry)
8. The Heart of Life- John Mayer (Continuum)
9. Baby Driver- Simon and Garfunkel (The Essential Simon and Garfunkel
10. I Feel it All- Feist (The Reminder)

Album Review: 12 Gardens Live

Billy Joel plays live at Madison Square Garden in New York in this two-disc album. The concert begins with Turnstiles classic "Angry Young Man". The skill that Billy shows in this song is phenomenal and is even better live. The first disc is a great mixture of Billy Joel songs that promises to enhance your Billy experience. "New York State of Mind" live shows an extension on the piano melody at the beginning that sounds amazing. "The Great Wall of China" of the River of Dreams fame, receives an uplifting makeover. The song sounds even better live. another great piano experience is "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" from Piano Man. The piano solos in the middle sounds like something out of an old western movie. Must listen! Miami 2017 (Turnstiles), Vienna (The Stranger) and Everybody Loves You Now (Cold Spring Harbour) are other great live songs that compliment the album songs. "Don't Ask Me Why" sounds even more upbeat with some Italian counting at the beginning. A brilliant first half.

Disc two begins with The Nylon Curtain's "Goodnight Saigon", complete with chopper sounds. The concert then proceeds into "Movin Out (Anthony's Song)", "The Downeaster "Alexa", and "An Innocent Man". They all sound amazing live. Then we have a great version of "We Didn't Start the Fire" that has everyone singing along. Then we have the epics. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is an epic hit from the Stranger, performed live with the crowd singing and it is amazing. "Only the Good Die Young" sounds bolder and louder than the studio version, which makes you feel like dancing. And of course we finish with "Piano Man", "And So It Goes" and "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me". "Piano Man" sounds great live and Billy lets the audience sing solo and they don't disappoint. They know every word, like true Billy fans. "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me" sounds fun and upbeat, just like the studio version. But with all these tracks, the live versions give them new life, new sound and like any good concert, have people screaming out for more.

The official verdict : 4.5/5

What's the Frequency Kenneth?- R.E.M

We now enter the realm of band R.E.M, lead by Michael Stipe (centre in photo). R.E.M has a unique sound and a knack for coming up with some clever and kooky names for albums and songs. The top three albums are the following:

1. Automatic for the People: a great album with a variety of songs that express the fabulous musical styling of the band. Highlights include: "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite", once you've finished listening the spelling error in the title will be the last thing on your mind. The lyrics are fun in a way that you will never figure out their meaning, so just go with it! "Man on the Moon" is another great song. The chorus shows off the great vocals and harmonies that R.E.M commonly use in their music. The lyrics share a little bit of history and some old-fashioned stuff that add to the overall feel. "Everybody Hurts" has been covered by many artists, but this is the original. The guitar sounds are great
2. Monster: a fantastic album that has a rock feel with some awesome songs. "What's the Frequency Kenneth" is one of my favourite R.E.M songs. The backing guitar is amazing and listening is just a fun experience. Air guitar? Guaranteed! The lyrics are a little whack, but that just makes it even cooler. "Crush with Eyeliner" is also great. Michael often appears live with Bowie-like eye make-up, just because he's Michael Stipe. I'm also a fan of "Star 69" another song that really adds to the album mood. Monster is classic R.E.M alternative sound.

3. New Adventures in Hi-Fi: this album was recorded while the band was on tour, but it still manages to deliver some great songs. "The Wake Up Bomb" is another song that has some lyrics that make you question the sanity of the author. But then you hear the catchy beat and great sounds and just sing along. "New Test Leper" is a song that asks some questions about religion. This is a common topic (politics and religious views) for the band's songs. Another is Around the Sun's "I Wanted to Be Wrong". "Electrolite" is a song that you can easily get into. The backing piano is sweet and gives the song a light feel. Celebrity names like Martin Sheen get a mention in this song too.

These are some great albums. Live albums are also a highlight. One song that misses out in these is "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville" written by Mike (right in photo). Amazing harmony. Mike sings the song live in the album R.E.M Live, singing just his harmony part. The original version can be found on The Best of R.E.M. Excellent. Enjoy you R.E.M journey and tell me what you think, If you are already converted, let me know what completes your journey, or your fave albums.
Dannielle

Playlist of The Week

This week's playlist is a mixture of my favourite Billy and Bruce songs, and also some songs that I'm loving at the moment. Enjoy!

1. Jungleland- Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run)

2. Time Means Nothing At All- Lisa Mitchell (Wonder)

3. All for Leyna- Billy Joel (Glass Houses)

4. Last of the American Girls- Green Day (21st Century Breakdown)

5. New Test Leaper- R.E.M (New Adventures in Hi-Fi)

6. Sleep- Azure Ray (Azure Ray)

7. Mary Queen of Arkansas- Bruce Springsteen (Greetings from Asbury Park N.J)

8. Gold Dust Woman- Fleetwood Mac (Rumours)

9. We Didn't Start the Fire- Billy Joel (Storm Front)

10. Romeo and Juliet- The Killers (Sawdust- Dire Straits Cover)

11. The Entertainer- Billy Joel (Streetlife Serenade)

12. New York City Serenade- Bruce Springsteen (The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle)

13. That's Not My Name- The Ting Tings (We Started Nothing)

14. Prelude/Angry Young Man- Billy Joel (Turnstiles)

15. Badlands- Bruce Springsteen (Darkness on the Edge of Town)

Read- Springsteen: Point Blank by Christopher Sandford

Watch- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band/ Live in New York

Live Listening- 12 Gardens Live: Billy Joel