Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#449 in the Series and #43 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Ultravox, Monument This album is a little different than most of the live albums that we feature here at the ol’ Cool Album-a-roo…   Monument was released first as a video.  Later on it was turned into a live EP.   Then came along a more extended version and now we have a true live album.  I guess this was done with The Cure once or twice as well too. They then released the video onto a DVD format and then released the album again. I’ve listed a bunch of the different combinations below. Don’t worry, there’s no quiz or anything. All...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#436 in the Series) is Tears For Fears, The Hurting.  Tears For Fears hit big in 1985 with Songs From The Big Chair. Why? Well, a few reasons. One reason was the single “Everybody Wants to Rule The World.” Another reason was this album, The Hurting. The Hurtingestablished a fine strong base for the band. When the time came to start promoting the next album the promotional departments were definitely not starting from point zero.  It’s so much easier to walk into a music director’s office and discuss a band that has some history.  This album hardly made a dent on top 40 hit top stations, but it did very well with the...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#415 in the Series) is Paul Young, No Parlez As a hit maker, Paul Young has made quite a bit of money for songwriters. His albums have many really good songs on them, but the hits have always been remakes.  I’m sure Paul doesn’t mind, a hit’s a hit right? This was Paul’s debut as a solo artist for CBS records. Previously he had been with some bands that no one ever heard of. Not only did it play well on top 40 radio stations but it also did quite well on the FM rockers.  His remake of the Joy Divison/New Order single was all over radio. This surprised me since it was...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#391 in the Series and #14 in the Whale Wednesday Series) is ZZ Top, Eliminator. Is Eliminator my favorite ZZ Top release, oh heck no. My vote would always by placed on one of the earlier, more guitar driven more blues based offerings.  I’m featuring Eliminator because it truly was a “Whale.” No, it wasn’t a number one album, far from it. It actually only made it up to #9 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.  I don’t care where this charted, this was a HUGE album.  This album was all over the radio during the summer of 1983. ZZ Top was clearly an established act when this was released in March....

Today’s Cool Album of the Day(#366 in the Series and #31 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is U2, Under a Blood Red Sky U2 long ago entered a stage where they are now quite polarizing. There are quite a few people that want nothing more to do with the Irish band.  My guess is that they’re tired of Bono’s politics. U2, Under a Blood Red Sky was a different time. This album smokes as far as I’m concerned. You may have seen the accompanying video for the album that was recorded at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado. One of the true great concert venues we have.  I know it looks cool, I’ve never been there so I can’t...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#355 in the Series) is Big Country, The Crossing One thing that I had a good knack of doing when I was young was to be able to listen to albums and predict which band would fail or do well.  In my early days I felt I could have made a decent A &R guy. I’d have no chance with today’s music, but back in the day, I had a great ear for what would sell. One that I completely missed on was Big Country!  When I first heard this album I was sure that this was going to be a gigantic act.  Big, big we’re talking!! When this was released we’d already...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#309 in the Series) is Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Punch the Clock. Elvis Costello is one busy guy, and with over 30 studio albums (and counting!) it’s hard to pick just one, especially when every one seems to have its own feel. Punch the Clock is one of those albums that people either love or hate, and for good reasons either way. It was roundly described as “uneven,” and although that may be, there are a few compelling reasons to give it another listen. One for me is personal, and that is its issue in 1983 was in my “formidable” years of music, and later in college I think I wore the...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#303 in the Series) is The The, Soul Mining Matt Johnson is to The The, what Roddy Frame is to Aztec Camera, and what Karl Wallinger is to World Party. They’re really solo careers without putting their names up front.  In each of these cases, our star surrounds himself with different sidemen for each studio recording. Soul Mining was The The’s second most popular album. I think Mind Bomb edged it out for number one.  This one featured their hit ‘This is the Day.” You’ve heard it. If not, listen to it within the playlist below. As mentioned on a few of the comments on facebook, make sure you check out Jools Holland’s great piano...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#210 in the Series) is New Order, Power, Corruption and Lies. New Order was one of the more interesting acts to come out the 80s. They were often lumped into the synth acts that were quite popular in that era.  New Order was more than that however as they did bring in a nice mix of guitar and drums in their music.  Sure some of it was programmed but a large portion was not. They had one of the most well-known dance hits a few months earlier with ‘Blue Monday.’ It was one of the defining songs of early club tunes. It remains popular to this day.  That was originally released as a...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#159 in the Series) is the Kinks, State of Confusion. We’re running with the Kinks today.  I wonder what they’re running away from on that cover anyway.  I guess it was the graffiti, again! They also used a graffiti themed cover on the previous release, Give the People What They Want. State of Confusion was more later day Kinks.  This release was an album that I really liked. They were still putting out good music until the end.  Ray Davies continues to get it done to this day. His album from a few years ago, Working Man’s Café, is brilliant. But I digress. State of Confusion actually had the highest charting single in...