Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#495 in the Series) is the debut album from Procol Harum. This was Procol Harum’s debut album and it was released in 1967.  I’ll go and say it. I think it contains two of the best songs of the decade. One for sure, the other, maybe it’s more of a personal favorite. I don’t think there’s any doubt that I’m referring to “Whiter Shade of Pale.” This is an absolute 100% masterpiece of a song.  It was written by the band’s lead vocalist Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid. (Or was it? More on that later) And Yes, I did say lyricist.  Keith Reid was considered a full-fledged band member even though; he...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#479 in the Series) is Roddy Frame, Surf I think it would be fair to say that Aztec Camera were one of the very best bands to ever come out of Scotland. Their first two singles were released on the tiny (and now legendary/very influential) independent label Postcard, swiftly followed by a move to Rough Trade. Debut album High Land , Hard Rain (1983)was an utter classic and possibly even the best debut album by a Scots act. That particular gem has already been featured on this site, so its merits need not detain us here. Suffice to say its well worth anyone’s time and attention. The second effort (1984’s “Knife”, produced by...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#468 in the Series) us Chris Hillman, The Other Side. I think most people that are frequent visitors to the Cool Album of the Day site are familiar with our love for “Americana” music are probably familiar with Chris Hillman.  I’m not going to take for granted that that means you!  So before we talk about this 2005 project called The Other Side, allow me to give you a little background on this talented musician. I’m not going to start from the very beginning, that would take hours.  Believe me though when I say it’s a fascinating story.  You would not be wrong by saying that he was one of the originators of the...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (# 443 in the Series) is Art Brut, Bang Bang Rock & Roll. Sometimes an album that makes perfect sense comes out of nowhere. My friend Fred sent me Art Brut’s 2005 debut years ago. Art Brut writes simple and quick pop songs (the longest tune is 3:45 long). These guys have put the fun back into rock and roll. The absolute star of Art Brut is “singer” and sarcastic front man Eddie Argos. Eddie narrates his songs as much as he sings them. His greatest talent is his bombastic wit and strong sense of cynicism. “Yes, this is my real singing voice” Eddie proclaims. Bang Bang Rock and Roll jumps to a...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#388 in the Series) is John Fogerty, The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again Creedence Clearwater revival, in 1973, was the hottest band on the planet.  The group  was praised as the successors to the Beatles hit making machine with a strong string of hit singles that included  “ Proud Mary”, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “Green River”, and many more. John Fogerty, the main songwriter, leader, and lead singer , was one of only a handful of artists to make The Rolling Stone list of the 100 greatest guitar players (40), and the 100 greatest vocalists (72). So what do you do as an encore on the heels of...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#360 in the Series) is Jackson Browne, The Naked Ride Home This album is generally not considered to be the best Jackson Brown album. That honor belongs to the The Pretender, or Running on Empty, depending on your tastes, or for my mine, Saturate Before Using, which contains two of my favorite songs, “Doctor My Eyes”, and “Rock Me on the Water.” The Naked Ride Home, released in 2002, peaked at number 36 on the billboard charts, and was highly anticipated since Browne had not released a new album since 1996, the six years between records representing the longest recording gap in his career. Some critics have dismissed this collection, complaining that these...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#324 in the Series) is Drive-By Truckers, Southern Rock Opera This is really an interesting project.  Drive-By Truckers had been around since 1996. They had released three albums. None that would make them household names, not even “trailerhold” names. For years they (actually mostly band leader Patterson Hood) had been thinking about a project that would eventually go a long way to raising their popularity to what it is now. That would be the double album Southern Rock Opera.  It was a tribute to the rock music of the south, leaning heavily toward Lynyrd Skynyrd.  It would not just feature Skynyrd, but southern rock and southern lifestyles in general. As alluded to earlier,...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#305 in the Series) is Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, Cold Roses. I’ve always appreciated artists that know the history of their roots and are not afraid to pay homage to them as well. This is the case with Ryan Adams. I’ve read more than once about his love for artists like Gram Parsons. His previous band, Whiskeytown were known for adding more than one Gram tune to their set lists.  They even performed Gram’s, “A Song For You” on a tribute album. He’s also mentioned acts like Tom T. Hall, and Big Star as adding to his roots.  How well respected is Ryan Adams?  Well enough to have Willie Nelson ask him...

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#302 in the Series) is Ray Davies, Working Man’s Café. For as popular and respected as Ray Davies is and for as popular and respected as the Kinks were, they’re both still extremely under-recognized. (I’m not a big fan of the saying “underrated” but you know what I mean.) Yes, they are often considered one of the greats.  That I see. It’s neither read, nor heard enough in my opinion. They’re top shelf in ANY team picture of all-time greats. Working Man’s Café was released by Ray in the fall of 2007.  I think it’s one of his strongest efforts to date. This is a story-tellers delight. Not a surprise from Ray, I know....

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#156 in the Series) is The Decemberists, The Crane Wife. The Decemberists are one of the more current bands that I’ve written up here on Cool Album of the Day. They have been a band since 2001 and actually began getting known about 2005. This coinciding with their move to a major label. They hail from Portland, Oregon.  The band’s name refers to The Decembrists revolt in Imperial Russian.  Many, including band leader Colin Meloy view the 1825 revolt as a communist revolution. The Crane Wife album was inspired by a Japanese folk tale.  And you thought Rock and Rollers were shallow people! This was the band’s first album for Capitol Records.  It...