480.  George Michael:  Faith - Man I wasn’t looking forward to this album, I didn’t even like “Faith”  back in the day when it came out but on re-listening to it… wow, there are some killer harmonies it’s a nice little song.  Father Figure has too much of eighties synth sound for me.  Easy listening music with racy lyrics - this doesn’t do anything for me.  And don’t get me started on “I want your sex” if there weren’t ‘shocking’ lyrics this song would never have gone anywhere.  Weird sound effects, boring slow beat, everything sounds fake and synthesized and I don’t like it.  By the time I get to the ballad, “One more try” I can’t help but wonder why he keeps seeming to refer to past sex partners as ‘teachers’ something creepy about the lyrics in the record.  I think “Hard Day” just might be one of the worst songs ever written the tune is gross and boring, the “instruments” seems to be layers of the worst synthesizer music/fake drum beats I’ve heard in my life, the lyrics are flat, overused, uninspired… I really can’t stand this piece.  By the end I’m just willing this record to come to an end and testing my resolve in listening, IN FULL, to every album on the 500 list at this moment in time it’s truly painful.

479.  Richard and Linda Thompson:  I Want to See The Bright Lights Tonight - Wow, real life instruments, unusual effects and lyrics I’m in heaven.  I know Richard Thompson from the song, “Vincent Black Lightning” but I’ve never heard his work with his wife it’s got a folky, celtic, rock and roll sound that’s utterly charming.  I’m in love with the guitar effects in and soulful backup in “The Calvary Cross”.  When you finally get to hear Linda’s clear, crisp voice singing the song, “Withered and Died” and hear the words, “I’ve only sad stories to tell to this town. My dreams have withered and died.” You know the next musician you want to be sad with on your darkest days. 

478.  L.L. Cool J:  Radio - I’m a little pissed off this morning at work.  Wednesday, the last day in a short week.  I know I need to power through and get the hell out.  And I put on the ‘Radio’ and the opening song, “I can’t live without my Radio” sound’s f-ing great.  It suits my ‘kick ass and get the fuck out mood’.  And I feel you LL, I can’t live without MY radio either.  The beats on this record are strong, sparse, infectious leaving LLs voice, lyrics forefront and that kicks ass.

477.  The Fugees:  The Score - I always liked Loren Hill but I was never into the Fugees, admittedly I never listened to the Fugees so… here goes nothing.  It starts off with this gangsta vibe I can’t relate to and then you hear Loren sing and you’re willing to stand at attention and see what the Fugees have to offer.  I love her voice powerful, clear, emotive… awesome.  The old samples are charming, the lyrics are smart and witty and fearless.  But I find when the powerful female element isn’t in the mix something is lacking.  How Many is a really kick ass song, The Mask - storytelling at its finest!

476.  The Paul Butterfield Blues Band:  (self titled) - Ahhh the blues, I’ve never really ‘gotten’ the blues.  Paul Butterfield… you gonna teach me something?  The opening song didn’t do much for me, it’s got that generic rock/blues sound that leaves me feeling cold.  Then I hear the second track, “Shake Your Moneymaker” and I want to get out of my office chair, find some booze and a dancing partner and swing dance the night away.  Did they write this?  damn.  Other than that though this album does nothing for me.  I just don’t dig this type of music.  I’m sorry Paul Butterfield Blues band you’re probably great at what you do, but it’s lost on me.