Lozeraptor 44: Been a while, Hiya

It’s been a while, as said by Staind in the early 2000s, since I’ve written and published. There’s been a lot of stuff going on. Stuff which I am not going to share but stuff that you can be assured is significant to keep yours truly absent from the creativity of a blog. It’s a very funny thing, writing a blog, I want people to read it and make comments. However, I also do not know who does read it and what their opinions are. It’s a form of therapy for me. I was told the other day that I had a shit taste in music. My response to that, as performed by Transvision Vamp; baby I don’t care. Do you know what I recently realised? Just because I listen to and like a particular track of music on my streaming service…I do not have to purchase it. I am under no obligation. Problem is, I like to buy it because then I own it…and can burn it onto a CD. Yes, I do still make CD playlists.

New music I have recently discovered? I dunno. I have listened to Dookie by Green Day this week and remembered at how much of a brilliant album it is. My issue with Green Day is that, anything released after Dookie is…not as good and I don’t like it. I especially loathed the band post-American Idiot era. That said, the fact that they performed Dookie in its entirety at Reading 2013, and that I was able to see it, was phenomenal. Discovered that, after many years of not liking the band because other people I did not get on with liked them (yes I am that shallow), I do actually quite like Propagandhi. When I say I like Propagandhi, I mean to say, after hearing their ?first album How To Clean Everything, I was pleasantly surprised and plan to explore more into their catalogue.

Dookie was released in 1994. Still sounds incredible in 2022. Stop and think about that. Stop and think about how many essential albums were released in the 90s (Oh Lozeraptor, please don’t go on another rant about how good music was in the 90s) that still sound fresh today…I have compiled a small list:

Rage Against The Machine (self titled, 1992)

Pearl Jam (Ten, 1991) -

Massive Attack (Blue Lines, 1991)

NIrvana (Nevermind, 1991)

The First 3 albums by The Prodigy

The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th albums by Blur

The first 2 Oasis albums

Pulp (Different Class, 1995)

Manic Street Preachers (EVerything Must Go, 1996)

Ash (1977, 1996)

Alanis Morisette (Jagged Little Pill, 1995)

I must stop. I feel like I am repeating myself from other blogs. Fact is, these albums, although very different in nature and artistic origins, are all bloody worth a listen to.

Now, just imagine that you had never listened to any of those albums and you hear them for the first time today, what will your reaction be? Will today’s teenagers and young adults approve and enjoy? Part of me wonders. A cynical part of me wonders and doubts they’d enjoy it. Pop culture has dramatically moved on (to a horrendous state of affairs) and while clothing fashions are making comebacks…does not necessarily mean that the music will latch on. On the flipside, do I want to listen to Billie Eillish? No I don’t. I don’t understand why she whispers through most songs. I don’t understand most modern music. Hell, I get irritated by looking at someone’s clothing (yes, I really am that shallow) — I will be reading an article and look at a picture of a band or an artist and judge the clothing and the hairstyle. If I don’t like it, I’m not going to invest time. I can do this because I am perfect in every way. Mary Poppins has nothing on me.

I have also been listening to a lot of hip hop. I’ll tell you something; Eminem’s albums post-Encore are freakin’ epic. The rapping style is incredible. The content is as venomous as ever. The music is, for the majority, pretty good and, in an indirect way, it’s relatable. I’ve listened to The Game’s catalogue — it’s vast but worth a listen; aggressive, honest and, to a point, intimidating. He has this ability to take the listener into his neighbourhood and witness the scenes. Nas’s catalogue is ridiculously good — a constant standard of excellence that I don’t think anyone can touch. I’m not a hip hop connoisseur but I am a fan of what I hear. Nas’s debut, Illmatic, also released in 1994, is one of the best albums ever made. Fact. No disputes. Finally, I have to recommend YG and Meek Mill. From what I have heard, I love.

Also, Bruce Springsteen and Joan Jett are amazing musicians. The Born To Run and Bad Reputation albums are splendid. Just get hold of copies and press play and you will not be disappointed (unless you’re only into a specific kind of music that’s not Pop or Rock then you may be disappointed.)

Shall i give you a list of recommendations? I’m going to regardless.

Billy Ray Cyrus — Achy Breaky Heart

Dolly Parton — Why’d You Come Here Lookin’ Like That

Ingrid Andress — Lady Like

Slick Rick — Mona Lisa

The Game — Compton Story

Nas — The World Is Yours

Neneh Cherry — Woman

The Eagles — Take It Easy

Neil Young — Harvest Moon

Arlo Parks — Black Dog

If you choose to listen to only one of these songs, listen to Black Dog by Arlo Parks, it is a remarkable insight into how a mind can work.

Lotsa love, Loz

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