#121: Moby Grape- Moby Grape

Listened to: MP3

Alrighty, so let’s begin by saying I have never heard of Moby Grape before this list, and I’m sure I’m not alone. But wikipedia built this up like it’s the god damned second coming, so here’s hoping they’re right.

“Hey Grandma” has that standard “songs of the 60’s” sound, a nice blend of psychedelic and southern rock. “Mr. Blues” seems like a Grateful Dead track with a little more spirit. Both bands came out at the same time, from the same area, but I guess the Dead were just more stoner friendly (the guitars on this sound a little harsher, which probably “crushed” their “vibe”) ergo their success. “Fall On You” went by so fast, I didn’t even have time to formulate an opinion. “8:05” is more standard 60’s fare, and while this album is enjoyable so far, nothing mind-blowing, spectacular, or even “great” has occurred yet. It’s…ok. “Come In The Morning” is a fun jam track, and so far my favorite track on the album, but still no spark. Nothing thrilling or new. “Omaha”, now here’s a track that’s worth listening to. This ain’t no Grateful Dead or Jefferson Airplane (the bands these guys are most compared to) track. This has got a spirit, a kick. If the MC5 bred with Cream, here would be the offspring. The diversity of this album just expanded, and if it continues like this, has earned it’s place on the list (though still not at #121). “Naked If I Want To” is another spirited, frenetic jam, followed by a Byrds-y “Someday”. “Ain’t No Use” is basically a better (in my opinion) version of The Grateful Dead. “Sitting By The Window” has a nice guitar part, but nothing too special. “Changes” is also pretty…eh. “Lazy Me”, just form the title, feels like an apologize for the “eh” album I had to sit through today, and it’s such an uneventful track, I’m glad it’s only 2 minutes. The album’s closer, “Indifference”, will go uncommented on, other than the fact that the title reflects my attitude to not only this track, but the whole album.

Essentially this album is a summary of what the San Francisco 60’s sound was. It’s the best things about The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and The Byrds all put together. However, this album lacks the significance or following of any. Nor is it terribly revolutionary, or amazing. Just a pretty good, but kinda forgettable album. Surrealistic Pillow may not be as consistent in quality, but it’s peaks are far more memorable. I gotta be quite frank, after “Omaha”, I expected more. But that’s the only truly memorable track on this album. It’s not a bad album, but not one of the 500 Greatest. There are so many other albums that are far more memorable, unique, significant, and enjoyable than this blasé relic. For example…

Would Replace With: The Sounds Of India by Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar is probably the most famous figure in the western world with regard to Hindustani music. This music, and particularly Shankar, had a heavy influence on The Beatles, particularly George Harrison, and to a lesser extent the entire music world. Shankar’s 1968 album The Sounds Of India is not only the finest sitar-based album ever recorded, but THE album of Hindustani music in the Western world of music. Countless lists rank this album as one of the best, and yet Rolling Stone passed it over to favor a bleh album in a similar vein to several others on the list (I‘m referring to today‘s “Moby Grape” which is only vaguely different from any Jefferson Airplane or Grateful Dead album on this list)? There’s nothing like this album on the list. It’s three quarters meditative 12th Century mastery ("Dadra" "Maru-Bihag" "Bhimpalisi" "Sindhi-Bhairavi"), and one quarter music lesson ("An Introduction to Indian Music" ) in which Shankar admits he’s made this album specifically for Western listeners, and gives an explaination, while ending by saying that this album will be enjoyed if listened to with an “open mind”. And I give you my word, if you open your mind, or better yet, “turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream”, you’re certain to be moved and feel as serene as nature itself while experiencing the tracks on The Sounds Of India. Shankar proves himself to be a master sitar player, and this album is most assuredly one of the 500, hell, one of the 100 greatest albums ever put to record. I cannot recommend this one enough, and I’m shocked I didn’t put this one on sooner. Listen to Moby Grape only if you’re curious, but absolutely, if you’re a reader of this blog, and I know who some of you are, I’m begging you to listen to The Sounds Of India. You won’t make a better choice any time soon.


-Mike

Well, tomorrow is #444: Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions. See you then