A Look Back: Vol 2
Published November 10, 2003
Daniel Amos- Mr. Buechner's Dream
Galaxy 21 Music
2001
No, Daniel Amos is not a man, it's an entire band. They're fronted by the prolific Terry Scott Taylor, and they've been around since at least the early 80's. Early on they were making an energizing blend of quirky alt.rock/country for the budding "Christian Music" industry, however could never quite get any recognition within the industry. Despite being a no-name in the mainstream, and being a no-name in the CCM market, they built up a cult following and continued releasing albums over the years. Granted, they hit a bump in the 90's, with only one album that gathered positive feedback from the fans, however, in 2001 they came steaming back with "Mr. Buechner's Dream". It's a double album and it's the best thing they've recorded. Mix the brilliance of The Beatles "The White Album" with Tom Petty's vocals and add a bit more twang and you've got a good idea what this is. The thing that makes this stand out above and beyond most releases (let alone double albums) is that each song has it's own identity, while still sounding cohesive and like it's a part of the same album. There is really no filler here. Of course, all double albums suffer from one disc getting played more than the other, however, regardless which disc you overplay, you will know there is better music on the other one. Which is pretty good for an album with 33 songs.
Note: The Amazon Editorial Reviews for Daniel Amos are incorrect. They are for the latest The Choir album, not Daniel Amos. The customer reviews are correct, however.
- A Look Back: Vol 2
- Published: November 10, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Writer: The Theory
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anything with Terry Kath was at least pretty good - his precipitous departure from the band and earth heralded the arrival of widespread suckitude
I think you can get up to 4 w/out having too much suck. Free was a bangin song w/ rippen horns
peace
andy
I think every Chicago album up to and including VII has some good stuff on it. The first one (Chicago Transit Authority) is in my opinion the best, II is second best, V is third. After Kath killed himself and Cetera changed the band from jazz-inspired rock 'n' roll to mood music and ballads, the energy was gone. They were beginning the shift with X (remember 'If You Leave Me Now'?), but it wasn't until Kath's untimely demise that, as Eric said, they turned their full attention to suckitude.
IX (Greatest Hits) is the only Greatest Hits package I own on both vinyl and CD.
The video for "Stay the Night" was pretty cool.
Not that they only sucked from then on, Chicago 17 with Bill Champlin joining Cetera on lead vocals and David foster producing was pretty good and their biggest hit album ever.
But, earliest is best, as is so often the case.
SUCKIEST SONG IN THE ENTIRE CHICAGO SUCKFEST: Dialogue.
This Socratic exchange was Chicago's pathetic attempt at being Bob Dylan. It hit the Top 40 and kids like me bought it, but it's way, way too embarrassing to listen to today. Dated, too -- oldies radio won't touch it.
I, too, still have a warm spot in my heart for Chicago II and III, and I bought a few others as well. I was always glad that my band teacher liked Chicago; it seemed to validate them. Actually, I soon noticed that the opposite is true, as band students and teachers don't really know anything about music, if you catch my drift. Chicago (and Blood, Sweat and Tears and Jethro Tull) was their idea of rock, mainly because they used brass and woodwind. They were considered the kind of adult goal to which one might aspire.
And don't forget Chase - our band director liked them so much they played at our school.
What's wrong with Blood, Sweat and Tears? Sure they are a little cheesy, but they have some great songs like Spinning Wheel.
How could I forget Chase? Their posters were all over the bandroom. One more hopeful reminder that just because you played a dorky instrument like trombone didn't mean you, too, couldn't be a long-haired chick magnet.
they were roundly assailed by critics but still an excellent band live - they just didn't have a lot of great material. Lighthouse was similar but not as virtuoso
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good one Theory.
another good pre-suck Chicago record is the live At Carnegie Hall. great playing there...basically material from the first few albums.