474: Manu Chao, "Próxima Estación: Esperanza"

Before: Who?

After: Wow, this is so unexpected! Almost a hint of reggae present. It has a relaxing quality that much other music I hear doesn't have the sophistication of holding: it's not ostentatious or demanding that you listen to it. This music only asks that I hear it, that I let it swirl around my ears, but doesn't tell me to focus on it. Perfect for homework background music (although in NO WAY does this mean it's not as good as the other music just mentioned!) More like a cupcake whose flavor is more subtle and calm, not cloyingly sweet or screaming with color, if you get my drift. In short, it doesn't assault your ears (pleasurably or not so.)
The lyrics to "Me Gustas Tu" are so sweet: (translated from Spanish into English)

I like airplanes, I like you.
I like to travel, I like you.
I like the morning, I like you.
I like the wind, I like you.
I like to dream, I like you.
I like the sea, I like you. 

What I'm gonna do? I don't know.
What I'm gonna do? Don't know any more.
What I'm gonna do? I'm lost.
What time is it my heart?

And that's only part of the song. It follows the same pattern til the end. It's an instance where simplicity (such simple proclamations of "I like this, I like that") reigns as the whole is greater than the parts.

Quick album. Supremely enjoyable. Put it on with a mug of tea or glass of something to let loose after a hard day's work. A fresh album full of life! Can't wait to explore Manu's other albums.

A bit about the artist: He helped start what's now known as the Latin alternative movement in the 1980s. Way cool!

475: Elvis Costello & The Attractions, "Armed Forces"

Before: I think E.C. is a good artist. Maybe? I know next to nothing about him.

After: He has a linguistic absurdity in his voice that is almost disarming. This quality seems to soften his character (in my mind.)
The patterns in his music (super vague, I know) remind me of Ben Folds. You oftentimes can't predict where the song might go in his music. That's what makes it fun and adds spontaneity to the mix.
It's almost funky. "Senior Service" has the layout that completely understands how to impose a groove.
Whoa, just got a whiff of Rocky Horror on "Oliver's Army"!
There's an originality to EC & TA. Also reminds me of Of Montreal, and I guess a lot of indie bands that riff on about quirky topics and color the lyrics with unexpectedly abstract musicality.
His songs are highly creative: the lyrics and sounds convene into an interesting sound that is EC & TA. Elvis is a fitting name for him: it's been heard before, but not very often, and it's worth paying attention to.
This music is silly and serious and real. Imagination flows freely. If I had to color this album, it'd be an unabandoned orange with bright green squiggles and hot pink dots and an occasional blue square. Like an 80's-themed abstract fruit salad.
This would be good dance party music. Not because it's fast-paced, but because it encourages creative dance moves. I can already imagine the possibilities of what this crooner's voice could inspire.

It was a great album to listen to at 9 in the morning. I have a feeling my day is going to take a turn for the exciting today!

476: The Notorious B.I.G., "Life After Death"

Before: I know he's a rapper, and that he has a devoted following.

After: The first chords of "Hypnotize" hit and I'm immediately grounded. This song is so groove-able! It's also used all over the place, so maybe that's how I know it. Also, LUV THAT BASS.
The intro to "Notorious Thugs" is a real attention-grabber.
This is a very enjoyable album.
"Miss U" is a standout because Biggie sings about more than just romantic relationships. The piano sprinkles bring out the tragedy in his lyrics, as do the talented artists featured on the chorus.
I love all the different ways he extols himself in this album. In "Playa Hater", he thanks the audience over and over for their cheering on this quasi-live track. He's funny.
"Sky's the Limit" has some intensely poetic lyrics:

"While we out here, say the Hustlers Prayer

If the game shakes me or breaks me

I hope it makes me a better man

Take a better stand

Put money in my mom's hand

Get my daughter this college grant so she don't need no man

Stay far from timid

Only make moves when your heart's in it

And live the phrase sky's the limit"

I'm really glad this album was on the list. I'm finding that as I progress further into this project, I'm discovering how receptive I am/becoming to rap. People love Biggie, and I'm starting to understand why.

477: Merle Haggard, "Down Every Road 1962-1994"

Before: I hope he doesn't sound haggard LOLOLOLOL. (I only know what that word means because it's used in the Dixie Chicks song "Long Time Gone".)
Just queued this album and it's literally four albums in one. Not fair, Rolling Stone! It's literally 100 songs and 4.75 hours of music!!
Because I've procrastinated listening to these four albums for about a month, I'm gonna listen to one album's worth of songs (some from each of the four albums) and call it a day.

After: I feel the honky-tonk begin...
Ugh, a song about Bonnie and Clyde that's too smart for its own good in terms of rhyming everything.
He just disclosed that he's cried "a few million tears".
"Ramblin' Fever" is a little more complex. I'm tired of country music.

Honestly, I didn't give Merle much of a chance. Maybe I'll appreciate country music more at a different time in my life. But right now, at 8:25 pm on a Saturday night in college, it's just not my jam.