The Stranger - Billy Joel
A surprisingly good album, it works as a whole, and it's some of the deepest "pop" music you will ever hear. It's actually rock and roll, and has a sort of vintage pedigree, even though some of the songs and productions are so obviously rooted in the seventies. The "Stranger Theme" with Billy whistling what he thought would be a horn part, (but the producer, Phil Ramone told him to leave "as is,") is such a beautifully haunting melody, and it acts as the glue that really holds this album together, thematically. For me, there's not a bad moment on this album. Joel's vocals are at their peak here, and his piano playing is also very nice. But it's the songwriting that really makes this one work. Lyrics that are cynical and sentimental at the same time; an ode to the neighborhood Joel grew up in, and the people who live there. It's almost like Billy invites you into his life. I absolutely adore this album.
I have a bunch more, but some of them have been mentioned already.
A surprisingly good album, it works as a whole, and it's some of the deepest "pop" music you will ever hear. It's actually rock and roll, and has a sort of vintage pedigree, even though some of the songs and productions are so obviously rooted in the seventies. The "Stranger Theme" with Billy whistling what he thought would be a horn part, (but the producer, Phil Ramone told him to leave "as is,") is such a beautifully haunting melody, and it acts as the glue that really holds this album together, thematically. For me, there's not a bad moment on this album. Joel's vocals are at their peak here, and his piano playing is also very nice. But it's the songwriting that really makes this one work. Lyrics that are cynical and sentimental at the same time; an ode to the neighborhood Joel grew up in, and the people who live there. It's almost like Billy invites you into his life. I absolutely adore this album.
I have a bunch more, but some of them have been mentioned already.
