Band: The O'Jays
Album: Backstabbers
Why Rolling Stone gets it right: As soul began to expand its reach in the 1970s, the O'Jays evolved into something of a more interesting group, hitting the classic themes in black music -- unity, peace, etc. -- on the band's fifth album.
Why Rolling Stone gets it wrong: The album was popular, but the O'Jays don't exist in the popular consciousness -- save for "Love Train" and that's only because of beer ads. They should and this album is brilliant.
Best song: The title track is brilliant.
Worst song: I don't love "Listen to the Clock on the Wall."
Is it awesome?: Yes.
You know, it's really a shame that no one knows anything about this album other than "Love Train." It's got some really cool general political stuff ("When the World's at Peace" and "Love Train"), black community uplifting songs ("Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People" ), party music ("Time to Get Down" ) and general life lessons (the title track).
Really, it's a fantastic album.
1 comment:
Any time I hear a sports commentator say "back spasms" on air, I have to say, out loud, "back spa-sms;" a la "back stab-bers."
Because I am a giant nerd with OCD who read that Greil Marcus book way too many times and watches a lot of sports involving guys with bad backs.
Post a Comment