Day 47 - The Rolling Stones - Aftermath (1966)

"Aftermath" was the fourth album released by The Rolling Stones in 1966. This album was a major improvement over their debut and the band wrote all the songs this time around. The Stones sounds much more fleshed out this time around and there are some definite hits on "Aftermath". My favourite song on this album is "Mother's Little Helper" which was sadly left off the US release for the inclusion of "Paint It Black" which I would've liked to have seen on the UK release too because I love that song. The guys sound great, they play well and they had me singing along. I give this 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Mother's Little Helper, Under My Thumb, Lady Jane, Stupid Girl, Out Of Time & Take It Or Leave It.

Day 47 - Agnetha Fältskog - A (2013)

"A" is Agnetha's first new album in almost a decade, her last being "My Colouring Book" released in 2004. When Agnetha was a teenager she released a few albums of schlager music in her homeland of Sweden but it wasn't until she met Benny, Bjorn and Frida and ABBA was formed that she really rose to prominence and became internationally famous. I love ABBA and Agnetha was always my favourite so when I heard she was releasing a new album I was ecstatic. "A" is an album of sombre love songs sung in Agnetha's classic sweet girl next door type voice, along with one disco song that takes you back to ABBA's heydey in the 70's. Her voice is still as great as ever and I loved all her new songs, however I don't feel this album was as good as her albums with ABBA. Still, a very solid effort. 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: The One Who Loves You Now, When You Really Loved Someone, I Should've Followed You Home, Perfume In The Breeze & Dance Your Pain Away.

Day 47 - The Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out! (1966)

"Freak Out!" is the debut album from Frank Zappa's band The Mothers Of Invention, originally called The Mothers but changed after their studio realised what a hit band they had on their hands. I think of all the 60's bands i've heard The Mothers Of Invention are the most psychedelic and trippy, and also one of the most unique. On "Freak Out" the majority of the album has funny songs such as an anti-love love song "Go Cry On Somebody' Else's Shoulder" and a satire on mind control "Who Are The Brain Police?". The album was one of rock's first double album and clocks in at almost an hour long. A supposed storyline exists linking all the songs and turning it into a concept album but if that's true I didn't pick up on it. The last two songs on the album "Help, I'm A Rock Star" and "The Return Of The Son Of Monster Magnet" are the longest and the latter is the most disturbing song on the album. It starts out normal but then as it progresses it turns into screams and moans and weird music. It was the most inventive song but my least favourite. I give this album 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Who Are The Brain Police?, Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder, Wowie Zowie, You Didn't Try To Call Me & You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here.

Day 46 - Paul Revere & The Raiders - Midnight Ride (1966)

"Midnight Ride" is the fifth album by Paul Revere & The Raiders and was important to them because it marked the first time all five band members wrote all the songs on the album. I wasn't familiar with Paul Revere & The Raiders but i'm glad I had the opportunity to listen to this album because I really loved it. Pop Rock is one of my favourite genres of music and "Midnight Ride" had excellent, catchy songs on it that had me tapping my foot and singing along. My favourite song on the album was "All I Really Need Is You", I love the exotic sounding guitar and the chorus is really cool. I give this album 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: All I Really Need Is You, Kicks, Louie, Go Home, Melody For An Unknown Girl, I'm Not Your Stepping Stone & Ballad Of A Useless Man.

Day 45 - The Mamas And The Papas - If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears (1966)

"If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears" was a wonderful album, I don't know why I didn't listen to it sooner. This album was the debut release of The Mamas And The Papas and contains their two massive hits,  "California Dreamin'" and "Monday Monday". There's a funny story about the album cover, some people were offended by a toilet being on the cover and thought it was obscene so the album was re-released with pictures covering the toilet as my cover demonstrates. The harmonies between the band members were great and Mama Cass's voice in particular was lovely. I give this album a well deserved 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: California Dreamin', Monday Monday, Do You Wanna Dance?, The 'In' Crowd,  Straight Shooter & You Baby.

Day 44 - The Kinks - Face To Face (1966)

I put off listening to this album for a while and chose to listen to other albums instead but I decided it was time to get back to the official list in the book. "Face To Face" is The Kinks' fourth album and marked a departure from the beat music style that catapulted them to stardom. When I started listening I wasn't familiar with any of the songs until about half way through when it got to "Sunny Afternoon" and "Dead End Street" which I knew and liked from previously hearing my brother play them. I liked the use of audio bites like storms or phones in some songs, more bands should utilise that. Most of the songs on the album were good and catchy. I enjoyed this album and give it 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Sunny Afternoon, Dead End Street, Dandy, Most Exclusive Residence For Sale,  Rainy Day In June & Holiday In Waikiki.

Day 43 - Nico - Desertshore (1970)

"Desertshore" is Nico's third album and the fourth album of hers i've listened to. I've loved Nico for a number of years now. When I first heard her music in "The Royal Tenenbaums" I thought her voice was awful and her music was a joke. I then listened to her first album "Chelsea Girls" at my brother's insistence and fell in love with it. Nico's voice is haunting and lovely. On this album she was firmly entrenched in her goth rock and the songs are spooky and interesting. My favourite is "Afraid", it's the most beautiful ballad Nico ever wrote and one of my favourite songs. I give this album 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Janitor Of Lunacy, The Falconer, My Only Child, Afraid & All That Is My Own.

Day 42 - Cher - Cher (1987)

This Cher album was released two years before "Heart Of Stone" and was Cher's first album in five years since "I Paralyze" as she took time off recording to focus on her film career. I loved this album so much, it is another hit machine. Many of Cher's famous songs are on this album, such as: "I Found Someone", "We All Sleep Alone" the rock version of "Bang-Bang" and, one of my personal favourites, "Main Man". Also included are lesser known great songs such as "Perfection" with Bonnie Tyler and Darlene Love and "Hard Enough Getting Over You". Cher has a great voice for rock and this album was the beginning of a string of albums that helped put her back in the spotlight to show that Cher is, and always will be, a goddess.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: I Found Someone, We All Sleep Alone, Bang-Bang (1987 Version), Main Man, Perfection and Give Our Love A Fighting Chance.