The Real Me [1973] - The Who

Many consider English rock legends The Who's sixth studio effort - Quadrophenia - as the last great Who record. And why not? The album is chock full of memorable songs from start to finish, and is the band's second rock opera after 1969's Tommy. Told from the perspective of British teenager Jimmy Cooper, the Who successfully captured teenage angst whilst commenting on the decline of Mod culture, a subculture from the 60s that the band themselves outgrew.

The Real Me is the first song to kick things off. It is an introduction to the album's protagonist who suffers from a condition known as "quadrophenia" (a play on the term schizophrenia), whereby he has  developed four distinct personalities. He visits his doctor, to no avail. He visits his mother, who tells him that craziness runs in the family. He has been alienated by those around him including the girl he once loved. In his desperation he turns to religion, only to be left answerless.

Musically, this is one of the heaviest songs in the Who's catalog. Jimmy's angst is perfectly captured by Roger Daltrey's strong vocals. Pete Townshend as always is solid on guitar, providing the driving rhythm for John Entwistle's lead bass. Yes, you read that right - lead bass. If one were to isolate the bassline, the song would be nothing but an extended bass solo and an amazing one no less. Keith Moon, is well, Keith Moon throughout the song. There is not a single moment of emptiness thanks to the relentless onslaught of drums, showcasing the Who as an extremely talented band, inspiring generations to come.

Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Can ya?

I went back to the doctor
To get another shrink
I sit and tell him bout my weekend
But he never betrays what he thinks

Can you see the real me, Doctor?
Doctor?
Can you see the real me, Doctor?
Woah, Doctor!

I went back to my mother
I said "I'm crazy ma, help me"
She said "I know how it feels son
Cause it runs in the family"

Can you see the real me, Mama?
Mama?
Can you see the real me, Mama?
Woah, Mama!

Can you see
Can you see
Can you see the real me?
Can you see
Can you see the real me
The real me
The real me

The cracks between the paving stones
Look like rivers of flowing veins
Strange people who know me
Peeping from behind every window pane
The girl I used to love
Lives in this yellow house
Yesterday she passed me by
She doesn't want to know me now

Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Can ya?
Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Woah, yeah!

I ended up with a preacher
Full of lies and hate
I seemed to scare him a little
So he showed me to the golden gate

Can you see the real me, preacher?
Preacher?
Can you see the real me, preacher?
Preacher?

Can you see
Can you see
Can you see
Woah

Can you see the real me, Doctor?

Can you see the real me, Ma?

[Please Note: The above video is from 2002 and features Zak Starkey on drums. Keith Moon passed away in 1978]

Gold On The Ceiling [2012] - The Black Keys

Hot on the heels of 2010's Grammy-winning "Brothers", The Black Keys quickly released its much-anticipated follow up "El Camino"in December 2011. While essentially a duo, The Black Keys included co-producer Danger Mouse (of Gnarls Barkley fame) in the writing process of the album.

Gold on the Ceiling was the second single released after "Lonely Boy" and is a perfect indicator of the Black Keys' new sound. If you have heard the band's earlier work such as 2005's "Thickfreakness" (check out the title track) or even 2008's "Attack and Release", you will know that the Keys are essentially a revival of good-old fuzzy blues rock-n-roll. With Gold on the Ceiling, we find the Keys in top form, adding a fresh layer to their previously established sound. The fuzzy guitars are there with a bluesy solo to boot, the feel-good feeling - intact. Now add an organ and a backing trio of beautiful girls (at least I hope so) complete with handclaps, and you'll find yourself back in the 60s. The lyrics need no analysis, it simply doesn't matter, its all about the groove here and perfectly good reason to freak out. It's a breath of fresh air just when you thought rock-n-roll was going stale, the Keys have produced a genuine hit.

"They wanna get my…
They wanna get my
Gold on the ceiling
I ain’t blind
Just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It’s alright
Ain’t no guard in my house"

Roundabout [1971] - Yes

Perhaps a little more pop-oriented than progressive, Yes' "Roundabout" is a classic of the genre that became famous during the 1970's. Released in 1971 off their breakthrough album "Fragile", Roundabout is a perfect example of accomplished musicians coming together to create amazing music. Guitarist Steve Howe's gentle strumming on the opening few bars of the song soon gives way to the dynamic duo of bassist Chris Squire and drummer Bill Bruford. But what makes this song really stand out is the contribution of then-newly-hired keyboardist Rick Wakeman, whose Moog synthesizer added a new dimension to Yes' music. Look out especially for the keyboard solo around the 6-minute mark. The song perhaps wont immediately catch the listener's attention, but once the beauty is discovered, its hard not to give into its rhythm and fluidity - a real gem in Yes' legacy.

"I'll be the round about

The words will make you out 'n' out

I'll spend the day your way.

Call it morning driving thru the sound and

In and out the valley."

Lee Van Cleef [2011] - Primus

Following the release of 1999's 'Antipop', alternative (funk?) metal band Primus went on hiatus only to return in 2003 with longtime drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander in tow. The reunion however, seemed to promise little, with the band's only original release in the years subsequent being a 5-track EP titled 'Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People'. In 2011, after 8 long years, Primus finally released their long awaited seventh studio album "Green Naugahyde".

The first single off the new album is 'Lee Van Cleef', a song that can be compared to the band's earlier work on 'Frizzle Fry', their first studio album. And why not? Replacing Herb on drums (who left in 2010) is Primus' original drummer, Jay Lane, whom the band credit with greatly influencing the band's early sound and style. Singer and bassist Les Claypool is at the top of his game, playing one of his funkiest basslines in years. Guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde's country style soloing compliments Claypool's bass as it always has, contributing to Primus' signature sound that has been around since 1989 . As far as lyrics go, its still as zany as it was 20 years ago. This time its a tribute to the late actor Lee Van Cleef ('Angel Eyes' from 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'). Overall, its a welcome return for a band whose uniqueness has been sorely missed for an entire decade; here's to many more!

"We still get a kick outta watchin' Clint; we all get a kick outta Clint

Hi Hi Hi Hiii

There ain't never been one quite like Clint, there's really only one Clint

I always did like Lee Van Cleef; always did like Lee

Nobody's steely like Lee Van Cleef. Whatever happened to Lee?

Whatever happened to Lee Van Cleef? Don't forget about Lee"