Album Playthrough Project November 2024

While we have moved into the holiday season, and around here that means Christmas music 24/7, let's reflect back on a good month of album listening in November.  The month of album listening started with Madonna and finished with punk band Amyl and the Sniffers.  The month was heavy with Dave Matthews because I had to get my fix of DMB before I took a month off to listen almost exclusively to Christmas music. 

Last month, I mentioned that I would reveal the next phase of the Album Playthrough Project for 2025.  In 2025, I have decided to do a deep dive into twelve artists albums to examine how their music has changed over a career (or not), and to determine my favorite of each album I examine.  I will look at at least 5 albums from the twelve artists.  Here is a short list of  artists that I am considering in the Musical Artist Album Playthrough 2025: 

John Mellencamp, 10,000 Maniacs, Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, The Killers, Squirrel Nut Zippers, James Taylor, and Cold War Kids

Do you have any suggestions of artists you would like to see me do a Musical Artist Album Playthrough in 2025?  Leave a comment below or on Twitter @draftline

Here is my Album Playthrough List for November 2025

Ray of Light (1998) Madonna 11/2/24
Everyday (2001) Dave Matthews Band 11/3/24
Live in Chicago 12/19/98 at the United Center (2001) Dave Matthews Band 11/4/24
Wonderful Wonderful (2017)The Killers 11/4/24
Eliminator (1983) ZZ Top 11/5/24
It's Hard (1982) The Who 11/6/24
Battle at the Garden's Gate (2021) Great Van Fleet 11/6/24
I See (2019) Cam Cole 11/7/24
Red Bird (2015) Jessie Roper 11/8/24
Slow Lightning (2023) The Bones of J.R. Jones 11/8/24
Live Trax Vol.14: Nissan Pavilion (2009) Dave Matthews Band 11/15/24
Live Trax Vol. 50: Hershey Park Stadium (2019) Dave Matthews Band 11/16/24
Abraxas (1970) Santana 11/16/24
Made in America (1980) Blues Brothers 11/18/24
Uh-huh (1983) John Mellencamp 11/20/24
Human Wheels (2005) John Mellencamp 11/20/24
Keep It Hid (2009) Dan Auerbach 11/21/24
Live Trax Vol. 16 Riverbend Music Center (2009) Dave Matthews Band 11/24/24
How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb (2024) U2 11/30/24
Half Life (2024) Wyatt Flores 11/30/24
Heaven Let them Die (2004) Counterparts 11/30/24
Cartoon Darkness (2024) Amyl and the Sniffers 11/30/24

Best Listen of the Month: Abraxas, Santana

Biggest Surprise: Wonderful Wonderful, The Killers

Biggest Disappointment: Heaven Let Them Die, Counterparts

What?? Did someone say something? Huh?

Still Resonates Today: Eliminator, ZZ Top

Best Concert Memory: Live Trax: Vol. 50: Hershey Park Stadium, Dave Matthews Band

Perfect Moment to Listen: Human Wheels, John Mellencamp

Most Fun: Made in America, Blues Brothers

Jake and Elwood Blues know how to entertain a crowd.

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

July

August

September

October

Album Playthrough Project October 2024

I move into the fourth quarter of the year with the Album Playthrough Project's October album list.  I really need to explore more contemporary artists.  I have enjoyed revisiting the albums of my younger years, but I would like to find more new artists.  I am looking for ways to discover new artists, but one complaint I have with Spotify and many streaming services is they keep giving you more of what you listen to.  This algorithm doesn't help when one would like to discover new artists.  Anyway, I am using some podcasts to hunt for new artists so no worries. 

A few months ago, I teased that I have the next evolution of the Album Playthrough Project for 2025.  I am not ready to reveal the new project, but  I will share the new 2025 Album Playthrough Project in November.   Until then, here is October's album list:  

October Road (2000) James Taylor 10/2/24
Sports (1983) Huey Lewis and the News 10/5/24
Fore! (1986) Huey Lewis and the news 10/5/24
Freeze Frame (1981) J. Geils Band 10/5/24
Dare to be Stupid (1985) Weird Al Yankovic 10/6/24
Pretenders (1980) Pretenders 10/9/24
Mighty Like a Rose (1991) Elvis Costello 10/9/24
Blind Man's Zoo (1989) 10,000 Maniacs 10/9/24
Stream (2024) Fergus McCreadie 10/17/24
No Need to Argue (1994) The Cranberries 10/20/24
Sleeper Catcher (1978) Little River Band 10/21/24
Even in the Quietest Moments (1977) Supertramp 10/22/24
In Through the Out Door (1979) Led Zeppelin 10/22/24
Synchronicity (1983) The Police 10/23/24
Left of Cool (1998) Bela Fleck and the Flecktones 10/23/24
Speaking in Tongues (1983) Talking Heads 10/24/24
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (2008) David Byrne 10/25/24
Rhythm of the Saints (1990) Paul Simon 10/25/24
I Got a Name (1973) Jim Croce 10/25/24
Crosby, Stills, and Nash (1969) Crosby Stills and Nash 10/25/24
Izitso (1977) Yusuf/Cat Stevens 10/26/24
Like a Prayer (1989) Madonna 10/31/24

Best Listen of the Month: Blind Man's Zoo, 10,000 Maniacs

Not much to say other than the 10,000 Maniacs were also on last month's list. I love these guys.

Biggest Surprise: Mighty Like a Rose, Elvis Costello

I didn't realize how many good songs I knew from this album. Very enjoyable listening.

Biggest Disappointment: Let's just say it was a good month of listening!

Still Resonates Today: Dare to Be Stupid, Weird Al Yankovic

Never gets old.

Best Concert Memory: James Taylor, October Road

First concert with my wife in November 2022. Peoria Civic Center

Perfect Moment to Listen: Rhythm of the Saints, Paul Simon

Um, is there a bad time to listen to Paul Simon? I think not.

Most Fun: Sports, Huey Lewis and the News

Yep, you thought it would be Weird Al, didn't you? But, when you know all of the lyrics from 41 years ago...that is fun!

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

July

August

September

Album Playthrough Project September 2024

What a great month of album listening! I found a groove and a good time to get some listening in.  First thing in the morning has turned out to be a really good time to get in most if not all of an album while I am getting ready for the day.  At least, it seems to have worked well this month.  We will see as we enter the fourth quarter of the year.  I hope you enjoy the music I enjoyed (mostly) last month!  

You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) REO Speedwagon 9/3/24
Hotel California (1976) Eagles 9/3/24
1984 (1984) Van Halen 9/6/24
Flesh & Blood (1990) Poison 9/6/24
Guts (Spilled) (2024) Olivia Rodrigo 9/7/24
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess 2023 Chappell Roan 9/9/24
emails i can't send (2022) Sabrina Carpenter 9/10/24
Fine Line (2019) Harry Styles 9/10/24
Under a Blood Red Sky remastered 2023 (2023) U2 9/10/24

Born in the USA (1984) Bruce Springsteen 9/11/24
Whenever We Wanted (1991) John Mellencamp 9/11/24
October Road (2000) James Taylor 9/11/24
Tuesday Night Music Club (1993) Sheryl Crow 9/12/24
Ringo (1973) Ringo Starr 9/12/24
Get Lifted (2005) John Legend 9/14/24
Beneath the Skin (2015) Of Monsters and Men 9/16/24
Fear (1991) Toad the Wet Sprocket 9/16/24
Sister Sweetly (1993) Big Head Todd and the Monsters 9/16/24
New Jersey (1988) Bon Jovi 9/19/24
Hozier (2014) Hozier 9/18/24
Trouble (2008) Ray Montagne 9/18/24
Deeper Well (2024) Kasey Musgraves 9/19/24
Sound and Color (2015) Alabama Shakes 9/20/24
Streetlight Serenade (1974) Billy Joel 9/21/24
Music (2021) Sia 9/23/24
The Black Album (Metallica) (1991) Metallica 9/23/24
Unorthodox Jukebox (2012) Bruno Mars 9/24/24
Because of the Times (2007) Kings of Leon 9/24/24
Nothing to Lose (2024) Hollow Cove 9/24/24
PourIt Out Into the Night (2023) The Revivalists 9/24/24
White Blood Cells (2001) The White Stripes, Jack White 9/25/24
Stereopathetic Soulmanure (1994) Beck 9/25/24
Only God Was Above Us (2024) Vampire Weekend 9/26/24
Gold Rush Kid (2022) George Ezra 9/27/24
Hardwired Mixtape (2018) Hailey Knox 9/28/24
Moonstone EP (2020) Raveena 9/28/24
The Classic Roy Orbison (1966) Roy Orbison 9/29/24
Live Trax Vol. 44: The Gorge amphitheatre (2017) Dave Matthews Band 9/28/24
In My Tribe (1987) 10,000 Maniacs 9/28/24

Best Listen of the Month: Only God Was Above Us, Vampire Weekend

Biggest Surprise: In My Tribe, 10,000 Maniacs

Don't get me wrong, I loved this album back in the day, but whoa, it still hits today.

Biggest Disappointment: Music, Sia

It was okay. She should stick to Christmas music. Her songs are pretty enjoyable in that season.

Still Resonates Today: The Black Album, Metallica

Dude. This album rocks in 2024 like it did in 1991. And it will in 2054.

Favorite Newbie: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Chappell Roan

Best Concert Memory: Mixtape, Hailey Knox

Caught her show at a local tavern on St. Patrick's Day in 2019. Passionate about her music!

Perfect Moment to Listen: Under a Blood Red Sky, U2

Something about these guys always seems to be the right time.

Most Fun: Stereopathetic Soulmanure, Beck

He knows sound, and boy, does he play with it in his first album. Not an album to relax with.

Album Playthrough Project August 2024

It was a disappointing month of album listening for me.  I was happy with the quality of music I listened to, but disappointed in the number of albums I listened to.  I was, however, able to squeeze in a few albums in some free time.  

It was interesting as time was short, I found myself going to music and artists that I was familiar with.  It seemed that since I didn't have much time to listen, I didn't want to waste any of it with something that might turn out to be a dud.  Or, maybe I knew in my hectic moments that I needed certain music to lift me up and drive me forward.  I'm not sure, but here are the albums I listened to in their entirety in the month of August:  

The Nylon Curtain (1982) Billy Joel 8/15/24
Human Wheels (2005) John Mellencamp 8/22/24
Waiting for the Night (1993) Freddie Jones Band 8/28/24
All of This Life (2018) The Record Company 8/28/24
Shaken N Stirred (1985) Robert Plant 8/29/24
8/23/24 Greenwood Village, Co. (2024) Dave Matthews Band 8/30/24
The Principals of Moments (1983) Robert Plant 8/30/24
Wheels Are Turnin' (1984) REO Speedwagon 8/31/24

Best Memories: The Nylon Curtain - Billy Joel

So many car rides with friends, so many concerts, so many hours memorizing lyrics

Biggest Disappointment: Shaken N Stirred, Robert Plant

What the heck?? Synthesizers galore and not in a good way..bad experimentation.

Best Rebound/Redemption: The Principals of Moments, Robert Plant

I try not to listen to the same artist so soon after an album by the same artist, but I needed to find something to get back to believing in Robert Plant again! It worked.

Best Concert Memory: All of This Life, The Record Company

Glen Oak Park, Peoria, IL June 2019 Great night!

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

July

Album Playthrough Project July

It was a great month of music listening in July!  Not only did I listen to a whole bunch of albums, but I am really excited about the variety of music I was able to consume.  July was a good example of what I envisioned when I started this project because I wanted to experience a variety of artists' albums in their entirety.  Here are the albums I was able to listen to in July: 

Little Shop of Horrors (2003) Cast Album 7/1/24
Night On the Town (1990) Bruce Hornsby and the Range 7/2/24
Night Moves (1976) Bob Seger 7/3/24
The New Abnormal (2020) The Strokes 7/3/24
The Captain and Me (1973) The Doobie Brothers 7/12/24
Greatest Hits (1998) DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince 7/14/24
City Music (2017) Chris Morby 7/14/24
Older (2024) Lizzy McAlpine 7/16/24
Crowded House (1986) Crowded House 7/16/24
American Idiot (2006) Green Day 7/16/24
Go Slow Down (1993) The DoBeans 7/19/24
Dizzy Up the Girl (1998) Goo Goo Dolls 7/20/24
Quadrophenia (1973) The Who 7/20/24
Are You Experienced (1967) The Jimi Hendrix Experience 7/21/24
Dierks Bentley (2003) Dierks Bentley 7/21/24
Imploding the Mirage (2020) The Killers 7/21/24
Whatever and Ever Amen (1997) BenFolds Five 7/21/24
The Stranger (1977) Billy Joel 7/21/24
Music from Big Pink (1968) The Band 7/21/24
Some EP (2024) Deadmau5 7/22/24
90125 (1983) Yes 7/22/24
Top Gun Soundtrack (1989) Various artists 7/23/24
Invisible Touch (1986) Genesis 7/24/24
Storm Front (1989) Billy Joel 7/24/24
A Matter of Trust the Bridge to Russia Live in Moscow (2014) Billy Joel 2014 7/24/24
Good Thing (2018) Leon Bridges 8/24/24
Les Miserables (1987) original Broadway Cast 7/25/24
The Best Worst-Case Scenario (2006) Fair 7/26/24
Hamilton Mixtape (2016) Various Artists 7/27/24
Morrison Hotel (1970) The Doors 7/29/24
The World's Most Dangerous Party (2010) Paul Shaffer 7/29/24

Best Memories: Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix -

I did a deep dive into discovering Jimi when I was in college. This brought back stories and thoughts of friends I hadn't thought about in a very long time.

Biggest Surprise: City Music, Chris Morby -

Big, honest music in this album. Morby is quickly becoming a favorite artist.

Biggest Disappointment: The World's Most Dangerous Party, Paul Shaffer

Um...I have no idea what to say. This wasn't the Paul that I knew as musical host of David Letterman.

Perfect Moment to Listen: Good Thing, Leon Bridges

Any time you put this album on, it will be the perfect time. Super chill and funky

Most Fun: Greatest Hits, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince -

What can I say, it was a blast!

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May

June

Album Playthrough Project: June 2024

I am a little embarrassed with my list of albums listened to in June.  It seemed like it would be a great month for me to sit down and listen, but it seems my life picked up in the summer.  Anyway, here are the albums in which I intentionally listened.  

Shake Your Money Maker (1990) Black Crowes 6/2/24
INXS Kick (1987) INXS 6/10/24
Night Service: Live at LunAtico (2024) Jon Lampley 6/29/24
Beginnings (2017) Bruce Harris 6/29/24
True Design (2020) Giveton Gelin 6/29/24

Best Memories: Kick, INXS-

80's cool

Biggest Surprise: Night Service: Live at LunAtico, Jon Lampley -

Cool Jazz right off the stage of Late Night with Stephen Colbert!

Biggest Disappointment: I didn't choose Shake Your Money Maker as best memories -

Great album, great band, but it didn't have as much of an overall impact today as INXS. Might be different tomorrow.

Listened to Over and Over: Night Service: Live at LunAtico, Jon Lampley -

It might be the album that sabotaged my listening in June! I'm listening right now.

For a description of the Album Playthrough Project, click here

February

March

April  

May