200 RECOMMENDED ALBUMS. This update: #60. Continues tomorrow.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#60

BAT OUT OF HELL:  MEAT LOAF

 [1977] 

Some albums remain in a category all their own. Such is the case with 'Bat Out Of Hell'. It provided Meat Loaf with an enduring legacy. Prior to its release, he was an unknown cast member from the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' film adaptation. Once the album was unleashed, Meat Loaf was a superstar. Everything about the performer was big. His music was packed with countless pop culture references, most notably Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Alice Cooper and the aforementioned cult film. Jim Steinman created epic tracks; lyrically powerful and dramatic. Todd Rundgren rivals Phil Spector in his production. The adolescent male themes are infused with bombastic thrills which serve to give the songs a timeless quality. Meat Loaf was the perfect conduit for Steinman's songs. Other artists have recorded the latter's compositions (eg. Air Supply, Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion and Barry Manilow), but none ever matched the energy and theatricality executed on this thrilling debut set. It remains a cherished defining album of the 1970s; a time when albums dominated radio airwaves. That the album is still one of the best selling, despite containing only 7 tracks (5 of which lasting over 5 minutes) is a testament to its undeniable uniqueness. Meat Loaf delivers with equal aplomb on ballads (such as "Heaven Can Wait" and "For Crying Out Loud") and the rock tunes (including the title track and "All Revved Up With No Place To Go").

Highiight tracks: Paradise By The Dashboard Light; Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad & You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth.