Time To Get Manly 64: Vic Chesnutt - Left to His Own Devices

I randomly ran across a list of what Esquire magazine claims are "The 75 Albums Every Man Should Own." In this series of posts, I'll explore these manly, manly sounds.

Vic Chesnutt - Left to His Own Devices

Though Vic Chesnutt's inclusion on this list of manly records is another one of a handful of pleasant surprises, Left to His Own Devices is a weird choice. But really, almost any record from his career would do the trick. After a car accident left him paralyzed and wheelchair bound in his late teens, Chesnutt learned to adapt so he could still play guitar. Listen to the beautiful, a cappella closing song, "I'm Still Alive" for some gritty-yet-optimistic realism the next time you need strength and inspiration to forge ahead in tough times.

Time To Get Manly 63: The Who - Who's Next

I randomly ran across a list of what Esquire magazine claims are "The 75 Albums Every Man Should Own." In this series of posts, I'll explore these manly, manly sounds.

The Who - Who's Next

Before becoming New York and Miami's most renowned crime scene investigators, the Who were one of the most renowned rock bands of the 60's and 70's. It's true! Who's Next is sandwiched between Tommy and Quadrophenia in the Who's discography. In addition to being one of the band's finest records, it is also obviously more manly than Tommy and Quadrophenia seeing as it doesn't have the word "opera" associated with it.

Time To Get Manly 62: Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

I randomly ran across a list of what Esquire magazine claims are "The 75 Albums Every Man Should Own." In this series of posts, I'll explore these manly, manly sounds.

Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine's debut album proved to be the perfect soundtrack for throngs of angry young men looking for somewhere to focus their overflowing testosterone and angst. After being indoctrinated by Rage's leftist views, these revolutionaries then took to the streets malls of America. There they bought Che Guevara T-shirts and brooded angrily over their Mrs. Field's cookies as they waited in vain for a mall cop to fuck with them. To call this record a "face melter," no matter how accurate, seems wholly inappropriate considering the whole "self immolation" thing. But it totally is.

Time To Get Manly 61: Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

I randomly ran across a list of what Esquire magazine claims are "The 75 Albums Every Man Should Own." In this series of posts, I'll explore these manly, manly sounds.

Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

It's hard to believe that Songs in the Key of Life was record number eighteen for Stevie Wonder. Most artists, if they even manage to reach album eighteen, are comfortably settled into the "washed up and embarrassingly mediocre" period of their career. Not Mr. Wonder. He decided it was probably time to go ahead and release his best record ever. Which is saying a lot since he'd been virtually unstoppable since the release of 1972's Talking Book. Of course, all of this was just warm up and prep for Wonder's true masterpiece: "I Just Called to Say I Love You." 

Time To Get Manly 60: Joe Jackson - Look Sharp!

I randomly ran across a list of what Esquire magazine claims are "The 75 Albums Every Man Should Own." In this series of posts, I'll explore these manly, manly sounds.

Joe Jackson - Look Sharp!

Do you think people, in general, are willfully ignorant sheep? Are you frustrated by the injustices, pain and all around absurdities of love and relationships? Do you use caustic sarcasm and wry observation to wall off your real vulnerability from those around you? Can you pull off these shoes? If you answered yes to all four questions, there are two things you should know. The first is, get yourself a copy of Look Sharp! immediately. The second is in your dreams could you pull off those shoes.

Time To Get Manly 59: Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville

I randomly ran across a list of what Esquire magazine claims are "The 75 Albums Every Man Should Own." In this series of posts, I'll explore these manly, manly sounds.

Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville

I was wondering when we'd see some vaginas on this list, and I have no qualms with the first "lady parts record" being Liz Phair's amazing Exile In Guyville. I do take issue with Esquire's glibly sexist write up: "Liz Phair can make you feel ashamed to be a man. And to want to make it up to her." I hope Ms. Phair takes whoever wrote this, rolls them up in plastic, tosses 'em up and pumps them full of lead. I wouldn't put it past her - I hear she's a real cunt in Spring.

Time To Get Manly 58: The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

I randomly ran across a list of what Esquire magazine claims are "The 75 Albums Every Man Should Own." In this series of posts, I'll explore these manly, manly sounds.

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

It seems reasonable for each and every man's record collection to feature Pet Sounds, since it has been called "the greatest album of all time" about a bajillion times. Incredibly, it was created by an all-consumed musical madman who actually set out to make the greatest album of all time. Talk about accomplishing your goals! Sure, Brian Wilson then basically went insane and sat in a sandbox in his bathrobe for years after that, but perfection comes at a price, people.