#351 - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, Bright Eyes

"I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is the album the Omaha native has always threatened to make, channeling his country rock influences into articulate, witty ballads that come to life with gorgeous harmonies supplied by Emmylou Harris. The tumbling "We Are Nowhere and It's Now" might be his first actual masterpiece, while the words of album closer "Road to Joy" ("I could've been a famous singer if I had someone else's voice/ But failure's always sounded better") indicate that Oberst might have his head screwed on right after all.." (amazon editorial review)

#350 - Throwing Copper, Live

"On Throwing Copper, Live tightened their sound, added crashing crescendos for dramatic effect, and injected some anger into their sound and songwriting. They also eased up a bit on the Eastern philosophy; the result is a more cohesive, memorable record overall, and quite an improvement from the sometimes overly precious Mental Jewelry." (allmusic guide)

#349 - Whatever, Aimee Mann

"On her debut solo album, Aimee Mann proves she is a singer/songwriter to be reckoned with. Mann, the pony-tailed punk who once fronted 'Til Tuesday, has a lush, emotive voice that lends credence to the tales of woe on Whatever. Mann's acerbic wit, coupled with producer Jon Brion's affinity for pop hooks, brings to mind Elvis Costello. That's high praise, indeed!" (real music guide)

#348 - Joshua Judges Ruth, Lyle Lovett

"Compared to his previous work, Joshua Judges Ruth sounds startlingly spare -- producer and engineer George Massenburg brings a clear and keenly detailed sound to these sessions that allows all the details of the low-key arrangements to be heard, and "She's Already Made Up Her Mind," "Baltimore," and "Family Reserve" seem to have been recorded with this in mind. The songs also reflect a shift toward more serious and introspective themes for Lovett." (allmusic guide)

#347 - More Songs About Buildings And Food, Talking Heads

"Through the first nine tracks, More Songs was the successor to 77, which would not have earned it landmark status or made it the commercial breakthrough it became. It was the last two songs that pushed the album over those hurdles. First there was an inspired cover of Al Green's "Take Me to the River"; released as a single, it made the Top 40 and pushed the album to gold-record status." (allmusic guide)

#346 - On The Beach, Neil Young

"The last album of an early '70s triptych known as "The Doom Trilogy" finds Neil Young threatening the stars of L.A.'s Laurel Canyon, singing that he hated them worse than lepers and that he would kill them in their cars. This album of gritty, blues-tinged country rock comes off as savage and dark as Young's words." (real music guide)