XTC Album Ranking

One of my favorite music channels on YouTube is Sea of Tranquility. Lots of content on classic rock, prog, and heavy metal (well, two out of three ain't bad). This past week they posted video ranking the albums of XTC, who, if you know me, is one of my favorite bands. Here is the video, and beneath that is my ranking of the albums of XTC. 

So here is my list. 

12. White Music 

11. Go2 

10. Drums and Wires 

09. Wasp Star 

08. Apple Venus 

07. Nonsuch 

06. Oranges and Lemons 

05. The Big Express 

04. Mummer 

03. Skylarking 

02. Black Sea 

01. English Settlement 

The top 5 are so close, especially Black Sea and English Settlement. But even below that, I may not like the albums as much as a whole, but the songs I do like are masterpieces.

If you are a fan too, please share your list in the comments.

My Top 40 AM Radio Pop Hits of the 1970's

I have never been a Top40 radio guy. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always “searched” for music that appeals to me. Sure, there has been music on the radio that I liked, but it was mostly earlier in my life. Even as far back as the 70s I was searching. Then, through the 80s and after, there was less on the radio and the search intensified. By the 90s I had given up on commercial radio completely.

Last night I was watching one of my favorite YouTubers (Sea of Tranquility/Pete Pardo) list the songs he remembered liking hearing come on the radio when he was a kid in the 70s. This guy, being a fan of heavy rock, surprised me with his “pop” favorites. This, of course, prompted me to consider the same.

So, here is my similar list. These are in no particular order and my only restriction is only one entry per artist. There are many more other than these. But these are just a sampling.

1. Venus - Shocking Blue
2. Brother Louie - Stories
3. Theme from Shaft - Isaac Hayes
4. American Pie - Don McLean
5. Green-Eyed Lady - Sugarloaf
6. Draggin’ the Line - Tommy James
7. Temptation Eyes - The Grass Roots
8. Diary - Bread
9. Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
10. Summer Breeze - Seals and Crofts
11. Ventura Highway - America
12. Rocket Man - Elton John
13. Shambala - Three Dog Night
14. Hello It's Me - Todd Rundgren
15. Jackie Blue - Ozark Mountain Daredevils
16. You're No Good - Linda Ronstadt
17. Fooled Around And Fell In Love - Elvin Bishop 
18. She’s Gone - Darryl Hall & John Oates
19. We Just Disagree - Dave Mason
20. Just Remember I Love You - Firefall
21. Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione
22. My Sharona - The Knack
23. Hold The Line - Toto
24. Lonesome Loser - Little River Band
25. Maggie May - Rod Stewart
26. Listen To The Music - The Doobie Brothers
27. Operator (That's Not The Way It Goes) - Jim Croce
28. Hitchin' A Ride - Vanity Fare
29. How Long - Ace
30. Ride Captain Ride - Blues Image
31. Rainy Night In Georgia - Brook Benton
32. Mr. Bojangles - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
33. I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
34. Me And Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
35. Without You - Nilsson
36. Drift Away - Dobie Gray
37. You're So Vain - Carly Simon
38. Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel
39. Show And Tell - Al Wilson
40. Just You 'N' Me - Chicago

I may return to this theme with songs from the 80s, who knows?

I'd love to hear your thoughts, additions, etc., in the comments.

#WalkAway

Among all of the turmoil in our society right now, something wonderful has begun. Maybe in the current socio-political climate, it was bound to happen, but maybe not. There is a movement of “awakening” spreading. This movement is truly all-inclusive; gay, straight, black, white, young, old, and more. It is the #WalkAway Campaign. The official website explains it wonderfully:

The #WalkAway Campaign, founded by former liberal Brandon Straka, is a true grassroots movement. It is a Facebook video campaign movement, dedicated to sharing the stories of people who can no longer accept the current ideology of liberalism and what the Democratic Party has become. Some of us left long ago, while many have recently been “red-pilled”.  Some have wanted to leave for some time but have feared the consequences they might suffer from friends or family if they were to walk away.   

The group is here to encourage and support those on the left to walk away from the divisive tenets by allowing people to share their stories, watch the video testimonies, and read the posts of others who have walked away.   

The campaign also serves another very important purpose. For far too long, the left has controlled the narrative in this country within the news media, while the “silent majority” on the right have done what they always do – remain silent. The left has been allowed to reinforce the narrative that everybody on the right is a bigot, a racist, a homophobe, a misogynist, etc. The left has become so extreme and hateful that it is now time to fight back! We want people on the right to use their voices and tell the world the truth about whom they are by making videos telling everyone what it means to be a conservative in America and what your values really are. Tell minorities on the left, who have been told their whole lives that they are not welcome on the right because of the bigotry and hatred, that they are welcome. Tell them there is a seat at the table on the right for everybody.   

This is a movement of Patriots from all walks of life – men, women, black, brown, white, straight, LGBTQ, religious, and non-believers – who share something very important in common. 



These are very brave people to change their stance, usually against their peers and families. Regardless, they are thankful for their decision, having made it on their own.

It’s been a long time since I was on the left. Decades, actually. So I’m not on the “inside’ of the movement. But these individuals are making this decision based on their actual experience and research, not just taking someone’s word for it or following a group. No identity politics here. These testimonies are powerful and moving. I encourage everyone to choose any one of them and watch with an open mind.

Over the past few days, there has been an opposing campaign to discredit #WalkAway as Russian bots or propaganda. That the posts and memes are fabricated. Every one of these I’ve read were readily discredited.

Please help me pass this on. We should always encourage everyone to look at all sides of all issues with as much of an open mind as possible, can come to their own conclusions. People don't have to be enslaved by identity politics.

See more here:
Website - www.walkawaycampaign.com
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/groups/OFFICIALWalkAwayCampaign/?fref=nf
#Walkaway Fansite - www.youtube.com/channel/UCDb4InP9mRZR9oogD1b2dOQ
Brandon Straka, founder - www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pjs7uoOkag

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