Faces' third studio album A Nod Is as Good as a Wink... to a Blind Horse was released in 1971. After the commercial success of Rod Stewart's Every Picture Tells a Story earlier in the year, it was the band's first commercial success, reaching the top ten in both the US and UK. It was well received critically and is generally considered the Faces' best album.
Even though I always enjoyed the Faces' contributions to Rod Stewart's solo albums (and still regard their early albums as generally weak), this is their first I've come to appreciate the uniqueness of the band's sound. Now that they shortened the length of their songs and sped up the tempo, their original approach to rock thrives and songwriting partnership of Stewart and Ronnie Wood is the cherry on top. The only weak point of the album is two of the lead vocals that Ronnie Lane takes though his third attempt, "Debris," is one of the best songs on the album. A-
(scroll down for a ranking of Rod Stewart's best albums!)
Well, we finished the classic period of Rod Stewart's career. His next album Never a Dull Moment is often considered part of that period but I've heard it a few times and haven't thought much of it so I decided it was best just to stop here. Rod Stewart went on to release several consecutive number one albums after this which would help make him one of the top selling artists of all time but almost none of them have stellar critical standing so I don't see much of a point listening to those, which means we'll be moving onto a new artist very soon. I'll briefly listen to the short discography of the 70s female-lead band Joy of Cooking before moving onto Randy Newman. I also started listening to Queen's debut this week although I won't be doing a saga of them since I doubt I'll enjoy them that much--I hate their first album.
Here's a ranking of Stewart's albums worth checking out:
4. An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (1969):
Although there are a few unmemorable points in the album, Stewart's debut establishes him as a tasteful roots rocker and cover artist. Check out his excellent interpretation of "A Man of Constant Sorrow." B+
3. A Nod Is as Good as a Wink... to a Blind Horse (1971):
Not only a remarkable turn-around for the band, but it's particularly impressive because it's essentially their third album of the year. A-
2. Gasoline Alley (1970):
Without altering his approach significantly, Stewart improves his songwriting and brings a mandolin with him for the first time. Above A Nod simply because it's slightly more consistent. A-
1. Every Picture Tells a Story (1971):
The pinnacle of Stewart's roots rock turns him into a defining artist of the genre. It's more than just "Maggie May"--it's also "Tomorrow is a Long Time," "Mandolin Wind," the title track, and the album where the Faces finally figure themselves out. A
(P.S.: I won't be doing a monthly recap because I'll be out of town on the weekend, so here's the top 5 albums of the month: A Nod Is as Good as a Wink by Faces, Luck of the Draw by Bonnie Raitt, New Skin for the Old Ceremony by Leonard Cohen, Then Play On by Fleetwood Mac, and Big Bill Broonzy Sings Folk Songs.)