15. PAUL MCCARTNEY AND WINGS - Venus and Mars ( 4.0 Stars )
This is, arguably, Paul's second best post-Beatles album, behind Band on the Run. It's probably the most consistent. I love the title track, "Venus and Mars / Rock Show". The rest of the album is very solid, with the exception of the obligatory goofy McCartney song, "You Gave Me the Answer". "Listen to What the Man Said" was the big hit, but there are other great songs like "Letting Go", "Spirits of Ancient Egypt", and "Medicine Jar". The tour for Venus and Mars resulted in the brilliant live album Wings Over America. That was peak McCartney.
14. CHRIS SQUIRE - Fish Out of Water ( 4.5 Stars )
If there were any doubt about Chris Squire's importance to the sound of YES, it was erased by Fish Out of Water. This sounds pretty much like a great YES album. Bill Bruford is on board in the drummer's seat and the vastly underrated Patrick Moraz is on bass and synths. The compositions here are beautiful and virtuoso. This is the best prog album of 1975. Squire's transition from backing harmonies to lead vocals is seamless. I don't know why I had never listened to this record before. Squire is one of my favorite bassists and it was sad when he died before YES were inducted into the Rock Hall. I could see if I spent more time with Fish Out of Water and found a copy on LP that it could become a 5 star album. Listening to it again while I type this is already making me second guess my rating. There may not be an individual song that makes my Top 25, but "Lucky Seven" and "Hold Out Your Hand" are fantastic.
13. PATTI SMITH - Horses ( 4.5 Stars )
I have never really listened to Patti Smith before, despite Michael Stipe being a super fan, and U2 doing a great cover of "Dancing Barefoot". I didn't expect Horses to make my Top 25. I almost stopped listening after the first couple tracks. When the third track, "Birdland" came on I started to see the influences on Stipe. When I heard the next song, "Free Money", I realized I was a dickhead. Then came "Kimberly". I saw the light of Patti Smith. What a great album. And we are birthday buddies. I will have to do a dive of her albums right after Joni Mitchell.
12. ELO - Face the Music ( 4.5 Stars )
Of course, my other birthday buddy is Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra. I've always considered ELO a continuation of The Beatles. And Jeff Lynne eventually worked with George Harrison to great success. The George Harrison guitar sound is all over Face the Music, especially on the instrumental opener "Fire on High", and the second track "Waterfall". "Evil Woman" and "Strange Magic" are ELO classics. Even the deep cuts, like "Nightrider" are nuggets of pop genius. I really regret not going to see ELO last year when they came to the States for the last time. They are easily a Top 50 band for me, and Face the Music is probably their most consistent record.
11. ELTON JOHN - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy ( 4.5 Stars )
I don't know if Elton had any input over the lyrics on Captain Fantastic, but it seems to be Bernie Taupin's autobiography of him and Reg. The opening title track is magnificent. Hell, the whole record is magnificent. Side One ends with one of my favorite Elton John songs, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and when you flip the record over it's the fabulous rocker, "Gotta Get a Meal Ticket". In 1975, Elton John was the most important recording artist in my life. As I've grown older, Elton has receded to the back of my mind, but when I do these dives a little part of 1975 me is alive again. I could have ranked this record as high as #7, and most likely should have. It's funny that my babysitter would always bring over 1975's Elton John dud, Rock of the Westies, instead of Captain Fantastic, But it did have the hit single "Island Girl", so that's probably why. I was just a kid and thought it was all great. It sucks to lose your childlike wonder. Peace.
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