This is a Facebook Note I thought was blog worthy as well so here goes.
The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen albums you've heard that will always stick with you. List the first fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag fifteen friends, including me, because I'm interested in seeing what albums my friends choose. (To do this, go to your Notes tab on your profile page, paste rules in a new note, cast your fifteen picks, and tag people in the note -- upper right hand side.)
Okay so since it’s me, I’m going to do a tad more than just list the albums, because I can’t imagine mentioning personally influential albums without adding a bit about each one. Anyway, if I’ve tagged you it means I really value and appreciate your musical ears and would love to see what albums have inspired you. Also, I wanted to tag more of you but because I follow the rules I stuck to 15 but please chime in if you want to. So without further ado, here’s my 15 in alphabetical order.
The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Other than merely being Brian Wilson’s opus, and this album has been written about ad nauseam, I’ll swipe a quote a used earlier this year when I blogged about a book I had read on the making of the record. I think this sums everything up just well:
“And it really is a gift to those of us who need it. It so perfectly captures a perspective that isn’t part of the daily discussion. I mean, people don’t go around telling each other how alienated they feel, and how divorced they feel from the emotions others so readily access, and how they desperately want love and acceptance and yet fear what may come if they grow accustomed to them and then these vital elements of life suddenly go away. If someone does talk about these things, it’s rarely with such eloquence and clarity. With Pet Sounds, we hear what Brian thought and felt, and his thoughts and feelings are communicated not only through lyrics, but also through often disorienting music that wheedles its way into our subconscious.”
Belle & Sebastian – Tigermilk
Not sure if I believe Tigermilk is their best set of songs but this, their debut, is classic B&S. It also features perhaps my favorite songs of theirs in My Wandering Days Are Over although that track is somewhat bittersweet for me these days. But when you include tracks like She’s Losing It and The State I Am In it’s a great way to start a career.
Ben Folds Five – Whatever And Ever Amen
Like many on my list, this is one that just brings me back to a time and place. Whenever I hear the intro to One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces I’m right back in my dorm at Concordia with good friends. There are also lots of sing-alongs, like Kate, that James and I still will bust out whenever we’re together. So this is a record of a time and place with people I loved, and many whom I still have as integral pieces in my life, and this is part of that larger soundtrack.
Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
This was my introduction to the band, and I know they got flack from some of the “real” fans by supposedly going mainstream with this album but it’s one I still carry with me. Whatever. First Day Of My Life still turns me into mush. Someday I hope to get back to that place. That would be swell. My heart feels the yearning in Landlocked Blues and Old Soul Song (For The New World Order) (I was at that show, btw) always does it for me.
Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career
This album came out at the perfect time in my life (April, 2009) and became the most cathartic music experience of my life. Inspired from a breakup, Traceyanne Campbell poured herself into writing an album about the disintegration of that relationship. The story arc goes from that initial rush of love through lonely nights post breakup wondering where they are and who they’re with tonight but ends in a very optimistic manner reminding the listener that not all is lost and love will find a way. That’s what they do better than almost anyone else. It’s reminder that no matter how bad today may seem, tomorrow will be better and it’s the healing power of music. I may still have times songs where Forests and Sands and especially Other Towns and Cities hit me but you don’t get to where you need to without slogging through the tough times. And thankfully we have Honey In The Sun to bring everything pointing towards the future and that’s what it’s all about.
The Decemberists – Picaresque
It’s my favorite of their albums for a number of different reasons. First of all, you have perhaps their finest musical moment with The Mariner’s Revenge Song which is just tremendous. I also spent a great while relating to The The Engine Driver as well. From toe to tip it’s a fine collection of songs weaving numerous stories and I hope they get back to this level of wonderfulness soon.
Nick Drake – Bryter Layter
The funny thing with Nick is that I have a very difficult time with figuring out my favorite of his albums. Next week I might just say it’s Five Leaves Left or Pink Moon but for now, it’s Bryter Layter. I’m leveled every time I hear the opening lines to Fly (“Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face.”) and I think I’ve determined that should anyone else ever have me again that I’ll make a strong case that Northern Sky be our first dance. But then you say, “Josh, what if she doesn’t like Nick Drake?” She’ll like Nick Drake. Did I just create an odd non-negotiable? Anyway, One Of These Things First always makes me think about how the lives we have could have gone differently. Not necessarily a bad thing. At The Chime of a City Clock is a tune that makes me think I’d like to bouncing around London. Anyway, so I could have gone in another direction but for the time being, I’m going with Bryter Layter.
Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
Their powerful debut and it was oddly enough all Ian Curtis ever wanted from them. So many iconic songs on this disc but I’m usually drawn to New Dawn Fades, Wilderness, and Disorder. A heavy record but not the “Holy crap this is a musical suicide note!” like how Closer is. Like with Nick Drake, I always wonder what this band would have done had Ian lived. Oh well. Great album.
The Kinks – Arthur: Or The Decline and Fall of the British Empire
I went through a huge Kinks period 2-3 years ago, and I still love them, and this was the first of their albums I really clung to. For one, it’s actually the first rock opera ever recorded (sorry, Tommy) and it’s solid story telling throughout as we see Arthur’s life played out. Personal favorites are Victoria, Shangri-la, and She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina.
Mojave 3 – Excuses For Travellers
Oh Neil Halstead and Mojave 3. This, their third album, always sounds fresh and speaks to me. It always has and never was a grower on me. It was an album that immediately resonated with me and probably always will. Highlights include In Love With a View, Trying To Reach You, and Anyday Will Be Fine. And by the way, they’re loooong overdue for a new album. 2006 was not the other day anymore.
Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
It’s Jeff Mangum’s opus. I sometimes wonder what he’s been up to. I wholeheartedly believe the world would be better if he were making music again. Anyway, I once wrote a ridiculously long blog post about this album years ago over on my Myspace page. Myspace. That’s funny. Anyway, I suppose this review should suffice. I pretty much can’t do this album justice, so I’ll just share a few vids and suggest you get your hands on a copy. Among my favorites are Holland, 1945, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea and Two-Headed Boy.
Simon & Garfunkel – Bookends
My favorite of theirs as it’s an interesting study of growing older, changes in life, and differing seasons as time progresses. It’s a study of life, loss, and love. America reminds me that I wouldn’t necessarily mind just leaving one day and traveling with my love but I’m not always practical when it comes to things. Overs breaks me heart…but At The Zoo is pure fun.
Sufjan Stevens – Come On Feel The Illinoise!!
Sufjan Stevens wrote an album all about Illinois in 2005 and hasn’t put out a full length album since then. It’s a shame. Sufjan weaves all sorts of references into this work and the results are satisfying on multiple levels. Chicago is sublime, Come On! Feel The Illinois! and it’s multiple parts is stunning, and Casmir Pulaski Day runs through so many emotions and is so human with a touch of the divine.
Travis – The Invisible Band
This, as well it’s predecessor, The Man Who, were staples in my listening rotation at the very end of college and when I first started working at Concordia. I definitely have this particular album etched into my memory of that time. Just really starting out on my own and dealing with a lot of stuff. As for the tunes, Sing is a reminder of the power of music, Flowers In The Window makes me all sentimental, and The Humpty Dumpty Love Song turns me into a puddle (to quote Mary).
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico
One of the many ultimately good things to come out of my last relationship was the introduction to me of this wonderful album (and group). I know VU are not for everybody but this album always stuck with me. The vignettes of gritty New York life as written by Lou Reed paint very vivid images. I also have associations of sitting around Moller’s dorm room and playing chess or some such while this played in the background. It’s funny what one remembers. Anyway I’d add Sunday Morning, Heroin, and I’ll Be Your Mirror as favorites.
So that’s it. I did feel bad about a couple groups I didn’t included. I love all the Beatles albums, yet no single album ever really sticks with me. I also believe Neil Finn (from Crowded House) is a voice of a generation but there’s not *one* album he’s been a part of that I could pin down as being the quintessential Finn album. Anyway, what is your list?
