"Whodjatalkinabout Mister D???!"
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
My favourite albums
Ms Gegenbauren's indignation and outrage at the inclusions made on the ABC's recent My Favourite Album, and the plea to compile a list that you hope won't be influenced by pesky publicists and press managers, has led me to this post of my own choice 20 albums. What you'll find is a hotch-potch of nostalgia, teen angst, rebellion, introspection, the always underestimated concept album, old fashion rawk, a bit of disco and predictably, glam (a word of warning: this does get rambly in parts so bear with me):
Moon Safari – Air
One word: Perfection.
Saturation – Urge Overkill
Take me right back to 2nd year uni. A kick ass album to have in the car for those long drives. Crank it up from the first song, 'Sister Havana' and you are in for an auditory ride of your life.
OK Computer – Radiohead
Not sure if this is actually regarded as a concept album, either way I would list it as the best concept album! It's the defining Radiohead album for many because it served as a portend of what their subsequent crop of albums would be about, but to me it sound like the ultimate soundtrack to a sci-fi thriller where menacing alien life-forms are about to hold our planet to ransom... or something.
Hourly, Daily – You Am I
....Okaaayyy Moving right along, You Am I, this nations best band, cemented their reputation as the best thing since slice bread musically with this doozy of an album. Its predecessor, Hi Fi Way was pretty stellar as it was but it didn't have a hidden track like Hourly did.
The Trials of Van Occupanther – Midlake
This rather recent inclusion is bound to be a classic favourite for the strange reason that it already sounds like a classic, circa 1976, kinda Fleetwood Maccy. Enough reason to love this album is the fact that "Roscoe", the coolest name around for a guy, is a title of one of their tracks.
All that you can’t leave behind – U2
Love it simply for the goose bump factor. To some it might be a little contrived, but I love the way these guys tug at the heartstrings with tunes about peace, harmony and all that crap.
Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine
If you're going to make a political statement in music you may as well use all the swear words available. RATM novice album announces itself with its fist-pumping, profanity-laden anthems railing against injustice, racism and all that crap.
Whatever and Ever Amen – Ben Folds Five
I believe this was the sophomore effort by Ben Folds et al. While this album is best known for the popular 'Brick', this album is chockers full of other goodies including the perennial slacker theme 'Battle of who could care less'.
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Say what you will about the Wacko Jacko of today but in the 80s he was cool. Who among us wouldn't recognise 'Billie Jean' from the first note. The thing i remember the most about this album is that is was so cool that kids clamoured to get themselves a Michael Jackson 'Thriller' or 'Beat It' jacket. Demetri Martin, as he related to us in his shows earlier on in the year, succeeded.
Versus – Pearl Jam
I vote this one above 'Ten' for the simple reason that it is more politically themed than its predecessor. A few stand out tracks for me include 'WMA' and the gentle 'Elderly Woman Behind a Counter...'
Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack – Bee Gees and others
Got me through writing my honours thesis as I toiled away in the wee hours of the morning. I don't know why I picked this album to listen to but dammit it worked.
A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
Although probably not meant to be a literal interpretation, years ago while trying to perfect an experimental technique at work I was convinced that the line '..nobody said it was eaaasssyyy.' from 'The Scientist' was aimed at me and as such I found a soft spot for a band who could sympathise with a poor, hapless scientist. Ditto The Flaming Lips for their great 'Race for the Prize', unofficially the theme song for struggling scientists all around the globe.
Rubber Soul – The Beatles
Although it doesn't have what in my opinion is the best Beatles song 'A day in the life', Rubber Soul is nevertheless full of goodies including the soulful 'Norwegian Wood' and 'Nowhere Man'. Rubber Soul was the album to turn the tide for the fab four, transforming them from what was essentially a boy band into the seminal act of the 20th Century that continues to influence artists to this day.
Achtung Baby – U2
Probably the better of the two U2 albums I've listed here, but I placed this further down because I have a more sentimental attachment to 'All you Can't Leave Behind'. Love this album simply for its killer songs that tug at the heartstrings (as all good U2 songs should) such as the sublime 'One' and the catchy 'Ultraviolet (Light My Way)'.
Angel Dust – Faith No More
I got into Faith No More in high school when they attained commerical success off the back of their third album (i think) 'The Real Thing', but I found 'Angel Dust' to be creatively superior with its unique melding (for its time, that is) of different musical genres with metal. Mike Patton's phenomenal vocals complement the dark, surreal and sometimes disturbing themes evoked in tracks such as 'Kindergarten' and 'Caffeine' - a paen to those addictive types whose morning addictions sometimes hint at violence!
Way to Blue – Nick Drake
My appreciation for the work of Nick Drake has come fairly late in the game, so thanks to Ms Cassiopeia for showing me the way. Perhaps the sad circumstances of his death at a young age add to his mystique, but his soulful, solemn and beautifully gentle songs hold their own too. Armed with a guitar, Drake crafted beautiful music with stark and painfully melancholic lyrics as a way of dealing with his depression. Not a complete downer though, there is a glimmer of happiness with the beautiful 'Northern Sky'. Though 'Hazey Jane II' has to rank as the most jazziest, snazziest, funkiest depressing tunes in the world.
Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
Their appeal may lie in the fact that, like Midlake, these guys also chose to emulate the sound of a different decade, in this case the 80s. However, don't let that dissuade you into thinking that these guys sound like a pack of precious, make-up sporting fops. These guys are fun. From the get go, this album reels you in with the dramatic ('Auf Achse'), the ridiculous ('Michael') and the rollicking ('Dark of the Matinee').
Dynasty - Kiss
An old favourite that perhaps reflects my age more than anything else. Love this album for the shock factor - check out the cover - as well as for the good old fashion 70s rawk.
Innervisions – Stevie Wonder
Good old Stevie had plenty of gems over the years, and plenty of them come off this stellar album, including my favourite track 'Living for the City'.
Ultraglide in Black – The Dirtbombs
Never heard of The Dirtbombs until I had the good fortune to catch them a few years back supporting You Am I on a Cup Eve gig. Their dual drums/dual bass set up had me sold from the get go and as soon as I could, I went looking for any album of theirs I could find. Being a tribute album of songs by African American performers, its not rich on original material, but their interpretations of songs by Stevie Wonder ('Living for the City' yay!), Curtis Mayfield, Barry White and Sly Stone are irresistible. Definitely my best buy in a long time!
For more lists of favourite albums check out the blogs of:
Cassiopeia Gegenbauren
Yossarian
jfox
Flygirl
Sartorial Splendour
Moon Safari – Air
One word: Perfection.
Saturation – Urge Overkill
Take me right back to 2nd year uni. A kick ass album to have in the car for those long drives. Crank it up from the first song, 'Sister Havana' and you are in for an auditory ride of your life.
OK Computer – Radiohead
Not sure if this is actually regarded as a concept album, either way I would list it as the best concept album! It's the defining Radiohead album for many because it served as a portend of what their subsequent crop of albums would be about, but to me it sound like the ultimate soundtrack to a sci-fi thriller where menacing alien life-forms are about to hold our planet to ransom... or something.
Hourly, Daily – You Am I
....Okaaayyy Moving right along, You Am I, this nations best band, cemented their reputation as the best thing since slice bread musically with this doozy of an album. Its predecessor, Hi Fi Way was pretty stellar as it was but it didn't have a hidden track like Hourly did.
The Trials of Van Occupanther – Midlake
This rather recent inclusion is bound to be a classic favourite for the strange reason that it already sounds like a classic, circa 1976, kinda Fleetwood Maccy. Enough reason to love this album is the fact that "Roscoe", the coolest name around for a guy, is a title of one of their tracks.
All that you can’t leave behind – U2
Love it simply for the goose bump factor. To some it might be a little contrived, but I love the way these guys tug at the heartstrings with tunes about peace, harmony and all that crap.
Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine
If you're going to make a political statement in music you may as well use all the swear words available. RATM novice album announces itself with its fist-pumping, profanity-laden anthems railing against injustice, racism and all that crap.
Whatever and Ever Amen – Ben Folds Five
I believe this was the sophomore effort by Ben Folds et al. While this album is best known for the popular 'Brick', this album is chockers full of other goodies including the perennial slacker theme 'Battle of who could care less'.
Thriller – Michael Jackson
Say what you will about the Wacko Jacko of today but in the 80s he was cool. Who among us wouldn't recognise 'Billie Jean' from the first note. The thing i remember the most about this album is that is was so cool that kids clamoured to get themselves a Michael Jackson 'Thriller' or 'Beat It' jacket. Demetri Martin, as he related to us in his shows earlier on in the year, succeeded.
Versus – Pearl Jam
I vote this one above 'Ten' for the simple reason that it is more politically themed than its predecessor. A few stand out tracks for me include 'WMA' and the gentle 'Elderly Woman Behind a Counter...'
Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack – Bee Gees and others
Got me through writing my honours thesis as I toiled away in the wee hours of the morning. I don't know why I picked this album to listen to but dammit it worked.
A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
Although probably not meant to be a literal interpretation, years ago while trying to perfect an experimental technique at work I was convinced that the line '..nobody said it was eaaasssyyy.' from 'The Scientist' was aimed at me and as such I found a soft spot for a band who could sympathise with a poor, hapless scientist. Ditto The Flaming Lips for their great 'Race for the Prize', unofficially the theme song for struggling scientists all around the globe.
Rubber Soul – The Beatles
Although it doesn't have what in my opinion is the best Beatles song 'A day in the life', Rubber Soul is nevertheless full of goodies including the soulful 'Norwegian Wood' and 'Nowhere Man'. Rubber Soul was the album to turn the tide for the fab four, transforming them from what was essentially a boy band into the seminal act of the 20th Century that continues to influence artists to this day.
Achtung Baby – U2
Probably the better of the two U2 albums I've listed here, but I placed this further down because I have a more sentimental attachment to 'All you Can't Leave Behind'. Love this album simply for its killer songs that tug at the heartstrings (as all good U2 songs should) such as the sublime 'One' and the catchy 'Ultraviolet (Light My Way)'.
Angel Dust – Faith No More
I got into Faith No More in high school when they attained commerical success off the back of their third album (i think) 'The Real Thing', but I found 'Angel Dust' to be creatively superior with its unique melding (for its time, that is) of different musical genres with metal. Mike Patton's phenomenal vocals complement the dark, surreal and sometimes disturbing themes evoked in tracks such as 'Kindergarten' and 'Caffeine' - a paen to those addictive types whose morning addictions sometimes hint at violence!
Way to Blue – Nick Drake
My appreciation for the work of Nick Drake has come fairly late in the game, so thanks to Ms Cassiopeia for showing me the way. Perhaps the sad circumstances of his death at a young age add to his mystique, but his soulful, solemn and beautifully gentle songs hold their own too. Armed with a guitar, Drake crafted beautiful music with stark and painfully melancholic lyrics as a way of dealing with his depression. Not a complete downer though, there is a glimmer of happiness with the beautiful 'Northern Sky'. Though 'Hazey Jane II' has to rank as the most jazziest, snazziest, funkiest depressing tunes in the world.
Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
Their appeal may lie in the fact that, like Midlake, these guys also chose to emulate the sound of a different decade, in this case the 80s. However, don't let that dissuade you into thinking that these guys sound like a pack of precious, make-up sporting fops. These guys are fun. From the get go, this album reels you in with the dramatic ('Auf Achse'), the ridiculous ('Michael') and the rollicking ('Dark of the Matinee').
Dynasty - Kiss
An old favourite that perhaps reflects my age more than anything else. Love this album for the shock factor - check out the cover - as well as for the good old fashion 70s rawk.
Innervisions – Stevie Wonder
Good old Stevie had plenty of gems over the years, and plenty of them come off this stellar album, including my favourite track 'Living for the City'.
Ultraglide in Black – The Dirtbombs
Never heard of The Dirtbombs until I had the good fortune to catch them a few years back supporting You Am I on a Cup Eve gig. Their dual drums/dual bass set up had me sold from the get go and as soon as I could, I went looking for any album of theirs I could find. Being a tribute album of songs by African American performers, its not rich on original material, but their interpretations of songs by Stevie Wonder ('Living for the City' yay!), Curtis Mayfield, Barry White and Sly Stone are irresistible. Definitely my best buy in a long time!
For more lists of favourite albums check out the blogs of:
Cassiopeia Gegenbauren
Yossarian
jfox
Flygirl
Sartorial Splendour
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