We couldn't think of a clever musical link or theme, so we thought we'd just list some records which are all-time classics, ones that make our lives better-- either on a daily basis or whenever we find them flicking through the stack. Cheers.
Woody's choices:
1. New Model Army: Thunder and Consolation
I bought this when it came out. I always thought they were a dirty folk-punk band, but this record has so much subtle beauty. Great strings and acoustic guitars over earth-shaking drums. It rocks, too! Songs about getting your head kicked in down the boozer on a Friday night in your small town (we all live in one). I just found an old cassette and listened to it in the car after about a 10-year gap. Still a corker.
2. Love: Forever Changes
Such a great example of "all killer, no filler." Arthur Lee's perfect voice and skewed outlook on everything, and that 1960s sound cooking along behind it all-- what more could you want? I've seen Lee a half-dozen times over the past five years. Always a proper show, especially at the Warsaw in New York a couple of years back.
3. Brian Eno: Another Green World
Great bath/coma music. It's like aural diazepam. Like watching "Time Team" followed by "The Antiques Roadshow" after having eaten too much mashed potato. A calm masterpiece. (Nice green cover, too.)
Jason's choice:
4. Randy Newman: 12 Songs
This is Randy's second album, made in 1971. Where his first album was orchestral, this is more of a band album with Ry Cooder all over it and at his best. It's full of weird blues songs with interesting chords, and really dark lyrics about stalking prostitutes, arson, rubbish dates, unfaithful women, and burying dead girls in the sand. I prefer his original version of "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" than Three Dog Night's hit cover.
Jim's choices:
5. The Arcade Fire: Funeral
Kinda symphonic (ok, that's a bad word) rock, really close to the bone mentally. It's about growing up, losing one's innocence, and still hankering after it in your mid-20s. Wasn't sure quite why it hit the spot so much at first, but it's about their friend who died in a car crash; at 19 my mates and me had the same thing happen. Maybe that's why, if only unconsciously.
6. The Beatles: Revolver
Sing-along brilliance. Every song's different but they fit together to as a complete work. Sadness, happiness, psychedelia, love, money-- it's all here. Not overly complicated, which is nice. The songs have room to just be, without feeling cluttered. It makes me smile.
7. Editors: The Back Room
Kinda remeniscent of Ian Curtis' haunting voice. Unusual lyrics in its choruses-- sensitive and striking. Love the production, Jim Abiss, wasn't it? Marvelous! Dark and beautiful. Lovely singles at the start with more ambient glory later in the album.
8. Stone Roses: Stone Roses
Classic Ian Brown and John Squire at their best. Naïve and free. How cool do they look on the album's back sleeve? "I Wanna Be Adored", what an opener. Okay, Brown couldn't really sing live, but these songs are classic.
9. Oasis: Definitely Maybe
Love the guitars and the whole feel-- it sounds very live. All the Gallaghers' dreams in song before they got too rich. Liam's voice growling: "You're the outcast, you're the underclass, you don't care because you're living fast", "Might as well do the white line", and many more.
Toby's choices:
10. Neil Young: After the Goldrush
The most fucked-up guitar sounds possible, and Neil's funny croaky little voice (probably recorded in one take). He's a bit gloomy and lonely. It makes you want to cry. Good big picture of the boys in a barn in the middle of the gatefold sleeve.
11. The Streets: Original Pirate Material
I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I just do. Listen and you'll see.
