Top Five Albums
Got the urge to write a list (perhaps you know what I mean?)
So here we are: my own personal current Top Five Albums for listening to all the way through. Properly. From Start To Finish. AS ALBUMS.
In no particular order, and liable to change:
Johnny Cash: The Man Comes Around
Cash’s voice only got better as he aged. This is probably the most depressing album I’ve ever listened to. It is almost utterly maudlin, a descent into musical grief- over ageing, over lost friends, over missed opportunities and loneliness. Even the higher-tempo songs and the occasions of lighter bluegrass seem deeply ironic, or skewed somehow toward sadness. But the lyricism is phenomenal, the cover-versions beautifully selected, the recording treatment tastefully textured and Cash’s voice cracking, dry and warm. And then there’s the final lift, We’ll Meet Again. And with it, the sun emerges. Here is Cash’s final video, which he made for his cover of Trent Reznor’s Hurt.
Pulp: His n’ Hers
Not as successful as Different Class, but a stronger all-over album. Pulp here give us the absolute apogee of the Britpop episode, with an album that’s infused with energy and humour, Pulp’s trademark intelligence allowing for guilty-pleasure songs that are pure adrenaline from start to finish. She’s a Lady is seminal.
Brian Wilson: Smile
It was such a long time coming. But this is simply happy on a disc. The production values are immense and the anachronistic optimism of re-approaching a Beach Boys album- say, Pet Sounds- is brought to a new, popular and ageless life. Plus a much, much stronger new version of Good Vibrations to chew on.
Supertramp: Breakfast in America
I do love a good concept album. This is certainly the best I can think of off the top of my head, essentially a musical dialogue between Britain and the USA, both in terms of style and lyrics. The songs sweep from powerful hooks to adrenaline-buzz finales via the best bits of a dozen genres, and none of it has aged even a single day. The title track has been essentially raped by some heav sampling in appalling music recently.
David Bowie: Aladdin Sane
My favourite Bowie album seems to change every time I listen to one again. Right now, the filthy, cheekily debauched antics of Aladdin Sane are rocking my boat. It’s never been appreciated on the same level as Ziggy Stardust, and this is a huge mistake. Aladdin essentially does for the American rocker what Ziggy did for a more British tradition. He’s a remarkable character, and rewards repeated listening.
How about you guys?
Kasabian : Kasabian
Apparantley its pretty fashionable to hate these guys over in the UK, but I dont give a damn. I like em, its fresh, and some odd combonation of happy and underground.
Beatles : Yellow Submarine
Common : Be
Sure Common is a racist, hypocritical prick, but he makes some good musics. Nice Soul/blues/Rap combo.
Various : Rogue’s Gallery
How can you *ever* go wrong with what basically amounts to a historical of sea life music?
Bubba Sparxxx : Deliverance
Old country music, upgraded. Top of the list.
Great choices, Simon (wot, no Shatner? LOL) and great fun, well done :-). Forgive me though, try as I might I can’t limit myself to 5 albums. I promise I’ve tried, but it doesn’t work, sorry! So please bear with me. Each of the following albums constitutes a favourite that I go back to when the froth and bubble of new and briefly exciting music has subsided, knowing it’s going to give me entirely satisfying listening from start to finish. So feel free to pick ‘n’ mix any five of them, and they could indeed be my top five, if you will - except that the others are too. (My, what an awkward cuss).
David Bowie: Diamond Dogs
Oh yeah. From the first howl of the title track to the last beat this is unforgettable. But shucks, If Bowie had only written “Angels are gone” in time to include it in this album instead of ‘Heathen’ I would be thoroughly satisfied. Beggar me, WHAT a track. You could build a whole STORY on that single track.
Led Zeppelin: Latter Days
God,I mean - the best album from the kings of rock. Need I say more? If you think so, please consult Jack Black who knows whereof he speaks and shares my views exactly, bless his little round head. This album is the epitome of perfect rock.
Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars: Ambassador Satch
This was recorded live during his world tour of the 6os. Not a note is out of place, it’s sizzling with energy. It hits you mid-solar plexus and keeps on thumping there. For an instant lift just spend a moment listening to the magic of ‘Dardanella’ - Edmund Hall’s clarinet has never been surpassed in trad jazz, in my opinion, and here he is at his scintillating best. This album is magic from start to finish.
Jethro Tull: Aqualung
Now here’s a thing: The flute in this album could be a jazz flute. the music is subversive, sly, cynical and masterfully crafted. Every instrument played by a very very talented musician.
Supertramp: Breakfast in America
Damn, it’s good. the tunes should be ring-fenced and NEVER damaged by modern crap rap and hip-hop (or whatever the hell they call themselves) non-musicians.
Supertramp: Crime of the Century
This came out before Breakfast in America and, for my money, it actually forms a continuum with that album. The rhythms, riffs and lyrics are brilliantly blended, and they make an important point about the misdemeanours of education - the damage done to kids growing up, being squashed into moulds, losing their identity in the corporate/social soup of influence and pressure. Yup. It belongs with ‘breakfast’.
Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms
Excellent. I can’t think of enough superlatives for this album so I won’t try.
Dire Straits: Private Investigation
Again, brilliant. Can that Knopfler craft a story from a song, or what?
Eric Clapton: Live and Unplugged
So smooth and cool, this. All the greats played on acoustic instruments to a thoroughly appreciative audience. Now that’s one gig I wish I could have been at.
Paul Simon: Graceland
Brilliant fusion of Paul Simon’s style with Eschatamia. Definitely one of the great albums of the late 20th Century.
The Beatles: Abbey Road
Iconic. Had to be included. I love every single track on this album… but tell the truth, I’ve been harrying myself over which of the Beatles albums I should include here and this one’s just won by a whisker. These guys were amazing - both lyrically and musicall, and they continue to resonate even years after the event.
Why don’t you write here anymore? =/
Oh =/ guess you didnt hear.
Simon died in a car accident almost a month ago now
*is dead*
Muchos grandes apologias. Things have been a bit mad lately. I intend to get back to writing regularly shortly- but I don’t think there’s much harm in letting this lie fallow for a bit, is there?
‘Ello you! Well I didn’t know you had a blog! Fun!
Ha, snap! http://boozemerchant.livejournal.com/
Mine isn’t as interesting as yours. I try to write in a comedic style, but, y’know, fail ^^’
“the urge to write a list” ?!
who’e been watching High Fidelity again, I wonder….? hmmm??
Last
If it’s not too much trouble to make a little quick recovery from your untimely demise, how about making a funny blog-post in the christmas spirit, for your dedicated readership. Which is me and Quigs. Hey Quigs.
You haven’t really been trying since Marsupials in Space, have you? Not that your undying literary legacy wasn’t ascertained right there and then, it’s just that we want more. And don’t you say you have more important things than spreading christmas joy, you scroogy bastard.
I can’t believe I haven’t commented on this:
Tom Waits - Rain Dogs
Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
Screeching Weasel - My Brain Hurts
Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Bill Hicks - Arizona Bay
(If you don’t count the fifth choice then substitute it with Against Me! - Reinventing Axl Rose.)