Everybody has one. One end all be all album ; it can be as stupid as that Now 3 CD you rocked in 98'. Or as modern as a Vampire Weekend album that you bought two weeks before that concert. Now if you're like me and music is your heart and soul songs, albums, lyrics, artists. They chronicle everything you do ; your life was based upon them. I'm going to go through a little "place and time" for you with albums that have had a long lasting impact on me. Maybe you can list some in the comments section?
The Next Voice You Hear - February 2007
I stumbled upon this album on my friends iPod ; it was a compilation of songs by Jackson Browne my fathers favorite artist. I hadn't taken too much of an interest in his music until he had died and I started to put together "the music behind the man". These songs are now staples of my iPod and I've since put together quite a large percentage of Jackson's backlog including "The Pretender", "Running on Empty", and "Late for the Sky". However it was weird ; hearing these songs for the first time and hearing all the dreams, hopes, and philosophical musings of both a lover scorned and a fierce defender of peace. It began to cast a shadow on my father I'd never imagined was there. Any time I introduce someone to Jackson Browne this is my "go-to" album. For me it opened my eyes on a long road home from snowboarding up in New Hampshire.
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn - June 2006
I'd always heard about Pink Floyd and their glory, but this was my first album of theirs, and what a place to start. This album in no was resembles their later more known works like "The Dark Side of the Moon", "Wish You Were Here", and "The Wall". This was written by a very psychedelic very high Syd Barrett. The reason this album was, and is my favorite album of all time is that it broke all the conventional rules of music that I had known. The Beatles had some far out stuff ; but this album came complete with a 8+ minute instrumental that taxes the listener and tests their love of psychedelic rock. Listening to this album for the first time laying on the grass on a hot summers day really hit the spot. Listening to Syd croon me telling me how he was "Watching buttercups cup the light.Sleeping on a dandelion" was almost to much to take. The album made no sense, and I sat taking it all in, wanting more ; seeing and wondering how the next track could possibly be more ridiculous lyrically, and appealing musically then the last. When this album was re-released in 2007 to commemorate it's 40th anniversary I was happy to see the 3 disc set include both the stereo and mono mixes of the album which have distinct differences and it was bound in a red thick book almost biblical. This was one of my first albums ; and it's surely one that I'll never forget.
Plans - July 2008
Did you ever buy an album because someone you were dating was really into the band? Most of the time this means that you're buying something that you hate ; just to get some, yaknow? In this case however it worked out perfectly because I love Plans. The album hasn't resonated in me because I haven't had it long enough, but it's one I surely won't forget. For starters it's an aesthetically pleasing album, from a very competent band. This isn't a balls to the wall album like "Back in Black" nor is it a very soft album. It's just an incredibly tight collection of songs ; all of which as aesthetically pleasing. Some songs are fast, some are slow, some are harder then others ; but they're all pleasing to the ear. I find myself listening through the album with a grin on my face. Maybe the grin is because I know that this album in fact has made my relationship tighter ; because I have a theory that if your record collections don't mesh neither will you. However more prevalent than that even is that even though all the albums tracks are essential you can listen to one between classes, stop, and not feel as though you're breaking up a much bigger piece of art. All the songs have flow, but It's no "Tommy". It's a good listen if you're chilling, or as back round noise for homework. Plus it's something I can point to when people say all my music is 40 years old.
All Things Must Pass - March 2008
I was told by many people this album was great. Many treks to numerous stores saw me walking away without it in my hands. However one day I decided to get it. Great choice. Great album. Great everything. The album affirmed my faith with "My Sweet Lord", made me rock with "Out of the Blue", and saw me cry while listening to the title track. Such a simple message is sent out throughout this album. Love everyone for we're all on this planet together, and eventually we'll all die. I'm glad this album was remastered before George Harrison was stricken and died of cancer in late 2001. I fall back onto this album in lapses of faith. Maybe it's not a lack of faith in God, or death, but maybe something a lot more simple. Maybe the news comes on and 20 people were blown to smithereens, or some rapist slashed an innocent victims throat. News like that can disillusion you from reality. To quote "Beware of Darkness"
-
Beware of sadness
It can hit you
It can hurt you
Make you sore
and what is more
That is not what you are here for
-
I go back to this album to remind me that fundamentally as sick as some things are ; they have happened and that we're all human. Though bad things happen constantly ; so do good things, and not to get so caught up in all the bad. Just seek the good ; because it's easy to get sucked into negativity but it's not going to get you anywhere besides depressed. George is an idol of mine ; I've bought back issues of Rolling Stone in order to be able to hang in his words ; and he wasted none. If you haven't listened to this album go out and buy it. Or come to me I'll burn it ; it's a good album to cleanse the soul.
I'm going to round this list off with an album that most people know.
Rubber Soul - April 2008
The US print of this album is better then the UK print. The UK might have gotten "Drive my Car", and "Nowhere Man" but the US would get those songs and more in due time when Capital released "Yesterday and Today"in 1966. The US version is a true folk album ; it's an album heavily influenced by Bob Dylan and the like. The harmony's are perfect ; and it was the last step before The Beatles got really psychedelic and out there. The fab four were still fab and rocking out. The album cover was slanted ; and the songs felt as thought they were put together in that order for a reason. A real "album" which at the time was much more important to the artist then just a hit single. This album clocks in 1 second shy of a half hour. But each song carries into the next, but is starkly different in some cases. I love the variety you get ; a sound that isn't in any of the other albums. I love the transition you can hear between "Help" to "Tomorrow Never Knows"this album was a major link in The Beatles carrier. It's pleasing to the ear and very catchy. I can listen through the album, and each time I'll get excited at certain parts. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were still writing together and prove to be a truly legendary team. Although not as commercially successful or recognized as "Abbey Road", or "Sgt. Pepper" I argue it's the best album they ever put out, and if you listen to it maybe you'll feel the same way.
Well that's a wrap ; five albums that have touched me in some way. More exist but I tried to pick albums from different genres that had distinct influences as to avoid being mundane.
Thanks for reading
- Peace and Love -
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