February is Music Writer Exercise Month #MWE • Page 64

Talk Talk - Laughing Stock.

This feels like the exact midpoint between a jazz record and Explosions in the Sky, structured like a post rock album, but always subdued and calm. There are floaty vocals that sound like English, but like listening to The Cocteau Twins or something, you can’t actually understand a word.

Definitely one that’ll benefit from repeated listens.

 

If you'll believe it, he has at least 2 albums that are leaps and bounds better than the two you've heard, which are already great. Absolute legend.

 

Ice Choir - Afar
No idea where I got the rec for this one, but after listening I have to assume it was someone recommending a modern band pushing for a Blue Nile/80s sound. Really great production here. Apparently the one member was part of Pains of Being Pure at Heart? I've never listened to them either, so I'll have to check them out. Good, catchy 80s love on this one.

 

Otis Blue 100%
I just played Shake: Otis at Monterey for my classes this morning. Excited to read their responses.

 

Otis Blue and Complete and Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul. You're gonna flip for them.

 

Janet Jackson - Dream Street

A neat package of everything that made music in the 80s so much fun. Not sure just how much of a shadow Michael’s legacy cast over her at this point, but I think she very clearly stands on her own two feet here. I want to be in a high speed chase with Hold Back The Tears playing in the background.

 

1. Dido - Life for Rent
2. Rancid - ...And Out Come the Wolves
3. Otis Redding - Tell the Truth
4. Pink Floyd - Obscured by Clouds
5. Screaming Females - Rose Mountain
6. Pearl Jam - Ten
7. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
8. Jack Broadbent - Portrait
9. In Flames - Clayman
10. Beastie Boys - License to Ill
11. Al Green - Greatest Hits
12. Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
13. Dead Kennedys - Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death
14. Bjork - Post
15. Lou Reed - Transformer
16. Jeff Buckley - Grace
17. Glen Campbell - Southern Nights
18. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
19. Between the Buried and Me - Colors
20. Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears
21. Lemuria - Get Better
22. Titus Andronicus - Local Business
23. The Cars - The Cars
24. Radiohead - Kid A
25. Yes - 90125
26. Phil Collins - Face Value
27. Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace
28. Ella Fitzgerald - Ella & Louis
29. Chvrches - Every Open Eye

1. Dido - Life for Rent

2. Rancid - ...And Out Come the Wolves

#3. Otis Redding - Tell the Truth

 

Day 1 for me was Pixies Surfer Rosa and I am surprised by how much I disliked it. As a huge modest mouse fan and 90s music I thought there would be some sort of overlap in my enjoyment but there was very very little.

Day 2 moved on to REMs Automatic for the people and that’s an awesome album!

 

Feel free to tell me to fuck off, but if you’re looking for an proper album rather than (or to follow up eventually) the Greatest Hits, Al Green’s Call Me is a goddamn masterpiece

 

the only reason i chose greatest hits is because i have that one on vinyl. i ordinarily do not pay attention to greatest hits but i accidentally bought it*

*when i go to the record store I always choose one at random from the staff recommendations of whoever is working.

 

damn you get to hear Pearl Jam’s 10 for the first time….although I’m sure you’ve heard like every song from it already haha

 

a couple of them I have heard before, just a long time ago. Ten is definitely one of the ones I've heard before, just not in its entirety in a WHILE.

 

haha yeah you got a couple of my fave bands in your list…Beasties…PJ…Radiohead…Foos…excited to see what you think

 

Beasties is the only first timer haha

 

Honestly that compilation is significant in and of itself anyway. It was basically a staple of a ‘70s record collection like Legend from Bob Marley would be later. It has actual cultural influence of its own accord

That’s an awesome policy btw

 

make sure you do the anniversary reissue of Ten

 

I always say that Kurt Cobain would love this album. I have no evidence to back it up, but it’s just so raw. Second favorite Wax

 

Thundercat - The Golden Age of Apocalypse

Just on the right side of out there for me. He’s considered one of the best for a reason. Having only heard the more recent albums, it’s fun to hear the threads coming together

 

This is only the second one I've heard. Figured I should bone up on the back catalog in anticipation of her new record. Where should I go next?

 

Also, yesterday was busy and I didn't have time to post!

 

Out In The Storm, where she again does something completely different extremely well. “Recite Remorse” is an all timer in her catalog.

 

The Gap Band - The Gap Band IV

Absolutely massive record. Hit after hit after hit after hit. I have no clue how I could’ve gone this long without this popping up on my radar. An instant must listen. I have no clue what else to say other than “this is the best” over and over again