For anyone interested, I thought I’d make some musical recommendations for some music that has soundtracked the various ups, downs, ins and outs of the past 12 months or so. This is some of the music that has been playing non-stop for me and sustained me for long periods.
I was going to just post a list, since I thought it might be indulgent and vain to write about each of them. Then I thought it would just be lazy to make a list and leave it there without giving some brief reason for why I recommend checking this stuff out.
Also, I have linked clips at the end of each one, just click on em if any of them spark your curiosity.
These are not exclusively albums that have come out this year. I’m not a rock critic.
So in no particular order…
Twilight Singers – Dynamite steps
Greg Dulli always comes up with something dark, neon-lit and hungry for me to dig in to. This has been a patch of narrow sunlight for me through dark clouds.
Listen: On The Corner
Yusufina – Anything and everything by my dear friend Yusufina.
When I first heard the music of this beast, I was bugging out, hair on end, huge grin on my face. It still works.
Listen: La Generale!
Grinderman – Grinderman & Grinderman 2
Obviously I’m a huge Nick Cave fan, but these, especially no.2 seem like a whole new colour in the Cave palette. More uninhibited in some ways. Family fun.
Listen: Heathen Child
Robi Rosa – Mad Love
A beautiful girl turned me onto this album a couple of years ago. It has some fluid grooviness in it that I’ve needed this year.
Listen: California
Julee Cruise – Floating Into The Night
A world of lush, velvety, sonic beauty to lose yourself in. Absolutely gorgeous.
Listen: Falling
Nick Drake – Pink Moon
David Ezra got me listening to Nick Drake because the stark simplicity of this and the first album came up as references for how we were going to approach recording. I much prefer the directness of this to the orchestration on Bryter Later. The piano on the title track is perfect.
Listen: Pink Moon
Big Sexy Noise – Big Sexy Noise
HEAVY. The album I point people towards whenever they start talking about the Metallica/Lou Reed collaboration. This is MUCH better.
Listen: Gospel Singer
John Grant – Queen of Denmark
I’m a sucker for darkness, sadness, romance, death and hope in songs. And minor keys. And songs about ice cream.
Listen: Queen of Denmark
Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here
Even though at least half the songs are covers (albeit great ones), his own voice comes through. All you hear is one man talking to you about how life has been for him. Magic.
Listen: I’m New Here
Beck – Sea Change
Thanks again to David for this one. I’d overlooked it when it came out. The production is sublime.
Listen: Golden Age
Nymphs – A Practical Guide To Astral Projection
My continuing obsession with Inger Lorre has led me to this. Also this year I found an original copy of the Nymphs on vinyl.
Listen: Alright
Elliot Smith – Either/Or + From a Basement on a Hill
Another guy I finally got round to checking out in depth this year. Everything that is good about modern singer songwriters – unique voice and worldview, individual style, quiet rebellion.
Listen: Ballad of Big Nothing
Sun Kil Moon – Admiral Fell Promises
Mark Kozelek has a unique sway with me. No other music can make me still, open and calm, if sometimes a little too sad. This album has given me alone time, no matter where I am. For that I thank it, and him.
Listen: Ålesund
Neil Young – Time Fades Away
I’m a huge fan of Neil’s ‘Ditch Trilogy’ albums, so it was time I got hold of this one via download. A snapshot of a man trailing defiantly off onto his own path.
Listen: Last Dance
Son House – Anything and Everything by Son House
This man is like a tree of music. He’s a whole place to visit, come back nourished, changed and experienced from.
Listen: Grinnin’ In Your Face
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew
Sonic freedom and relentless rhythm. There is nothing else out there quite like this to my knowledge.
Listen: Miles Runs the Voodoo Down
The Cribs – Ignore The Ignorant
This album is fucking brilliant from start to finish. There isn’t a single track I skip over when listening to it, and I’ve played it endlessly for the past 3-4 months. Sad, angry, defiant and rainy. A picture of England.
Listen: Cheat On Me
Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo
I’d read about him, but I think it was a combination of the album cover and the title that made me give him a shot. Baby’s Arms won me right over, dragged me into the womb.
Listen: Baby’s Arms
Morphine – The Night
This one came in pretty handy too. I’ve had it for a while, but there was a few places this year where I kept reaching for it. Especially in certain situations… 🙂
Listen: The Night
I could go on… and talk about the Rival Schools album, or Love Songs For Patriots by American Music Club, but I have to stop somewhere.
I love music.