John Cale John Cale
An album I had on tape first, copied from my brother-in-law, who frowned when I said I wanted this particular Cale-album. It's a dark, gloomy and slightly mad album indeed. But sometimes fear is just a man's best friend.
Quite different from Fear, and not really a favourite.
Calexico Hot desert sand. Blazing sun. Desolate landscapes. An abandoned car wreck. All images that the desert music of Calexico provokes. Spoke is the debut album of multi-instrumentalists Joey Burns and John Convertino, who both also play in Giant Sand. The album is filled with 19 songs, ranging from short snippets (Ice Cream Jeep, nothing more than an ice cream jeep cart passing by, and the metro noises of Mind the Gap), over short instrumentals (the eerie Paper Route, Haul, Mazurra, the slightly louder than usual Scout, the little waltz Mazurka), to fully-fledged beauties of songs (slow opener Low Expectations, Wash, the traditional sounding Sanchez, Glimpse with its beautiful guitars, Windjammer, the subdued Removed). But all these different songs have one thing in common: the distinct sound of Calexico, which is already present on their debut album. Joey Burns's sensitive, aching and whispering voice, John Convertino's very recognisable drum sound, very diverse instrumentation. Spaghetti westerns, hot breezes, Americana, grains of sand... they all flit through the lo-fi sound of Calexico. Even though there is nothing spectacular about this album, it is definitely worth discovering.
Crystal Frontier was the song that introduced me to Calexico, and I gradually fell in love with their music. At first it felt strange, so far-off from what I usually listen to. But I was attracted to the inventive instrumentation, the melancholy, and the sensual, gentle whisper of Joey Burns. Hot Rail sounds like the soundtrack to a road movie, or even better, an hour-long drive through the scorched landscapes of Mexico and the deep south of America. While listening to this music, it's inevitable that you see pictures in your mind's eye of abandoned towns alongside desert roads, or old men sitting on a bench in front of a ramshackle service station. The contrast between the abandoned, ramshackle buildings and the sun-drenched landscape also turns up in Calexico's music: the sometimes sunny music contrasts nicely with the melancholy and darkness of the lyrics. More than half of the album consists of instrumentals, but there lies the power of the album: the instrumentals enhance the mood, add to the cinematic feel of the music. And some of these instrumentals belong to the best tracks on the album, more precisely the anonymous Untitled III and Untitled II, the gentle title track, and the short Ritual Road Map. Other highlights (with vocals) are the jazzy Fade, the aforementioned Crystal Frontier and Service and Repair.
A double 7" containing 4 songs, the Widescreen version of Crystal Frontier (i.e. the one with the trumpets), and 3 previously unreleased songs. Chanel #5 is a cover of a song by Mark Eitzel, fitting in very well with the Calexico sound by it's dragging rhythm, but incorporating more unconventional Calexico-sounds with a beautiful pedal steel. Crooked Road and the Briar is more straightforward with a rock guitar, but the instrumental Banderilla offers a more Latin feel with trumpets and flamenco rhythm. The vinyl sleeve makes the art work of this single stand out well, it's so beautiful that I put it on display in my living room.
The Call The album starts out very powerful and with a certain magic with the songs Everywhere I Go and I Still Believe. The tension and power of these songs isn't maintained throughout the complete album, but it never gets boring.
Keith Caputo
I can't remember the exact specifics of how I got to know Keith Caputo, all I remember is that it was a friend who said 'Check him out, he's had a troubled life and sings about it, you'll like it', I got a few MP3's from that friend, or downloaded a few MP3's, and the next time I was in my record store I bought Died Laughing. Now I know naught about the past history of Keith Caputo in Life of Agony, and I don't really care about it either. Even though it may enhance the experience to know some of the songs of Life of Agony, I don't know. But the fact is that this album hit me big time. Life of Agony is supposed to be, um, pretty loud, but this album isn't extreme by far. An album with melodic rock, a few ballads, some hints at jazz and blues... but what makes it so overwhelming, is the extreme emotionality. It's an emotional rollercoaster, and Keith Caputo just pours his heart out. If you're feeling bad when you listen to this album, there's a good chance you'll feel even worse, but at least you'll know that you're not the only soul in the world feeling so bad. However those top-heavy lyrics are sung by one of the most beautiful voices I've heard in a while, and they're poured in wonderful melodies, which can make listening to this album an uplifting experience after all, especially when you decide to sing along at the top of your lungs. There is not one upbeat song on this album, a title like Upsy Daisy is deceptive, even the upbeat intro of Lollipop is deceptive as Caputo bursts out in Here's a message to the souls that rust and rot. But inherent to this despair is so much beauty... and sure, I'm a sucker for this kind of emotional affairs. My favourites are Raspberry Mockery (beautiful chorus with lovely harmonies), of course Selfish (the first song I heard, Hope passes, hope looks, can you cope, do you suffer, do you suffer, and I'm selfish with myself), New York City (gorgeous, gorgeous song), Home (with the immortal line I recommend a psychotherapist to clean up your brain, for me this song is enough to clean up my brain), Neurotic (completely nihilistic), Dew Drop Magic (very open-hearted lyrics, hearbreakingly beautiful melody), Lollipop (lively, malicious lyrics), Upsy Daisy (depressing lyrics over a beautiful melody with a raw guitar), and Brandy Duval (soaring song about his mother). Damn, did I mention nearly all the tracks on this album here? And I feel bad about not mentioning Cobain (Rainbow Deadhead)! So yes, one hell of an album.
Nick Cave Bought this after I fell in love with Kicking Against the Pricks, but this didn't appeal as much to me as the aforementioned album. Still it's a great album, with a frenetic cover of Leonard Cohen's Avalanche.
The first Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds album I bought, and still my favourite. I love the atmosphere of this album, not as obsessed as some other Cave (or Birthday Party) albums, but with this strange, repressed tension. Favourite songs By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart, a difficult song pulled off in a great way by Cave with his, let's face it, poor vocal qualities.
Only the first part of this double EP really got to me, i.e. Sad Waters and the creepy song The Carny. The rest seemed like "more of the same" to me.
Splendid collection with the surprising duet with soap actress and Stock, Aitken & Waterman pop singer Kylie Minogue Where the Wild Roses Grow, and gorgeous ballads like The Weeping Song and especially Into Your Arms.
The Celibate Rifles Can't remember what prompted me to buy this album, probably exposure on Dutch radio VPRO. A great, energetic, punkish album, with Darlinghurst Confidential standing out.
The Chameleons Bought this one at my favourite record store "Music Man" in Gent. Remember sitting in café Vooruit afterwards, staring at the sleeve and the inlay. What a wonderful drawing. And the music is as wonderful as the drawing. Up the Down Escalator was the single that made me buy the album, Don't Fall, Here Today are classics in this house too. Later it turned out that The Chameleons were one of Jan's favourite bands too, and he was amazed that I had this album. But when we included one of these songs in a music quiz, nobody knew it. Oh well. "To obtain the best effect from this L.P. please turn it up". Right.
I don't really make a habit of replacing my vinyl, but couldn't resist this one. The sleeve looks much better on the vinyl release though.
Neneh Cherry Gorgeous album from a gorgeous woman. A surprising mix of pop music, dance, R&B and Cherry's witty sense of humour. Manchild is a wonderful song, with a melancholic chorus.
The Chills I was so glad to find this one, Music Man used to be a miracle record shop. Quite clear that this is a debut, but you could already hear that the Chills were a promising band. I liked everything about the album, the handmade cover, the A4 paper with the lyrics, the atmosphere of the album... Bee Bah Bee Bah Bee Boe is a silly title for a good, folksy song (the Chills didn't make a lot of those). And Dream by Dream is a touching song by Martin Kean about how he had to leave the band. "Good night Martin, good night Martin, good night Peter, good night Alan, good night world... GOOD NIGHT CHILLLLSSSSSSSSSS".
First acquaintance with The Chills, after having them heard on the radio with Pink Frost, an eerie song about how Martin P. had dreamed that his girlfriend had died. A few punky songs (Hidden Bay, Flame-thrower), and some great pop songs (Doledrums with clever title and lyrics, the dreamy Satin Doll...).
Double A side E.P., with a semi-live song and on the other side I Love My Leather Jacket, a tribute to Martyn Bull, drummer of the Chills who died aged 21 from leukemia. One of my favourite Chills songs ever. "I wear my leather jacket like a great big hug, a radiation charm a living cloak of luck, it's the only concrete link with an absent friend, a symbol I can wear til we meet again".
An album with songs that still make shivers run down my spine (The Night of the Chill Blue). This one made me cry when I saw them live in my howntown Gent. Dan Destiny and the Silver Dawn is such a great song to sing along to. But overall, the production of this album doesn't really do the songs justice.
A TITM listee brought this with her from me from New Zealand, she went there for Split Enz's New Year's Gig... at least I've got a souvenir!
Martin Phillipps' favourite album, not mine though. For some reason this Chills album doesn't appeal to me as much as the other ones. It misses that sparkle, that magic.
The joys of the internet: bought this directly from Flying Nun for a reasonable price. The original vinyl release held 8 tracks, this CD 18. The original tracks (in a different order), the tracks from The Lost E.P. and The Great Escape, and a few songs I didn't have yet, like Bite and Frantic Drift. Great stuff. A great way to replace vinyl.
Now this really is my favourite Chills album. The Male Monster from the Id, what a wonderful song. I can play this over and over and never get bored. "I hurt you, I'm sorry, I promise I won't do it again", very direct yes, but very powerful too. Ocean Ocean takes you along on its waves. The funny little interludes like Soft Bomb, Soft Bomb II, Soft Bomb III and There's No Harm in Trying, Martin who goes idealistic in Sanctuary and the pièce de résistance Water Wolves, with string arrangment by Van Dyke Parks.
An uptempo best of The Chills, you won't find the slow songs here. A good collection, if you keep its creed in mind, even though you can't help missing a few songs. Ever so glad that the gorgeous single House with a Hundred Rooms is on this collection, because I never managed to find this one and I love this song.
Alex Chilton A double album with on the first LP songs by Chilton himself, like the legendary Bangkok and the whiney but excellent Can't Seem to Make You Mine. The second album features artists produced by Chilton. The album as a whole is not really impressive, but worth buying for the aforementioned songs.
Short but great. No Sex is a funny but at the same time bitter song about AIDS. Judging on the picture on the sleeve, I thought that the man himself would die soon, but well... he's still alive! Underclass is a bluesy, addictive song, Wild Kingdome comes with a great sax.
The Christians Words was a soulful, moving ballad, and Jan bought this album for me. The album contains more songs of this calibre, Garry Christian's voice is captivating, superb.
The Church Going back in time can be difficult: after having heard Seance and especially Heyday, I bought this album but wasn't too fond of it. Even though I liked Field of Mars and You Took, the complete album didn't capture me like the others did.
Treated myself to a little present after I had finished secondary school successfully. I remember coming home with this album (and a few others) on a scorching hot day, and locking myself up in my darkened room to listen to it in the stifling heat. The music sounded strange to me, the drums were hard, the guitars wide and open, the vocals subdued. Electric Lash is a great song, as well as Fly (good opener).
I've seen that this album now is supposed to be a full-length album, but mine still is a mini-LP. Not as good as Seance, but A Month of Sundays stands out (who wouldn't want it, right...), as well as 10,000 Miles a joint effort of Kilbey and Wilson-Piper.
One of the singles of this album made me notice the Church, but I had a hard time finding this album and finally ended up buying it on holiday somewhere in Germany. I still remember that one journalist described the music of the Church as "wallpaper", but I didn't agree. It's not loud and wild for sure, but it's interesting and entertaining nevertheless. I especially like the instrumental track Happy Hunting Ground.
Got this for new year's from my brother-in-law, who asked me why I always wanted records that were so hard to find. Came with a free bonus 12" with some previously unreleased songs. Under the Milky Way was a minor hit, and is still played regularly on the radio over here. Destination, Antenna and Reptile can stand next to Under the Milky Way.
Bought this via the Internet. Best albums on vinyl are worth buying on CD.
Found this one for a mere 2.5US$ in Bilbo, our local record store. Not my favourite Church album, too much rock, not enough melancholic (apart from Disappointment).
Another one found for a good price in Bilbo. One of the albums Kilbey and Wilson-Piper recorded on their own, with a drum machine. Epic songs with layers and layers of sound. Where's my Church?
Ah. Here's my Church. Playing covers, but definitely the Church. Found this in a second hand store in London. A lot of songs I'd never heard before, but also a few obvious ones (Cortez the Killer, All the Young Dudes... cool to hear the Church do that one!). I'd never thought that the Church would cover a Kevin Ayers song... and did you hear that little fun piece from Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue"?
Eric Clapton A good collection, none of the hits is missing. Layla, Cocaine, I Shot the Sheriff, Wonderful Tonight (played to death here in Belgium after Prince Filip and Princess Mathilde used it on their wedding)...
Anne Clark Some songs on this collection are part of the soundtrack of our teenage years. Our Darkness, Sleeper in Metropolis, Wallies and Poem for a Nuclear Romance... bring back memories of "de Bierkelder" and what was that name of that new wave dancing in Eeklo again?
Joe Cocker Bought for Jan's birthday, because he likes Cocker, and this one has some of his hits. Not too bad. Got a few of his better albums on tape. Saw him live at the time Jan worked as a roadie, in the acoustic hell that is (was) Flanders Expo.
Coldplay A nice catch for 5 Euros at my local record store Bilbo. This five track E.P. offers 1 song that can be found as is on Parachutes, an earlier version of Don't Panic and 3 songs that can't be found on any album. Opener Bigger Stronger already gives a taste of the melancholy of Coldplay, with jangling guitars and a beautiful melody and vocals. The intro of Don't Panic is different, and the song has a different arrangement altogether. This song alone makes it worth the purchase. See You Soon is a soft acoustic track, and Such a Rush is the most outstanding track on this E.P., moody and introspective. Goosebump factor 20.
Wonderful harmonies, swirling guitars, magnificent popsongs. There's more than popsongs though, there's also indie rock, a vague echo of Jeff Buckley, dreamy atmospheres and a rather open production. A promising band with a more than average debut album. Shiver and the beautiful single Trouble are highlights.
Lloyd Cole With one of my favourite ballads ever, (Are You Ready to Be) Heartbroken. This song has it all, lyrics that tear you apart, violins... Perfect Skin and Forest Fire were perfect singles. The album is a bit too intellectual at certain points, but that's the only flaw.
Another catch in a second hand store in London. I'd never heard of a collection of Lloyd Cole, and then someone else already got rid of it! Nice to have a few favourites on CD, and good to hear some stuff I'd never heard before.
Cosmic Psychos Can't quite remember why I bought this album, must be from my VPRO-period. Must have had something to do with songs called Rambo and David Lee Roth, wild songs with a healthy fuck-you-attitude. Wild, loud and simple.
Elvis Costello A favourite at the time it was released, together with Blood & Chocolate, I had both albums on tape. Found this one in a second hand shop in London, with a lot of extras like People's Limousine from the Coward Brothers, and a bonus live disk. Brilliant Mistake still is one of my favourite songs.
Can't do anything wrong with a Costello best of. Starts out brilliantly with Alison, has all the punky hits like Watching the Detectives, Oliver's Army, Accidents Will Happen... the wonderful ballads Good Year for the Roses and Shipbuilding, and of course the heart-breaking I Want You.
Bought this because we needed it for our music quiz, but what a good purchase it was. This is from his Warner Brothers period, so no early songs. Veronica (remember that video clip?), Sulky Girl and So Like Candy that stands next to I Want You when heart-breaking is concerned, are the most well-known songs. There are also songs from his collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet.
Ralph Covert I was very happy to discover this hidden gem, with the help of a member of the Gomez mailing list. If you ever come across this record, then buy it because it's definitely worth it. Key words: vocals, acoustic guitar, a few violins here and there, folky pop songs, melancholy, sit on a woolskin in front of the fireplace on a cold and windy winter evening...
The Cramps Can your pussy do the dog? Bought this from a crazy café-owner who wanted to sell all his CD's. Kizmiaz is a great and funny song. Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?, What's Inside A Girl?, (Hot Pool Of) Womanneed... the titles say it all.
Crime + the City Solution Dates back to my Nick Cave-period. Very dark, bluesy record with No Money - No Honey and Six Bells Chime as highlights. But too dark and depressing to play often.
Crowded House One of the first CD's I bought. Message to my Girl was a wonderful ballad at the time, and so was Don't Dream It's Over a while later, so why not buy this album. The production sounds a bit dated now (all the TiTM'ers who are reading over my shoulder are sighing now), and some songs don't have the quality we expect of Neil Finn, but it's a good album. Some songs, like Hole in the River still stand when they are played live (see: Recurring Dream). Producer Mitchell Froom is also worth a mention, this is his second effort, after The Del Fuegos' Boston, Mass..
I first bought Woodface, and then rushed to the record store to get this one. And what an album, what an improvement since the debut. It sounds much better, the quality is much more constant. Only one song on square wheels, Kill Eye, even though not everyone would agree with me. Into Temptation is a wonderful melancholic ballad, When You Come provokes never-ending debates about the subject of the song but of course there's much more to it, Sister Madly is a song about how Neil Finn's sister used to dream and features Richard Thompson on guirar, and Better Be Home Soon ends the album in a superb way. This album is far too short.
My renewed acquaintance with Crowded House. And with Tim Finn, who joined the band on this album. The brothers sing delightful harmonies, as demonstrated on Weather with You, Fall at Your Feet, It's Only Natural... Four Seasons in One Day is Janna's favourite because of the "children's choir". There Goes God holds the immortal lines "There goes god with his sexy pants and his sausage dog" and Chocolate Cake has more lyrics of that calibre. Italian Plastic is a song by drummer Paul Hester. The album closes with a novelty that tends to get on my nerves, shame.
Found this in London for a fun little price, good thing because there's not much reason to buy this. Studio versions of some songs I already had. But it's nice to have.
Dear god, what an album. It's been sitting in my CD-rack for a very long time, but suddenly in the summer of 1995 I found out what a superb album this is. I was pregnant of Milan, and together we listened and danced to this album a lot. Fond memories. Don't know where to start, if I mention a song, I have to mention them all. This album was recorded in New Zealand with Youth, a completely different approach than for the other albums, and you can really hear it. Two songs then. Distant Sun for the lyric "I don't pretend to know what you want, but I offer love", and Fingers of Love for... for... well, the song.
Same story as for the Fall at Your Feet single, no additional value, the extra songs are album versions. But, again, fun to have.
Bought for a good price at FNAC in Gent, especially considering the bonus live album. A good collection of songs, with 3 new songs. But it's the live disc that makes this album so splendid. A radiant version of Hole in the River, Left Hand (recorded in de Vooruit in my hometown!) and Newcastle Jam which have never been released before, and a wild Sister Madly. Great!
Part of a trade with a TiTM listee. Kind people. Features three songs from Crowded House's last ever UK performance on the Phil Jupitus Show at GLR June 21st 1996. Very good indeed.
Third Crowded House single I found in a second hand shop in London, this definitely the best one. An alternative mix of Instinct, and three songs recorded live at Newcastle, LA and Sheffield.
A one-track promo single, signed by Neil Finn, that I got in a trade with a Tongue in the Mail listee, with an alternative mix of Instinct.
"13 undiscovered gems" says the sticker on the jewel case, and gems they are. Bought this via the Frenz Club, this version doesn't include de bonus disc (or track) with the Neil Finn interview, but I found it on Napster in the meantime. At least I have an autograph from Paulo. I Am in Love, a gem indeed. I Love You Dawn, a simple lovesong from Neil for his wife. My Telly's Gone Bung, a funny Paul Hester song. Left Hand, previously only released on the live bonus disc with Recurring Dream. And more yummie leftovers like that.
The Cult Jan bought this one for She Sells Sanctuary, a song he likes a lot. Goth-rock isn't my cup of tea, and Ian Astbury is too pretentious. But She Sells Sanctuary is a great song, as well as the title track and Revolution.
The Cure Got this one for my birthday. I was particularly fond of The Caterpillar, a light and fluffy song. And of Shake Dog Shake, not light and fluffy at all. A typical Cure-album of that era, light and joyful on the one hand, dark and gloomy on the other hand.
Bought this a month after The Top, I really liked the Cure at that time. Charlotte Sometimes is a wonderful, moving song, A Forest live wssn't as good as the album version.
The best of the three Cure albums I've got. Can't be a coincidence that The Pumpkins covered A Night Like This later on. In Between Days and Close to Me (remember that video in that closet?) were great singles.
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