My Life In Records

This is ‘The Album’ for me, the record by which I divide my life into two halves - before I heard it, and after. I bought it on a whim, on a friends recommendation, when I was in Grade 8 and still listening to what was on the radio. It did things to me that I didn't know music could do - didn't know that anything could do for that matter. I must have listened to it on average once a day for two years after. I don't spin it as often these days, not because I'm tired of it, but because I don't need to - every tiny part of it is imprinted on my brain forever. And when I do listen to it, it feels like going home.

I came to this late, stunted as I was by two years of listening almost exclusively to Radiohead!  By the time I heard it, it had been hyped up so much that the bar was set impossibly high - there was simply no way that it could exceed my expectations. And then, of course, it shattered them. You can't really explain to people why this record, so lo-fi and so simple, is so special. But when they hear it, they always know.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the first record that I really loved that wasn't by Radiohead. I bought it on the strength of so many positive reviews (more than a few of which leaned heavily on the 'American Radiohead' comparison), and was blown away by it.  After spending so much time listening to the brilliantly complicated compositions that Radiohead specialized in, hearing such simple songs infused with so much beauty and power was manna from heaven for a simple songwriter like myself.

I'm a huge lyrics nerd, and Will Scheff is easily one of the best lyricists in the game right now. Every Okkervil River record is excellent, but Black Sheep Boy is where his gift is best demonstrated. He takes a simple folk song by Tim Hardin and spins it into a sprawling concept record, one that rewards close and repeated listening.

Speaking of brilliant lyricists, Craig Finn may be my favourite at the moment. Separation Sunday is regularly hailed as the Hold Steady's masterpiece, but to me Stay Positive is the pinnacle of their output. Darker than its predecessors, it came to me at a time in my life when that darkness and catharsis was exactly what I needed. "Our psalms are singalong songs" is currently the leading candidate for what I want printed on my tombstone.

Always overshadowed by it's big brothers on lists of Great Albums, but I think this is easily Dylan's best record. It documents him right at the turning point, when he 'plugged in', and every single song on it ranks among my favourites.

Not exactly overlooked or overshadowed, but it baffles me every time Sgt Peppers places higher than Revolver on critical lists - which it always does. Taxman! Eleanor Rigby! She Said She Said! For No One! And Your Bird Can Sing! Tomorrow Never Knows!  I'm Only Sleeping! I'm going to stop now before I just name every song on the record, but you get my point. This album is ridiculous.

Okay guys I'm starting to get fatigued. It’s hard for me to talk about so many albums that mean so much to me in such a short timespan... Catch me when I'm listening to any of these record and I'll wax philosophical about how great they are for hours, but right now I'm losing perspective. SO, about Leonard Cohen. Someone once wrote about the Beach Boys that their music "cut straight to the heart without the brain getting in the way". I feel the same about Cohen's lyrics - I frequently find myself struck by phrases without having any idea why. Only the very best can do that.

I was late to this party as well, and everyone already knows how excellent this record is, so there isn't much I can say. Paul Simon's singing voice has so much personality in it, it really makes listening to this record a pleasure. Sometimes I fantasize about starting an all Graceland cover band, but I don't know enough African mbaqanga singers. Yet.

Seriously, whats not to love?