Gems

To at least give an idea of what kind of musical palate I have, I thought I would list off a few of my favorite albums or "gems" as I call them.  In my top tier of albums are:



Sufjan Stevens  |  All Delighted People
It's rare that an album leaves me awestruck as this 8 track EP, and clocking in at almost an hour of music, it's really more of an album.  That's what Sufjan does, he really commits.  This album is the first from him that you can truly hear Sufjan's voice rising above the music.  The lyrics are incredibly emotional and the instrumentals so lush.   Each song is richly layered masterpiece of banjos, pianos, clarinets, guitars, and harmonies.  And it never gets old no matter how many times I play this album.  I'm always reminded of the same thing:  I love this album.  I love this album.  
LISTEN:  HEIRLOOM  |  FROM THE MOUTH OF GABRIEL  |  THE OWL AND THE TANAGER  |  ALL DELIGHTED PEOPLE  | DJOHARIAH



The Beatles  |  Revolver
Everyone has a favorite Beatles album and for me it's Revolver.  Why Revolver?  Why not Sgt. Pepper?  Abbey Road?  Well, because this is the album that started it all.  Besides having iconic tracks like Elanor Rigby, this album has the beginnings of their famous psychedelic movement. Throughout the album you get bits and pieces of this shift in musical style.  Also, being partial to George Harrison, this album marks more personal preference since this is a breakthrough in his career.  You can finally hear Harrison's distinct style alongside Lennon and McCartney.  While not the most widely known Beatles album, it's certainly the most exciting.


Beirut  |  The Flying Club Cup
At 19, Zach Condon dropped out of his New Mexico high school, traveled Europe, and wrote music about his travels.  This album is the result of that exciting adventure and every time I hear it it's like you're going with him to Nantes, Cherbourg, Guyamas Sorona, and everywhere else this guy has wandered to.  Ukeleles and ever present french horns illuminate the astounding journey Zach has taken and his honey rich voice only adds to the spectacle.  Balkan influences reigns heavy while more subtle French style instrumentals are present as well.  This album gives me a sense of adventure, possibility, and excitement.  And that never, never gets old.    
LISTEN:  NANTES  |  IN THE MAUSOLEUM  |  CLIQUOT  |  CHERBOURG  |  FORKS & KNIVES  |  THE FLYING CLUB CUP  |  A SUNDAY SMILE



The Cure  |  Wish
I love The Cure.  Maybe it's because it's one of the first bands that I really started listening to, or because they've been around so long, or perhaps it's our mutual love for red lipstick.  Whatever the case, Robert Smith's goth-punk band has been around for years and has still maintained a solid sound.  Wish is a particular triumph for this band because it really showcases this band's musical diversity.  They often teeter from wild joy to deep sadness.  There is no in between on these records, only the extreme.  This album is loaded full of peppy hits to pull you up as well as moody adagios to drag you back down.  I think that by showcasing these two extremes in itself creates a sort of balance.  And much like the human condition, The Cure has all the right compositions to add a soundtrack to your ever changing moods.   
LISTEN:  TO WISH IMPOSSIBLE THINGS  |  HIGH  |  FROM THE EDGE OF THE DEEP GREEN SEA  |  DOING THE UNSTUCK

No comments:

Post a Comment