Shuffle of the week #10

This is an ode to the shuffle. How better to get a good insight in your digitized album collection than by a classic shuffle? Finally discover the albums you never got into, finally throw the ones away you will never get into and worship those classics that never grow old again. The Shuffle of this week:

1. Andrew Bird – Headsoak (The Swimming Hour, 2001) [singlepic id=117 w=80 h=50 float=left]

We start off peacefully with a relaxing song of Andrew Bird. This song is on the last album with his Bowl of Fire, before going solo. I discovered the album last year, but I can’t see it beating the one I totally revalued thanks to another shuffle, Armchair Apocrypha, which is a great album. Still have to get his latest…

2. Small Faces – Get Yourself Together (Small Faces, 1967) [singlepic id=123 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Initially we easily flow on to the next song with some calm guitar playing, until the typical sound of the Small Faces looms. One of those great bands from this era that perhaps got a little snowed in by the big rock mastodonts from that time. Certainly kept Britain’s psychedelic pop alive after Pink Floyd went progressive, although the original line-up also only existed for four years before disbanding in 1969.

3. Animal Collective – Brother Sport (Merriweather Post Pavillion, 2009) [singlepic id=118 w=80 h=50 float=left]

The sound is still cheerful and we’re still very uptempo, but our technology has made a progression of 40 years. Epic closing track of this 2009 album as well as many live gigs from this band. Still one of the best acts I’ve ever seen live.

4. Radiohead – Paranoid Android (OK Computer, 1997) [singlepic id=22 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Awesome track/album/band. Talking about great live memories.

 

5. Robert Johnson – Cross Road Blues (King of the Delta Blues Singers, 1936) [singlepic id=122 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Probably one of the oldest songs in my music collection, from this album that was only released in 1961. Also known for the version that Eric Clapton arranged for Cream and a great pub in Antwerp that derived its name from this song.

6. Jethro Tull – Wind-Up (Aqualung, 1971) [singlepic id=121 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Closing track from Tull’s album that I really have to give another shot. (update: I underrated this one way too long, certainly as genius as Stand Up.)

7. Jefferson Airplane – Rejoice (After Bathing at Baxters, 1967) [singlepic id=120 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Album from Airplane from the same year as their famous classic album Surrealistic Pillow. Long time ago since I gave this a serious listening chance, so this one is definitely going on my mp3 to fill my  time in the public transport. (update: the same for Aqualung going for this one, brilliant album. Imagine albums like Pillow and Baxters being released in the same year by the same band today.)

8. XTC – River of Orchids (Apple Venus Vol 1, 1999) [singlepic id=124 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Awesome opening track from this wonderful album, that closed the previous era in an amazing way. Very Brian Wilsonesk.

9. The Smiths – Pretty Girls Make Graves (The Smiths, 1984) [singlepic id=133 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Second time we shuffle a track from this album. Pointed me to the fact that it was time for a decent review of this juwel.

10. Echo & the Bunnymen – Nocturnal Me (Ocean Rain, 1984) [singlepic id=119 w=80 h=50 float=left]

And we close the shuffle of this week in the same year with the Bunnymen’s classic album. Rediscovered Crocodiles recently and wondering about which one is better. Might still be this one in the end.

Shuffle of the week #9

This is an ode to the shuffle. How better to get a good insight in your digitized album collection than by a classic shuffle? Finally discover the albums you never got into, finally throw the ones away you will never get into and worship those classics that never grow old again. The Shuffle of this week:

[singlepic id=111 w=80 h=50 float=left]1. Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention – Let’s make the water turn black (We’re Only in It for the Money, 1968)

Surprising start this time, this one being an album that I urgently had to discover for real. Zappa’s experimental charge against everyone wearing flowers and breathing the psychedelic air of San Fransisco, including a parody on the Sgt. Peppers’ album cover. This cover featured among others Zappa’s friend Jimi Hendrix, whose song ‘Hey Joe’ was used as inspiration for ‘Flower Punk’, another song to be found on the album.

2. Swan Lake – The Pollenated Girls (Beast Moans, 2006) [singlepic id=115 w=80 h=50 float=left]

This album to the contrary does not have many secrets to me anymore, having spent many months on my mp-3 player last year. It’s the debut album from this all Canadian supergroup, consisting of Frog Eyes singer Carey Mercer, Daniel Bejar (Destroyer, New Pornographers) and of course Spencer Krug, one of my favorite musicians of today (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Frog Eyes).

3. Moby Grape – Fall On You (Moby Grape, 1967) [singlepic id=112 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Over to some typical sounds of 1967, with this band originally founded by some former Jefferson Airplane members. A must have for the lovers of the genre, so without any doubt a true favorite for Frank Zappa.

4. Fleet Foxes – Innocent Son (Sun Giant, 2008) [singlepic id=110 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Some beautiful vocals then from the first EP of Fleet Foxes, although you might also think it’s one of My Morning Jacket’s songs when you don’t know that.

5. Sunset Rubdown – Stadiums and Shrines II (Shut up I’m Dreaming, 2006) [singlepic id=114 w=80 h=50 float=left]

And there’s Spencer Krug again! This really is a fantastic album that I’m gonna put on that mp3 player once more. I guess this album will never bore me, definitely being one of my favorite albums from the past 10 years. Points me to the fact that I finally have to get Dragonslayer (2009) also.

6. Velvet Underground – Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 1969) [singlepic id=116 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Talking about true rock jewels? This must be one of the best Lou Reed compositions, whose  genius was discovered way too late by me. But I have to admit, I’m seriously catching up with that.

7. Tindersticks – Talk to me (Tindersticks (II), 1995) [singlepic id=70 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Another track from Tinderstick’s magnificent second album.With decliciously driving string part in the end.

 

8. dEUS – Secret Hell (Worst Case Scenario, 1994) [singlepic id=58 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Song that I heard more often lately, as I listened to it again during a couple of weeks following an earlier shuffle of the week .

9. The Electric Prunes –Wind-up Toys (Underground, 1967) [singlepic id=109 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Surprisingly, exactly the same goes for this one. Good album.

 

10. Motörhead – Stay Clean (No Sleep ‘Till Hammersmith, 1981) [singlepic id=135 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Starting and closing with a little surprise this week, as this is the only abum in my collection from this band. Factually, it’s not even a real one, as it’s a live album. I acquired it after reading some lyrical reviews about it; good album, nothing more (update: this rocks).