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. Death Cab For Cutie – 405 (We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes, 2000) [singlepic id=47 w=80 h=50 float=left]
The shuffle started with the fifth song from the second album of this American indie rock band. Not much to add, hardly listen to their albums anymore.
2. Pixies – Here Comes Your Man (Doolittle, 1989)
[singlepic id=53 w=80 h=50 float=left] It continued with an absolute alternative rock classic from the Pixies’ second album Doolittle. At first I thought my shuffle had hit The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, using the same opening chord. The Byrds-riff that follows keeps this one a favorite.
3. Beatles – Come Together/Dear Prudence/Cry Baby Cry (Love, 2006)
[singlepic id=45 w=80 h=50 float=left] With a small delay, the Fab Four play at last. Having the most songs of all artists in the collection, it’s no surprise to hear them again. This is the Love version of Abbey Road‘s opening track, mixed by George Martin and son. The transition to McCartney’s ‘Can you take me back where I came from’ certainly adds value to this Lennon-classic.
4. Pink Floyd – Money (Delicate Sound Of Thunder, 1988) [singlepic id=52 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Another classic rock evergreen in an edited release, as Pink Floyd plays their Dark Side of the Moon classic live in New York. With an extended intro and solos, it contains ten minutes of guaranteed joy.
5. Beach Boys – Here Today (Pet Sounds, 1966)
[singlepic id=44 w=80 h=50 float=left] Probably my favorite Pet Sounds track after, obviously, ‘God Only Knows’. The music written by Brian Wilson is just absolutely genius, filled up by Tony Asher’s sad lyrics, sung by Mike Love. It starts with just a little glance now!
6. Cotton Mather – Aurora Bori Alice (Kon Tiki, 1997)
[singlepic id=46 w=80 h=50 float=left] Now this Texan rock band deserves a much broader appreciation. This album in my opinion is one of the most refreshing guitar albums from the past 15 years. The lead singer makes you think Lennon is still alive now and then, and the guitar licks just keep coming!
7. Moody Blues – House of Four Doors (In Search of the Lost Chord, 1968) [singlepic id=49 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Legendary song from a legendary album of a legendary band. Amen.
8. Morrissey – You Know I Couldn’t Last (You Are The Quarry, 2004) [singlepic id=50 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Took me a while to get into The Smiths and in the end I succeeded. Curious if the same will apply to Morrissey, till now it does. It takes me a while.
9. Paul McCartney & Wings – Helen Wheels (Band On The Run, 1973) [singlepic id=51 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Talking about legendary albums, huh? This track did not even appear on the UK versions as it was released as a single long before all the other hit singles kicked in. The album is without any doubt McCartney’s absolute solo masterpiece.
10. Mogwai – Secret Pint (Rock Action, 2001) [singlepic id=48 w=80 h=50 float=left]
The shuffle closes with the closing song from the third album of Scottish post-rockers Mogwai. That album goes on the mp3 player right away, long time since I listened to it.