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. Kraftwerk – The Man-Machine (The Man-Machine, 1978) [singlepic id=241 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Closing track from Kraftwerks’ seventh and most important album, a miraculous one that sounds like an anachronism in music history. When listening attentively, you can hear the repeating videogame sounds from the first Nintendo (NES, released about five years later) in the background.
2. Modest Mouse – Convenient Parking (The Lonesome Crowded West, 1997) [singlepic id=175 w=80 h=50 float=left]
I was introduced to this album one year ago and it slowly gained my appreciation from then on. The indie band was founded in Issaquah, a smaller city near Seattle (the towers on the cover being The Westin Seattle), in 1993 during the aftermath of the grunge wave. This is the trio’s second real studio album, time for me to get their third, the even more praised The Moon & Antarctica (2000).
3. Pixies – River Euphrates (Surfer Rosa, 1988) [singlepic id=243 w=80 h=50 float=left]
It has been a long time ago since I’ve heard this one. I put on the Doolittle now and then, but this one? However, the band could be considered a forefather of Modest Mouse, certainly on this second album.
4. Golden Earring – Joe (Bloody Buccaneers, 1991) [singlepic id=239 w=80 h=50 float=left]
A little nostalgia with one of the worlds’ longest standing bands from the Netherlands. It has to be admitted however that this track is really horrible. The band was not in their best shape anymore in that era, but delivered some good songs here and there. (Damn, this song lasts way too long…)
5. Beastie Boys – 14th St. Break (The Mix-Up, 2007) [singlepic id=237 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Repeating melody from their seventh album, being completely instrumental. Not really their best one as I had to conclude afterwards.
6. Blonde Redhead – Anticipation (Misery is a Butterfly, 2004) [singlepic id=238 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Another one I last heard a couple of years ago; this is not going to be a shuffle filled with golden classics. The band was formed in New York in 1995 and on this album (their sixth, produced by Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto) the band evolved towards a more dreamy sound with Makino’s vocals resembling those of Cocteau Twins’ Liz Fraser.
7. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – Mercy (Tender Prey, 1988) [singlepic id=242 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Record with the explicit late eighties album cover. It has this strong post-punk sound with strong parallels to Joy Division and Echo & the Bunnymen.
8. TV On the Radio – Poppy (Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, 2004) [singlepic id=245 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Here they are again. Really great album.
9. Jefferson Airplane – The House at Pooneil Corners (Crown of Creation, 1968) [singlepic id=240 w=80 h=50 float=left]
Powerfully built smasher from another one of this bands’ strong albums, being the successor of After Bathing at Baxter’s. Of course the vocals shine again, but especially the pumping drums and bass create the frightful threatening atmosphere on this song.
10. Sigur Ros –Sé Lest (Takk…, 2005) [singlepic id=244 w=80 h=50 float=left]
I see a train and can peacefully go to bed after listening to angels singing. As the album title says in Islandic: Thanks…