Shuffle of the week #13

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. Alice Cooper – Halo of Flies (Killer, 1971) [singlepic id=146 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Fantastic start this week with this classic prog attempt by Vincent Damon Furnier, performing as Alice Cooper. Still a very popular song in the Netherlands, as this was the only country where it was originally released as single. In fact the whole album, Cooper’s fourth, is very strong. As it is the only one in my collection it may be time to get a follow-up, Billion Dollar Babies perhaps?

2.  Robert Johnson – If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day (King of the Delta Blues Singers, 1936) [singlepic id=152 w=80 h=50 float=left]

To the absolute roots of blues, with this archaic classic. Clapton of course covered it, and you can clearly hear that the cradle of the sound of all Clapton’s later bands stays on that mountain with Robert.

3. Talking Heads – Seen and Not Seen (Remain in Light, 1980) [singlepic id=153 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Quite a transmission then, with this to the last detail polished new wave from Talking Heads. The album is an absolute gem and perfectly suited to bring along on holiday, as it gives you a lot to talk about, without even necessarily playing it.

4. Pixies – Gouge Away (Doolittle, 1989) [singlepic id=24 w=80 h=50 float=left]

One of the few songs out there that reaches absolute perfection within such a short time. And another great album, this is becoming one of the best shuffles until today…

5. Otis Redding – Pain In My Heart (Pain In My Heart, 1964) [singlepic id=151 w=80 h=50 float=left]

… reaching status ‘epic’ halfway with this classic from Otis. Second week in a row for Otis, which  deserves a place on the mobile playlist for the upcoming weeks.

6. Manu Chao – Le Rendez Vous (Próxima Estación: Esperanza, 2001) [singlepic id=150 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Sounds very weird when it’s meanwhile snowing outside.

 

7. X – Back 2 the Base (Wild Gift, 1981) [singlepic id=154 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Another short intermezzo from a total different world, it’s becoming a strange medley in this way. American punk rock band from LA (after which they called their debut album), with this being one of the many short songs on their second album. Not that I’m a big punk fan, but I can certainly enjoy it when it comes with such vocal harmonies.

8. Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child (Slight Return) (Electric Ladyland, 1968) [singlepic id=148 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Turn down the medley then and clear the stage for this demonstration by the master. From the last part of the magnificent album trilogy, after Are You Experienced (1967) and Axis: Bold as Love (1967). The trilogy lifted guitar playing to another level, and Hendrix decided to finish it in a legendary way. After his interpretation of Dylan’s ‘All Along The Watchtower’, Ladyland  is closed with this mindblowing track.

9. Lou Reed – Strawman (New York, 1989) [singlepic id=149 w=80 h=50 float=left]

A very acceptable sequel I have to admit, with a fairly delicious opening riff. This album once more showed the genius songwriting capabilities of Lou Reed, containing some of his best work. With Maureen Tucker back on drums of course, but on this song it’s above all that pounding guitar riff that keeps coming back over and over again that does the trick.

10. The Avalanches – Two Hearts in ¾ Time (Since I left you, 2000) [singlepic id=147 w=80 h=50 float=left]

It pro definition had to be a disappointment after those 10 minutes of pure power rock, and in fact it is. I’ll give it one more try (update: ok, they’re out).

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.