For my inaugural post of Thirteen Things for Thursday; I would like to start out with something simple. Such as 13 albums I feel every person should be issued at birth in no particular order. Feel free to post a comment including your own personal favorites.
1. The Point by Harry Nilsson - An awesome combination of a seeming innocent children’s bed-time story with an underlying social commentary most adult listeners can even enjoy. As a child my father used to play this for my siblings and I as a special treat. I’ve done the same for my step-children, although I play it on CD now instead of a reel-to-reel player. It’s quickly becoming a family tradition. Just listening to one track from it would be like having only an appetizer to break a 10 day fast. Although I prefer to listen to the album as a whole; some of its stand-out tracks include: Think About Your Troubles, P.O.V. Waltz, and Me And My Arrow.
2. The Grey Album by DJ Danger Mouse - A remix album consisting of Jay-Z’s Black album and The Beatles White Album. A vast departure from your standard hip-hop fare. I have always been a fan of both bands, so DJ Danger Mouse invented the musical Peanut Butter Cup. Two things you love made better by mixing like Cran-Apple juice. With tracks like Dirt Off Your Shoulder deftly mixed with Helter Skelter I instantaneously fell in love. Like a bartender for your ears, DJ Danger Mouse is one of my all time favorite musicians. Ironically, I’m such a fan, he’s the only musician to appear twice on this list.
3. St. Elsewhere by Gnarles Barkley - You have got to hear it to understand. In an awesome twist of fate, Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo recorded an album together. While I am not an “across the board” fan of hip-hop and R & B; this is something everyone should hear, repeatedly. While difficult to describe, their sound covers most every musical genre up until now and beyond. Singles like Crazy and Smiley Faces you’d swear you were listening to an old soul band. While other tracks like Feng Shui and Transformer can only be deemed hip-hop. No matter what you want to call it, I can’t get enough of it.
4. Perfecto Presents Another World by Paul Oakenfold - Possibly the best double disc dance mix I’ve ever had the pleasure of aurally exploring. The album starts with very placid tones sampled from Dead Can Dance, and slowly morphs into a pulsating machine of rhythmic joy. With few lyrics and repetitive beats, this album is not one to sit and contemplate; but creation entirely its own. Of course, I’m rather partial to dance music, and I doubt it would go over well at a geriatric home, it is one of my favorite party albums. Just drop in both discs and hit play…OH, and enjoy the ride. Almost like an ice replica Michelangelo’s David, it’s good for a party mix, but you wouldn’t want it in your living room everyday.
5. Kaya by Bob Marley and the Wailers - Simply the best reggae album of all time. Timeless grooves and the silky-smooth sound of the young Bob Marley crooning Rasta anthems and love songs. While Exodus is widely accepted as his best work; I’m more impressed, as usual to see Bob showing a softer side of his musical personality. With laid back tunes like Easy Skankin’, Misty Morning, Kaya (for which the album was named) and Satisfy My Soul this album is a great choice for Sunday morning coffee, or a long peaceful drive.
6. 40oz to Freedom by Sublime - While not nearly as visible to the pop culture crowd; this album represents the zenith of Sublime’s reggae, rock, rap, party-time sound.
7. Fossils by Dinosaur Jr. - Even though fossils is only an EP of b-sides and covers, the Just Like Heaven cover is worth the cost of the whole album.
8. Gizmodgery by Self - Possible the best album by a band almost no one knows. Find out more at www.selfies.com.
9. Dewdrops in the Garden by Deee-Lite - A little known sophomore effort of the band best known for it’s single “Groove is in the Heart”; the adult nature of this album is a far cry from the silly pop anthem.
10. Insides by Orbital - A wonderful adventure in creating sonic landscapes and portraits using synthesizers.
11. Chocolate City by Parliament - This album needs no introduction, it speaks for itself.
12. Back in the Day: The Best of Bootsy Collins - Former bassist for Parliament, William “Bootsy” Collins is widely recognized as the creator of the signature pop-and-slap style bass playing for which funk is known.
13. Airdrawndagger by Sasha - Sasha further flexes his sonic genius with this groundbreaking electronic album.