Issue No.2–January 2020
By Jeremy Cuff
I’ve always been a voracious and inquisitive listener of music; I never seem to tire of it.
The spirit of those teenage years of hunting down vinyl in record shops has never left me and I still get a buzz out of acquiring new recordings to listen to. It’s a great journey to be on, with one’s mind opening and broadening as you travel along.
Here’s ten albums from different eras and diverse genres to check out and explore. If you wish, do share ten albums of your own choice and tastes in reciprocity…
Grace
By Jeff Buckley
I sometimes get wary of music that receives excessive “critical acclaim” as it can often suggest shameless bouts of “bandwagon jumping” and being “seen to be hip and cool” on the part of music journalists who can be over the top in praise of certain artists that fit their own self image and horribly destructive to those who don’t, but in this case, I thought the album justified the many great things that have been written about it.
“Last Goodbye” is a particularly marvellous (and emotional) song, and is perhaps my pick of the crop from this very impressive set.
The Rotters Club
By Hatfield & The North
If you load this album into iTunes, it categorises it as “rock”, but “unclassifiable” might be a better “classification”.
In this album of assorted oddness, expect leftfield pop, jazzy grooves, avant garde interludes and ambient prog-rock among other things.
Don’t be put off if this “mash up” of influences seems unappealing, it’s actually highly listenable!
Lace
By Derek Bailey
Last time out, I suggested a more “electric” version of Derek Bailey’s free improvisation in the form of “Guitars, Drums N Bass” featuring DJ Ninj.
This recording is perhaps a more “typical” recording by Bailey, if it’s indeed possible to describe his music in such a way.As always, Bailey is on the outer limits of what we know as music. Some might say he’s far outside of those limits.
Exposure
By Robert Fripp
Fripp is one of the most prolific musicians of the last 40+ years or more, recording with King Crimson, David Bowie, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel, Andy Summers, Theo Travis and many, many more artists both well known and obscure. Plus there’s his large back catalogue of solo work such as “Exposure”.
I especially liked this varied album, which contains soundscapes, jagged “Frippertronics”, samples and even a ballad featuring Peter Gabriel.
Lost In Space
By Laika
I honestly can’t remember how I came across this CD, but expect dreamy electronic pop songs, grooves, beats and assorted electronica. I put in on again recently and enjoyed the experience – worth checking out for sure.
BTW, “Laika” is the name of a dog that the Russians sent to space…
Warrior On The Edge of Time
By Hawkwind
I re-discovered Hawkwind during the last few years and then found myself gathering up many of their albums from the 70’s and 80’s. I think their music has been underrated and somewhat dismissed over the years, but it’s got a lot going for it.
I could suggest several of their recordings, but I had to choose one, so here it is.
Check out the opening cut (Assault & Battery Part 1) or perhaps the trance like groove of Opa-Loka.
When I was 17, I saw them on the “Choose Your Masques” tour where some of the attendees wore white lab coats. It was a new world to me.
Perhaps I’ll include some more Hawkwind further down the line.
Beyond Elysian Fields
By Hugh Cornwell
Vocalist/guitarist Hugh Cornwell has released a number of interesting solo albums since quitting The Stranglers.
I especially enjoyed this one, which abounds in strong tunes, given extra character by Cornwell’s distinctive vocals.“Cadiz” is a particular favourite from this record.
Lookaftering
By Vashti Bunyan
A beautifully sung folk-based album.
“Turning Backs” is a particularly special song about indifference.
Ill Communication
By The Beastie Boys
There was a time when I thought that all the Beastie Boys represented was stuff like “You’ve Got To Fight For Your Right To Party”!
This album was a game changer for me, with some truly great moments contained within.
Check out consecutive tracks “Shambala” and “Bodhisattva Vow” for real genius.
A Million Vacations
By Max Webster
There’s no-one called Max Webster in the band known as Max Webster, and there never was.
It’s a fest of brilliantly played eccentric rock music fronted by the charismatic singer and guitarist Kim Mitchell. Recurring themes seem to be loosely centred around “escapism” (Paradise Skies, Night Flights and Research At Beach Resorts), but not at all ina “party ‘til you puke” kind of way. Additionally, there’s some more cerebral stuff to enjoy, such as Sun Voices and Let Go The Line.
To add to the band’s quirkiness, they even had a member of the group who didn’t perform live with them, lyricist Pye Dubois.