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Classic Album Time from this Guy

This is the album about which Cameron Crowe-penned Elaine Miller states matter-of-factly, "Yes it's poetry. It's poetry of drugs and promiscuous sex. Honey-" Then she points to their eyes on the album cover: "-they're on pot."

And indeed, it's very likely they were. I'm not sure how much love Simon and Garfunkel get from our little online crew here. Either way, this is arguably their masterpiece, although some might argue for their final album, 1970's Bridge Over Troubled Water, the fact that this came out in the all-important year 1968 should probably push it over the top.

All these tracks are standouts. Listen to the title track, "Fakin' It," and the frighteningly accusatory, "You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies." Garfunkel would go on to star in Mike Nichols, Carnal Knowledge, but would never do much more together other than play Central Park. Garfunkel did co-write "Voices of Old People" but in case you were wondering, that track's fairly, shall we say, conceptual.

Is anyone enjoying these classic albums? If not, I'll just stop. If nobody responds, I'll take that to assume you hate me. But I still won't stop... ("I thought I told you that we won't stop...")

TVotR - Dear Science

Up until now, TVotR has been one of those bands I've admired way more than actually listened to. That all changes with "Dear Science" - Pitchfork's current album of the year and easily the most interesting music I've heard in awhile. From the afrofunk horns to the 80's synths, this is a rock album that's weird in all the right ways, always pleading for more of your attention and consciously defying your expectations. These guys sound like no one else now or before, singular in a time when that's almost impossible. I'm not ready to say "album of the year" after a few spins through, but fuck me if I won't still be pounding this 4 months from now.

TVotR - Dear Science (now a .zip, thanks Lev)

Gilles Peterson - Brownswood Bubblers 3

Gilles Peterson has maybe the best job in the world. He's a British DJ with the most popular show on BBC radio, and a record collection so large, he's bought a whole house to store it, which he calls Brownswood. He's in demand around the world for his distinct musical taste, based on 60's and 70's soul music, and has helped launch artists like Jamiroquai, Gang Starr, Lupe Fiasco, and Roots Manuva. That throwback musical sense is showcased here in this phenomenal collection of soul and jazz from bands I've never heard of...in particular, "Where Would You Be" is some sublime Sam Cooke-like shit. Why don't we have this kind of dude in America?

"Where Would You Be"


"How Bout Us"



Gilles Peterson - Brownswood Bubblers 3

More Elbow

Asleep In The Back (2001) - "In an era when every other British band is shamelessly apeing past incarnations of Radiohead (Coldplay, Travis, Doves), it's refreshing to hear a band actually worth paying attention to. Elbow's Asleep In The Back is the true marriage of Pink Floyd and Joy Division that OK Computer was mistakenly pegged as."

"Red"



Elbow - Asleep In The Back

Cast Of Thousands (2003) - "Rather than attempting to repeat the maudlin splendour of their debut, Asleep In The Back or even succumbing to the temptation to write about celebrity parties and having more money than they used to, Elbow managed to remain wonderfully accessible. It sounds a bit more polished than Asleep but is just as moving and it’s a bit more psychedelic but just as powerful. "

"Ribcage"

Elbow - Cast Of Thousands

Leaders Of The Free World (2005) - "Elbow are a great band regardless of what it takes for them to find their footing. Leaders of the Free World is a bit more rock & roll than not, with guts and heart, because Elbow have finally embraced their powerful, surrounding space this time out."

"Station Approach"

Elbow - Leaders Of The Free World

Some Real Shit for Old School

So...I've been reading this blog and keeping quiet. Once again, I feel a need to decry the unreasonably impartial hip-hop leaning segments of the viewing and listening audience. As a result, I'm going to take this opportunity to, "take it ol' school." I'm going to try to post a classic, oft-unheard from album as regularly as possible. Hey...it's all illegal in the end, right?

King Crimson was a British pseudo-psychedelic progressive rock band from the late '60s, early '70s. This is their debut record, "In the Court of the Crimson King." It's very odd, but...most contemporary headbangers and hip pop-rockers would at least cite it as groundbreaking. I happen to think it holds up really well and is always worth a listen.

Hopefully this turns some of you on. Incidentally, that Beatles mashup got me really excited but for the most part kind of dissapointed. As far as I'm concerned, no rapper should ever say Yoko Ono's name unless it's followed by "has a vagina saltier than sushi." Yes, you can quote me on that.

Keep the posts coming guys (and Brynna)...they always make me feel more cultured than I really am.

Nas should have just named his album Black Guy. Why was he trying to be so controversial?

Download here or by clicking title.