10 Random Albums, Selected by my Ipod’s Shuffle Mode
Everyone talks about the ipod in terms of songs, not albums, and certainly I shuffle through songs more often than albums, but this is interesting sometimes too…
Possibly my favorite album of theirs; perfect for summer but really any season, with its hazy, dreamy mood.
A mix CD, made and released quickly to defeat the bootleggers/leakers. Not one of his deepest, but has some interesting moments – the best is his musical letter of support to Lauryn Hill, “Ms. Hill.”
Great album from a fascinating songwriter. Catchy but also purposely obscure; very physical but mysterious.
How appropriate, because I’ve been listening to this album a ton lately…mostly cause I keep wanting to hear “Don’t Cry No Tears,” “Lookin’ for a Love” and “Barstool Blues” three songs I have an endless fascination with.
I’ll admit I’m just exploring the music of this cult-favorite art-pop band, more or less starting with this album, which I’m enjoying a lot so far.
A classic in my book, filled with great melodies.
Another classic, with a great bare approach that shows off his singing, guitar-playing and songs well. Contains some of his most tender moments: not just the great love songs “Everyday Clothes” and “Closer” and the gorgeous instrumental take on “Blue Moon”, but two of his most articulate and lasting statements on life – “Miracles Will Start to Happen” and “A Mistake Today for Me.”
Ok, one more absolute classic, damaged in reputation by often being out of print. Bare-bones, down-to-basics hip-hop that’s soulful, tough, and even sensitive. Contains the great single “Looking at the Front Door” and the legendary, still-hot “Live at the Barbecue”, featuring the first recorded appearance of Nas (then Nasty Nas, with a Kool G Rap-ish flow and the memorable line “when I was 12 I went to hell for snuffin’ Jesus”).
Country super-group may not be greater than the sum of its parts – considering its main members are Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock – but is still making smart and enjoyable music in the old tradition.
A big surprise to me this year was how much more exciting and lively Robert Pollard’s side-project albums, especially this one, were than his double album, From a Compound Eye (Merge), which on paper looked to be the more important release.
