Fantastic albums I've been obsessing over (pt. 1)
Department of Eagles - The Whitey on the Moon UK LP
I don't even know how to describe this album. Everything about it is interesting and beautiful. Every song is perfect. This is the kind of album that you'll play to death for a month or two, then throw it on a year or two later and every memory and emotion from those 2 months will return, as vivid as ever. Theres a lot of electronic experimentation as well as diverse instrumentation. The album literally covers everything from straight foward lo-fi indie, Radiohead-guitar-esque segments, lounge, hip-hop, world, electronic, and experimental soundscapes, all while remaining extremely cohesive. You just have to listen.
Homelife - Flying Wonders
If Department of Eagles is impressive for only being the work two people, Homelife is impressive in the sense that so many people we're able to coordinate something so interesting and complex. This group embraces extravegence to the fullest, loading songs full with tons of percussion, strings, and shit that I'd previously never even heard of. The emotional reaction to this album is similar to the above album, which makes sense because both albums were recommended to me by the same guy. Half way through the smooth-beautiful-styled "Too Fast" you'll think... where have you been all my life Homelife? I promise.
John Cale - Paris 1919
Within the first 3 seconds of the opening track, you'll know that John Cale mastered the formula to creating perfect classic rockish greatness. The best thing about this album, besides its absurd listenability, is the influence you can hear in music today. Almost every band I've liked over the past 5 years has taken something from this album. Someone said something like "Not a lot of people bought The Velvet Underground & Nico, but everyone who did started a band." Same thing I guess. The production too is so right time right place. The drums sound so tapey, and the vintage keys are perfect.
Pavement - Wowee Zowee
I don't think anyone likes this album in the way I do, and that makes me sad. Although the first half is much more accessable, the second half has some of the more unique and classic music ever. No other band would have made anything that sounds remotely close to some of the stuff on here, which is one of my favorite things about Pavement as a whole. Hearing songs like "Black Out" live bring so much focus onto the great songwriting on the album. In sumation, Wowee Zowee is the creative peak of my favorite band.
More to come maybe!