When I put together my radio show, I focus on picking the most eclectic mix of songs I can. Keeping the audience guessing is always my goal, and my personal record stash is a part of why I live by that axiom. I have a lot of records, so to narrow it down is tough, but here are some of the ones that I think represent my personality and taste the best.
Light is Gone by Field Medic (2015)
This album is the first one released by Field Medic, who has now become a cult icon in indie music. The vinyl is a nice dark blue, but it’s the grooves that make it worth owning. Every song has a very specific timbre, contrary to some albums where someone rewrites the same song eight times. The second to last song, “It’s Still You.,” is one of the most devastatingly beautiful songs I have ever heard. It conjures images of a stunning starry sky on the worst night of your life. Every time I personally hear it, I find it so hard to sit through without an intense emotional response. It’s such a great song. Another highlight is “Tombstone Poetry,” which I can only describe as Taylor Swift for all of the people who don’t enjoy her music at all. The quality of the album is meticulously nostalgic, with crackles and pops that are built into the music itself. With winter coming sooner than later, this is a great set of alternative folk to treat seasonal depression.
Diamond Dogs by David Bowie (1974)
Any listener to my show knows that I work David Bowie into my sets any chance I get, and my personal listening is no different. Diamond Dogs sits in a strange place in Bowie’s discography between the all-encompassing Ziggy Stardust era and the darker, slinkier Thin White Duke period. It also was made with the remnants of a scrapped Orwellian musical based on 1984, which means it is a pseudo-concept album. Both these things made it a bit confusing for critics, so it is mostly known for the lead single “Rebel Rebel.” Despite being a fantastic song, there is much more to the album than its lead single, as is the case often. Not only is it both heavy and soulful, with more brass than the Ziggy albums, but Bowie plays the majority of guitar on the album. The culmination of his songwriting and musicianship is the three part triptych that sits in the middle of side one entitled “Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise).” Bowie’s vocals, saxophone, and guitars soar across this searing take on the Big Brother regime. There is also the aptly titled “Big Brother,” which is all too familiar given the times we live in. I think this album easily gets swept away in a catalogue filled with legendary works. Diamond Dogs is even more potent and important to listen to now. Not only that, but it is a consistently great album all around if you give yourself over to it.
Pink Moon by Nick Drake (1972)
I know this album has been talked about a lot in recent years, but it really is worth the reappraisal. Nick Drake did not get the love he deserved in his lifetime, his early death only emphasizes that. Being his last album, it is incredibly varied for being recorded in two late night sessions and having only one piano overdub. The guitar playing on this album is virtuosic, and Drake knows how to lay back when he wants to (see “Know,” which is a blues riff repeated in perpetuity). My personal favorite on this album is “Parasite,” and I think the song speaks for itself, especially if you’re someone who is looking for a therapeutic song. The guitar itself completely fills the track, almost sounding like two guitars at once. Even sometimes with things like early Dylan, I feel like the accompaniment isn’t entirely enough to complete the sound. Drake has no problem with that, crafting his parts to be interesting and dynamic. For the fall, a breezy Sunday with a nice coffee (or non-stimulating beverage).
We’re All Gonna Die by Dawes (2016)
I know, the title is a bit dreary, but the album itself is such a great collection of California sun-soaked rock that it completely makes up for it. The title track masks its dark subject matter in sly synths and crisp guitar that feels like a hug from a long lost family member you miss. The big hit from the album is “When the Tequila Runs out,” which verges on George Clinton-esque funk. I’ve noticed across Dawes’ discography, they seem to write a lot about flying, and both of these songs reference that in some way. Every track is easy to listen to, yet has enough complexity and intrigue to make it a must listen. Just like their west coast roots, Dawes requires a heavy dose of warmth and sun, so if you can’t find that, go somewhere with it!
Soundtrack from Twin Peaks by Angelo Badalamenti
Though completely instrumental (barring the vocal version of the theme titled “Falling”), Angelo Badalamenti put his entire songwriting capabilities into this soundtrack. Every song is both jazzy and alternative at once, and some of the synths are completely all encompassing. The highlights are obviously both the main theme and “Laura Palmer’s Theme,” which somehow are constantly stuck in my head on a loop. Everybody should watch the series, but not everybody will like it. I would beg to say that nearly everyone can find merit to this soundtrack, especially during the fall and winter months.