The TOP 5

If I were stranded on an island...

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I'm not a huge fan of the Velvet Underground and Nico.  And although there are a few tracks on it that I really like, I'm not a huge fan of Loaded either, or a lot of Lou Reed's solo stuff.  But THIS record really does it for me.  Aside from "The Murder Mystery", the Velvets moved away from the psychedelic aspect of their songwriting on their third album (also largely due to John Cale being replaced by Doug Yule who sings lead vocals on the album's opening track, "Candy Says").  With all the psych-experimental nonsense that came along with Nico and White Light/White Heat subtracted from the equation, Reed's songwriting and voice, which has never sounded more delicate and true, are what make this album the classic that it is.  I dare you to listen to "Some Kinda Love" and tell me you don't hear Julian Casablancas.  Which leads us to the next choice.

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There are few moments when I witness something and can recall in vivid detail exactly where I was, what I was doing, and how I was feeling.  The first encounter I ever had with this band was one of those moments.  Is there a single fan of rock music that didn’t immediately get and buy into what the Strokes were selling when they burst onto the scene and steam rolled every lame aspect of that freakshow cesspool known as the late 90’s?  I’ve never followed mainstream pop music too rigidly, although I don’t know about you, but my god, I was pretty sick of hearing Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, and Filter on the radio on a consistent basis.  What a breath of fresh air this one was.  I can listen to it at any point of any day and be content with the selection.  And even though “When It Started” is a great song, I really would have loved it if the U.S. versions of Is This It contained “New York City Cops” instead like the other global versions of the record.  

--> You'd think that the final studio album by one of the most respected and influential bands of all time would be more well known than Trompe le Monde is.  Released in 1991 while the grunge scene was emerging, maybe it's another indicator of just how ahead of their time the Pixies actually were.  I think when most people think of the Pixies, they recall the more radio-friendly tunes like "This Monkey's Gone to Heaven", "Where is My Mind", or "Here Comes Your Man".  This record contains no such "hits", but in itself is one of the most complete albums front to back that I've ever heard.  Songs like "Alec Eiffel", "Motorway to Roswell", and the brief but incredible "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" cement Frank Blank and company in my mind as one of the most clever, talented, and just damn cool bands I've ever listened to. 

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Speaking of grunge, Pearl Jam have always held a special place in my heart.  Eddie Vedder is someone who believes in what he's singing about, and I respect that, but it wasn't until this era of his band that I realized just how good of a lyricist he could be.  He was always pretty good at it, but there's some deep stuff on No Code that displays his craftiness with words and how well he  places them within the music (though don't mistake me for talking about melody because the guy wouldn't recognize a melody if it took a shit on his flannel).  As far as the band as a whole, in between the years of 1994 and 1998 PJ was in the midst of a phase in their career when they were making some excellent music that channeled this sort of pre-indie rock vibe.  For a recording artist to make a record that has an overall feel to it and to sustain that feel throughout the entire album can be a difficult thing to accomplish and is something that can turn a good album into a great album.  And that's why I love No Code.  I've never heard anything that "feels" quite like it as an album.  Jack Irons provides so many intangibles for this band as a drummer/percussionist and you can hear it on songs like "Who You Are" and "In My Tree".  They were certainly making their best music when he was a part of things.  I miss those days.  Pearl Jam ain't cool anymore for the kids, but if there's one Pearl Jam record that I would recommend for anyone who isn't into this band, this would be it. 

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I love everything about this album.  From the artwork, to the nerdiness of the band members, to the nostalgia that I get every time I listen to it.  Once that blue album is slipped into my cd player I find it nearly impossible to refrain (pun intended) from singing harmonies over Rivers Cuomo’s vocals.  This is the perfect pop record.  Each individual song is so well put together and they each separately touch upon such familiar subjects; insecurities about the opposite sex, surfing, growing up, that special place in your house where you can truly be yourself when no one’s around.  It probably helps too when your record is produced by former Cars frontman, Ric Ocasek.

I am just now noticing that every band I’ve mentioned with the exception of the Pixies are all making terrible music these days.  Go figure.  Nothing stays gold forever, Ponyboy.