About a year ago, I began a musical pilgrimage. Curious as to where most of my favourite acts get their influences, I decided to listen to the back catalogues of some of the worlds greatest artists.
Already a huge fan of The Beatles and David Bowie, I began re-listening to what were already some of my favourite albums. From there I moved on to the likes of T-Rex, The Rolling Stones, to Pink Floyd, The Smiths, and even relatively modern day acts such as Coldplay.
For my first post on Perfect Mixtape, I decided to write up a list of my favourite 5.
5 : The Beatles - Revolver
This Album metaphorically fell into my lap.
Me and my husband often spend some of our time watching music videos on YouTube, and the final track from this record, 'Tomorrow Never Knows' popped up as a suggested track. From there I rediscovered the brilliance of this album, in a way I wouldn't have understood back when I was 13.
The euphoric, unpredictable and trippy tendencies of this album have led it to become my favourite by The Beatles. You can find a song for any mood and situation, but it ultimately works best to listen from beginning to end.
Favourite Track : Tomorrow Never Knows
4 : Pulp - Different Class
I think at some point over the years I've heard most of the songs from this album, but only recently heard them as intended, and discovered how brilliant the record is as a whole.
Some of Pulps most iconic singles are on the album, such as 90's anthem 'Common People', and some tracks that really surprise you. I particularly liked the unusual 'I Spy', a song I felt had taken influence from Pet Shop Boys.
Favourite Track : Sorted For E's & Wizz
3 : The Velvet Underground & Nico
Arguably the most influential record ever released, The Velvet Underground & Nico has the ability to transport you in time. The avant-garde 1960's New York is felt in every track, be it the glamour of 'Femme Fatale' or the morbid but perceptual 'Heroin'.
I first heard of the record at a friends birthday, when she recieved a copy of the vinyl as a gift. Since then I have fallen for every single track. It has an indefinable sound that I seek out in music, and the magic doesn't stop with time travel, it has the ability to make you feel narcotized.
Favourite Track : Venus In Furs
2 : David Bowie - Hunky Dory
I debated for quite some time on which order to put the next two records. This may seem like a futile thing to debate, but I'm a sucker for properly conducted lists.
Hunky Dory is in my opinion, the coolest album of all time. With songs like 'Andy Warhol' it isn't hard to see why; The Velvet Undergrounds influence is evident. To me it sounds like a 'how to' on being strange but chic. I adore the song 'Kooks' which I feel is a song I needed age 14. It's Bowie telling you that being weird is fine; inviting you to his party.
Favourite Song : Life On Mars (obviously)
3 : David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
The reason Ziggy is my number one is that it fills me with so much emotion. It was the first Bowie album I really fell for, and still has the ability to make me weep within the first verse of 'Five Years'.
You can also feel Bowie's fascination with astronomy in this record, with songs such as 'Moonage Daydream' and 'Starman'. Astronomy is something my curious mind has begun to delve into, and this is just the perfect soundtrack.
Favourite Song : Moonage Daydream
No comments:
Post a Comment