A
time cube of psychedelic thoughts sprawling into songs. Songs that could have
been written in 1960-1970-1980-1992 but recorded in the 80-90-00 time frame.
That’s what this record is to me.
This
was the album that was predicted by many to help make Robyn huge, but much to
the detriment of the music world it didn’t. An opening to a musical world that
should be so much better than it’s present status. If he had been taken closer
to mainstream it would open up more and more, but alas…
“It
rained, like a slow divorce and I wish I could ride a horse.” –Balloon Man.
What a childish genius lyrical line! Robyn did some fantastic writing on this
album.
Robyn
paints the world in words as strange as our reality.
This
album always makes me smile inside. This was the first Robyn Hitchcock album I
heard. That is one reason why it sticks to me so strongly.
This
was the first album of theirs to come out while I was actively in their thrall.
Some people hated this record, that is their loss.
To
me it was an instant classic.
“Better
the pride that resides in a citizen of the world, than the pride that divides
when a colorful rag is unfurled.” –That is one of my favorite bits of Rush
lyrics right there. It comes from Territories. I deeply agree with that
sentiment.
Mystic
Rhythms is a psychedelic classic with expansive lyrics. The thudding drum intro
is entrancing. MTV used to play a video of Mystic Rythms which was directed by
one of the Devo dudes.
Here’s
the video
All
the jams in Marathon make the song like a fine wine for the ears.
Production
wise this is a wonderfully crisply brightly sounding affair which matches the
material perfectly.
Lyrically
Neal did some sharp, deft, writing. Consider this rail against conformity in
Grand Designs, “Swimming against the stream, life in two dimensions is a mass
production scheme.” Brilliant.
The
Power Windows tour was the first time I ever saw them thanks to my good friend
Paul Armstrong. We went to the show on the old party bus from the store
Stairway to Heaven in Boston, it was crazy.
The
Clockwork Angels tour was fantastic because they played a good chunk of Power
Windows on that tour. Grand Designs even got a spin.
I’ve
heard all these songs live except for Emotion Detector, which I believe was
never performed in concert.
My
personal connection to this album is that I never, ever get bored or tired of
hearing it. If anything as time goes along, I like it even more.
What
can I say about this album from my favorite band?
The
production is densely layered. Rush’s playing is just at an amazing level.
Using Permanent Waves as a springboard from this record their writing is
sharply crystallized packing a visceral punch.
When
I first heard this album it was already a few years in the rearview mirror, but
that didn’t matter. The freshness of the album still resonated to me and in
many ways whenever I listen to it there is a feeling of joy as if it’s a
welcome familiar friend.
How
well do I know this album? Whenever I get any piece of new stereo equipment
this is my go to album for testing it out. I know how this album should sound
no matter what type of speaker/headphone it’s blasting through.
In
a snide review of Moving Pictures someone once suggested no one ever listens to
side 2.
Wrong!
When
I had the cassette of this stellar album I always listened to both sides back
to back in order. Once the CD came out, if anything the track that would be
skipped was often Limelight but now I appreciate it as a great lead into the
astonishing rise fall epic the Camera Eye. What a beautiful song contrasting
two cities. Witch Hunt is a howl of horror. True horror. First its witches,
communists, terrorists… “Quick to anger, slow to understand.”
Another
thing going for Moving Pictures is that it is a well-sequenced album. Just a
spot on classic. Never have I tired of listening to this record.
On
the Time Machine tour, Rush played this entire album in order. That was worth
the ticket price alone.
My
personal connection to this album is that it is insanely amazing.
Most
of you have probably heard of the top 10-album challenge thing on the social
media spheres, it’s primarily on Fakebook.
Yours
truly was nominated and did it. A real friend on the site, Laura Clifford of
the great cable show, Reeling: The Movie Review Show, nominated me. Another
real life friend Mike Langlie of the incredible toy piano band, Twink suggested
that I do an essay on each of my choices; so here it is on this here blog.
The
way I viewed this challenge is believe it or not they aren’t necessarily my
favorite albums of all time, but rather they are records that came at a
formative time of my musical experiencing life and have stood the test of time,
consistently staying in orbit of my tune conciousness as well as being in the
stereo often enough to be on this list. The albums are listed in the order that
they were placed in on FB, which is to say merely in the order that they
occurred to me; not at all in order of how much I dig them.
So
having given you that entire foreground, let’s proceed.
Day
1.
Tangerine
Dream: Zeit.
This
isn’t a standard musical album; it’s a pure experience. At time’s in the double
album’s worth of tracks, it’s not even music, it’s pure sounds. Unearthly,
unhumanistic, strange, creepy, shape shifting sounds, this thing is all that
and more.
It
has only four tracks. Each of which consumed an album side back in the day. There
are distorted cellos, an early Moog synth, distorted organs, and sounds no
other human probably ever made. All of this blends through an amorphous filter
of gurgling soundscapes that wash through the conciousness.
This
is the soundtrack to a dream.
Upon
my first listening to this record I knew that there was something that
beautifully defied reason bursting into my ears.
This
album has been well traveled throughout my life. It was the soundtrack to many
Halloweens worth of handing candy out to the kids with it blaring through open
windows giving them a freak out as they received treats. The album is still
played regularly during late night writing sessions. The atmospheres greatly
helped to shape the Dracula novel I’ve been constructing. One Halloween at the
long gone amazing Middle Eastern bakery/coffee shop/restaurant the Crescent
Dragon we used this album as the soundtrack to the silent movie Nosferatu as we
heckled the film. A friend told me about listening to this album in black room
with a head full of LSD; it’s hard to imagine that not being a life changing
experience.
Here
is a link to the album. Listen to it and allow it to change your perceptions of
what music can be.
OK so we’re well into 2018 and I
have finally have this list up. As Ministry and Ed Wood would say, “So what?” Would it help if I told you that
I probably already have one favorite for the 2018 list? No? Well then read this
list or don’t.
3. Analog Missionary: Arc
Really great to see the long silent
Analog Missionary become active again. I’ve really enjoyed this bands wonderful
music. Welcome back!
Peace is one of the most creative
songs crafted in 2017. For that song alone the album hit number three. This
song blends so many insane elements together it transcends the genres of
Bollywood, early 80’s prog rock, 90’s prog rock, New Wave, Psychedelia, and a
twinge of Goth.
The classic sounds of Analog
Missionary are still there but are given a newfound fire. I have the feeling if
they put out another album soon it’ll be the best they’ve ever done.
Joy! Joyful dancing stuffed animals
in a magic forest toy piano jam. Yeah, that’s what I hear in this record. It’s
a party of fluffy awesome. Tunes that just bop out of the electronic corners
and crash into your soul.
Another year, another amazing Twink
album. So many great releases come out of this project that it’s mind blowing.
Wild Eyed Wild Ride races to the top as one of the best Twink albums ever which
is why it’s so easy for it to make the top 3 this year.
Another fantastic album cover and a
beautiful vinyl release as well. Twink forever!
This is their second best album.
Their best being the first Blackfield album. Wonderfully orchestrated strings
sweep across this record. From the opening score to the crashing end with the
ocean sweeping throughout the album. Amazing songs that feel nostalgic yet
fully planted in the present.
“I’m a Lonely Soul” is a trance inducing
loop of a song that is smart enough not to overstay its welcome. One thing I
adore about this album is that it’s 40ish minutes. It lasts just long enough
for you to think, wow that was brilliant then its gone in the ocean.
Family Man has a rocking biting
guitar kick. A dig at the straight life but yet a love for it at the same time
with fantastic hooks. A perfect example of a pure wonderful pop rock song.
