If memory serves, it was late ‘95/early ‘96 in Witte Hall A Tower when my neighbor @joegoodkin introduced me to Head Hunters. Chameleon was undeniable from the jump. Endlessly funky. Deceptively simple. I was so focused on guitar based music back then- this song blew me away.
It starts with Accidents Will Happen and ends with (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding… sure, there are some clunkers on this record, but this one broke Elvis Costello open for me. I always liked him; this is where I fell in love.
With A Tribe Called Quest, it’s hard to choose a record. The Low End Theory is also a VERY important album for me, but I have to choose one, it’s Midnight Marauders. Beats, samples, lyrics, the iconic album cover- it’s all just so great.
Jeff Tweedy is my songwriting lodestar. Wilco’s music feels like it was made for me and is speaking to me. It just resonates like nothing else. Jeff is a special songsmith. There are other Wilco albums I adore, but this is a double album, so I’ll take twice the Tweedy, thanks.
I sure love music. I’ve been revisiting these records as I work today and it’s quite fun. This feels self-indulgent to the max, but WHO GIVES A SHIT- this site is basically on fire hurtling through the universe. Onward!
Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves got me through one of the hardest times of my life. It’s such a powerful record for me that I feel like I owe Kacey a life debt. It’s that meaningful for me. Slow Burn, Golden Hour, Love Is A Wild Thing, all just killer songs…
…if you want to see me cry in public, play Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves. I almost can’t listen to it. This is weapons-grade beauty for me. It’s so powerful and so moving. I’m tearing up JUST WRITING ABOUT IT.
I’m generally a music over lyrics guy, but The Hold Steady levels that playing field. Craig Finn’s words and voice somehow cut through the skull crushing guitar riff onslaught. I wish I wrote every guitar part and I wish I could write lyrics like this. Also, they’re GREAT live.
It’s hard to believe that guitar riffs like this were sitting there for The Hold Steady to scoop up and bring to our ears. Then Craig Finn just paints a picture like no one else can. Thick themes and specificity. A voice like no other. Damn it, this band rules.
Speaking of music vs. lyrics, Madlib and MF DOOM are operating at a cosmic level on Madvillainy. It’s a musical miracle. Madlib is the architect behind a landscape for poetry to flourish. Doom impossibly fills every crack and crevice with rhymes. An absolute masterpiece.
This was fun and selfish and I’d do it again, damn it. I love music and I’m glad I live in a world where I don’t have to choose 8 (or 9) albums. Thanks for reading.