I am a very excited camper because tonight I am off to see Sonic Youth play the utter perfection that is Daydream Nation in its entirety. A review will be coming in a day or so.
It is part of the Don’t Look Back series that has been around a couple years, mainly in the UK, where artists play their (arguably) most influential album. I had the privilege of seeing the very first Don’t Look Back show in London in 2005, which was The Stooges playing Funhouse. That was an utterly amazing show… an album I adore by a band I never thought I would ever see (and the fact I was only in transit in London for 2 days and fluked that and Pixies shows made it two of the greatest days of my life). It actually adds something strange yet exhilarating to a show knowing what song is coming next.
So this got me thinking… what is my wish list of albums? Here are a few (I am sure I will think of more). I have included bands that are no more, but where (most) the members are still around to make it a possibility but thus not including sooo many other LP’s from artists no longer with us . I also tried to avoid albums from the last 10 years to keep the “influential” status. Here we go…
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted, Crooked Rain, or Wowee Zowee. I am not being fussy here… any of these and I would be in heaven (Brighten the Corners could get a run too, but the first couple have the extra special place in my heart)
Pixies - Surfer Rosa or Doolittle. Again, not fussy… but I think Surfer Rosa has the edge.
Television - Marquee Moon. An album I got hold of because I thought I “had to” and one I cannot live without. These guitar solos would be sublime live.
My Bloody Valentine – Loveless. Now they are back together playing some shows, this is a possibility! That would be 45 minutes of ear melting bliss.
N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton. This is the most nostalgic of the bunch… I probably loved Public Enemy more but this is me being 18 all over again. It will never be the full crew, but it could come close.
Teenage Fanclub – Grand Prix. I know most of you are wondering why this is not Bandwagonesque, but this is their classic to me. I will NEVER get tired of this album.
Radiohead - OK Computer. Sorry… I know this is an obvious one. To be honest I listen to Kid A and The Bends more, but can you imagine hearing this start to finish?!
Beck - Odelay. One of the greatest gigs ever was Beck in 1997 supporting this album. With the deluxe edition out I have been cranking it out again and yes, it is timeless.
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing. His last album is not so great, but I saw him tour it live and it was amazing. So I can’t even imagine what Shadow could do with this end to end.
Neutral Milk Hotel – In An Aeroplane Over The Sea. This I have only come to love in the last few years, but adore it, and I think enough time has passed for this to be classic. This is also a bit of a selfish request in that I never saw them play back in the day. Imagine the apprehension in knowing you will hear O’ Comely?
As mentioned I am sure I have forgotten something… but that is a pretty darn good start. Sonic Youth update soon.
… muttler
