Music recommendations
(links lead to albums at Amazon.com)
I really can't say a whole lot about all the albums I love, but I try to some extent! When I can't think of anything else, I just add useless things that will not aid you in deciding whether an album is for you or not!
Magnetic Fields
These have been my favorite albums for the last few months. Thing is, I like pretty much ALL of the Magnetic Fields albums. I shall, however, restrain myself from listing them all here. And I won't even mention
Future Bible Heroes,
Gothic Archies, or
The 6ths.
- I - (click here to see more info about and reviews of this album) - Maybe not as enjoyable as "69 Love Songs," but enjoyable, nonetheless.
- 69 Love Songs - Three discs, 69 songs, variety up the wazoo. Volume 1 is probably the best, if I had to choose one, but there are great songs on the other two, too.
- The Charm of the Highway Strip - This album is so ridiculously good, my face melts away when I try to describe it to the Ark of the Covenant! "Fear of Trains" may be one of the best songs about train-o-phobia -- or anything else -- EVER!
- Get Lost - If the question is "Does music get much better than this album?" then the answer is "Not bloody likely!"
The Divine Comedy
The music of The Divine Comedy is sometimes uplifting, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes funny, but almost always undeniably enjoyable. The best songs are really scattered throughout the various albums, but the "Best Of" collection really groups some of the best.
- Secret History (Best Of)(+1 Bonus Track) - Only the import is listed as being available new at Amazon at this time, which means that if you spend more than twice the normal album's price, you can get one more song and an enormous sense of well-being!
- Promenade - Best songs on this album: "Going Downhill Fast," "Don't Look Down," "Tonight We Fly." And I'm not spitting at the other songs. They all have their high points.
- Liberation - This album has such a flow between songs that some tracks actually overlap. Lot's of really good songs on this one!
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants (TMBG) was one of my favorite bands before it was cool to be my favorite band! From their oldies but goodies to their newies but okaysies (though many of their newies are ultra-grand, don't get me wrong!), I like 'em alot!
- Then: The Earlier Years - The older stuff that defined the twin quasars of rock that are John Flansburgh and John Linnell. So much goodness emanates from these two discs that one would be hard-pressed to stop it with even immense amounts of evil!
- John Henry - More greatness from TMBG! I don't want to just say "This particular song is good," because that would make other songs on this great album seem less important. AND THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT!
- Apollo 18 - "Fingertips" is the END-ALL collection of tune-bits that will make you say, "Get me the phone, I'm calling the police to make me turn down my own blaring radio!"
- State Songs - John Linnell's solo endeavor, "State Songs," could only be better if it included "Louisiana," which was only available as a vinyl single. These songs DEFINE the states! Without them, some states would likely secede!
Weird Al Yankovic
Weird Al Yankovic has the ability to take popular music and make it bearable to the masses by making it funny and interesting. And he's been at it so long, but still has all the skill he had when he got started! Some very good original hits in among the parody songs, too!
- Running with Scissors - While "Albuquerque" is the A-1 Super Best on this album, the rest of this album holds a gold mine of gold ore! DIG IN TO GOLD ORE, I SAY!
- Bad Hair Day - This album is great because of "Everything You Know is Wrong," "Gump," "The Night Santa Went Crazy," "I Remember Larry," "Gump" again, and several other songs that aren't even on it!
Pizzicato 5
Oh man, I love Pizzicato Five soooo damn much!
- The Fifth Release from Pizzicato Five - When I first heard "Goodbye Baby and Amen," I knew that Pizzicato 5 was a band I would want to hear more of. Then, when I finally got hold of this album, all the pieces fell into place, and P5 were one step closer to world domination!
- Made in USA - With the title "Made in USA" and the fervent patriotism practiced by all in America, it's hard to believe that this album isn't the biggest thing anywhere ever!
