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Rants >> Rant 154

:: Today's soundtrack: Evanescence "Bring Me to Life" ::


Ah, music. Where would I be without you? What sorry, shell of a person would I have become? What indeed. That's why I don't comprehend people who own only 5 or 6 albums. I just don't get it. When I go to various people's websites and read more about them to see if they're interesting, or if we have anything in common, and I read what movies they like or whatever, they often have "CDs I own" sections or similar, and when I find they only have like 10 or something and they're older than twelve, I find it disturbing. I started to buy albums when I was in early high school, mainly because this is when I started to have pocket money of my own, and I would save up for however long I had to get them. That's why I can't wrap my brain around people who don't particularly care one way or the other when it comes to music. Granted, there is a heck of a lot of crap you have to wade through on the radio to get to the good stuff, but it's there!

So, as a public service, I'm going give you my own personal record recommendations. Hopefully, there should be something for everyone.

1. The Cure Disintegration. Duh. Probably one of my all-time favourite albums to date. Everyone must own a copy simply because it's difficult to maintain a proper bout of depression without one! Every song on this record is pure, gut wrenching anguish, delivered with gorgeous lyrics and smothering synths.

2. New Order Waiting for the Sirens' Call. A good polar opposite of Disintegration, as it's a great feel-good album. It's jazzy and dancey, and has catchy lyrics that you'll be singing after the first listen! Not TOO deep as far as the words go (especially "Jetstream") but, if you're looking for a happy fun time, it doesn't matter. Just groove on it.

3. She Wants Revenge She Wants Revenge. Just when I was losing hope in modern music, up jumps this new band. Finally, a Joy Division for the new generation! Throbbing bass lines go toe-to-toe with the deep vocals. Undeniably catchy from start to finish, but the lyrics aren't too deep as far as poeticness, but still evoke strong images of smoky, dimly lit night clubs.

4. The Beatles 1967-1970. You can't go your entire life without the Beatles in it. It violates some kind of international treaty or something, but it's also with good reason. This second two-CD set of Beatles classics is far superior to the first in that they got away from the bubblegum pop of their early career and started producing heart-felt and personal masterpieces. This set contains the perfect "Hey Jude" and "Let it Be," and if those weren't enough, try George Harrison's masterwork "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on for size. I dare you not to love them all.

5. The Birthday Massacre Violet. One great album by one great band. They're still small-ish, but I hope they hit it big with their talent. They have an awesome heavy dark-wave kind of sound, saturated with spooky synths, crushing guitars and dreamy female vocals. The tone of the songs varies slightly with the perky "Video Kid," creepy "Lovers End," and bouncy almost new wave-y "Violet."

6. The Crow: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Now this album sponsored my teenaged angst like nothing else could. They got my head in the door with an original Cure song that knocked my socks off, and kept me on with Nine Inch Nails covering a Joy Division song. It hosts several other delicious treasures by Violent Femmes and Stone Temple Pilots, and capped it all off with the tear-jerky yet hopeful "It Can't Rain All the Time" by Jane Siberry. A must for every teenager.

7. 24 Hour Party People: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. It a wondrous showcase of Manchester's Factory Records hey day and their impact on the music scene. From the immortal Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays to club classics like 808 State and Marshall Jefferson. If you've ever been curious about the Manchester music scene or Brit pop, this is the introductory lesson you've been looking for.

 8. The Misfits American Psycho. Yes, I know, this is LATER Misfits, sans Glenn Danzig, the horror and shame of it all. Okay, Glenn is god and all, but the later Misfits are still keen, which is mainly why this selection is here. Give it a chance and you may actually dig Michale Grave's vocal stylings! Shock! This record also contains one of my fave Misfits songs, "Dig Up Her Bones" which has terrific lyrics, singing and music. This album also keeps the Misfits tradition of horror movie homages going strong and what's not to love about that?

9. The Clash London Calling. Once again, duh. This album is good on so many levels, it's astounding. Punk rock with important and poignant lyrics? Wowzers. Come for the political "London Calling," and stay through the end for the ahead of its time sound of "Train in Vain." This record had a huge hand in molding the future of so many English bands, it's ridiculous, so why not get in on the ground floor? From the rockabilly sound of "Brand New Cadillac" to the Jamaican ska-ish ness of "Guns of Brixton" every facet of punk rock owes a piece of itself to this fine creation.

10. Nirvana Nevermind. It's hard to believe that this album is about fifteen years old now, as I was in junior high when it came out, and it literally changed my life. I cringe at the thought that there are teenagers today who were born after Kurt Cobain's death and may not have heard this album. This record is a must hear for everyone at some point in their lives as it changed modern music in a way I can't describe. Cobain's vocals perfectly compliment his lyrics which are artistic in their contradictions. He was unafraid to present the idea that people's lives can be messed up, confusing and scary, but presented it in a way which was beautiful.

11. Evanescence Fallen. If you're sick of singers who scream or whine, then this album is just what you need. The lead vocals by Amy Lee are pitch perfectly sung over not only heavy electric guitar, but also gorgeous piano and orchestrations. Who says hard rock can't sound good? Every track on this album is worth the price you pay for the whole record as I find this is one of the few discs that I actually NEVER hit the skip button once, no matter how many times I listen to it.

12. Lost Highway: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Brilliantly produced by Trent Reznor, this soundtrack actually was better received than the film if represented! This compilation actually got me to forgive Marilyn Manson for existing, and turned me on to German rockers Rammstein. The tracklist is even interspersed with awesome original songs as well instrumental cuts from the film. This one makes for great spooky fun atmosphere in the background at parties. Or is that just me and my weird parties?

Well, there's my top twelve recs. Why twelve? Couldn't say, other than it was too hard to stop at just ten. Of course, I could sit here and throw records at you all the live long day, but I think you're bored enough as it is. If you, the viewers at home, have some awesome albums not listed here, I'd love to know what you'd recommend!

William (top of the pops)

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