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I've put together a list of 5 albums I think everyone should listen to. These are not my 5 favourite albums ever, but they might as well be.
Keep in mind I'm not reviewing these albums. I really struggle to point out flaws in albums just in general because I like most of the music I hear unless it's really bad.
1. Now You Are One Of Us by The Paper Chase.
I have to preface this with a written confession- I am extremely bias. I've been listening to these guys for a few years now, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say they've completely changed the way I listen to music.
This is the first album I ever listened to by these guys. Me and my friend Ann were making a collaborative playlist, in like, what, late 2019? They added just one track, We Know Where You Sleep. I still remember the first time I heard it- it was jammed right between a bunch of comparably upbeat alt rock songs, and needless to say, it was not an alt rock song. The song starts off with a jaws sounding piano tapping away, before the rest of the group falls into the song. And the opening lines couldn't ring true. "I've got you know, I'll show you out, I'll kick out the chair let you dangle slow."
He's right, man. He got me.
Those damn lyrics are imprinted into my head. It all builds when we move into the chorus- this perfectly on beat high pitch guitar that feels more like a scream for help fades into focus before everything falls out from under your feet and you're dropped into what feels like a pop ballad where something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.
As far as I'm aware, this was the bands 5th major project, fronted by mastermind producer John Congleton (known for producing for acts such as Modest Mouse, Lana Del rey, The Mountain Goats, and Swans- to name a few), the band delves into fear headfirst- not only confronting it, but bathing in it.
It's an impossible sound to describe- when you hear someone say winding dissonant guitars, detuned pianos and violins and the some of the crunchiest bass tones you'll ever hear, it doesn't sound like a very good combo. But they master it, and they make it their own. And I'd be damned to say it isn't fucking catchy.
There's the thing about them- they don't have a genre. You can't say they're emo, or hardcore, or rock, or pop- because no music sounds like this.
In truth, I don't believe this to be their best album. In my to personal opinion, their last album before disbanding, Someday This Could All Be Yours is their best. Then why do I recommend this? Because this album doesn't just show off that fear that drives their music, it is about that fear! That gross disgust and shock and anxiety you never want to feel.
Do you know that feeling? After you've had a shock- maybe learning that someone died, learning you've been cheated on, realising you've got a disease or feeling like you have to run right now or you're going to die?
That's the Paper Chase. And that's Now You Are One Of Us.
The debates surrounding it's subject matter only further that uniqueness.
Is it about ghosts? Is it about schizophrenia? Aliens? Maybe it's all of them. Probably not. But whatever he's singing about through that nasly, horrified voice of his, it's human. And it's something we all feel, every day, every second.
2. The Great Depression by Defiance, Ohio.
Taking probably the biggest jump I can here from the last album, The Great Depression is probably my personal favourite folk punk album, with People Who Can Eat People being a very close second.
Thankfully, this one is much easier to pin down genrewise than the last album. I can say, you know, this is like AJJ! Or Violet Femmes! Or Ramshackles Glory! Except it isn't /really./
I mean, sure, they do sound like them. But I wouldn't be putting an album on here that doesn't sound unique.
Defiance, Ohio get their name from a town. In Ohio, obviously. A town they aren't even from! I mean, they are from Ohio but...
Anyway, I am going somewhere with this metaphor.
On this album, that confidently and most definitely finds itself within the realms of folk punk, they not only manage to define what the genre sounds like, but also push it to it's limits. Every song sounds different, you can be listening to a satirical political speech over a twangy banjo and then a thrashed out punk anthem that'd feel more at home heard in a shitty, smelly garage than a CD or vinyl and it all connects and flows smoothly.
Every song is a new adventure on this album. It really pulls you into the world of what they're singing about. Whether that be beautiful rivers, meadows and woods knocked down to build malls and minimalist cookie cutter houses on the track Oh, Susquehanna!, or appreciating the crazy kids and young lovers just living their life in the middle of the countryside on the track Letter Home, the band not only pulls you in- but they make you feel like you're right there in the studio with them airing out both your grievances and joys about living in the world we all do.
I got into these guys right when I was stuck in the middle of butt fuck nowhere, living in a caravan bus. And it couldn't be more perfect for how I was feeling. Bored, angsty, and wanting to go back to my friends in the city. Of course, I listened to then religiously.
It's not just nostalgia for the good times, it's bringing those good times, and just maybe... some of those painful, hurt, and emotional times too.
3. The Dresden Dolls (Self Titled)
It's hard to find something that hasn't already been said about this duo of dark cabaret, dare I say Gothic (though they hate being called that)- or at least, their frontman Amanda Palmer.
Say what you want about Palmer, she's a musical genius. The things she can do with a piano shouldn't be possible. How the hell do two people, a pianist and drummer manage to feel fuller and more intense than an entire band?
Let's not neglect said second piece either. The sound would only ever be complete with Brian Viglione of the Violet Femmes (didn't I mention them earlier?). Complicated yet perfectly in-line percussion compliments the aggressive, scattered and frantic keys Amanda provides.
This album is... it's dark. Dealing with subject matters from self harm to kidnapping, Palmer pulls no punches in both her lyrics and delivery. Her voice goes from erupting pain like a volcano to whispering, barely legible, every syllable filled to the brim with spite. All her vocal takes have but one thing in common- they're barely holding onto their sanity. Rather that be her voice cracking on the verge of tears, or scarily calm for the subject matter... everything feels so wrong... so wrong, yet, so right.
Make no mistakes, their status as a 2 instrument duo doesn't hold them back from the occasional instrument used in studio. That opener, especially. I don't think I've ever heard an opener like that. It's a firey start, definitely. And as the darker gets darker and darker as it runs on, it gets colder too. It's like, it's like the volcano has already gone off and you've survived, just to be choked to death by the smoke and ash.
4. Sore Thumb by Oso Oso
Sure, it might only be just over halfway through the year. But God, if an album beats this one, I'll be damn fucking surprised.
This album is as easy to describe as it as hard. Sure, they're a beachy sounding indie group tinged with a Midwest emo sensibility and an introspective feel. That description is, for the most part true, and yet... Maybe it's better just to give some context.
You, the frontman (being Jade Litlitri) and your bandmate (Tavish Maloney) are cooped up in a cabin in a winter of the pandemic, writing. From what I gather, the two (or three including their producer, as taken from the pitchfork interview, ((being one of the only pitchfork interviews I respect))) wrote it between trips and video games, and it totally shows. The album was, then, recorded. It remains untouched for a while.
Said bandmate, and one of your best friends dies shortly after. One of the people you've held closest.
The album then, becomes nothing short of a painting. A painting of both all the good and bad. Not only of every moment you spent together, but also of everything you talked of. The individual lives you both shared.
Your first thought might be: wow, that's fucking depressing, or like, jesus that's harsh.
But if you listen to the album, what would be depressing is hopeful. It's telling you to live your life and live it in pursuit of happiness.
The album, musically, is nothing short of masterful. It's wonderfully arranged, mystical pianos, violins, a wonderful blend of acoustic and electric guitar. If you've, for whatever reason, wanted an album that goes from a stadium level beach rock banger to an almost reggae sounding sickly sweet track about a drunk priest, to an almost dreamlike acoustic and synth mashup filled to the brim with even more dreamlike vocal harmonies- all within the first 4 songs of the album, you've got it.
Not to mention, the "closer", carousel, may well be the saddest song I've ever heard. Take that as you will.
5. High Society by Enon
AGHHH THIS ALBUM IS AWESOME!!
Sorry. I lost my composure. Anyway, Enon is an synth focused rock band. John Schmersal, one of the members, was the guitarist in brainiac, if you catch my drift.
However, opposed to brainiac, their sound is... quite clean. They're pretty damn calm, despite how intense and focused they can get at parts on this album.
With one of my favourite album covers ever, the band opens the album with this sweeping giant stadium show sounding rock song, but even before you realise that, he begins to sing
"Hey you, come on over here, you've just been chosen."
I believe I said something similar to this when I was speaking about The Paper Chase, but those words really do signify what you feel. You're in it. Whatever it is? You don't know, cause you're like, 5 seconds into the song. But you're in it for the long haul now.
The band proceeds to drag you through 14 more, wildly different songs, all within the span of 41 minutes. Wild and free pop-rock headbangers, synth based dance beats punctuated by the wonderful female singer who feels somehow robotic yet more human and real than half of the singers you'll see anywhere else- intense and concentrated bass focused punk inspired electronic that'd feel right in a Sci-fi film, a straight up emo cut, and, well, relaxed pub jazz.
It's such an experience because like, what? What are you even listening to?
Yet, just as the name and album cover suggest, it's all got this central feeling. High Society. Whether that be the radiant warmth of tracks like Window Display, the bright drunken lights of In This City or Disposable parts, or the unsettling faulty-machine that is the closer track, it all connects. I don't know what the hell these guys were smoking when they made this, but it's a fucking ride.
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Special number 6: interchange by Cassette Gun and Attic Tapes by Title On The Screen Heheehhee (my own music LOL)
Thank you anyone who read this! These are 5 albums that I think everyone should listen to, not necessarily on my fav list. Infact, really none of them except the 2nd are even in my top 10. However, these fundamentally changed the way I listen and write my own music, and if you're a musician I especially think you could benefit from listening to these. All of these have some major flaws to an extent (except, again, the Defiance Ohio album) but I think they're so special :) I might do a part 2 at some point but I think for the most part I'll just blog about my life and my own music from now on.
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