Gold Soundz
I’ve always been into my sounds and grew up immersed in my Dads record collection; Beatles, ELO, Supertramp, Randy Newman some Billy Joel and by the time I was earning a few quid down at the local supermarket, it was regular trips into town on the bus to visit Dublin’s best second hand record store, Freebird in Grafton Street.
We picked up a new, deep bookcase recently which means that at long last, I can now get all my old vinyl out on display. Just seeing some of those old covers takes me right back, cataloguing my formative years into 12” size pieces.
Here’s a list of favourites, a little over the ten, with a crossover to CD about halfway through:
Friends, Beach Boys - very short, quirky and mellow, this sounds like it was knocked up in the garden shed using nursery instruments.
Tonight‘s the Night, Neil Young - Neil Young records manage to pull off the neat trick of feeling messy yet structured; a dark journey elevated by some alluring melodies.
Quadrophenia, The Who - a chunky double with a beautiful full size twenty page booklet containing grainy black and white stills depicting the gloomy scene. Quality product.
London Calling, The Clash - I was around at a friends house after school and he had managed to borrow this record for an evening - a double album in a single sleeve with handwritten lyrics on loose sheets. I was hooked after just one listen.
More Songs About Buildings and Food, Talking Heads - still so fresh and punchy after all these years.
Imperial Bedroom, Elvis Costello - twenty years on and I could still listen to this swish album every day.
Hatful of Hollow, The Smiths - the early Morrisey and Marr compilation.
Hawaii, High Llamas - one pot cooking with Brian Wilson, Burt Baccarach and Steely Dan
Dog Man Star, Suede - a sprawling, all encompassing, urban classic.
Wake Up! Boo Radley’s - sonic Beatles sounds.
XO, Elliot Smith - pained, beautiful voice with lyrics and irresistible tunes to match.
The Big Romance, David Kitt - complex, quirky, softly spoken electro folk.
A Ghost Is Born, Wilco - a great band, their best work.
The Trials Of Van Occupanther, Midlake - steeped in the 70’s its simple themes hark back to living in woods and hunting deer. Every track works and the two short closing tracks wind the album down beautifully.