I asked people whose musical tastes I trusted for their favorite albums to absorb and here I am taking notes.
Modest Mouse – Sad Sappy Sucker Full Album – YouTube.
Summary: As far as I know, classic Modest Mouse. I think of them as The Decemberists with more snare. Tamborine usage is nice towards the end of the song. “Do you connect?”
Analysis:
Fun parts: I liked the solo vocal where it sounded like someone talk/singing through a static hand radio. One song starts with a thunder storm. Yes.
Notes: I want to do a cover of Australopithecus
[HQ]On Avery Island – Full Album – YouTube
Summary: Everyone wants to recommend Neutral Milk Hotel to me, so I have heard some tracks. I like jingle bells and what sounds like a chainsaw effect.
Analysis: Jeff Mangum, like Bob Dylan, has a distinctive singing voice. Lately, I’ve been thinking if I have some intuitive singing voice that naturally comes out, where I don’t feel like a fake.
Fun parts: Carousel music on scratchy guitar
Notes: I love towards the end of the album, it’s just slow walking notes in an eerie whoawhoah type noise. A great warning that the album is about to end. Sad about its own demise.
“the Banana Album by the Velvet Underground” The Velvet Underground and Nico Full album vinyl LP – YouTube.
Summary: The start is wonderful. I immediately smiled. “oh, yes. This.” Suunndaayy Mornin’. Femme Fatale – YouTube. Sounds like Christmas with Maple Syrup. I love it.
Analysis:
Fun parts: Crisp high pitched xylaphone sound carpet
Notes: Sounds like the 50s, but an ironic note, like celebrating nostalgia more than anything
Yes – Tales from Topographic Oceans Full Album – YouTube.
Summary: This is a story album. It starts off slow, establishing a setting. Chanting is beautiful.
Analysis: Hippie Circle in the best of circumstances, channeling some really great messages that shouldn’t be missed.
Fun parts: Almost like slow disco with the wailing guitar. Great section towards the ends with bells like a psychedelic alarm
Notes: Some of the female vocals, it’s a husky richness that I would almost say was “Bjorkian” but so straight. No tricks.
David Bowie – Hunky Dory full album HQ – YouTube.
Summary: I’m very familiar with these works. Hard to imagine them in an album. It’s been a wild Bowie pastiche in my memories through collage of references.
Analysis: Very grandiose, at times, big personalilty
Fun parts: Was there an ending where there was a gentle bass drum fading out, yes.
Notes:
THE BEATLES – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band [Full Album] – YouTube.
Summary: “I have to admit it’s getting better.”
Analysis:
Fun parts: Droning, violin and a harp sounds right, then some psychedelic crooning. I dig.
Notes: I need more laugh tracks on my stuff.
The Thermals – The Body, The Blood, The Machine [full album] – YouTube.
Summary: “I have to admit it’s getting better.”
Analysis:
Fun parts: Droning, violin and a harp sounds right, then some psychedelic crooning. I dig.
Notes: I need more laugh tracks on my stuff.
Björk Vespertine Full Album 2001 – YouTube.
Summary: “I have to admit it’s getting better.”
Analysis:
Fun parts: Droning, violin and a harp sounds right, then some psychedelic crooning. I dig.
Notes: I need more laugh tracks on my stuff.
Marilyn Manson – Antichrist Superstar
Eels – Electro Shock Blues
White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
Weezer – Pinkerton
Beck – Mellow Gold
Tool – Aenima
The American Analog Set – Know by Heart
The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Nick Drake – Pink Moon
Seabear – The Ghost That Carried Us Away
The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
This Will Destroy You – Young Mountain
Broken Social Scene – Self Titled
Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary
The Mountain Goats – The Sunset Tree
Los Campesinos – Hold on Now, Youngster…
Carissa’s Wierd – Songs Aboout Leaving
The Field Mice – Where’d You Learn to Kiss That Way?
The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday
Arcade Fire – Funeral
Why? – Alopecia
I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning – Bright Eyes
Let England Shake – PJ Harvey
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do – Fiona Apple
Frank Zappa – Roxy and Elsewhere
King Crimson – Lizard
Pink Floyd – Animals
The Beatles – Abbey Road
Dire Straits – Making Movies
Tom Lehrer – An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer
Stevie Wonder’s Journey Through the Secret Life of Plant
The Police – Synchronicity
Genesis – The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Mark Knopfler – Shangri-La
Kismet Arts Tangent 
