11 Albums I Want on My Phone at All Times
Remember the 90's? Friends used to ask us about our desert island discs. Or, after watching High Fidelity, what’s your top 5?
We don’t do that anymore. And, you know what? It sucks. What a great way to discover something new and amazing. I recently read this piece about some amazing bookshelf speakers, by The WireCutter.
Ok, sold. I bought the speakers, and now I’m hungry for stuff to play on ’em. Top 5 lists and desert island discs weren’t just a way to discover something new; They were discoveries + someone to enthusiastically gush about them with.
What follows are my top 11 albums, that I want on my phone at all times. Share yours, and let’s gush.
The Top 3
If I really needed to choose, there are three albums I prize above all else. They are Hell Below, Stars Above by The Toadies, Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, and Souvenir de Florence, Op.70 — Tchaikovsky.
Hell Bellow, Stars Above — The Toadies
If you ever turned on a radio in the 90s, you’ve definitely heard the Toadies. But, you might not remember them. They weren’t Nirvana, the Smashing Pumpkins, nor the Pixies.
The Toadies admittedly have a pretty middling, kind of generic grunge sound. There’s something about this album, though. I can listen to it front to back, multiple times, and never get tired of it.
It’s one of the only albums where every track hooks me like it’s the album’s single. That’s a pretty strange thing to say about an album I just called middling and generic. There’s just something special about Hell Below, Stars Above’s energy.
Kind of Blue — Miles Davis
This is how I finally “got” Jazz. I’d heard Jazz before, sure. Isn’t that what they play while I’m on hold, or in a posh building’s elevator?
I was even briefly room mates with Pharoah Sanders daughter (Sup Farrah!). When she mentioned the relation, I embarrassingly had no idea who he even was.
That changed after I listened to Kind of Blue. It’s the first time Jazz went from Kenny G calibre, unquestionably cheesy and mockable music, to “Holy shit! I feel something real when I listen to this.”
Kind of Blue is an album I always want with me. It’s my perfect sound track in moments of uncertainty; Or, when I really just need to work through something in my head.
If you don’t “get” Jazz, I suggest you give it a listen:
Souvenir de Florence, Op.70 — Tchaikovsky
Souvenir de Florence is one of those album’s that takes me back to a time, and a place. When I hear it, I feel like I’m nine years old again. I’m helping Dad get the fire going.
It’s the holidays, and the grandparents are in town. Someone is cooking something big and amazing in the kitchen. If we’re lucky, Mom’s mixing in Yiddish favorites (Sweet potato Keugel) with traditional fare.
My sisters and I’ve signed unspoken pacts of non-aggression. It’s one of the few parts a year we’re not constantly at each other’s throats. In fact, we’re probably sitting down to play cards (and shit talk) with Grandma and Grandpa.
Dad goes the stereo to put something on. It’s Souvenir de Florence. To me, this album is family, a crackling fireplace, and warm fuzzies.
The Rest in No Particular Order
Vertikal — Cult of Luna
Goosebumps. Nerd chills. I get all kinds of tingly sensations while listening to Vertikal. This whole album is fucking Metal.
It’s discordant explosions of sound contrasted against expansive soundscapes.
Symphony N0.1 in F Minor — Brahms
Speaking of Heavy Metal, if Brahms were alive today he’d almost certainly be leading some Power Metal band. Symphony No.1 swells and quells.
I feel instantly energized and motivated listening to this. It’s wonderful, maybe even the best, “get shit done” music.
Coco (disc 2) — Parov Stelar
I dare you not to shake your booty. It’s impossible.
The City Under the City — L’Orange & Stik Figa
I don’t listen to much Hip Hop, but when I do, it’s something like the City Under the City. Tracks backed by amazing mixes, coherent themes, and lyrics I can (mostly) actually relate to.
In Humor and Sadness — ‘68
Poetic, loud, screamy Metal. I fucking love In Humor and Sadness. It’s the perfect contrast between melody and indecipherable noise. This album is a guaranteed pick-me-up anytime I’m feeling down.
Cheeseburgers Diary — Bugy Craxone
It’s hard to love most Japanese Rock. It’s overly produced, glitter and glam. Not so, here. Cheeseburgers Diary collects tracks that float fluidly between Pop and Punk. And, let’s be honest, mostly Japanese lyrics peppered with a little English makes it a novel listen.
Fool on the Planet — The Pillows
If you’ve seen FLCL, you’ve already heard Fool on the Planet. For whatever reason, this seems to be the only album worth listening to from the Pillows. Oh well, it’s damn good! Light, fun, and inspiring.
Figure 8 — Elliot Smith
Every Elliot Smith album is an argument why feeling sad isn’t so bad. Sometimes it can feel damn good. Figure 8 in particular, really resonates strongly. Fuck, I love that piano.
